Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic specification and misspecification in systems of demand equations: a testing strategy for model selection

The purpose of this study is to describe a misspecification testing strategy that is designed to ensure the appropriateness of the statistical assumptions underlying a system of equations. A systemwise test approach is used to test the statistical assumptions. The systemwise tests take into account information in, and interaction between, all equations in the system and can be used in a wide variety of applications where systems of equations are estimated. If the systemwise test leads to rejection, single equation F-test will then be used to help identify specific problems. The systemwise testing approach is illustrated by modelling Swedish consumer demand for milk. The example illustrates how the approach can be used to solve issues regarding dynamic specification of models, structural change and other forms of model misspecification.
Paying for Good Neighbours: Estimating the Value of an Implied Educated Community

By definition, spillovers across households in residential communities mean that people incur costs from living in neighbourhoods where a high proportion of households suffer deprivation, regardless of their own economic circumstances. To verify the existence of intracommunity spillovers, this paper shows that home-owners in England and Wales are prepared to pay a substantial premium to avoid educationally poor neighbourhoods. An increase of 1 per cent in the proportion of higher-educated residents in a community, relative to the regional mean, increases prices by 0.24 per cent. One interpretation of this educational elasticity is that it estimates the social benefits of education in the local community. A hedonic approach is used, paying careful attention to the endogeneity of neighbourhood characteristics in a property price model.
A stepwise refinement classification method of remote sensing image based on feedback strategies

This paper focus on two phenomena that "same spectrum with different objects" and "same object with different spectra" in multispectral remote sensing image, and propose a stepwise refinement classification method based on multi-sensitive strategies. It's a top-down, gradually refinement hierarchical way of classification which combines with advantages of both supervised classification and unsupervised classification: by analyzing the characteristic of spectrum curve, cluster and find out the band combinations with big characteristic differences as the guidance of classification; according to spectral characteristics of different bands combinations, choose different methods for further fine classification. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieved the high accurate classification of multispectral remote sensing images and effectively overcome the both above phenomena. Furthermore, the overall accuracy and kappa coefficient also confirm its superior performance.
The Competitive Imperative of Harmonisation with International Accounting Standards

Substantial harmonisation of Australian and international accounting standards may be a fact by the end of 1998. It is hoped that as part of the process, international standards may come to reflect what Australian standard-setters regard as best practice. The harmonisation program will have a significant effect on the competitiveness of our financial services industry and of many of our internationally competing companies.
Family Businesses’ Contribution to the U.S. Economy: A Closer Look

In 1995, we were commissioned to conduct research on the impact of family businesses on the U.S. economy. A search of all relevant research led to the conclusion that the majority of existing data relating to family businesses’ economic contributions were not grounded in empirical research, and the definitions used to distinguish family businesses from other enterprises were ambiguous or non-existent. In 1996, we published a paper providing a framework for assessing the economic impact of family businesses across three ranges, defined by the degree of family involvement in the businesses. This paper revisits that research and updates and improves the original findings based on more recent data.
Baumeister , Christiane ; Guérin , Pierre ; Kilian , Lutz Working Paper Do high-frequency financial data help forecast oil prices ?

The substantial variation in the real price of oil since 2003 has renewed interest in the question of how to forecast monthly and quarterly oil prices. There also has been increased interest in the link between financial markets and oil markets, including the question of whether financial market information helps forecast the real price of oil in physical markets. An obvious advantage of financial data in forecasting oil prices is their availability in real time on a daily or weekly basis. We investigate whether mixed-frequency models may be used to take advantage of these rich data sets. We show that, among a range of alternative high-frequency predictors, especially changes in U.S. crude oil inventories produce substantial and statistically significant real-time improvements in forecast accuracy. The preferred MIDAS model reduces the MSPE by as much as 16 percent compared with the no-change forecast and has statistically significant directional accuracy as high as 82 percent. This MIDAS forecast also is more accurate than a mixed-frequency realtime VAR forecast, but not systematically more accurate than the corresponding forecast based on monthly inventories. We conclude that typically not much is lost by ignoring high-frequency financial data in forecasting the monthly real price of oil. JEL Classification Codes: C53, G14, Q43.
The Domestic Sources of Differences in Labour Market Policies

In this article we analyse what drives both the specific choices and the relative amount of change in labour market policies in two countries, Britain and Spain, in the 1990s. Although we find more substantial and radical labour market reform in Britain, Spain experienced greater union inclusion in policy-making. We examine the roles of economic institutions and the ideology of the governing party and find that neither accounts satisfactorily for the labour market changes in our cases. Domestic political variables, especially electoral factors and the power and autonomy of government, give more insight into the similarities and differences between the two countries.
Effects of lithium treatment and its discontinuation on suicidal behavior in bipolar manic-depressive disorders.

