Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Associations of salivary cortisol levels with metabolic syndrome and its components: the multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis.

CONTEXT Prior research has identified associations between social-environmental factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS) components. The physiological mechanisms underlying these associations are not fully understood, but alterations in activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a stress-responsive biological system, have been hypothesized to play a role. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine whether MetS diagnosis and specific clusters of MetS components (waist circumference, high-density lipoproteins, glucose, and blood pressure) are associated with cortisol levels. DESIGN AND SETTING We conducted cross-sectional analyses of data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) study in the general community. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS We studied a population-based sample of 726 adults (ages 48 to 89 yr) who do not have clinical diabetes. INTERVENTION(S) There were no interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Cortisol awakening response, cortisol decline across the waking day, and total cortisol output were analyzed (using 18 timed measures of salivary cortisol over 3 d). RESULTS Overall, we found little evidence that the presence of MetS or its components is related to cortisol output or patterns. Contrary to expectation, the presence of MetS was associated with lower rather than higher area under the curve, and no consistent pattern was observed when MetS components or subsets of components were examined in relation to cortisol. CONCLUSIONS Our findings do not support the hypothesis that differences in level or diurnal pattern of salivary cortisol output are associated with MetS among persons without clinical diabetes.
International Cross‐Listings and Subsequent Security‐Market Choices: Evidence from ADRs

We study the link between the attributes of ADR-listed firms and their post-listing security-market choices. We find that developed market firms are more likely to issue equity and debt than their emerging market counterparts. Moreover, we find that large firms are more likely to issue debt and less likely to issue equity. When we examine locations where ADR firms raise their capital, we find that firms originating from countries where the protection of minority shareholders is weak are more likely to issue debt on their home markets and less likely to issue debt on international markets (excluding U.S. markets). Moreover, ADR firms originating from developed (emerging market) countries are more (less) likely to issue their equity on their domestic markets and less (more) likely to issue equity on international markets (excluding U.S. markets).
Shocks, Consumption and Income Diversification in Rural Ethiopia

Abstract We present new evidence that households are unable to protect themselves from rainfall failure that occurs on average every five years in rural Ethiopia. However, other less extreme rainfall variation and idiosyncratic shocks such as illness and crop pests do not impact significantly on consumption. Agricultural shocks impact negatively on farm income as expected, however they also stimulate non-agricultural earnings by an equivalent amount. In the case of a covariate shock such as severe rainfall failure, this smoothing mechanism may be ineffective and rainfall insurance or drought-triggered safety nets could provide further protection.
Career success after stigmatizing organizational events

This article examines the effect of six types of stigmatizing organizational events on employees' career moves to another employer: criticism of the organization in the media; resignation of key individuals from the organization; downsizing; a drop in net income; lawsuits launched by the Securities and Exchange Commission, competitors, or customers; and lawsuits launched by employees. Stigmatizing events that signal the decline of corporate performance are the most devastating for professional career success. Outsiders, on the other hand, are less sensitive to an organization's involvement in lawsuits launched by public authorities or employees. Stigmatizing events affect the career success of every professional in the organization, irrespective of his or her hierarchical level. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Shifting racial hierarchies: An analysis of residential segregation among multi-racial and mono-racial groups in the United States

Multi-racial (mixed-race) people constitute a growing percentage of the United States (US) population. The study reported in this paper used residential segregation measures as a proxy for social distance, to examine whether segregation levels of multi-racial groups differ from those of mono-racial groups in the US in 2010. First, we find that all multi-racial groups considered in the study experience lower levels of segregation at county level than their mono-racial counterparts. However, black-whites and Hispanic-whites experience higher levels of segregation than other multi-racial groups. Second, we find region and minority composition of counties are associated significantly with segregation levels for multi-racial groups, but relative income is not.
Quantitative transcriptional neuroanatomy of the rat hippocampus: Evidence for wide‐ranging, pathway‐specific heterogeneity among three principal cell layers

