Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Valuation Differences between Credit Default Swap and Corporate Bond Markets

This paper quantifies and explains valuation differences between credit default swaps and corporate bonds from a sample of European investment-grade firms. Based on all information gained through the calibration of a stochastic intensity credit model to the time series of the issuer’s CDS curve, we define a new corporate bond-specific measure for the valuation difference. Our results show that, on average, risk premia implied in corporate bonds exceed those in CDS markets by a much smaller extent than found in previous studies. Using panel data analysis we detect among others a cross-sectional influence of bond liquidity measures and find a significant impact of the general level of credit risk on the time series variation of the valuation difference.
A population-based study of primary care predictors of non-attendance for cervical screening

Objective: To identify and estimate the population impact of primary care service delivery factors that independently predict non-attendance for cervical screening. Setting: Screening records of all eligible women aged 30 years and over and resident in the former Manchester Health Authority area were analysed (n=72,613). Methods: Practice-level and GP-level explanatory variables, along with area-level covariates, were obtained and merged to the study data set. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with having no recorded history of attending NHS cervical screening services. A multivariate model was created to identify independent predictors of non-attendance with comprehensive adjustment for women's age, area-level socio-demographic factors, and other primary care factors. Attributable fraction estimates were used to assess the population impact of the independent predictors. Results: Large practice size (>4,000 patients), single-handed practice, South Asian male GP, part-time GP employment status, older age and birthplace overseas, and area-level measures of deprivation and transience independently predicted non-attendance. Women born overseas and registered at larger practices were especially unlikely to have ever attended. The combined population attributable fraction estimate for the independent predictors reflecting primary care service delivery was almost 40%, and that for all variables in the final model was over 70%. Conclusions: Independent predictors of non-attendance reflecting general practice structure, workload and GP characteristics were identified. Although relative risks were modest, the collective population impact of these factors was considerable, which has implications for the implementation of informed targeting and the development of new screening services by Primary Care Trusts.
Dollarization and Semi-Dollarization in Ecuador

Over the 1980s and 1990s, GDP growth had stagnated because of oil export price volatility and natural disasters, the sacrifice of capital formation to heavy external public debt service, and incomplete and uneven structural reform. The exchange rate depreciation that proved continually necessary to sustain the net-export surplus and limit external debt accumulation induced Ecuadorians to dollarize spontaneously. The 1998 shocks affected real economic activity--hence bank loan portfolios, and widened the fiscal and current acccount deficits. The external imbalance led to exchange rate depreciation. Dollar-denominated bank loans whose borrowers lacked dollar income increasingly turned non-performing. At the same time, the depreciation swelled the locla currency value of dollar deposit liabilities. Many depositors, fearing that banks had become unsafe, withdrew, and over 1999 the Central Bank had to provide banks massive liquidity support. By year's end, the resulting monetary issue led to the exchange rate collapse and incipient hyperinflation that forced the move to full dollarization. Ecuador's Central Bank will continue operating, using its foreign exchange holdings to carry out limited liquidity management and lender-of-last-resort activities. Ecuador's public accounts and banking system remain vulnerable to commodity-price and natural shocks. Exchange rate adjustment and monetary expansion are no longer available, however, to manage the external accounts, accommodate the public deficit, or assist failing banks. Further structural reform remains essential to assure fiscal discipline and banking system safety.
Multilevel marketing and pyramid schemes in the United States: An historical analysis

Purpose – This paper aims to analyze the evolution of direct selling – a retail channel that successfully sold products ranging from cosmetics to radios to automobiles – to multilevel marketing (MLM), an industry now apparently heavily reliant on selling to itself. As the courts have found some MLM companies to be pyramid schemes, the analysis includes the overlap between the legal MLM model and an illegal pyramid scheme. Design/methodology/approach – The development of direct selling in the USA was examined, followed by the factors contributing to the design and growth of the MLM model and its non-commission-based compensation structure. Then, the key legal decisions regarding illegal pyramid schemes operating under the guise of MLM, the relative stagnation of direct selling and the state of the MLM industry were examined. Findings – As the MLM model operates on the dual premise of retailing through a network of distributors and recruiting new distributors to do the same, it was found that federal regula.
Public Investment and the Risk Premium for Equity

Analysis of the equity premium puzzle has focused on private-sector capital markets. However, the existence of an anomalous equity premium raises important issues in the evaluation of public-sector investment projects. These issues are explored below. We begin by formalizing the argument that an equity premium may arise from uninsurable systematic risk in labour income, and show that, other things being equal, increases in public ownership of equity will improve welfare, up to the point where the equity premium is eliminated. Finally, we consider policy implications and the optimal extent of public ownership.
What are the essential capabilities of marketers?: A comparative study of managers', academics' and students' perceptions

