Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bank Competition and Real Economic Activity: A Financial Intermediation Approach

This paper provides a financial intermediation approach to analyzing the real effects of bank market power. We start from the idea that banks, when operating in imperfectly competitive credit markets, can face a trade-off between exploiting their loan pricing power and enforcing hard corporate budget constraints: as banks hold larger stakes in their borrowers' projects, they become less committed to penalize misbehaving borrowers by terminating their projects. This can have negative effects for corporate managerial incentives ex ante. At the same time, however, an increase in bank market power also entails lower deposit rates. This reduces depositors' implicit stake in the real sector, which may sharpen corporate managerial incentives. Due to these effects, the model predicts an inversely U-shaped relation between bank market power and real sector performance. This is consistent with the available empirical evidence.
The Impact of Price Discrimination in Markets with Adverse Selection

Would consumer surplus increase if annuity rates were age-neutral? This paper characterizes the socially optimal contractibility of a given signal in markets with adverse selection. A signal (e.g., age) partitions consumers into subsets (e.g., young and old). A regulator restricts price-discrimination on the basis of the signal if the consumer subsets where the level of cost is higher are also the subsets where there is greater deadweight loss due to adverse selection. Such signals are empirically common. To illustrate the welfare benefit of price discrimination policy, I use a structural model to estimate its impact on the UK annuities market. The model is estimated using proprietary data that include the annuity seller’s estimate of each individual’s longevity. I find that restricting price discrimination can increase consumer surplus by the equivalent of about £6.5 million per year.
A cyclic MUX-DMUX photonic cross-connect architecture for transparent waveband optical networks

A novel photonic cross-connect (PXC) configuration with cyclic multiplexers and demultiplexers (DMUXs) is proposed for realizing dynamic switching and transparent add-drop in waveband dense wavelength-division-multiplexed networks. The PXC architecture allows for a flexible operation while maintaining low optical losses for express wavebands and add-drop wavelengths. The drop functionality of this architecture is demonstrated using an integrated cyclic optical DMUX and four 10-Gb/s PIN receivers with an average receiver sensitivity of -34 dBm as a compact and cost-effective solution.
Assessing the importance of multi-dimensional commitment to international HRM: evidence from employees in the Irish financial services industry

A key feature of the HRM literature in recent years has concerned the identification of HR practices associated with high performance or high commitment management. Despite references to 'high commitment' in this literature, little research has examined the impact of these practices on the attitudes and commitment of employees. This is despite claims that commitment is best viewed as a multidimensional construct, with different outcomes for both individuals and for organisations pursuing high commitment strategies. This pursuit of two disparate research agendas makes it difficult to add sense to what might represent best practice from an employee perspective, and what might constitute high commitment HR practices. This paper extends both HRM and commitment research perspectives by examining employee experiences of HR practices and linking these experiences to multiple dimensions of commitment. Findings are based on a survey of employees (N = 288) within three multinational firms operating in the Irish Financial Services sector. The findings show that while attitudes towards some HR practices impact considerably on affective commitment, their impact on the continuance or normative dimensions is considerably weaker. In light of the findings, the paper evaluates the suitability of using a three-dimensional framework in research on high commitment management.
ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Dicistroviridae

Dicistroviridae is a family of small non-enveloped viruses with monopartite, linear, positive-sense RNA genomes of approximately 8–10 kb. Viruses of all classified species infect arthropod hosts, with some having devastating economic consequences, such as acute bee paralysis virus in domesticated honeybees and taura syndrome virus in shrimp farming. Conversely, the host specificity and other desirable traits exhibited by several members of this group make them potential natural enemies for intentional use against arthropod pests, such as triatoma virus against triatomine bugs that vector Chagas disease. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the taxonomy of the Dicistroviridae which is available at www.ictv. global/report/dicistroviridae.
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate on Coadministration With Lopinavir/Ritonavir