We have used laser‐capture microdissection and microarray hybridization to characterize gene expression in the three principal neuron layers of rat hippocampus. Correlative and clustering analyses revealed all three layers to be easily differentiated from one another based on gene expression profile alone. A greater disparity in gene expression exists between dentate granule and pyramidal cell layers, reflecting phenotypic and ontological differences between those cell populations. Remarkably, the level of more than 45% of expressed transcripts was significantly different among the three neuron populations, with more than a third of those (>1,000 transcripts) being at least twofold different between layers. Even CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cell layers were dramatically different on a transcriptional level with a separate analysis indicating that nearly 20% of transcripts are differentially expressed between them. Only a small number of transcripts were specific for a given hippocampal cell layer, suggesting that functional differences are more likely secondary to wide‐ranging expression differences of modest magnitude rather than very large disparities in a few genes. Categorical analysis of transcript abundance revealed concerted differences in gene expression among the three cell layers referable to specific cellular pathways. For instance, transcripts encoding proteins involved in glucose metabolism are most highly expressed in the CA3 pyramidal layer, which may reflect an underlying greater metabolic rate of these neurons and partially explain their exquisite vulnerability to seizure‐induced damage. Conversely, transcripts related to MAP kinase signaling pathways and transcriptional regulator activity are prominent in the dentate granule cell layer, which could contribute to its resistance to damage following seizure activity by positioning these neurons to respond to external stimuli by altering transcription. Taken together, these data suggest that unique physiological characteristics of major cell layers, such as neuronal activity, neuronal plasticity, and vulnerability to neurodegeneration, are reflected in substantial transcriptional heterogeneity within the hippocampus. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Did Massachusetts Health Care Reform Lower Mortality? No According to Randomization Inference

ABSTRACT In an earlier article, Sommers, Long, and Baicker concluded that health care reform in Massachusetts was associated with a significant decrease in mortality. I replicate the findings from this study and present p-values for the parameter estimates reported by Sommers, Long, and Baicker that are based on an alternative and valid approach to inference referred to as randomization inference. I find that estimates of the treatment effects produced by Sommers, Long, and Baicker are not statistically significant when p-values are based on randomization inference methods. Indeed, the p-values of the estimates reported in Sommers, Long, and Baicker derived by the randomization inference method range from 0.22 to 0.78. Therefore, the authors’ conclusion that health reform in Massachusetts was associated with a decline in mortality is not justified. The Sommers, Long, and Baicker analysis is largely uninformative with respect to the true effect of reform on mortality because it does not have adequate statistical power to detect plausible effect sizes.
Inequality Change in China and (Hukou) Labour Mobility Restrictions

We analyze the Hukou system of permanent registration in China which many believe has supported growing relative inequality over the last 20 years by restraining labour migration both between the countryside and urban areas and between regions and cities. Our aim is to inject economic modelling into the debate on sources of inequality in China which thus far has been largely statistical. We first use a model with homogeneous labour in which wage inequality across various geographical divides in China is supported solely by quantity based migration restrictions (urban -- rural areas, rich -- poor regions, eastern coastal -- central and western (noncoastal) zones, eastern and central -- western development zones, eastern -- central -- western zones, more disaggregated 6 regional classifications, and an all 31 provincal classification). We calibrate this model to base case data and when we remove migration restrictions all wage and most income inequality disappears. Results from this model structure point to a significant role for Hukou restrictions in supporting inequality in China, and show how economic rather than statistical modelling can be used to decompose inequality change. We then modify the model to capture labour efficiency differences across regions, calibrating the modified model to estimates of both national and regional Gini coefficients. Removal of migration barriers is again inequality improving but now less so. Finally, we present a further model extension in which urban house price rises retard rural - urban migration. The impacts of removing of migration restrictions on inequality are smaller, but are still significant.
The Allocation of Credit and Financial Collapse

This paper examines the allocation of credit in a market in which borrowers have greater information concerning their own riskiness than do lenders. It illustrates (1) the allocation of credit is inefficientand at times can be improved by government intervention, and (2) small changes in the exogenous risk-free interest rate can cause large (discontinuous) changes in the allocation of credit and the efficiency of the market equilibrium.These conclusions suggest a role for government as the lender of last resort.
Performance of European insurance firms in the single insurance market

The deregulation and liberalization process towards establishing a single European financial market has some important implications for the insurance industries. Due to the increased competition, insurance firms have to adjust their costs and operate efficiently to survive in this new environment. This paper attempts to analyze the cost efficiency and scale economies in the single European insurance market. Considering the ongoing enlargement process of the EU, our sample includes the insurance industries of the major EU‐15, four new members and a candidate country, Turkey, over the period 1995–2005. We use the firm‐level financial data and estimate a stochastic cost frontier that controls for differences in environmental conditions. All insurance systems display significant levels of cost inefficiency. The results further indicate that there are significant economies of scale, particularly for small‐ and medium‐size insurance firms. Finally, the analyses suggest similar results for major EU countries, new members and the candidate.
Foreign Direct Investment into Russia - Pain Without Gain? A Survey of Foreign Direct Investors

