Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internal Capital Markets and Financing Choices of Mexican Firms Before and During the Financial Paralysis of 1995-2000

This paper shows that, contrary to conventional wisdom, once the Mexican economy moved from financial liberalization to financial paralysis in 1995, liquidity constraints were relaxed for many large and financially healthy firms listed on the Mexican Securities Market. In the latter period, only those firms with a banking tie observe, on average, a dependence on cash stock to finance their investment projects. Econometric results are derived from dynamic panel data models estimated with the Generalized Method of Moments, where level and difference equations are combined into a system. The econometric evidence is consistent with the real growth of the Mexican economy during the years 1996-2000, which took place in a context of a collapsed banking system and the paralysis of other domestic forms of external financing. This paper also provides evidence supporting the hypothesis that firms’ membership in a network and firms’ linkage to a bank produced weaker financial constraints before the banking crisis. However, additional research is needed to formally test the importance of the different sources of financing since 1995; suppliers’ credit, foreign funding and internal capital markets are viable candidates for further study. Finally, the paper provides an intuitive rationalization of the Mexican paradox based on the business groups’ structure and their internal capital markets. It is argued that under a macroeconomic setting characterized by disarray in the domestic financial system, firms affiliated with business groups have more incentives to act coordinately rather than performing as autonomous profit centers. Consequently, in this new scenario, corporate headquarters are more interested in removing financial bottlenecks than in exerting market pressure on their divisions. In this environment, groups are capable of reallocating financial resources away from booming, export-oriented affiliates—the most likely to have access to foreign capital markets—and into cash-constrained firms within the same group. In other words, according to this theory, it is suggested that the presence of internal capital markets worked as a financial buffer that helped sustain economic growth.
CAPACITY OF FREEWAY MERGE AREAS WITH DIFFERENT ON-RAMP TRAFFIC FLOW

This paper is aimed at investigating the influence of different types of traffic flows on the capacity of freeway merge areas. Based on the classical gap-acceptance model, two calculating models were established specifically considering randomly arriving vehicles and individual difference in driving behaviours. Monte-Carlo simulation was implemented to reproduce the maximum traffic volume on the designed freeway merge area under different situations. The results demonstrated that the proposed calculating models have better performance than the conventional gap-acceptance theory on accurately predicting the capacity of freeway merge areas. The findings of research could be helpful to improve the microscopic traffic flow simulation model from a more practical perspective and support the designing of freeway merge areas as well.
Ciprofloxacin in the Treatment of Gram-Positive Bacterial Peritonitis in Patients Undergoing CAPD

Fluoroquinolones may be a good alternative for the treatment of bacterial peritonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). To test their efficiency against Gram-positive bacteria, we treatedwith intraperitoneal (i.p.) ciprofloxac in 30 episodes of Gram-positive bacterial peritonitis without manifest tunnel infection of the peritoneal catheters. Treatment was sustained for 5 days, then orally for 10 further days. Clinical and bacteriological responses were satisfactory in 25 cases, but resolution of infection was slow in 5 cases of Staphylococcus aureus. The minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations were 0.06250. 50 and 0.125-1.0 μg/mL respectively, lower than the plasma and dialysate concentrations of the drug. Side effects were negligible. We conclude that ciprofloxacin provides a good therapeutic alternative to more widely used antibiotics for the empirical treatment of peritonitis in patients undergoing CAPD. However, combinations of antibiotics may be necessary, in Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis.
Factor Structure Analysis, Validity and Reliability of the Health Anxiety Inventory-Short Form

The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure, validity and reliability of the Persian-language version of Health Anxiety Inventory-Short. Participants were 500 (170 male and 326 female) selected randomly (cluster sampling sample) studied in a sample of Iranian college students. Convergent validity of Health Anxiety Inventory— Short Form with Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale modified for BDD, The Obsessive–Compulsive Inventory- Revised and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21-item version were r=0.45, r=0.51 and r=0.7 (p<0.001). Confirmatory factor analyses revealed, HAI-SF (18 items) that health anxiety, as measured by the HAI-SF, adequately fits the current data. The Cronbach’s alpha for total factor was 0.89. Also, results were shown to possess discriminant validity and classification accuracy, in both clinical and community populations. It can be concluded that this instrument is a useful measure for assess health anxiety and hypochondria symptoms in clinical assessment.
Isosmotic modulation of cell volume and intracellular ion activities during stimulation of single exocrine cells.