BACKGROUND Whether mood-altering treatments reduce risk of suicidal behavior remains largely unproved. METHOD We compared suicidal rates in published studies of patients treated with lithium with those who were not, and in a mood disorders clinic before, during, and after discontinuing lithium. RESULTS Published reports indicate a 7.0-fold lower rate of suicidal acts with lithium treatment of manic-depressive patients. In new findings in over 300 bipolar patients, latency from illness onset to lithium maintenance averaged 8.3 years (from 11.0 years in women with bipolar II disorder to 6.9 years in men with bipolar I disorder), but half of all suicidal acts occurred in the first 7.5 of 18.3 years at risk. Most acts (89%) occurred during depressive (73%) or dysphoric-mixed (16%) mood states and were associated with previous severe depression, prior attempts, and lower age at onset. Morbidity was reduced 2.7-fold and suicidal acts per year 6.5-fold during lithium treatment, with 8.3-fold cumulative sparing of risk by 15 years on lithium. In the first year off lithium, affective illness recurred in 67% of patients, and suicidal rates rose 20-fold but were much lower thereafter; fatalities were 14 times more frequent after discontinuation of lithium. Early morbidity was 2.5-fold lower, and suicidal risk was 2.0-fold lower after slow versus rapid discontinuation. CONCLUSION Lithium maintenance is associated with sustained reduction of suicidal acts in manic-depressive disorders. Treatment discontinuation, particularly abruptly, led to early affective morbidity and suicidal behavior. Improved diagnosis and treatment as well as earlier intervention for potentially lethal bipolar depression are urgently needed, as are studies of all mood-altering agents for effects on suicidal behavior.
Optimal Close-to-Home Biases in Asset Allocation

This article studies optimal portfolio decisions with (long-term) liabilities for small open economy based investors, including the optimality of currency hedging (Walker (2008a). Chile is the home country of the representative investor, but results are likely to hold more generally. The problem is set up as in (Sharpe & Tint, 1990) and (Hoevenaars et al., 2007). Hedging the liabilities and the consumption currency may imply optimal close-to-home biases, defined as overweighting asset classes which are highly correlated with local ones. The implementation challenges include: developing a methodology to estimate expected returns in local (real) currency; estimating the covariance matrix allowing for serial and crossed-serial correlations; and checking the results' robustness using a resampling method. The findings are: (i) portfolios always have optimal close-to-home biases, beyond the investment in local fixed income to hedge liabilities; (ii) currency hedging reduces investment in close-to-home asset classes, (iii) but has ambiguous effects on welfare -- detected with the resampling method; (iv) currency hedged long-term US bonds are useful for hedging local interest rate risk; and (v) liabilities give access to high risk-return portfolios, not affecting otherwise the overall shape of the efficient regions. This article can be useful to investors based on small open economies, including pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds and Central Banks.
THE SECOND GENERATION OF MENTAL HEALTH COURTS

Mental health courts (MHCs) generally began to appear in 1997. Today, more than 80 courts exist in the United States. In the present article, the authors argue that the 2nd generation of MHCs has arrived. The authors compare 8 previously described courts (P. A. Griffin, H. J. Steadman, & J. Petrila, 2002) with 7 newer courts that have not been previously described in the psycholegal literature. The authors identify 4 dimensions distinguishing 1stfrom 2nd-generation courts: (a) the acceptance of felony versus misdemeanant defendants, (b) preversus postadjudication models, (c) the use of jail as a sanction, and (c) the type of court supervision. The 4 dimensions are interdependent in that the acceptance of more felony cases contributes to the rise in processing cases postadjudication, using jail as a sanction and more intensive supervision. Potential reasons for the evolution of a 2nd generation are discussed.
Identification of a Small RNA within thepdh Gene Cluster of Mycoplasma pneumoniae andMycoplasma genitalium

ABSTRACT A highly abundant and heterogenous small RNA about 205 to 210 bases long named MP200 RNA has been identified in Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It was localized on the genome within a 319-bp-long intergenic space of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (pdh) gene cluster. A database search at the DNA level revealed the highest similarity to a sequence located within the pdh gene cluster of Mycoplasma genitalium that was also shown to be transcribed into two abundant, but smaller RNAs than the ones inMycoplasma pneumoniae. The RNAs from both M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium have the potential to code for cysteine-rich 29- and 23-amino-acid-long peptides, but so far, these peptides have not been identified experimentally in bacterial protein extracts.
Specific PABP effect on translation of YB-1 mRNA is neutralized by polyadenylation through a “mini-loop” at 3′ UTR

