Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Institutions and Cultural Heterogeneity as Determinants of National Income: A Random‐Coefficients Stochastic Frontier Model

Previous research on total factor productivity (TFP) shows that cross-country differences in income cannot be fully explained by stocks of capital (K), labor (L) and human capital (E). In addition, the omission of major production inputs or the use of proxies to estimate unobservable inputs leads to biased estimation results. This study addresses the above issues by employing a novel econometric approach and provides empirical evidence that a fixed production input, and therefore a country's income, is positively correlated with the existence of British-style institutions and negatively correlated with cultural heterogeneity and Spanish-style institutions. Our methodology is twofold. First, using data for 62 countries from 1980 to 2004, we regressed a random-coefficients stochastic production frontier that allows estimating a fixed unobservable production input without using proxies. Second, the estimated fixed production input is shown to be related to colonial institutions and cultural heterogeneity by means of ordinary least squares and feasible generalized least squares regressions.
Critical Issues in the Practice of Market Design

The years since 1994 have witnessed the emergence of market design as a new discipline within economics, in which research and practice exert powerful mutual influences in matching and auction markets. The problem of designing well-functioning auction markets has led economic designers to revisit such fundamental issues as the definitions of commodities, the ways participants communicate with markets, the trade-offs between the incentives provided for truthful reporting and other attributes of mechanism performance, and the determinants of the scope of markets, especially whether and how trade in different goods is linked.
Risk Factors for 30-Day Readmissions of Individuals with Decompensated Cirrhosis

Objectives Patients with cirrhosis have a high rate of 30-day hospital readmission that affects their quality of life and contributes to increased healthcare-related costs. The aim of our study was to identify frequency, predictors, and preventable causes of hospital readmissions among patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Methods We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of decompensated cirrhosis admitted to Dayton VA Medical Center between 2009 and 2013. Demographics, clinical factors, laboratory values, and outcomes were recorded. Univariate analysis was performed using independent samples t tests and Wilcoxon rank sums tests for continuous variables and &khgr;2 or Fisher exact tests for categorical variables. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed for variables found to be significant by univariate analysis to predict the risk factors for 30-day readmission. A detailed chart review was conducted for all patients readmitted within 30 days by a single gastroenterologist to identify the reason for readmission and to decide whether any of these readmissions were preventable. Results The 30-day readmission rate for decompensated cirrhotic patients was 27.03%. The risk factors for 30-day readmission were higher body mass index (BMI), lower body temperature, higher blood urea nitrogen, higher creatinine, more cirrhosis-related complications, and more readmissions per year per univariate analysis. Multivariable analysis revealed only BMI as a significant predictor of 30-day readmission (P = 0.023). A total of 36.7% of 30-day readmissions were possibly preventable. Conclusions The independent variable that predicted 30-day readmission in patients with decompensated cirrhosis was higher BMI. Approximately one-third of 30-day readmissions were possibly preventable. These findings support the need to develop specific interventions for disease management to improve patient care and save on extraneous healthcare costs.
Increased EGFR gene copy number detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization predicts outcome in non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with cetuximab and chemotherapy.

PURPOSE Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) has proven to be useful for selection of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients for treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Here, we evaluate EGFR FISH as a predictive marker in NSCLC patients receiving the EGFR monoclonal antibody inhibitor cetuximab plus chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two hundred twenty-nine chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced-stage NSCLC were enrolled onto a phase II selection trial evaluating sequential or concurrent chemotherapy (paclitaxel plus carboplatin) with cetuximab. RESULTS EGFR FISH was assessable in 76 patients with available tumor tissue and classified as positive (four or more gene copies per cell in >/= 40% of the cells or gene amplification) in 59.2%. Response (complete response/partial response) was numerically higher in FISH-positive (45%) versus FISH-negative (26%) patients (P = .14), whereas disease control rate (complete response/partial response plus stable disease) was statistically superior (81% v 55%, respectively; P = .02). Patients with FISH-positive tumors had a median progression-free survival time of 6 months compared with 3 months for FISH-negative patients (P = .0008). Median survival time was 15 months for the FISH-positive group compared with 7 months for patients who were FISH negative. (P = .04). Furthermore, survival favored FISH-positive patients receiving concurrent therapy. CONCLUSION These results are the first to suggest that EGFR FISH is a predictive factor for selection of NSCLC patients for cetuximab plus chemotherapy. Prospective validation of these findings is warranted.
The transition to parenthood in dual-earner couples

Synopsis The impact of the transition to parenthood for dual-earner couples was examined in a longitudinal study. Data were collected by questionnaire from couples expecting their first child, during pregnancy and after maternity leave, and from childless couples at two separate time points. The impact of the transition was minimal overall, although women experienced more pressure than men and there were some cases of extreme stress. New single-earner parents reported a greater decline in life satisfaction than dual-earners.
Why does the GARCH(1,1) model fail to provide sensible longer- horizon volatility forecasts?

