Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Essays in Financial Economics

of a dissertation at the University of Miami. Dissertation supervised by Professor Alok Kumar. No. of pages in text. (148) My dissertation contains three essays in financial economics. The first essay shows that productivity shocks to the top 100 U.S. companies (as identified in Gabaix (2011)) contain systematic information. Specifically, I show that shocks to the top 100 firms predict future shocks to geographically close firms. Intra-sector trade links are an important economic channel for the cascade effect. However, these geographic spillovers are not only restricted to firms’ explicit interactions. State income tax payments is another dominant channel through which the shocks propagate. Moreover, the results indicate that market participants, including equity analysts, do not fully incorporate the geographic information contained in shocks to the top 100 firms. Consequently, a trading strategy that exploits the slow diffusion of information generates an annual risk-adjusted return of 7.5%. The second essay explores the economic impact of locally-dominant firms. In particular, we apply the Gabaix (2011) method to the U.S. states and identify firms that influence state-level business cycle (i.e., locally-dominant firms). We find that idiosyncratic shocks to locally-dominant firms, which are not among the largest 100 U.S. firms (i.e., nationally-dominant firms), explain a significant portion of local business cycle. Shocks to locally-dominant firms also impact the U.S. aggregate fluctuations. Specifically, shocks to locally-dominant companies explain over 50% of U.S. GDP growth, which is larger than the impact of nationally-dominant firms. These findings show that shocks to locally-dominant firms can have large aggregate impact on the U.S. business cycle. The third essay investigates whether equity analysts are subject to in-group favoritism when forecasting earnings of firms. Specifically, we argue that equity analysts may have less favorable views about firms that are not headed by CEOs of their own “group. ” We define groups based on gender, ethnicity, and political attitudes. Examining analysts’ earnings forecasts we find that, compared to female analysts, male analysts have lower assessments of firms headed by female CEOs than of firms headed by male CEOs. As a result, earnings surprises of firms headed by female CEOs are systematically upward biased. Results are very similar if we define in-groups based on ethnicity or political attitudes. Analysts’ “buy” and “sell” recommendations are also biased towards their own in-group. Examining cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) surrounding earnings announcements, we do not find that the market undoes this bias. To my parents, for their endless love and their passion for education.
[Factor structure of the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R): a study of dimensional versus categorical classification of autistic disorders].

OBJECTIVES This study investigated whether empirically derived dimensions of autistic behavior are consistent with the content-valid construction of the autistic behavior domains according to ICD-10 and DSM-IV (social interaction, communication and repetitive, stereotyped behavior). METHODS A principal component exploratory factor analysis routine with varimax-rotation and extraction of factors following the Scree criterion was run using data from the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) of N = 262 individuals exhibiting autism or autistic features. RESULTS A three-factor solution consisting of two socio-communicative and one language dimension and accounting for 46.1% of the total variance was found to best describe the data. These factors yielded only vague correspondence with the idea of behavior domains described in ICD-10 and DSM-IV. In addition, factor loadings of items representing repetitive, stereotyped patterns were generally weak. CONCLUSIONS The factor-analytic approach to autism indicates a conception of the disorder divergent from that defined in the contemporary psychiatric classification systems, especially regarding the area of repetitive, stereotyped behavior.
Current source inverter based traction drive for EV battery charging applications

The current source inverter (CSI) can be used in traction drives for electric vehicle (EV)/hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) applications to overcome the drawbacks of the voltage source inverter (VSI). These include the need for a costly, bulky, high performance dc bus capacitor, and other undesirable characteristics that negatively impact not only VSI and motor reliability but also motor efficiency. In addition, the CSI offers several inherent advantages that could translate into a substantial reduction in inverter cost and volume, increased reliability, a much higher constant-power speed range, and improved motor efficiency and lifetime. This paper discusses the operation of a three-phase traction drive CSI as a flexible battery charger including reactive power compensation for EV/HEV applications and presents simulation and experimental results to verify the operation principles.
Adhesion and Proliferation of Human Dermal Fibroblasts on Collagen Matrix

