Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internal and external drivers for risk taking in UK and German insurance markets

The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact of both firm-specific and external factors on the risk taking of European insurance companies. The extent of risk taking is quantified through variations in stock prices and these are explained by firm-specific and external factors that proxy the environment in which the insurers are active. Using a two-way panel regression analysis with fixed and random effects, our empirical study covers hand-collected data on 35 German and UK insurance companies for the period 1997 to 2010. We find that differences in company size, capital structure, liquidity, and economic development affect variations in stock prices. The analysis also highlights differences between the market-based UK corporate governance system and the control-based regime implemented in Germany, with the UK exhibiting a higher level of risk, compensation, and board independence. We also document increases in the volatility of insurance stock returns during the financial crisis.
Phase II Study of the Proteasome Inhibitor Bortezomib (PS-341) in Patients with Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Purpose: This phase II study was undertaken to assess objective response, toxicity, tumor marker response, and pharmacodynamics of bortezomib in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine (carcinoid and islet cell) tumors. Experimental Design: A total of 16 patients with measurable metastatic carcinoid (n = 12) or islet cell (n = 4) tumors received i.v. bolus of single agent bortezomib at a dose of 1.5 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 every 21 days. Tumor response was assessed at 12-week intervals using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. All patients were chemotherapy naïve and had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 1. Results: No patient achieved a partial or a complete remission. The patients received total of 264 doses of therapy with a median of 15 doses per patient. Grade 4 toxicities were not observed. The most common grade 3 adverse events included peripheral sensory neuropathy (37%), diarrhea (25%), vomiting (18%), and ileus (18%). Six of 10 patients who experienced grade 2 to 3 peripheral sensory neuropathy also had grade 2 to 3 dizziness (n = 2), orthostatic hypotension (n = 2), syncope (n = 1), ileus (n = 2), or abdominal cramps (n = 1). Changes in tumor marker levels did not correlate with tumor response. The mean percentage of 20S proteasome inhibition achieved in whole blood at 1 and 24 hours after bortezomib administration was 68 and 30%, respectively. Conclusions: Despite achieving the surrogate biologic end point, single-agent bortezomib did not induce any objective responses in patients with metastatic carcinoid or islet cell tumors. Additional investigation is warranted to clarify the possible association of autonomic neuropathy with bortezomib.
The Role of Phe-92 in the Ca-induced Conformational Transition in the C-terminal Domain of Calmodulin (*)

Recent studies have shown that substitution of Ala for one or more Phe residues in calmodulin (CaM) imparts a temperature-sensitive phenotype to yeast (Ohya, Y., and Botstein, D. (1994) Science 263, 963-966). The Phe residue immediately preceding the first Ca ligand in site III of CaM (Phe-92) was found to be of particular importance because the mutation at this position alone was sufficient to induce this phenotype. In the present work we have studied the functional and structural consequences of the Phe-92 Ala mutation in human liver calmodulin. We found that the mutant (CaMF92A) is incapable of activating phosphodiesterase, and the maximal activation of calcineurin is reduced by 40% as compared with the wild type CaM. Impaired regulatory properties of CaMF92A are accompanied by an increase in affinity for Ca at the C-terminal domain. To investigate the structural consequences of the F92A mutation, we constructed four recombinant C-terminal domain fragments (C-CaM) of calmodulin (residues 78-148): 1) wild type (C-CaMW); 2) Ala substituted for Phe-92 (C-CaMF92A); 3) cysteine residues introduced at position 85 and 112 to lock the domain with a disulfide bond in the Ca-free (closed) conformation (C-CaM85/112); and 4) mutations 2 and 3 combined (C-CaM85/112F92A). The Cys-containing mutants readily form intramolecular disulfide bonds regardless whether Phe or Ala is present at position 92. The F92A mutation causes a decrease in stability of the domain in the absence of Ca as indicated by an 11.8°C shift in the far UV circular dichroism thermal unfolding curve. This effect is reversed by the disulfide bond in the C-CaM85/112F92A mutant. The C-CaMW peptide shows a characteristic Ca-dependent increase in solvent-exposed hydrophobic surface which was monitored by an increase in the fluorescence of the hydrophobic probe 1,1′-bis(4-anilino)naphthalene-5,5′-disulfonic acid. The fluorescence increase induced by C-CaMF92A is 45% lower than that induced by C-CaMW suggesting that the F92A mutation causes a decrease in the accessibility of several hydrophobic side chains in the C-terminal domain of CaM in the presence of Ca. The Cys-85-Cys-112 disulfide bond causes a 10- or 5.9-fold decrease in Ca affinity depending on whether Phe or Ala is present at position 92, respectively, suggesting that coupling between Ca binding and the conformational transition is weaker in the absence of the phenyl ring at position 92. Our results indicate that Phe-92 makes an important contribution to the Ca-induced transition in the C-terminal domain of CaM. This is most likely the reason for the severely impaired regulatory properties of the CaM mutants having Ala substituted for Phe-92.
Which Component of Treasury Yields Belongs in Equity Valuation Models? An Application to the S&P 500