Stimulation of salivary secretion is associated with a rise of [Ca2+]i in acinar cells. We examined the osmotic and ionic consequences of activation of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ and Cl- channels, by simultaneous optical determinations of cell volume and [Ca2+]i, [Cl-]i or [Na+]i during muscarinic stimulation of single salivary acinar cells, using a differential interference contrast (DIC)-fluorescence microscope. Carbachol caused a rapid rise of [Ca2+]i, as well as a substantial cell shrinkage. Despite variability in the level and kinetics of the subsequent sustained phase of the [Ca2+]i response, cell volume was correlated with [Ca2+]i in all cases. Elevated [Ca2+]i was both necessary and sufficient to cause these changes in cell volume. The proposition that changes in cell volume reflected changes in cell solute content was confirmed by simultaneously measuring [Cl-]i and cell volume. Simultaneous determinations of cell volume and [Na+]i indicated that the initial cell shrinkage was due entirely to K+ and Cl- efflux. Subsequent to the initial shrinkage, [Na+]i rose to high levels, primarily due to activation of Na+/H+ exchange. Thus, modulation of ion transport activities under isosmotic conditions results in substantial changes in cell solute content and cell volume. Subsequent to the early Ca(2+)-induced changes in these parameters, other transporters become active, but it is unclear what signals their activation. Cell swelling by osmotic dilution of the bath resulted in compensatory cell shrinkage (RVD) which was sensitive to K+ and Cl- gradients. Nevertheless, a rise of [Ca2+]i was not necessary for RVD. Osmotic shrinkage and/or cell acidification were insufficient to activate Na+ influx. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The influence of networks, reputation, government support and export barriers on export performance of Malaysian exporters of halal products

This paper aims to investigate the extent to which factors such as business networks,company reputation, government support, and export barriers affect the export performance of exporting companies. Data for this study was obtained from a cross sectional study of Malaysian companies exporting halal products using a self-administered survey questionnaire. Based on a sample of 37 survey respondents, regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Results of the analyses showed that the level of export performance of the exporting companies in the sample is moderate. The influence of business networks on export performance is found to be positive and significant while the influence of foreign country export barriers on export performance is negative and significant. It is also interesting to note that certification practices of these companies tend to moderate the relationships between export performance and the factors: networks, reputation, home government support, and export barriers (including home and foreign country). Implications of this study are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided.
Differential regulation of synaptic GABAA receptors by cAMP‐dependent protein kinase in mouse cerebellar and olfactory bulb neurones

1 It has been demonstrated that the regulation of recombinant GABAA receptors by phosphorylation depends on the subunit composition. Here we studied the regulation of synaptic GABAA receptor function by cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) in neurones expressing distinct receptor subtypes. 2 Light microscopic immunocytochemistry revealed that granule cells of the olfactory bulb express only the β3 as the β subunit variant, whereas cerebellar stellate and basket cells express only the β2 as the β subunit. 3 In cerebellar interneurones, intracellular application of 20 μm microcystin, a protein phosphatase 1/2A inhibitor, prolonged (63 ± 14 %; mean ±s.e.m.s) the decay time course of miniature IPSCs (mIPSCs) without significantly affecting their amplitude, rise time and frequency. The effect of microcystin could be blocked by co‐applying PKA inhibitory peptide (PKA‐I, 1 μm). 4 No significant changes in any of the mIPSC parameters could be detected after intracellular application of PKA‐I alone or following the inhibition of calcineurin with FK506 (50 nm). 5 In granule cells of the olfactory bulb expressing the β3 subunit fast and slowly rising mIPSCs were detected, resulting in a bimodal distribution of the 10‐90 % rise times, suggesting two distinct populations of events. Fast rising mIPSCs (mIPSCFR) had a 10‐90 % rise time of 410 ± 50 μs, an amplitude of 68 ± 6 pA, and a weighted decay time constant (τw) of 15.8 ± 2.9 ms. In contrast, slowly rising mIPSCs (mIPSCSR) displayed an approximately threefold slower rise time (1.15 ± 0.12 ms), 57 % smaller amplitude (29 ± 1.7 pA), but had a τw (16.8 ± 3.0 ms) similar to that of the fast events. 6 mIPSCs in olfactory granule cells were not affected by the intracellular perfusion of microcystin. In spite of this, intracellular administration of constitutively active PKA caused a small, gradual, but significant increase (18 ± 5 %) in the amplitude of the events without changing their time course. 7 These findings demonstrate a cell‐type‐dependent regulation of synaptic inhibition by protein phosphorylation. Furthermore, our results show that the effect of PKA‐mediated phosphorylation on synaptic inhibition depends upon the subunit composition of postsynaptic GABAA receptors.
Soluble Ecto-5′-nucleotidase (5′-NT), Alkaline Phosphatase, and Adenosine Deaminase (ADA1) Activities in Neonatal Blood Favor Elevated Extracellular Adenosine*

