Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Who Benefits from the Corporate QE? A Regression Discontinuity Design Approach

On March 10, 2016, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced the Corporate Sector Purchase Programme (CSPP) – commonly known as corporate quantitative easing (QE) – to improve the financing conditions of the Eurozone’s real economy and strengthen the pass-through of unconventional monetary interventions. Using a regression discontinuity design framework that exploits the rating wedge between the ECB and market participants, we show that: (i) bond yield spreads decline by around 15 basis points at the announcement of the programme, (ii) the impact is mostly noticeable in the sample of CSPP-eligible bonds that are perceived as high yield from the viewpoint of market participants and, (iii) the CSPP seems to have stimulated new issuance of corporate bonds. Overall, our results are consistent with the explanation that highlights the portfolio rebalancing mechanism and the liquidity channel. JEL Classification: E50, E52, G11, G30, G32
Optimal market thickness and market design

In this thesis we primarily focus on developing tractable dynamic market models, together with applications of these models. We also address several open questions concerning the statistical properties of static market models. The original research contained in this thesis begins when we define a new distribution, called a general non–central hypergeometric distribution, which models biased sampling without replacement. We then consider a classic mechanism design market model with unit traders in which buyer valuations and seller costs are independent and, on each side of the market, identically distributed. We show that the equilibrium quantity traded has a general non–central hypergeometric distribution under a broad class of mechanisms, where the sampling bias encodes information about the distribution of buyer values relative to seller costs, strategic behaviour of market participants and rent extraction by the market intermediary. We then extend this work by developing a general approach to approximating outcomes in large markets. In particular, we show that the joint distribution of the equilibrium quantity traded and welfare is asymptotically normal, compute the parameters of the approximating normal distribution and bound the approximation rate. We then turn our attention to dynamic market models in which traders with persistent types arrive over time and focus on optimally assessing the tradeoff between the benefits of increasing market thickness and the cost of delay. We start by considering a two–period extension of the classic model of Myerson and Satterthwaite [117] and derive the class of Bayesian optimal α-mechanisms. Investigating the properties of these mechanisms, we compare them to benchmark static mechanisms and find that dynamics tends to increase the convexity of the region of trade in period one. Motivated by the computational complexity of these optimal mechanisms, we consider approximate implementation in the form of a price–posting mechanism, before turning our attention to models with simpler type spaces. Finally, we consider an infinite–horizon market model in which agents have binary type spaces. Assuming that a buyer–seller pair arrives in each period and agents are privately informed about their types, we introduce notions of dynamic efficiency and optimality and construct the class of Bayesian optimal α–mechanisms. We demonstrate that, provided the discount factor is sufficiently large, a profit–maximising two–sided platform creates higher welfare compared to a less centralised, welfare–targeting market maker. Further, the main benefits from dynamic mechanisms are reaped by clearing markets at fixed, optimally chosen frequencies. We consider a variety of economic applications including in–house production by the designer, taxation policy and asymptotically optimal prior–free mechanisms. With minor qualifications (including a dynamic generalisation of Myerson [116] regularity), our analysis and main results apply to more general arrival processes and type spaces.
Managing A Firm's Systematic Risk Through Sales Variability Minimization- A Test of Three Competing Techniques

In this paper, we will intend to introduce the Degree of Economic Leverage (DEL) and its usage as one of the new techniques in explanation of Beta coefficient and identification of the systematic risk and profit planning goal in leverage theoretical conceptual studies as well. Meanwhile, we will consider and analyze it through experimental testing for increasing its justification explanatory potency. After theoretical conceptual studies,it was confirmed that there is no inverse and meaningful relation between interest rate and a firm's sale, but there is a meaningful difference between measure of the Beta calculating by DEL and the Beta computing by CAPM and D-CAPM.
The Quest for the Gist: On Challenges of Going Abstract in Social and Personality Psychology