The purpose of this study was to evaluate adhesion and growth of human dermal fibroblasts on a 0.150 mm-thick matrix of reconstituted collagen isolated from horse tendon. Collagen was extracted and polymerized according to the standard procedures (Opocrin, Corlo, Modena, Italy). By light microscopy, the bottom surface of the matrix appeared linear and compact, whereas the superficial one was indented and less homogeneous. By scanning electron microscopy, the collagen fibrils had different diameters and the great majority of them was oriented parallel to the surface of the gel. By transmission electron microscopy, collagen fibrils showed the typical banding. Human dermal fibroblasts were seeded on the collagen matrix, previously equilibrated in growth medium. Fibroblast proliferation stopped in the second week and was always significantly lower than that of the same cell strain seeded on plastic and cultured in parallel. By light microscopy, after six days culture, cells formed a confluent multilayer on the surface of the gel. By scanning and transmission electron microscopy, fibroblasts appeared flat and adherent to the matrix. Contacts of cells among themselves and with the collagen fibrils were observed. Fibroblasts never moved into the collagen gel. In conclusion, human dermal fibroblasts can be grown in a three-dimensional matrix made by horse tendon that, on the other hand, seems to condition their proliferation rate.
Simultaneous Quantification of Multiple Food- and Waterborne Pathogens by Use of Microfluidic Quantitative PCR

ABSTRACT The direct quantification of multiple pathogens has been desired for diagnostic and public health purposes for a long time. In this study, we applied microfluidic quantitative PCR (qPCR) technology to the simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple food- and waterborne pathogens. In this system, multiple singleplex qPCR assays were run under identical detection conditions in nanoliter-volume chambers that are present in high densities on a chip. First, we developed 18 TaqMan qPCR assays that could be run in the same PCR conditions by using prevalidated TaqMan probes. Specific and sensitive quantification was achieved by using these qPCR assays. With the addition of two previously validated TaqMan qPCR assays, we used 20 qPCR assays targeting 10 enteric pathogens, a fecal indicator bacterium (general Escherichia coli), and a process control strain in the microfluidic qPCR system. We preamplified the template DNA to increase the sensitivity of the qPCR assays. Our results suggested that preamplification was effective for quantifying small amounts of the template DNA without any major impact on the sensitivity, efficiency, and quantitative performance of qPCR. This microfluidic qPCR system allowed us to detect and quantify multiple pathogens from fecal samples and environmental water samples spiked with pathogens at levels as low as 100 cells/liter. These results suggest that the routine monitoring of multiple pathogens in food and water samples is now technically feasible. This method may provide more reliable information for risk assessment than the current fecal contamination indicator approach.
The Substance of the Formal Prohibition of the Riba: Islamic Finance and the Tie with the Real Economy

Islamic Financial Institutions come up with sharia-compliant products mimicking one of their conventional counterpart. This particular development is one of the unintended consequences under the interpretation of the prohibition of interest. Islamic Finance Institutions need to find substitute for profit-generating mechanism. There is no consequential difference between ‘interestfree' and interest-bearing products on the practical level. This paper attempts to deal with the question of the interpretation of riba on a theoretical level. This paper argues that equity-financing should be preferred to debt-financing. In doing so, this paper embraces a juristic approach to arrive at the intended conclusion. However, debt-financing could be utilised where deemed appropriate and no equity-financing method is applicable to a particular project.
Accumulation of 123I-Ioflupane Is a Useful Marker of the Efficacy of Selegiline Monotherapy in Drug-Naïve Parkinson’s Disease

