Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinants of bond spreads: evidence from credit derivatives of Australian firms

This paper investigates the determinants of credit spreads (levels and changes) via credit derivatives, using an Australian sample. We incorporate a number of different relationships to assess the contributions of various market-wide and firm-specific factors in determining levels, and changes in credit spreads, of corporate bonds. Using over-the-counter credit default swap (CDS) premium data as a proxy for the default risk of the entity, we find that both CDS and liquidity are priced into credit spreads, with liquidity explaining more credit spreads than credit risk (proxied using CDS premia) itself. We also find that a number of firm-specific and market-wide variables, namely, firm leverage, market-to-book ratio, market value, volatility, liquidity, the spot rate, the slope of the yield curve, the time to maturity of the underlying bond and the level and return on the All Ordinaries Index, are in many cases significant determinants of credit spreads. Finally, in additional robustness testing, a potential sample selection bias is accommodated via the Heckman ((1979) Sample selection bias as a specification error. Econometrica 47: 153–162) procedure.
Matrices of university–firm interactions in Latin America

Interactions between firms and universities are key building blocks of innovation systems. This book focuses on those interactions in developing countries, presenting studies based on fresh empirical material prepared by research teams in 12 countries from three continents. The result is a more universal and dynamic view of the shaping and reshaping of interactions between firms and universities throughout different countries and phases of development. There are dimensions of those interactions that cannot be seen in the US, Europe or Japan. There are aspects and features of interactions that cannot be seen when we investigate Uganda, China or Mexico alone. In a time of increasing internationalization, interactions between firms and universities must be investigated tracking their international linkages. Professor Richard Nelson (Columbia University) writes in his preface: "The studies reported in this book are among the first to be directed to what is going on in developing countries".
Mark-to-Market Accounting and Liquidity Pricing

When liquidity plays an important role as in times of financial crisis, asset prices in some markets may reflect the amount of liquidity available in the market rather than the future earning power of the asset. Mark-to-market accounting is not a desirable way to assess the solvency of a financial institution in such circumstances. We show that a shock in the insurance sector can cause the current value of banks' assets to be less than the current value of their liabilities so the banks are insolvent. In contrast, if historic cost accounting is used, banks are allowed to continue and can meet all their future liabilities. Mark-to-market accounting can thus lead to contagion where none would occur with historic cost accounting.
Frequency of cytochrome P450 2C9 mutant alleles in a Korean population.

AIMS To determine the frequencies of CYP2C9 variants in the Korean population and compare them with the frequencies in other ethnic populations. METHODS Genotyping of CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 allelic variants was carried out in 574 Korean subjects by PCR and restriction fragment length pattern analysis. RESULTS Thirteen of 574 subjects (2.3%) were heterozygous for CYP2C9*3 (Ile359Leu), but no subjects with a CYP2C9*2 allele or homozygous for CYP2C9*3 were identified. The allele frequency of CYP2C9*3 in Korean subjects (0.0113, 95% CI 0.0066-0.0193) was similar to that of other East Asian populations, but was considerably lower than that of Caucasian populations. CONCLUSIONS CYP2C9*3 seems to be an allelic variant related to the functional polymorphism of CYP2C9, but this variant is rarely seen among Koreans compared with Caucasians. Routine genotyping of the CYP2C9*2 allele is considered to be unnecessary in Korean and East Asians, because this allele appears to be extremely rare or absent in these populations.
Comparative analysis of Relational and Graph databases

The relational model has dominated the computer industry since the 1980s mainly for storing and retrieving data. Lately, however, relational database has been losing its importance due to its reliance on a strict schema which makes it difficult to add new relationships between the objects. Another important reason of its failure is that as the available data is growing manifolds, it is becoming complicated to work with relational model as joining a large number of tables is not working efficiently. One of the proposed solutions is to transfer to the Graph databases as they aspire to overcome such type of problems. This paper provides a comparative analysis of a graph database Neo4j with the most widespread relational database MySQL.
Comparison of Data Assimilation Techniques for a Coupled Model of Surface and Subsurface Flow

