Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of leverage and other key variables on business performance: evidence from Greece

This paper uses firm level panel data to investigate, empirically, the effects of leverage and other key variables on the financial performance of business in the Greek economy during the period 1997–2004; a period during which Greek firms were making adjustments to meet the requirements of the new environment of Economic Monetary Union. The study examines the effect of leverage in combination with other strategic determinants on business financial performance in the case of industrial firms, which have to survive in the environment of Eurozone and the market of 300 million consumers. Results show that leverage in parallel with export activity, location and investments significantly affect firm performance in a relatively small market which inevitably suffers from the sharpen competitive pressures taking place throughout Europe.
Pasture growth and quality, and lamb growth rates in high stocking rate dryland sheep farming systems

Pasture growth and quality, and lamb growth rates were measured on a conventional grass based trial unit of 87.8 ha and a high legume unit of 85.1 ha, established to investigate climate-risk management strategies within high stocking rate dryland sheep farming systems. There was no difference between the units in total pasture production with a pasture utilization of 71.7% and 74.3% on the grass and legume units, respectively. Metabolisable energy values remained close to, or above, the target values throughout the growing season. Preweaning lamb growth rates averaged 304 g/day on both units. There were significant differences between singles (342 g/day), twins (300 g/day) and triplets (254 g/day) and between lambs from first cycle (294 g/day) and main mob ewes (315 g/day). There were some differences in lamb growth rates between different pastures types but these were not consistent between years. Post-weaning growth rates averaged 137 g/day with significant differences attributable to litter size, mob and year. Growth from birth to sale averaged 295 g/day, slightly less than the target of 300 g/day. Thus high lamb growth rates are possible on a range of pasture types on dryland at low pasture covers of high quality.
Exergetic and Economic Assessment of Distillation Hybrid Configurations for Bioethanol Refining

Thermo-economics analysis was used to identify the most economic distillation hybrid configuration to dehydrate bioethanol mash (12 wt%) to fuel grade (99.5 wt%) based on economic objective of minimization of operating cost in this work. Three different hybrids of THIDC with azeotropic and, extractive distillation units were assessed using similar feed and product specifications of 1200 kmol/h (12 % by weight ethanol) and 55 kmol/h (99.5 % by weight ethanol) respectively . The six hybrid configurations were simulated using Aspen Plus ®. The hybrid of THIDC with conventional extractive distillation (THEX1) was shown to have the lowest irreversibility rate (lost work) and highest exergetic efficiency followed by the hybrid containing thermally extractive sequence (THEX3). The latter also has the lowest energy consumption. However, economic evaluation showed that thermally coupled extractive distillation hybrid (with THIDC) is the most attractive hybrid configuration dehydrating bioethanol to fuel grade at commercial scale with the highest return on investment (ROI) and the least annual product cost. This indicates its economic attractiveness when compared with the other hybrids considered in this work. The trade-off existing between economic and exergy efficiency favours the selection of THEX3 as the preferred choice for bioethanol refining among all the six hybrids investigated.
Order Dynamics: Recent Evidence from the NYSE

We examine investor order choices using evidence from a recent period when the NYSE trades in decimals and allows automatic executions. We analyze the decision to submit or cancel an order or to take no action. For submitted orders, we distinguish order type (market vs. limit), order side (buy vs. sell), execution method (auction vs. automatic), and pricing aggressiveness. We find that the NYSE exhibits positive serial correlation in order type on an order-by-order basis, which suggests that follow-on order strategies dominate adverse selection or liquidity considerations at a moment in time. Aggregated levels of order flow also exhibit positive serial correlation in order type, but appear to be non-stationary processes. Overall, changes in aggregated order flow have an order-type serial correlation that is close to zero at short aggregation intervals, but becomes increasingly negative at longer intervals. This implies a liquidity exhaustion–replenishment cycle. We find that small orders routed to the NYSE's floor auction process are sensitive to the quoted spread, but that small orders routed to the automatic execution system are not. Thus, in addition to foregoing price improvement, traders selecting the speed of automatic executions on the NYSE do so with little regard for the quoted cost of immediacy. As quoted depth increases, traders respond by competing on price via limit orders that undercut existing bid and ask prices. Limit orders are more likely and market sells are less likely late in the trading day. These results are helpful in understanding the order arrival process at the NYSE and have potential applications in academics and industry for optimizing order submission strategies.
Effectiveness and Transmission of the ECB's Balance Sheet Policies

We estimate the effects of exogenous innovations to the balance sheet of the ECB since the start of the financial crisis within a structural VAR framework. An expansionary balance sheet shock stimulates bank lending, stabilizes financial markets, and has a positive impact on economic activity and prices. The effects on bank lending and output are smaller in the member countries that have been more affected by the financial crisis, in particular those countries where the banking system is less well-capitalized.
What is Lesson-Drawing?