Abstraction and generalization constitute important aims of science (Kruglanski, 2001, in press), yet broad theorizing is rather rare in social and personality psychology. Some reasons for this state of affairs are examined, including the considerable staying power of insufficiently abstract theories and the broad resistance that abstract theories can incite. The trials and tribulations of abstract theorizing are considered, drawing on my own work on lay epistemics. Its problems and pitfalls notwithstanding, abstract theorizing is what our field needs more of if progress is to take place and social and personality psychology is to obtain the voice it merits in the general cultural dialogue about societal issues. To encourage such theorizing, 3 principles are offered, including the commonality focus (the horizontal voyage), the data focus (the vertical voyage), and the restructuration focus (the upstream voyage) principles.
Fourth international consultation on incontinence recommendations of the international scientific committee: Evaluation and treatment of urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and fecal incontinence

P. Abrams , K.E. Andersson, L. Birder, L. Brubaker, L. Cardozo, C. Chapple, A. Cottenden, W. Davila, D. de Ridder, R. Dmochowski, M. Drake, C. DuBeau, C. Fry, P. Hanno, J. Hay Smith, S. Herschorn, G. Hosker, C. Kelleher, H. Koelbl, S. Khoury,* R. Madoff, I. Milsom, K. Moore, D. Newman, V. Nitti, C. Norton, I. Nygaard, C. Payne, A. Smith, D. Staskin, S. Tekgul, J. Thuroff, A. Tubaro, D. Vodusek, A. Wein, and J.J. Wyndaele and the Members of the Committees
Future Realized Return, Firm‐Specific Risk and the Implied Expected Return

In this paper, I propose a novel approach to derive a firm‐specific measure of expected return. It builds on recent accounting‐based valuation models developed by Clubb (2013) and Ashton and Wang (2013). The measure is intrinsically linked to commonly used financial ratios, including book‐to‐market, (forward) earnings yield, and dividend‐to‐price, as well as growth and past returns. The empirical evidence shows that it is significantly positively associated with future realized stock returns and also significantly correlated with commonly used risk characteristics in a theoretically predictable manner. The results are likely to be of interest to practitioners and managers in making capital allocation decisions and to academics in need of proxies for firms’ discount rates and expected returns.
Affective disorders in older inpatients

After dementia the group of depressive disorders is considered to be the second most common psychiatric disorder in the elderly. There is dispute regarding whether depression in the elderly differs from depression in the younger age groups by a longer duration of inpatient treatment, a more frequent occurrence of delusions, more cognitive impairment or by a more frequent co‐occurrence of physical disease. This study aimed to compare younger with older inpatients with respect to these aspects.
Factors Influencing Consumers' Choice of Imported Poultry Meat Products in a Developing Market: Lessons from Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT The main objective of this study was to explore factors that influence consumers’ choice of imported poultry meat products in Zimbabwe, a developing market. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyse data collected from a sample of 305 consumers. The study found that factors that influence consumers’ choice of imported poultry meat products are price, health and safety issues, accessibility, appearance, taste, tenderness, genetically-modified food status, product labelling, country of origin, packaging, production methods and branding. These factors are classified into three overlapping categories, namely economic factors, quality and product attributes, and the firm’s marketing efforts. Economic factors include price in relation to consumer disposable income. Quality and product attributes include health and safety issues, appearance, taste, tenderness, genetically-modified food status, packaging, country of origin and production methods. The firm’s marketing efforts include price, accessibility, product labelling, packaging and branding. These findings have implications for theory and practice.
HER Receptor Family: Novel Candidate for Targeted Therapy for Gallbladder and Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer.

