Divide and Privatize: Firms Break-Up and Performance

We analyze the long-term effects of divesture and ownership change on corporate performance. We employ a unique data set for a large number of Czech firms spanning the period 1996-2005. We employ a propensity score matching procedure to deal with endogeneity problems. Our results, which are generally in line with the positive effects of divestiture found in the developed-market literature, show that the initial effects of divestiture are positive but after a certain point they quickly diminish over time

Hume: The Power of Abduction and Simple Observation in Economics

In Hume's epistemology, induction leads to discovery in matters of fact. However, because of the poor data Hume analyzes the balance of trade with a thought experiment, doing what Mill makes explicit afterwards: reason from assumptions, to reach conclusions which are true in the abstract. Hume's potential explanation, what Peirce later calls abduction, is backed by a case study, the price revolution of the 16th century, which supports half his abductive inference, when money supply is multiplied fivefold. Given that economics reasons abductively, Hume's attention to realistic hypotheses and the adjustment process matters

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world

Organomercury Bioconjugate Synthesis and Characterization by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Synthesis of an organomercury hapten and conjugation of the hapten to proteins and peptides is described. Starting with allylamine, synthesis of the organomercury hapten was completed in five steps using readily available and inexpensive reagents. The key transformation in the synthesis, intramolecular oxymercuration, was achieved in good yield and under mild conditions. Hapten conjugation was afforded via disuccinimide active ester coupling chemistry, and the resulting conjugates were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). To exploit the accurate mass measuring capabilities of MALDI-MS, the conjugates were digested with trypsin prior to analysis. The masses of the peptides resulting from tryptic digestion of the organomercury conjugates were accurately measured, and five hapten attachments were identified in the mass range of 1000−2200 m/z. The organomercury bioconjugate synthesized in this study was designed to contain a stable carbon−metal bond, constituting an underutilized approach for preparing protein−metal complexes and may result in mAbs consisting of unique recognition capabilities

2019 Sustainability Report: College of Business and Economics, College of Health Sciences and School of Public Service

The focus of the Blue Sky Institute Sustainability Reporting Badge is to examine the social, environmental and economic impacts of three colleges at Boise State University. The College of Business and Economics (COBE), the College of Health Sciences (COHS), and the School of Public Service (SPS) are all measuring and transparently reporting their impacts on their stakeholders. The importance of this reporting is looking past the financial and economic bottom lines of these colleges and including the social and environmental impacts as well. Blue Sky’s sustainability reports are 100% fully student-led and student driven beginning with a materiality assessment of the college’s three main stakeholder groups to identify what the reporting team will be researching for the year. From there, the reporting team finalizes its reporting topics and begins collecting and analyzing data. Students write and compile each college’s report, and findings are presented to each college’s leadership team with recommendations of improvement. Recommendations are approved and students are provided the opportunity to work with campus leadership to implement report recommendations