ABSTRACT Lesson-drawing addresses the question: Under what circumstances and to what extent can a programme that is effective in one place transfer to another. Searching for fresh knowledge is not normal; the second section describes the stimulus to search as dissatisfaction with the status quo. Lessons can be sought by searching across time and/or across space; the choice depends upon a subjective definition of proximity, epistemic communities linking experts together, functional interdependence between governments, and the authority of intergovernmental institutions. The process of lesson-drawing starts with scanning programmes in effect elsewhere, and ends with the prospective evaluation of what would happen if a programme already in effect elsewhere were transferred here in future. Lesson-drwaing is part of a contested political process; there is no assurance that a lesson drawn will be both desirable and practical. The conclusion considers the uncertainty and instability of judgements about the practicality and desirability of transferring programmes.
Prophylactic Effect of Intravenous Nicorandil on Perioperative Myocardial Damage in Patients Undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Nicorandil, ATP sensitive potassium channel opener, is shown to reduce coronary events for patients with stable angina. The present study was designed to examine the protective potential of nicorandil for patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Twenty-four patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned to two groups, one receiving continuous infusion of nicorandil (1.0 μg · kg−1 · min−1) (n = 12) through anesthesia to next day and the other receiving no nicorandil for control (n = 12). For assessing myocardial injury, heart type fatty acid binding protein, troponin T, and creatine kinase MB isoform were determined during the first 15 hours after reperfusion. The concentration of heart type fatty acid binding protein in the nicorandil group was significantly lower than that in the control group. On the other hand, the concentrations of troponin T and creatine kinase MB isoform in the nicorandil group were lower than those in the control group, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. Furthermore, nicorandil did not affect the patients’ hemodynamic variables. Our data suggest that the infusion of nicorandil provides small myocardial protection without affecting hemodynamic parameters during perioperative treatment of patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.
Inequality, inflation, and central bank independence

What can account for the different contemporaneous inflation experiences of various countries, and of the same country over time? We present an analysis of the determination of inflation from a political economy perspective. We document a positive correlation between income inequality and inflation and then present a theory of the determination of inflation outcomes in democratic societies that illustrates how greater inequality leads to greater inflation, owing to a desire by voters for wealth redistribution. We conclude by showing that democracies with more independent central banks tend to have better inflation outcomes for a given degree of inequality.
Immunomodulating Effects of HMR 3004 on Pulmonary Inflammation Caused by Heat-Killed Streptococcus pneumoniae in Mice

ABSTRACT We investigated the influence of HMR 3004, a new ketolide antibiotic, on the pulmonary inflammation induced by heat-killed fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled Streptococcus pneumoniae. HMR 3004 downregulated (P < 0.05) the pneumococcus-induced release of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and nitric oxide in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The drug limited (P < 0.05) neutrophil recruitment to lung tissues and alveoli but did not interfere with phagocytosis. HMR 3004 totally abrogated lung edema. By reducing inflammation in addition to possessing antimicrobial properties, HMR 3004 may participate in improving the outcome of bacterial pneumonia.
Application extensions from the stochastic capacity rationing decision approach

In a profit-oriented organisation with limited resources, the effective allocation of limited capacities to meet demands at the right time to maximise profits is called yield management or revenue management. For a make-to-order manufacturer, products are made only after a received order is confirmed by the customer. The decision to accept or reject the order inquiry is called capacity rationing. This paper investigates three applications extended from the dynamic stochastic capacity rationing (DSCR) procedure proposed previously. The first application extension considers the problem environment, where products are classified into a discrete number of profit classes. Numerical results show that the total profit obtained by the discrete-class DSCR is significantly higher compared with other previous approaches. In the second extension, a boundary profit is calculated and used as a reference value for a price quotation/negotiation in response to a customer order inquiry, which includes a requested quantity of products and delivery date. The third extension allows partial order fulfilment, which is more realistic to several industrial environments. Numerical experiments are also conducted to validate the proposed application extensions of DSCR.
Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium: age-specific prevalence and disease burden in men attending a sexually transmitted infections clinic in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Background Men are not routinely tested for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in the Netherlands and, therefore, very few studies have looked into their prevalence and/or role in urogenital complaints in the Dutch male population. Objective To describe the age-specific prevalence and disease burden of TV and MG, and their co-occurrence with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), in men attending the sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Methods Urine samples and clinical data were collected from 526 men who have sex with women (MSW) and 678 men who have sex with men (MSM) attending the STI clinic. To investigate age as a risk factor, we oversampled older men. Urine samples were tested for TV and MG using molecular tests. Results The overall prevalence was 0.5% (6/1204) for TV and 3.1% (37/1204) for MG. Four out of the six TV cases were older than 40 years and all TV cases were MSW. No age trend was observed for MG, nor did MG prevalence differ between MSW and MSM. Co-infections between TV or MG and CT were rare. TV infection did not associate with urogenital symptoms, whereas 5.9% of men reporting urogenital symptoms were infected with MG. Conclusions TV infection was rare in men, asymptomatic and was limited to the heterosexual network. MG infection was relatively common and equally prevalent among MSW and MSM of all ages. Most MG infections remained asymptomatic, however, our results suggest that up to 6% of urogenital complaints could be explained by MG infection.
Changes of gas concentrations in blood and water during moderate swimming activity in rainbow trout.