Objective:Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are frequently used antiretrovirals. A pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers was conducted to assess the potential for a drug interaction between these agents. Methods:This was a 36-day, multiple-dose, drug-drug interaction study of TDF and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r). Subjects received TDF alone for 7 days, followed by 14 days each of TDF plus LPV/r and LPV/r alone in a randomized manner. Pharmacokinetic assessments were performed over 24 hours on days 7, 21, and 35. LPV/r and tenofovir plasma/serum concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectometry (MS)/MS. Geometric mean ratios and 90% confidence intervals of pharmacokinetic parameters for tenofovir, LPV, and ritonavir (RTV) were estimated using analysis of variance and compared with the no-effect criterion for pharmacokinetic equivalence. Results:Tenofovir measurements with an area under the concentration-time curve over the dosing interval, maximum concentration, and concentration at the end of the dosing interval (Cτ) were 32%, 15%, and 51% higher, respectively, when TDF was coadministered with LPV/r (n = 24). LPV and RTV pharmacokinetics, including Cτ, were unaffected by TDF (n = 24). Clinical estimates of renal function were unaffected by administration of TDF alone or with LPV/r. Discussion:Coadministration of TDF with LPV/r resulted in increased tenofovir exposures at steady state, possibly through increased absorption. This increase is not believed to be clinically relevant based on the safety and efficacy of TDF plus LPV/r-containing regimens in HIV-infected patients in long-term controlled clinical trials.
Barriers and Influences in Seeking Health Care Among Lower Income Minority Women

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to identify and describe perceived barriers to seeking health care, determine perceptions of confidence in health care practitioners, and explore strategies to enhance, promote, and improve early health care intervention among low income minority women. Focus group methodology was used to collect data and content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results revealed four broad categories for discussion: (a) confidence in the physician, (b) frequency of engaging in screening procedures, (c) barriers and influences in seeking health care, and (d) a wish list for covered health care services. The study underscored the importance of both spirituality and family in the lives of aging minority women. The paper includes implications for public policy and suggests an agenda for public policy advocates in the new millennium.
Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia: Phenotypic differences in genetically defined subtypes?

Seventy‐seven families with autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia were analyzed for the CAG repeat expansions causing spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 1, 2, 3, and 6. The SCA1 mutation accounted for 9%, SCA2 for 10%, SCA3 for 42%, and SCA6 for 22% of German ataxia families. Seven of 27 SCA6 patients had no family history of ataxia. Age at onset correlated inversely with repeat length in all subtypes. Yet the average effect of one CAG unit on onset age was different for each SCA subtype. We compared clinical, electrophysiological, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings to identify phenotypic characteristics of genetically defined SCA subtypes. Slow saccades, hyporeflexia, myoclonus, and action tremor proposed SCA2. SCA3 patients frequently developed diplopia, severe spasticity or pronounced peripheral neuropathy, and impaired temperature discrimination, apart from ataxia. SCA6 presented with a predominantly cerebellar syndrome and patients often had onset after 55 years of age. SCAI was characterized by markedly prolonged peripheral and central motor conduction times in motor evoked potentials. MRI scans showed pontine and cerebellar atrophy in SCA1 and SCA2. In SCA3, enlargement of the fourth ventricle was the main sequel of atrophy. SCA6 presented with pure cerebellar atrophy on MRI. However, overlap between the four SCA subtypes was broad.
Security Policies and Procedures: Principles and Practices

