Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Railroad Expansion and Industrialization: Evidence from Meiji Japan

Railroads in late nineteenth-century Japan are credited with facilitating factor mobility as well as access to human and financial capital, but their impact on firms has been unclear. Using a prefecture-level panel data set and a difference-in-differences model that exploits the temporal and spatial variation of railroad expansion, I investigate the relationship between railways and increased firm activity. Rail access led to higher average firm capitalization, particularly in manufacturing, and more populated and less accessible areas gained disproportionately more firms. By widening markets and allowing for agglomeration economies, Japanese railways promoted capital investment and more efficient resource allocation.
Durational Effects of Stress, Accent, and Voicing on the Preceding Word-final Syllable in English

This study examined how duration of an unstressed final syllable in English is affected by conditions in the following word: stress (trochaic/iambic), accent (accented/unaccented), and initial stop voicing (voiced/voiceless). Results showed that the unstressed final syllable was shorter before an unstressed syllable, presumably due to polysyllabic shortening—i.e., the following unstressed syllable forms a foot with the preceding syllable. This effect, however, disappeared when the following word was accented, due to foot restructuring caused by leftward spreading of accent effect—i.e., because the (following) unstressed syllable is lengthened when accented, it is no longer weak enough to be associated with the preceding foot. The lengthening of the word-final syllable before a voiced stop was also observed, but only within a foot. Most of the foot restructuring effects disappeared across an IP boundary. Interestingly, however, even across an IP boundary, the final syllable was affected by accentuation of the following word (i.e., shortened before an accented word), implying that the prominence structure may have a more global effect.
Mechanical Ventilation–associated Lung Fibrosis in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Significant Contributor to Poor Outcome

One of the most challenging problems in critical care medicine is the management of patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Increasing evidence from experimental and clinical studies suggests that mechanical ventilation, which is necessary for life support in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, can cause lung fibrosis, which may significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality. The role of mechanical stress as an inciting factor for lung fibrosis versus its role in lung homeostasis and the restoration of normal pulmonary parenchymal architecture is poorly understood. In this review, the authors explore recent advances in the field of pulmonary fibrosis in the context of acute respiratory distress syndrome, concentrating on its relevance to the practice of mechanical ventilation, as commonly applied by anesthetists and intensivists. The authors focus the discussion on the thesis that mechanical ventilation—or more specifically, that ventilator-induced lung injury—may be a major contributor to lung fibrosis. The authors critically appraise possible mechanisms underlying the mechanical stress–induced lung fibrosis and highlight potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate this fibrosis.
The effects of dance music jump rope exercise on pulmonary function and body mass index after music jump rope exercise in overweight adults in 20’s

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a dance music jump rope exercise on changes Pulmonary Function and body mass index in female overweight subjects in their 20’s. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were randomly assigned to the dance music jump rope exercise group and the stationary cycle exercise group. All subjects have conducted the exercises three times a week for four weeks. Pulmonary function was evaluated using a spirometer, and body mass index was evaluated using an InBody 3.0. [Results] The findings of this study showed significant improvements in the voluntary capacity and body mass index of the experimental groups. Vital capacity was higher in the music jump rope exercise group than the stationary cycle exercise group, and body mass index was lower in the music jump rope exercise group than the stationary cycle exercise group. [Conclusion] This study showed that the dance music jump rope exercise can be used to improve vital capacity and body mass index.
International Diversification with Large- and Small-Cap Stocks

To the extent that investors diversify internationally, large-cap stocks receive the dominant share of fund allocation. Increasingly, however, returns to large-cap stocks or stock market indices tend to comove, mitigating the benefits from international diversification. In contrast, stocks of locally oriented, small companies do not exhibit the same tendency. In this paper, we assess the potential of small-cap stocks as a vehicle for international portfolio diversification during the period 1980–1999. We show that the extra gains from the augmented diversification with small-cap funds are statistically significant for both in-sample and out-of-sample periods and remain robust to the consideration of market frictions.
Causes and Consequences of Corporate Asset Exchanges by Listed Companies in China

China's listed companies often exchange corporate assets with their parent companies. We find that listed companies that have been incompletely restructured from former state-owned enterprises and in sound financial condition tend to exchange higher quality assets for lower quality assets (i.e., tunneling). However, when there is a need to avoid reporting a loss and to raise additional capital, listed companies tend to exchange lower quality assets for higher quality assets (i.e., propping). We also find that the market reacts indifferently to asset exchange announcements. Finally, we find asset exchanges motivated by a tunneling (propping) incentive to be associated with poorer (improved) post-exchange stock performance and financial performance. In summary, this study contributes to the corporate asset literature by providing two new incentives: tunneling and propping.
Determinants of Credit Spreads in Commercial Mortgages

