Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bank-Specific Characteristics and Monetary Policy Transmission: The Case of Italy

This paper tests cross-sectional differences in the effectiveness of the bank lending channel of monetary policy in Italy from 1986 to 1998 using a panel approach. After a monetary tightening the decrease in deposits subject to reserve requirements is sharper for those banks that have less incentive to shield the effect of a monetary squeeze: small banks characterized by a higher ratio of deposits to loans and well-capitalized banks that have a greater capacity to raise other forms of external funds. As to lending, size does not affect the banks' reaction to a monetary policy impulse. This can be explained by a closer customer relationship, which provides an incentive for small banks, which are more liquid on average, to smooth the effects of a tightening on credit supplied. Banks' liquidity is the most significant factor enabling them to attenuate the effect of a decrease in deposits on lending. JEL Classification: E44, E51, E52
Performance Measurements for Social Enterprises : With focus on Small and Medium sized Social Enterprises

As the field of Social Enterprises has strongly grown over two decades, the importance of Social Enterprises for the society has also grown and still developing, more and more to a third economic segment between the private and public economy.Within this study we explain how “Small and Medium sized Social Enterprises” (SMSEs) can face the increasing pressure to measure and demonstrate their impact to society and their stakeholders. We especially address the limitations in skill and resource endowment, which SMSEs most commonly face.We execute this research based on a practical and outcome-oriented method and therefore apply an overall pragmatic research philosophy. The research is further designed around a narrative strategy, with an exploratory mono method cross-sectional study. For the collection of empirical data, six semi-structured interviews were conducted with (Social) Entrepreneurs and their stakeholders.This study finds a language barrier between SMSEs and their commercial stakeholders, caused by low willingness from the Social Entrepreneurs’ side to adapt to a commercial business language. The findings of this study further imply that SMSEs are capable of using surveys to measure their performance quantitatively, in terms of in- and output. More importantly, our results suggest that these measurements, completed with additional “soft” measurements to “qualified narratives”, are sufficient to prove the SMSEs’ performance to their stakeholders.Finally, this study takes up an existing contingency model and enriches it with the revealed discoveries, to a more comprehensive measurement approach for SMSEs. It thereby contributes to the field of Social Enterprises and lays valuable foundations for further research.
The Effect of Market Inefficiency on the Value Relevance of Earnings

This study investigates the effect of market inefficiency on the value relevance of earnings. Many prior studies challenge the efficiency of the stock market, an assumption the value relevance studies build on. With evidence of market inefficiency, it becomes important to understand how the extent of market inefficiency affects the results presented in value-relevance studies. Using the speed of a stock’s price response to news as the measure of the degree of market inefficiency, we investigate the effect of market inefficiency on the relation between annual returns and contemporaneous annual earnings, as well as future earnings. We document that the informativeness of future earnings and current earnings is negatively related to the level of market inefficiency. These results suggest that when market efficiency improves, contemporaneous and future earnings of firms become more informative.
The Persistence of Cash Flow Components into Future Cash Flows

We examine the persistence of cash flow components in predicting future cash flows. In this study, we evaluate six cash flow components (which parallels the direct method of the cash flow statement): cash flows related to sales, cost of goods sold, operating expenses, interest, taxes, and other. Consistent with our predictions, we find that the cash flow components from various operating activities persist differentially. We find that cash related to sales, cost of goods sold, operating expenses and interest persists a great deal into future cash flows; cash related to other has lower persistence; and cash related to taxes has no persistence. We then incorporate accrual components into our persistence regression model and find that the persistence of cash flow components are generally higher than those of accruals; however, accrual components do enhance model performance. Our findings are consistent with the AICPA's and financial analysts' rationale for their recommendation that the financial effects of a company's core and non-core cash flows should be distinguished. We also corroborate prior research that both direct and indirect methods of reporting cash flows can be useful for assessing future cash flows. Our findings are relevant to financial statement users and regulators who are interested in better predicting future cash flows and researchers using cash flow prediction models to measure financial reporting quality.
Countering bullying at an australian secondary school with students as helpers.

To counter bullying at an Australian coeducational secondary school, staff and students co-operated in developing and implementing appropriate policies and procedures. Questionnaires assessing the incidence of bullying and related attitudes were completed by students in Years 7, 9, 10 and 11 in 1995 and again in 1997. Significant reductions in levels of victimization were recorded for Year 7 students only. Significantly increased support for anti-bullying initiatives was found among senior students (Years 10 and 11). Anti-bullying activities directed and undertaken by students themselves received most approval from peers.
Is there a benefit of mechanical thrombectomy in patients with large stroke (DWI‐ASPECTS ≤ 5)?

