Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Analysis Of Brand Equity Determinants: Gross Profit, Advertising, Research, And Development

The topic of brand equity continues to be of great importance to private sector firms in the creation and development of both product and company brand strategy. This study analyzes the relationship of different variables and brand equity with the purpose of providing useful insight into brand management and advancement. This research approach is unique in its use of private sector generated measures of brand equity as the main data source. The methodology entails collecting financial information from a list of publicly traded companies evident on the annual Interbrand ranking of top brand values, then executing statistical analysis using correlation and regression. Results make evident a significant positive correlation between brand equity and gross profit, advertising expense, and research and development expense. However, findings reveal that advertising is not as important a driver of brand equity in the short-term as put forward in previous research and evidence suggesting the presence of dynamics and non-linear effects exists.
A Correction for Classic Performance Measures

Non normality in asset returns is now a common feature of financial markets. However, many practitioners as well as investors do still refer to classic risk adjusted performance measures to assess their investment. For example, Sharpe and Treynor ratios are designed for a Gaussian world. Then, employing them for a performance assessment prospect relative to the risk borne is a biased approach. If we look for consistency in risk assessment and in asset performance valuation, we need to look for robust methods or tools. Moreover, the well known mathematical consistency and numerical tractability concerns drive our preference for simple methods. Under this setting, we propose to account in a simple way and to some extent for the skewness and kurtosis patterns describing the deviations from normality. We propose therefore adjusted versions of Sharpe and Treynor ratios, which account for the downside and upside deviation risk from the mean values of asset returns.
Amiloride‐sensitive pressure‐induced myogenic contraction in rat cerebral artery

Abstract— The inhibitory action of amiloride on the pressure‐induced contraction was assessed in isolated rat cerebral artery. The artery was mounted in an arteriograph, and the change in intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) and vessel diameter were simultaneously measured. The contractile response elicited by intraluminal pressurization was independent of endothelium, i.e. myogenic in nature, and abolished by nicardipine, a Ca2+antagonist or by removal of extracellular Ca2+, and was potentiated by 25 mM KCl. Cyclopiazonic acid and thapsigargin, inhibitors of the Ca2+‐ATPase pump of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and a protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C did not suppress the pressure‐induced contraction. Amiloride, a putative stretch‐activated cation channel blocker, attenuated with an IC50 (50% inhibitory concentration) of about 3 μM the increase in [Ca2+]i and contractile activity in response to pressure, whereas the drug showed no apparent effect on the contraction produced by high KCl or 9,11‐dideoxy‐11α,9α‐epoxymethano prostaglandin F2α, (U46619). Furthermore, amiloride (100 μM) did not significantly affect intracellular pH in the artery. In spite of its multiple pharmacological actions, it seems possible that amiloride is a useful alternative tool at the cellular or tissue level to study the mechanotransduction mechanisms involved in the pressure‐induced contraction in rat cerebral artery.
A Higher-Moment CAPM of Korean Stock Returns

The traditional Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) developed by Sharpe, Lintner and Mossin is based on the strong assumption of normally distributed returns among other restrictions. However, especially in emerging stock markets, returns often deviate from normality, even though the series are of lower frequency. This paper extends upon the traditional framework of the expected equilibrium return of Korean stocks by incorporating higher order moments in order to explain their risk-return characteristics. Empirical evidence shows that a higher-moment CAPM increases the explanatory power of the return generating process. Particularly, in up-market phases, where the return on the market portfolio exceeds the risk-free interest rate, expected return, covariance, co-skewness and co-kurtosis are related.
Meeting the needs of cancer patients: identifying patients', relatives' and professionals' representations.

BACKGROUND AND AIM The literature on cancer patients agrees that most of the cancer patients' needs often remain unmet. How are these different needs perceived by patients, relatives and professionals? The present research has tried to make a contribution by analysing evidences of the needs, especially unmet, that different actors attribute to a cancer patient. METHOD A total of 42 Italian participants (76.2% women) took part in the study. Patients, relatives, physicians, nurses, social care assistants and volunteers participated separately in six focus groups. Three face-to-face interviews were conducted with psychologist, general practitioner and social worker. All focus groups/interviews were processed through an analysis of thematic content. RESULTS The results showed a priority given to the need for information, and also the importance of psychological and social support needs, confirming that they remain unmet. Differences between participants are visible by looking at the needs cited more frequently. For example, the oncologists are more sensitive to information needs related to the illness and its treatment, while the social worker cited the need for social, economic and legal assistance more frequently. The nurses highlighted the need for continuity of care, and the psychologists underlined the importance of psychological support, while the relatives cited the need of support both from and for families. CONCLUSIONS RESULTS suggested that a comprehensive approach that addresses medical and psychosocial factors is needed. Cancer patients must be provided with a multidisciplinary survivorship care plan that addresses information related to their long-term care and identifies available psychological and social services.
Asiaticoside hinders the invasive growth of keloid fibroblasts through inhibition of the GDF‐9/MAPK/Smad pathway