Preface Part One: Introduction to Policy 1. Policy Defined 2. Policy Elements Part Two: Information Security Policy Regulations and Framework 3. Information Security Policy Framework 4. Organizational Security Policies & Procedures 5. Asset Classification and Control Policies & Procedures 6. Personnel Security Policies & Procedures 7. Physical and Environmental Security Policies & Procedures 8. Communications and Operations Management Policies & Procedures 9. Access Control Policies & Procedures 10. Systems Development and Maintenance Policies & Procedures 11. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Policies & Procedures & Procedures Part Three: Sector Specific Policy 12. Information Security Regulatory Compliance for the Financial Sector 13. Information Security Regulatory Compliance for Healthcare 14. Information Security Regulatory Compliance for Critical Infrastructure 15. Information Security Policies and Procedures for Small Businesses Appendix A: Resources for Information Security Professionals Appendix B: Employee Information Security Policy Affirmation Agreement Glossary References Index
Online grid inductance estimation for electric traction PWM rectifier based on dual-frequency harmonic current injection

Due to the nonstationary characteristic of the electric locomotives in electric traction systems, the equivalent grid impedance changes frequently, which may lead to detrimental effect on the control system of electric traction PWM rectifiers. The mathematical model of an electric traction PWM rectifier is established, and the double-loop control system is designed. An online grid inductance estimation method for the electric traction PWM rectifier based on dual-frequency harmonic current injection is accordingly proposed. 400Hz and 500Hz are selected as the frequencies of the harmonics injected into the system. Moving window fast Fourier transform (FFT) is performed to extract the amplitudes corresponding to the harmonics. The estimation values of the grid inductance can be obtained from a series of arithmetical operations. The experimental platform for the electric traction PWM rectifier is set up. Simulation and experimental results are demonstrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Book Review: Gene Patents and Collaborative Licensing Models: Patent Pools, Clearinghouses, Open Source Models and Liability Regimes (Ed. Geertrui Van Overwalle)

A review of Gene Patents and Collaborative Licensing Models: Patent Pools, Clearinghouses, Open Source Models and Liability Regimes.The typically esoteric world of patents has recently been thrust into the headlines as cases involving patented genes have received an unprecedented amount of press. For decades, academics, scientists, practicing attorneys, and legislators have vigorously debated the merits of granting patents on genes and medical diagnostic procedures. Only recently, however, have the courts entered the fray. For example, in March 2010, Judge Sweet of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York handed down a ruling that invalidated a number of patents covering the BRCA genes that signal an increased likelihood of developing breast cancer. Judge Sweet’s ruling held that the patent claims on the BRCA genes were directed to unpatentable “product of nature. ” A few months later in a separate case, the U.S Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, following a grant-vacate-remand from the Supreme Court, upheld the validity of a patented method for determining a proper drug dosage level based on a patient’s metabolite levels. The courts’ entrance into the debate surrounding patenting of human genetic material and medical diagnostics has elicited interest from the full spectrum of public news outlets: from the New York Times to Nature magazine. It would seem that one, or perhaps both, of these cases will be heard at the Supreme Court. In any case, the contentiousness surrounding gene patenting and diagnostic patenting is unlikely to subside any time soon.
Inhibition of MDM2-mediated p53 Ubiquitination and Degradation by Ribosomal Protein L5*

The oncoprotein MDM2 associates with ribosomal proteins L5, L11, and L23. Both L11 and L23 have been shown to activate p53 by inhibiting MDM2-mediated p53 suppression. Here we have shown that L5 also activates p53. Overexpression of L5 stabilized ectopic p53 in H1299 cells and endogenous p53 in U2OS cells. Consequently, L5 enhanced p53 transcriptional activity and induced p53-dependent G1 cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, like L11 and L23, L5 also remarkably inhibited MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination. The interaction of L5 with MDM2 was also enhanced by treatment with a low dose of actinomycin D. Actinomycin D-induced p53 was inhibited by small interference RNA against L5. By reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation, we further showed that there were at least two MDM2-ribosomal protein complexes in cells: MDM2-L5-L11-L23 and p53-MDM2-L5-L11-L23. We propose that the MDM2-L5-L11-L23 complex functions to inhibit MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination and thus activates p53.
The institutional context of poverty: State fragility as a predictor of cross‐national variation in commercial microfinance lending