Data assimilation in the geophysical sciences refers to methodologies to optimally merge model predictions and observations. The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is a statistical sequential data assimilation technique explicitly developed for nonlinear filtering problems. It is based on a Monte Carlo approach that approximates the conditional probability densities of the variables of interest by a finite number of randomly generated model trajectories. In Newtonian relaxation or nudging (NN), which can be viewed as a special case of the classic Kalman filter, model variables are driven toward observations by adding to the model equations a forcing term, or relaxation component, that is proportional to the difference between simulation and observation. The forcing term contains four‐dimensional weighting functions that can, ideally, incorporate prior knowledge about the characteristic scales of spatial and temporal variability of the state variable(s) being assimilated. In this study, we examined the EnKF and NN algorithms as implemented for a complex hydrologic model that simulates catchment dynamics, coupling a three‐dimensional finite element Richards' equation solver for variably saturated porous media and a finite difference diffusion wave approximation for surface water flow. We report on the retrieval performance of the two assimilation schemes for a small catchment in Belgium. The results of the comparison show that nudging, while more straightforward and less expensive computationally, is not as effective as the ensemble Kalman filter in retrieving the true system state. We discuss some of the strengths and weaknesses, both physical and numerical, of the NN and EnKF schemes.
Defence and firm performance in the UK

The UK Ministry of Defence is British industry's largest single customer and a number of firms and industries are highly dependent on defence sales. Various hypotheses have been proposed about the impact of defence procurement on firms and these are investigated using four performance indicators: financial structure, investment, productivity and profitability. With regard to the borrowing ratio, capital investment and the rate of return, there is no statistically significant difference between the mean financial ratios for low and high dependence firms. However, non‐dependents appear to have a higher level and rate of growth of labour productivity than dependents.
How does mother's education affect child height ?

Many studies have demonstrated that parental education has a significant positive impact on child health. This paper attempts to identify the mechanisms through which maternal education affects one indicator of child health-height conditional on age and sex. Using data from the 1986 Brazilian Demographic and Health Survey, it is shown that almost all the impact of maternal education can be explained by indicators of access to information-reading papers, watching television, and listening to the radio. In urban areas, whether the mother is semi-literate accounts for some of the education effect. There are also significant interactions between maternal education and the availability of community services indicating that education and health services are substitutes but education and the availability of sewerage services are complements. Very little of the maternal education effect is transmitted through income.
Dynamic tracking control of mobile robot using exponential sliding mode

This paper proposes an exponential sliding mode control for trajectory tracking of nonholonomic wheeled mobile robots. A new solution to the problem of chattering in variable structure control is presented. Exponential sliding mode is defined to reduce chattering and keep high dynamic tracking performance in steady state mode for mobile robot. This algorithm instructs the robot to keep move on the desired path while reduce tracking errors. The simulation results obtained with unicycle mobile robot is presented to demonstrate the performance of exponential sliding mode controller algorithm compare to conventional sliding mode.
In vitro & in silico study of hypoglycemic potential of Pterocarpus marsupium heartwood extract

Abstract Total amount of phenols, flavonoids and tannins in methanolic extract of heartwood Pterocarpus marsupium were found to be 124.4 ± 4.6, 485.5 ± 2.7, and 71.6 ± 4.2 mg/gm of plant extract respectively. HPLC analyses of extract showed retention time at 6.2 min and FTIR analysis confirmed presence of Liquiritigenin in methanolic extract. In DPPH scavenging activity and ABTS∙+ scavenging activity, IC50 values were found to be 138.3, 12.4, 13.5 and 47.8, 3.9, 4.2 μg/mL for aqueous, methanolic extract and standard ascorbic acid respectively. In α-amylase inhibition assay and α-glucosidase inhibition assay, IC50 values for standard Acarbose, aqueous and methanolic extract of heartwood were 44.09, 166.72, 48.20 and 45.17, 172.32, 48.12 respectively. Molecular docking study showed hydrogen bonding between Liquiritigenin and catalytic triad (Asp197, Glu233, and Asp300) of α-amylase and His407 of α –Glucosidase with −5.60 and −7.10 binding energies respectively.
CMOS voltage regulator for RF energy harvester

We present initial experimental results of our low-power RF energy harvester that includes a charge pump, voltage regulator and a bandgap voltage reference in CMOS 130nm technology. The DC regulator designed for RF IC energy harvesting applications and optimized for powering implantable electronics. The internal circuit sections work with the local power supply voltage levels in the 1.5-1.9V range (worst case), and the 6. 28μW bandgap generates 459mV DC reference voltage. The complete regulator consumes typically 23. 5μW for its own operation while delivering regulated VPWR = 0.97V DC voltage.
Transthoracic Needle Biopsy: An Overview