Higher expression of growth differentiation factor‐9 (GDF‐9) in keloids compared with hypertrophic scars and normal skin tissues has been reported recently. The present study was performed to investigate the role of GDF‐9 in keloid pathogenesis, and to elucidate its implication for asiaticoside in the keloid management. The data showed that GDF‐9 could enhance the proliferation, migration, and invasion of keloid fibroblasts (KFs), while it only slightly elevated collagen expression, indicating that the effect of GDF‐9 was opposite to that of TGF‐β1. The bioactivity difference between GDF‐9 and TGF‐β1 could be explained by the different phosphorylated sites on the downstream Smad2/3. Moreover, asiaticoside could inhibit GDF‐9‐induced activation of MAPKs and Smad pathway in KFs. In conclusion, GDF‐9 enhanced the invasive growth of KFs, which was achieved by phosphorylation of Smad 2/3 at the linker region through activation of MAPKs pathway. Asiaticoside hindered the invasive growth of KFs by inhibiting the GDF‐9/MAPK/Smad pathway.
The Development of Successors From Followers to Leaders in Small Family Firms

The purpose of this exploratory study was to better understand the development of successors in the small family business, including their approach to the leadership of the firm. It examined variables (and their relationships) that help to explain family business successor leadership. A case study approach was followed, using grounded theory analysis of qualitative interviews of the top managers of six family businesses. It provided six propositions for future research—namely, concerning positive parent—child relationships, acquiring knowledge, long-term orientation, cooperation, successor roles, and risk orientation.
Access to primary health care for Australian young people: service provider perspectives.

BACKGROUND To adequately address the complex health needs of young people, their access to services, and the quality of services received, must be improved. AIMS To explore the barriers to service provision for young people and to identify the training needs of primary healthcare service providers in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. DESIGN OF STUDY A cross-sectional, qualitative study of the perspectives of a range of health service providers. SETTING A range of primary healthcare organisations across NSW. METHODS Samples of general practitioners (GPs), youth health workers, youth health coordinators, and community health centre staff were drawn from urban and rural clusters across NSW. Focus groups and interviews were used to identify barriers to service provision and the training needs of service providers. Data were tape recorded, transcribed, and analysed. RESULTS Barriers to service provision among GPs and community health centre staff included inadequate time, flexibility, skills, and confidence in working with young people, and poor linkages with other relevant services. Training needs included better knowledge of and skills in adolescent health requirements, working with adolescents, and working with other services. Barriers to service provision for youth health workers and coordinators included lack of financial resources and infrastructure. There were few linkages between groups of service providers. CONCLUSION Models of service provision that allow stronger linkages between service providers, sufficient time for consultation with young people, adequate training and support of health professionals, and flexibility of service provision, including outreach, should be explored and evaluated.
New Leader Agendas & Legacy Organizational Culture: A Case Study Exploring Learning’s Role in Bridging the Great Divide

The learning community has a vested interest in bridging the divide between leadership and culture. Leaders must be attuned to cultural dynamics. Culture is replete with complexities that can hinder new leaders. Learning can help inform and influence how leaders instill cultural changes that may be necessary. This case study of a public sector organization revealed two overarching themes relevant to learning: culture change takes time and must be communicated with care to alleviate stress; and culture change must consider affective elements. Given these findings, a new perspective of culture emerges. Implications for learning scholars and practitioners are presented.
Paeoniflorin inhibits TGF-β1-mediated collagen production by Schistosoma japonicum soluble egg antigen in vitro

