Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real Interest Rates and the Default Rate on High-Yield Bonds

Determinants of the aggregate default rate on high-yield bonds have been of interest at least since 1990 - 1991, when the proportion of defaulting issued reached effectively its highest level since the Great Depression. With recovery by the mid-19902, and a new record volume of issuance in 1993, analysts have wondered whether another wave of financial failures will follow. This research shows that nominal interest rates are not highly correlated with aggregate default rates on high-yield bonds. Real rates, however, significantly enhance analysts' ability to explain default rates. The effect is lagged by two years' meaning that investors can estimate future credit experience fairly accurately without having unique insights into the direction of the economy or financial markets.
Power System Stability Modes Analysis of Second-Order Resonance Point

The simplest normal form of power system is derived at the point of second-order resonant in simplest normal form theory. To solve the problem that traditional normal form coefficient at the second-order resonance point is strange. Calculation the approximate analytical solution of the power system at the second-order resonance points, fixed participation factors and analysis the formation and changing process of the dominant stability mode. Reveals the change in the dominant mode of formation of stable the physical mechanism, this change is the second-order resonance point caused by the resonance modal. The second-order resonance close to the saddle-node bifurcation is the dominant mode formation of the critical region, the formation of this change caused by the resonance term. Using a power system model verifies the above conclusions.
CONDOLENCE HOUSES IN SANLIURFA: FADING AWAY OF A TRADITION AND A CREATIVE ATTEMPT TO PRESERVE IT

ABSTRACT This article reports the results of qualitative research conducted to investigate the change in the traditional manner of giving and accepting condolences in Sanliurfa, a city with a unique sociocultural structure in the southeastern part of Turkey. Our methodology was based on direct observation of behavior and detailed, open-ended interviews with participants. This article aims to investigate the reasons for moving the condolence tradition from family homes to specially built condolence houses a decade ago and discusses the functional significance of the ceremonial events in giving and accepting condolences.
Knowledge management strategies: creating and testing a measurement scale

Some well-known researchers have supported the position that leading companies in their industries should have a knowledge management strategy focused either on 'Personalisation' or 'Codification'. According to this claim, any company that has adopted a knowledge management strategy based on both of the above, does not have the means to become a major player within its industry. This article seeks to verify this hypothesis, through the creation of a measurement scale to assess an organisation's knowledge management strategy. A nomological network based on indicators drawn from the theoretical reference material adopted is also developed, whereby confirmatory factor analysis is performed and factor scores are further calculated in order to test this measurement scale in a leading intellectual property office in Brazil. The results obtained reveal that the combination of different knowledge management approaches would appear to be more appropriate for a company in a competitive environment.
Perinatal overnutrition and the programming of food preferences: pathways and mechanisms

One of the major contributing factors to the continuous rise in obesity rates is the increase in caloric intake, which is driven to a large extent by the ease of access and availability of palatable high-fat, high-sugar ‘junk foods’. It is also clear that some individuals are more likely to overindulge in these foods than others; however, the factors that determine an individual's susceptibility towards the overconsumption of palatable foods are not well understood. There is growing evidence that an increased preference for these foods may have its origins early in life. Recent work from our group and others has reported that in utero and early life exposure to these palatable foods in rodents increased the offspring's preference towards foods high in fat and sugar. One of the potential mechanisms underlying the programming of food preferences is the altered development of the mesolimbic reward system, a system that plays an important role in driving palatable food intake in adults. The aim of this review is to explore the current knowledge of the programming of food preferences, a relatively new and emerging area in the DOHAD field, with a particular focus on maternal overnutrition, the development of the mesolimbic reward system and the biological mechanisms which may account for the early origins of an increased preference for palatable foods.
The Y-box Binding Protein YB-1 Suppresses Collagen α1(I) Gene Transcription via an Evolutionarily Conserved Regulatory Element in the Proximal Promoter*

Appropriate expression of collagen type I, a major component of connective tissue matrices, is dependent on tight transcriptional control and a number of trans-activating and repressing factors have been characterized. Here we identify the Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1) as a novel repressor of the collagen type α1(I) (COL1A1) gene. Collagen type I mRNA and protein levels decreased upon overexpression of YB-1 by transfection in NRK fibroblasts. The human, rat, and mouseCOL1A1 promoter −220/+115 contains three putative Y-boxes, one of these sites, designated collagen Y-box element (CYE), includes a Y-box plus an adjacent 3′ inverted repeat. DNase-I footprinting and Southwestern blotting with fibroblast nuclear extract demonstrated binding of several nuclear proteins across the CYE, one of which was identified as YB-1. Recombinant YB-1 bound the CYE sequence in gel shift assays with a preference for single-stranded templates. The entire sequence (−88/−48) was required for high affinity binding. Complex formation of endogenous YB-1 with the CYE was established by supershift studies. COL1A1 promoter-reporter constructs were suppressed up to 80% by cotransfection with YB-1 in a variety of cell types. In addition, CYE conferred YB-1 responsiveness on two heterologous promoters further demonstrating the importance of this repressor region. Mung bean nuclease sensitivity analysis suggested that repression is most likely exerted through changes in DNA conformation.
Ecological drift and local exposures drive enteric bacterial community differences within species of Galápagos iguanas