The parallel development of cross-sectional detection and characterization of thoracic lesions with advances in biopsy needle design and increased access to expert cytopathology has led to an expanded role for image-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB) in the diagnostic evaluation of thoracic lesions. There is a growing list of indications for TNB, the most important of which is the evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule. A key preparatory step in planning TNB is conducting a preprocedural consultation with the pathologist, which maximizes the likelihood of a positive diagnostic outcome. Computed tomography (CT) has rapidly become the guidance modality of choice for performing TNB. While TNB is highly sensitive in the diagnosis of carcinoma, methods used to enhance the diagnostic yield for other neoplasms and benign conditions include coaxial needle placement for mutiple samplings, selective use of core biopsy needles to obtain histologic specimens, and the performance of ancillary tests on the aspirated material. The complications of TNB are well recognized and include pneumothorax, hemorrhage, and systemic air embolism. Although the results of recent cost-analysis studies suggest a central role for TNB in the diagnosis of the indeterminate lung lesion, the availability and yield of alternative diagnostic and therapeutic techniques including positron-emission tomography scanning and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery will determine its true utility.
Assessment of the ergonomically optimal operating surface height for laparoscopic surgery.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to find the ergonomically optimal operating surface height for laparoscopic surgery in order to reduce discomfort in the upper extremities of the operators and the assistants. The operating surface height was defined as the level of the abdominal wall of a patient with pneumoperitoneum. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two pelvi-trainer tests were performed. One test was performed on six different operating surface heights. The (extreme) joint excursions of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist were measured by a video analysis method. Another test was performed by holding a laparoscope for 15 minutes while an electromyelograph of the biceps brachii was made. The results of both tests were evaluated subjectively by a questionnaire. RESULTS The ergonomically optimal operating surface height lies between a factor 0.7 and 0.8 of the elbow height of the operator/assistant. At this height, the joint excursions stay in the neutral zone for more than 90% of the total manipulation time, and the activity of the biceps brachii when holding the laparoscope stays within 15% of the maximum muscle activity. CONCLUSIONS The operating surface height influences the (extreme) upper joint excursions of the surgeon. The ergonomically optimal operating surface height reduces the discomfort in the shoulders, back, and wrists of the surgeon during laparoscopic surgery. This optimal table height range for laparoscopic surgery is lower than those currently available.
Comparison of the ICD-10-Classification with the ICD-9-and the DSM-III-Classification of Mental Disorders

The diagnostic concepts in ICD-10 show better congruence with those in DSM-III than with those in ICD-9. The diagnostic definitions used by ICD-10 and DSM-III for the majority of diagnoses turn out to be similar; the definitions of anxiety disorders and schizoaffective disorders are, however, still at variance. Consequently, the empirical results from the WHO field trial in German-speaking countries reveal a high degree of overlap between the two systems; the degree of overlap between ICD-9 and ICD-10 was lower, but still surprisingly high overall. These empirical results support the validity of ICD-10.
Political ranks, incentives and firm performance

Managers in China’s state-owned enterprises (SOEs) keep their ranks within a political hierarchy system either explicitly or implicitly, and enjoy different kinds of welfare affiliated to these ranks. In this paper, we analyse how the political rank system works as an incentive on the managers of SOEs and empirically examine the effect of political hierarchy on firm performance. We find that the higher is the political rank of a firm’s manager, the better the firm performs. We further find that managers’ cash compensation does not increase with their political rank, suggesting that political rank provides incentives in addition to cash compensation.
Finite horizon nonlinear predictive control with integral action of rigid link manipulators

In this paper the optimal nonlinear predictive control structure with integral action is presented, which provides asymptotic tracking of smooth reference trajectories and robustness to parameters uncertainties. The controller is based on a finite horizon continuous time minimization of nonlinear predicted tracking errors. A key feature of the control law is that its implementation does not need to perform an online optimization. The proposed control scheme is applied to the trajectory-tracking problem of a rigid link manipulator. Simulations results are performed to validate the tracking performance and robustness of the proposed controller
Sound generation by turbulence and surfaces in arbitrary motion

The Lighthill-Curle theory of aerodynamic sound is extended to include arbitrary convective motion. The Kirchhoff description of a homogeneous wave field in terms of surface boundary conditions is also generalized to surfaces in arbitrary motion. The extension is at variance with the two previously published accounts of this problem which are erroneous. When both the bounding surfaces and the turbulence are compact relative to the radiated length scales, the turbulence is acoustically equivalent to a volume distribution of moving quadrupoles and the surfaces to dipole and monopole distributions. At low convective speed, their field increases as powers of the Doppler factor [1 - M,[ -1 Convective acceleration generally gives rise to new source terms at this condition. At the Mach wave condition when the Doppler factor is singular, both the turbulence and surfaces are non-compact and are acoustically equivalent to monopole distributions. Convective acceleration then tends to limit the radiation. At this condition the surface sources are quite unrelated to the low-speed sources, being second order in the field variable contrasting with the linear low-speed terms. At high supersonic convective speeds, the field is dominated by an intensive beaming along the directions of Mach wave emission that lie normal to the surface. The magnitude of the field then varies inversely as the Gaussian surface curvature. If the surface has only single curvature the field is proportional to r 12 and if it is locally plane at this condition, the field no longer decays with distance travelled. There are indications that the surfaceinduced intensity increases as the square of surface speed at high supersonic speeds.
Conglomerate Discount and Financial Constraints: A Novel View to an Old Puzzle