The paper investigates from an empirical perspective aspects related to the occurrence of the IGARCH effect and to its impact on volatility forecasting. It reports the results of a detailed analysis of twelve samples of returns on financial indexes from major economies (Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, UK, and US). The study is conducted in a novel, non-stationary modeling framework proposed in Starica and Granger (2005). The analysis shows that samples characterized by more pronounced changes in the unconditional variance display stronger IGARCH effect and pronounced differences between estimated GARCH(1,1) unconditional variance and the sample variance. Moreover, we document particularly poor longer-horizon forecasting performance of the GARCH(1,1) model for samples characterized by strong discrepancy between the two measures of unconditional variance. The periods of poor forecasting behavior can be as long as four years. The forecasting behavior is evaluated through a direct comparison with a naive non-stationary approach and is based on mean square errors (MSE) as well as on an option replicating exercise.
Revenue Comparison in Asymmetric Auctions with Discrete Valuations

Abstract We consider an asymmetric auction setting with two bidders such that the valuation of each bidder has a binary support. First, we characterize the unique equilibrium outcome in the first price auction for any values of parameters. Then we compare the first price auction with the second price auction in terms of expected revenue. Under the assumption that the probabilities of low values are the same for the two bidders, we obtain two main results: (i) the second price auction yields a higher revenue unless the distribution of a bidder’s valuation first-order stochastically dominates the distribution of the other bidder’s valuation “in a strong sense” and (ii) introducing reserve prices implies that the first price auction is never superior to the second price auction. In addition, in some cases, the revenue in the first price auction decreases when all the valuations increase.
Seasonality in Canadian Stock Prices: A Test of the “Tax-Loss-Selling” Hypothesis

Abstract A popular hypothesis to explain the anomalous January returns of common stocks is based on the argument that there is considerable tax-loss selling by investors toward the end of the year. The purpose of this study is to test the tax-loss-selling hypothesis with data on Canadian stocks. Although the introduction of capital gains tax in Canada seems to have affected the behavior of stock returns, the findings do not support the proposition that taxinduced trading is the sole cause of the seasonality in stock returns in Canada.
Enabling organizational cultural change using systemic strategic human resource management – a longitudinal case study

Researchers report that successful cultural change in an organization is difficult to achieve. This research contends that it is more likely to be successful when a systemic approach to strategic human resource management (SHRM) is used to facilitate the change. The contention was tested in an action research case study and longitudinal assessment of change in a large Australian public sector agency. A clear finding from this research is that the cultural change had been sustained through the systemic application of SHRM.
Does Customer Relationship Management Activity Affect Firm Performance?

The focus of this study is to find out the impact of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) on the financial performance of firms in India. The study identifies four CRM constructs – customer need sensing, communication, intermediaries, and the internal environment of firms. A CRM scale is developed, refined and validated and confirmatory factor analysis is used to examine the model fit. Firm data on profitability and growth is used as performance indicators for estimating the regression model. Using a large sample of 171 firms from eight different industry types, results suggest that there is a positive influence of CRM on firm performance but that this impact is insignificant.
On the Welfare Significance of Green Accounting as Taught by Parable

Abstract “Green NNP” is a national accounting concept that subtracts off from GNP not just depreciation of capital, but also depletion of environmental assets. For a time-autonomous technology, Green NNP has a rigorous welfare interpretation as an exact measure of the economy's future power to consume. The present paper extends the standard framework to cover the case of labor-augmenting technological progress. For this special case of time dependence, a powerful conceptual parable applies. It is “as if” the conclusion from a simple-minded welfare story told by the standard neoclassical one-sector growth model covers a far more general situation involving any number of different types of capital, any convex production possibilities set, and fully optimizing behavior. Implications and applications are discussed.
Multi-Market Competition, R&D, and Welfare in Oligopoly

