Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microprudential Regulation in a Dynamic Model of Banking

This paper studies the quantitative impact of microprudential bank regulations on bank lending and value metrics of efficiency and welfare in a dynamic model of banks that are financed by debt and equity, undertake maturity transformation, are exposed to credit and liquidity risks, and face financing frictions. We show that (1) there exists an inverted U-shaped relationship between bank lending, welfare, and capital requirements, (2) liquidity requirements unambiguously reduce lending, efficiency, and welfare, and (3) resolution policies contingent on observed capital, such as prompt corrective action, dominate in efficiency and welfare terms (noncontingent) capital and liquidity requirements.
Shopping on Social Networking Web Sites

ABSTRACT Assuming that shopping is a business area into which U.S. social networks can expand, this study explores whether and how factors affecting shopping attitudes on social networking sites may differ according to product type. This study focuses on two types of items that social networking sites carry: real and virtual. It reveals that shopping services have different target consumers and factors according to product type. Age, usefulness, ease of use, security, and fit are critical in establishing favorable attitudes toward shopping for real items. For virtual items, gender, social networking site experience, ease of use, and fit influence the attitudes.
Stress proteins HSP27 and HSP70i predict survival in non-small cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The expression pattern of stress (heat shock) proteins (HSPs) in cancer cells is frequently different from that observed in normal cells; most often some stress-inducible HSPs are constitutively and highly expressed. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of stress proteins HSP70i and HSP27 in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS An immunohistochemical procedure that enables unambiguous detection of HSP70i protein was used. RESULTS Strong HSP70i staining showed a survival advantage, although multivariate analysis did not confirm this result. There was an evident correlation between HSP27 overexpression and survival of patients and the results were confirmed by multivariate analysis: 70% of patients with HSP27-negative tumors died within one year after the surgery. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that HSP27 and HSP70i positivity may represent a favorable prognostic factor in NSCLC.
Mortgage Default, Foreclosure, and Bankruptcy

In this paper we examine the relationship between homeowners' bankruptcy decisions and their mortgage default decisions and the relationship between homeowners' bankruptcy decisions and lenders' decisions to foreclose. In theory, both relationships could be either substitutes or complements. Bankruptcy and default tend to be substitutes because homeowners' budgets are limited and, if they spend less on payments to unsecured lenders, then they have more money to pay their mortgages. But bankruptcy and default may also be complements if homeowners use bankruptcy to reduce the cost of defaulting on their mortgages. Bankruptcy and foreclosure similarly may be either substitutes or complements. In fact we show that both relationships are complementary, although homeowners reacted to the 2005 bankruptcy reform by treating them as substitutes. We also show that bankruptcies, defaults and foreclosures all tend to spread, i.e., higher bankruptcy rates in the neighborhood raise homeowners' probability of filing, higher default rates raise homeowners' probability of defaulting, and higher foreclosure rates raise homeowners' probability of foreclosure. We provide estimates of the size of these effects. The paper argues that these relationships have important public policy implications. In particular, foreclosures have very high social costs, and some of these costs are external to both borrowers and lenders. As a result, there is a social gain from discouraging bankruptcies, since fewer bankruptcies mean fewer defaults and foreclosures. We show that these considerations shift optimal bankruptcy law in a pro-creditor direction, because pro-creditor bankruptcy policies reduce the number of filings and therefore reduce foreclosures. But the same considerations shift other policies that affect bankruptcy in a pro-debtor direction. This is because pro-debtor shifts in, for example, wage garnishment policy reduce the number of bankruptcy filings and therefore reduce foreclosures.
Some guidelines for financial planners in measuring and advising clients about their levels of risk tolerance

The aim of this article is to provide advisers and planners in the financial services industry with an outline of the key issues to consider as they develop an understanding of the risk tolerance of their clients. Risk tolerance is the assumed level of risk that a client is willing to accept. Through gaining an accurate assessment of a client’s risk profile, an adviser can develop a tailored financial plan that better reflects the client’s perception of the acceptable trade-off between risk and the compensation required for bearing risk. By making the client’s risk tolerance explicit and understandable, the planner is able to help the client identify any mismatch between psychological and financial needs, then work with the client to make any trade -offs that might be required. However, in contrast to the views of some financial writers, it is argued that risk tolerance is a complex attitude that requires the use of a sophisticated and complete assessment process. Most importantly, the use of a scientifically developed measure of risk tolerance within a structured process set up by the financial planner provides the best approach to determine the risk tolerance of clients. A risk tolerance test score or profile provides the adviser with a good basis upon which to explore further in the interview the type of investments that a client is most likely to find to be acceptable. In addition, using a test of risk tolerance that has established test norms allows the adviser and client to understand how a client’s level of risk tolerance compares to other people who have completed the same profile. Finally, the article raises other issues that need to be considered in assessing the risk tolerance of a client, including the format and wording of a measure of risk tolerance, when to give the test, ethical and practical issues in managing test results, and using the use of a measure of risk tolerance with a couple.
Initial single-pill combination therapy for cardiovascular risk factor management: it is not just convenience.

