Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
β-Arrestin Promotes Wnt-induced Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein 6 (Lrp6) Phosphorylation via Increased Membrane Recruitment of Amer1 Protein*

Background: β-Arrestins are required for Wnt/β-catenin signaling, but the mechanism of their action is unclear. Results: β-Arrestins bind PtdInsP2-interacting protein Amer1, bind PtdInsP2-producing kinases, and control Wnt3a-induced PtdInsP2 production and Amer1 membrane dynamics. Conclusion: β-Arrestins bridge Wnt3a-induced Dvl-associated PtdInsP2 production to the phosphorylation of Lrp6 via control of Amer1 dynamics. Significance: The first mechanistic explanation how β-arrestin regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling is provided. β-Arrestin is a scaffold protein that regulates signal transduction by seven transmembrane-spanning receptors. Among other functions it is also critically required for Wnt/β-catenin signal transduction. In the present study we provide for the first time a mechanistic basis for the β-arrestin function in Wnt/β-catenin signaling. We demonstrate that β-arrestin is required for efficient Wnt3a-induced Lrp6 phosphorylation, a key event in downstream signaling. β-Arrestin regulates Lrp6 phosphorylation via a novel interaction with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2)-binding protein Amer1/WTX/Fam123b. Amer1 has been shown very recently to bridge Wnt-induced and Dishevelled-associated PtdIns(4,5)P2 production to the phosphorylation of Lrp6. Using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching we show here that β-arrestin is required for the Wnt3a-induced Amer1 membrane dynamics and downstream signaling. Finally, we show that β-arrestin interacts with PtdIns kinases PI4KIIα and PIP5KIβ. Importantly, cells lacking β-arrestin showed higher steady-state levels of the relevant PtdInsP and were unable to increase levels of these PtdInsP in response to Wnt3a. In summary, our data show that β-arrestins regulate Wnt3a-induced Lrp6 phosphorylation by the regulation of the membrane dynamics of Amer1. We propose that β-arrestins via their scaffolding function facilitate Amer1 interaction with PtdIns(4,5)P2, which is produced locally upon Wnt3a stimulation by β-arrestin- and Dishevelled-associated kinases.
Brand Retrieval, Consideration Set Composition, Consumer Choice, and the Pioneering Advantage

Recent research on the pioneering advantage has shown that consumers often prefer pioneering brands to follower brands. Recent research on consumer choice suggests that information about brands is filtered through a series of sequential cognitive processes. This study attempts to integrate these two separate lines of research by investigating the effects of pioneering on each stage of the multistage decision process. A within-subjects longitudinal experiment was conducted to simulate brand order of entry into a new market. We also developed a sequential logit model to isolate the direct impact of pioneering on each stage of the decision process while controlling for indirect effects of pioneering on previous stages. The results revealed that the pioneering brand (vs. followers) is more likely to be retrieved, considered, and selected. Moreover, the results revealed that consumers are more likely to bypass consideration set formation when the choice decision is simple (vs. complex). Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.
Integrated management systems in small and medium enterprises

Integrated management systems (IMSs) have been discussed and written about by both quality professionals and academic researchers for a number of years now. Such literature has discussed pathways to integration, bene® ts of integration as well as obstacles to integration. Much of what has been written has been based on individual case studies. This paper reports on an empirical study of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) that have implemented ISO 9000 quality management systems (QMSs) and ISO 14001 environmental management systems (EMSs). The millions of SMEs in the UK are extremely important to the economic development of the country because of their contribution to outputs and employment (Husband & Mandal, 1999). Systems integration may be particularly appealing to SMEs because of the potential for reducing paperwork, audit time and costs. The main aims of this study were to determine:
Better the Devil You Know? Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in Africa

What are the dominant motives behind China's increasing financial presence in Africa in recent years? In this article, the authors present new quantitative evidence on Chinese outward foreign direct investment flows to 29 African countries in the period 2003–2006. They find that Chinese foreign direct investment is attracted to countries with large natural resources, and more so the worse the institutional environment of host countries. This is problematic in terms of development impact, as Chinese investment feeds into the institutional dysfunctions of resource-rich countries. However, China is not different from other investors in this respect; exploiting resources and weak institutions appears to be the name of the investment game in Africa.
Two Stage Lotteries Without the Reduction Axiom

Preference relations over two-stage lotteries are analyzed. Empirical evidence indicates that decisionmakers do not always behave in accordance with the reduction of compound lotteries axiom, but they seem to satisfy a compound independence axiom. Although the reduction and the compound independence axioms, together with continuity, imply expected utility theory, each of them by itself is compatible with all possible preference relations over simple lotteries. Using these axioms, the author analyzes three different versions of expected utility for two-stage lotteries. The author suggests several different compound dominance axioms as possible replacements of the reduction axiom, which are strictly weaker than the reduction of compound lotteries axiom. Copyright 1990 by The Econometric Society.
Asset Pricing with Estimation-Risk and Uncertain Information Quality