Background: Selegiline enhances the patient’s endogenous dopamine by inhibiting dopamine metabolism. The efficacy of selegiline monotherapy for drug-naïve Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients may depend on the degree of dopaminergic neuronal degeneration. 123I-Ioflupane single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy are diagnostic methods to assess the pharmacological and pathological changes in PD. Objective: We examined the utility of these imaging methods to predict the efficacy of selegiline monotherapy for motor symptoms in drug-naïve PD patients. Methods: We observed the efficacy of selegiline monotherapy in 28 drug-naïve PD patients and compared the improvement in motor function and the imaging findings. These patients received selegiline monotherapy, and the amount was increased to the optimal dose in clinical practice. Motor function was assessed using the Unified Parkinson’s Rating Scale (UPDRS) at baseline and at the stable dose. Imaging was performed before treatment, and the striatal Specific Binding Ratio (SBR) of the 123I-Ioflupane SPECT and the Heart-to-Mediastinum (H/M) ratio of the 123I-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy were calculated. Both ratios were compared with improvements in scores for motor assessment using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The mean UPDRS part III score significantly improved with at least 5.0 mg/day of selegiline. Further dose escalation did not improve the mean motor score. The percent improvement in the motor score from baseline showed a significant negative correlation with the SBR of average of the right and left striatum, but not with the H/M ratio. Multiple regression analysis using patient’s background factors showed that percent improvement in the UPDRS part III score directly correlate with the SBR (p = 0.04), but not with the age (p = 0.72), disease duration (p = 0.31), baseline UPDRS part III (p = 0.77) and the drug dose (p = 0.26). Conclusion: PD patients with a lower accumulation of 123I-Ioflupane in the striatum can have greater improvement with selegiline monotherapy.
Power Electronic Conditioning Systems for Industrial Photovoltaic Fields: Centralized or String Inverters?

Photovoltaic (PV) plants in Italy are presently subject to a rapid increase due to recent government incentives dedicated to grid connected PV plants. Incentives are given on the basis of the energy actually delivered to the grid, so that it becomes fundamental for the owner to produce as much energy as possible in order to reduce the payback time. In this framework, PV system efficiency plays a fundamental role. This paper focuses on medium and large size PV power systems, for which plant efficiency becomes a key design issue. In particular, the choice between centralized or distributed ("string") architecture is analyzed in terms of plant efficiency, considering the following basic issues: (1) losses in the power electronic conditioning system; (2) losses due to cable dissipation; (3) losses due to possible maximum power point mismatch.
BED BLOCKERS: A STUDY ON THE ELDERLY PATIENTS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN INDIA

A cross-sectional study of in-patients over the age of 60 years was conducted at district McGann Hospital, Shimoga on patients who were classified as bed blockers. Level of dependency and cognitive function of these patients were assessed using Barthel scale and Abbreviated mental test (AMT) respectively. Median age of the study population was 67 years; majority of them were men. Most of them were admitted in the medical ward and the median time to be labeled as bed blocker was 32 days. These bed blockers were a weak group of patients with an average 3.1 pathology per case. Majority of them suffered from neurological disorders and cardiovascular disease. High level of dependence was noted with a mean Barthel score of 29.68 (Range 0 -100). Low levels of cognitive function was also noted among these patients with a mean AMT of 4.76 (Range 0 -10). These findings demonstrate that the bed blockers in McGann hospital suffer not only from genuine health problems but also have a high dependency level in activities of daily living which hamper their discharge to the community. Community based rehabilitation using an intersectoral approach may help at least the less dependent to return home.
Cutaneous periarteritis nodosa: a clinicopathological study of 79 cases

