Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric Information and Financial Crises: a Historical Perspective

This paper examines the nature of financial crises from a historical perspective using the new and burgeoning literature on asymmetric information and financial structure. After describing how this literature helps to understand the nature of financial crises, the paper focuses on a historical examination of a series of financial crises in the United States, beginning with the panic of 1857 and ending with the stock market crash of October 19,1987. The asymmetric information approach explains the patterns in the data and many features of these crises which are otherwise hard to explain. It also suggests why financial crises have had such important consequences for the aggregate economy over the past one hundred and fifty years.
Short-term memory for phonemically similar lists.

A number of recent studies indicate that short-term memory for letters, digits, and words uses an auditory or speech-motor code. Conrad and Wickelgren have shown that errors in short-term recall of verbal lists tend to have a vowel or consonant phoneme in common with the correct item. ' Perceptual errors were eliminated from these data by slow visual presentation or scoring of only items copied correctly during presentation. Proactive and retroactive interference in short-term recall are greater for interference lists consisting of letters that have a vowel phoneme in common with the correct letter(s) in the original list than for interference letters that have no phoneme in common with the correct letter(s). 2 Finally, lists of letters that are often confused with each other in auditory recognition are more difficult to recall than lists of letters that are rarely confused with each other in auditory recognition.8 The former letters tend to have phonemes in common, while the latter letters tend to have no common phonemes.
Decreased antioxidant status and increased lipid peroxidation in patients with septic shock and secondary organ dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE To determine antioxidant vitamin concentrations, lipid peroxidation, and an index of nitric oxide production in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with septic shock and relate the findings to the presence of secondary organ failure. DESIGN A prospective, observational study. SETTING A nine-bed ICU in a University teaching hospital. PATIENTS Sixteen consecutive patients with septic shock, defined as: a) clinical evidence of acute infection; b) hypo- or hyperthermia (< 35.6 degrees C or > 38.3 degrees C); c) tachypnea (> 20 breaths/min or being mechanically ventilated); d) tachycardia (> 90 beats/min); e) shock (systolic pressure < 90 mm Hg) or receiving inotropes. Fourteen patients also had secondary organ dysfunction. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Antioxidant vitamin concentrations were significantly lower in the patients than the reference range obtained from a comparable group of healthy controls. The mean plasma retinol (vitamin A) concentration was 26.5 +/- 19.3 micrograms/dL compared with 73.5 +/- 18.3 micrograms/dL in healthy subjects (p < .01). Additionally, 13 (81%) patients had retinol values below the lower limit of our reference range (< 37.0 micrograms/dL). Tocopherol (vitamin E) plasma concentrations were below the reference range in all patients (< 9.0 mg/L), with a mean value of 3.6 +/- 2.0 mg/L compared with 11.5 +/- 1.3 mg/L in healthy subjects (p < .001). Plasma beta carotene and lycopene concentrations were undetectable (< 15 micrograms/L) in eight (50%) patients, and below our reference range (< 101 micrograms/L and < 154 micrograms/L, respectively) in the remaining patients. In the five patients with three or more dysfunctional secondary organs, plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were significantly increased (p < .05), suggesting increased lipid peroxidation. Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances correlated negatively with both plasma retinol and plasma tocopherol (r2 = .42, p < .01 and r2 = .48, p < .005, respectively). In the five patients from whom we were able to collect urine, nitrite excretion was increased approximately 400-fold (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS These data indicate decreased antioxidant status in the face of enhanced free radical activity, and suggest potential therapeutic strategies involving antioxidant repletion.
Loss of human Greatwall results in G2 arrest and multiple mitotic defects due to deregulation of the cyclin B-Cdc2/PP2A balance

Here we show that the functional human ortholog of Greatwall protein kinase (Gwl) is the microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase-like protein, MAST-L. This kinase promotes mitotic entry and maintenance in human cells by inhibiting protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a phosphatase that dephosphorylates cyclin B-Cdc2 substrates. The complete depletion of Gwl by siRNA arrests human cells in G2. When the levels of this kinase are only partially depleted, however, cells enter into mitosis with multiple defects and fail to inactivate the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). The ability of cells to remain arrested in mitosis by the SAC appears to be directly proportional to the amount of Gwl remaining. Thus, when Gwl is only slightly reduced, cells arrest at prometaphase. More complete depletion correlates with the premature dephosphorylation of cyclin B-Cdc2 substrates, inactivation of the SAC, and subsequent exit from mitosis with severe cytokinesis defects. These phenotypes appear to be mediated by PP2A, as they could be rescued by either a double Gwl/PP2A knockdown or by the inhibition of this phos-phatase with okadaic acid. These results suggest that the balance between cyclin B-Cdc2 and PP2A must be tightly regulated for correct mitotic entry and exit and that Gwl is crucial for mediating this regulation in somatic human cells.
GPR92 as a New G12/13- and Gq-coupled Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor That Increases cAMP, LPA5*

The signaling effects of lysophospholipids such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) are mediated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). There are currently four LPA receptors known as LPA1–4. Genetic deletion studies have identified essential biological functions for LPA receptors in mice. However, these studies have also revealed phenotypes consistent with the existence of as yet unidentified receptors. Toward identifying new LPA receptors, we have screened collections of GPCR cDNAs using reverse transfection and cell-based assays. Here we report an interim result of one screen to identify receptors that produced LPA-dependent changes in cell shape: the orphan receptor GPR92 has properties of a new LPA receptor. Sequence analyses of human GPR92 and its mouse homolog have ∼35% amino acid identity with LPA4/GPR23. The same cell-based approaches that were used to identify and/or characterize LPA1–4, particularly heterologous expression in B103 cells or RH7777 cells, were utilized and compared with known LPA receptors. Retroviral-mediated expression of epitope-tagged receptors was further combined with G protein minigenes and pharmacological intervention, along with calcium imaging and whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology. LPA-dependent receptor internalization following exposure to LPA but not related lysophospholipids was observed. Furthermore, LPA induced concentration-dependent activation of G12/13 and Gq and increased cAMP levels. Specific [3H]LPA binding was detected in cell membranes heterologously expressing GPR92 but not control membranes. Northern blot and reverse transcriptase-PCR studies indicated a broad low level of expression in many tissues including embryonic brain and enrichment in small intestine and sensory dorsal root ganglia, as well as embryonic stem cells. These results support GPR92 as a fifth LPA receptor, LPA5, which likely has distinct physiological functions in view of its expression pattern.
Competition between two nitrite-oxidizing bacterial populations: a model for studying the impact of wastewater treatment plant discharge on nitrification in sediment.

Abstract Nitrobacter, a ubiquitous nitrite oxidizer in natural and anthropized environments, is commonly studied as the model genus performing the second stage of nitrification. In rivers, wastewater treatment plant discharges may affect the nitrite-oxidizing activity and the responsible genera that are largely associated with sediment. We used a laboratory batch culture approach with Nitrobacter wynogradskyi ssp. agilis strain AG and Nitrobacter hamburgensis strain X(14) to characterize the possible stress effect of wastewater effluent on these populations and to study the possible competition between an effluent strain (X(14)) and a sediment strain (AG) over a 42-day incubation time. Immunofluorescence enumerations of each strain showed that they both survived and settled in the sediment, indicating that there was no significant stress effect due to chemical changes caused by the effluent. The development of the strains' density and activity was directly correlated with the available nitrite concentration. Nevertheless, the potential specific activity was not constant along the so-called mixotrophic (non-limiting nitrite concentration) and heterotrophic (nitrite depletion) conditions. This illustrates the inducibility of the nitrite oxidoreductase and indicates the metabolic versatility of the strains. In our experimental conditions, the preferentially autotrophic AG strain appeared more competitive than the preferentially mixo- or heterotrophic X(14) strain, including in heterotrophic environment.
Interactive Paper: Past, Present and Future

Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in the number of researchers dealing with the integration of paper and digital information or services. While recent technological developments enable new forms of paper-digital integration and interaction, some of the original research on interactive paper dates back almost twenty years. We give a brief overview of the most relevant past and current interactive paper developments. Then, based on our experience in developing a wide variety of interactive paper solutions over the last decade, as well as the results of other research groups, we outline future directions and challenges for the realisation of innovative interactive paper solutions. Further, we propose the definition of common data formats and interactive paper design patterns to ensure future crossapplication and framework interoperability.
Waveguiding in two-dimensional piezoelectric phononic crystal plates

We investigate the possibility of designing phononic crystal-based devices for telecommunication applications using materials commonly employed in microfabrication. We focus our attention on a phononic crystal made of a square array of cylindrical holes drilled in an active piezoelectric PZT5A matrix. Two different structures are considered, namely, a freestanding phononic crystal plate and a plate deposited on a silicon substrate. The geometrical characteristics of the phononic crystal plates (lattice parameter and thickness) were chosen to ensure the existence of an absolute band gap around 1.5GHz; a common frequency in radio frequency telecommunications. Computations of the dispersion curves of these active structures were conducted with the help of the finite element method. We demonstrate the existence of absolute band gaps in the band structure of the phononic crystal plates and, then, the possibility of guided modes inside a linear defect created by removing one row of air holes in the phononic cry.
Ideas of Regionalism: The European Case

Abstract This article traces the development of major ideas about integration in Europe. It examines the historical development of, and competition between, ideas about the EU, exploring the clash of integration models and ideals. It draws on the visions of European unity that led to the creation and development of the EU. Regional integration in the EU is distinctive and not necessarily ‘exportable’. The article examines governing norms, material interests, power, and security. It demonstrates that the narrative of shared experience and history formed part of a need to both overcome hyper-nationalism and to share sovereignty, while also privileging some memories. EU norms are also enshrined in a distinctive institutionalized structure, based on a co-existence of national and EU interests and a balancing among often competing interests.
The Use of Gelfoam for Support as Well as Hemostasis Ix Vascular Surgery

From the Surgical Division and the Surgical Research Laboratory, the Montefiore Hospital, New York City. In December, 1950, an investigation was initiated into the possibility of fabricating tubular fresh autogenous arterial grafts, suitable for replacing a portion of the aorta, from segments of arteries derived from the same animal. The requirements of a long, expendable vessels of moderate size were supplied by the splenic artery. The transplants were wrapped with Gelfoam after they had been sutured into place. Long-term survival studies are currently in progress to evaluate the functional, anatomical, and histologic status of the grafts. The microscopic findings associated with the Gelfoam in dogs sacrificed up to one year postoperatively have been so consistent and striking as to suggest additional uses for this material in vascular surgery.
Pricing Survivor Derivatives with Cohort Mortality Dependence Under the Lee–Carter Framework

This article introduces cohort mortality dependence in mortality modeling. We extend the classical Lee–Carter model to incorporate cohort mortality dependence by considering mortality correlations for a cohort of people born in the same year. The pattern of cohort mortality dependence is demonstrated on the basis of U.S. mortality experience. We study the effect of cohort mortality dependence on the pricing of survivor derivatives. For this purpose, a survivor floor is introduced. To understand the difference between a survivor floor and other survivor securities, the valuation formulas for survivor swaps and survivor floors are all derived in detail and the effects of cohort mortality dependence on pricing survivor derivatives are investigated numerically.
Electroholographic wavelength selective crossconnect

An active multidimensional 'drop filter' built of electroholographic (EH) wavelength selective switches is described schematically. The switches are arranged in a full crossbar configuration. The WDM signal entering the device through the input port is first collimated and then broken into its single wavelength channels by a set of passive filters. Each component is directed along one of the columns of the crossbar. By activating the appropriate EH switch the respective component will be diverted to the selected output. Thus, any group of selected WDM channels can be permutated between the output.
Antimicrobials and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without polyposis in adults: an evidenced‐based review with recommendations

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is characterized by inflammation of the mucosa of the nose and paranasal sinuses. The role of bacterial or fungal infection in CRS is unclear, yet antimicrobials are commonly prescribed for this condition. Published guidelines offer little direction regarding antibiotic strategies for CRS. The purpose of this article is to provide an evidence‐based approach to the use of antibacterial and antifungal antibiotics in the management of CRS.
The Impact of Structural Upheavals on Educational Organisation, Attainment and Choice: the experience of post‐Communist Hungary

During the transition period in Hungary the role of the market has become more significant, and several market elements have appeared in education, as well. The growing social demand for schooling resulted in the huge expansion of secondary and higher education. Schools try to match the demand with the supply in a colourful variety of programmes. However, public education in Hungary struggles with very great problems of inequalities.
Comparing Work-Life Balance in Spanish and Latin-American Countries.

Purpose – This paper aims to determine the level of awareness and implementation of family‐responsible parameters: policies, enablers, practices, and culture, in Spanish and Latin‐American companies, and how they impact work‐life balance.Design/methodology/approach – The study uses data from different national IESE's Family‐Responsible Employer Index surveys in Spain (1,000 companies) and five Latin‐American countries (1,155 companies), Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador and Peru, done between 2006 and 2008. This is a structured questionnaire that assesses the stage of development the organization is in regarding four main family‐responsible parameters: policies, enablers, practices, and culture.Findings – Latin‐American countries get a slightly higher number of companies that are fully supportive of work‐family balance environment than Spain, but with lesser formal policies implemented and a stronger presence of enablers and practices. Policies are important but might not be as effective if not accompa.
Asymmetric dynamics in UK real interest rates

This paper explores the long run behaviour and short run dynamics of quarterly UK real interest rates, 1950–1999, in a threshold autoregressive framework. Using bootstrap LR extensions of the Enders and Granger (1998) threshold unit root and asymmetry tests, it finds support for sign and amplitude asymmetric mean reversion. These findings provide one explanation for the apparent persistence in real interest rates and are consistent with asymmetric feedback rules for inflation targeting.
VARIETY CHARACTERISTICS AND CASSAVA ADOPTION AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN IMO STATE.

This study investigated the factors contributing to low levels of adoption of improved cassava varieties in Imo State. A sample of 120 respondents was randomly selected for the study and interviewed using structured questionnaire. Empirical analysis was based on a farm household model, which explicitly incorporates variety characteristics into the households\' optimization process. A multitude of variety characteristics and some household socio -economic characteristics were considered. Results indicated that certain variety and economic characteristics are important determinants of variety choice, and that inadequate extension information and improved input distribution system may be important limiting factors to adoption of improved cassava varieties. Key words : Variety Characteristics, Cassava Adoption, rural households Journal Of Agriculture And Social Research Vol. 5 (1) 2005: 33-40
Território e trabalho: uma inscrição em temporalidades diferentes

This paper presents a possible interpretation between work and territory, central concepts in economy, at different levels. In order to demonstrate this articulation, we turn to the social sciences and examine it like the economists, who have always used space as a base, “discovering” the territory in a nonconsensual definition. In this paper, we work with the hypothesis that difficulties between work and territory are mainly caused by their inscription in different temporalities: in a long and short time regarding territory, and in a short term regarding work. This may interfere with the progress of social and institutional sedimentation processes.
A Molecular Approach to Manganese Nitride Acting as a High Performance Electrocatalyst in the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

The scalable synthesis of phase-pure crystalline manganese nitride (Mn3 N2 ) from a molecular precursor is reported. It acts as a superiorly active and durable electrocatalyst in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) from water under alkaline conditions. While electrophoretically deposited Mn3 N2 on fluorine tin oxide (FTO) requires an overpotential of 390 mV, the latter is substantially decreased to merely 270 mV on nickel foam (NF) at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 with a durability of weeks. The high performance of this material is due to the rapid transformation of manganese sites at the surface of Mn3 N2 into an amorphous active MnOx overlayer under operation conditions intimately connected with metallic Mn3 N2 , which increases the charge transfer from the active catalyst surface to the electrode substrates and thus outperforms the electrocatalytic activity in comparison to solely MnOx -based OER catalysts.
Influence of Gender on Internet Commerce: An Explorative Study in Singapore

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine how gender influences one's attitude towards online purchasing, and hence purchase intention among online consumers by focusing on three critical determinants-emotional expectations, trust, and self-efficacy. Results obtained from an online survey of 120 Singaporean consumers revealed that emotional expectations, trust, and self-efficacy significantly influenced one's attitude towards Internet commerce regardless of gender. However, females had significantly lower levels of trust and self-efficacy with regard to Internet commerce, and thereby had less favourable attitudes than male consumers. The study suggests that learning gender differences is critical for electronic retailers (e-tailers) to create more positive perceptions toward online purchases.
Aminohydroxypropylidene bisphosphonate (APD) treatment for tumor‐associated hypercalcemia: A randomized comparison between a 3‐day treatment and single 24‐hour infusions

Intravenous aminohydroxypropylidene bisphosphonate (APD) normalizes serum calcium in most hypercalcemic cancer patients, however the optimal therapeutic scheme has not been established. We compared in a randomized prospective trial the efficacy and the tolerance of APD given as a 3‐day treatment of daily 2‐h infusions of 0.5 mg/kg·d in 250 ml of saline (group A) with single 24‐h infusions of 1.5 mg/kg (group B) or of 0.5 mg/kg in 1 liter of saline (group C). Thirty‐three cancer patients remaining hypercalcemic after a 48‐h rehydration period were included and monitored daily until normocalcemia or treatment failure was documented. Serum calcium became normal in all but 1 patient (in group C) but remained normal for only 1 or 2 days in 4 other patients (1 in A, 1 in B, 2 in C). The decline in total or ionized serum calcium was slightly less marked in group C than in the two other groups, but the differences were not significant. The fall of fasting urinary calcium excretion was however significantly less rapid in group C (p < 0.05 from day 1 to day 4). Serum concentrations of iPTH and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25‐(OH)2D] increased significantly in the three groups. Serum magnesium concentrations fell slightly from 1.41 ± 0.05 to 1.28 ± 0.04 mEq/liter (p < 0.001) after rehydration but returned to normal after APD administration (day 5, 1.52 ± 0.04 mEq/liter, p < 0.001 versus day 0). On the other hand, APD induced a fall in serum phosphate levels, from 2.9 ± 0.1 to 2.3 ± 0.1 mg/dl on day 4 (p < 0.001), without any significant change in TmP/GFR. Treatment was very well tolerated; we only observed 3 cases of drug‐induced fever, 1 in each group. Based on this and other dose‐response trials, we recommend a total dosage of 1.0 to 1.5 mg of APD/kg body weight for the therapy of tumor‐associated hypercalcemia; this treatment can be safely and efficiently given as a single 24 h infusion or as daily 2 h infusions for 3 days.