We derive a conditional CAPM in a general equilibrium model where investors face estimation-risk on mean returns, and learn from information of uncertain quality or precision. In equilibrium, the loading on market risk augments the standard beta with the random or information-dependent conditional covariance matrix of the unknown mean returns. Therefore, announcement effects on equilibrium asset prices can occur because of changes in the required rate of return due to event-induced variations in estimation-risk, rather than revisions in estimated cash flows. In support of this prediction, we find that firms initiating cash payouts through repurchases during 1988-2000 show significant reduction in the post-event betas and their standard errors. The model is consistent with post-earnings-announcement drifts, and generates refutable predictions on the deviation of cross-sectional expected returns from the unconditional CAPM. Quantitatively, numerical simulations with an appropriately calibrated version of the model indicate that information quality risk has a substantial effect on equilibrium asset prices.
Derivative Lawsuits as a Corporate Governance Mechanism: Empirical Evidence on Board Changes Surrounding Filings

Abstract Legal rights of investors are recognized as an essential component of corporate governance. We assess the efficacy of these rights by examining board changes surrounding the filings of shareholder derivative lawsuits. We find that the incidence of derivative lawsuits is higher for firms with a greater likelihood of agency conflicts. We also find that derivative lawsuits are associated with significant improvements in the boards of directors. In particular, the proportion of outside representation on the board of directors increases. There is also some evidence that other board characteristics change favorably. These findings suggest that shareholder derivative lawsuits are not frivolous as is often claimed, but rather that they can serve as an effective corporate governance mechanism.
Rocking dizziness and headache: A two-way street

Background Chronic rocking dizziness, often described as the feeling of being on a boat, is classically triggered by prolonged exposure to passive motion. Patients with this motion-triggered sensation of rocking, which is also known as mal de debarquement syndrome, often develop new onset headaches along with the dizziness. Chronic rocking dizziness has also been noted in vestibular migraine, occurring without a motion trigger. We sought to clarify the association between both motion-triggered (MT) and non-motion-triggered (non-MT) chronic rocking dizziness and headache history. Methods Our methods included questionnaire and interview study of subjects with either MT or non-MT chronic rocking dizziness. Results Onset of headaches was earlier in patients with non-MT rocking dizziness (median 26 years: MT; 16 years: non-MT). In MT subjects, there was a bimodal peak of age of onset of headache (20–29 years and 40–49 years). Most headache met criteria for migraine in both groups. By the time that chronic dizziness occurred, both groups had a comparable prevalence of migraine headache (41%: MT; 46%: non-MT). Pre-existing headache usually worsened after the onset of dizziness. Discussion Though rocking dizziness does not meet current criteria for vestibular migraine, migraine physiology may predispose to, develop in, or worsen with the onset of chronic rocking dizziness.
Genetic analysis of endogenous xenotropic murine leukemia viruses: association with two common mouse mutations and the viral restriction locus Fv-1

We have defined 40 endogenous xenotropic virus (Xmv) loci from several common inbred strains of mice by examining provirus-cell DNA junction fragments in recombinant inbred mice. Some inbred strains carried unique proviruses, but most Xmv loci were present in several strains, indicating that many Xmv integration events preexisted modern inbreeding. It was also clear that most Xmv junction fragment variation between inbred strains resulted from independent integration events and not modification or restriction site polymorphism following integration. Chromosomal assignments were determined for 32 Xmv loci by comparing their recombinant inbred strain distribution patterns to those of known genetic markers. The Xmv loci were generally dispersed throughout the genome, but several chromosomal regions contained more than one provirus. Furthermore, several close genetic associations with cellular genes were discovered. Four Xmv loci were closely linked to Fv-1b, a dominant viral resistance gene present in C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ, A/J, and several other strains. Xmv-28 was closely linked to rd (retinal degeneration), and Xmv-10 was closely linked to a (non-agouti), both of which are old mutations as inferred from their broad distribution in mice. We suggest that Xmv integration contributed to genetic diversity in the past and that much of this diversity exists today in common laboratory strains.
Initial Public Offering Underpricing: The Issuer's View--A Comment