S ince the advent of single-pill combination (SPC) therapy for hypertension [1], it is well established that achievement of blood pressure goals is far more likely to be achieved with SPC than maximal dose monotherapy [2]. Even in the general population with hypertension, a second agent is needed in most people to achieve blood pressure (BP) goals about 76% of the time as indicated by the results of ALLHAT [3]. Patients with comorbid conditions such as diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney or coronary artery disease generally require three or four antihypertensive agents to achieve BP targets [4,5]. In the Hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT) study, an average of 3.3 drugs were required in patients randomized to a DBP goal of 80mmHg or less [6]. Likewise, in the only SPC outcome trial, the Avoiding Cardiovascular Events Through Combination Therapy in Patients Living with Systolic Hypertension (ACCOMPLISH), one-third of patients received additional BP-lowering treatment in spite of being randomized to SPC for BP management [7]. ACCOMPLISH also demonstrated the highest BP control rate, that is 81%, of any outcome trial previously performed. Despite the evidence from these trials, most physicians are not taught how to use SPC for cardiovascular risk factor management in training programmes. In fact, many drug coverage programmes around the world barely fund SPC relying on the more traditional add-on therapy programme. Hence, the percentage of patients achieving adequate BP control worldwide remains unacceptably low [8]. The main causal factors involved are the number of prescribed medications and dosing time-points, especially in elderly
Characterization of phenoloxidase activity from spider Polybetes pythagoricus hemocyanin.

Hemocyanin of the spider Polybetes pythagoricus, in addition to its typical role as an oxygen transporter, also exhibits a phenoloxidase activity induced by micellar concentrations of SDS. In the present work, we found the kinetic parameters Km and Vmax of Polybetes pythagoricus hemocyanin (PpHc) PO activity to be 0.407 mM and 0.081 µmolmin(-1) mg protein(-1) , respectively. Dopamine was used as the substrate with SDS at a final concentration of 10 mM and a 30-min incubation at 25°C. Conformational changes in Hc associated with the SDS treatment were analyzed using far-UV circular dichroism, intrinsic fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy. The secondary and tertiary structural changes of PpHc induced by SDS led to increases in α-helical content and tryptophan fluorescence intensity. A reduction in the absorption spectrum at 340 nm in the presence of SDS was also observed. These results suggest that the SDS-induced PO activity of PpHc can be ascribed to conformational changes in the local environment of the typer-3 copper active site.
A systematic review of technology-assisted interventions for co-morbid depression and substance use

Introduction Mental health interventions disseminated via, or accessed using, digital technologies are an innovative new treatment modality for managing co-morbid depression and substance use disorder. The present systematic review assessed the current state of this literature. Methods A search of the Cochrane Library, Embase, Pubmed, PsycInfo and Scopus databases identified six eligible studies (Nparticipants = 862), utilising quasi-experimental or randomised controlled designs. Reporting quality was evaluated and Hedges’ g effect sizes (with 95% confidence intervals and p-values) were calculated to determine treatment effectiveness. Process outcomes (e.g. treatment satisfaction, attrition rates) were also examined. Results Quality ratings demonstrated high internal validity, although external validity was low. Effect size data revealed medium to large and short-term improvements in severity of depression and substance use symptoms in addition to global improvement in social, occupational and psychological functioning. Longer-term treatment effectiveness could not be established, due to the limited available data. Preliminary findings suggest that there was high client satisfaction, therapeutic alliance and client engagement. Discussion Mobile phone devices and the Internet can help to increase access to care for those with mental health co-morbidity. Large-scale and longitudinal research is, however, needed before digital mental healthcare becomes standard practice. This includes establishing critical therapeutic factors including optimum levels of assistance from clinicians.
Bubble‐column and airlift photobioreactors for algal culture