Given a relaxation of the expectations hypothesis of interest rates and an estimate of the term premium, the remaining assumption that anticipated distant-horizon nominal expected short rates and projected earnings growth are equivalent implies novel cash-flow-based valuation models for shares. For example, an application of a simple dividend-discount framework to the S&P 500, under 600 alternative specifications (to avoid data mining), using a sample from January 1987 through January 2012, fits the data well. It suggests that the model errors correct; it also suggests the argument that estimated forward Treasury term premiums, not yields, belong in the discount factor.
Genome-wide analysis of microRNA signature in lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR exon 19 deletion

Purpose The findings of EGFR mutations and the development of targeted therapies have significantly improved the overall survival of lung cancer patients. Still, the prognosis remains poor, so we need to know more about the genetic alterations in lung cancer. MicroRNAs are dysregulated in lung cancer, and microRNAs can regulate EGFR. So it is very important to predict the candidate microRNAs that target mutated EGFR and to investigate the role of these candidate microRNAs in lung cancer. Materials and methods In this study, we investigated the difference of microRNAs expression between lung adenocarcinoma cell lines with EGFR exon 19 deletion (H1650 and PC9) and its wild-type (H1299 and A549) using the Phalanx Human Whole Genome Microarray. Then the expression of individual microRNAs was validated by qRT-PCR assays. Moreover, we have detected the microRNAs expression in serum of lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR exon 19 deletion and wild-type. Results The expression of 1,732 microRNAs was evaluated, and we found that microRNAs expression was different between these two groups. Hsa-miR-141-3p, hsa-miR-200c-3p, hsa-miR-203, hsa-miR-3182, hsa-miR-934 were up-regulated and hsa-miR-3196 was down-regulated in the EGFR exon 19 deletion group compared with wild-type group. The detection of circulating microRNAs showed that miR-3196 was down-regulated in lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR exon 19 deletion compared with wild-type. Conclusions It is suggested that microRNAs associate with EGFR exon 19 deletion and miR-3196 can be further explored for potential predictor and targeted biomarker when it is difficult to get the tumors.
What Do Bosses Really Do?

If employers make so much money, why don't workers hire machines and expertise and make the money instead? This question has generated a large body of writing, including Stephen Marglin's much-cited article “What Do Bosses Do? ” Marglin draws on history to argue that the employer, who added nothing to technical efficiency, used specialization of tasks to divide labor and impose himself as boss, thereby creating an artificial, unproductive role. These arrangements were embodied in domestic industry and were reinforced when employers turned to the factory system as a more effective disciplinary mode. This article argues that such a thesis misreads history and is essentially ideological.
Expression patterns and action analysis of genes associated with physiological responses during rat liver regeneration: cellular immune response.

AIM To study the cellular immune response during rat liver regeneration (LR) at a transcriptional level. METHODS Genes associated with the cellular immune response were obtained by collecting the data from databases and retrieving articles. Gene expression changes during LR were detected by rat genome 230 2.0 array. RESULTS A total of 127 genes were found to be associated with LR. The number of initially and totally expressing genes in the initial phase of LR [0.5-4 h after partial hepatectomy (PH)], transition from G(0)-G(1) (4-6 h after PH), cell proliferation (6-66 h after PH), cell differentiation and structure-function reconstruction (66-168 h after PH) was 54, 11, 34, 3 and 54, 49, 70, 49 respectively, illustrating that the associated genes were mainly triggered at the initiation of LR, and worked at different phases. According to their expression similarity, these genes were classified into 41 up-regulated, 21 predominantly up-regulated, 41 down-regulated, 14 predominantly down-regulated, 10 similarly up-regulated and down-regulated genes, respectively. The total up- and down-regulated expression times were 419 and 274, respectively, demonstrating that the expression of most genes was increased while the expression of a small number of genes was decreased. Their time relevance was classified into 14 groups, showing that the cellular physiological and biochemical activities were staggered during LR. According to the gene expression patterns, they were classified into 21 types, showing the activities were diverse and complicated during LR. CONCLUSION Antigen processing and presentation are enhanced mainly in the forepart, prophase and anaphase of LR. T-cell activation and antigen elimination are enhanced mainly in the forepart and prophase of LR. A total of 127 genes associated with LR play an important role in cellular immunity.
Conceptual elements of climate change vulnerability assessments: a review