Background: Newborns have elevated plasma adenosine levels, which may influence their immunological function. Results: Compared with adults, newborns have elevated plasma 5′-NT and alkaline phosphatase activities and lower adenosine deaminase activity. Conclusion: Soluble enzymes significantly influence extracellular purine metabolism in blood, and the levels of these enzymes in newborns promote elevated adenosine. Significance: Higher adenosine generation in newborn blood may promote an anti-inflammatory immunological status. Extracellular adenosine, a key regulator of physiology and immune cell function that is found at elevated levels in neonatal blood, is generated by phosphohydrolysis of adenine nucleotides released from cells and catabolized by deamination to inosine. Generation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in blood is driven by cell-associated enzymes, whereas conversion of AMP to adenosine is largely mediated by soluble enzymes. The identities of the enzymes responsible for these activities in whole blood of neonates have been defined in this study and contrasted to adult blood. We demonstrate that soluble 5′-nucleotidase (5′-NT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) mediate conversion of AMP to adenosine, whereas soluble adenosine deaminase (ADA) catabolizes adenosine to inosine. Newborn blood plasma demonstrates substantially higher adenosine-generating 5′-NT and AP activity and lower adenosine-metabolizing ADA activity than adult plasma. In addition to a role in soluble purine metabolism, abundant AP expressed on the surface of circulating neonatal neutrophils is the dominant AMPase on these cells. Plasma samples from infant observational cohorts reveal a relative plasma ADA deficiency at birth, followed by a gradual maturation of plasma ADA through infancy. The robust adenosine-generating capacity of neonates appears functionally relevant because supplementation with AMP inhibited whereas selective pharmacologic inhibition of 5′-NT enhanced Toll-like receptor-mediated TNF-α production in neonatal whole blood. Overall, we have characterized previously unrecognized age-dependent expression patterns of plasma purine-metabolizing enzymes that result in elevated plasma concentrations of anti-inflammatory adenosine in newborns. Targeted manipulation of purine-metabolizing enzymes may benefit this vulnerable population.
Chloroplast remodeling during state transitions in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as revealed by noninvasive techniques in vivo

Significance Oxygenic photosynthesis regulates light–energy conversion by balancing the activity of the two photosystems (PSs). Such a power balance requires a sophisticated regulatory mechanism called state transitions, which involve reversible phosphorylation of the light-harvesting complex proteins (LHCIIs) to redistribute absorbed excitation energy between the two photosystems. Using noninvasive techniques (small-angle neutron scattering, circular dichroism, and absorption transient spectroscopy) in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we have revealed that state transitions modify the chloroplast structure, affecting the stacking and periodicity of the photosynthetic membranes and altering protein–protein interactions within these membranes. These structural changes accompany the conversion of LHCII into an energy-dissipating mode with only minor displacements of phosphorylated LHCIIs from PSII to PSI, thereby allowing us to reevaluate the physiological significance of state transitions. Plants respond to changes in light quality by regulating the absorption capacity of their photosystems. These short-term adaptations use redox-controlled, reversible phosphorylation of the light-harvesting complexes (LHCIIs) to regulate the relative absorption cross-section of the two photosystems (PSs), commonly referred to as state transitions. It is acknowledged that state transitions induce substantial reorganizations of the PSs. However, their consequences on the chloroplast structure are more controversial. Here, we investigate how state transitions affect the chloroplast structure and function using complementary approaches for the living cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Using small-angle neutron scattering, we found a strong periodicity of the thylakoids in state 1, with characteristic repeat distances of ∼200 Å, which was almost completely lost in state 2. As revealed by circular dichroism, changes in the thylakoid periodicity were paralleled by modifications in the long-range order arrangement of the photosynthetic complexes, which was reduced by ∼20% in state 2 compared with state 1, but was not abolished. Furthermore, absorption spectroscopy reveals that the enhancement of PSI antenna size during state 1 to state 2 transition (∼20%) is not commensurate to the decrease in PSII antenna size (∼70%), leading to the possibility that a large part of the phosphorylated LHCIIs do not bind to PSI, but instead form energetically quenched complexes, which were shown to be either associated with PSII supercomplexes or in a free form. Altogether these noninvasive in vivo approaches allow us to present a more likely scenario for state transitions that explains their molecular mechanism and physiological consequences.
Image quality degradation assessment based on the dual-tree complex discrete wavelet transform for evaluating digital image watermarking

We propose a new image quality degradation assessment method for evaluating the quality of watermarked images based on the dual-tree complex discrete wavelet transform (DT-CDWT). The peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity (SSIM) are widely used to evaluate image quality degradation resulting from embedding a digital watermark. However, they do not always correctly evaluate the image quality degradation in such cases since they use only the spatial domain. In contrast, our method, based on the dual-tree complex discrete wavelet transform (DT-CDWT), uses not only the spatial domain but also the frequency domains. Our approach relies on the sharpness, 1-norm estimation in the DT-CDWT domains, and 1-norm estimation in bit-planes in the spatial domain. We describe our image quality assessment method in detail and present experimental results demonstrating its effectiveness.
Mitochondrial DNA as a marker of molecular diversity: a reappraisal