Cutaneous periarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a well‐recognized entity characterized by tender subcutaneous nodules and livedo that may ulcerate. The pathogenesis of cutaneous PAN is not known. The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical and histological features of 79 cases of cutaneous PAN and to investigate any clinical, pathological and immunological differences that may distinguish those cases likely to have a prolonged course. A retrospective analysis of 79 cases was conducted. Thirty‐nine patients had ulcers during the course of their illness. Women were affected more than men. Painful nodules on the lower extremities, with oedema and swelling, were the most common clinical finding: 22% of patients had some evidence of neuropathy. Most of the laboratory findings were non‐specific. There was no evidence for hepatitis B infection and hepatitis C infection was present in only one patient. Most patients (60%) had no associated medical condition. The disease course was prolonged but benign, and systemic PAN did not develop in any patient. Corticosteroids given systemically induced remission in most acute cases. The ulcerative form of disease was more prolonged and frequently associated with neuropathy.
Novel vitamin D hydroxyderivatives inhibit melanoma growth and show differential effects on normal melanocytes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS To test the activity of novel hydroxyvitamin D(3) analogs (20(OH)D(3), 20,23(OH)(2)D and 1,20(OH)(2)D(3)) on normal and malignant melanocytes in comparison to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). MATERIALS AND METHODS Human epidermal melanocytes and human and hamster melanoma cells were used to measure effects on proliferation and colony formation in monolayer and soft agar. Cell morphology and melanogenesis were also analyzed. QPCR was used to measure gene expression. RESULTS Novel secosteroids inhibited proliferation and colony formation by melanoma cells in a similar fashion to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), having no effect on melanogenesis. These effects were accompanied by ligand-induced translocation of VDR to the nucleus. In normal melanocytes 1α-hydroxyderivatives (1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and 1,20(OH)(2)D(3)) had stronger anti-proliferative effects than 20(OH)D(3) and 20,23(OH)(2)D(3), and inhibited dendrite formation. The cells tested expressed genes encoding VDR and enzymes that activate or inactivate vitamin D(3). CONCLUSION Novel secosteroids show potent anti-melanoma activity in vitro with 20(OH)D(3) and 20,23(OH)(2)D(3) being excellent candidates for pre-clinical testing.
Involvement of transglutaminase 2 and voltage‐gated potassium channels in cystamine vasodilatation in rat mesenteric small arteries

Vasodilatation may contribute to the neuroprotective and vascular anti‐remodelling effect of the tissue transglutaminase 2 (TG2) inhibitor cystamine. Here, we hypothesized that inhibition of TG2 followed by blockade of smooth muscle calcium entry and/or inhibition of Rho kinase underlies cystamine vasodilatation.
Evaluation of blended learning courses: The assessment of the e-tutors

The department of e-learning at the Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt - Wien - Graz (AAU) offers lecturers the possibility to get support from qualified e-tutors for the successful implementation of e-learning and blended learning elements in their courses. The aim of the `mission e-tutor' is that they train lecturers to get used to the learning management system “Moodle” and to find tailor-made e-learning and blended concepts that support their courses and didactical conceptions in a sustainable way. Over a period of three years (starting in the summer semester 2009), a total of 41 e-tutors evaluated courses that received e-learning assistance and we received data from 364 lectures that implemented blended learning strategies. Therefore, the current paper provides a first glance at the research results and enables us to start to consider the evaluation of e-tutors blended learning courses at the AAU.
Impacts of sectoral emissions in China and the implications: air quality, public health, crop production, and economic costs

China has experienced considerable economic losses from a severe deterioration in air quality. To solve this, a comprehensive understanding of the impacts and sources of air pollution is necessary. This study aimed to quantify the environmental and human health impacts of PM2.5 and O3 pollution from the six major emission-producing sectors in China. We utilized a chemical transport model to simulate the air quality impacts engendered by sectoral emissions. The consequent impacts on public health and crop production, as well as the corresponding collateral economic costs, were quantified by concentration-response functions. The results show that the sectoral emissions in 2010 caused approximately 1 143 000 (95% confidence interval (CI): 168 000–1 796 000) premature mortalities and a 20 035 (95% CI: 6776–32 166) Gg crop production loss. Of the six sectors, the industrial sector was the largest contributor of air pollution, accounting for 36% of the total impact on health, as well as 41% of crop production loss due to O3 exposure. The impacts attributable to sectoral emissions in China were estimated to cost ∼267 (95% CI: 180–360) billion yuan (0.66% of the annual GDP). Our findings suggest an urgent need to reduce anthropogenic emissions in China, particularly those of the industrial sector. The varying characteristics of impact due to emissions of various sectors highlight the importance of evaluating cobenefits when formulating emission control policies.
MALDI‐TOF MS, a useful instrument for differentiating metallo‐β‐lactamases in Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas spp.