We study the conglomerate discount from a novel perspective. We argue that the discount – measured in terms of Tobin’s Q – far from being a sign of lower value is, instead, a sign of higher value for the conglomerate. This can be explained as conglomerates being less financially constrained than single segment firms. A financially constrained firm is forced to select only the high return investments and therefore its Q will be high. Given that single segment firms are more likely to be financially constrained than multiple segment ones, they should also display a Tobin’s Q higher than the (less constrained) equivalent division of the conglomerate. Therefore, the conglomerate discount measures not so much the lower “value” of the conglomerate firm as the higher constraints faced by single-segments firms used as benchmark. We empirically test this hypothesis by employing a novel – and purely exogenous – measure of financial constraints that is based on the relative imbalance between bond and bank capital supply in the region in which the firm is located. We focus on the US corporations from 1997 to 2004 and show that firms characterized by higher financial constraints have higher Q as they only select the more profitable investments. We then provide evidence that the lower the degree of financial constraints, the more likely it is that the firm is a conglomerate. Finally, we show a positive correlation between the size of the conglomerate discount and the degree of excess financial constraints of the conglomerate. One-standard deviation increase in the difference of financial constraints between single-segment firms used as a benchmark and the conglomerate raises the conglomerate discount by 3.31% which corresponds to 18.19% of unconditional mean. Our findings suggest a reinterpretation of the standard intuition about conglomerates in which the conglomerate discount gauges the lower degree of financially constraints of the conglomerate.
State-of-the-art cranial sonography: Part 1, modern techniques and image interpretation.

OBJECTIVE In this era of radiation awareness, high-quality ultrasound is more important than ever. Although cranial sonography equipment has advanced greatly, application of modern techniques has not been utilized in a fashion commensurate to other cross-sectional modalities. This article will describe modern cranial sonography techniques, including the utility of linear imaging, use of additional fontanels, and screening Doppler imaging. CONCLUSION When modern protocols are used, cranial sonography is highly accurate for the detection of cranial abnormalities.
Optimal size of the financial services industry in Taiwan: a new DEA-option-based merger simulation approach

In Taiwan the optimal number of financial holding companies (FHCs) has become an economic as well as political concern since 2002. This paper is different from most early papers by focusing solely on the measure of the change in synergies around the mergers of financial services companies, by using the data envelopment analysis and financial option models to simulate pro forma mergers in banking industry and to forecast the optimal number of FHCs in Taiwan. This paper extends the prior researches on optimal number of firms by simultaneously incorporating the concepts of operational efficiency and financial risks into the simulation framework, and using advanced econometric/financial methods to measure them. Results suggest a great potential for restructuring of the financial services industry in Taiwan, where the optimal number of FHCs is most likely to be eight, and 100% of corporate control is recommended as the most efficient form of corporate consolidation given the current states of the financial services industry in Taiwan.
Development of a Temperature‐Sensitive Composite Hydrogel for Drug Delivery Applications

To develop materials with improved controllability and specificity, we have investigated composite hydrogels with temperature‐sensitive properties using photo cross‐linking. Specifically, our novel composite materials are composed of nanoparticles made of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), temperature‐sensitive hydrogels, and a photo cross‐linker, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). PNIPAAm particles were synthesized by emulsion polymerization and by varying concentration of four main factors: monomers (N‐isopropylacrylamide), cross‐linkers (N, N′‐methylenebisacrylamide), surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS), and initiators (potassium persulfate). We found that the surfactant, SDS, was the most important factor affecting the particle size using the factorial design analysis. Additionally, both nano‐ and micro‐PNIPAAm particles had excellent loading efficiency (>80% of the incubated bovine serum albumin (BSA)), and their release kinetics expressed an initial burst effect followed by a sustained release over time. Furthermore, BSA‐loaded PNIPAAm nanoparticles were used to form three‐dimensional gel networks by means of a photocuring process using a photo cross‐linker, PEGDA, and a photoinitiator, Irgacure‐2959 (I‐2959). Results from scanning electron microscopy and in vitro BSA release studies from these hydrogels demonstrated that PNIPAAm nanoparticles were embedded inside the PEG polymeric matrix and the composite material was able to release BSA in response to changes in temperature. These PNIPAAm nanoparticle hydrogel networks may have advantages in applications of controlled drug delivery systems because of their temperature sensitivity and their ability of in situ photopolymerization to localize at the specific region in the body.