We investigate a multi-market Cournot model with strategic process research and development (R&D) investments wherein a multi-market firm meets new competitors that enter one of the markets. We show that entry can enhance the total R&D expenditures of the multi-market firm. Moreover, the incumbent's profit nonmonotonically changes as the number of entrants increases. Depending on the fixed entry costs and R&D technologies, both insufficient and excess entry can appear. Our results imply that diversification of their products can be a useful strategy for firms.
The druggable genome and support for target identification and validation in drug development

The druggable genome and genome-wide association study data reveal new drug development and repurposing opportunities. An organized way to drug the genome Many drugs that are already approved for specific diseases have known protein targets, which may be relevant for other disease types as well. In addition, a systematic way of identifying druggable genes in various diseases should help streamline the process of developing new drugs for these targets, even if no specific drugs are available for them yet. Finan et al. designed a computational approach to do this, combining data from numerous existing genome-wide association studies to identify druggable proteins, connect them with known drugs where available, and facilitate the design of new targeted therapeutics. Target identification (determining the correct drug targets for a disease) and target validation (demonstrating an effect of target perturbation on disease biomarkers and disease end points) are important steps in drug development. Clinically relevant associations of variants in genes encoding drug targets model the effect of modifying the same targets pharmacologically. To delineate drug development (including repurposing) opportunities arising from this paradigm, we connected complex disease- and biomarker-associated loci from genome-wide association studies to an updated set of genes encoding druggable human proteins, to agents with bioactivity against these targets, and, where there were licensed drugs, to clinical indications. We used this set of genes to inform the design of a new genotyping array, which will enable association studies of druggable genes for drug target selection and validation in human disease.
The social gradient in health: the effect of absolute and relative income on the individual's health

This study investigates the effect of absolute income and relative income on health in the light of medical evidence indicating that the individual's position in the social hierarchy undermines his or her mental and physical health. It uses an instrumental variable estimation methodology that controls for the 'endogeneity' problem to statistically identify the social gradient in physical and mental health. The paper shows that individuals' own income has a positive, but modest effect on health. Absolute income appears to affect only the objective measures of health. Importantly, relative income- as a proxy for social status and position in the social hierarchy - has a significant effect on all measurements of health, with individuals higher in the social ladder enjoying better health. Finally, the results shown that individuals from families that were well-off financially (when at the age of 14) having better physical and mental health.
Urban-rural estimation of hepatitis C virus infection sero-prevalence in north Central Nigeria.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE The epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been partially described for at risk groups in urban communities in Nigeria. On the other hand, literature on the possible spread of the virus in rural Nigeria remains extremely scanty. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HCV in a rural and urban community in Nigeria. METHODS Four hundred and twenty four (n = 424) plasma samples belonging to 238 rural inhabitants and 186 urban dwellers in North Central Nigeria were tested for anti-HCV markers using a third generation quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that uses recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides derived from core and non-structural regions. RESULTS 29(12.2%, CI = 0.17-0.86) of the rural samples and 5(2.7%, CI = 0.01-0.06) of urban samples were positive for HCV infection. The highest number of infections was in the 21-40 years age category. Our preliminary findings indicates that the number of HCV infection in rural was higher (p = 0.03) when compared with urban settings in Nigeria. CONCLUSION Our results suggest a higher prevalence of HCV infection in rural than urban Nigeria in the region studied and possibly in Nigeria as a whole. HCV transmission is active in rural Nigeria and large scale studies to understand the dynamics of the infection are required so as to plan targeted preventive measures.
Synanthropic Birds Influence the Distribution of Borrelia Species: Analysis of Ixodes ricinus Ticks Feeding on Passerine Birds

ABSTRACT Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from 835 birds and from vegetation in the Czech Republic were analyzed. Host-seeking ticks (n = 427) were infected predominantly by Borrelia afzelii (25%). Ticks (n = 1,012) from songbirds (Passeriformes) were infected commonly by Borrelia garinii (12.1%) and Borrelia valaisiana (13.4%). Juveniles of synanthropic birds, Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) and song thrushes (Turdus philomelos), were major reservoir hosts of B. garinii.
Integrative model of students' attitude to educational loan repayment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to measure the antecedents of students' attitude and the impact of students' attitude on the intention to repay study loans.Design/methodology/approach – Primary data from 428 students in universities in Malaysia are collected and six constructs from theory are identified: perceptions that loan repayment will affect the quality of life after graduation; awareness of loan repayment issues created by media; perceptions towards loan agreement; parental influence; students' attitude towards loan repayment; and intention to repay loan. Structural equation modelling approach is adopted to analyze the data.Findings – Constructs of parental influence and perceptions that loan repayment will affect the quality of life after graduation are found to have a direct relationship with students' attitude towards loan repayment; perceptions towards loan agreement is found to influence belief that loan repayment will affect the quality of life after graduation; and awareness of loan r.
Social Protection and Class Relations: Evidence from Scheduled Caste Women's Associations in Rural South India