Diet strongly influences the intestinal microbial communities through species sorting. Alternatively, these communicates may differ because of chance variation in local microbial exposures or species losses among allopatric host populations (i.e. ecological drift). We investigated how these forces shape enteric communities of Galápagos marine and land iguanas. Geographically proximate populations shared more similar communities within a host ecotype, suggesting a role for ecological drift during host colonization of the islands. Additionally, evidence of taxa sharing between proximate heterospecific host populations suggests that contemporary local exposures also influence the gut community assembly. While selective forces such as host‐bacterial interactions or dietary differences are dominant drivers of intestinal community differences among hosts, historical and contemporary processes of ecological drift may lead to differences in bacterial composition within a host species. Whether such differences in community structure translate into geographic variation in benefits derived from these intimate microbial communities remains to be explored.
DECONTAMINATION OF PIGEONS BY INCLUSION OF CHLORTETRACYCLINE IN THE FEED.

Accompanying the increased use of pigeons in many physiological, pharmacological, psychological and other biomedical laboratories has been an increased demand for an efficient decontamination procedure. In fact, environmental health regulations at some institutions now require such a procedure before admitting birds to any laboratory. Reports appearing in the last 10 years justify this requirement; they provide ample documentation of the presence of natural ornithosis in wild pigeons and several types of domesticated pigeons including poultry, racing, homing and fancy breeds. Previous therapy programs that have had some success have used injectable tetracycline and soluble preparations administered in the drinking water. However, neither of these methods is entirely satisfactory. The injection technique requires extensive handling of possibly diseased birds and the administration of antibiotics in drinking water is not completely reliable. A more effective procedure appears to be the administration of antibiotics in solid feed. Since this method worked well in psittacine birds, the procedure was modified slightly and applied to pigeons. Its adequacy was evaluated by monitoring the blood levels of antibiotic and checking for the presence of psittacosisornithosis antibody. The details of the results have been presented elsewhere (Arnstein, Cohen, and Meyer, 1964) and are not repeated here. In summary it may be said that by the
The federal response to home mortgage distress: lessons from the Great Depression

This article examines the federal response to mortgage distress during the Great Depression: It documents features of the housing cycle of the 1920s and early 1930s, focusing on the growth of mortgage debt and the subsequent sharp increase in mortgage defaults and foreclosures during the Depression. It summarizes the major federal initiatives to reduce foreclosures and reform mortgage market practices, focusing especially on the activities of the Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC), which acquired and refinanced one million delinquent mortgages between 1933 and 1936. Because the conditions under which the HOLC operated were unusual, the author cautions against drawing strong policy lessons from the HOLC's activities. Nonetheless, similarities between the Great Depression and the recent episode suggest that a review of the historical experience can provide insights about alternative policies to relieve mortgage distress.
Environmental sustainability orientation and financial resources of small manufacturing firms in the Philippines

Purpose – This study aims to challenge the conventional view that resources determine the extent of the environmental sustainability orientation (ESO) of small firms in a developing Southeast Asian country context. First, this study attempts to develop a measurement model of ESO of small firms in the manufacturing sector in the Philippines. Second, the study explores the impact of the financial resources on the ESO of firms.Design/methodology/approach – The study uses survey data from 166 small manufacturing firms in three Philippine cities. Multiple regression modelling is used to estimate the relationships between firm resources and ESO.Findings – The results indicate that ESO is a multi‐dimensional construct with three facets – i.e. awareness of, actions for, and appreciation of environmental sustainability. The empirical evidence does not support the conventional firm resources‐ESO proposition.Research limitations/implications – A proactive ESO is not necessarily beyond the reach of resource‐constrain.
catena-Poly[[μ2-aqua-diaquabis(μ4-pyridazine-3,6-dicarboxylato)tetralithium] monohydrate]

In the polymeric structure of the title compound {[Li2(C6H2N2O4)2Li(H2O)2Li(H2O)]·H2O}n, the coordination of two independent LiI ions is distorted trigonal–bipyramidal and that of the other two independent LiI ions is distorted tetrahedral. The former two LiI ions are bridged by hetero-ring N atoms of two independent pyridazine-3,6-dicarboxylate ligands, making a dimeric moiety. The carboxylato-O atoms of both bidentate ligands bridge the dimers to adjacent independent aqua-coordinated LiI ions, forming molecular ribbons. The latter are bridged by ligand carboxylato and aqua O atoms, forming molecular layers parallel to (100) which are held together by an extended system of O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
Energy and carbon prices: a comparison of interactions in the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme and the Western Climate Initiative market