We have evaluated a matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) method for the identification of carbapenemases and for distinguishing metallo‐β‐lactamases (MBLs). A total of 49 noncarbapenemase‐producing and 14 carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical strains, previously characterized by PCR, were included in the study. With MALDI‐TOF MS, the presence of carbapenemases was confirmed by the detection of ertapenem hydrolysis (lost of molecular peaks: 476·5 Da, 498·5 Da, 520·5 Da and presence of degradation products) in the mixture of the bacteria with the antibiotic, and classification was achieved by selective inhibition of carbapenemase activity (the ertapenem molecular peak was maintained) with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). We obtained a good concordance among the results of PCR and MALDI‐TOF MS. This method appears to be simple, fast and reliable for distinguishing in few hours different classes of carbapenemases, which can be very useful for epidemiological studies or to establish a specific antimicrobial therapy.
1150-nm Yb-Doped Fiber Laser Pumped Directly by Laser-Diode With an Output Power of 52 W

A high power, diode pumped, all-fiber Yb-doped fiber laser at 1150-nm wavelength by using conventional double clad fiber with output power of 52.6 W and slope efficiency up to 60% is realized. To the best of our knowledge, it is the highest power at this wavelength.
Ancient class of translocated oomycete effectors targets the host nucleus

Pathogens use specialized secretion systems and targeting signals to translocate effector proteins inside host cells, a process that is essential for promoting disease and parasitism. However, the amino acid sequences that determine host delivery of eukaryotic pathogen effectors remain mostly unknown. The Crinkler (CRN) proteins of oomycete plant pathogens, such as the Irish potato famine organism Phytophthora infestans, are modular proteins with predicted secretion signals and conserved N-terminal sequence motifs. Here, we provide direct evidence that CRN N termini mediate protein transport into plant cells. CRN host translocation requires a conserved motif that is present in all examined plant pathogenic oomycetes, including the phylogenetically divergent species Aphanomyces euteiches that does not form haustoria, specialized infection structures that have been implicated previously in delivery of effectors. Several distinct CRN C termini localized to plant nuclei and, in the case of CRN8, required nuclear accumulation to induce plant cell death. These results reveal a large family of ubiquitous oomycete effector proteins that target the host nucleus. Oomycetes appear to have acquired the ability to translocate effector proteins inside plant cells relatively early in their evolution and before the emergence of haustoria. Finally, this work further implicates the host nucleus as an important cellular compartment where the fate of plant–microbe interactions is determined.
The Agile Innovation Pendulum: Family Business Innovation and the Human, Social, and Marketing Capitals

Abstract This article constitutes the first of two parts of a research aiming to investigate innovation in family businesses (FBs) and to present a consumer-focused conduit to agility in the strategic marketing multicultural context. The current article studies FBs’ innovativeness in the context of their “familiness,” focusing on the question of how FBs’ human, social/multicultural, and marketing capitals fare in comparison to non-FBs. The research findings are supportive of FBs’ potentialities, indicating an inherent “genetic” disposition towards agile innovation. The research further underlines the need for a new agility framework for FBs, to bear into consideration their transformed (agile) innovation factors and the marketing realities of contemporary business, a task undertaken by the second part of this study. Methodologically, the research retains a scientifically founded exactitude, balancing the primary, the theoretical, and the conceptual countenances through a mixed inductive-deductive approach. The current article is based on a narrative theoretical and quantitative primary data (survey) analyses. The research’s contribution relates to its uncovering of the true FBs’ innovation potentialities; its theoretical linkage to the subjects of agility, strategic marketing and consumer behavior; and their conceptual incorporation into a unified framework (the “Agile Innovation Pendulum”) with explicit scholarly and executive implications.