Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Banking crises, regulation, and growth: the case of Russia

Recent empirical analyses of the relationship between financial system development and economic growth find that financial system development causes economic growth, is a good predictor of growth and that its impact is relatively large. Moreover, the empirical literature predicts that the adverse effects of banking crises on economic growth will rise in the absence of an adequate response by the government. Hence, given the Russian government's failure to respond adequately to the 1998 banking crisis, Russia's strong economic growth since the crisis is a puzzle. This study uses simulations to conclude that the growth costs of the 1998 crisis were larger than previously suggested. The adverse effects were compensated by expansionary effects. The findings corroborate the importance of financial development in promoting growth in transition countries.
Board, audit committee, culture and earnings management: Malaysian evidence

Purpose – Aims to investigate the extent of the effectiveness of monitoring functions of board of directors, audit committee and concentrated ownership in reducing earnings management among 97 firms listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia over the period 2002‐2003.Design/methodology/approach – The current study employs the cross‐sectional modified version of Jones, where abnormal working capital accruals are used as proxy for earnings management.Findings – The study reveals that earnings management is positively related to the size of the board of directors. This supports the view that larger boards appear to be ineffective in their oversight duties relative to smaller boards. A possible explanation for the insignificant relationship between other corporate governance mechanisms (independence of board and audit committee) and earnings management is that the board of directors is seen as ineffective in discharging their monitoring duties due to management dominance over board matters. The apparent reaso.
Whole body and tissue fractional protein synthesis in the ovine fetus in utero

1. Whole-body and tissue fractional protein synthesis rates were determined in chronically-catheterized ovine fetuses at 120–130 d of gestation following an 8 h continuous infusion of L-[U-14C]-or L-[2, 3, 5, 6-3H]tyrosine. 2. From the net utilization of tyrosine by the fetus, corrected for apparent oxidation, and tyrosine concentration in the fetal carcass protein, whole-body protein synthesis was estimated to be 63 g/d per kg. 3. Following 8 h of infusion of labelled tyrosine the ewes were killed and fetal tissues were removed for the determination of tyrosine specific activity. The fractional rate of protein synthesis (k3) was calculated from the specific activity ratio, protein bound: intracellular free tyrosine. Tissue k, values for the liver, kidney, lungs, brain, skeletal muscle and small intestine were 78, 45, 65, 37, 26 and 93% /d respectively. 4. The absolute rate of synthesis was calculated by multiplying the tissue protein content by k2. Muscles, gastrointestinal tract, liver and lungs contributed approximately 20.5, 20.5, 14.4 and 9.4% respectively to whole- body protein synthesis. 5. The efficiency of protein synthesis as expressed by the RNA activity was higher in liver, lung and brain followed by kidney, skeletal and cardiac muscle.
Efficacy of a psychosocial intervention for parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Alexandria, Egypt.

BACKGROUND Childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disorder that carries an immense amount of suffering for its victims, their families, and communities. The efficacy of behavioral parent training in the treatment of ADHD has been supported in several studies. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of a predesigned culturally sensitive psychosocial intervention program for parents of ADHD children in Alexandria, Egypt. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS A pretest-post-test intervention study was carried out at the Child Mental Health Clinic for School Students affiliated to the Health Insurance Organization, Alexandria. The intervention aimed at improving parents' knowledge of ADHD, building their skills in effective parenting, stress management and problem-solving, as well as providing social support. All the participants (50 parents) were assigned to groups, each of five to eight parents. They received a total of eight sessions on a weekly basis. The program was evaluated immediately after completion and 2 months later using the Arabic Version of Conners' Rating Scale to identify ADHD and to assess its severity, Home Situations Questionnaire, Parenting Scale, the Arabic Version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), and parental ADHD-related knowledge questionnaire were used. RESULTS There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean total scores recorded by parents on Conners' Rating Scale (P<0.001), Home Situations Questionnaire (P<0.05), Parenting Scale (P<0.001), and DASS (P<0.001) immediately after program completion and 2 months later compared with that reported before program initiation. The total scores of participants on the ADHD-related knowledge questionnaire increased significantly after attending the program (P<0.001). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Provision of a psychosocial intervention program for parents of ADHD children proved to be effective in reducing perceived severity of the symptoms and problem situations, as well as improving parents' knowledge, discipline practices, and psychological well-being.
Health status of American Indians/Alaska Natives: general patterns of mortality.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Investigations of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations suggest patterns of mortality that differ from the general population. Mortality data reveal excess overall mortality among AI/ANs, as well as excesses for specific causes of death, including accidents, diabetes, liver disease, pneumonia/influenza, suicide, homicide, and tuberculosis. A relative deficit of deaths has been noted for heart disease, cancer, and HIV infections. It is important that physicians demonstrate cultural competence so they may provide quality medical care for the populations they serve. Activities such as provider education, risk assessment, and emphasis on preventive services are offered to facilitate integration into teaching curricula. Knowledge of distinctive mortality patterns among AI/ANs will help clinicians recognize the unique needs of these patients.
UK Multinationals' Effective Use of Financial Currency-Hedge Techniques: Estimating and Explaining Foreign Exchange Exposure Using Bilateral Exchange Rates

