216 research outputs found
Bank Competition, Asset Allocations and Risk of Failure: An Empirical Investigation
This study is an empirical investigation of theoretical predictions concerning the impact of bank competition on bank risk and asset allocations. Recent work (Boyd, De Nicolò and Jalal, 2009, BDNJ henceforth) predicts that as competition in banking increases, the loan-to-asset ratio will rise (under reasonable assumptions), but the probability of bank failure can either increase or decrease. However, the probability of bank failure will fall if and only if borrowersâ response to take on less risk as loan rates decline is sufficiently strong. We test these predictions using two samples with radically different attributes. With both, we find that banksâ probability of failure is negatively and significantly related to measures of competition. We also find that as competition intensifies, borrower risk decreases and the loan-to-asset ratio increases. These results are consistent with the predictions of the BDNJ model.
Pandemics and Cash
We investigate the relationship between firmsâ cash holdings and pandemics. Our results show that as compared to tele-workable firms, whose employees can work remotely, non-tele-workable firms with more on-site employees increase cash during pandemics. This increase in cash comes from short-debt, preferred stocks, reduction in capital expenditures and discontinuation of some operations. Firms hold more cash as a reaction to higher default risk. For non-tele-workable firms, there is a positive relationship between abnormal stock returns and cash, suggesting that this increase in cash during pandemics is not driven by behavioral reasons, but by increases in uncertainty in labor productivity
The decline in stock exchange listed firms
The number of exchange-listed firms has declined dramatically in the U.S. We argue that increases in payroll cost decrease the firmâs output and consequently, the need for capital. Thus, fewer new firms list on exchanges. Similarly, more firms delist as payroll costs reduce profits. We find empirical results that support our hypotheses. The results are stronger when firms are located in areas with greater regulatory restrictions on residential use of land - suggesting that increases in payroll costs is one of the factors driving this phenomenon
CEOs religious affiliation and managerial conservatism
We investigate whether managerâs religious affiliations affect corporate decisions. We hand collect data on the religious affiliations of CEOs and find that firms with Catholic CEOs have less leverage, issue debt less often, increase business and geographic diversification, and invest less than firms with Protestant CEOs. We also find that the decisions of Catholic CEOs are associated with lower firm value. These corporate actions are also reflected in the CEOsâ personal decisions, such as owning fewer company stocks and playing less risky sports
Industry Networks and IPO Waves
We offer a new perspective on why initial public offerings (IPO) occur in waves and propose that the customer-supplier relationships among industries help propagate IPO waves. Our empirical tests provide evidence that demand shocks increase the number of IPOs in an industry. The shocks then spread upstream through customer relationships leading to an increase in the number of IPOs in more central and connected industries. These findings contribute to the IPO literature by demonstrating the channel through which IPO waves propagate
1,4-DihydroxyÂquinoxaline-2,3(1H,4H)-dione
The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C8H6N2O4, contains one half-molÂecule; a twofold rotation axis bisects the molecule. The quinoxaline ring is planar, which can be attributed to electron delocalization. In the crystal structure, interÂmolecular OâHâŻO hydrogen bonds link the molÂecules into R
2
2(10) motifs, leading to layers, which interÂact via phenÂylâphenyl interÂactions (CâŻC distances in the range 3.238â3.521â
Ă
)
Particle formation and micronization using non-conventional techniques- review
Due to growing concerns regarding health, safety and the environment, non-conventional methods for
particle formation and micronization that are either solvent-less or use environmentally acceptable
solvents such as carbon dioxide have come into favor. Supercritical CO2 (sc CO2) (T > 31.1 'C, P > 7.3 MPa)
has been used in food and pharmaceutical industries to minimize the use of organic solvents, produce
new food products, produce environmentally superior food products and to process and micronize
(0.1â5mm) pharmaceuticals. Control of particle size increases the dissolution rate of drugs into the body.
