Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Land Leasing And Debt On Farms: Substitutes Or Complements?

Theoretically, leasing and debt are thought to be substitutes. This assumes that a lease payment, which is a fixed obligation like a loan, displaces debt and reduces debt capacity, i.e., if firms have optimal debt to equity ratios, then, to the extent that it represents "off-balance-sheet" financing, leasing reduces debt capacity. Ang and Peterson-the seminal work in the literature-fit Tobit models with 1976 to 1981 data from 600 firms in which a leasing to book value of equity ratio is the dependent variable and a debt to book value of equity ratio and other variables are the explanatory variables. Contrary to expectations, their model results indicate that leasing and debt are complementary activities. This study follows the Ang and Peterson methodology, but utilizes a set of firms which are distinct from those of earlier studies-non-corporate U.S. commercial farms-to test a land leasing-debt substitution hypothesis. An advantage of the land lease example is that by focusing on a single industry -production agriculture- the problem of potential industry affects is substantially reduced. In a departure from earlier studies, the issue of whether the leasing-debt relation is sensitive to heterogenous firm characteristics and shifting business conditions is examined. OLS leasing models corrected for heteroskedasticity are fit with 1977 through 1992 Kansas farm-level data in which a leasing ratio is the dependent variable and a debt ratio and other explanatory variables serve as independent variables. The models account for fixed time and farm type effects. Results strongly indicate that land leasing and debt are substitutes, albeit not dollar for dollar. A coefficient estimate of about -0.43 on the total asset full sample model indicates that on average, leasing decreases by $0.43 for each dollar of debt incurred. The rate at which farms substitute leasing for debt is sensitive to heterogenous farm characteristics and shifting farm business conditions. The cross-section sample split results offer some evidence that farms which are thought to be a priori more credit constrained substitute debt for leasing at a higher rate than farms which are thought to be a priori less credit constrained. All of the sample split results however, are consistent, with the notion that in order to push the leasing ratio to higher levels, leasing must substitute for debt at increasingly higher levels.
Wnt'er in liver: Expression of Wnt and frizzled genes in mouse

The Wnt signaling pathway is essential for a wide array of developmental and physiological processes. Wnts are extracellular ligands that bind to frizzled (Fz) receptors at the membrane, canonically inducing β‐catenin nuclear translocation and activation. Although β‐catenin has been shown to be critical in liver biology, the expression of the 19 Wnt and 10 Fz genes in liver remains undetermined. We report comprehensive analysis of Wnt and Fz expression in whole liver as well as individual cell types: freshly isolated and plated hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells, normal and activated stellate and Kupffer cells, and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs). Oligonucleotides for the 19 Wnt, 10 frizzled receptors genes, and secreted Frizzled‐related protein‐1 (sFRP or Fzb) were synthesized based on the available sequences. A total of 11 Wnts and 8 Fz genes and Fzb were expressed in normal liver. Although only 6 Wnt and 5 Fz genes were expressed in freshly isolated hepatocytes, 8 Wnt genes, 7 Fz genes, and Fzb were expressed in plated hepatocytes. Although 12 Wnt and 7 Fz genes were expressed in biliary tree, additional Fz9 and Fzb were only expressed in cultured biliary epithelial cells. The same 14 Wnt and 7 Fz genes were expressed in both activated and normal stellate and Kupffer cells; only Fzb was expressed in their activated state. Also, 11 Wnt, seven Fz, and Fzb genes were expressed in SECs. Conclusion: These data indicate that most Wnt and frizzled genes are expressed in the liver and might be playing important roles in liver pathobiology via canonical and noncanonical pathways. HEPATOLOGY 2007;45:195–204. )
A systematic review of treatments for refractory depression in older people.

