Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plant level irreversible investment and equilibrium business cycles

This paper evaluates the importance of microeconomic irreversibilities for aggregate dynamics using a general equilibrium approach. To this end a real business cycle model of establishment level dynamics is formulated and analyzed. Investments decisions are subject to irreversibility constraints and consequently, are of the (S,s) variety. This complicates the analysis since the state of the economy is described by an endogenous distribution of agents. The paper develops a computational strategy that makes this class of (S,s) economies fully tractable. Contrary to what the previous literature has suggested, investment irreversibilities are found to have no effects on aggregate business cycle dynamics.
Role of prolonged intravenous heparin in unstable angina patients prior to coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND The optimal timing of coronary angioplasty in unstable angina patients is controversial. Early reports suggested using 3-5 days of intravenous heparin and aspirin for plaque stabilization before angioplasty. There is no clearcut data in this regard from the published literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether delaying the angioplasty in order to stabilize the plaque affected the outcome. METHODS We reviewed the hospital course of patients who were admitted with unstable angina through the emergency room and ruled out for myocardial infarction, and who required angioplasty during the index hospitalization. To diminish the influence of coronary stenting and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blockade, we reviewed all patients admitted during 1994. RESULTS Of the 305 patients, 166 patients received < or = 48 hours and 139 patients received > 48 hours of intravenous heparin infusion before angioplasty. Both groups were well-matched. The procedural success was similar in both the groups (98% vs 97%, P = 0.72). The complication rate was similar in both groups, including abrupt closure, emergency bypass surgery, myocardial infarction and death. Length of hospital stay was significantly prolonged in the group with > 48 hours of heparin infusion (4.4 +/- 3.0 vs 7.4 +/- 3.6 days; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION In patients with unstable angina undergoing angioplasty, prolonged duration of heparin infusion influenced the procedural outcome or postprocedural complications, but prolonged the hospital stay. These data suggest that early angioplasty of unstable angina patients is safe and may be cost-effective, even in the absence of stenting and potent antiplatelet agents. However, prospective, randomized trials are needed to clarify the need for and duration of heparin infusion prior to angioplasty in unstable angina patients.
Board Structure and Firm Performance: Evidence from Australia

ABSTRACT The influence of corporate governance on firm performance has been discussed for a number of years, but mainly in a United States and European business context. This article investigates the composition of boards of directors in large Australian firms and analyses whether board structure has an impact on performance, as measured by return on equity and market-to-book value ratio. The results showed that outsider ratio and female director ratio were positively associated with firm performance, whereas board size and directors' age had no influence on firm performance.
An Examination of the Performance of the Trades and Stock Holdings of Fund Managers: Further Evidence

Abstract Recent research has examined the performance of stocks held by U.S. mutual funds and found they realize abnormal returns. The result is significant as it stands in contrast to the general consensus from traditional performance studies that mutual funds do not possess superior information. Employing a unique dataset, I examine the performance of the monthly stock holdings and trades of a sample of Australian fund managers. When stock holdings are observable, performance measures can be constructed that are more precise than traditional fund manager performance measures. I find the stocks held by fund managers realize abnormal returns consistent with some stock selection ability across fund managers. Examining the performance of their individual trades, I find that the stocks they buy realize abnormal returns whereas for sell trades I find no evidence of abnormal returns. Overall, the results suggest fund managers have the ability to select stocks that realize positive abnormal returns thus providing out-of-sample support for similar recent findings for U.S. mutual funds.
Effect of Using Problem Solving Method in Teaching Mathematics on the Achievement of Mathematics Students

The major purpose of study was to investigate the effects of using problem solving method on students’ achievement in teaching mathematics at elementary level. Pre-test post-test design was used in the study. Results were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and t-test. From the findings it was observed that the use of problem solving method enhanced the achievement of the students in mathematics. The result showed that there was significant difference between the effectiveness of traditional teaching method and problem solving method in teaching of mathematics at elementary level. The study recommended that the teachers should be encouraged to employ problem solving method in teaching mathematical concepts like set, information handling and geometry etc. Regular training, workshops and seminars should be arranged for teachers to give them knowledge and understanding of problem based learning.
Biochemical outcome following external beam radiation therapy with or without androgen suppression therapy for clinically localized prostate cancer.