Purpose – This paper sets out to identify the knowledge and skills that marketing practitioners need to possess and use, to improve marketing management and firm performance.Design/methodology/approach – The data from a survey of marketing managers, academics and senior students in New Zealand, relating to the skills essential to work as a marketing manager, were analysed by analysis of variance to assess the extent of convergences or divergence among the responses of the three groups.Findings – The essential skills are an ability and willingness to learn about product‐markets, to solve marketing problems, to communicate with internal and external stakeholders, and to work in teams, plus the knowledge of a wide range of marketing subject areas needed to set these skills in context. To progress from junior to senior posts, marketing graduates need to develop strategic thinking, leadership and management skills, and must demonstrate knowledge of strategic planning, product and brand management, communicatio.
Pharmacokinetics of glycopyrronium in uraemic patients.

We studied the pharmacokinetics of glycopyrronium in 11 uraemic patients undergoing cadaveric renal transplantation and in seven ASA I control patients undergoing general surgery. Glycopyrronium 4 micrograms kg-1 was given i.v. before induction of anaesthesia. Blood and urine samples were collected for up to 24 h for measurement of glycopyrronium concentrations using a radioreceptor assay. Volume of distribution in the elimination phase (V beta) was similar in both groups, the elimination half-life (T1/2 beta) was longer (P < 0.05), area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) larger (P < 0.01) and plasma clearance (CI) smaller (P < 0.01) in the uraemic patients. In 3 h, mean 0.7 (range 0-3)% and 50 (21-82)% of glycopyrronium was excreted in the urine in the uraemic and healthy patients, respectively (P < 0.001). The 24-h renal excretion was 7 (0-25)% in uraemic and 65 (30-99)% in control patients (P < 0.001). We conclude that the elimination of glycopyrronium is severely impaired in uraemic patients.
Nosocomial infection in Auckland Healthcare hospitals.

AIM To determine the prevalence of nosocomial infection in Auckland Healthcare hospitals. BACKGROUND Nosocomial infections cause patient morbidity and prolong hospital stay. Reporting surveillance results to staff has been shown to reduce nosocomial infection rates. METHOD Point prevalence study for all patients in Auckland, Green Lane and National Women's hospitals. Standard definitions for nosocomial infections were used. RESULTS One hundred and ten (12%) of 932 patients had 129 nosocomial infections: 27 (20%) surgical site infections; 25 (19%) lower respiratory tract infections; 23 (18%) skin/ soft tissue infections; 19 (15%) urinary tract infections; 14 (11%) bloodstream infections; and 21 (17%) other infections. Predominant organisms were: Staphylococcus aureus (29%), Escherichia coli (21%), other gram negative bacilli (14%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6%), streptococci (6%) and Candida albicans (6%). The prevalence of nosocomial infection was lower in National Women's Hospital (5%) than either Green Lane or Auckland hospitals (15% and 14% respectively), p < 0.01. The prevalence of nosocomial infection was the same in medical and surgical patients, 53 of 394 (14%) and 42 of 297 (14%), respectively. The highest prevalence was in intensive care unit patients, 7 of 31 (23%). The prevalence of nosocomial infection increased with patient age, 17-50 yr (8%) vs > 50 yr (14%), p < 0.01, and duration of hospitalisation 2% for < 2 days, 6% for 2-7 days vs 22% for > 7 days, p < 0.01. Risk factors for nosocomial infection were present in many patients: 339 (36%) had intravenous catheters in place; 268 (29%) patients had undergone surgery during their current admission; 122 (13%) had urinary catheters in place; and 122 (13%) had other invasive devices in situ. CONCLUSION Our results are comparable with hospitals of similar size overseas. This study provides a base line for future studies which will enable the monitoring of trends over time and the impact of focused infection control initiatives.
Reliability of the Non‐Contact Corneal Aesthesiometer and its comparison with the Cochet–Bonnet aesthesiometer

Aims‐: To determine the repeatability of measurement of the corneal sensation threshold using the Non‐Contact Corneal Aesthesiometer (NCCA); to evaluate the effect of the air‐jet diameter and stimulus duration on the threshold; and to compare the sensation thresholds found with the NCCA and with the Cochet–Bonnet Aesthesiometer (C–BA), on the same group of normal, human subjects.
Exploring perceptions of health caregivers on the causes of caregivers’ occupational burnout in institutes of children with cerebral palsy: A qualitative study