Techniques that use sc CO2 eliminate inherent drawbacks of conventional methods such as thermal or
mechanical degradation of the product, poor control of the particle size and morphology, lack of
brittleness of some polymers and low encapsulation efficiency. Severaltechniques have been reported for
the particle formation and micronization using supercritical fluids that have been successfully scaled up
for commercial use. Supercritical CO2 has also been used to develop applications for medicines, essential
oils, vitamins, food grade polymers, catalysts and pigments. This review highlights the process
mechanism of supercritical fluid based techniques as well as some applications on particle formation and
micronization
Global, regional, and national burden of rheumatoid arthritis, 1990â2020, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Background
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease associated with disability and premature death. Up-to-date estimates of the burden of rheumatoid arthritis are required for health-care planning, resource allocation, and prevention. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, we provide updated estimates of the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and its associated deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age, sex, year, and location, with forecasted prevalence to 2050.
Methods
Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was estimated in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020 using Bayesian meta-regression models and data from population-based studies and medical claims data (98 prevalence and 25 incidence studies). Mortality was estimated from vital registration data with the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm). Years of life lost (YLL) were calculated with use of standard GBD lifetables, and years lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated from prevalence, a meta-analysed distribution of rheumatoid arthritis severity, and disability weights. DALYs were calculated by summing YLLs and YLDs. Smoking was the only risk factor analysed. Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was forecast to 2050 by logistic regression with Socio-Demographic Index as a predictor, then multiplying by projected population estimates.
Findings
In 2020, an estimated 17¡6 million (95% uncertainty interval 15¡8â20¡3) people had rheumatoid arthritis worldwide. The age-standardised global prevalence rate was 208¡8 cases (186¡8â241¡1) per 100â000 population, representing a 14¡1% (12¡7â15¡4) increase since 1990. Prevalence was higher in females (age-standardised female-to-male prevalence ratio 2¡45 [2¡40â2¡47]). The age-standardised death rate was 0¡47 (0¡41â0¡54) per 100â000 population (38â300 global deaths [33â500â44â000]), a 23¡8% (17¡5â29¡3) decrease from 1990 to 2020. The 2020 DALY count was 3â060â000 (2â320â000â3â860â000), with an age-standardised DALY rate of 36¡4 (27¡6â45¡9) per 100â000 population. YLDs accounted for 76¡4% (68¡3â81¡0) of DALYs. Smoking risk attribution for rheumatoid arthritis DALYs was 7¡1% (3¡6â10¡3). We forecast that 31¡7 million (25¡8â39¡0) individuals will be living with rheumatoid arthritis worldwide by 2050.
Interpretation
Rheumatoid arthritis mortality has decreased globally over the past three decades. Global age-standardised prevalence rate and YLDs have increased over the same period, and the number of cases is projected to continue to increase to the year 2050. Improved access to early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis globally is required to reduce the future burden of the disease.publishedVersio
Global, regional, and national burden of respiratory tract cancers and associated risk factors from 1990 to 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Background
Prevention, control, and treatment of respiratory tract cancers are important steps towards achieving target 3.4 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)âa one-third reduction in premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases by 2030. We aimed to provide global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019.
Methods
Based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 methodology, we evaluated the incidence, mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of respiratory tract cancers (ie, tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer). Deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer attributable to each risk factor were estimated on the basis of risk exposure, relative risks, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input from 204 countries and territories, stratified by sex and Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Trends were estimated from 1990 to 2019, with an emphasis on the 2010â19 period.