Using a unique dataset of recently available accounting disclosures, this study examines the relationship between UK multinationals' stock returns and changes in the principal exchange rate to which each firm is most exposed. We find more firms with significant foreign exchange exposure estimates using this firm-specific principal currency data, compared with those exposure estimates using the broad exchange rate index data prevalent in prior studies. The cross-sectional variations in such principal-currency exposure estimates are explained in relation to the financial currency-hedge techniques that each firm specifically identifies as being used to manage its currency risk. In particular, we provide evidence that firms effectively use foreign currency derivatives and foreign-denominated debt to reduce the currency risk associated with the bilateral exchange rate to which they are most exposed. This study is important to both the academic and the practitioner communities because it represents the first use of publicly available UK disclosures to improve the estimation and explanation of foreign exchange exposure.
Cross-border acquisitions: the UK experience

This paper tests a composite empirical model of cross-border acquisitions involving UK firms between 1987–1995 using panel data analysis. The empirical model includes capital market variables and regulatory variables derived from the existing literature. The results show that models that explain cross-border acquisitions through capital market imperfections are not significant. Cross-border activity has a strong relationship with the level of the UK stock market suggesting that crossborder acquisitions are, in some part, an extension of domestic activity. Corporate tax differentials also have significant impact on activity.
Ultrastructural Study on the Stomach of Tilapia spp (Teleostei)

An ultrastructural study has been made of gastric mucosa of a teleostean fish, Tilapia spp. The cytological features of the surface mucous cells, mucous neck cells, glandular cells and endocrine cells are described. The surface mucous cells, identified by their superficial localization, are characterized by apical granules. The mucous neck cells are distinguished by the appearance of their mucous granules and their localization between surface mucous cells and glandular cells. The gastric glands contain only one form of cell whose fine structure is similar to cells that secrete hydrochloric acid.
The Relationship between R&D Collaboration, Subsidies and R&D Performance: Empirical Evidence from Finland and Germany

This study focuses on the impact of innovation policies and R&D collaboration in Germany and Finland. We consider collaboration and subsidies as heterogeneous treatments, and perform an econometric matching to analyze R&D and patent activity at the firm level. In general, we find that collaboration has positive effects. In Germany, subsidies for individual research do neither exhibit a significant impact on R&D nor on patenting, but the innovative performance could be improved by additional incentives for collaboration. For Finnish companies, public funding is an important source of finance for R&D. Without subsidies, recipients would show less R&D and patenting activity, whilst those firms not receiving subsidies would perform significantly better if they were publicly funded. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the Degree of Platelet, Coagulation and Fibrinolysis Activation after Cerebral Infarction and Cerebral Haemorrhage and the Clinical Outcome

Thrombocytic, haemostatic and fibrinolytic quantities were investigated in 47 patients with cerebral infarction and 34 patients with cerebral haemorrhage. Sixteen of the infarction patients and ten patients of the haemorrhage group were on acetylsalicylic acid medication. Of the remaining 55 patients without acetylsalicylic medication 21/31 = 67.7% of the patients in the infarction group and 9/24 = 37.5% of the patients in the bleeding group had unphysiologically enhanced ADP-induced platelet aggregation. With regard to the coagulation and fibrinolysis markers no significant differences were found between the two groups. In both groups, coagulation activity markers (fibrin monomer and thrombin-antithrombin III), as well as D-dimers were significantly higher than in controls in a high proportion of cases. In 5/47 of the infarction patients and in 3/34 of the haemorrhage patients the fibrin monomer levels were elevated to such an extent, that it can be considered as low grade disseminated intravascular coagulation. In the cerebral haemorrhage group, 80.3% of the patients who subsequently died showed a significantly enhanced fibrin monomer concentration, compared with 28.6% of those who survived. The corresponding frequencies for D-dimer were 100% compared with 66.7%. In the cerebral infarction group, the only analytical quantity showing a significant difference between patients with a fatal outcome and those with a non-fatal outcome was ADP (2 mumol/l) induced platelet aggregation (83.3% in the fatal group, 40.0% in the non-fatal group).
How to Pass Local Option Taxes to Finance Transportation Projects