Background Providing care for children with cerebral palsy (CP) is hard, energy-consuming, and long-term. Consequently, occupational burnout is highly probable for caregivers. Objective This study aimed to explore the perception of health caregivers regarding the causes of caregivers’ occupational burnout in institutes of children with CP. Methods This qualitative study was conducted using content analysis methodology during an eight-month period in 2016. Nine caregivers, two managers, and one physiotherapist participated in the study. Purposive sampling method was used to select participants. In depth, semi-structure interviews were used to gather the data. All interviews were conducted at their workplace, in Tehran, Iran. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and overviewed. Constant comparative analyses were used to analyze the interviews. Results The results were categorized into three main categories and nine sub-categories. The main categories were as follows: care-related stress, nature of caring occupation, and organizational demands and resources. Conclusion Results of this study showed that several factors are involved in creating burnout among caregivers. The exploration of these factors may help us in designing appropriate interventions for caregivers to correctly implement caring activities so that they less suffer from care-related pressures and also become able to allocate some time for their own activities of interest and for recreational, social, and family activities.
Are small firms more sensitive to financial variables

This paper analyses the impact of different sources of finance on the growth of firms. sing panel data from Spanish manufacturing firms for the period 2000-2006, we investigate the effects of internal and external finances on firm growth. In particular, we examine wo dimensions of these financial sources: a) the performance of the firms' capital structure n accordance with firm size; b) the combined effect of equity, external debt and cash low n firm growth. We find that low-growth firms are sensitive to cash low and short-term ank debt, while high-growth firms are more sensitive to long-term debt. Furthermore, ur results show that low-growth firms are more sensitive to short-term financial variables, hile fast growth firms are more sensitive to long-term financial variables. EL codes: L25, R12. eywords: Finance, Firm growth, Quantile regressions, Small firms
The macroeconomic effects of a stable funding requirement

This paper examines the macroeconomic effects of a bank stable funding requirement of the type proposed under Basel III and introduced in New Zealand in 2010. The paper sets out a small open economy model incorporating a banking sector funded by retail deposits and short- and long-term wholesale borrowing, with a tractable setup for multi-period debt that allows hedging of benchmark interest rate risk. A stable funding requirement increases rollover in long-term funding markets, despite lower aggregate rollover. Greater exposure to long-term funding markets attenuates credit expansion if funding costs rise more steeply with volumes in less-liquid long-term markets. However, it amplifies the pro-cyclical effects of fluctuations in funding spreads because variations in long -term spreads are larger and are carried for the duration of the funding (cannot be hedged). Such amplification increases in the level of the requirement and the level of net debt. We explore approaches to moderating adverse macroeconomic outcomes.
Mortality and cancer incidence in a cohort of meatworkers

Aims: To determine the risk of all cause mortality, cause specific mortality, and incident cancer in meatworkers. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, a list of members of a meatworkers union in Australia was matched with the national death and cancer registries. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) and standardised incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated using Australian population rates. Exposure to animal viruses, animal blood, animal faeces, and plastic pyrolysis products was assigned according to job title. A nested case control analysis examined the risk of mortality and cancer incidence by each exposure. Results: There were approximately 20 000 subjects available for analysis. Male workers had increased risk of mortality from all causes (SMR 116, 95% CI 105 to 128) and from injury (SMR 131, 95% CI 108 to 157). Risk of incident lung cancer in males was non-significantly increased (SIR 164, 95% CI 97 to 259) and males had a raised risk of head and neck cancer (SIR 188, 95% CI 103 to 315). There were no significant associations with specific exposures. Conclusions: Compared to the general Australian population, meatworkers have increased risk of death from all causes, death from injury, and incident lung and head and neck cancer. Analysis by occupational exposures did not disclose any strong evidence of specific occupational risk factors, although this analysis was limited by small numbers of some outcomes and exposure assessment which was based on job titles only.
Embryonic development of folate binding protein‐1 (Folbp1) knockout mice: Effects of the chemical form, dose, and timing of maternal folate supplementation

Inactivation of folate binding protein‐1 (Folbp1) adversely impacts murine embryonic development, as nullizygous embryos (Folbp1‐/‐) die in utero. Administration of folinic acid (N5‐formyl‐tetrahydrofolate) to Folbp1‐deficient dams before and throughout gestation rescues the majority of embryos from premature death; however, a portion of surviving embryos develop structural malformations, including neural tube defects. We examined whether maternal supplementation with L‐N5‐methyl‐tetrahydrofolate (L‐5M‐THF) has superior protective effects on embryonic development of Folbp1‐/‐ fetuses compared with L‐N5‐formyl‐tetrahydrofolate (L‐5F‐THF). We also examined the critical period during gestation when folate supplementation is most beneficial to the developing Folbp1‐/‐ embryos. Folbp1‐/‐ pups presented with a range of malformations involving the neural tube, craniofacies, eyes, and abdominal wall. The frequencies of these malformations decreased with increasing folate dose, regardless of the form used. There was no additional benefit provided by L‐5M‐THF compared with L‐5F‐THF. Despite rescuing the phenotype in Folbp1‐/‐ embryos, no significant elevation of Folbp1‐/‐ maternal folate levels was observed with supplementation. Developmental Dynamics 231:221–231, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kinetics of carbamazepine and carbamazepine‐epoxide, determined by use of plasma and saliva