We examine cross-national variation in the global growth of commercial microfinance from 1998 to 2009 as a natural experiment to analyze the role of national institutions in shaping the ability of commercial enterprises to reach the global poor. Our results demonstrate that a country's level of state fragility represents an important institutional context of poverty that explains significant cross-national variation in the commercial microfinance industry's ability to grow its client base, control costs, and attract commercial capital. Moreover, we find that commercial microfinance lenders have experienced greater difficulty than nonprofit lenders in growing their client base in more fragile state settings. Our results support the proposition that the state shapes both institutional hazards and opportunities for business-led efforts to combat global poverty.
The development of a hospice junior volunteer program

In the United States, volunteer services are mandated by hospice Medicare guidelines; volunteers provide a very valuable service to patients, families, and other members of the interdisciplinary team. A hospice junior volunteer program can engage teens in the care of the dying in our communities. This article describes the development and implementation of a junior volunteer program at St. Thomas Hospice in Hinsdale, Illinois.
Examining the Role of Membrane Lipid Composition in Determining the Ethanol Tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has an innate ability to withstand high levels of ethanol that would prove lethal to or severely impair the physiology of other organisms. Significant efforts have been undertaken to elucidate the biochemical and biophysical mechanisms of how ethanol interacts with lipid bilayers and cellular membranes. This research has implicated the yeast cellular membrane as the primary target of the toxic effects of ethanol. Analysis of model membrane systems exposed to ethanol has demonstrated ethanol's perturbing effect on lipid bilayers, and altering the lipid composition of these model bilayers can mitigate the effect of ethanol. In addition, cell membrane composition has been correlated with the ethanol tolerance of yeast cells. However, the physical phenomena behind this correlation are likely to be complex. Previous work based on often divergent experimental conditions and time-consuming low-resolution methodologies that limit large-scale analysis of yeast fermentations has fallen short of revealing shared mechanisms of alcohol tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Lipidomics, a modern mass spectrometry-based approach to analyze the complex physiological regulation of lipid composition in yeast and other organisms, has helped to uncover potential mechanisms for alcohol tolerance in yeast. Recent experimental work utilizing lipidomics methodologies has provided a more detailed molecular picture of the relationship between lipid composition and ethanol tolerance. While it has become clear that the yeast cell membrane composition affects its ability to tolerate ethanol, the molecular mechanisms of yeast alcohol tolerance remain to be elucidated.
International evidence on the historical properties of business cycles

We document properties of business cycles in ten countries over the last hundred years, contrasting the behavior of real quantities with that of the price level and the stock of money. Although the magnitude of output fluctuations has varied across countries and periods, relations among variables have been remarkably uniform. Consumption has generally been about as variable as output, and investment substantially more variable, and both have been strongly procyclical. The trade balance has generally been countercyclical. The exception to this regularity is government purchases, which exhibit no systematic cyclical tendency. With respect to the size of output fluctuations, standard deviations are largest between the two world wars. In some countries (notably Australia and Canada) they are substantially larger prior to World War I than after World War II, but in others (notably Japan and the United Kingdom) there is little difference between these periods. Properties of price levels, in contrast, exhibit striking differences between periods. Inflation rates are more persistent after World War II than before, and price level fluctuations are typically procyclical before World War II, countercyclical afterward. We find no general tendency toward increased persistence in money growth rates, but find that fluctuations in money are less highly correlated with output in the postwar period.
Toll like receptor‐9 agonists stimulate prostate cancer invasion in vitro

Toll‐like receptor 9 (TLR9) recognizes microbial DNA. In addition to immune cells, TLR9 expression has been detected in various cancer cells. We showed recently that TLR9 agonistic CpG‐oligonucleotides (CpG‐ODNs) induce matrix metalloproteinase‐13 (MMP‐13)‐mediated invasion in TLR9‐expressing (TLR9+) breast cancer cells. We investigated here TLR9 expression and function in human prostate cancer (CaP) cells.
Nucleoplasmin Binds Histone H2A-H2B Dimers through Its Distal Face*

