Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International Corporate Tax Avoidance: A Review of the Channels, Magnitudes, and Blind Spots

This paper reviews the rapidly growing empirical literature on international tax avoidance by multinational corporations. It surveys evidence on main channels of corporate tax avoidance including transfer mispricing, international debt shifting, treaty shopping, tax deferral and corporate inversions. Moreover, it performs a meta analysis of the extensive literature that estimates the overall size of profit shifting. We find that the literature suggests that, for the most recent year, a 1 percentage-point lower corporate tax rate compared to other countries will expand before-tax income by 1.5 percent—an effect that is larger than reported as the consensus estimate in previous surveys and tends to be increasing over time. The literature on tax avoidance still has several unresolved puzzles and blind spots that require further research.
IO in I-O: Size, Industrial Organization, and the Input-Output NetworkMake a Firm Structurally Important

Firm-level productivity shocks can help understand sector- and macroeconomic-level outcomes. Capturing the market power of these firms is important: it determines how productivity gains translate into prices and markups. In existing models, firms do not internalize the impact of their systemic size. This paper explores the alternative oligopolistic market structure. To this end, I build a tractablemulti-sector heterogeneous-firmgeneral equilibriummodel featuring oligopolistic competition and an input-output (I-O) network. By affecting price and markup, firm-level productivity shocks propagate both to the downstream and upstream sectors. Sector-level competition intensity affects the strength of these new propagation mechanisms. The structural importance of a firm is determined by the interaction of (i) the sector-level competition intensity, (ii) the firm’s sector position in the I-O network, and (iii) the firm size. In a calibration exercise, the aggregate volatility arising from independent firm-level shock is 34% of the one observed in the data. Keywords: Input-Output Network, Production Network, Shocks Propagation, Oligopoly, Imperfect Competition, IndustrialOrganization, FirmHeterogeneity,RandomGrowth,Granularity, Volatility, Micro-Origin of Aggregate Fluctuations, Business Cycle
Oculocardiac Reflex during Strabismus Surgery: Experience from a Tertiary Hospital