Abstract We provide a comparative analysis of how short-run variations in carbon and energy prices relate to each other in the emerging greenhouse gas market in California (Western Climate Initiative [WCI], and the European Union Emission Trading Scheme [EU ETS]). We characterize the relationship between carbon, gas, coal, electricity and gasoline prices and an indicator for economic activity, and present a first analysis of carbon prices in the WCI. We also provide a comparative analysis of the structures of the two markets. We estimate a vector autoregressive model and the impulse--response functions. Our main findings show a positive impact from a carbon shock toward electricity, in both markets, but larger in the WCI electricity price, indicating more efficiency. We propose that the widening of carbon market sectors, namely fuels transport and electricity imports, may contribute to this result. To conclude, the research shows significant and coherent relations between variables in WCI, which demonstrate some degree of success for a first year in operation. Reversely, the EU ETS should complete its intended market reform, to allow for more impact of the carbon price. Finally, in both markets, there is no evidence of carbon pricing depleting economic activity.
Estimation of Tax Capacity and Effort and Oil Revenue

In this study, the tax capacity and effort and its relationship with oil revenue of 6 selected countries member in OPEC such as Iran, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Algeria and Saudi Arabia are considered. The study has been applied by panel data within 1990-2008. According to the results of Husman test, fixed effects method was confirmed for estimation of panel data. Therefore, tax capacity model was compiled and estimated via fixed effects method. The variables affecting the tax capacity including per capita income, open economics (import and export ratio to the gross domestic product) and oil revenue ratio to gross domestic product and tax capacity with one lag were considered. The summary of the analysis indicated that the relationship between the per capita income, oil revenue to gross domestic product ratio and tax capacity with one lag and dependent variable is positive and significant. Whilst the open economics grade in the oil countries has negative and significant relationship with the tax capacity. At the next stage, the tax effort was computed for the studied countries according to the results of tax capacity model estimation. The results of this study indicated that the tax effort in Iran is placed in lower ranks than Venezuela, Algeria and with a inconsiderable difference to Saudi Arabia in the fourth rank out of six studied countries.
Exploring the central characteristics of HR shared services: evidence from a critical case study in the Netherlands

Human resource shared service centers (HR SSCs) are foreseen as improving HR service delivery for their end-users: employees, line managers and decentralized HR professionals. Although the concept expects the benefits of HR SSCs to come from centralizing knowledge and decentralizing the control exercised over an HR SSC, research into these two fundamental shared service characteristics is scarce. The purpose of this research is therefore to explore whether resource bundling, combined with business unit control over an HR SSC, is sufficient to improve HR service delivery to its end-users. Using concepts from intellectual capital and agency theory, we find that the combination of these two characteristics of shared services is not sufficient to improve HR service delivery. Rather, we suggest that (1) HR SSCs have to update the knowledge and skills of their staff; (2) end-users have to effectively maintain the codified knowledge centralized in the HR SSC; and (3) business units and the HR SSC need to collaborate in order for the benefits of an HR shared service to be realized.
Development of a Larval Bioassay Method Using 96-Well Microtiter Plates for Evaluation of Susceptibility of the Cat Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) to Insecticides

Abstract Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché)) are a common flea species mostly found on cats and dogs. They not only cause discomfort to pets and their owners but also act as important vectors for human and pet zoonoses. Over the past 15 yr, the control of cat fleas on pets has been revolutionized through the use of various treatments. At present, fipronil and imidacloprid are used for flea control in Taiwan and are available in spot-on and spray formulations. Outside Taiwan, spinosad in tablet form is also available. In this study, we examined the effects of the aforementioned three insecticides on laboratory-reared and field-collected cat flea larvae. We developed a new technique for detecting flea susceptibility using a single larval bioassay with 96-well microtiter plates via contact and oral applications. Compared to the lab strain, the field strain exhibited lower susceptibility to fipronil, with the latter showing resistance levels two to four times higher than that of the former. By contrast, no difference in susceptibility was found between the two strains when tested with spinosad and imidacloprid. Our new technique was found to be stable, standardized, more efficient, convenient, and reproducible when compared to present techniques.
Lack of analgesic effect of parecoxib following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: The cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 inhibitor, parecoxib, can be administered parenterally. The recommended dose for post‐operative use is 40 mg twice daily, which may not be the appropriate dose for the treatment of visceral pain. We studied the effect of a single dose of parecoxib of either 40 or 80 mg in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and its effect on opioid‐induced side‐effects.
Understanding Changes in MāOri Incomes and Income Inequality 1997-2003

