Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A General Equilibrium Explanation of the Growth in Singapore's Exports: A Paradoxical Outcome?

Singapore's recent trade record has some paradoxical results. Exports have increased when the Singapore dollar has appreciated by a significant margin, arguably due to real exchange rate (RER) misalignment. This article offers explanations for this unusual outcome by simulating a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of the Singapore economy to identify factors that may have influenced RER misalignment. Among the factors examined we find that overseas demand plays a pivotal role in the growth of Singapore's exports. This finding has important implications for Singapore in the light of growing economic uncertainty in the Southeast Asian economies. Research for this study was completed before the full impact of the 1997 financial crisis; follow-on research may illuminate the effects of the crisis on the results presented here.
Influence of carbon dioxide on numbers of Culicoides midges collected with suction light traps in South Africa

To implement risk management against diseases transmitted by species of Culicoides Latreille, 1809 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), it is essential to identify all potential vectors. Light traps are the most commonly used tool for the collection of Culicoides midges. Given the indiscriminate artificial attraction of light, traps will collect all night‐flying insects rather than only livestock‐associated Culicoides midges. Factors that may increase the efficacy of traps, especially for livestock‐associated Culicoides midges, require investigation. In the present study, results obtained with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Onderstepoort light traps baited with carbon dioxide (CO2) were compared with those of unbaited controls. Comparisons were made using two replicates of a 4 × 4 randomized Latin square design. With both trap types, the mean numbers of Culicoides midges collected in 16 baited traps were higher than those caught in 16 unbaited traps. Although exceptionally low numbers were collected with the CDC traps, the increases in the numbers and frequency of collection of Culicoides imicola Kieffer, 1913 were more pronounced in the CDC traps compared with the Onderstepoort traps. These results indicate that the addition of CO2 may increase the efficiency of these traps for the collection of C. imicola and other livestock‐associated Culicoides species.
Do False Financial Statements Distort Peer Firms' Decisions?

ABSTRACT: Beatty, Liao, and Wu (2013) document that financial misreporting by prominent firms distorts peer firms' capital investment decisions. Using a large sample of firms subject to SEC and DOJ enforcement actions for accounting misstatements, I establish three important generalizations. First, the adverse effect of financial misstatements documented by Beatty et al. (2013) is not limited to high-profile scandals and can be generalized to a larger population. Second, the distortions are not confined to capital investments; they also extend to choices peer firms make with respect to R&D, advertising, and pricing policies—decisions with immediate bottom-line impact. Third, I document that the magnitude of the distortion varies predictably with peer firms' characteristics, the misstating firms' external information environment, and the industry-specific information environment within which the misstatement occurs. Specifically, I find smaller distortions for larger peers and peers managed by more able ma.
The Eclectic Paradigm in the Global Economy

Economic globalisation and the subsequent growth of global and alliance capitalism have fundamentally affected the way in which MNC activities are undertaken and organised. The various contributions to this special issue have evaluated the eclectic paradigm in the global economy, and its validity as a theoretical basis to understand these developments. This paper places these contributions into context. We highlight that globalisation has increased the interactive dynamics between and among 'O', 'L' and 'I' characteristics at firm, industry and country level, in at least two ways. First, a knowledge-based society has meant that the efficient exploitation of MNCs' ownership advantages and the continual need to augment and sustain their competitive advantages is ever more crucial, leading to a complex interdependence between ownership and location advantages. Second, globalisation has affected how MNCs seek to organise their cross-border activities coherently in response to changing boundaries of the firm. We find that the paradigm continues to provide a framework which facilitates how best to synthesise relevant complementary theories, or how to choose between potentially competing theories, and helps to operationalise them.
Saving, Wealth and the Transition from Transfers to Individual Responsibility: The Cases of Taiwan and the United States

Under the life-cycle saving model, population aging leads to an increased demand for life-cycle wealth. Changes in transfer systems create or destroy one component of life-cycle wealth-transfer wealth. The decline in the familial transfer system in Taiwan and reform of the US Social Security system are two examples of ways that transfer wealth is reduced. The combined effects of aging and changes in transfer systems are analyzed using simulation analysis. Rapid aging and radical decline in transfer systems lead to a large but transitory surge in aggregate saving. Capital per worker increases rapidly and remains at a high level. Copyright The editors of the "Scandinavian Journal of Economics", 2003 .
Transactivation by AP-1 Is a Molecular Target of T Cell Clonal Anergy