PURPOSE Biliary tract cancers (BTC) are uncommon in the United States, but are endemic in parts of South America and Asia. BTCs are aggressive tumors associated with poor survival. Activation of HER-2/neu (erbB2) and/or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are important in breast, colon, and lung cancers. Tumor specimens from patients from the United States and Chile were examined for expression of HER-2/neu, EGFR, and their activated forms (p-erbB2, p-EGFR). MATERIALS AND METHODS Specimens from 77 gallbladder cancers (GBC), 16 extrahepatic bile duct cancers (EHBDC), 21 intrahepatic bile duct cancers (IHBDC), 11 cases of cholecystitis (CHOLE), and 8 normal gallbladders (NGB) were examined for HER-2/neu, p-erbB2, EGFR, and p-EGFR expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC), with scores of 2+ or 3+ defined as positive. HER-2/neu gene amplification was analyzed by double color HER-2/neu gene/chromosome 17 centromere (CEP17) fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays RESULTS HER-2/neu-positive IHC staining was found in 31.2% of GBC, 31.3%, of EHBDC, and 33.3% of IHBDC; 12.5% of CHOLE specimens showed 2+ staining and the remaining CHOLE and NGB were negative. HER-2/neu gene amplification was detected in 20.9% of GBC, 21.4% of EHBDC, and none of IHBDC. There was a significant correlation between IHC 2+ and 3+ and gene amplification (P =.0001). CONCLUSIONS HER-2/neu amplification was identified in more than 20% of GB and EHBDC. There was strong correlation between HER-2/neu IHC and FISH positivity. These findings indicate a role for HER-2/neu in some subsets of BTC, and provide a rationale for study of HER-2/neu-directed therapies in this setting.
Regulation of the Kinetics of Phosducin Phosphorylation in Retinal Rods*

Phosducin (Pd) is a widely expressed phosphoprotein that regulates G-protein (G) signaling. Unphosphorylated Pd binds to Gβγ subunits and blocks their interaction with Gα. This binding sequesters Gβγ and inhibits both receptor-mediated activation of Gα and direct interactions between Gβγ and effector enzymes. When phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase, Pd does not affect these functions of Gβγ. To further understand the role of Pd in regulating G-protein signaling in retinal rod photoreceptor cells, we have measured the abundance of Pd in rods and examined factors that control the rate of Pd phosphorylation. Pd is expressed at a copy number comparable to that for the rod G-protein, transducin (Gt). The ratio of rhodopsin (Rho) to Pd is 15.5 ± 3.5 to 1. The rate of Pd phosphorylation in rod outer segment preparations was dependent on [cAMP]. K1/2 for cAMP was 0.56 ± 0.09 μM, and the maximal rate of phosphorylation was ~500 pmol PO4 incorporated/min/nmol Rho. In the presence of Gtβγ this rate was decreased ~50-fold. From these data, one can estimate a t1/2 of ~3 min for the rephosphorylation of Pd in rods during the recovery period after a light response. This relatively slow rephosphorylation of the Pd·Gtβγ complex may provide a period of molecular memory in which sensitivity to further light stimuli is reduced as a result of sequestration of Gtβγ by Pd.
Relationship between anthropometric or functional characteristics and maximal serve velocity in professional tennis players.