Over the last three decades, mitochondrial DNA has been the most popular marker of molecular diversity, for a combination of technical ease‐of‐use considerations, and supposed biological and evolutionary properties of clonality, near‐neutrality and clock‐like nature of its substitution rate. Reviewing recent literature on the subject, we argue that mitochondrial DNA is not always clonal, far from neutrally evolving and certainly not clock‐like, questioning its relevance as a witness of recent species and population history. We critically evaluate the usage of mitochondrial DNA for species delineation and identification. Finally, we note the great potential of accumulating mtDNA data for evolutionary and functional analysis of the mitochondrial genome.
Sex differences in the endocrine system in response to protein intake early in life.

BACKGROUND Nutritional factors during a sensitive period can influence child development in a sex-related manner. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to investigate whether sex modulates the responses of relevant biochemical parameters and growth to different protein intakes early in life. DESIGN In a randomized controlled trial, formula-fed infants were assigned to receive formula with higher protein (HP) or lower protein (LP) content. The main outcome measures were insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 axis parameters, weight, length, BMI, leptin, and C-peptide/creatinine ratio at 6 mo of age. Dietary intake during the first 6 mo of life was also assessed. RESULTS The IGF-1 axis response to HP feeding was modulated by sex. Total and free IGF-1 and IGF binding protein 3 concentrations were higher in girls than in boys. Compared with the LP diet, the HP diet was associated with higher IGF-1 and lower IGF binding protein 2 secretion. The response to this HP content formula tended to be stronger in girls than in boys. The HP diet was associated with a higher C-peptide/creatinine ratio. The leptin concentration was higher in girls than in boys and was correlated to the IGF-1 axis parameters. No interaction between sex and nutritional intervention was shown on growth. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that the endocrine response to a high protein diet early in life may be modulated by sex. The IGF-1 axis of female infants shows a stronger response to the nutritional intervention than does that of male infants, but there is no enhanced effect on growth. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00338689.
Identification of Novel Positive-Strand RNA Viruses by Metagenomic Analysis of Archaea-Dominated Yellowstone Hot Springs

ABSTRACT There are no known RNA viruses that infect Archaea. Filling this gap in our knowledge of viruses will enhance our understanding of the relationships between RNA viruses from the three domains of cellular life and, in particular, could shed light on the origin of the enormous diversity of RNA viruses infecting eukaryotes. We describe here the identification of novel RNA viral genome segments from high-temperature acidic hot springs in Yellowstone National Park in the United States. These hot springs harbor low-complexity cellular communities dominated by several species of hyperthermophilic Archaea. A viral metagenomics approach was taken to assemble segments of these RNA virus genomes from viral populations isolated directly from hot spring samples. Analysis of these RNA metagenomes demonstrated unique gene content that is not generally related to known RNA viruses of Bacteria and Eukarya. However, genes for RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), a hallmark of positive-strand RNA viruses, were identified in two contigs. One of these contigs is approximately 5,600 nucleotides in length and encodes a polyprotein that also contains a region homologous to the capsid protein of nodaviruses, tetraviruses, and birnaviruses. Phylogenetic analyses of the RdRps encoded in these contigs indicate that the putative archaeal viruses form a unique group that is distinct from the RdRps of RNA viruses of Eukarya and Bacteria. Collectively, our findings suggest the existence of novel positive-strand RNA viruses that probably replicate in hyperthermophilic archaeal hosts and are highly divergent from RNA viruses that infect eukaryotes and even more distant from known bacterial RNA viruses. These positive-strand RNA viruses might be direct ancestors of RNA viruses of eukaryotes.
The Hidden Cost of Managerial Incentives: Evidence from the Bond and Stock Markets

We examine how incentives embedded in managerial compensation contracts are priced by the bond and stock markets. Specifically, the incentives we consider are the sensitivity of CEO wealth to stock price (delta) and the sensitivity of CEO wealth to stock-return volatility (vega). Controlling for other determinants, we find that higher levels of both vega and delta are associated with higher bond credit spreads and higher expected stock returns. In addition to having a direct effect on credit spreads and expected stock returns, higher incentives are also associated with lower average cash flows, higher volatility of cash flows, and higher volatility of stock returns (all of which increase credit spreads), and higher systematic risk (which increases expected stock return). Thus, higher incentives have a cascading effect on credit spreads and expected stock returns. Also, a portfolio of high-incentive firms significantly underperforms a portfolio of low-incentive firms on a risk-adjusted basis; thus, on average shareholders appear to be harmed ex post as a result of incentive provision.