Habit Formation: Deep and Uncertain

Most of the existing structural-change models presume that the impact of a change is instantaneous and occurs at the same time for all individuals. In this paper, we develop a new structural-change model to measure the lag length between the time when an economic crisis breaks out and the time when the impact is transmitted to various economic sectors. Our model allows different transmission lags for individuals with heterogenous characteristics. Simulation results for the performance of the estimators are reported.

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

The Aggregated Structural-Change Model

Most of the existing structural-change models presume that the impact of a change is instantaneous and occurs at the same time for all individuals. In this paper, we develop a new structural-change model to measure the lag length between the time when an economic crisis breaks out and the time when the impact is transmitted to various economic sectors. Our model allows different transmission lags for individuals with heterogenous characteristics. Simulation results for the performance of the estimators are reported

An Examination of the Underpricing of H-Share IPOs in Hong Kong

The main purpose of this paper is to study the empirical determinants of the underpricing of H-share initial public offerings (IPOs) during the 1993–2003 period. A special characteristic of H-shares is that they are shares of companies incorporated in China, but are also listed abroad. Our estimates indicate that the average IPO underpricing level of H-shares was about 16.8%. We find that the conventional explanations for the worldwide IPO underpricing are not adequate in explaining the underpricing level of H-shares. Some new factors that are important in explaining the underpricing phenomenon in H-shares are identified. We show that the degree of IPO underpricing is positively associated with market conditions prior to issuance. It is also negatively related to the range of the issuing prices as well as to the growth rate of historical profits. In addition, it is found that firms cross-listed in Hong Kong and America have higher underpricing levels.Underpricing, IPO, H-share, prospectus

On the convergence of the Chinese and Hong Kong stock markets: a cointegration analysis of the A and H shares

This article explores the potential existence of comovements between the stock prices in Mainland China and Hong Kong. The cointegration test shows that the prices of a substantial number of A shares and H shares have started to cointegrate with each other after the launch of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement in recent years. This confirms the role of increased financial openness in accounting for the stock market comovements between Mainland China and Hong Kong.

International linkages of the Japanese stock market

Using daily open-to-close and close-to-open stock prices, this paper examines whether there are any lead-lag relationships between the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the other G7 stock markets. In particular, this paper analyzes whether the movements of other markets in the preceding trading session can be used to formulate profitable strategies to trade in Nikkei.Japanese stock market International linkages

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field