CONTEXT Combined treatment using radiation therapy (RT) and androgen suppression therapy (AST) is used to treat men with clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate, but outcome using this combined therapy compared with RT alone is not known. OBJECTIVE To determine the relative efficacy of RT plus AST vs RT alone among men with clinically localized prostate cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Retrospective cohort study of 1586 men with prostate cancer who were treated between January 1989 and August 1999 using 3-dimensional conformal RT with (n = 276) or without (n = 1310) 6 months of AST. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Relative risk (RR) of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) failure (defined according to the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology consensus statement), by treatment and high-, intermediate-, or low-risk group based on serum PSA level, biopsy Gleason score, and 1992 American Joint Commission on Cancer clinical tumor category. RESULTS Estimates of 5-year PSA outcome after RT with or without AST were not statistically different among low-risk patients (P =.09), whereas intermediate- and high-risk patients treated with RT plus AST had significantly better outcomes than those treated with RT alone (P<.001 and =.009, respectively). The RR of PSA failure in low-risk patients treated with RT plus AST was 0.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-1.1) compared with patients treated with RT alone. The RRs of PSA failure in intermediate-risk and high-risk patients treated with RT plus AST compared with RT alone were 0.2 (95% CI, 0. 1-0.3) and 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2-0.8), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest a significant benefit in 5-year PSA outcomes for men with clinically localized prostate cancer in intermediate- and high-risk groups treated with RT plus AST vs those treated with RT alone. Results from prospective randomized trials currently under way are needed to validate these findings. JAMA. 2000;284:1280-1283
High-Skilled Immigration Policy in Europe

Whether Europe will be able to stand up to its internal and external challenges crucially depends on its ability to manage its internal mobility and inflows of international migrants. Using a unique expert opinion survey, we document that Europe needs skilled migrants, and skill mismatch is to be expected. A review of current immigration policies shows that despite a number of positive recent developments Europe lacks a consistent strategy to address this challenge effectively, paralyzed by the notion of "fortress" Europe, which we argue should be abandoned. Since significant political tensions can be expected between native actors that favor and disfavor further immigration, improving European immigration policies and procedures is a formidable challenge. This task involves the need to improve Europe's image among potential migrants, especially the high-skilled ones.
Association between Glucuronidation Genotypes and Urinary NNAL Metabolic Phenotypes in Smokers

Background: The most abundant and potent carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamine in tobacco and tobacco smoke is 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). In vivo, NNK is rapidly metabolized to both the (R)- and (S)-enantiomers of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL), which possesses similar carcinogenic properties as NNK. The major detoxification pathway for both NNAL enantiomers is glucuronidation by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes including UGT2B10 and UGT2B17. The goal of the present study was to directly examine the role of UGT genotypes on urinary levels of NNAL glucuronides in smokers. Methods: NNAL-N-Gluc, (R)-NNAL-O-Gluc, (S)-NNAL-O-Gluc, and free NNAL were simultaneously and directly quantified in the urine of smokers by LC/MS analysis. Genotypes were determined by TaqMan assay using genomic DNA. Results: The functional knockout polymorphism in the UGT2B10 gene at codon 67 (Asp>Tyr) was significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with a 93% decrease in creatinine-adjusted NNAL-N-Gluc. The polymorphic whole-gene deletion of the UGT2B17 gene was associated with significant (P = 0.0048) decreases in the levels of creatinine-adjusted (R)-NNAL-O-Gluc, with a 32% decrease in the levels of urinary (R)-NNAL-O-Gluc/(S)-NNAL-O-Gluc among subjects with the UGT2B17 (*2/*2) genotype as compared to subjects with the UGT2B17 (*1/*1) genotype. Conclusions: These results suggest that functional polymorphisms in UGT2B10 and UGT2B17 are associated with a reduced detoxification capacity against NNAL and may therefore affect individual cancer risk upon exposure to tobacco. Impact: This is the first report to clearly demonstrate strong genotype–phenotype associations between both the UGT2B10 codon 67 Asp
Multiple approaches in performance assessment of UAE commercial banks

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to assess performance factors in the UAE commercial banks by using multiple approaches taking into consideration the effect of the bank size. Design/methodology/approach - The UAE banking sector is divided, for the purpose of this research, into two groups: large and small based on the total assets. The last balance sheet has been used for size classification; those with total assets of AED10 billion and above are considered large banks, whereas banks with total assets less than AED10 billion are considered small banks. This classification criteria led to a sample of 15 large and 23 small banks. The number of banks included in this study is only 38 banks due to the scarcity of available information. Data for the study cover the period from 1996 to 2005. Findings - The main findings of this study indicate that generally large banks perform better than small banks. The results partially confirmed the hypothesis that there is a positive and significant statistical difference between the small and large banks regarding bank performance indicators. Finally, the results reveal that the ratio of total equity to total assets, which reflect the importance of capital adequacy to commercial banks, is the most important performance indicator taking into account the bank size. In other words, it was the determinative factor in the classification of banks into large or small ones. Practical implications - The paper's findings support the proposition that in an environment where banks are highly fragmented, mostly small, and are not performing well, there is a need to consolidate the operations of some of these banks. That is, small banks, and even large ones, might be better off, if they are merged into one major institution in order to reduce waste and improve efficiency. Originality/value - The paper will be of value to UAE banks and those interested in investment in the UAE financial markets.
Signaling through human killer cell activating receptors triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of an associated protein complex