OBJECTIVE The authors systematically reviewed the management of treatment-refractory depression in older people (defined as age 55 or older). METHOD The authors conducted an electronic database search and reviewed the 14 articles that fit predetermined criteria. Refractory depression was defined as failure to respond to at least one course of treatment for depression during the current illness episode. The authors rated the validity of studies using a standard checklist and calculated the pooled proportion of response to any treatment reported by at least three studies. RESULTS All the studies that met inclusion criteria investigated pharmacological treatment. Most were open-label studies, and the authors found no double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trials. The overall response rate for all active treatments investigated was 52% (95% CI=42-62; N=381). Only lithium augmentation was assessed in more than two trials, and the response rate was 42% (95% CI=21-65; N=57). Only two studies included comparison groups receiving no additional treatment, and none of the participants in these groups responded. In single randomized studies, extended-release venlafaxine was more efficacious than paroxetine, lithium augmentation more than phenelzine, and selegiline more than placebo. CONCLUSIONS Half of the participants responded to pharmacological treatments, indicating the importance of managing treatment-refractory depression actively in older people. The only treatment for which there was replicated evidence was lithium augmentation. Double-blind randomized controlled trials for management of treatment-refractory depression in older people, encompassing pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies and populations that reflect the levels of physical and cognitive impairment present in the general older population with depression, are needed.
A loss‐of‐function mutation in the SLC9A6 gene causes X‐linked mental retardation resembling Angelman syndrome

SLC9A6 mutations have been reported in families in whom X‐linked mental retardation (XMR) mimics Angelman syndrome (AS). However, the relative importance of SLC9A6 mutations in patients with an AS‐like phenotype or XMR has not been fully investigated. Here, the involvement of SLC9A6 mutations in 22 males initially suspected to have AS but found on genetic testing not to have AS (AS‐like cohort), and 104 male patients with XMR (XMR cohort), was investigated. A novel SLC9A6 mutation (c.441delG, p.S147fs) was identified in one patient in the AS‐like cohort, but no mutation was identified in XMR cohort, suggesting mutations in SLC9A6 are not a major cause of the AS‐like phenotype or XMR. The patient with the SLC9A6 mutation showed the typical AS phenotype, further demonstrating the similarity between patients with AS and those with SLC9A6 mutations. To clarify the effect of the SLC9A6 mutation, we performed RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis on lymphoblastoid cells from the patient. Expression of the mutated transcript was significantly reduced, but was restored by cycloheximide treatment, indicating the presence of nonsense mediated mRNA decay. Western blot analysis demonstrated absence of the normal NHE6 protein encoded for by SLC9A6. Taken together, these findings indicate a loss‐of‐function mutation in SLC9A6 caused the phenotype in our patient. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuroprotective effects of daidzein on focal cerebral ischemia injury in rats

Daidzein, a plant extract, has antioxidant activity. It is hypothesized, in this study, that daidzein exhibits neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia. Rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were intraperitoneally administered daidzein. Biochemical and immunohistochemical tests showed that superoxide dismutase and nuclear respiratory factor 1 expression levels in the brain tissue decreased after ischemia and they increased obviously after daidzein administration; malondialdehyde level and apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase caspase-3 and caspase-9 immunoreactivity in the brain tissue increased after ischemia and they decreased obviously after daidzein administration. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and luxol fast blue staining results showed that intraperitoneal administration of daidzein markedly alleviated neuronal damage in the ischemic brain tissue. These findings suggest that daidzein exhibits neuroprotective effects on ischemic brain tissue by decreasing oxygen free radical production, which validates the aforementioned hypothesis.
Leadership style, employee motivation and commitment: Empirical evidence from a consolidated retail bank operating in a depressed economy

The study investigated the relationship between different leadership styles and employee motivation and commitment after a merger in a retail bank operating in an economically volatile environment. Data was collected from 121 employees (17 managers and 104 non-managerial) using three closed-ended questionnaires. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Form 5X was used to measure leadership styles and the Organisational Commitment Questionnaire was used to measure employees’ commitment. Employee Motivation Questionnaire developed from Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory and from the Job Design measured employees’ motivation. Using measures of central tendency and correlation analyses, results indicated weak but significantly positive relationship between different leadership styles and employee motivation and commitment. The advantage of this study is that it can provide a practical framework for designing management systems that can be used by other financial institutions in depressed economies in the future. Key words: Banking consolidation, merger, financial institution.
Receptor revision in CD4 T cells is influenced by follicular helper T cell formation and germinal-center interactions