YB-1 is a multifunctional cold shock domain containing protein that is involved virtually in all DNA- and mRNA-dependent cellular events. Its amount is regulated at the level of both transcription and translation. We showed previously that translation of poly A(-) YB-1 mRNA in vitro is selectively controlled by two proteins, YB-1 and PABP, through their specific and competitive binding to a regulatory element (RE) within 3′ UTR of this mRNA. Here, we describe effects of these two proteins on translation of poly A(+) as compared with poly A(-) YB-1 mRNA in a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free translation system. We have found that YB-1 inhibits translation of both poly A(+) and poly A(-) YB-1 mRNAs at the same comparatively low YB-1/mRNA ratio. PABP has no positive effect on translation of poly A(+) YB-1 mRNA, although it has a stimulating effect on translation of poly A(-) YB-1 mRNA. A positive PABP effect on translation of poly A(+) YB-1 mRNA arose after removal of a portion of the sequence between RE and the poly(A) tail and disappeared after its replacement by another non-specific sequence of the same length. We also report that the RE fragment forms a complex with the poly(A) fragment in the presence of rabbit reticulocyte lysate (RRL) proteins. For its formation PABP is necessary but not sufficient. These results are in agreement with the proposed model implying formation of a mini-loop at 3′ UTR of YB-1 mRNA that includes RE, RRL proteins and the poly(A) tail.
Industrial heritage attractions: Types and tourists.

Abstract Heritage tourism has become an important sector in the tourism industry. In fact, interest in heritage tourism among the American public increased 16% from 1991 to 1995. In spite of this surge in demand for heritage tourism little is known about tourists' visitation to “types” of heritage attractions and if their travel behavior characteristics are related to their patterns of visitation. This study examined both issues in the context of industrial heritage tourism. The results indicated that tourists were visiting “types” of industrial heritage attractions. In addition, there was a relationship between the type of trip they were on, the number of people in their travel party, when they made their decision to visit, and the total number of trips they had taken in the last 12 months and the “type” of industrial heritage attraction they visited.
A Note on Methods for Measuring Industrial Agglomeration

O’Donoghue D. and Gleave B. (2004) A note on methods for measuring industrial agglomeration, Reg. Studies 38, 419– 427. A range of quantitative techniques have been employed by researchers in economic geography and other social science disciplines for the purpose of measuring and spatially delimiting agglomerations of industrial activity. However, these techniques appear to have been applied with little consistency within the literature, particularly with regard to the use of arbitrary cut-off values for determining what level of industrial specialization defines an agglomeration. This paper proposes a new measure, the ‘standardized location quotient’, which recognizes agglomerations as being comprised of locations with statistically significant (rather then arbitrarily defined) location quotient values for the industry/activity under analysis. The use of the measure in delimiting spatial agglomerations within the UK business services sector, using recent employment and workplace data, is demonstrated.
Business angels as facilitators for further finance: an exploratory study

Purpose – The main aim of this article is to widen one's understanding of the value‐added contributions of business angels and, more specifically, their role as facilitators for further finance.Design/methodology/approach – This article is based on in‐depth case studies of five experienced business angels. Data were collected by using a loosely structured interview guide which focused on the investment process.Findings – Business angels add value besides the initial financial capital offered, typically in the form of strategic advice and networking. However, previous research has to a small extent examined the role of business angels as facilitators for further finance. The empirical findings in this study indicate that experienced business angels play a key role in order to facilitate further finance. Furthermore, entrepreneurs should bear in mind that the previous track record of the business angel strongly affects if and how they can facilitate further finance. Thus, active business angels can be viewe.
A Novel Ground-Based Microwave Radiometer for High Precision Atmospheric Observations between 10 and 90 GHz

State-of-the-art microwave radiometers for probing water vapor, temperature and cloud liquid water do not show the high accuracy and stability which is needed for some applications like radio science or the assessment of turbulent weather conditions. Especially scientific experiments, performed in outer-space and missions to investigate other planets, are dependent upon high-precision transmission of data to receivers on Earth passing through the atmosphere, which is a big source of disturbance. Propagation and attenuation at frequencies between a few GHz and several tens of GHz are influenced by dry air as well as by water vapour and liquid water in form of clouds and rain. A precise and stable microwave radiometer to derive these properties has been developed - the Atmospheric Propagation and Profiling System ATPROP.
An Algorithm for the Proportional Division of Indivisible Items