Foreign Direct Investment into Russia has been low in comparison to other transition economies. We surveyed almost 50 European enterprises that conduct business in Russia and asked about the reasons behind their presence here and about the main problems they have encountered. Our survey shows that the most pressing problem foreign direct investors in Russia face is connected neither with criminality, nor corruption, but simply an inadequate and ever changing tax law. Next in line come problems with property and creditor rights, customs, the risk of political change, macroeconomic instability, a weak banking sector, the Russian accounting system, and only then corruption. The risk of expropriation, harassment from federal and local government, and payment arrears from clients are considered to be of only medium-level importance. Finally, problems with the Russian workforce or management, Russian suppliers, crime, racket and barter are seen as being of moderate significance.
Water resource assessment based on the water footprint for Lijiang City

With growing water scarcity and water quality deterioration, water resource assessment has become a major focus of research in many areas of the world. Understanding water consumption and its structure is essential for assessing a city's ability to achieve sustainable water resource utilisation. Based on the concept of the water footprint (WFP), we quantified direct and indirect water consumption in various sectors and used a water stress index (WSI) and water self-sufficiency (WSS) to evaluate the sustainability of water resource use in Lijiang City. The results showed that the WFP of the city in 2008 was 995 Mm3, and that the average WFP per capita was 815 m3, with a WSI of 8.36% and WSS of 100%. Agricultural water use was responsible for 93% of total local water consumption, with 62% for crops and 38% for animals. Lijiang City will face little stress from water resource use in the short term; however, its water use efficiency is relatively low, and the current water resource use is unsustainable in the long term. We recommend the assessment of direct and indirect water use as a necessary step in developing effective water management policies.
Towards a new hitting model in tennis

This study highlights recent observations in tennis which have revealed that the head position and gaze direction during the hitting process distinguished significantly elite players (with significant results in Grand Slam tournaments) from other top players: Elite players spent more time tracking the ball and fix the contact zone (or hitting zone) throughout the hitting action. These characteristics of elite players provide the basis for a simplified hitting model which emphasizes the fixation on the contact zone until the end of the followthrough.
Mosquito Species Richness, Composition, and Abundance along Habitat-Climate-Elevation Gradients in the Northern Colorado Front Range

Abstract We exploited elevation gradients (1,500–2,400 m) ranging from plains to montane areas along the Poudre River and Big Thompson River in the northern Colorado Front Range to determine how mosquito species richness, composition, and abundance change along natural habitat-climate-elevation gradients. Mosquito collections in 26 sites in 2006 by using CO2-baited CDC light traps yielded a total of 7,136 identifiable mosquitoes of 27 species. Commonly collected species included Aedes vexans (Meigen) (n = 4,722), Culex tarsalis Coquillett (n = 825), Ochlerotatus increpitus (Dyar) (n = 546), Ochlerotatus trivittatus (Coquillett) (n = 303), Aedes cinereus Meigen (n = 280), Ochlerotatus melanimon (Dyar) (n = 146), Ochlerotatus dorsalis (Meigen) (n = 67), Culiseta inornata (Williston) (n = 52), Ochlerotatus pullatus (Coquillett) (n = 38), Ochlerotatus spencerii idahoensis (Theobald) (n = 37), and Culex pipiens L. (n = 29). Species richness was highest in plains habitats at elevations below 1,600 m. Numerous species were found exclusively or predominantly at low elevations below 1,700 m [Anopheles earlei Vargas, Anopheles freeborni Aitken, Coquilletidia perturbans (Walker), Culex erythrothorax (Dyar), Cx. pipiens, Culex territans Walker, Oc. dorsalis, Ochlerotatus hendersoni (Cockerell), Oc. melanimon, and Oc. trivittatus], whereas others occurred predominantly at high elevations above 2,300 m [Ae. cinereus, Culiseta incidens (Thomson), Culiseta morsitans (Theoblad), Ochlerotatus cataphylla (Dyar), Ochlerotatus intrudens (Dyar), Oc. pullatus, and Ochlerotatus punctor (Kirby)]. Ae. vexans and Cx. tarsalis were abundant in the plains (<1,600 m; mean June–August temperature >19.5°C), occurred at low abundances in foothills and low montane areas (1,610–1,730 m; 18.0–19.5°C), and they were collected only sporadically in montane areas above 1,750 m (mean June–August temperature <17.5°C). These findings suggest that future climate warming may lead to shifts in distribution patterns of West Nile virus vectors (e.g., Cx. tarsalis) toward higher elevations in Colorado.
Mobility and Labor Market Segmentation: The Urban Labor Market in El Salvador