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the incidence of the oculocardiac reflex (OCR) and its associated risk factors during strabismus surgery at a tertiary referral center. Methods: Over a 2-year period, all strabismus surgery candidates were enrolled in the study. OCR was defined as heart rate reduction ≥15% after traction on extraocular muscle(s). The rate of OCR was determined and possible associations were explored. Variables included age, gender, type of strabismus, nature of surgery (weakening versus strengthening), specified extraocular muscle, times of surgery, and the sequence of operated muscles (eg, first, second, or third operated muscle). We avoided the use of atropine pre- and postoperatively. Results: Seventy-six patients with mean age of 15±12 years were enrolled; 51.3% of subjects were male. OCR occurred in 65 out of 76 (85.5%) patients and with 84 out of 173 (48.6%) operated muscles. OCR was more common in subjects less than 20 years of age; however, it showed a decreasing trend afterwards. OCR was more frequent during operation on cyclovertical muscles than horizontal recti (P=0.02). Moreover, during procedures on horizontal rectus muscles, OCR was more common if baseline heart rate was more than 61 (P=0.008). OCR was not correlated with gender, type of strabismus, nature of surgery, times of the surgery, or the sequence of operated extraocular muscles. Conclusions: The great majority of patients undergoing strabismus surgery, especially younger subjects, those undergoing operation on cyclovertical muscles, and subjects with higher baseline heart rate, experience OCR during strabismus surgery. During surgery on cyclovertical muscles, the amount of pull is usually more due to more difficult exposure.
Long-term intravenous epoetin-alpha / darbepoetin-alpha ratio in iron-replete hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Equivalence of intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) dosage requirements is a notable characteristic of darbepoetin-alpha (DPO), as opposed to other epoetins (EPOs). Currently in Europe, the EPOs/DPO conversion factor (200 IU EPOs = 1 microg DPO) does not take into account the route of drugs administration. To better define this ratio we have conducted a prospective, long-term trial in a group of hemodialysis patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS At the start, we evaluated 40 iron-replete hemodialysis patients, but the final study was performed in the remaining 25 patients. During the first 6 months, patients were on i.v. epoetin-alpha (EPOalpha) maintenance therapy (phase 1: T-6 to T0). After conversion to i.v. DPO (initial 200:1 ratio) the observation was prolonged for a period of 12 months (phase 2: T0 to T12). DPO was administered at extended dose intervals and the EPOalpha/DPO rate was adjusted every month to maintain hemoglobin (Hgb) stability. Iron status and factors inhibiting erythropoiesis were continually checked to exclude unstable patients. RESULTS Phase 1: EPOalpha weekly mean dose showed no significant variation. Phase 2: EPOalpha/DPO conversion factor progressively rose from 200 to 256.7 +/- 86.9 IU/microg at T7 (p<0.005) and 336.8 +/- 104.3 IU/microg at T12 (p<0.0005). DPO weekly mean dosage decreased from 40.0 +/- 12.0 microg/week at T0 to 31.6 +/- 3.7 microg/week at T7 (p<0.005) and 24.6 +/- 7.0 microg/week at T12 (p<0.0005). Mean weekly/patient acquisition cost of EPOalpha was euro 70.6 +/- 21.3 (T-6 to T0); after switching, the cost of DPO was euro 72.4 +/- 22.7 (T0) and fell to euro 53.1 +/- 11.2 during T6 to T12. CONCLUSIONS The progressive increase of EPOalpha/DPO ratio demonstrated that i.v. DPO requires lower doses compared with i.v. EPOalpha. When drugs are administered i.v. , the starting EPOalpha/DPO conversion factor should be increased over the 200:1 ratio, similar to recommendations outlined in the United States and Japan. DPO dose reduction translated to notable cost-savings.
Alkaline biocatalysis for the direct synthesis of N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) from N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc).

Integration between the alkaline epimerization of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) to N-Acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc) and the N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) aldolase-catalyzed biotransformation has been assessed experimentally. GlcNAc epimerization took place above pH 9.0, and the initial rate of ManNAc formation increased exponentially to 10.37 mmol/L per hour at pH 12. However, above this pH, severe degradation of pyruvate occurred. A value of 31.3% molar conversion on Pyr was achieved in an integrated biotransformation. The "pseudo"-steady state at the end of the reaction was comparable to the equilibrium achieved with a combination of an epimerase and aldolase enzymes. The integrated reaction proved feasible, but at the expense of pyruvate and Neu5Ac aldolase degradation.
Uncovering the Hidden Transaction Costs of Market Power: A Property Rights Approach to Strategic Positioning

A central construct in competitive strategy research is market power, the ability to raise price above marginal cost. Positioning research focuses on attempts to build, protect, and exercise market power. However, this approach contains hidden assumptions about transaction costs. Parties made worse off by the exercise of market power can negotiate, bargain, form coalitions, and otherwise contract around the focal firm's attempts to appropriate monopoly profitsâ€”depending on transaction costs. We build on property rights economics to explain how transaction costs affect positioning and offer propositions about successful positioning in an environment with transaction costs.
FUNCTIONAL INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN THE FERTILIZATION SYSTEMS OF TWO ALLOPATRIC POPULATIONS OF CALLOSOBRUCHUS MACULATUS (COLEOPTERA: BRUCHIDAE)