Bubble columns and airlift photobioreactors can be useful for culturing phototrophic organisms requiring light as a nutrient. Light availability in bubble columns and airlift devices is influenced by aeration rate, gas holdup, and the liquid velocity (mixing and turbulence). The photosynthetically generated oxygen also needs to be removed, as excessive dissolved oxygen suppresses photosynthesis. Oxygen removal capacity is governed by the magnitude of the overall gas–liquid mass-transfer coefficient, kLaL. This work characterizes the relevant hydrodynamic and mass-transfer parameters in three air-agitated reactors: bubble column, split-cylinder airlift device and concentric draft-tube sparged airlift vessel. The reactors are then evaluated for culture of the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum. All reactors were about 0.06 m3 in working volume, and the working aspect ratio was about 10. Data were obtained in tap water for a base-line comparison and in Mediterranean seawater, as a potential medium for algal culture. A theoretical relationship was developed and proved between kLaL and the aeration rate. In addition, a method based on mechanistic relationships was proved for predicting the liquid circulation velocity and kLaL in airlift reactors. Existing correlations applied satisfactorily to gas holdup and kLaL data obtained in the bubble column. Aqueous solution of sodium chloride (0.15 M) closely resembled seawater in terms of its hydrodynamics and oxygen transfer behavior. Under the conditions tested, all three reactors attained a biomass concentration of about 4 kg·m−3 after ∼260 h. The mean maximum specific growth rate was 0.022 h−1 in all cases at a power input of 109 W·m−3.
Pluripotent Adult Stem Cells: A Potential Revolution in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells defined by their abilities to self-renew and differentiate into mature cells. Stem cells found in fully developed tissues are defined as adult stem cells. The function of adult stem cells is the maintenance of adult tissue specificity by homeostatic cell replacement and tissue regeneration (Wagers and Weissman, 2004). Adult stem cells are presumed quiescent within adult tissues, but divide infrequently to generate a stem cell clone and a transiently-amplifying cell. The transiently-amplifying cells will undergo a lim‐ ited number of cell divisions before terminal differentiation into mature functional tissue cells. The existence of adult stem cells has been reported in multiple organs; these include: brain, heart, skin, intestine, testis, muscle and blood, among others. This chapter focuses on four adult stem cell populations: hematopoietic, mesenchymal, periodontal ligament-de‐ rived, and spermatogonial (Table 1).
Reforming Local Government Institutions and the New Public Management

This chapter discusses institutional local government reforms, particularly those inspired by the New Public Management, in an internationally comparative perspective. Since the late 1970s the reform of municipal administration has been formulated and encouraged by a conceptual current that developed into the internationally known and infl uential New Public Management ( Hood 1991 ). Emerging out of New Zealand and Australia into the UK, and rapidly expanding particularly into AngloSaxon countries, the New Public Management (NPM) reform program focused on three points ( Pollitt and Bouckaert 2003 , 2011 ). First, NPM was imbued with the neoliberal policy directed at rolling back the welfare state, including its local government dimension, to a lean state format by reducing functions and by privatizing as many tasks as could be taken over by the market. Second, it postulated that the production and delivery of the remaining public functions should be outsourced and contracted to NGOs or private providers by way of competitive tendering.
The Product Life Cycle: A Paradigm for Understanding Financial Management

The product life cycle has been overlooked by academicians who examine the financial aspects of corporate behavior and teach finance. This article demonstrates how the life cycle concept can be used to enhance both research and teaching by demonstrating how key financial variables, such as market returns, beta, book-to-market value, dividend payout ratios and others. can be expected to change over the course of a firm 's life cycle. These variables capture the essence of corporate growth. The statistical results from a sample of 981 firms suggest that the life cycle provides unique insights for evaluating corporate growth and performance, and corporate risk and return.
Length of Hospital Stay After Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Introduction and Aim: Post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) length of hospital stay (LOHS) is one of the key modifiers of hospital cost and quality assessment. Commencing 2000, the cardiovascular services at our institution engaged in a continuous quality improvement program to reduce post-PCI LOHS. Methods: All PCI patients were screened for potential early discharge. An expedited discharge protocol was applied to all suitable patients. Length of hospital stay and other outcomes were monitored daily. Data were compiled and reported monthly and quarterly by an independent chart review and data analysis team. Results: Over the study period, PCI volume increased 4-fold. Annually, 61.8% to 78.4% of the patients were rendered suitable for abbreviated LOHS. Timely discharge of suitable candidates gradually improved from 77.6% (n = 116) discharged within 48 hours in 2000 to 95% (n = 480) discharged within 30 hours in 2006. Conclusion: With the appropriate continuous quality improvement program, 30-hour post-PCI discharge is feasible in more than 95% of suitable cases.
Platelet indices in athletes performing a race in altitude environment

Physical activity could modify platelet count and platelet indices. Previous reports showed modifications after exercise linked to type and duration of sports performances. The shortage of studies in this field stems from the crucial methodological problem of EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)‐dependent, mean platelet volume modifications: the published data on platelets count and indices were obtained by using a light‐scattering system without standardization of the period elapsed from drawing to measurement. We present a study of platelet indices performed in athletes participating in an extreme' performance, a race of 30 km in altitude (6,700 m of ascents and descents), using standardized measurement by an aperture‐impedance instrument transferred in the field. The platelet count and mean platelet volume significantly increased in athletes, whereas platelet distribution width decreased. The mean initial values were 240.6*109/L for platelet count, 8.79 fL for mean platelet volume, and 15.79% for platelet distribution width. The correspondent mean final values were 288.4*109/L, 9.14 fL, and 15.48%. The modifications of platelet count and indices were always in the physiological reference range. The entity and the rapidity of platelet count and indices modifications suggest that the more probable source of variation is the recruitment of noncirculating pools of mature platelets. Strenuous exercise does not show abnormal changes of platelet parameters. ©1995 wiley‐Liss, inc.
Macrophage involvement for successful degeneration of apoptotic organs in the colonial urochordate Botryllus schlosseri