AIM This study aims at investigating the possible relationships between anthropometric and functional parameters and maximal serve speed in professional tennis players. METHODS Eight professional male tennis players (age 23±4 [mean±SD] years; height 181±4 cm; body mass 80±4 kg; playing experience 14±4 years; weekly training practice 29±6 hours) were recruited. Anthropometric parameters (height, body mass, arm-racquet length, arm muscle area), jump performance (squat jump, counter movement jump; counter movement jump free), handgrip strength and first and second maximal serve speed were assessed. RESULTS Pearson's correlation coefficient showed significant (P<0.05) positive relationships between height and ball speed in both the first (r=0.78; P=0.02) and second (r=0.80; P=0.017) serve, and a significant negative correlation between serve speed and arm muscle area in first serve only (r=-0.78; P=0.03). In addition, a trend towards a positive correlation was observed between string tensions and serves speed for both first and second serves (r=0.54; P=0.16 and r=0.60; P=0.11, respectively). No significant relationship was found between serve speed and the other variables considered, including jumping performance parameters. CONCLUSION Height was confirmed to be the main anthropometric determinant of serves speed in professional tennis players.
Determining criteria to assess patient readiness for discharge from postanaesthetic care: an international Delphi study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To obtain expert consensus on essential criteria required to assess patient readiness for discharge from the postanaesthetic care unit. BACKGROUND A patient's condition can deteriorate after surgery, and the immediate postoperative period is recognised internationally as a time of increased risk to patient safety. A recent systematic review identified evidence-based assessment criteria for the safe discharge of patients from the postanaesthetic care unit and identified gaps in the evidence. DESIGN Descriptive consensus study using the Delphi method. METHODS Members of international clinical specialist groups with expertise in anaesthesia or postanaesthetic care participated in three consultation rounds. Online surveys were used to determine expert consensus with regard to aspects of postanaesthetic care and specific criteria for assessing patient readiness for discharge. Three rounds of surveys were conducted from May 2011-September 2012. RESULTS Twenty-three experts contributed to the panel. Consensus, that is, at least 75% agreement, was reached in regard to 24 criteria considered essential (e.g. respiratory rate 100%; pain 100%; heart rate 95%; temperature 91%). Consensus was also reached for 15 criteria not considered essential (e.g. appetite 96%; headache 76%). Consensus was not obtained for a further 10 criteria. Participants (95%) agreed that a discharge tool was important to ensure safe patient discharge. CONCLUSION Consensus was achieved by a panel of international experts on the use of a tool to assess patient readiness for discharge from postanaesthesia care unit and specific variables to be included or excluded from the tool. Further work is required to develop a tool and test its reliability and validity. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The findings of this study have informed the development of an evidence-based tool to be piloted in a subsequent funded study of nursing assessment of patient readiness for discharge from the postanaesthetic care unit.
REANIMATING OTTOMAN HERITAGE SITES: ASSESSMENT OF ŠTIP

The study aims to achieve two goals: (i) To investigate the main prevailing factors for reanimating Ottoman heritage sites (OHS); and (ii) To assess possibilities for developing Ottoman heritage tourism product. This is done by elaborating the case of Štip (Macedonia), where five sites are identified as an Ottoman heritage. The analysis is based on a qualitative research method and incorporates: (a) Qualitative data analysis, by conducting interviews with stakeholders from local and central level who are directly or indirectly involved in issues related to the OHS; (b) Modified version of the model suggested by Krakover (2016) on heritage tourism formation; and (c) Secondary data sources analysis, by reviewing literature and historical data related to Ottoman history and OHS in Štip. Generally, it was concluded that currently, the investigated OHS are in an inadequate appearance, so only scarce tourism valorization can be done. On the other hand, they all possess uniqueness, esthetic, architectural, historic and educational value, and may be related to many legends, myths and stories, thus been completely suitable to be presented as tourism products and part of a tourist route. From four assessed motives, the deliberate decision for tourism development, along with the potential economic benefits were surfaced as the main factors for reanimating OHS, thus boosting cultural tourism development. Finally, the study recommends design and development of an Ottoman heritage tourism product, but not as a separate product of Štip, but rather as a regional, or even national product, which may be promoted in a tailor-made tourist route.
Is the first seizure epilepsy—and when?

Epilepsy has recently been redefined to include a single unprovoked seizure if the probability of recurrence is ≥60% over the following 10 years. This definition is based on the estimated risk of a third seizure after two unprovoked seizures, using the lower‐limit 95% confidence interval (CI) at 4 years, and does not account for the initially high recurrence rate after first‐ever seizure that rapidly falls with increasing duration of seizure freedom. We analyzed long‐term outcomes after the first‐ever seizure, and the influence of duration of seizure freedom on the likelihood of seizure recurrence, and their relevance to the new definition of epilepsy.
Endocrine Complications and Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Survivors of Childhood Malignant Non-Brain Solid Tumors