1. Changes in partial pressures of O 2 and CO 2 in blood and water afferent and efferent to the gills are reported. These variables were measured before, during and after moderate swimming activity in rainbow trout. 2. Neither blood P CO 2 nor water P O 2 , afferent or efferent to the gills, changed markedly before, during or after exercise. 3. Arterial blood was always more than 95% saturated with oxygen. Venous blood was 38% saturated, falling to a minimum of 28% during exercise. 4. P CO 2 of arterial blood was 2.3 mm. Hg. P co 2 of venous blood increased from 5.7 to 8.0 mm. Hg during exercise and remained elevated throughout the recovery period. 5. Cardiac output (calculated using the Fick principle) stroke volume, ventilation volume and the volume of water pumped per breath all increase by a factor of between 4 and 5 during exercise. All tended to remain elevated for between 10 and 30 min. after exercise and then gradually decrease to pre-exercise levels.
Erratum to “Bargaining in Legislatures over Particularistic and Collective Goods” American Political Science Review 101(1): 79–92.

The symmetric, stationary subgame-perfect Nash equilibrium in Volden and Wiseman (2007) is characterized by cutpoints between regions of purely collective, mixed, and purely particularistic budget allocations. The cutpoints in our published article were derived by finding conditions under which the proposer receives a higher utility in one region than in another. However, a stationary equilibrium requires that the proposer would not unilaterally offer a different type of proposal, given that all other players continue to play their present strategies.
Simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy for esophageal cancer: a feasibility study.

AIM To establish the feasibility of simultaneous modulated accelerated radiation therapy (SMART) in esophageal cancer (EC). METHODS Computed tomography (CT) datasets of 10 patients with upper or middle thoracic squamous cell EC undergoing chemoradiotherapy were used to generate SMART, conventionally-fractionated three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (cf-IMRT) plans, respectively. The gross target volume (GTV) of the esophagus, positive regional lymph nodes (LN), and suspected lymph nodes (LN ±) were contoured for each patient. The clinical target volume (CTV) was delineated with 2-cm longitudinal and 0.5- to 1.0-cm radial margins with respect to the GTV and with 0.5-cm uniform margins for LN and LN(±). For the SMART plans, there were two planning target volumes (PTVs): PTV66 = (GTV + LN) + 0.5 cm and PTV54 = CTV + 0.5 cm. For the 3DCRT and cf-IMRT plans, there was only a single PTV: PTV60 = CTV + 0.5 cm. The prescribed dose for the SMART plans was 66 Gy/30 F to PTV66 and 54 Gy/30 F to PTV54. The dose prescription to the PTV60 for both the 3DCRT and cf-IMRT plans was set to 60 Gy/30 F. All the plans were generated on the Eclipse 10.0 treatment planning system. Fulfillment of the dose criteria for the PTVs received the highest priority, followed by the spinal cord, heart, and lungs. The dose-volume histograms were compared. RESULTS Clinically acceptable plans were achieved for all the SMART, cf-IMRT, and 3DCRT plans. Compared with the 3DCRT plans, the SMART plans increased the dose delivered to the primary tumor (66 Gy vs 60 Gy), with improved sparing of normal tissues in all patients. The Dmax of the spinal cord, V20 of the lungs, and Dmean and V50 of the heart for the SMART and 3DCRT plans were as follows: 38.5 ± 2.0 vs 44.7 ± 0.8 (P = 0.002), 17.1 ± 4.0 vs 25.8 ± 5.0 (P = 0.000), 14.4 ± 7.5 vs 21.4 ± 11.1 (P = 0.000), and 4.9 ± 3.4 vs 12.9 ± 7.6 (P = 0.000), respectively. In contrast to the cf-IMRT plans, the SMART plans permitted a simultaneous dose escalation (6 Gy) to the primary tumor while demonstrating a significant trend of a lower irradiation dose to all organs at risk except the spinal cord, for which no significant difference was found. CONCLUSION SMART offers the potential for a 6 Gy simultaneous escalation in the irradiation dose delivered to the primary tumor of EC and improves the sparing of normal tissues.
Skew Productivity Distributions and Agglomeration: Evidence from Plant-Level Data