The concentration‐time curves of carbamazepine (CBZ) and its metabolite (carbamazepine‐10,11‐epoxide; CBZ‐epoxide) were determined in patients undergoing long‐term antiepileptic drug treatment with the use of plasma and saliva data. Plasma and saliva samples were assayed concurrently for each patient by liquid chromatography. There was excellent linear correlation between CBZ levels in saliva and plasma (r = 0.991, p < 0.001) over a large concentration range. The saliva/plasma ratio for CBZ concentration was 0.26 ± 0.01 (SD). Since CBZ binding to plasma proteins is in the order of 76%, saliva CBZ concentration seems to reflect the unbound fraction of the drug in plasma. CBZ‐epoxide has not been detected in saliva. The pharmacokinetic parameters of CBZ‐epoxide were determined in 6 patients. The pharmacokinetic parameters of CBZ obtained from saliva concentrations were in excellent agreement with those obtained from plasma concentrations. Thus, CBZ determination in saliva is convenient for controlling blood levels in patients as well as for studying pharmacokinetics. The half‐life, the relative body clearance of CBZ, and the metabolite concentration during steady‐state, expressed as percent the parent compound, appear to be significantly different in patients on single and combined drug therapy.
Strategic flexibilities and export performance: The moderating roles of export market‐oriented behavior and the export environment

Purpose – The study aims to develop and test a model of export performance, focusing on the degree to which firms have different types of export flexibility and the degree to which firms adopt market‐oriented behavior in their export operations (i.e. their degree of export market‐oriented [EMO] behavior). Furthermore, the study seeks to examine the moderating roles that EMO behavior and export environment play with respect to the relationships between export flexibility dimensions and export performance.Design/methodology/approach – The model is tested on a sample of 783 exporting firms. Data were collected via mail survey. Analysis was undertaken using structural equation modeling.Findings – EMO behavior moderates the relationship between export flexibility and export sales performance. However, EMO behavior's moderating role differs depending on (a) the source of the export flexibility, and (b) the environmental conditions the firms face. Increasing levels of EMO behavior are associated with increased e.
Evaluation of a sustained release form of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride by urinary excretion studies.

The sustained releasing properties of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride contained in Spansule capsules were evaluated by conducting urinary excretion studies. The average maximum rate of excretion after a unit dose of unprocessed drug was used as a basis of comparison for two sustained release dosage forms. The data on the sustained release preparations were also evaluated statistically.
Share price reaction to announcements of equity financing by companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Extracted from text . Number 48 - Part 3 N Bhana Share price reaction to announcements of equity financing by companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange 1. Introduction Market reaction to the announcement of new equity capital issues by seasoned companies has been generally unfavourable. Previous research documents a decrease by about 3% to 4% in the share prices of industrial firms during the two-day announcement period. Such pricing behaviour has led to the reliance of firms on internally generated funds as their chief source of equity financing and their corresponding reluctance to issue equity shares. Indeed, some authors have characterized this phenomenon .
Institutional legitimacy and norms-based CSR marketing practices: Insights from MNCs operating in a developing economy

Purpose – The purpose of this corporate social responsibility (CSR) paper is to investigate specific social roles of multinational corporations (MNCs) in a developing economy, and how these MNCs’ CSR marketing activities are legitimized, from the institutional perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Anchoring this study in institutional theory, the authors explore how formal and informal institutions affect the legitimacy of MNCs’ CSR marketing practices in the host country of Pakistan. The authors conducted interviews with top managers from 15 local MNCs undertaking CSR programs in various sectors, such as automotive, banking, consumer products, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. Findings – The authors find that MNCs show commitment to CSR programs despite underdeveloped and very weak formal institutions, and that lots of these initiatives such as education, health, environmental protection, and civil society/religious organizations are oriented toward norms-based social CSR marketi.
"Discovering" What's Changed: A Revisit of the OPACs of 260 Academic Libraries

Purpose – This paper aims to determine the current usage of next generation online public access catalogs (OPACs) and discovery tools in academic libraries in the USA and Canada.Design/methodology/approach – Using the same random sample of 260 colleges and universities in the USA and Canada from their original study, the authors revisited each institution's library web page to ascertain whether the OPAC interface(s) offered were the same or different than in their initial data collection. Data was collected and analyzed in October and November 2011.Findings – Discovery tool use has practically doubled in the last two years, from 16 percent to 29 percent. A total of 96 percent of academic libraries using discovery tools still provide access to their legacy catalog. The percentage of institutions using ILS OPACs with faceted navigation has increased from 2 percent to 4 percent. Combining the use of discovery tools and faceted OPACs, at least 33 percent of academic libraries are now using a faceted interface.