SUMMARY Apoptosis is an important tool for shaping developing organs and for maintaining cellular homeostasis. In the colonial urochordate Botryllus schlosseri, apoptosis is also the hallmark end point in blastogenesis, a cyclical and weekly developmental phenomenon. Then the entire old generation of zooids are eliminated (resorbed) by a process that lasts 24–36 h. Administration of the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) resulted in resorption being arrested by 1–8 days on average. At high doses (2.5–15.0 mg BHT l-1) resorption was completed only after removal of BHT. Colonies that were not removed in time, died. In treated colonies, although DNA fragmentation was high, tissues and organs that would normally have died, survived, and the general oxidative levels of lipids were reduced. Blood vessels were widened, containing aggregates of blood cells with a significantly increased proportion of empty macrophage-like cells without inclusion. In colonies rescued from BHT treatment, resorption of zooids started immediately and was completed within a few days. We propose three possible mechanisms as to how BHT may affect macrophage activity: (1) by interrupting signals that further promote apoptosis; (2) through the respiratory burst initiated following a phagocytic stimulus; and (3) by reducing lipid oxidation and changing cell surface markers of target cells. Our results point, for the first time, to the role of phagocytic cells in the coordination of death and clearance signals in blastogenesis.
Recently introduced Aedes albopictus in Corsica is competent to Chikungunya virus and in a lesser extent to dengue virus

Aedes albopictus has been established in Europe for some decades rendering temperate countries vulnerable to tropical diseases. The Italian chikungunya (CHIK) outbreak in the summer of 2007 demonstrated that indigenous transmission of CHIK was possible in Europe. To estimate the risk of a CHIK outbreak in Corsica, we assessed the vector competence of A. albopictus established in the island since 2006 towards a CHIK variant (E1‐A226V). A dengue serotype 2 virus was also tested. Experimental infections showed that A. albopictus was highly competent to CHIK virus (disseminated infection rates ranging from 75% to 100%) and to a lesser extent, to dengue virus (12.5–68.8%). Moreover, A. albopictus ensured a high level of viral replication and was able to transmit the virus as early as 2 days after ingestion of infected blood with around 1 000 viral RNA available in salivary glands. The risk for a local transmission of CHIK is thus likely in Corsica, if other parameters determining the vector capacity of A. albopictus are suitable.
Cooperating multiple behavior-based robots for object manipulation

A multiple vehicle robot system for cooperative object manipulation is described. This system consists of a host and several distributed behavior-based vehicle robot agents. A strategy on cooperatively organizing the behavior-based robots which only have limited ability in manipulation is discussed. An extended subsumption architecture, which has some layers for manipulation and cooperation, is built for each vehicle robot. A simulator and some simulation results are also shown. <<ETX>>
Is it all about the money

For a long time cultural organizations were focused on receiving legitimacy from the government. Current developments demonstrate that the government is stepping back. Cultural organizations need to search for other resources. The aim of this research is to explore the field of corporate support in the form of partnerships. By creating a framework of different points of view, values and motives, new insights are provided on the positions and perspectives of cultural organizations and corporations in The Netherlands. The research question of this study is stated as followed: In what way are the cultural and corporate fields connecting in The Netherlands and which difficulties and opportunities are emerging in pursuing a partnership? The cultural economic perspectives on values, spheres, motives, cultural entrepreneurship and the gift economy are used to provide an insight on the issue. To obtain information about the connection, a qualitative research has been conducted. On the basis of eight in-depth qualitative interviews with professionals within the commercial and cultural field, a data generation of perspectives on the subject is presented. Consequently, the theoretical framework is reflected on the findings of the empirical study. The analysis of the fields demonstrates that cultural organizations are mainly focused on the economic value of corporations, while corporations are pursuing partnerships based on the concept of reciprocity. In addition corporations are searching for the perfect match of the social and cultural values. Their main question is what are both parties gaining from the partnership. Cultural organizations are too much focused on the inside and their cultural values. Corporations move in the market sphere, but this sphere cannot work independently from the social sphere. Building business relationships or a network takes place in the third sphere, the social sphere where people share feelings and values. Cultural organizations are in need of people who understand these issues. In order to connect they need to speak the language and have knowledge of the conditions. The cultural entrepreneur could be the person that makes the connection.