Whether to withhold mechanical thrombectomy when the diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) lesion exceeds a given volume is undetermined. Our aim was to identify markers that will help to select patients with large DWI lesions [DWI−Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (DWI‐ASPECTS) ≤ 5] that may benefit from thrombectomy.
Causes and Effectiveness of Foreign Exchange Interventions for the Turkish Economy

Foreign exchange rate interventions of the central banks for the emerging market economies are studied only to a limited extent. However, due to the different characteristics of these economies, especially in terms of the exchange rate dynamics, such an analysis can reveal important information. This study analyzes both the causes and the effectiveness of foreign exchange interventions of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey in the post-crisis period. We find that, as officially stated by the Central Bank, the main motivation behind the interventions is the excessive volatility in the exchange rate. Regarding the effectiveness of the interventions, the large and isolated purchase-based interventions seem to be effective in decreasing the volatility in the exchange rate.
The Effects of Weather on the Incidence of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A 5-Year Population-Based Study

Objective:This study utilizes 5-year population data to examine the association between weather conditions and the incidence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in Taiwan with a specific focus on ambient temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, rainfall and total hours of sunshine. Method: The data, covering the period from 1998 to 2002, is sourced from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), with a total of 8712 first-time admissions being identified from the database by a principal diagnosis of unspecified sudden hearing loss (ICD-9-CM code 3882). After controlling for time trend effects, this study adopted the autoregressive integrated moving average regression method as a means of evaluating the effects of climatic and monthly factors on SSNHL incidence rates. Results:Although significant associations were found between ambient temperature, relative humidity and the SSNHL incidence rates for the total population, after adjusting for seasonality, months and trends, the significant relationship between SSNHL incidence rates and the climatic parameters disappeared. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that after adjusting for seasonality, months and trends, there is no significant relationship between monthly SSNHL incidence rates and weather conditions. Therefore, the theory that weather is a triggering factor in SSNHL pathogenesis is not supported by this study.
The Influence of Geographic Clusters and Knowledge Spillovers on the Product Innovation Activities of New Ventures

Geographic clusters have an impressive track record for producing innovative firms. In this research, we examine whether a geographic cluster location and the knowledge spillovers new ventures assimilate influence both their explorative and exploitative innovation activities. We hypothesize a stronger relationship of industry clustering on exploitative innovations but a stronger relationship of knowledge spillovers on explorative innovations. We expect the interaction will result in more exploitative innovations than explorative innovations. The data support most hypotheses.
No association for D2 and D4 dopamine receptor polymorphisms and methamphetamine abuse in Chinese males

The D2 and D4 dopamine receptors (DRD2 and DRD4) play major roles in the central effects of psychostimulants and in the reward system. Previous studies, although not all, have demonstrated associations between the DRD2 Taq I and the DRD4 exon III variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms and substance dependence. For this study, we have investigated the associations between these two polymorphisms and methamphetamine (MAP) dependence, as manifested in a Chinese-male sample population. No significant difference was demonstrated for genotype or allele frequency when comparing MAP-dependent and control cases for the DRD2 Taq I and the DRD4 gene exon III VNTR polymorphisms, suggesting that these two polymorphisms do not play major roles in MAP dependence for our sample of Chinese males.
Imitative market entry strategies: the role of strategic orientation, resources, capabilities and absorptive capacity

Summary Despite being more common than innovation, little is known about the strategies involved in imitative market entries and the capabilities enabling their executions. Drawing on the Resource-based View and Competitive Dynamics perspectives, the study examines the role of marketing capability, technological capability and absorptive capacity in aiding technological firms to engage in successful imitative market entries. The research also examines the relationship between strategic types and resources as well as the relationship between resources and capabilities. Finally, the research investigates the role of capabilities as determinants of entry timing, relative product advantage and relative price, which in turn influence product performance. The research provides important managerial and theoretical implications. First, the integration of the RBV and Competitive Dynamics perspectives provides a richer explanation of the heterogeneity in firms’ performance. Second, the findings show that firms’ strategic orientation determines the level of marketing and R&D resources. Third, the interaction between technological capability and marketing capability accelerates imitative market entry. Fourth, technological and marketing capabilities have a U-shaped relationship with market entry. Finally, the present study found marginal support for the prediction that entry timing, relative product advantage and relative price increase the likelihood of product survival. The U-shaped relationship observed between technological and marketing capabilities with market entry illustrate the double-edged sword nature of capabilities. Although strong technological and marketing capabilities facilitate firms’ swift entry into the market for some, for others they may cause them to be trapped in existing product, lock them in with existing customers and prevent them from being receptive to the new opportunities in the environment. Finally, because marketing and technological capability interaction is significantly related to earlier entry and earlier entry is associated with a higher product survival rate, managers considering an imitative market entry need to invest in the development of these two capabilities. Key word: imitation, marketing capability, technological capability, absorptive capacity, entry timing
On the time-frequency localization of the wavelet signals, with application to orthogonal modulations