Nucleoplasmin (NP) is a pentameric chaperone that regulates the condensation state of chromatin extracting specific basic proteins from sperm chromatin and depositing H2A-H2B histone dimers. It has been proposed that histones could bind to either the lateral or distal face of the pentameric structure. Here, we combine different biochemical and biophysical techniques to show that natural, hyperphosphorylated NP can bind five H2A-H2B dimers and that the amount of bound ligand depends on the overall charge (phosphorylation level) of the chaperone. Three-dimensional reconstruction of NP/H2A-H2B complex carried out by electron microscopy reveals that histones interact with the chaperone distal face. Limited proteolysis and mass spectrometry indicate that the interaction results in protection of the histone fold and most of the H2A and H2B C-terminal tails. This structural information can help to understand the function of NP as a histone chaperone.
Occupational Health and Safety in New Zealand: Problems and Solutions

An economic climate which promotes cost cutting, lack of resources for regulation) agencies, enforcement bodies which are reticent to enforce, legislation which is unco-ordinated and not communicated to those who need it, information which is available in university departments but not on the shop floor, and no effective sanctions in terms of penalties and increased levies against negligent employers all threaten the health and safety of New Zealand workers. These problems are outlined and improvements such as more resources for regulatory bodies, a more positive policing role for enforcement agencies, integration of legislation and administration, better information flow, effective sanctions against employers and particularly more worker involvement in occupational health and safety are proposed.
The tumor autocrine motility factor receptor, gp78, is a ubiquitin protein ligase implicated in degradation from the endoplasmic reticulum

gp78, also known as the tumor autocrine motility factor receptor, is a transmembrane protein whose expression is correlated with tumor metastasis. We establish that gp78 is a RING finger-dependent ubiquitin protein ligase (E3) of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Consistent with this, gp78 specifically recruits MmUBC7, a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) implicated in ER-associated degradation (ERAD), through a region distinct from the RING finger. gp78 can target itself for proteasomal degradation in a RING finger- and MmUBC7-dependent manner. Importantly, gp78 can also mediate degradation of CD3-δ, a well-characterized ERAD substrate. In contrast, gp78 lacking an intact RING finger or its multiple membrane-spanning domains stabilizes CD3-δ. gp78 has thus been found to be an example of a mammalian cellular E3 intrinsic to the ER, suggesting a potential link between ubiquitylation, ERAD, and metastasis.
A comparison of electric vehicle Level 1 and Level 2 charging efficiency

As electric vehicle penetration grows, it is important to ensure that this new technology is deployed such that long-term efficiency and environmental benefits are maximized. In this study we examined the charging efficiency of Level 1 (120 Volt) and Level 2 (240 Volt) Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). Charging efficiency was defined as the percentage of power drawn from the electric grid that is actually taken up by the vehicle battery. We installed logging devices in 2 Nissan Leafs and 2 Chevrolet Volts in Vermont to track charging efficiency at each Level 1 and Level 2 charging event. Data was collected between June and November 2013 to provide a range of climatic conditions. Usable data was obtained from 115 charges and mean charging efficiency was found to be 85.7%. On average, Level 2 charging was 5.6% more efficient than Level 1 (89.4% vs. 83.8%). In those charges in which the battery took up less than 4 kWh, this difference in efficiency was even greater: 87.2% for Level 2 vs. 74.2% for Level 1. Efficiency gains of Level 2 charging also increased under low (<; 50°F) and high (> 70°F) temperatures. These results suggest that the impact of the observed efficiency gains may be biggest at public charging stations, where charging times tend to be short and climatic conditions more variable, rather than residential charging. Future research should consider the relative efficiency of DC Fast charging and wireless charging, as well as how charging efficiency varies among vehicle models and at lower temperatures (<;32°F).