An allocation of indivisible items among n ≥ 2 players is proportional if and only if each player receives a proportional subset—one that it thinks is worth at least 1/n of the total value of all the items. We show that a proportional allocation exists if and only if there is an allocation in which each player receives one of its minimal bundles, from which the subtraction of any item would make the bundle worth less than 1/n. We give a practicable algorithm, based on players’ rankings of minimal bundles, that finds a proportional allocation if one exists; if not, it gives as many players as possible minimal bundles. The resulting allocation is maximin, but it may be neither envy-free nor Pareto-optimal. However, there always exists a Pareto-optimal maximin allocation which, when n = 2, is also envy-free. We compare our algorithm with two other 2-person algorithms, and we discuss its applicability to real-world disputes among two or more players.
Inhibition of inducible TNF-α expression by oxaspirodion, a novel spiro-compound from the ascomycete Chaetomium subspirale

Abstract In a search for compounds inhibiting the inducible TNF-αa promoter activity in T cells, a new spiro-compound, designated oxaspirodion, was isolated from fermentations of the ascomycete Chaetomium subspirale. Oxaspirodion inhibited TNF-α promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene expression with an IC50 value of 2.5 µg/ml (10 µM) in TPA/ionomycin-stimulated Jurkat T cells. Studies on the mode of action of the compound revealed that the inhibition of the TNF-α promoter activity is caused by an inhibition of the phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 kinases. In addition, oxaspirodion inhibited the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, which is involved in the inducible expression of many proinflammatory genes.
Preoperative Computed Tomography Myelography Parameters as Predictors of Outcome in Patients With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Results of a Systematic Review

Study Design: Systematic review. Objectives: To determine the preoperative computed tomography (CT) myelogram imaging parameters in patients diagnosed with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) that correlate with severity of DCM and predict postoperative patients’ functional outcome. Methods: An electronic database search was performed using Ovid Medline and Embase. CT myelogram studies investigating the correlation between imaging characteristics and DCM severity or postoperative outcomes were included. Two independent reviewers performed citation screening, selection, qualitative assessment, and data extraction using an objective and blinded protocol. Results: A total of 5 studies (402 patients) were included in this review and investigated the role of preoperative CT myelogram parameters in predicting the functional outcome after surgical treatment of DCM. All studies were retrospective cohort studies. CT myelogram characteristics included the transverse area of the spinal cord at maximum level of compression, spinal canal narrowing, number of blocks, spinal canal diameter, and flattening ratio. There is low evidence suggesting that patients with a preoperative transverse area of the spinal cord >30 mm2 at the level of maximum compression have better postoperative recovery and outcome. We found no studies investigating the correlation between preoperative CT myelogram parameters and DCM severity. Conclusions: Patients with greater transverse area of spinal cord at the level of maximum compression on the preoperative CT myelogram are more likely to have better neurological outcome after surgery. There is insufficient evidence to suggest that any of the other CT myelogram parameters investigated are predictors of postoperative outcomes in patients with DCM.
Investigation of Production, Sales and Inventory Relationships Using Multicointegration and Non-symmetric Error Correction Models

The accumulated sum of a stationary series is called integrated. If a linear combination of some of the integrated series is stationary, it is said to be cointegrated. This paper presents empirical results on inventories to consider the possibility of a deeper form of cointegration called multicointegration, which is introduced in Granger and Lee (1989). A vector integrated series is multicointegrated if the accumulated sum of its stationary (cointegrated) linear combination is again cointegrated with itself. Inventory, which is the accumulated sum of production minus sales, is probably cointegrated with production and sales. The empirical results generally support the presence of multicointegration of production and sales in many U.S. industries and industrial aggregates. The results also favour the non-symmetric error correction model, providing evidence that the strength of attraction is different on both sides of the attractor. A modified (S, s) rule for inventory control is investigated in the context of a non-symmetric error correction model, and the results generally do not support the (S, s) rule. Sufficient evidence is found to conclude that multicointegration is a useful concept in the area of inventory determination.
The 2009 Elections in Schleswig-Holstein: Polarised Electoral Campaign, Exceptional Election Results, and an Unspectacular Process of Government Formation

The elections for the Schleswig-Holstein Landtag were held on 27 September 2009. After conflicts between the governing parties the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the Social Democrats (SPD), Prime Minister Carstensen had ended the ‘grand coalition’ and called for early elections, one year earlier than scheduled. The electoral campaign centred on the divide between the Christian Democrats who favoured a coalition with the Liberals, and the Social Democrats who competed for a majority together with the Greens. The elections resulted in large shifts in party strength. Christian and Social Democrats together lost about 22 percentage points of votes, while most of the smaller parliamentary parties attained their best election results in Schleswig-Holstein state elections ever. CDU and FDP gained a majority of seats and formed a coalition that re-elected Carstensen into office on 27 October. Using concepts from coalition theory, our analysis shows that a Christian–Liberal coalition was indeed the most likely outcome of the government formation process.