This paper examines recent changes in weekly income levels and dispersion for Māori, New Zealand’s indigenous ethnic group. Changes in the Māori income distribution between 1997 and 2003 reflect rapid increases in economic growth and employment rate. A reduced proportion of people had zero or benefit-level incomes and a higher proportion had high incomes. Income inequality declined for working-aged Māori and was stable for employed Māori. The average income gap between Māori and Europeans declined. The increased Māori employment rate during this period was the single most important driver of changes in the Māori income distribution.
Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of organic dust components on THP1 monocytes‐derived macrophages using high content analysis

Organic dust contains pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) which can induce significant airway diseases following chronic exposure. Mononuclear phagocytes are key protecting cells of the respiratory tract. Several studies have investigated the effects of PAMPs and mainly endotoxins, on cytokine production. However the sublethal cytotoxicity of organic dust components on macrophages has not been tested yet. The novel technology of high content analysis (HCA) is already used to assess subclinical drug‐induced toxicity. It combines the capabilities of flow cytometry, intracellular fluorescence probes, and image analysis and enables rapid multiple analyses in large numbers of samples. In this study, HCA was used to investigate the cytotoxicity of the three major PAMPs contained in organic dust, i.e., endotoxin (LPS), peptidoglycan (PGN) and β‐glucans (zymosan) on THP‐1 monocyte‐derived macrophages. LPS was used at concentrations of 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, and 1 μg/mL; PGN and zymosan were used at concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 μg/mL. Cells were exposed to PAMPs for 24 h. In addition, the oxidative burst and the phagocytic capabilities of the cells were tested. An overlap between PGN intrinsic fluorescence and red/far‐red fluorescent dyes occurred, rendering the evaluation of some parameters impossible for PGN. LPS induced sublethal cytotoxicity at the lowest dose (from 50 ng/mL). However, the greatest cytotoxic changes occurred with zymosan. In addition, zymosan, but not LPS, induced phagosome maturation and oxidative burst. Given the fact that β‐glucans can be up to 100‐fold more concentrated in organic dust than LPS, these results suggest that β‐glucans could play a major role in macrophage impairment following heavy dust exposure and will merit further investigation in the near future. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 310–319, 2014.
Vinculin b deficiency causes epicardial hyperplasia and coronary vessel disorganization in zebrafish

Coronary vessel development is a highly coordinated process during heart formation. Abnormal development and dysfunction of the coronary network are contributory factors in the majority of heart disease. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate coronary vessel formation is crucial for preventing and treating the disease. We report a zebrafish gene-trap vinculin b (vclb) mutant that displays abnormal coronary vessel development among multiple cardiac defects. The mutant shows overproliferation of epicardium-derived cells and disorganization of coronary vessels, and they eventually die off at juvenile stages. Mechanistically, Vclb deficiency results in the release of another cytoskeletal protein, paxillin, from the Vclb complex and the upregulation of ERK and FAK phosphorylation in epicardium and endocardium, causing disorganization of endothelial cells and pericytes during coronary vessel development. By contrast, cardiac muscle development is relatively normal, probably owing to redundancy with Vcla, a vinculin paralog that is expressed in the myocardium but not epicardium. Together, our results reveal a previously unappreciated function of vinculin in epicardium and endocardium and reinforce the notion that well-balanced FAK activity is essential for coronary vessel development. Summary: The focal adhesion protein vinculin is required in epicardium and endocardium; its depletion leads to dysregulated FAK signalling and a phenotype mimicking dilated cardiomyopathy.
On Metrics for Mobility Oriented Self Adaptive Protocols

Mobile networks performance may be enhanced by cross-layer mechanisms. Some of those mechanisms are based on mobility metrics. For example, the establishment of a route by choosing less mobile node could improve the routing protocol. In this paper, we study the ability of mobility metrics to reflect the mobility. The proposed approach evaluates the ability of a metric from its influence over routing protocols. Three routing protocols are considered: AODV, DSR and OLSR. The studied mobility metrics are frequency of link state changes (LC), link connectivity duration (LD) and link stability metric (LS). The metrics are evaluated by simulation, firstly in a general case then in a scenario case.
Analysing Social Responsibility in Financial Companies

Although it is an accepted methodology to exclude financial companies from any comparative financial analysis of a sample of companies when performance is being analysed and this exclusion is due to the different financial structure of such organisation, it seems to have also become standard practice to exclude such companies when the analysis of corporate social disclosure is also being undertaken. The justification seems to have been merely transplanted without any firm rational ever being produced. This paper challenges this transfer of practice to show by theoretical and empirical analysis that the same assumptions do not hold and that all organisations are similar when the analysis of corporate social disclosure is also being undertaken.