Our understanding of the biology of human natural killer (NK) cells has significantly advanced in recent years upon identification of a family of NK cell‐expressed genes that encode killer cell inhibitory receptors (KIR). Individual KIR can selectively bind various HLA class I allotypes and consequently transduce inhibitory signals that block NK cell lysis of ligand‐bearing target cells. A distinct subset of related and linked genes express truncated versions of KIR that are otherwise highly homologous in amino acid sequence. Interestingly, these receptors appear to transmit stimulatory signals into NK cells and have been termed killer cell activating receptors (KAR). In this report, we demonstrate that recognition of HLA‐Cw3 by the p50 KAR, NKAT8, can potentiate the cytotoxic response of appropriate NK cell clones. Specific cross‐linking of this KAR with a monoclonal antibody resulted in intracellular calcium mobilization, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and phosphorylation of the MAP kinases, ERK1 and ERK2. In addition, we identified a KAR‐associated disulfide‐linked dimer of a 13‐kDa protein that was absent in the Jurkat T cell line and is predicted to participate in these activation signaling events. Upon treatment of NK cells with pervanadate, the disulfide‐linked p13 and additional proteins of 25, 30, 37 and 50 – 95 kDa were identified as KAR‐associated tyrosine phosphoproteins. Importantly, p13 was inducibly tyrosine phosphorylated upon cross‐linking of NKAT8, which strongly suggests that the associated p13 provides KAR with appropriate cytoplasmic structure to couple with tyrosine kinase‐mediated signaling effectors.
[Relationships between psychosocial factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders in coal miners].

OBJECTIVE To estimate the associations of psychosocial factors with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), providing scientific evidence for targeted strategies for the prevention of WMSDs in Chinese coal miners. METHODS A total of 500 coal miners were consecutively enrolled to this cross-sectional study. The prevalence of WMSDs was assessed using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between psychosocial factors and WMSDs. RESULTS Among coal miners, of 277 coal miners, 61% self-reported WMSDs in a 12-month period. Especially, back pain was the most frequent musculoskeletal symptom. WMSDs were statistically correlated with high job demands (OR = 1.3, 95%CI: 1.3 ∼ 3.5), low job control (OR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.0 ∼ 2.4), low level of interpersonal relations (OR = 1.9, 95%CI: 1.2 ∼ 3.0) and low job satisfaction (OR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.0 ∼ 2.4). CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate psychosocial factors were associated with WMSDs among coal miners, and psychosocial factors be considered for the prevention of WMSDs.
A transaction costs approach to community participatory development: Orthodox theory vs reality in traditional communities in Mexico.

This thesis examines the obstacles that communities have to confront, and the solutions they have made use of to organise and sustain community participation for service provision. Orthodox participatory theory assumes that communities have the knowledge and the appropriate attitudes to manage participatory projects effectively. This thesis questions these assumptions by using Transaction Cost Theory to understand the failures and successes of Community Participatory Development (CPD). Participant observation in three traditional rural Mexican communities demonstrated that the assumptions of self-reliant participatory development theory overlook important problems, such as unequally distributed and limited information, limited resources and skills, opportunistic attitudes and conflicts of interest. These problems generate cooperation costs in terms of time, effort and other material and intangible resources. We argue that the larger these costs, the less likely it is that community participation will succeed unless effective incentives are created to overcome them. This is so, because rural people intend to be rational and self-interested individuals, who will only involve themselves in collective action if they expect the benefits to exceed the costs. However, we argue, that rationality is institutionally bounded, and that local institutions play a central role in determining choices and behaviour. Therefore, successful community participation is directly related to communities' capacity to use institutional arrangements to deal with the costs of cooperation and specially to reconcile private and collective interests. This thesis shows that institutional arrangements that sanction opportunism, and shape individual behaviour in favour of the collective interest are needed for collective action to arise. These institutional solutions involve sanctions and hierarchies to ensure successful projects, problems ignored by populist participatory theories. By so doing, this thesis builds an alternative and more critical model for the analysis of participation theory, and presents a new perspective on the possibilities and limitations of Transaction Costs Economics.
The Rapid Rise of Supermarkets in Costa Rica: Impact on Horticultural Markets

The supermarket sector in Costa Rica used to be a small retail segment, financed primarily by domestic capital and consisting in the 1980s mainly of supermarket co–operatives in the capital city focused on the upper–income segment of the market. It is now a major segment, dominating half the retail sector, expanded to towns and poorer customers and composed mainly of private firms in joint ventures with foreign capital. Moreover, it has been drawn into the regional economy, with the formation of the giant chain of CSU, La Fragua and Royal Ahold, operating in five countries. This rapid development has affected various agrifood supply chains through innovations in procurement systems, as illustrated by fresh fruit and vegetables.
Environmentally induced changes in carotenoid‐based coloration of female lizards: a comment on Vercken et al.