Significance The diverse T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is generated by selection of T cells that have undergone TCR-gene recombination during intrathymic development. This process is precisely regulated to prevent DNA damage and to minimize the escape of self-reactive T cells. Peripheral T cells with self-reactive TCRs can be neutralized by undergoing further TCR-gene rearrangements, through a process known as TCR revision. Although a potentially useful source of new TCR specificities, revision incurs the risk of off-target DNA damage. Our work demonstrates that TCR revision occurs in the germinal center, a distinct microenvironment comprising specialized cells that engage in specific interactions. Confinement to this well-regulated environment may explain how a potentially risky process can occur safely. Peripheral CD4 T cells in Vβ5 transgenic (Tg) C57BL/6J mice undergo tolerance to an endogenous superantigen encoded by mouse mammary tumor virus 8 (Mtv-8) by either deletion or T-cell receptor (TCR) revision. Revision is a process by which surface expression of the Vβ5+ TCR is down-regulated in response to Mtv-8 and recombination activating genes are expressed to drive rearrangement of the endogenous TCRβ locus, effecting cell rescue through the expression of a newly generated, non–self-reactive TCR. In an effort to identify the microenvironment in which revision takes place, we show here that the proportion of T follicular helper cells (Tfh) and production of high-affinity antibody during a primary response are increased in Vβ5 Tg mice in an Mtv-8–dependent manner. Revising T cells have a Tfh-like surface phenotype and transcription factor profile, with elevated expression of B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6), CXC chemokine receptor 5, programmed death-1, and other Tfh-associated markers. Efficient revision requires Bcl-6 and is inhibited by B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1. Revision completes less efficiently in the absence of signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-associated protein although initiation proceeds normally. These data indicate that Tfh formation is required for the initiation of revision and germinal-center interactions for its completion. The germinal center is known to provide a confined space in which B-cell antigen receptors undergo selection. Our data extend the impact of this selective microenvironment into the arena of T cells, suggesting that this fluid structure also provides a regulatory environment in which TCR revision can safely take place.
The role of induction chemotherapy + chemoradiotherapy in localised pancreatic cancer: initial experience in Scotland.

BACKGROUND Despite being relatively rare pancreatic cancer is one of the highest causes of death. Even within the potentially resectable group outcomes are poor. We present our initial experiences utilising a neoadjuvant approach to localised pancreatic cancer, evaluating survival, response rates and tolerability. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database. Patients from 2012 to 2015 referred to a busy regional Hepato-Pancreatic Biliary (HPB) MDT were included. Patients were classified according to respectability criteria (utilising NCCN guidelines) and a treatment plan agreed. Systemic therapy with either FOLFIRINOX or Gem/Cap was delivered followed by chemoradiotherapy if disease remained localised. Toxicity, response, pathological outcomes and survival were all recorded. RESULTS A total of 85 patients were included in the study: 45 had initially resectable disease; 19 required a response for resection and 21 had locally advanced inoperable disease; 34 patients underwent resection. The median survival for the potentially resectable group was 22.2 months while for those undergoing resection it was 37 months. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated that a neoadjuvant approach is deliverable and tolerable. In addition we have demonstrated impressive survival results in patients undergoing resection with no detriment in outcome for those not proceeding to surgery.
Newly born cells in the ageing dentate gyrus display normal migration, survival and neuronal fate choice but endure retarded early maturation