Orthogonal modulations are powerful techniques for digital data transmission, very well suited to radio channels. They use orthogonal basis, whose elements will be the “subcarriers” used in transmission. Some advantages of the wavelet functions compared to the windowed complex exponentials used in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) are highlighted. Thus, theoretical proof that Daubechies wavelets have better time-frequency localization is provided, opening new paths towards modern orthogonal modulation approaches, based on wavelets.
Antimicrobial susceptibility and combination testing of invasive Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates

Abstract Background: Treatment of invasive Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections is difficult due to this organism's inherent multidrug resistance and increasing resistance to trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole via acquisition of the sul genes. Methods: In vitro antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using a customized broth microdilution panel. Combination testing for tigecycline with anti-Stenotrophomonas agents (i.e. colistin, ticarcillin–clavulanate, ceftazidime, and levofloxacin) was done using the cross Etest method. Genotyping was done using automated repetitive PCR. Results: A total of 90 patients with invasive S. maltophilia infections included: (79%) adults, and 21% children or infants [6/12 (50%) cases occurred in infants aged ≤ 1 year. ]. S. maltophilia isolates were recovered from blood (69%), lower respiratory (21%) or other sites (CSF, peritoneal fluid) (11%). Seventeen percent of the isolates were SXT-R, and also demonstrated multi-drug resistant to two or more antibiotic classes. Minocycline, tigecycline and colistin had the best in vitro activities. The combination testing of tigecycline and colistin gave the best results; 12 isolates were tested and synergy occurred in 3 isolates while an additional 7 isolates showed additive results. Conclusions: We recommend further evaluation with killing assays and clinical studies to evaluate the effectiveness of tigecycline and colistin combination for invasive S. maltophilia infections.
Human Resource Management within small and medium-sized enterprises

Human resources are recognised as one of the main sources of economic growth. The management of these resources (HRM) is therefore an important issue. However, while roughly half of all employees are employed in small and medium-sized enterprises, scientific studies on HRM are to a large extent limited to large enterprises. This thesis is an attempt to increase our understanding of how small and medium-sized enterprises manage their employees. The thesis examines main determinants of HRM practices within small and medium-sized enterprises, and how certain differences in HRM practices may affect an enterprise's performance and size.
Naive Precursors of Human Regulatory T Cells Require FoxP3 for Suppression and Are Susceptible to HIV Infection1

CD4+CD25+ human regulatory T cells (Treg cells), which express the transcription factor FoxP3, suppress T cell activation. In this study, we sought to define cellular and molecular mechanisms of human Treg cell differentiation. A subset of human naive CD4+ T cells that are CD25+ express high levels of FoxP3. We show that upon activation through the TCR, these FoxP3-expressing naive T cells (termed TNreg cells) greatly expand in vitro. Expanded TNreg cells acquire a full Treg phenotype with potent suppressive activity and display low IL-2 production upon TCR stimulation. TNreg cells in which FoxP3 expression was reduced through RNA interference lost their suppressive activity, but retained their low IL-2 secretion in response to TCR stimulation. Furthermore, in support of the notion that TNreg cells represent a separate lineage of naive cells, we found that they were more susceptible to HIV infection as compared with naive CD4+ T cells. Based on these findings, we propose that TNreg cells are precursors for human Treg cells and that these cells require a high level of FoxP3 expression to maintain their suppressive function. Accordingly, modulation of TNreg cell numbers during infections such as HIV may disrupt human Treg cell development, and contribute to chronic immune activation.
Personality and constitution as mediators in the stress-illness relationship.