The author considers the underpricing of initial public offerings and the wealth transfers implicit in that underpricing. He finds that initial returns properly measure the "issue cost" effect of underpricing as a fraction of offer size, as in J. R. Ritter (1987). The author presents a measure of the wealth effect of underpricing per share retained. In general, the wealth effects on existing shareholders depend on the extent to which they participate in the offering. From the perspective of issuer's wealth, the author finds that S. M. Dawson's (1987) measure is appropriate only in the special case in which all of the prior owners' shares are sold in the initial public offerings. Copyright 1989 by American Finance Association.
Factors associated with multiple admissions to a public psychiatric hospital

The purpose of this study was to identify the psychiatric and social factors associated with multiple admissions, especially for psychotic patients. Demographic and diagnostic information (based on the DSM‐III‐R) was collected on a computerized database for all patients admitted to the only psychiatric hospital in Geneva, Switzerland. Patients who had had at least three admissions over a period of 1 year were compared with a control group drawn from the total clinic population. In 1994, a total of 1575 patients were hospitalized, and 18% of these patients were readmitted for the third or more time. The principal diagnoses were psychotic disorders (25%), affective disorders (35%) and substance‐related disorders (24%). The predictors of multiple admissions for psychotic patients were a comorbidity of substance‐related disorder, longer duration of illness, female sex, younger age and poorer psychosocial adjustment during the past year. These results highlight the usefulness of a computerized psychiatric database. Indeed, early identification of the types of psychiatric patient who are likely to be readmitted is necessary to enable the planning and implementation of specific programmes of ambulatory care to prevent rehospitalization.
I’ll Show You the Way: Risky Driver Behavior When “Following a Friend”

Previous research examining social influences on driving behavior has primarily focused on the effects of passengers and surrounding vehicles (e.g., speed contagion). Of current interest was the interaction between drivers that occurs in a “following a friend” scenario, i.e., the driver of one vehicle (the leader) knows how to get to the desired destination while the driver of a second vehicle (the follower) does not. Sixteen participants drove through a simulated city in a driving simulator under three conditions: (i) a baseline condition in which they could choose their own route, (ii) a navigation system condition in which they were given audible route instructions, and (iii) a “follow a friend” condition in which they required to follow a simulated vehicle. In the follow a friend condition, drivers engaged in significantly more risky behaviors (in comparison to the other conditions) such as making more erratic and higher speed turns and lane changes, maintaining overall higher speed, as well as maintaining a shorter time headway when following a lead vehicle. These effects suggest a relationship to time pressure caused by a fear of getting lost.
Dynamic Asset Allocation and Fixed Income Management

Abstract This paper provides the solution to an intertemporal investment problem. The investor has power utility and can invest in stocks and bonds in a complete market setting where the Vasicek term structure model applies. The paper demonstrates that the zero-coupon bond with maturity at the investment horizon is the appropriate instrument for hedging changes in the opportunity set. Implementation issues are discussed and it is shown how the intertemporal investment problem can be recast as a series of mean-variance problems in terms of drift and volatility of the wealth forward price. An application based on a quasi-dynamic programming approach is considered.
HLA-B27 and gender independently determine the likelihood of a positive MRI of the sacroiliac joints in patients with early inflammatory back pain: a 2-year MRI follow-up study

Objectives To describe how inflammation on MRI of the sacroiliac joints in patients with recent-onset inflammatory back pain (IBP) evolves over time, and to study determinants of activity on MRI of the sacroiliac joint. Methods A 2-year follow-up study with annual MRI of the sacroiliac joints was conducted in patients with IBP of less than 2 years' duration. Images were scored for bone marrow oedema on short τ inversion recovery and enhancement after administration of gadolinium on T1. Results Of the 68 patients (38% male; mean age 34.9±10.3 years) enrolled, 44 had a negative baseline MRI. Of these 44 patients, 39 patients had at least one follow-up MRI of whom six patients (15%) developed activity on MRI during follow-up. 24 patients (35%) had an abnormal MRI at baseline. In 23 of these 24 patients follow-up MRI was available. The MRI became negative in seven of these 23 patients (30%) during follow-up. Human leucocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) positivity and male gender determined independently the likelihood of a positive MRI at any time point. In an HLA-B27-positive patient the likelihood of a positive MRI during follow-up is 88% if the baseline MRI is positive and 27% if the baseline MRI is negative. In an HLA-B27-negative patient with a negative MRI at baseline the likelihood of a positive MRI during follow-up is less than 5%. Conclusions A positive MRI at baseline predicts a positive MRI during follow-up in HLA-B27-positive patients. A negative MRI at baseline in HLA-B27-negative patients strongly predicts a negative MRI during follow-up.
Preference for Risk Management Information Sources: Implications for Extension and Outreach Programming

This article examines farmers’ preferences for various risk management information sources. Our results suggest that information from risk management experts, in-depth materials studied on their own, and popular press outlets tend to be preferred and are ranked highly by producers. Using a regression model to investigate farmer/farm attributes that affect preference for a particular risk management information source, we find that younger farmers with college education, higher leverage, assets greater than $1 million, risk-loving attitudes, and who have used professional services (marketing consultants) tend to prefer information from risk management experts, the Internet, and marketing clubs/other producers. On the other hand, producers who prefer self-study of educational materials and popular press information sources tend to be younger, with lower leverage levels, and have used fewer professional services.
The share is down 8% after the profit warning, is it time to buy?