Okubo T. and Tomiura E. Skew productivity distributions and agglomeration: evidence from plant-level data, Regional Studies. This paper empirically examines how the shapes of plant productivity distributions vary across regions based on Japan's manufacturing census. It focuses on the skewness to examine the asymmetry by estimating the gamma distribution at the plant level. By linking the estimated shape parameters with economic geography variables, it is found that the productivity distribution tends to be significantly left skewed, especially in cores, regions with diversified industrial compositions, regions with weak market potential and in agglomerated industries. These findings suggest that agglomeration economies are likely to accommodate heterogeneous plants with wide ranges of productivities.
M&As: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

M&As should be defined to include joint ventures, alliances, and divestitures in addition to mergers and acquisitions. M&As represent a neoclassical theory of how firms seek to enhance their capabilities and resources (the good). Good M&As are positive net present value external investments. Competing explanations of M&A activities include redistribution theories (the Bad) and nehavioral theories (the Ugly). Using our broad definition of M&As we analuze prior literature and present a case study of the defense industry. We find that the neoclassical theory has more explanatory power than the other two competing explanations under our broad definition of M&As.
Union rights of entry: the new contested terrain?

One of the most significant changes made to the legal regulation of unions under the Workplace Relations and Other Legislation Amendment Act 1996 (Cth.) was to rights of entry. Rights of entry are a fundamentally important apparatus for unions, not only for the purpose of communicating to, and accessing members, but also as part of the process of enforcing workplace terms and conditions. The changes to rights of entry have significant potential to marginalise and exclude unions. This paper traces the experiences of two quite different unions, revealing similar results. Rights of entry are increasingly becoming the new contested terrain, manifest in hostile employer approaches, attitudes and tactics.
Characterization of Human DHRS6, an Orphan Short Chain Dehydrogenase/Reductase Enzyme

Human DHRS6 is a previously uncharacterized member of the short chain dehydrogenases/reductase family and displays significant homologies to bacterial hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenases. Substrate screening reveals sole NAD+-dependent conversion of (R)-hydroxybutyrate to acetoacetate with Km values of about 10 mm, consistent with plasma levels of circulating ketone bodies in situations of starvation or ketoacidosis. The structure of human DHRS6 was determined at a resolution of 1.8 Å in complex with NAD(H) and reveals a tetrameric organization with a short chain dehydrogenases/reductase-typical folding pattern. A highly conserved triad of Arg residues (“triple R” motif consisting of Arg144, Arg188, and Arg205) was found to bind a sulfate molecule at the active site. Docking analysis of R-β-hydroxybutyrate into the active site reveals an experimentally consistent model of substrate carboxylate binding and catalytically competent orientation. GFP reporter gene analysis reveals a cytosolic localization upon transfection into mammalian cells. These data establish DHRS6 as a novel, cytosolic type 2 (R)-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, distinct from its well characterized mitochondrial type 1 counterpart. The properties determined for DHRS6 suggest a possible physiological role in cytosolic ketone body utilization, either as a secondary system for energy supply in starvation or to generate precursors for lipid and sterol synthesis.
Serum Gastrin Concentration in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Effect of Long-term Immunosuppressive or Antidopaminergic Treatment

In an attempt to further evaluate the conflicting incidence of hypergastrinemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), serum gastrin concentration has been determined in 58 RA patients and in 58 healthy subjects. Mean levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in controls, although clearly high values were only found in 3 subjects with severe hypochloridria. During one year of immunosuppressive treatment in 12 RA patients with cyclophosphamide plus colchicine serum gastrin levels did not change, while a significant decrease was observed in another 12 patients after 2 months' treatment with haloperidol, a dopamine receptor blocker; this decrease was sustained throughout the one year treatment. Indomethacin administration up to 6 months did not change serum levels in a control group of 12 RA patients. Serum gastrin concentration in patients treated with haloperidol was significantly lower than in those treated with indomethacin at 2 and 6 months, while no significant differences were observed between cyclophosphamide- and indomethacin-treated groups. These results confirm and extend previous studies showing inhibition of gastrin secretion by antidopaminergic drugs. No correlations were observed between serum gastrin levels and inflammatory indices, both in basal conditions and during any drug treatment.
A Comparative Analysis of Education Costs and Outcomes: The United States vs. Other OECD Countries

In this paper we confirm the universality of steadily rising education expenditures among OECD nations, as predicted by “Baumol and Bowen's cost disease”, and show that this trajectory of costs can be expected to continue for the foreseeable future. However, we find that while the level of education costs in America is significantly higher than that of all other OECD countries, education spending per student in the United States is increasing about as quickly as it is in many other countries—perhaps even less quickly. Although these cost increases undoubtedly will contribute to each nation's fiscal problems, we conclude that effective education contributes to improvement of the economic performance of each country and can mitigate resulting financial pressures by spurring growth in overall purchasing power.