This article examines the cross-sectional and time-series determinants of commercial mortgage credit spreads as well as the terms of the mortgages. Consistent with theory, our empirical evidence indicates that mortgages on property types that tend to be riskier and have greater investment flexibility exhibit higher spreads. The relationship between the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio and spreads is relatively weak, which is probably due to the endogeneity of the LTV choice. However, the average LTV ratio per lender has a strong positive relation with credit spreads, which is consistent with the idea that lenders specialize in mortgages with either high or low levels of risk, and that high LTV mortgages require substantially higher spreads. Finally, we observe that spreads widen and mortgage terms become stricter after periods of poor performance of the real estate markets and after periods of greater default rates of outstanding real estate loans. Copyright 2005 by the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association
We Recruit Attitude: The Selection and Shaping of Routine Call Centre Labour

Call centres are growing rapidly and are receiving attention from politicians, policy makers and academics. While most of the latter focus on work relations, notably patterns of control and surveillance, this paper explores the role of recruitment, selection and training in the shaping call centre labour. The paper uses data from a case study of a call centre (Telebank) to argue that the increased significance of social competencies within interactive service work gives these procedures greater salience and that they are used by management to address the indeterminacy of labour, in part, outside the labour process. Primary data from management and customer service representatives is used to examine and contrast their respective perceptions of recruitment, selection and training. The paper shows the contested and contradictory tendencies associated with how a particular company identifies and then uses social competencies. Tensions in the labour process between the mobilization of employee attributes and the deliberate moulding and standardization of such competencies is merely part of wider and unresolved tensions concerning the contested nature of emotional labour and the demands of quantity and quality in the management of call centre work.
Effects of Exercise Load and Breathing Frequency on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Variability During Dynamic Exercise

It is known that heart rate (HR) variability decreases with dynamic exercise, but there are only few studies on blood pressure (BP) variability with exercise loads and the effect of breathing pattern has never been investigated. Thus, we studied HR and systolic blood pressure (SBP) signals by spectral analysis (FFT), in 9 healthy subjects, at different breathing frequencies (0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 Hz), at rest and during 3 exercise loads (25, 50 and 75% VO2max). BP was measured with a non-invasive device (Finapres) and continuously recorded. The power spectrum of R-R period significantly decreased with exercise loads in the low frequency band (LF: 0.04-0.128 Hz) and in the high frequency band (HF: 0.128-0.65 Hz), but with breathing frequency only in the HF part of the spectrum. The power spectrum of SBP significantly increased with exercise loads in LF and HF bands, and decreased in HF band with increasing breathing frequency. R-R and SBP HF peaks were centered on breathing frequency peaks. Therefore, spectral analysis of HR and SBP confirm the withdrawal of vagal control during exercise, while mechanical effect of respiration on SBP persists. LF/HF ratio of R-R spectral components decreased with increasing load, whereas cardiovascular sympathetic activity is known to rise, suggesting that this ratio is not a good indicator of cardiovascular autonomic modulation during exercise.
Mean Reversion and the Distribution of United Kingdom Stock Index Returns

Our purpose here is to develop the Pearson Type IV distribution as a candidate for modelling the evolution of short period stock index returns. Here, early work by Praetz (1972 and 1978) and Blattberg and Gonedes (1974) has shown that the scaled '"t"' distribution, which is a particular (symmetric) interpretation of the Pearson Type IV, provides a reasonable description of the way stock index returns evolve over time. Our analysis shows this is certainly not the case for the daily stock index returns on which our empirical analysis is based. There is significant skewness in the data and this cannot be captured by symmetric distributions like the scaled '"t"' and normal distributions. However, the Pearson Type IV, which is a skewed generalisation of the scaled '"t"', is capable of modelling the skewness inherent in our data and in such a way that it satisfies asymptotically efficient goodness of fit criteria. Furthermore, the Pearson Type IV can be derived from a stochastic differential equation with standard Markov properties. This enables one to integrate the distributional and time series properties of the returns process and thereby, facilitates both the interpretation and understanding of the role played by the distribution's parameters in the generation of the underlying stock index returns. Copyright 2006 The Authors Journal compilation (c) 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Tibetan and Indian lithospheres in the upper mantle beneath Tibet: Evidence from broadband surface‐wave dispersion