Local jurisdictions are increasingly using local option taxes, usually sales taxes or gas taxes, to finance transportation projects. Local option taxes are usually authorized by state legislation and often require a referendum for adoption. This research entailed case studies of local jurisdictions in 11 states with such local option taxes. Findings that identify and characterize the principal factors that contribute to the success of a local option tax referendum are presented. These factors include an identified critical need for transportation improvements and design of a suitable tax; a thorough planning process that involves and informs the electorate and produces a realistic expenditure plan; detailed earmarking of funds; effective public and private leadership, provision of information, and promotion of the expenditure plan and the tax to finance it; distribution of tax burdens, revenues, and benefits that are perceived as fair; neutralization or cooption of special interests; neutralization of anti-tax sentiment; thoughtful drafting of the ballot language and a suitable strategy for implementing the referendum; and fulfilling promises to build support for future referenda. Although many individual factors contribute to the success of a referendum, effective planning encompasses most of them. Creativity in addressing local issues and circumstances is also associated with many of the most successful referenda.
Mexican Peso Futures and Exchange Rate Volatility

Abstract The reintroduction of Mexican peso futures contracts in April 1995 resulted from a refocus of governmental policy to the use of market-based mechanisms to stabilize the exchange rate. Interest in the Mexican peso future contracts has been high as investors look to manage their exposure from transactions and investments denominated in pesos. This study utilizes a VAR framework to analyze the relationship between the volatility in the Mexican peso spot market and futures contracts trading activity. Shocks to the exchange rate volatility lead to increased hedg-ing-type activity. Furthermore, an increase in futures contracts trading activity (reflecting additional speculation-type activity) results in a short-run increase in volatility. A Granger Causality test also indicates a statistically significant link between spot price volatility and futures trading activity in the Mexican peso exchange market. RESUMEN La reintroducción de los contratos futuros del peso mexicano en abril de 1995, resultó del nuevo enfoque de la política gubernamental de usar los mecanismos de mercado para estabilizar la tasa cambiaria. Ha habido mucho interés en los contratos futuros del peso mexicano, ya que los inversores buscan administrar su exposición a las transacciones e inversiones denominadas en pesos. Este estudio utiliza el marco del VAR para analizar la relación existente entre la volatilidad del peso mexicano en el mercado spot y la actividad de negociación de los contratos futuros. Los choques sufridos por la volatilidad de la tasa cambiaria resultan en un aumento de las actividades del tipo hedging. Además, un aumento en la actividad de negociación de los contratos futuros (que refleja otras actividades de naturaleza especulativa) provoca, a corto plazo, un aumento en la volatilidad. Una prueba Granger Causality también indica un vínculo estadísticamente significativo entre la volatilidad del precio spot y la actividad de negociación del mercado futuro en el mercado cambiario del peso mexicano. RESUMO A reintrodução dos contratos futuros em peso mexicano, em abril de 1995, foi o resultado de uma revisão da política governamental, em relação ao uso dos mecanismos baseados no mercado para estabilizar a taxa de câmbio. Os juros dos contratos futuros, em peso mexicano, foram altos, devido ao cuidado dos investidores em administrar o risco das transações e dos investimentos efetuados em pesos. Este estudo utiliza a estrutura VAR, para analisar o relacionamento entre a volatilidade do mercado local, em peso mexicano, e a atividade comercial de contratos futuros. Choques aplicados à volatilidade da taxa de câmbio contribuíram para o aumento das atividades típicas de hedging. Além disso, um crescimento da atividade comercial de contratos futuros (refletindo uma atividade basicamente especulativa) ocasiona um rápido aumento na volatilidade. O teste Granger Causality indica, também, um vínculo estatístico significativo entre a volatilidade do preço local e a atividade comercial de futuros no mercado cambial do peso mexicano.
Transtympanic gentamicin for meniere's syndrome

Objectives: Study the impact of transtympanic gentamicin on patients with unilateral Meniere's syndrome. Partial chemical labyrinthectomy is a relatively recent concept for the treatment of Meniere's syndrome. It uses the ototoxic effect of gentamicin to reduce the symptom of vertigo and maintain cochlear function. Study Design: A prospective study using transtympanic gentamicin was begun in January 1994. Patients selected had failed medical therapy, but were not incapacitated. Patients had preinjection audiometric and electronystagmography data. Most had an imaging study. All had one injection, about half had more than one. Patients were seen 1 month after therapy and repeat studies were obtained. Repeat injection was performed if indicated. Follow‐up from the chart or by telephone was obtained. Data were tabulated using the 1995 American Academy of Otologaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery guidelines. Results: Through December 1996 43 patients with unilateral Meniere's syndrome were treated. The pretherapy function level was 3 through 5. After therapy the function level was 1 or 2. There was almost no change in cochlear function and no patient became deaf. Many patients had mild ataxia or dysequilibrium during the first 2 weeks following therapy. Most patients showed some decrease in labyrinthine function measured on electronystagmography. No attempt was made to ablate labyrinthine function. Seventeen of 18 patients had a vertigo index in the class A or B category after 2 years. Conclusions: Transtympanic gentamicin has become the treatment of choice for patients who fail medical therapy for Meniere's syndrome at the authors' institution. Laryngoscope, 108:1446–1449, 1998
A Singular Feature of European Business Cycles