Purpose – The concept of vulnerability in climate change literature is underpinned by numerous theoretical contributions across different disciplines leading to disparate understandings of what climate change vulnerability entails, as well as different methodological frameworks for assessment. This multiplicity of contributions helped not only to frame and shape different understandings of vulnerability but also to define the conceptual and analytical elements considered as critical in any climate change vulnerability assessment. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on climate change vulnerability and explore and synthesize those conceptual and analytical aspects considered fundamental in a vulnerability assessment in climate change. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on existing literature on climate change vulnerability and vulnerability assessment frameworks, the paper provides a review of the conceptual elements regarded as critical in integrated assessments of climate change vulne.
Risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in River Nile up- and downstream of a densely populated area

ABSTRACT A biomonitoring study was conducted to evaluate levels of eleven polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water, sediment and wild Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) samples collected up- and downstream of Cairo sector of the River Nile, Egypt. The scaled mass index (SMI), as a fish body mass-length relationship, performed better in indicating the ecosystem and fish conditions. The total PAHs in water samples had a range of 0.0156–0.0269 mg/L, while that in sediment samples ranged from 0.723 to 1.078 mg/kg dry weight and that in fish muscles ranged from 4.065 to 10.033 mg/kg wet weight. Pollutant source appraisal was determined by diagnostic ratios and proved the predominance of pyrogenic sources in water, petrogenic sources in fish, and mixed source origin in sediment. Human health risks associated with fish consumption showed that non-cancer adverse health effects are not expected to occur but the calculated lifetime cancer risk (LCR) for the total PAHs proved that the fish muscles are not safe for human consumption at both sites. Regular monitoring programs and mitigation efforts should be considered in the near future along such areas heavily influenced by human activities.
Cleavage Fracture of Brittle Semiconductors from the Nanometre to the Centimetre Scale

The objective of this paper is to present the fundamental phenomena occurring during the scribing and subsequent fracturing process usually performed when preparing surfaces of brittle semiconductors. In the first part, an overview of nano‐scratching experiments of different semiconductor surfaces (InP, Si and GaAs) is given. It is shown how phase transformation can occur in Si under a diamond tip, how single dislocations can be induced in InP wafers and how higher scratching load of GaAs wafer leads to the apparition of a crack network below the surface. A nano‐scratching device, inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM), has been used to observe how spalling (crack and detachment of chips) and/or ductile formation of chips may happen at the semiconductor surface. In the second part cleavage experiments are described. The breaking load of thin GaAs (100) wafers is directly related to the presence of initial sharp cracks induced by scratching. By performing finite element modelling (FEM) of samples under specific loading conditions, it is found that the depth of the median crack below the scratch determines quantitatively the onset of crack propagation. By carefully controlling the position and measuring the force during the cleavage, it is demonstrated that crack propagation through a wafer can be controlled. Besides, the influence of the loading configuration on crack propagation and on the cleaved surface quality is explained.
A Note on the Predictability of UK Stock Returns

This note presents evidence on the predictability of UK stock returns using a database of companies in the FTSE-Allshare Index newly constructed towards the beginning of 1998. The tests used are autocorrelations at various lags and variance ratios for several aggregations of base observations. The evidence is consistent with that published for US stock returns, namely that daily stock returns contain a strong element of predictability.
ERP Implementation Project at TS Group

This case illustrates the challenges and opportunities for TSG, a leading company in household products, to implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Arguments for and against adopting an ERP solution were discussed throughout the company's decision-making process. Once the implementation project was approved, the company planned to implement the general ledger module in its corporate office in Hong Kong before a full implementation of other modules in China. As experienced by other companies in implementing their ERP systems, technicality was often not so much the major issues as the people, users, and coordination issues. Although the initial rollout in Hong Kong was delayed by three months, twice the time originally planned, the lessons learnt proved to be valuable in guiding the later implementation of such projects for other TSG subsidiaries. This case explores the issues and challenges associated with the implementation of ERP solutions.
Commitment to Work and to Family: Marital-Status Differences in Women's Earnings

This paper explores the earnings consequences of women's competing familial and work commitments. Data from the 1967 Survey ofEconomic Opportunity are used to examine marital-status differences in the effects of schooling, occupational status, extent of employment and child status on women's earnings. Equations predicting earnings are estimated separately for women in each marital status using ordinary least-squares regression techniques. The analyses support the conclusion that currently-married women receive smaller economic benefits from schooling and occupational status because of interrupted labor force participation and familial constraints. However, because of their greater economic need, previously-married women overcome some of the disadvantages of reduced work experience.
Multiple Shareholder Control as a Signaling Mechanism