There is now a large literature examining the hypothesis that there are barriers to mobility between sectors of the labor market in developing countries. Though there are many explanations for barriers to mobility, most versions of the segmented labor market hypothesis are based on restricted access to a higher-wage primary, or formal, sector, and free access to a lower-wage secondary, or informal, sector. The testable predictions of the hypothesis are the implications of the assumption of excess supply to the primary sector. Most studies have found results consistent with these predictions, including different structures of wages between sectors, lower returns to human capital in the secondary sector, and lower job tenure by sectors for some demographic groups. But, as several authors have recently noted, it is difficult to distinguish this hypothesis from other competitive explanations for these patterns; the competitive model is also consistent with the testable predictions of the segmented labor market hypothesis. Though the competitive model is consistent with the observed patterns, the observed patterns do put restrictions on the version of the competitive model that is appropriate for developing countries. For example, the finding that earnings tend to be lower in the informal sector is consistent with compensating differentials, but this applies only to compensating differentials that are based on formal-sector employment as being less desirable (such as job flexibility). Similarly, the finding of lower returns to human capital in the informal sector is consistent with life-cycle models of investment in human capital, but only models in which there is lower labor market attachment of those employed in an informal sector and, thus, less time to recuperate investments in on-the-job training. But most of the necessary assumptions are reasonable, and, as a result, tests of the segmented labor market hypothesis cannot distinguish among competing explanations.
THE DIFFERENCE IN CONSUMER RISK PERCEPTION BETWEEN CELEBRITY ENDORSER AND EXPERT ENDORSER IN COLLEGE ADVERTISEMENTS

This research aims to examine the difference in consumer risk perception between celebrity and expert endorser in advertisement. We proposed two hypothesis, H1: There is a difference in consumer risk perception between an expert endorser and celebrity endorser in college advertisement. H2: There is a difference in consumer risk perception between an expert endorser and a celebrity endorser in college advertisement, which is moderated by the consumer product knowledge. Experimental design was employed in this study with Statistical Experimental-Completely Randomized Design. This was conducted on three groups to test H1 and six groups to test H2. To test H1, the participant of each group was given full color print ads using celebrity endorser, expert endorser and nonendorser in advertisement. We go further splitting each group with high and low consumer product knowledge to test H2. The participants of this research are 200 students of SMA 7 Semarang. We use One Way Anova to test H1 and two ways Anova to test H2. Our findings showed that there is a difference in consumer risk perception between an expert endorser and celebrity endorser in college advertisement. We also found that there is no difference in consumer risk perception between an expert endorser and a celebrity endorser in college’s advertisement, which is moderated by the consumer product knowledge. We also found that there is difference in consumer’s perceived performance risk, consumer’s perceived financial risk and consumer’s social risk between an expert and celebrity endorser in College advertisement. On the other hand, we found there is no difference in consumer perceived psychological risk between an expert and celebrity endorser in College advertisement. Keywords: celebrity endorser, expert endorser, consumer risk perception, consumer product knowledge.
Biotechnology Piracy: Rethinking the International Protection of Intellectual Property

Access to international markets will be an important factor in investment decisions for firms engaging in the research and development of agricultural biotechnology. International market access can be restricted in two ways: the imposition of trade barriers and intellectual property piracy. This paper develops a model of the enforcement game between a developing country=s government and a foreign biotechnology firm to examine the efficacy of the World Trade Organization=s Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement for the protection of intellectual property in agricultural biotechnology. The conclusion is that the TRIPS is unlikely to provide sufficient protection and, thus, will lead to suboptimal levels of investment. L'acces aux marches etrangers jouera un role capital dans les decisions des entreprises qui souhaitent investir dans la recherche et le developpement en biotechnologie agricole. Deux elements peuvent entraver l'acces au marche international: les barrieres commerciales et le piratage de la propriete intellectuelle. Dans cet article, les auteurs modelisent les interactions entre le gouvernement d'un pays en developpement et une entreprise de biotechnologie etrangere en vue d'etablir dans quelle mesure l'Accord sur les ADPIC de l'OMC protege la propriete intellectuelle dans le secteur de la biotechnologie agricole. De cet exercice, ils concluent que la protection assuree par l'Accord sur les ADPIC est insuffisante, donc qu'on assistera a des investissements inferieurs aux investissements optimaux.
The Direct Relevance of Accounting Information for Credit Default Swap Pricing

This paper examines the direct relevance of accounting information for credit default swap (CDS) pricing. Prior research on the impact of accounting information for CDS pricing has neglected to include either the output of theoretical CDS pricing models or credit ratings, both of which should impound credit relevant accounting information. Both in- and out-of-sample testing results suggest that accounting information’s explanatory power for CDS prices is significantly diminished when this additional information is included in regression models. Empirical findings suggest a larger indirect role for accounting information in pricing CDS’, which play an important role in credit risk price discovery.