This paper compares the short-term dependence of quarterly growth rates in industrial production in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, on the one hand, with those of Japan and the United States, on the other. While a clear dependence is found in these last two countries, in the European countries it is weak, nonexistent or unstable. Behind this simple evidence lie serious implications concerning European business cycles. Copyright 1998 by WWZ and Helbing & Lichtenhahn Verlag AG
Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy in an Australian Population

PurposeThis study aimed to describe the phenotype of Australian patients with a clinical diagnosis of dominant optic atrophy (DOA) and provide long-term follow-up data on its natural history. DesignRetrospective analysis. MethodsAll patients with the clinical diagnosis of DOA observed during a 30-year period at a single tertiary referral center (Save Sight Institute, Sydney Eye Hospital, Sydney, Australia) with at least 12 months of follow-up were included in the study. Clinical characteristics were assessed with particular attention to change in visual acuity (VA). ResultsThere were 36 patients with DOA from 26 different Australian families. The most common clinical presentation of DOA was insidious onset of visual difficulties beginning in childhood. Mean (SD) age at diagnosis of DOA was 16 (14) years. During a mean follow-up period of 10.6 years (median, 10 years), 44% of study eyes had no change in VA, 35% had reduction of VA by 1 Snellen line, 13% had a reduction of VA by 2 Snellen lines, and 8% of the study eyes had a VA reduction of more than 2 Snellen lines. Six of 36 patients were legally blind at last follow-up. ConclusionsThere is considerable heterogeneity in the presenting VA and natural history of DOA between individual patients and within families with DOA, with VA ranging from 6/6 to hand motion perception. This study provides valuable information to aid the clinician counseling the long-term visual outcome in patients with DOA and their families.
A 2000-Year Global Temperature Reconstruction Based on Non-Treering Proxies

Historical data provide a baseline for judging how anomalous recent temperature changes are and for assessing the degree to which organisms are likely to be adversely affected by current or future warming. Climate histories are commonly reconstructed from a variety of sources, including ice cores, tree rings, and sediment. Tree-ring data, being the most abundant for recent centuries, tend to dominate reconstructions. There are reasons to believe that tree ring data may not properly capture long-term climate changes. In this study, eighteen 2000-year-long series were obtained that were not based on tree ring data. Data in each series were smoothed with a 30-year running mean. All data were then converted to anomalies by subtracting the mean of each series from that series. The overall mean series was then computed by simple averaging. The mean time series shows quite coherent structure. The mean series shows the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) and Little Ice Age (LIA) quite clearly, with the MWP being approximately 0.3°C warmer than 20th century values at these eighteen sites.
11 . IMPACT OF SOCIAL COMPETENCE ON DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG TECHNOCRATS: AN APPENDAGE TO ONESELF

Efficiency and sustainability are closely related. While the relationship between efficiency and financial sustainability of microfinance institutions is well documented, there is but few (if any) systematic study which focuses specifically on how microfinance institutions’ efficiency affects their financial sustainability. This paper uses panel data analysis to determine, which among the efficiency indicators have significant relationship with financial sustainability. Using four-year survey data obtained from 98 rural microfinance institutions in Tanzania the paper provides empirical evidence that yield on gross loan portfolio, the level of portfolio at risk, liquidity level, staff productivity, and operating efficiency significantly affect the financial sustainability of rural microfinance institutions. Moreover, selling high volume loans alone does not improve financial sustainability. The findings in this paper suggest that, for sustainability, MFIs should strive to operate at relatively low costs while keeping the staff productivity and repayment rates higher.
Voluntary Nonfinancial Disclosure and the Cost of Equity Capital: The Initiation of Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting

ABSTRACT: We examine a potential benefit associated with the initiation of voluntary disclosure of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities: a reduction in firms’ cost of equity capital. We find that firms with a high cost of equity capital in the previous year tend to initiate disclosure of CSR activities in the current year and that initiating firms with superior social responsibility performance enjoy a subsequent reduction in the cost of equity capital. Further, initiating firms with superior social responsibility performance attract dedicated institutional investors and analyst coverage. Moreover, these analysts achieve lower absolute forecast errors and dispersion. Finally, we find that firms exploit the benefit of a lower cost of equity capital associated with the initiation of CSR disclosure. Initiating firms are more likely than non-initiating firms to raise equity capital following the initiations; among firms raising equity capital, initiating firms raise a significantly larger amount t.