SUMMARY The main pathological characteristics of hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis are the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the deposition of collagen type I (Col I) and collagen type III (Col III). Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) plays an important role in hepatic fibrosis. Paeoniflorin (PAE) has been reported to have immunoregulatory effects; however, the mechanism of its anti-hepatic fibrosis in S. japonicum has not been elucidated. In the present study, we found that mouse peritoneal macrophages (PMφs) stimulated by soluble egg antigen (SEA) of S. japonicum could secrete TGF-β1, and the TGF-β1 in the peritoneal macrophage-conditioned medium (PMCM) could induce proliferation of HSCs and secretion of Col I and III. We selected PMCM at 1:2 dilution as the optimum PMCM (OPMCM). Then we treated HSCs pre-incubated with OPMCM with PAE, and found that the inhibition of HSC proliferation or Col I and III production were closely correlated with the concentration of PAE. Further investigation found that PAE significantly decreased the Smad3 transcription and phosphorylation in HSCs stimulated by OPMCM. In conclusion, SEA plays a key role in hepatic fibrosis by inducing TGF-β1 from PMφs. PAE can exert anti-fibrogenic effects by inhibiting HSCs proliferation and down-regulating Smad3 expression and phosphorylation through TGF-β1 signalling.
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows and Economic Growth: The Case of Korea

The current study examines the relationship between FDI inflows and economic growth of Korea and tests the Bhagwati hypothesis which says that FDI inflow is more beneficial to economic growth in an open trade regime in a multivariate framework. Unlike previous works on the concerned hypothesis, a small-sample cointegration test is applied to the time-series data. There is no evidence of cointegration among the variables. The Granger causality test results show that, although FDI inflows do not cause per capita real GDP, the latter is revealed to cause the former when the economic crisis dummy variable is included. There is a unidirectional short-run causality from domestic investment to per capita real GDP growth rate. The case of Korea does not support the Bhagwati hypothesis.
Strategic Trade Policy, the 'Committed' Versus 'Non-Committed': Government and R&D Spillovers

We compare the social welfare generated by a domestic government in the two types of policy setups: a "commitment" regime in which the government sets its policy instrument before the strategic choice is made by the domestic firm and a "non-commitment" regime where the policy variable is set after the strategic choice is made by the firm. The government conducts strategic trade policy in the form of optimal tariffs under which domestic and foreign firms compete in quantities in an imperfectly competitive domestic market where cost reducing R&D spillovers take place from the domestic to the foreign firm. We show that the "non-committed" government achieves generally a higher level of welfare and levies a lower optimal tariff than the "committed" government. Moreover, when the domestic government is allowed to use an R&D subsidy, that may or may not be accompanied by the optimal tariff, the resulting optimal subsidies are always positive.
Surviving downsizing and innovative behaviors: a matter of organizational commitment

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the simultaneous effects of perceived job insecurity and organizational commitment on the innovative behavior of workers in an announced downsizing environment. Design/methodology/approach - – The authors suggest and empirically test a model using the case of a firm, an innovative high technology firm, in a downsizing process. Findings - – The results show an indirect effect of job insecurity on innovative behavior, through organizational commitment. Research limitations/implications - – First, the paper only examined one firm. Although the firm is a large multinational firm it may have a specific organizational culture and a track record that generates some idiosyncratic feelings in face of downsizing. Second, the context of knowledge-intensive firms limits the scope of the study, although it is reasonable to suggest that these firms are more dependent on employees’ innovative efforts for competitive advantage. Practical implications - – This study is a contribution to the HRM practitioners in a tense and delicate worldwide restructuring situation. The outcomes experienced by those who remain – the survivors – are important for the future competitive capabilities of firms post-downsizing. Social implications - – Thus, it seems that organizational commitment directly and positively determines workers’ innovative behavior and that organizational commitment is impacted by job insecurity in an announced downsizing environment. It is, essentially, an affective commitment and job insecurity is more affected by a perceived threat to one’s total job. Originality/value - – A downsizing strategy warrants that the full impact on firms’ ability to innovate be assessed.
Coprologic Survey of Parasites of Spotted Hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

Seventy fecal samples from spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya were examined for parasite eggs and oocysts using sugar flotation. A total of nine parasite genera were identified, and all samples were positive for at least one parasite species. Most individuals were infected with Ancylostoma sp. and Spirometra sp. , and these species had the highest median intensity of infection. Other parasites identified include Isospora sp. , Taeniidae, Spirurida, Toxocara sp. , Mesocestoides sp. , Dipylidium sp. , and Trichuris sp.
Loan defaults and hazard models for bankruptcy prediction