Abstract Recent studies indicate that postcopulatory sexual selection may represent an important component of the speciation process by initiating reproductive isolation via the evolutionary divergence of fertilization systems. Using two geographically isolated populations of the polyandrous beetle Callosobruchus maculatus, we investigated divergence in fertilization systems by determining the extent of postcopulatory functional incompatibility. Through reciprocal, cross-population matings we were able to separately estimate the effects of male and female population origin and their interaction on the extent of last-male sperm precedence, female receptivity to further copulation and female oviposition. Our results indicate partial incompatibility between the fertilization systems of the two populations at all three functional levels. Males derived from the same population as females outcompete rival, allopatric males with respect to sperm preemption, sperm protection, and ability to stimulate female oviposition. This pattern is reciprocated in both populations indicating that postcopulatory, prezygotic events represent important mechanisms by which between-population gene flow is reduced. We suggest the partial gametic isolation observed is a by-product of the coevolution of male and female fertilization systems by a process of cryptic female choice. Our results are consistent with a mechanism akin to conventional mate choice models although they do not allow us to reject antagonistic sexual coevolution as the mechanism of cryptic female choice. Corresponding Editor: C. López-Fanjul
An ICP6::lacZ insertional mutagen is used to demonstrate that the UL52 gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 is required for virus growth and DNA synthesis

An insertional mutagen was developed which consists of the lacZ gene of Escherichia coli under the control of the regulatory elements of the large subunit of ribonucleotide reductase (ICP6). This ICP6::lacZ cassette was used to create a mutation in a gene designated UL52 (D. J. McGeoch, M. A. Dalrymple, A. Dolan, D. McNab, L. J. Perry, P. Taylor, and M. D. Challberg, J. Virol. 62:444-453, 1988), which is predicted to encode a 114,000-molecular-weight protein. To isolate and propagate this mutant, we generated a cell line, BL-1, by cotransfection of Vero cells with pSV2neo and a plasmid containing the herpes simplex virus type 1 KOS strain BamHI L fragment (coordinates 0.708 to 0.745). An ICP6::lacZ insertion mutant, hr114, was capable of growing in BL-1 cells but not in normal Vero cells. In addition, hr114 was defective in the synthesis of viral DNA and late proteins; however, this mutant appeared to exhibit normal early gene expression. Thus, the results presented in this report show that the UL52 gene product is required for viral DNA synthesis. Furthermore, our studies indicate that the ICP6::lacZ cassette will provide a useful tool for obtaining mutants of other herpes simplex virus genes.
Phylogenetic analyses of melanoma reveal complex patterns of metastatic dissemination

Significance Subpopulations of cells in a primary melanoma sometimes disseminate and establish metastases, which usually cause mortality. By sequencing tumor samples from patients with metastatic melanoma never subjected to targeted therapies, we were able to trace the genetic evolution of cells in the primary that seed metastases. We show that distinct cells in the primary depart multiple times in parallel to seed metastases, often after evolving from a common, parental cell subpopulation. Intriguingly, we also determine that single metastases can be founded by more than one cell population found in the primary cancer. These mechanisms show how profound genetic diversity arises naturally among multiple metastases, driving growth and drug resistance, but also indicate that certain mutations may distinguish cells destined to metastasize. Melanoma is difficult to treat once it becomes metastatic. However, the precise ancestral relationship between primary tumors and their metastases is not well understood. We performed whole-exome sequencing of primary melanomas and multiple matched metastases from eight patients to elucidate their phylogenetic relationships. In six of eight patients, we found that genetically distinct cell populations in the primary tumor metastasized in parallel to different anatomic sites, rather than sequentially from one site to the next. In five of these six patients, the metastasizing cells had themselves arisen from a common parental subpopulation in the primary, indicating that the ability to establish metastases is a late-evolving trait. Interestingly, we discovered that individual metastases were sometimes founded by multiple cell populations of the primary that were genetically distinct. Such establishment of metastases by multiple tumor subpopulations could help explain why identical resistance variants are identified in different sites after initial response to systemic therapy. One primary tumor harbored two subclones with different oncogenic mutations in CTNNB1, which were both propagated to the same metastasis, raising the possibility that activation of wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site (WNT) signaling may be involved, as has been suggested by experimental models.
Protecting outsiders? Corporatism and the dualisation of unemployment protection in Germany and Austria