Addition of new granule cells to the dentate gyrus (DG) from stem or progenitor cells declines considerably during ageing. However, potential age‐related alterations in migration, enduring survival and neuronal fate choice of newly born cells, and rate of maturation and dendritic growth of newly differentiated neurons are mostly unknown. We addressed these issues by analysing cells that are positive for 5′‐bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), doublecortin (DCX), BrdU and DCX, and BrdU and neuron‐specific nuclear antigen (NeuN) in the DG of young adult, middle‐aged and aged F344 rats treated with daily injections of BrdU for 12 consecutive days. Analyses performed at 24 h, 10 days and 5 months after BrdU injections reveal that the extent of new cell production decreases dramatically by middle age but exhibits no change thereafter. Interestingly, fractions of newly formed cells that exhibit appropriate migration and prolonged survival, and fractions of newly born cells that differentiate into neurons, remain stable during ageing. However, in newly formed neurons of the middle‐aged and aged DG, the expression of mature neuronal marker NeuN is delayed and early dendritic growth is retarded. Thus, the presence of far fewer new granule cells in the aged DG is not due to alterations in the long term survival and phenotypic differentiation of newly generated cells but solely owing to diminished production of new cells. The results also underscore that the capability of the DG milieu to support neuronal fate choice, migration and enduring survival of newly born cells remains stable even during senescence but its ability to promote rapid neuronal maturation and dendritic growth is diminished as early as middle age.
Performance of High School Adolescents on Functional Gait and Balance Measures

Purpose: To describe the performance of high school adolescents during common functional gait and balance measures used in vestibular physical therapy. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 91 participants determined their performance on the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, Dynamic Gait Index, Functional Gait Assessment, Timed “Up and Go” (TUG), Five Times Sit to Stand (FTSTS) test, tests of gait speed (GS), and the Balance Error Scoring System. In a subset of this sample, GS, TUG, and the FTSTS were repeated twice to examine test-retest reliability. Results: The measures of GS, TUG, and FTSTS were normally distributed. The Activities-specific Balance Confidence, Dynamic Gait Index, and Functional Gait Assessment exhibited a ceiling effect. The timed measures exhibited moderate to good reliability. Conclusions: These performance scores may provide end points for discharge from vestibular physical therapy. However, clinicians should be aware of the ceiling effect exhibited by some measures.
General formulation of thermoacoustics for stacks having arbitrarily shaped pore cross sections

Theoretical treatments of thermoacoustics have been reported for stacks with circular pore and parallel plate geometries. A general linear formulation is developed for gas‐filled thermoacoustic elements such as heat exchangers, stacks, and tubes having pores of arbitrary cross‐sectional geometry. For compactness in the following, F represents the functional form of the transverse variation of the longitudinal particle velocity. Generally, F is a function of frequency, pore geometry, the response functions and transport coefficients of the gas used, and the ambient value of the gas density. Expressions are developed for the acoustic temperature, density, particle velocity, pressure, heat flow, and work flow from knowledge of F. Heat and work flows are compared in the short stack approximation for stacks consisting of parallel plates, circular, square, and equilateral triangular pores. In this approximation, heat and work flows are found to be greatest for the parallel plate stack geometry. Pressure and spe.
Revisiting the seafarer shortage problem: the case of Singapore

Earlier in the Baltic International Maritime Council (BIMCO)/International Shipping Federation (ISF) 2005 report, the issue of seafaring shortage had already been identified as a global issue. The most recent BIMCO/ISF 2010 report still highlights that crewing would be likely a future challenge as continuing tight labour market would lead to recurrent shortages for some officers. In this paper, we aim to explore how the shipping industry and its associated seafaring career can be marketed more effectively to enhance its image and attract and increase the supply of suitably qualified seafarers. Several interviews were conducted with regulatory bodies and ship management companies, followed by a survey with students of nautical studies at Singapore Maritime Academy. It is found that those tangible and intangible benefits attached to an Employer of Choice (EOC) such as salary, bonus, good welfare aboard ships and corporate social responsibility are critical to retain seafarers, while efforts to attract students to the seafaring career right from the secondary level should focus on the employment brand that provides a challenging and unique career, stable income and guaranteed employment. This study suggests that employers with a successful EOC strategy will likely develop a strong employment brand that will increase the levels of recruitment and retention. It is also recommended that the tripartism between maritime governing bodies, training institutions and shipping and ship management companies will be essential to the effective attraction and retention of quality seafarer for the maritime industry.
A NOTE ON SPIRAL-LIKE POLYNOMIALS