We show that multiple shareholder control (MSC) can arise as a signaling mechanism. A controlling shareholder can sell her shares because of personal liquidity needs or because of bad fundamentals of the asset she owns. Because the market is unable to distinguish the motivation for sale and the seller's liquidity risk type, ex ante returns of investors with high liquidity risk will be adversely affected. With MSC, shocks to the fundamentals of the asset can be more easily disentangled from the liquidity shocks of the individual owners. As a result, ex ante returns will come closer to true returns and increase incentives of investors with high liquidity risk to acquire controlling shares.
Can social enterprise contribute to creating sustainable rural communities? Using the lens of structuration theory to analyse the emergence of rural social enterprise

Recent public policies increasingly emphasize the role of communities in service co-production. Collaboration between the state and the public is frequently associated with social enterprise activities. However, the assumption that social enterprises can be successfully built and developed in remote and rural areas might be faulty. Current policy does not recognize contextual factors relating to rural social enterprise development. Drawing on a qualitative study in the Highlands of Scotland the article questions the role of social enterprise in creating sustainable rural communities; it presents promoters and barriers to rural social enterprise development. Findings suggest that although rural communities do not control all the conditions that affect them, they have the ability to adapt to some structural features. This means that in spite of social and economic challenges, rural communities might benefit from rural social enterprise through practising ‘adaptive capacity’.
Welfare Generosity: The Importance of Administrative Efficiency, Community Values and Genuine Benevolence

Using 1988-1991 state-level data, a public expenditure model is estimated for benefits paid through the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) programme. The paper investigates whether differences in programme efficiency, community attitudes, perceptions of the effects of AFDC on recipient behaviour, and tastes for redistribution explain the variation in public support for welfare across states.
Prohemostatic Treatment in Cardiac Surgery

Abstract Cardiac surgical patients represent a unique group of patients where coagulopathy occurs due to multiple causes besides simple hemorrhagic blood loss. Hemodilution, inflammation, and hemostatic activation while on cardiopulmonary bypass all contribute to this problem and provide targets for therapeutic intervention. Current pharmacological strategies to reduce the need for allogeneic transfusions include both preemptive agents to decrease the potential for bleeding as well as prohemostatic agents to promote the coagulation process. This article will discuss pharmacological agents including antifibrinolytics, protamine, desmopressin, fibrinogen, purified protein concentrates, recombinant factor VIIa, factor XIII, and topical agents used in cardiac surgery.
The uneven impact of austerity on the voluntary and community sector: A tale of two cities

There has been much debate about the impact of recession and austerity on the voluntary and community sector over recent years. Using secondary data from the 2008 National Survey of Third Sector Organisations, Clifford et al. (2013), writing in this journal, have argued that voluntary sector organisations located in more deprived local authorities are likely to suffer most due to the combined effect of cuts in government funding in these areas and their greater dependency on statutory funding. This paper develops this argument by exploring the sector’s changing relationship with the state through an empirical analysis of the differential impact of recession and austerity on voluntary and community organisations involved in public service delivery in the two English core cities of Bristol and Liverpool. This paper highlights how the scale and unevenness of public spending cuts, the levels of voluntary sector dependency on statutory funding and the rising demands for the sector’s services in a period of recession and austerity are being experienced locally. It portrays a sector whose resilience is being severely tested and one that is being forced rapidly to restructure and reposition itself in an increasingly challenging funding environment.
Signalling with Dividends? New Evidence from Europe

According to the dividend signalling hypothesis, dividend change announcements trigger share returns because they convey information about management's assessment on firms' future prospects. We analyse the classical assumptions of the dividend signalling hypothesis, using data from three European countries. The evidence gives no support to a positive relation between dividend change announcements and the market reaction for French firms, and only weak support for the Portuguese and UK firms. After accounting for non-linearity in the mean reversion process, the global results do not give support to the assumption that dividend change announcements are positively related with future earnings changes. We also formulate two hypotheses in order to explore the window dressing phenomenon and the maturity hypothesis, finding some evidence in favour of both, especially in the UK market.
Patterns in Three Centuries of Stock Market Prices

This article applies autoregression and rescaled range statistics to very long stock market series to test the hypothesis that long-term temporal dependencies are present in financial data. For the annual capital appreciation returns to the London Stock Exchange, evidence of persistence in raw returns greater than five years and of mean reversion in deviations from rolling twenty-year averages is found. Similar patterns are observed for the New York Stock Exchange; however, they are not significant at traditional confidence levels. Copyright 1993 by University of Chicago Press.