Recent research has found that much of the social protection retrenchment since the early 1990s has been targeted at workers with low or unstable incomes, resulting in a ‘dualisation’ of social protection. However, little is known about the causes for cross-national variation in the way that different welfare states have reformed unemployment protection for these ‘labour market outsiders’. This article sheds light on the potential causes for this variation by considering the cases of Germany and Austria, two countries that have diverged markedly in their reforms of unemployment protection for non-standard workers. Based on a ‘most-similar-systems’ design and an analysis of the reform trajectories of the two countries, the power of unions to influence the policy process through corporatist institutions and through their ties to political parties is identified as an important factor in this divergence—one that has received surprisingly little attention in the dualisation literature thus far.
Effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure and cannula use in the neonatal intensive care unit setting.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and cannula use in the neonatal intensive care unit. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS One hundred patients (200 nasal cavities), younger than 1 year, who received at least 7 days of nasal CPAP (n = 91) or cannula supplementation (n = 9) in the neonatal intensive care unit. INTERVENTIONS External nasal examination and anterior nasal endoscopy with photographic documentation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The incidence and characteristics of internal and external nasal findings of patients with nasal CPAP or cannula use. RESULTS Nasal complications were seen in 12 of the 91 patients (13.2%) with at least 7 days of nasal CPAP exposure, while no complications were seen in the 9 patients with nasal cannula use alone. The external nasal finding of columellar necrosis, seen in 5 patients (5.5%), occurred as early as 10 days after nasal CPAP use. Incidence of intranasal findings attributed to CPAP use, in the 182 nostrils examined, included ulceration in 6 nasal cavities (3.3%), granulation in 3 nasal cavities (1.6%), and vestibular stenosis in 4 nasal cavities (2.2%). Intranasal complications were seen as early as 8 to 9 days after nasal CPAP administration. Nasal complications from CPAP were associated with lower Apgar scores at 1 (P = .02) and 5 (P = .06) minutes. CONCLUSIONS External or internal complications of nasal CPAP can be relatively frequent (13.2%) and can occur early, and patients with lower Apgar scores may be at higher risk. Close surveillance for potential complications should be considered during nasal CPAP use.
Protective effects of coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine against statin-induced pancreatic mitochondrial toxicity in rats

Statins are widely used in patients with hyperlipidemia and whom with high risk of cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, statins also exert some adverse effects on the liver and pancreas and enhance the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The objective of the present research was to investigate the protective effects of coenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) and L-carnitine (LC) on statins induced toxicity on pancreatic mitochondria in vivo. Seven groups of male Wistar rats received atorvastatin (20 mg/kg, p.o.), atorvastatin + Co-Q10 (10 mg/kg, i.p.), atorvastatin + LC (500 mg/kg, i.p.), lovastatin (80 mg/kg, p.o), lovastatin + Co-Q10 (10 mg/kg, i.p.), and lovastatin + LC (500 mg/kg, i.p.). Serum glucose and insulin levels were measured before and after two weeks of treatment, while the pancreas was removed and toxic effects of statins, as well as the protective effects of Co-Q10 and LC were assessed. The results showed that atorvastatin and lovastatin significantly increased glucose level and decreased insulin secretion. The glucose level in Co-Q10 and LC groups was significantly lower than statins alone groups. The findings also showed that statin groups had higher rate of pancreatic toxicity including higher level of reactive oxygen species production, decreased cytochrome c oxidase activity, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and swelling in comparison to controls. These factors were significantly diminished by co-administration of Co-Q10 or LC compared to statin groups alone. Additionally, supplements caused a significant increase in serum insulin and succinate dehydrogenase activity. Our study provided new evidence supporting beneficial effects of Co-Q10 and LC on statin-induced pancreatic toxicity.
Towards an Explanation of Household Portfolio Choice Heterogeneity: Nonfinancial Income and Participation Cost Structures