Let D be the unit disk {z : |z| λ for all z ∈ D. Furthermore, let Pn be the class of polynomials p(z )= z + a2z 2 + ··· + anz n = z(1 − z/z1) ··· (1 − z/zn−1), for ak ∈ ,k =2 ,. ,n and zk ∈ C, k =1 ,. ,n −1. For a, b > 0 we define S(a, b) to be the class of f analytic in D for which |(zf � (z)/f(z)) − a| 1, we find a and b in terms of R and n such that if p ∈ Pn has |zk| >R for k =1 ,. ,n then p ∈ S(a, b). The result is sharp. The result implies membership in SP(α, λ)∩ SP(−α, λ) where α and λ also depend on R and n. The results improve theorems of T. Basgoze. A physical criterion is given on the set {zk} which implies membership of p in SP(α,0), and the criterion is used to given an example of a p ∈ (P3 ∩ SP(α)) \ SP(−α), where α =0 . 4 Connections are made with other classes of univalent functions. 1. Introduction & Preliminaries Let D be the unit disk {z : |z| λ for all z ∈ D. When λ =0w e write SP(α, 0) = SP(α); this is the so-called α spiral-like class (6, p. 52). When α =0w e have the class SP(0 ,λ )= St(λ), the class of functions starlike of order λ; these are in turn subclasses of the class St = {f : � (zf � (z)/f (z)) > 0} of starlike functions. For all λ and α it may be shown that SP(α, λ) consist of univalent mappings of D. Clearly, for any fixed α as above, if 0 ≤ λ1 0 we define S(a, b) to be the class of f analytic in D for which |(zf � (z)/f (z)) − a| 1, we let Pn be the class of polynomials p(z )= z + a2z 2 + ··· + anz n = z(1 − z/z1) ··· (1 − z/zn−1), for
Financial Reporting Quality and Investment Efficiency of Private Firms in Emerging Markets

ABSTRACT: Prior research shows that financial reporting quality (FRQ) is positively related to investment efficiency for large U.S. publicly traded companies. We examine the role of FRQ in private firms from emerging markets, a setting in which extant research suggests that FRQ would be less conducive to the mitigation of investment inefficiencies. Earlier studies show that private firms have lower FRQ, presumably because of lower market demand for public information. Prior research also shows that FRQ is lower in countries with low investor protection, bank-oriented financial systems, and stronger conformity between tax and financial reporting rules. Using firm-level data from the World Bank, our empirical evidence suggests that FRQ positively affects investment efficiency. We further find that the relation between FRQ and investment efficiency is increasing in bank financing and decreasing in incentives to minimize earnings for tax purposes. Such a connection between tax-minimization incentives and the.
Blogging thoughts: personal publication as an online research tool

Once upon a time, weblogs were automatically collated overviews of data about visitors to a web server. That's changed. Nowadays the texts called weblogs are definitely not written by a computer. Weblogs today are subjective annotations to the web rather than statistics about it. Weblogs, or blogs as they are affectionately termed, are frequently updated websites, usually personal, with commentary and links. Link lists are as old as home pages, but a blog is far from a static link list or home page. A blog consists of many relatively short posts, usually time-stamped, and organised in reverse chronology so that a reader will always see the most recent post first. The first weblogs were seen as filters to the Internet; interesting links to sites the reader might not have seen, often with commentary from the blogger. Though weblogs have many different themes, looks and writing styles, formally the genre is clear. Brief, dated posts collected on one web page are the main formal criteria. Evan Williams, one of the creators of the popular blogging tool Blogger, is succinct in his definition: