Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Unions on the Distribution of Wages: Redistribution or Relabelling?

This paper re-examines the connection between unions and wage inequality, focusing on three questions: (1) How does the union wage effect vary across the wage distribution? (2) What is the effect of unionism on the overall variance of wages at the end of the 1980s? (3) How much of the increase in the variance of wages over the 1970s and 1980s can be attributed to changes in the level and distribution of union coverage? Cross-sectional union wage gap estimates vary over the wage distribution, ranging from over 30 percent for lower wage workers to 10 percent for higher wage workers. Using a longitudinal estimation technique that accounts for misclassification errors in union status, I find that this variation represents a combination of a truly larger wage effect for lower-paid workers, and differential selection biases. The estimated effect of unions on the variance of wages in the late 1980s is relatively modest. Nevertheless, changes in the level and pattern of unionism--particularly the decline of unions among lower wage workers -- have been an important component of the growth in wage inequality. Changes in unionization account for one-fifth of the increase of the variance of adult male wages between 1973 and 1987.
Cardiac-specific Expression of Calcineurin Reverses Embryonic Lethality in Calreticulin-deficient Mouse*

Calreticulin is an endoplasmic reticulum resident Ca2+-binding chaperone. The importance of the protein is illustrated by embryonic lethality because of impaired cardiac development in calreticulin-deficient mice. The molecular details underlying this phenotype are not understood. In this study, we show that overexpression of activated calcineurin reverses the defect in cardiac development observed in calreticulin-deficient mice and rescues them from embryonic lethality. The surviving mice show no defect in cardiac development but exhibited growth retardation, hypoglycemia, increased levels of serum triacylglycerols, and cholesterol. Reversal of embryonic lethality because of calreticulin deficiency by activated calcineurin underscores the impact of the calreticulin-calcineurin functions on the Ca2+-dependent signaling cascade during early cardiac development. These findings show that calreticulin and calcineurin play fundamental roles in Ca2+-dependent pathways essential for normal cardiac development and explain the molecular basis for the rescue of calreticulin-deficient phenotype.
An empirical examination of alternative models for hedging emerging market currencies

This paper compares the hedging performance of the minimum‐extended Gini hedge ratio (MEGHR) and the minimum‐variance hedge ratio (MVHR) using three emerging market currencies. The MEGHR is consistent with the expected utility hypothesis under very general conditions, unlike the MVHR which requires special distributional assumptions. Our sample violates these conditions, and thus provides a context for contrasting the performance of the MEGHR and MVHR. Our results show that the MVHR and MEGHR are indeed different and in some cases the differences are substantial, both statistically and in order of magnitude. This indicates that the MEGHR should provide superior hedging performance given its theoretical robustness. Our hedging performance results support this conclusion for all currencies.
Institutional Development through Policy-Making: A Case Study of the Brazilian Central Bank

A number of contemporary studies rightly emphasize the notion that policy outcomes result from institutional determinants. But as a growing literature on institutional development notes, these institutions are themselves impermanent. Sometimes, in crisis moments, institutions are replaced wholesale. More frequently, institutions evolve gradually over time. Using the Brazilian Central Bank as a case study, this article illustrates that the policy-making process itself can be a central driver of gradual institutional development, with institutions evolving through the accumulation of policy choices made over many years and under different policymakers in response to contemporaneous events and unforeseeable economic and political challenges.
The Wealth Effects of Property Acquisitions: Evidence from Japanese and Singaporean REITs

This article examines the wealth effects of 228 property acquisition announcements made by REITs publicly traded in Singapore and Japan, which are the two largest REIT markets in Asia. Adopting an aggressive growth‐by‐acquisition strategy, the newly listed REITs acquired a number of properties within a short time period. Despite their regular activities, we observe the acquisition announcements are associated with a significantly positive abnormal increase in shareholder wealth averaging 0.38% in a 5‐day window around the event date. Controlling for the method of payment, buyer's acquisition strategy and seller's relationship with the acquiring REIT, the regression results show that the likely sources of economic gains associated with acquisitions are economies of scale and better management by acquiring firms. We also find strong evidence that the market reacts less favorably to acquisitions involving a portfolio of properties as opposed to a single property and weaker evidence that it reacts less favorably to mixed‐use acquisitions. These findings suggest the presence of premiums on transparency and corporate focus.
The Political and Security Committee: Governing in the Shadow

The Political and Security Committee was described by the Nice European Council Conclusions in December 2000 as the ‘linchpin’ of the ESDP and yet comparatively little attention has been devoted to this highly significant newcomer to the European Union’s institutional landscape. How exactly does the committee function, for example, and what impact does it have on the definition of the ESDP and the CFSP more generally? This article attempts to shed light on the PSC and its working methods and in so doing builds on existing institutionally oriented research on the EU to examine tentatively the PSC’s impact both on European foreign and security policy as well as on the foreign and security policies of EU Member States. It will be shown that the PSC has built on the so-called ‘consultation reflex’ and other practices documented in its predecessor, the former Political Committee, to the point where Member State representatives sitting in the PSC routinely impact upon the definition of national interests and foreign policies, rather than simply bringing them to the table to be bargained over.
New Migrant Enterprise: Novelty or Historical Continuity?

How far does new migrant enterprise represent a departure from traditional ethnic minority entrepreneurship in the UK? This paper draws on a qualitative survey of 165 new migrants in the UK to address this question. New migrants to the UK are emblematic of ‘super-diversity’, which some believe heralds a significant departure from previous forms of migration. The extent to which this process has a substantive impact on the kinds of businesses that new migrants run is rarely considered. It is argued that migrant business, ‘new’ and ‘old’, is structurally disadvantaged and underpinned by mixed embeddedness. This can be applied to demonstrate that new migrants are essentially subject to the same structural handicaps as their forerunners.
A stimulator ASIC with capability of neural recording during inter-phase delay

This paper presents a single chip solution for a combined stimulation and recording system for functional electrical stimulation applications. The on-chip recording amplifier blanks large stimulation artifacts occurring in the cathodic (i.e., stimulation) and anodic (i.e., recuperation) phases of a stimulation pulse. By making the stimulator output stage float and recording during the delay between cathodic and anodic impulses, the recording start time can be greatly advanced from the end of a complete stimulation cycle to the end of the cathodic phase. The ASIC was fabricated in a 0.6 μm HV CMOS technology, occupies a core area of 5.3 mm2 and operates from a single 18 V power supply. It has 5 I/O pads for power and data communication and another 5 I/O pads for connecting to the electrodes. The operation of the ASIC has been verified both in-vitro and in-vivo.
Universities in the regional economy. Evidence from Swedish employer-employee linked data

This study uses employer-employee linked data on all Swedish firms to analyze the impact of a college on the local economy. It focuses on colleges established in the 1970s and measures the effects 20 years after the establishment. The results show that there are no significant effects on survival rate of establishments, overall employment growth, overall growth of college graduates or employment growth in OECD defined high-tech industries. The results do not support the political motives behind the establishment and they reject the hypothesis of large regional spillovers from a college. But it is also possible that it takes more than 20 years before a university has a significant impact on regional development.
Lentivirus‐mediated RNA Interference Targeting LAPTM4B Inhibits Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Invasion In Vitro

LAPTM4B (lysosome‐associated protein transmembrane 4 beta) play an important role in several human carcinomas. We examines the effects of RNA interference mediated downregulation of human lysosomal‐associated protein transmembrane 4 beta expression on the biological behavior of the human serous adenocarcinoma cell line NIH:OVCAR3. This study investigated the expression level of lysosomal‐associated protein transmembrane 4 beta in several ovarian cancer cell lines. RNA interference mediated by recombinant lentiviral vectors expressing an artificial lysosomal‐associated protein transmembrane 4 beta miRNA was used to induce long‐lasting downregulation of lysosomal‐associated protein transmembrane 4 beta gene expression in NIH:OVCAR3 cells. Lysosomal‐associated protein transmembrane 4 beta expression as well as the motility, migration potential, and proliferation of the tumor cells was measured by flow cytometry, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, transwell migration assays, wound healing assays, and cell counting kit‐8 assays. In addition, the cell cycle analysis utilized fluorescence‐activated cell sorting. Four recombinant plasmid expression vectors encoding premiRNAs against lysosomal‐associated protein transmembrane 4 beta (pcDNA‐LAPTM4B‐miR‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and‐4) were constructed and transfected into 293T cells, which overexpress lysosomal‐associated protein transmembrane 4 beta. The recombinant lentiviral vector for lysosomal‐associated protein transmembrane 4 beta RNA interference was packaged with pcDNA‐LAPTM4B‐miR‐3, which had the highest interfering efficiency, thereby successfully generating stable transfectants. Compared with the control cells, the LAPTM4B‐miRNA‐transfected NIH:OVCAR3 cells exhibited significant decreases in cell motility and invasion. Furthermore, LAPTM4B depletion resulted in a significant decrease in proliferating cell nuclear antigen, vascular endothelial growth factor, MMP2, MMP9, and CDK12 expression. We propose that lysosomal‐associated protein transmembrane 4 beta expression may be an oncogene‐inducing feature of invasive ovarian cancer cells and may be a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer treatment.
Preliminary Results of the London Congestion Charging Scheme

On February 17, 2003, the London Congestion Charging Scheme came into effect. Preliminary results show a significant response to the £5 (U.S. $8) charge. Congestion over the first year decreased by 30%. Overall traffic levels within the charging zone fell by 16%. Speeds for car travel increased by more than 20%, and bus travel became more reliable. Elasticities of demand for trips by car with respect to generalized costs are estimated to be between –1.32 and –2.10. The average marginal congestion cost within the central zone is estimated at £1.65/vehicle-km (approximatelyU.S. $2.58/vehicle-km). The net economic benefits of the Scheme for the first year were £50 million (U.S. $78 million) and the net revenues, £68 million (U.S. $106 million). Net revenues are mainly being used to improve public transport.
Global Expression Analysis of Prostate Cancer-associated Stroma and Epithelia

Characterization of gene expression profiles in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment is an important step in understanding neoplastic progression. To date, there are limited data available on expression changes that occur in the tumor-associated stroma as either a cause or consequence of cancer. In the present study, we employed a 54,000 target oligonucleotide microarray to compare expression profiles in the 4 major components of the microenvironment: tumor epithelium, tumor-associated stroma, normal epithelium, and normal stroma. Cells from 5 human, whole-mount prostatectomy specimens were microdissected and the extracted and amplified mRNA was hybridized to an Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 GeneChip. Using the intersection of 2 analysis methods, we identified sets of differentially expressed genes among the 4 components. Forty-four genes were found to be consistently differentially expressed in the tumor-associated stroma; 35 were found in the tumor epithelium. Interestingly, the tumor-associated stroma showed a predominant up-regulation of transcripts compared with normal stroma, in sharp contrast to the overall down-regulation seen in the tumor epithelium relative to normal epithelium. These data provide insight into the molecular changes occurring in tumor-associated stromal cells and suggest new potential targets for future diagnostic, imaging, or therapeutic intervention.
INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGICAL OPPORTUNITY, AND MARKET STRUCTURE

This paper is an empirical analysis of the familiar Shumpeterian hypothesis that market structure affects innovation. Using panel data on major innovations in the United Kingdom, 1970-79, and data on a range of measures of competitive rivalry, the model corrects for technological opportunity using fixed effects and measures both the direct effect of rivalry on innovation as well as the indirect effect that occurs because rivalry affects postinnovation returns. The results suggest that rivalry increases innovativeness notwithstanding a mild offsetting effect that arises because rivalry dampens postinnovation returns. Copyright 1990 by Royal Economic Society.
Marriage Markets and Assortative Mating with Household Public Goods: Theoretical Results and Empirical Implications

This paper analyzes marriage market equilibria when the gains from marriage result from joint consumption of household public goods. Assuming transferable utility within marriage, the paper proves that marriage markets will be characterized by positive assortative mating on wealth when spouses differ only in endowments and the gains to marriage result only from public goods. When spouses differ in wages and household public goods are produced at home, the results imply offsetting effects, with public good economies creating an incentive for positive assortative mating on wages and gains from specialization creating an incentive for negative assortative mating on wages. The results help explain the persistent lack of empirical support for Becker's prediction of negative assortative mating on wages, and have implications for empirical analysis of all joint living arrangement decisions.
The use of rank order data in segmentation analysis: A case study of Bruce Country, Ontario, Canada

A topic of interest to many marketers and researchers is how potential visitors select a destination. Although numerous models have been developed, this line of research is still under-developed. This article illustrates an innovative approach to decision-based segmentation based on Unidimensional Sequence Alignment (USA). This tool was developed in molecular biology to compare genetic structures among different organisms. The basic logic behind USA is that the sequence of a series of entities/events reveals essential information about the identity of the sample being studied. In the case of this study, the sequence refers to the order in which potential visitors considered various criteria regarding potential destinations. Similar sequences of decisions indicate similar segments of potential visitors. Using data from a web-based survey of people who had requested tourism information from Bruce County, Ontario, Canada, the study demonstrates the potential of USA as well as areas for further development.
Inflation targeting and monetary analysis in Chile and Mexico

This paper studies the role of monetary and open economy indicators in inflation targeting (IT) economies through the analysis of a nested Phillips curve/ P-star model for Chile and Mexico. For Chile a real money gap and a money growth indicator are found to be relevant in predicting deviations of observed from target inflation. In contrast, for Mexico a real exchange rate gap, a standard measure of the real exchange rate, and a money growth indicator are consistently significant as predictors of deviations of actual from (i) expected (in the pre-IT period) and (ii) target inflation (in the post-IT span).
Dynamic Dominating Sets : the Eviction Model for Eternal Domination

We consider a discrete-time dynamic problem in graphs in which the goal is to maintain a dominating set over an infinite sequence of time steps. At each time step, a specified vertex in the current dominating set must be replaced by a neighbor. In one version of the problem, the only change to the current dominating set is replacement of the specified vertex. In another version of the problem, other vertices in the dominating set can also be replaced by neighbors. A variety of results are presented relating these new parameters to the eternal domination number, domination number, and independence number of a graph.
Comment on Centre for International Economics report on alternative growth paths for Sydney

Abstract A report by the Centre for International Economics titled The Benefits and Costs of Alternative Growth Paths for Sydney: Economic, Social and Environmental Impacts that was commissioned by the New South Wales Government has been released. It examines alternative ways in which additional people could be housed in Sydney. The findings of this report are marred by the fact that some of the costs that it uses on which to base conclusions are questionable and the fact that not all significant factors are covered. The findings also make the current New South Wales Metropolitan Strategy planning policy difficult to justify as it portrays minimal cost differences between the scenarios examined when the time period examined and the cost of a dwelling are taken into account.
The evolution of UK flood insurance: incremental change over six decades

In this paper, the authors' theorizing shifts away from the catalytic role of the flood itself – or other crises – towards a deeper understanding of the relationship between change and stability, taking the example of UK flood insurance and the agreements – and the implicit policy approaches – between the actors involved: private insurers and the government. The study relies upon in-depth analysis of policy agreements governing flood insurance since the 1960s, and semi-structured interviews with six current or former flood insurance professionals. The important agents of change have been, firstly, threats to existing household insurers from new entrants unencumbered by agreements to insure all comers. Secondly, technological changes have made exposure more explicit and pricing risk both easier and less expensive. The slow pace of change and the relatively stable role of the different actors and coalitions is now clearer. Many windows of opportunity created by major flooding or financial crises have not significantly affected the pace or direction of policy change. The overriding importance of the London location for – and the profitability of – the insurance industry, both to government and to the insurers, explains the extraordinary policy stability described here. This history suggests that the UK may not be a good model for imitation elsewhere.
Resource Patch Formation and Exploitation throughout the Marine Microbial Food Web

Exploitation of microscale (μm–mm) resource patches by planktonic microorganisms may influence oceanic trophodynamics and nutrient cycling. However, examinations of microbial behavior within patchy microhabitats have been precluded by methodological limitations. We developed a microfluidic device to generate microscale resource patches at environmentally realistic spatiotemporal scales, and we examined the exploitation of these patches by marine microorganisms. We studied the foraging response of three sequential levels of the microbial food web: a phytoplankton (Dunaliella tertiolecta), a heterotrophic bacterium (Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis), and a phagotrophic protist (Neobodo designis). Population‐level chemotactic responses and single‐cell swimming behaviors were quantified. Dunaliella tertiolecta accumulated within a patch of \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \landscape $$\mathrm{NH}\,^{+}_{4}$$ \end{document} , simulating a zooplankton excretion, within 1 min of its formation. Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis cells also exhibited a chemotactic response to patches of D. tertiolecta exudates within 30 s, whereas N. designis shifted swimming behavior in response to bacterial prey patches. Although they relied on different swimming strategies, all three organisms exhibited behaviors that permitted efficient and rapid exploitation of resource patches. These observations imply that microscale nutrient patchiness may subsequently trigger the sequential formation of patches of phytoplankton, heterotrophic bacteria, and protozoan predators in the ocean. Enhanced uptake and predation rates driven by patch exploitation could accelerate carbon flux through the microbial loop.
Inflation Targeting in the United Kingdom: Information Content of Financial and Monetary Variables

The main objective of this paper is to identify a set of leading indicators of inflation for the United Kingdom, and discuss the conceptual issues pertaining to inflation targeting. The main conclusions are that narrow money has strong leading indicator properties for inflation, while broad money does not. Long yields appear to have some information for the GDP deflator, and headline inflation, and short yields for underlying inflation. Spreads between commercial paper and gilts, and the yield curve, have very little predictive information on inflation. An interesting conclusion is that while the nominal effective exchange rate is not a good predictor of inflation, the sterling-deutsche mark exchange rate appears to have weak predictive information on the targeted measure of inflation.