Findings
Globally, there were 2¡26 million (95% uncertainty interval 2¡07 to 2¡45) new cases of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer, and 2¡04 million (1¡88 to 2¡19) deaths and 45¡9 million (42¡3 to 49¡3) DALYs due to tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer in 2019. There were 209â000 (194â000 to 225â000) new cases of larynx cancer, and 123â000 (115â000 to 133â000) deaths and 3¡26 million (3¡03 to 3¡51) DALYs due to larynx cancer globally in 2019. From 2010 to 2019, the number of new tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer cases increased by 23¡3% (12¡9 to 33¡6) globally and the number of larynx cancer cases increased by 24¡7% (16¡0 to 34¡1) globally. Global age-standardised incidence rates of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer decreased by 7¡4% (â16¡8 to 1¡6) and age-standardised incidence rates of larynx cancer decreased by 3¡0% (â10¡5 to 5¡0) in males over the past decade; however, during the same period, age-standardised incidence rates in females increased by 0¡9% (â8¡2 to 10¡2) for tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and decreased by 0¡5% (â8¡4 to 8¡1) for larynx cancer. Furthermore, although age-standardised incidence and death rates declined in both sexes combined from 2010 to 2019 at the global level for tracheal, bronchus, lung and larynx cancers, some locations had rising rates, particularly those on the lower end of the SDI range. Smoking contributed to an estimated 64¡2% (61¡9â66¡4) of all deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and 63¡4% (56¡3â69¡3) of all deaths from larynx cancer in 2019. For males and for both sexes combined, smoking was the leading specific risk factor for age-standardised deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer per 100â000 in all SDI quintiles and GBD regions in 2019. However, among females, household air pollution from solid fuels was the leading specific risk factor in the low SDI quintile and in three GBD regions (central, eastern, and western sub-Saharan Africa) in 2019.
Interpretation
The numbers of incident cases and deaths from tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer and larynx cancer increased globally during the past decade. Even more concerning, age-standardised incidence and death rates due to tracheal, bronchus, lung cancer and larynx cancer increased in some populationsânamely, in the lower SDI quintiles and among females. Preventive measures such as smoking control interventions, air quality management programmes focused on major air pollution sources, and widespread access to clean energy should be prioritised in these settings.publishedVersio
Global burden of chronic respiratory diseases and risk factors, 1990â2019: an update from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Background Updated data on chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are vital in their prevention, control, and treatment in the path to achieving the third UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a one-third reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. We provided global, regional, and national estimates of the burden of CRDs and their attributable risks from 1990 to 2019.
Methods Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we estimated mortality, years lived with disability, years of life lost, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence, and incidence of CRDs, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumoconiosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis, and other CRDs, from 1990 to 2019 by sex, age, region, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) in 204 countries and territories. Deaths and DALYs from CRDs attributable to each risk factor were estimated according to relative risks, risk exposure, and the theoretical minimum risk exposure level input.
Findings In 2019, CRDs were the third leading cause of death responsible for 4.0 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval 3.6â4.3) with a prevalence of 454.6 million cases (417.4â499.1) globally. While the total deaths and prevalence of CRDs have increased by 28.5% and 39.8%, the age-standardised rates have dropped by 41.7% and 16.9% from 1990 to 2019, respectively. COPD, with 212.3 million (200.4â225.1) prevalent cases, was the primary cause of deaths from CRDs, accounting for 3.3 million (2.9â3.6) deaths. With 262.4 million (224.1â309.5) prevalent cases, asthma had the highest prevalence among CRDs. The age-standardised rates of all burden measures of COPD, asthma, and pneumoconiosis have reduced globally from 1990 to 2019. Nevertheless, the age-standardised rates of incidence and prevalence of interstitial lung disease and pulmonary sarcoidosis have increased throughout this period. Low- and low-middle SDI countries had the highest age-standardised death and DALYs rates while the high SDI quintile had the highest prevalence rate of CRDs. The highest deaths and DALYs from CRDs were attributed to smoking globally, followed by air pollution and occupational risks. Non-optimal temperature and high body-mass index were additional risk factors for COPD and asthma, respectively.
Interpretation Albeit the age-standardised prevalence, death, and DALYs rates of CRDs have decreased, they still cause a substantial burden and deaths worldwide. The high death and DALYs rates in low and low-middle SDI countries highlights the urgent need for improved preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. Global strategies for tobacco control, enhancing air quality, reducing occupational hazards, and fostering clean cooking fuels are crucial steps in reducing the burden of CRDs, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries.
Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- âŚ