This article argues that the labouring class poor are best able to access social protection when they have sufficient economic autonomy from their village's dominant class to allow them to act politically. To this end, the article analyses the capacity of associations of scheduled caste female labourers in rural Karnataka (south India) to access social protection through collective action. It identifies links between modifications of the material conditions of the labouring class, their capacity to take political action and the social and institutional forms that reflect the social relations of production. Three important variables are identified: the extent of economic autonomy from the dominant class, support from class-conscious social movement organizers and the political configuration of the local state. The former variable in particular is something that the mainstream social protection policy agenda fails to prioritize.
It is Not Earnings Management if it is Not Earnings Management: An Epistemological Dialectic in Accounting

This paper is an epistemological dialectic on earnings management. It appears that for a long time earnings management has taken on the cloak of nebulousness and imprecision. In fact, some researchers use the term without knowing its true meaning or purport. It is generally agreed that there is, at best, “a lack of consensus on the definition of earnings management” (Beneish, 2001) or, at worse, “confusion” (Davis-Friday and Frecka, 2002) about the construct. “The fact that accounting academics often have very different perceptions of earnings management” (Dechow and Skinner, 2000) has not helped mat-ters, and this renders most research on earnings management to suffer from construct validity. Apart from being a diatribe on the misuse of the term earnings management, this paper attempts to place issues in their proper context by presenting anecdotal and empirical evidences showing why “earnings management” may not be earnings man-agement as it is known in some quarters at present. Consequently, this paper proposes a simple conceptual framework for understanding accounts manipulation. In the process, the paper proffers a wider world-view that situates earnings management in its proper remit.
Software Transactional Memory: Why Is It Only a Research Toy?

TM (transactional memory) is a concurrency control paradigm that provides atomic and isolated execution for regions of code. TM is considered by many researchers to be one of the most promising solutions to address the problem of programming multicore processors. Its most appealing feature is that most programmers only need to reason locally about shared data accesses, mark the code region to be executed transactionally, and let the underlying system ensure the correct concurrent execution. This model promises to provide the scalability of fine-grain locking, while avoiding common pitfalls of lock composition such as deadlock. In this article we explore the performance of a highly optimized STM and observe that the overall performance of TM is significantly worse at low levels of parallelism, which is likely to limit the adoption of this programming paradigm.
Site-based Management: Impact of leader¿s roles oninstitutional improvement.

This study attempts to determine some of the most influential factors within the roles of principals as being site-based manager. This will also help in understanding the impacts that are experiencing within site-based management (SBM) with an intention of providing better guideline for institutional improvement. Data gained through questionnaires from 127 principals and 694 teachers using representative sampling technique from urban secondary provision are used. This study reports that some of the items that are considered as the roles of site-based management have impact on organizational improvement. A remarkable school improvement may be achieved if the principals provide special emphasis on strategic planning, supportive and comprehensive roles reducing emphasis on shared decision making. The findings of this study provide important information for policy makers, education managers, and especially for the principals and teachers concerned with the improvement and well-being of secondary schools under the school-based management system.
The Impact of Mobile Number Portability on Price, Competition and Consumer Welfare

This paper examines the effect of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) on market price and consumer surplus. MNP reduces switching costs by allowing consumers to keep their phone number when they change service provider. Most European countries introduced MNP in the early 2000s as a result of a mandate from the European Commission. This supra-national legislative shock provides a unique opportunity to study the relationship between switching costs, price and consumer surplus. Theory shows that market prices can either increase or decrease when switching costs reduce and that followers may try to take advantage of decreasing switching costs to attract consumers from the market leaders. Using quarterly data from 47 wireless service providers in 15 EU countries between 1999 and 2006, we find that MNP decreased market price by at least 4.15% and increased consumer welfare by at least 2.15 euros per person per quarter on average during our period of analysis. This amounts to 880 Million euros per quarter across the 15 EU countries analyzed in this paper and 15% of the observed increase in consumer surplus during the period of analysis. This result is obtained using cost-shifters to instrument changes in price, which allows for determining the demand curve in the markets we analyze. Our study shows how the European experience with regards to the introduction of MNP can be used as an example of best practice by other countries that plan to introduce it in the near future.