Variables explaining the market response to a profit warning are of interest to both market participants and the managers of the firm. Several variables have been used in previous research to explain the market response to profit warnings with varying outcomes. This study uses a framework of surprise and risk to explain the market response and tests it on a sample of 474 profit warnings collected from Nasdaq OMX Nordic. The findings show that surprise and risk variables can be used to estimate the size of the market response to a profit warning.
An empirical analysis of energy consumption and economic growth in India: are they causally related?

In this paper an attempt is made to present the energy scenario of India in terms of energy consumption, energy security and energy efficiency. Growth trends and the changes in growth trends of these variables have been estimated for the period 1981 to 2010. In addition, the study makes an attempt to study the causal relationship between energy consumption and GDP both at aggregate and disaggregate levels using cointegration and Vector Error Correction (VECM) methods. The empirical results reveal that India is energy insecure, in spite of an increase in energy efficiency. It seems energy consumption and GDP are bidirectionally related at the aggregate level. In view of these findings some policy suggestions have been provided.
Fadotomy – anatomy of the transformation of a fad into a management paradigm

Purpose – To provide a methodology for determining how and when a management fad has become an established paradigm. Design/methodology/approach – The penticulation approach compares the outputs from the five separate research sources of horizontal surveys, experiential rules-of-thumb, theoretical models, quick scan audits, and vertical case studies. Findings – The total cycle time compression (TCTC) paradigm is supported both individually and collectively by the five data sources which can be related to Kuhnsian requirements. Research limitations/implications – Penticulation is a unique approach to establishing if a paradigm actually exists. However, this is its first known application. Practical implications – It is manifest that TCTC can be used as both a business process engineering objective, and subsequently as a prime performance metric. Originality/value – The output is twofold. Penticulation is a new approach to paradigm testing, and our understanding of the TCTC principle has been further strengthened.
Beyond the business cycle - factors driving aggregate mortality rates

This article provides a comprehensive econometric analysis of factors driving aggregate mortality rates over time. It differs from previous studies in this field by simultaneously considering an extensive set of macroeconomic, socio-economic and ecological factors as explanatory variables. Germany is chosen as an indicative example for other industrialized countries due to its advanced demographic transition process. Our regression analysis, which covers the time interval 1956-2004, indicates that sex- and age-specific mortality rates vary substantially in their response to external factors. Strongest associations are found with changes in real GDP, flu epidemics and the two life style variables alcohol and cigarette consumption in both univariate and multivariate setups. Further analysis shows that these effects are primarily contemporary, while other indicators such as weather conditions exert lagged effects. By combining variables in a multivariate model the share of explained data volatility can be substantially increased.
Does caffeine intake protect from Alzheimer's disease?

Caffeine is the most widely consumed behaviourally active substance in the western world. Neuroprotective effects of caffeine in low doses, chronically administered, have been shown in different experimental models. If caffeine intake could protect against neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD), then higher levels of caffeine consumption in normal subjects as compared with AD patients should be detectable in the presumably long period before diagnosis when insidious pathogenic changes are taking place. A case–control study was used: cases were 54 patients with probable AD fulfilling the National Institute of Neurologic and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the AD and Related Disorders Association criteria, in a Dementia Clinics setting. Controls were 54 accompanying persons, cognitively normal, matched for age (±3 years) and sex. Patients with AD had an average daily caffeine intake of 73.9 ± 97.9 mg during the 20 years that preceded diagnosis of AD, whereas the controls had an average daily caffeine intake of 198.7 ± 135.7 mg during the corresponding 20 years of their lifetimes (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed ranks test). Using a logistic regression model, caffeine exposure during this period was found to be significantly inversely associated with AD (odds ratio=0.40, 95% confidence interval=0.25–0.67), whereas hypertension, diabetes, stroke, head trauma, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, non‐steroid anti‐inflammatory drugs, vitamin E, gastric disorders, heart disease, education and family history of dementia were not statistically significantly associated with AD. Caffeine intake was associated with a significantly lower risk for AD, independently of other possible confounding variables. These results, if confirmed with future prospective studies, may have a major impact on the prevention of AD.