Anergy is a mechanism of T lymphocyte tolerance induced by antigen receptor stimulation in the absence of co-stimulation. Anergic T cells were shown to have a defect in antigen-induced transcription of the interleukin-2 gene. Analysis of the promoter indicated that the transcription factor AP-1 and its corresponding cis element were specifically down-regulated. Exposure of anergic T cells to interleukin-2 restored both antigen responsiveness and activity of the AP-1 element.
Enhanced B Cell Alloantigen Presentation and Its Epigenetic Dysregulation in Liver Transplant Rejection

T cell suppression prevents acute cellular rejection but causes life‐threatening infections and malignancies. Previously, liver transplant (LTx) rejection in children was associated with the single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9296068 upstream of the HLA‐DOA gene. HLA‐DOA inhibits B cell presentation of antigen, a potentially novel antirejection drug target. Using archived samples from 122 white pediatric LTx patients (including 77 described previously), we confirmed the association between rs9296068 and LTx rejection (p = 0.001, odds ratio [OR] 2.55). Next‐generation sequencing revealed that the putative transcription factor (CCCTC binding factor [CTCF]) binding SNP locus rs2395304, in linkage disequilibrium with rs9296068 (D′ 0.578, r2 = 0.4), is also associated with LTx rejection (p = 0.008, OR 2.34). Furthermore, LTx rejection is associated with enhanced B cell presentation of donor antigen relative to HLA‐nonidentical antigen in a novel cell‐based assay and with a downregulated HLA‐DOA gene in a subset of these children. In lymphoblastoid B (Raji) cells, rs2395304 coimmunoprecipitates with CTCF, and CTCF knockdown with morpholino antisense oligonucleotides enhances alloantigen presentation and downregulates the HLA‐DOA gene, reproducing observations made with HLA‐DOA knockdown and clinical rejection. Alloantigen presentation is suppressed by inhibitors of methylation and histone deacetylation, reproducing observations made during resolution of rejection. Enhanced donor antigen presentation by B cells and its epigenetic dysregulation via the HLA‐DOA gene represent novel opportunities for surveillance and treatment of transplant rejection.
Reliability and validity of an arabic version of the dyspnea-12 questionnaire for Saudi nationals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND: Dyspnea is a distressing symptom experienced by people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The dyspnea-12 (D-12) questionnaire comprises of 12 items and assesses the quality of this symptom, its severity and the emotional response. The original (English) version of the D-12 is reliable and valid for the measurement of dyspnea in pulmonary diseases. AIM: To translate the D-12 into Arabic and determine whether this version is reliable and valid in Saudi nationals with COPD. METHODS: The D-12 was translated into Arabic version and reviewed by an expert panel before being back-translated into English. The Arabic version was administered to five patients with COPD to test whether it was easily understood after which a final Arabic version was produced. Thereafter, 40 patients with COPD (aged 63 ΁ 9 years; 33 [82.5%] males; forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ) 47 ΁ 16% predicted) completed the D-12, the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ). Lung function and 6-minute walk distance were also measured. The D-12 was re-administered two weeks later. RESULTS: The Arabic version of the D-12 demonstrated good reliability over the two administration (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.94, P = 0.01). Strong associations were demonstrated between the (1) total score for the D-12 and the CAT, (2) quality sub-score of the D-12 and the CAT and (3) emotional response sub-score of the D-12 and emotional function domain of the CRDQ (r ≥ 0.6, all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The Arabic version of the D-12 is a reliable and valid instrument in Saudi nationals with COPD.
Factors Related to Risk Tolerance

Effects of financial and demographic variables on risk tolerance were estimated for households withan employed respondent in the 1992 Survey of Consumer Finances. Logistic regression analysisshowed that female headed households were less likely to be risk tolerant than otherwise similarhouseholds with a male head or a married couple. Differences in risk tolerance by gender/maritalstatus, ethnic group and education could be due to differences in understanding of the nature of risk.
Decoupling of Road Freight Transport and Economic Growth Trends in the UK: An Exploratory Analysis

Abstract Between 1997 and 2004, gross domestic product increased in real terms in the UK by one‐fifth, while the volume of road freight movement remained stable. This suggests that the long‐awaited decoupling of economic and freight transport growth has begun, possibly leading to a new era of sustainable logistics. This paper reviews previous research on the decoupling issue and recent trends in gross domestic product/freight tonne‐km elasticities in Europe and the USA. It then examines 12 possible causes of the observed decoupling in the UK using published statistics from a wide range of British and European sources. This analysis indicates that around two‐thirds of the decoupling is due to three factors whose impact can be quantified: the increased penetration of the British road haulage market by foreign operators, a decline in road transport’s share of the freight market, and real increases in road freight rates. Several other factors, most notably the relative growth of the service sector, the diminishing rate of centralization, and the off‐shoring of manufacturing, appear to be having a significant effect, though this finding cannot be measured on the basis of available statistics. The paper concludes that, while the decoupling is in the right direction from a public policy standpoint, the net environmental benefits are likely to be quite modest.
The impact of ISO 9001 implementation on organizational performance in Kenya

The main aim of this Paper was to establish effect of ISO 9001 implementation on performance of organizations in Kenya. It specifically targeted or ganizations listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchan ge which is the leading securities exchange in East Af rica. Secondary data available from the NSE repositories on financial performance was collected from 19 of these organizations. The study covered five sectors namely: Finance; Automobiles; Manufact uring; Energy / petroleum and Commercial services. The survey made use of web content analys is to collect data from these organizations’ websit es. Data was collected on net profit, turnover and net assets over a four year period (2010- 2013). Result s of the survey reveal that ISO 9001 certification influ enced return on net assets of the organizations the reby influencing their performance. For other variables measured (net profit and turnover) there were no significant differences between the ISO 9001 certif ied organizations and the ones not certified on the same. Also no significant differences were noted ac ross sectors of organizations covered in the survey .
Ex Ante Bond Returns and the Liquidity Preference Hypothesis

We provide a formal test of the liquidity preference hypothesis (LPH), that is, the monotonicity of ex ante term premiums, using nonparametric estimates that do not require a structural model for conditional expected returns. Although the point estimates of the term premiums are consistent with previous conclusions in the literature regarding violations of the LPH, the test statistics are generally insignificant, even when powerful conditioning information is used. These results illustrate the importance of correctly accounting for correlations across maturities and of formally testing the inequality restrictions implied by the LPH.
Possibilistic Shell Clustering of Template-Based Shapes

In this paper, we present a new type of alternating-optimization-based possibilistic c-shell algorithm for clustering-template-based shapes. A cluster prototype consists of a copy of the template after translation, scaling, rotation, and/or affine transformations. This extends the capability of shell clustering beyond a few standard geometrical shapes that have been in the literature so far. We use a number of 2-D datasets, consisting of both synthetic and real-world images, to illustrate the capability of our algorithm in detecting generic-template-based shapes in images. We also describe a progressive clustering procedure aimed to relax the requirements for a known number of clusters and good initialization, as well as new performance measures of shell-clustering algorithms.
Female Political Participation and Health in India

This article uses a unique data set to investigate the determinants of political participation in India. In particular, the data from the 1981 census of India are coupled with electoral returns from 1979-80 to examine the factors influencing participation of both genders. Differential impact is explored empirically. Many of the same influences found to be important in developed countries are relevant in India, including income, education, and constituency culture. In addition, labor force participation and familial obligations have an effect, though in the opposite direction from that predicted in the United States. A lack of government-provided resources devoted to health and education also influences participation. A second investigation uses the same census data with 1977-78 election returns to estimate government response to female political participation in India. Regarding the causes of child mortality, no effect of female participation on health outcomes was found. This may result from the aggregation necessary to match census districts and voting constituencies.
Tests of International CAPM with Time-Varying Covariances

We perform maximum likelihood estimation of a model of international asset pricing based on CAPM. We test the restrictions imposed by CAPM against a more general asset pricing model. The "betas" in our CAPM vary over time from two sources -- the supplies of the assets (government obligations of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S.) change over time, and so do the conditional covariances of returns on these assets. We let the covariances change over time as a function of macroeconomic data. We also estimate the model when the covariances follow a multivariate ARCH process. When the covariance of forecast errors are time-varying, we can identify a modified CAFM model with measurement error -- which we also estimate. We find that the model in which the CAPM restrictions are imposed (which involve cross-equation constraints between coefficients and the variances of the residuals) perform much better when variances are not constant over time. Nonetheless, the CAPM model is rejected in favor of the less restricted model of asset pricing.
The significance of sustained entrepreneurial orientation on performance of firms – A longitudinal analysis

This study focuses on the importance of changes in entrepreneurial orientation (EO) over time for subsequent firm performance, and the significance which inimitable resources (networks, governance system and unique competence) might have in this connection. Hypotheses are developed to test the effects that changes in EO level over a time period and resources have on subsequent firm performance. The study is based on data from 168 Norwegian SMEs, interviewed both in 2000 and 2003. The primary contribution of this study is that a change in EO over time (increased or decreased), may be of importance for a firm's performance represented by performance compared to competitors, and employment growth. A focus on entrepreneurial activities seems to be beneficial in the long run (increasing EO), while the opposite is the case if the EO level decreases. It is especially encouraging to see that firms focusing on EO (increased or the same) are positively associated with employment growth, one of the primary policy goals world-wide. Another contribution from this study is that resources that may be inimitable for firms have some influence on performance compared to competitors. Implications for policy-makers, practitioners and further research are discussed.
Reviews & Abstracts