The paper uses micro data on income and asset holdings from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to analyze reasons for nonparticipation and for heterogeneity in portfolio choice within the set of stock market participants. The focus of the paper is on non-financial income and costs of participating in the stock market. I find evidence of a strong positive effect of mean non-financial income on the probability of stock market participation and on the proportion of wealth invested in stocks conditional on being a participant. The volatility of non-financial income is found to have a strong negative impact on these two quantities. Both these results are consistent with the theoretical literature on portfolio choice in the presence of non-financial income. However, only a small or insignificant effect of the covariance of non-financial income with the stock market return on portfolio choice is present. Four different costs of stock market participation are considered, an entry cost, a fixed transactions cost, a proportional transactions cost, and a per period participation cost. The first three of these costs lead to structural state dependence in the stock market participation decision and in the proportion of financial wealth invested in stocks. A dynamic sample selection model shows evidence of strong state dependence and thus economically important entry and transactions costs. The per period participation cost does not lead to structural state dependence, but a censored regression model with unobservable stochastic threshold is estimated which allows for heterogeneity in the per period partipation cost and provides estimates of its distribution in the cross-section. I estimate the median per period participation cost to be around $100-$200.
Factors affecting adoption and intensity of conservation agriculture techniques applied by smallholders in Masvingo district, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT This study investigates factors influencing both the use of conservation agriculture (CA) and the intensity of its uptake amongst 237 smallholders sampled in the Masvingo district of Zimbabwe. The intensity of uptake was measured using an index that accounted for the number of CA components used, their relative importance, and the rate and extent of their application. Previous studies ignore some or all of these important aspects of uptake. The determinants of use and intensity were identified using a double hurdle model. Although most smallholders applied the reduced tillage or crop rotation components of CA, few combined these practices with mulching. Farm size and experience with CA technology impacted positively on the current use of CA, while distance from town (market) and ownership of an ox-drawn plough reduced the intensity of its uptake. Sensitivity analysis showed that these results change when partial measures of CA uptake are used, emphasising the importance of establishing a comprehensive measure of intensity. Policy implications include a need for institutional change to improve smallholder access to cropland, more participatory approaches to agricultural extension, and more convenient access to farm inputs.
The impact of FDI on the economic development of Serbia

Previous studies that attempted to answer whether FDI contributes to economic development of the host economy came up with conflicting results. Scientific community is still divided over the very concept of spillover effects, which is based on the thesis that FDI has a positive effect on local companies, thus stimulating the host economy. According to this theory, employment growth is among the main benefits of FDI inflow for the host country. Given that unemployment is the biggest problem of the Serbian economy, FDI is perceived by the public as the best remedy for alleviating the consequences of the transition period and rapid privatisation. Convinced in the omnipotent effect of FDI on the economy of the host country, the Republic of Serbia has invested significant resources in their subsidising. This policy of attracting foreign direct investments was implemented through non-transparent measures, which resulted in the inflow of FDI whose main purpose was to obtain the share of the market or provide lower operating costs through privatisation. It was unclear whether the FDI inflow of over 20 billion euros contributed to the economic development of Serbia in the2001-2013 period. The author attempted to provide an answer to this question by using correlation analysis, in order to determine whether there is a relation between FDI inflow and eleven selected indicators of economic development of Serbia.
The effect of endogenous endowments: evidence from a mini-ultimatum game

We extend the mini ultimatum game to investigate the effect of two types of endogenous endowments: one created by real effort and one created by subjects' choices in a risky environment. Compared to an exogenous endowment, the probability of rejection for a given size endowment is more than 44% lower when responder effort generates the endowment. However, rejection rates differ across endowment sizes: the probability of rejecting a low offer increases with endowment size when the responder produces the endowment, and decreases with endowment size when the endowment is determined exogenously. The results differ considerably from the only other real-effort ultimatum game experiment, indicating that more research is needed in this area to better interpret why offers are rejected in the ultimatum game.