Broadband seismic experiments over the last two decades have produced dense data coverage across Tibet. Yet, the mechanism of the India‐Asia lithospheric convergence beneath it remains a puzzle, with even its basic features debated and with very different end‐member models advocated today. We measured highly accurate Rayleigh‐ and Love‐wave phase‐velocity curves in broad period ranges (up to 5–200 s) for a few tens of pairs and groups of stations across Tibet, combining, in each case, hundreds to thousands of interstation measurements made with cross‐correlation and waveform‐inversion methods. Robust shear‐velocity profiles were then determined by extensive series of nonlinear inversions of the data, designed to constrain the depth‐dependent ranges of isotropic‐average shear speeds and radial anisotropy. Temperature anomalies in the upper mantle were estimated from shear velocities using accurate petrophysical relationships. Our results reveal strong heterogeneity in the upper mantle beneath Tibet. Very large high‐velocity anomalies in the upper mantle are consistent with the presence of underthrust (beneath southwestern Tibet) and subducted (beneath central and eastern Tibet) Indian lithosphere. The corresponding thermal anomalies match those estimated for subducted Indian lithosphere. In contrast to the Indian lithosphere, Tibetan lithosphere and asthenosphere display low‐to‐normal shear speeds; Tibetan lithosphere is thus warm and thin. Radial anisotropy in the upper mantle is weak in central and strong in northeastern Tibet, possibly reflecting asthenospheric flow above the subducting Indian lithospheric slab.
Linkage Map of Escherichia coli K-12, Edition 10: The Traditional Map

SUMMARY This map is an update of the edition 9 map by Berlyn et al. (M. K. B. Berlyn, K. B. Low, and K. E. Rudd, p. 1715–1902, in F. C. Neidhardt et al., ed., Escherichia coli and Salmonella: cellular and molecular biology, 2nd ed., vol. 2, 1996). It uses coordinates established by the completed sequence, expressed as 100 minutes for the entire circular map, and adds new genes discovered and established since 1996 and eliminates those shown to correspond to other known genes. The latter are included as synonyms. An alphabetical list of genes showing map location, synonyms, the protein or RNA product of the gene, phenotypes of mutants, and reference citations is provided. In addition to genes known to correspond to gene sequences, other genes, often older, that are described by phenotype and older mapping techniques and that have not been correlated with sequences are included.
Utilizing geographic information system (GIS) to determine optimum forest cover for minimizing runoff in a degraded watershed in Jamaica 1

SUMMARY Optimum forest cover is not a new concept. It was part of the suggested policies to achieve sustainable forest management at a 1996 meeting of the UN/FAO Intergovernmental Panel on Forests. It has not been actively pursued by many countries however, but since deforestation is being singled out as one of the major contributing factors to degrading global climatic conditions, this concept may take on new meaning. This research devised a methodology for determining the optimum forest cover for a degraded watershed in south-central Jamaica. The model suggested a spatial pattern in the upper portions of the watershed which increased the forest cover from 16.76 % to 37.47 %. This significantly reduced runoff where the forest cover was optimized and simulated in a hydrological model. This technique will give direction to forest management and conservation in Jamaica and will form part of the decision support system for the country's planners.
Determinants of Inflow of Foreign Direct Investment in Hungary and China: Time-Series Approach†

This paper analyses what factors best explain foreign capital inflows into Hungary and China during the period 1978-92. The size of the host country markets is found to play a positive role, while the cost of capital variables and political instability are negatively correlated with investment inflows. It supports the hypothesis that low-cost labour and currency depreciation are important factors in explaining how much foreign capital inflows into a particular country. There is little evidence to support classical hypotheses concerning tariff barriers and imports variables. The OECD growth rates show significant positive correlation with foreign direct investment in Hungary. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcomes After DSEK in 101 Eyes With Previous Trabeculectomy and Tube Shunt Implantation