The authors evaluated the efficacy of a clinical protocol involving combined orthodontic-periodontal treatment to intrude pathologically extruded teeth having infrabony defects that are a result of severe periodontal disease . 10 patients with severe periodontal disease were accessed before treatment and after treatment for probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, plaque index and dental mobility. Study casts were made and panoramic , intraoral and profile radiographs were taken . Cephalometri c and gnathologic eva luations, occ lu sogram and intraoral clinical status assessments were made. All patients had per(odontaltherapy that consisted of flap clean-out surgery to eliminate deep debris and granulation tissue. Fixed appliances were placed 7 to 10 days after the periodontal procedures. The patients were treated with an intrusive mechanism using the segmented arch technique to intrude and realign the migrated incisors and obtain space closure. The results showed the initial mean probing pocket depth of 7. 15 mm decreased to 2.80 mm at the end of the t reatment; the difference of 4.35 m was statistically significant. The mean clinical crown length was 12.45 mm at the beginning of treatment and 11 . 4 mm at the end ; the difference was statistically significant. The mean marginal bone level varied from 7.05 mm to 9.10 mm, with a statistically significant gain of 2.04 mm. The mean values of the bone defect radiological dimension fell from 7.51 mm2 to 3.15 mni and the mean root length decreased 0.4 mm.
Comparison of clothing purchase behaviour between US and Japanese female university students

The clothing purchase behaviour of US and Japanese female university students was compared. Evaluative criteria when buying clothing, an interest in clothing and fashion and source of fashion information were studied. Relationships between variables were investigated and the difference and similarity between the two countries were discussed. For evaluative criteria, fit and style/design were ranked the most important in both countries. US students tended to give higher scores for fit, quality, fashion and brand/designer name than Japanese students. Japanese students were more economical, and colour and style/design were important. We found differences in the meaning of fashion between the two countries by cluster analysis. Interest in clothing was almost at the same level in the two countries. But interest in fashion was different; Japanese students were more interested in fashion when they spent more money on clothing. The fashion information sources most frequently used were fashion magazines, store displays, friends and TV. US students were more active in collecting information about fashion and used family members and non-personal sources, such as catalogues, the cinema, newspapers and electronic sources. Japanese students used more retail-oriented sources such as store displays and sales people. In both countries, students who were information search oriented tended to rank evaluative criteria highly and to have more interest in clothing/fashion.
Multivariables Determining Earnings per Share within the U.S. Medical Laboratories & Research Industry

The objective of this study is to examine the key variables determining earnings per share for the Research Industry. In this study financial statements for ten years (from 2003 to 2012) of the publicly listed leading U.S. companies in the Medical Laboratories and Research Industry based on their size are gathered. In making proper decisions, we need to take into consideration such indicators as financial ratios, operating cash flows, and firm size. Since all of these factors indicate different aspects of the company’s performance, each of those variables alone may not give the investor a complete and consistent estimate of the earning per share of a specific stock. Therefore, a multivariable regression analysis on the effect of firm size, financial ratios, and operating cash flows on earnings per share and the regression model used to predict the future earnings per share are utilized here. The objective is to analyze any significant relationships between those indicators and the earnings per share. The result indicates that the debt ratio, present value to book value ratio, and operating cash flow ratio have no significant relationship with earnings per share. The most significant predictors of earnings per share are the firm size, net profit margin ratio, return on equity ratio, current ratio, and total assets turnover ratio. Keywords: Financial ratios, Earning per Share, U.S. market, Firm size, Cash Flow
Adaptive dynamics in coordination games

A model of the process by which players learn to play repeated coordination games is proposed with the goal of understanding the results of recent experiments. In those experiments, the dynamics of subjects' strategy choices and the resulting patterns of discrimination among equilibria varied systematically with the rule for determining payoffs and the size of the interacting groups in ways that are not adequately explained by available methods of analysis. The model suggests a possible explanation by showing how the dispersion of subjects' beliefs interacts with the learning process to determine the probability distribution of its dynamics and limiting outcome. Copyright 1995 by The Econometric Society.
MORAL HAZARD AND SECURED LENDING IN AN INFINITELY REPEATED CREDIT MARKET GAME

The authors analyze repeated moral hazard with discounting in a competitive credit market with risk neutrality. Even without learning or risk aversion, long-term bank-borrower relationships are welfare enhancing. The main result is that the borrower obtains an infinite sequence of unsecured loans at below spot market cost following the first good project realization. This contract produces first-best action choices. Prior to this stage, the borrower gets secured loans with above-market borrowing cost. The optimal contract thus displays a selective memory feature, taking only one of two forms at any given point in time, depending on prior history. Copyright 1994 by Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania and the Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association.