Utilizing a prospective design, this study considers the mediating effects of personality-based hardiness (commitment, control, and challenge) and constitutional predisposition (parents' illness) on the stressful life events-illness relationship. The subjects are middleand upper-level managers who filled out questionnaires covering a period of five years. Results indicate that stressful life events and constitutional predisposition increase, but hardiness decreases, subsequent illness. Possible additive effects of the three independent variables are discussed.
Interleukin-1 and interleukin-8 in nicotine- and lipopolysaccharide-exposed gingival keratinocyte cultures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Tobacco use is associated with increased periodontal destruction in both cigarette smokers and smokeless tobacco users. Gingival keratinocytes are the first cells in contact with microbial and tobacco components and play a key role in the innate immune response to these agents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of nicotine and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone and in combination on gingival keratinocyte production of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). MATERIAL AND METHODS Gingival keratinocyte cultures were established from 10 healthy, non-tobacco-using subjects. The cells were stimulated for 24 h with 1 mum or 1 mm nicotine and/or 10 microg/mL Escherichia coli or Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS. Interleukin-1 alpha and IL-8 proteins were quantified using ELISAs. RESULTS Compared with untreated cultures, 1 mm nicotine stimulated production of IL-1 alpha (p < 0.001); E. coli and P. gingivalis LPS increased IL-8 production (p = 0.0014 and p = 0.0232, respectively). A combination of nicotine and LPS produced the highest cytokine quantities. Amounts of IL-1 alpha and IL-8 following 1 mm nicotine and LPS exposure were significantly greater than in untreated cultures (p < 0.001). Interleukin-8 was also responsive to 0.1 mum nicotine combined with E. coli or P. gingivalis LPS compared with control cultures (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0029, respectively). Both cytokines tended to be elevated following the combined treatment relative to nicotine or LPS treatment alone. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that nicotine and LPS differentially regulate IL-1 and IL-8 production by gingival keratinocytes. Combined treatment tended to elevate cytokine production further, which may have implications for the progression of periodontitis in tobacco users.
Modeling of RFHead Exposure in Children

This study analyzes the main parameters that should influence the specific absorption rate (SAR) in children’s heads. The evolution of their head shape and the growth of specific parameters, such as the skull thickness, are analyzed. The influence of these parameters on the radio frequency (RF) exposure of children’s head is studied. The SARover 1 g in specific tissue is assessed in different children’s head models based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and on non-uniformly down-scaled adult heads. Comparisons with SAR data in adults are reported using a handset with a patch antenna operating at 900 MHz. Bioelectromagnetics Supplement 7, 2005. 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A critical examination of developments in nursing doctoral education in the United States

Graduate nursing education in the United States is undergoing major transformations, as a result of factors both within nursing and in the larger society. OBJECTIVE: In this paper the authors examine the trends and factors that are influencing the changes, especially in doctoral education, for both nurse scientist and advanced practice preparation. CONCLUSION: The paper provides a background that serves as context, it gives an overview of the PhD and the DNP degrees, focusing on the recent changes and identifying the most compelling issues and concerns, ending with a series of recommendations.
Diagnostic Agreement of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders among Chronic Patients with Functional Psychoses

Background: To investigate whether diagnostic agreement across different diagnostic systems improves in a sample of chronic patients suffering from functional psychosis compared to first-admitted patients. Sampling and Methods: Among 353 patients with a history of functional psychosis, a subset of 100 individuals (35 women and 65 men) were randomly sampled and assessed using the Operational Criteria Checklist for Psychotic Illness and Affective Illness (OPCRIT). Based on the OPCRIT diagnoses the subjects suffering from schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders according to seven diagnostic systems were identified. Diagnostic agreement was assessed using unweighted ĸ-statistics and pairwise concordance rates (CR). Results: High diagnostic agreement of schizophrenia was observed across the ICD-10 and DSM systems (CR >0.70, ĸ >0.70), which all had a significantly lower concordance to the St. Louis Criteria (SLC), research diagnostic criteria and Schneider’s first rank symptoms (FRS) (0.32< CR <0.66; –0.10< ĸ <0.51). Agreement on schizophrenia across all systems was observed for one fourth of the subjects. Elimination of the diagnostic impact of ‘co-occurrence of psychotic and affective symptoms’ excluded FRS standalone individuals from the sample, increased overall homogeneity and resulted in a dichotomized sample according to SLC (46 positive vs. 47 negative). SLC status could be predicted in 78% of cases by four items relating to family history and psychosocial function previous to the onset of illness. Similarly high pairwise CR were observed for schizophrenia spectrum disorders across all diagnostic systems. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that diagnostic agreement is higher among chronic patients than that observed in subjects with a recent onset of psychosis, although considerable discordance is also observed in this chronic sample. However, the discordance among chronic patients with functional psychosis largely derives from the different emphasis that diagnostic systems place on co-occurrence of psychotic and affective symptoms. This may have serious epistemological consequences, thus underlining the conventional nature of the present schizophrenia diagnoses and the need for biologically founded diagnostic criteria.
Infected thymic cyst: An unusual cause of respiratory distress in a child

A 15‐month‐old male developed acute respiratory distress following a prolonged upper respiratory tract infection. Laboratory and radiological investigations suggested tracheal compression by a malignant anterior mediastinal mass. Following a short course of steroid therapy, urgent exploration of the mediastinum and resection of the mass was carried out; resolution of the airway obstruction was obtained. Histotogical and bacteriological examination of the lesion revealed it to be a thymic cyst infected by Haemophilus Influenzae with abscess formation. The causes of tracheal compression in childhood are discussed.