Background/Aims: The substantial improvement in survival of children with cancer has been achieved at the cost of late effects. We aimed to evaluate the endocrine outcome in survivors of childhood non-brain malignant solid tumors (NBMST). Methods: We performed a retrospective medical record review for medical history, clinical and laboratory data of survivors (n = 139) followed at the endocrine clinic of a tertiary medical center. Outcome measures were frequency and types of endocrine dysfunction and components of the metabolic syndrome. Results: Median follow-up time was 9.0 years (range 1.2-29.5 years). At least one endocrine abnormality was found in 44 patients (31.7%). Abnormalities included hypogonadism (11.5%), hypothyroidism (9.4%), short stature (9.4%), growth hormone deficiency (8.6%) and components of the metabolic syndrome (15.1%). Height SDS decreased significantly (p = 0.004) during follow-up, whereas body mass index SDS tended to increase. On logistic regression analysis, treatment with cranial irradiation (p = 0.003), local radiation (p = 0.042), or bone marrow transplantation (p = 0.0001), and older age at last visit (p < 0.001) were associated with a significantly higher hazard of an endocrinopathy. Conclusions: The high rate of late endocrine dysfunction among survivors of childhood NBMST highlights the need to optimize the follow-up at the late-effects clinics to identify endocrine problems and allow early and effective intervention.
Percutaneous acetic acid injection for hepatocellular carcinoma: using CT fluoroscopy to evaluate distribution of acetic acid mixed with an iodinated contrast agent.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study is to evaluate the distribution of acetic acid mixed with iodinated contrast agent during percutaneous acetic acid injection on CT fluoroscopy for hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION Monitoring acetic acid distribution on CT fluoroscopy can detect extratumoral diffusion and may optimize the distribution of acetic acid in hepatocellular carcinoma.
A randomized trial of a tailored, self-help dietary intervention: the Puget Sound Eating Patterns study.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated a tailored, multiple-component self-help intervention designed to promote lower fat and higher fruit and vegetable consumption. METHODS Participants were 1,459 adults selected at random, stratified by sex and age (18-34, 35-54, 55-69), from enrollees of a large health maintenance organization. After completing a baseline telephone survey, participants were randomized to receive the intervention (consisting of a computer-generated personalized letter, a motivational phone call, a self-help manual, a package of supplementary materials, computer-generated behavioral feedback based on a self-administered food frequency questionnaire, and newsletters) or to receive no materials. Evaluation was based on 1,205 (86.5%) participants who completed both a 3- and a 12-month follow up survey. RESULTS The intervention effect +/- SE for fat, based on a diet habits questionnaire, was -0.10 +/- 0.02 (P < 0.001), corresponding to a reduction of approximately 0.8 percentage points of percentage energy from fat. For fruits and vegetables, the intervention effect was 0.47 +/- 0.10 servings/day (P < 0.001). Intervention effects were similar across age and sex groups. CONCLUSIONS Tailored, self-help interventions can effectively promote dietary change among both men and women and among younger as well as older adults.
Characterization of a rabbit cationic protein (CAP18) with lipopolysaccharide-inhibitory activity

Cationic antibacterial proteins (CAP) were purified from rabbit granulocytes, and the effects of CAP on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tissue factor generation by murine peritoneal macrophages and human blood monocytes were studied. CAP were purified from rabbit peritoneal leukocytes by using as an assay the agglutination of erythrocytes coated with Re-LPS. Two proteins with CAP activity, CAP18 (18 kDa) and CAP7 (7 kDa), were isolated by acid extraction, ethanol precipitation, affinity chromatography, gel filtration, and reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. On the basis of protein sequencing, CAP7 was identified as the C-terminal fragment of CAP18, designated CAP18(106-142). Various forms of LPS (S-LPS, Re-LPS, and lipid A) activate murine macrophages and human blood monocytes to generate tissue factor (tissue thromboplastin). Incubation of LPS for 18 h with partially purified CAP (heparin-Sepharose fraction) inhibited the capacity of LPS to induce tissue factor; however, purified CAP18 inhibited about 75% of the activity of S-LPS after 1 h of incubation. CAP more effectively inhibited S-LPS than Re-LPS or lipid A. Synthetic CAP18(106-142) inhibited LPS-induced tissue factor generation by murine macrophages. CAP18(106-142) has greater LPS-binding and LPS-neutralizing activities than CAP18. We hypothesize that CAP18 and the derivative peptide, CAP18(106-142), bind to LPS and alter the capacity of LPS to initiate disseminated intravascular coagulation. In this regard, CAP may have therapeutic potential for sepsis and endotoxin shock.