Colouration may either reflect a discrete polymorphism potentially related to life‐history strategies, a continuous signal related to individual quality or a combination of both. Recently, Vercken et al. [ J. Evol. Biol. (2007) 221 ] proposed three discrete ventral colour morphs in female common lizards, Lacerta vivipara, and suggested that they reflect alternative reproductive strategies. Here, we provide a quantitative assessment of the phenotypic distribution and determinants of the proposed colour polymorphism. Based on reflectance spectra, we found no evidence for three distinct visual colour classes, but observed continuous variation in colour from pale yellow to orange. Based on a 2‐year experiment, we also provide evidence for reversible colour plasticity in response to a manipulation of the adult population sex ratio; yet, a significant portion of the colour variation was invariant throughout an adult female’s life. Our results are thus in agreement with continuous colour variation in adults determined by environmental factors and potentially also by genetic factors.
Growth Due To Globalization

This article presents a growth model including geographical space and transportation costs in which the geographical area where firms sell their product is endogenous. Growth is generated by the expansion of trade and there is a positive relationship between degree of openness and income level. The model explains why economies become increasingly more open and why the degree of openness is not robustly correlated with growth. In contrast to other growth models, investment in transport infrastructure plays an important role and the size of the country does not affect growth. Copyright 2003 By The Economics Department Of The University Of Pennsylvania And Osaka University Institute Of Social And Economic Research Association.
How Constitutive Legitimation, Sociopolitical Legitimation, and Competition Affected Foundings of Singapore Hotels, 1832 to 1997

This study examines the evolution of the hotel industry in Singapore from 1832 to 1997. Specifically, the methodology of organizational ecology is used to analyze the pattern of foundings (i.e., entries) in the industry. The analyses indicate that constitutive legitimation (taken-for-granted status) has a positive impact on the founding rate, whereas competition has a negative effect. There is also evidence that various processes of sociopolitical legitimation (governmental endorsement) encourage foundings. Additionally, mass (the aggregate number of hotel rooms) is observed to lower the founding rate; however, there is no evidence that visitor arrivals affect hotel foundings.
Serum levels of leptin and proinflammatory cytokines in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

The aim was to investigate the serum levels of leptin, TNF‐alpha, IL‐1 beta, IL‐6, insulin, and growth hormone in patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer and cachexia. A total of 39 patients with various advanced stage (stage IV) gastrointestinal malignancies were enrolled. These cancer patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of cachexia. Fifteen healthy adults were recruited as the control group. Body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) was calculated. Serum leptin, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α interleukin (IL)‐1 beta, interleukin (IL)‐6, growth hormone, insulin, glucose, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and CRP were measured. In both cancer groups (cachectic and non‐cachectic) body mass index and serum leptin levels were lower than controls (p < 0.001). Serum IL‐1 beta, IL‐6, and growth hormone levels were higher in both cachectic and non‐cachectic groups than those of controls (p < 0.05). Serum TNF‐α level in non‐cachectic group was also significantly higher than in control group (p < 0.01). There is no significant difference between three groups in terms of insulin resistance as assessed by HOMA index. Our results showed that some proinflammatory cytokine levels were increased and leptin level was decreased due to upper gastrointestinal cancers. Increased cytokine levels may lead to decreased food intake and caused a weight loss.
Trust and Trustworthiness in Anonymous Virtual Worlds

Virtual communities like Second Life (SL) represent an economic factor with increasing potential, but may induce behavior that deviates from real-world experience. This article introduces a new experimental design that is based on the trust game (Berg, Dickhaut, & McCabe, 1995), but eliminates the problem of multiple virtual identities. One treatment of the experiment in the virtual world SL was conducted and the results compared to the First Life (FL) control treatment, which was conducted on a university campus. In SL, significantly lower investment levels were found, but significantly higher average returns were found than in the FL treatment or in the literature. It is conjectured that the disparity between trusting and trustworthy behavior is a sign that the social structure in SL is still evolving. It seems plausible that the trustors in a young and developing society cautiously test the extent of trustworthiness, whereas the trustees strategically invest in levels of trustworthiness that are higher than in settled societies to build up a trustworthy environment.