Purpose - Recent bankruptcy research uses hazard models and extensive samples of companies. The large samples used have precluded the inclusion of a variable related to companies' loan default status in the models. With a sample limited to financially distressed companies, the authors aim to examine if results differ when loan default status and/or audit opinion variables are omitted from hazard bankruptcy prediction models. Design/methodology/approach - The sampling frame is publicly traded US companies, consisting of 111 bankrupt and 310 matching companies from 2003 to 2007. The study applies logistic regression to choose variables for parsimonious bankruptcy prediction models to validate hypotheses. Loan default status and/or audit opinion variables are included as potential predictive variables along with variables included in previous hazard bankruptcy prediction models. Findings - Results reveal that loan default and audit opinion variables: improve the predictive accuracy for financially distressed samples with hazard model characteristics; and change the significance on some variables included in previous hazard models. Research limitations/implications - Auditors' propensity to issue going-concern modifications varies over time. To allow manual collection of loan default status information, the authors' sample was limited. Consequently, their results may not be generalizable to other bankruptcy hazard models. Practical implications - Results from hazard models that do not include loan default status or auditor opinion variables should be interpreted with caution. Auditors might improve their going-concern modification decisions by attributing more importance to loan default status. Also, the auditor's opinion adds incremental bankruptcy risk information to lenders and investors. Originality/value - Recent bankruptcy research uses hazard models and extensive samples of companies. However, these studies omit a potentially important variable available to financial statement users, loan default status. The authors demonstrate that including variables for loan default status and auditor's opinion improves bankruptcy prediction models and can change conclusions drawn about other variables.
Monetary Policy and Credit Conditions: Evidence from the Composition of External Finance

In this paper we use the relative movements in bank loans and commercial paper to provide evidence on the existence of a loan supply channel of monetary policy transmission. A first necessary condition for monetary policy to work through a lending channel is that banks must view loans and securities as imperfect substitutes, so that monetary tightening does affect the availability of bank loans. We find that tighter monetary policy leads to a shift in firms' mix of external financing -- commercial paper issuance rises while bank loans fall, suggesting that loan supply has indeed been reduced. Furthermore, these shifts in the financing mix seem to affect investment (even controlling for interest rates). This implies that bank and non-bank sources of finance are also not perfect substitutes for businesses. We also argue that this view of the transmission mechanism can help explain why interest rate spreads involving commercial paper rates have had considerable predictive power for many measures of economic activity.
The Impact of Financial Analyst Reports on Small Caps Prices in Italy

This paper examines abnormal stock returns around the publication of 1,167 reports issued by 26 brokerage firms on 37 small caps admitted to listing on the Italian stock market from 2003 to 2011. The focus is on small caps going public because, for such firms, information asymmetries may be severe and, therefore, analyst reports should be particularly valuable to the market. Several hypotheses are tested. First of all, the market impact is computed for the whole sample and for each recommendation category (buy, hold and sell). The exercise is repeated by controlling for the presence of contemporaneous news, by taking into account only the initiations of coverage and by selecting only the changes in recommendations. The results obtained through a standard event study methodology show that analyst reports on small caps are informative for the market, although the price impact differs across the samples considered. For the whole sample of reports, the cumulative abnormal returns estimated over a three-day event window around the publication date are statistically significant for buy and hold recommendations only (0.98% and -0.83% respectively); however after eliminating contaminating events only buys are significant (1.13%). In addition the buy recommendations included in the initiation of coverage sample turn out to convey information to the market (1.50%); the highest price impact, however, is estimated for the upgrades included in the revisions of recommendation sample (2.19%). The second result of the paper is that information leakage is not widespread, given that abnormal returns are almost never significant before the report date. Therefore, on average, the timing of the market reaction to financial research dissemination does not signal tipping or selective disclosure.
Sense and sensibility: the use of cell death biomarker assays in high-throughput anticancer drug screening and monitoring treatment responses

Cell-based screening allows identification of biologically active compounds, for example, potential anticancer drugs. In this review, various screening assays are discussed in terms of what they measure and how this affects interpretation and relevance. High-throughput (HT) assays of viability based on the reduction of exogenous substrates do not always reflect viability or cell number levels. Membrane integrity assays can be used for HT quantification of cell death, but are non-specific as to the death mode. Several HT assays monitor end point apoptosis. Screening libraries at a single concentration (micromolar) can prevent detection of potent apoptosis inducers, as high concentrations may induce mainly necrosis. Using monolayer cultures limits the significance of cell-based screening as the properties of monolayer cells differ from tumours in vivo. Spheroid cultures are more physiological, but are impractical for screening by conventional methods. The authors have developed an assay quantifying accumulation of a caspase-cleaved protein specific for epithelial cells. It provides an integrated measure of apoptosis in two- and three-dimensional cultures and can be used as a blood biomarker assay for tumour apoptosis in vivo.