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) in eyes with previous glaucoma surgery. Methods: This is a retrospective review of all DSEK procedures performed by 2 surgeons from May 1, 2006, to December 31, 2012. Results: Four hundred sixty-two DSEK procedures were performed, of which 113 (24%) were performed in 101 eyes after a trabeculectomy (52 procedures) and/or tube shunt implantation (76 procedures) (15 procedures in eyes with both). Primary graft failure and donor dislocation developed in 4.4% and 14.2% of cases in eyes with previous glaucoma surgery, not significantly different from the 3.2% (P = 0.56) and 11.5% (P = 0.51) in eyes without prior glaucoma surgery. During a mean follow-up of 20.7 ± 17.6 months, endothelial rejection developed in a greater percentage of eyes with previous glaucoma surgery (12.9%; 0.069/eye-year) compared with that in eyes without surgery (6.9%; 0.042/eye-year), although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.066 for percentage of eyes; P = 0.16 for rejection rate). Secondary graft failure developed in a significantly higher percentage of eyes with previous glaucoma surgery (15.9%; 0.094/eye-year) compared with that in eyes without surgery (3.2%; 0.019/eye-year) (P < 0.0001; P < 0.0001). Elevated intraocular pressure after DSEK was significantly more common in eyes with medically treated glaucoma (41.3%; 0.345/eye year) than in eyes with a previous glaucoma surgery (23.8%; 0.145/eye-year) and without glaucoma (20.0%; 0.138/eye year) (P = 0.009; P = 0.007). Conclusions: Although intraoperative and early postoperative complications such as donor dislocation and primary graft failure are not significantly more common after DSEK in eyes with previous glaucoma surgery, secondary graft failure is. In contrast, other postoperative complications such as elevated intraocular pressure are significantly more common in eyes with medically treated glaucoma than in eyes with previous glaucoma surgery and without glaucoma.
Democracy from the Outside-In? International Organizations and Democratization

Scholars and policymakers alike have recently begun to tout the ability of international organizations (IOs) to encourage and secure democracy throughout the world. Despite this stance, little theoretical attention or empirical investigation has attempted to ascertain why or whether this relationship truly exists. One challenge to answering this puzzle is that extant theories of international institutions do not generally delineate clear hypotheses about how IOs influence domestic politics. In this article, I address this paucity of both theory and empirical evidence. I delineate three causal mechanisms that link IOs to domestic actors' calculations about political liberalization and test the argument. I find that membership in regional IOs is correlated with transitions to democracy during the period from 1950 to 1992.
Strategic Trade Policy in the Presence of Consumer Learning

This paper explores the potential role for strategic trade policy when demand is impacted by consumer learning. In a linear Cournot model, the optimal subsidy is shown to be increasing in both the firm-specific learning and learning spillovers among home firms when firms can precommit; however, when precommitment by firms and/or the government is not possible, strategic behaviour by firms may more than offset the infant industries' incentive for an export subsidy. A calibration exercise illustrates the impact of consumer learning on the optimal subsidies and also demonstrates the sensitivity of the policy prescription. Copyright 2000 by The London School of Economics and Political Science
EFFECTS OF ‘TONE‐REDUCING’ VS. STANDARD PLASTER‐CASTS ON GAIT IMPROVEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

The relative effects of ‘tone‐reducing’ (inhibitive) and standard casts on the gait patterns and functional motor activities of two children with cerebral palsy were examined in a repeated measures (single‐subject) design. Both children's stride length improved in the tone‐reducing casts, compared with standard casts, but there were no significant differences between the two casts in step length ratio, base of support or foot progression angle. From videotapes, clinicians noted mildly improved gait and function over baseline levels for one child during the tone‐reducing cast phase. They also consistently rated this child's performance as being better with the tone‐reducing casts than with the standard casts. Parents and therapists also favoured the tone‐reducing casts. However, further evidence is needed for the efficacy of tone‐reducing casts in the management of children with cerebral palsy.
Internal Governance Structures and Earnings Management

This paper investigates the role of a firm's internal governance structure in constraining earnings management. It is hypothesized that the practice of earnings management is systematically related to the strength of internal corporate governance mechanisms, including the board of directors, the audit committee, the internal audit function and the choice of external auditor. Based on a broad cross-sectional sample of 434 listed Australian firms, for the financial year ending in 2000, a majority of non-executive directors on the board and on the audit committee are found to be significantly associated with a lower likelihood of earnings management, as measured by the absolute level of discretionary accruals. The voluntary establishment of an internal audit function and the choice of auditor are not significantly related to a reduction in the level of discretionary accruals. Our additional analysis, using small increases in earnings as a measure of earnings management, also found a negative association between this measure and the existence of an audit committee.
Demographics and US Stock Market Fluctuations

This article illustrates how the information component determining long-horizon US stock market returns can be related to a demographic variable, MY the ratio of middle-aged to young adults. In fact, MY can be seen as the major determinants of a slowly evolving time-varying mean of the dividend/price ratio. A forecasting model for stock market returns over a century of US annual data that uses as predictors the dividend/price ratio and MY overcomes all the statistical difficulties related to the high persistence of the dividend/price ratio and performs very well in forecasting long-horizon stock market returns. Moreover, the use of demographic variables as a predictor for long-run stock market returns delivers a steeply downward sloping term structure of stock market risk. (JEL codes: G17, C53, E44) Copyright The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Ifo Institute for Economic Research, Munich. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com, Oxford University Press.