Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Employment Growth in New Independent Owner-Managed Firms in Great Britain

DR. PAUL WESTHEAD IS WITH THE Centre for Small and Medium- sized Enterprises, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, United Kingdom, and Professor Sue Birley is with The Management School, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, United Kingdom. This study explores employment change in 408 independent, owner-managed new firms in Great Britain which had received their first order between 1986 and 1990. In order to unravel the factors associated with standardised employment change in new independent firms exploratory bivariate correlation analysis was used. Eighty-eight variables were identified from the literature and they relate to the 'internal' characteristics of the principal owner-manager and the business as well as a range of variables which capture various aspects of the 'external' environment. Bivariate correlation analysis results are presented for separate sub-samples of 'manufacturing' and 'service' firms. Moreover, in order to identify the combination of factors associated with employment change in surveyed new firms the data were further subjected to multiple correlation and regression analysis.
Nonlinear event detection in the Chilean stock market

This study searches for economic and political events that may explain the episodic nonlinearities detected in the returns series of the Chilean stock market index. This methodology is a reverse form of event study. After applying the Hinich portmanteau bicorrelation test to detect episodes of nonlinear behaviour of the index, we investigate what might be the explanation of this behaviour. Our findings may help to explain the difficulty to forecast asset returns. We also shed some light into the major political and economic events that contribute to the numerous short bursts of nonlinear dependence in the Chilean stock market.
Nutrition Requirements of Pleurotus flabellatus

The mycelium of Pleurotus flabellatus was grown in a synthetic medium to obtain accurate information on its nutritional requirements. Among various carbon sources tried, the organism was found to utilize hexose sugars more readily than other sugars. Ammonium citrate was found to be the best source of nitrogen. The yield of dry matter increased as the concentration of nitrogen was increased up to a certain stage beyond which there was no increase in the yield, but the crude protein content of the mycelium increased. Detailed studies on the effect of varying the concentrations of other major nutrients, i.e., potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium, on the growth and crude protein content of the mycelium were also carried out. Optimal pH range was fairly broad, lying between 4.5 to 7.5.
Evaluation of the contribution of gyrA mutation and efflux pumps to fluoroquinolone and multidrug resistance in pathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the contribution of gyrA mutation and efflux pumps to fluoroquinolone resistance and multidrug resistance among Escherichia coli isolates from dogs and cats. SAMPLE POPULATION 536 clinical isolates of E coli. PROCEDURES Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for enrofloxacin and 6 other drug classes by use of broth microdilution techniques. Real-time PCR assay was used to determine the mutation in gyrA; Phe-Arg-β-naphthylamide, an efflux pump inhibitor, was used to examine the contribution of efflux pump overexpression. RESULTS The MIC for fluoroquinolones increased in a stepwise fashion and was lowest in the absence of mutations, higher with a single point mutation, and highest with 2 point mutations. Level of resistance in the latter category was high (8 times the breakpoint), but this was associated with expression of the AcrAB efflux pump. Inhibition of the efflux pump resulted in a reduction in the MIC to less than the susceptible breakpoint for isolates with an MIC ≤ 4 mg/L, regardless of the presence of a mutation. The greatest magnitude in MIC decrease (MIC was decreased by a factor of > 67 fold) was for isolates with a single mutation but the greatest absolute decrease in MIC (124 mg/L) was for isolates with 2 mutations. Inhibition of the AcrAB efflux pump in isolates characterized by multidrug resistance decreased the MIC of drugs structurally unrelated to fluoroquinolone. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Fluoroquinolone resistance in E coli appeared to be a stepwise phenomenon, with MIC increasing as the number of point mutations in gyrA increased, but high-level resistance and multidrug resistance associated with fluoroquinolone resistance reflected overexpression of the AcrAB efflux pump.
World‐class Manufacturing versus Strategic Trade‐offs

There has been considerable (sometime acrimonious) debate about the issue of the continuous‐improvement protagonists′ view and the (old‐fashioned) manufacturing strategy view of the nature and extent of “trade‐offs” between manufacturing performance characteristics. Seeks to explore the argument from both sides, starting from the necessity for major transformations in the performance of manufacturing systems over the next few years (the “challenge of transformation”). Explores the characteristics of “World‐class Manufacturing” and examines the relevance of trade‐offs in detail through case‐study illustrations. Develops a balanced view which argues that, while certain trade‐offs have been rendered irrelevant by market pressures and expectations, others have not and remain the key to the choice of technology, process and organization within the manufacturing mix.
Impact of olanzapine on cognitive functions in patients with schizophrenia during an observation period of six months.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of olanzapine treatment on selected cognitive functions in patients suffering from schizophrenia during an observation period of six-months. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia according to ICD-10 criteria for research were examined. One day before initiation of olanzapine a baseline assessment was performed. The neuropsychological examination was repeated 28 days, 60 days, 3 months, and 6 months after the beginning of treatment. Cognitive function measurements were performed using Signal, COGNITRON and RT tests, being a part of the computer-based Vienna Test System (VTS). RESULTS Our study showed an improvement in the assessed cognitive functions. Impairments in cognitive domains were observed at baseline as compared to published normative data, and enhancement in achieved results was observed subsequently in all stages of the treatment until the 6th month. CONCLUSION The above results are consistent with a number of other studies on the impact on cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia treated with olanzapine.
Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Genomes Persist as Episomal Chromatin in Primate Muscle

ABSTRACT Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors are capable of mediating long-term gene expression following administration to skeletal muscle. In rodent muscle, the vector genomes persist in the nucleus in concatemeric episomal forms. Here, we demonstrate with nonhuman primates that rAAV vectors integrate inefficiently into the chromosomes of myocytes and reside predominantly as episomal monomeric and concatemeric circles. The episomal rAAV genomes assimilate into chromatin with a typical nucleosomal pattern. The persistence of the vector genomes and gene expression for years in quiescent tissues suggests that a bona fide chromatin structure is important for episomal maintenance and transgene expression. These findings were obtained from primate muscles transduced with rAAV1 and rAAV8 vectors for up to 22 months after intramuscular delivery of 5 × 1012 viral genomes/kg. Because of this unique context, our data, which provide important insight into in situ vector biology, are highly relevant from a clinical standpoint.
TECs: A revolution in training and enterprise, or old wine in new bottles?

The White Paper, Employment in the 1990s, in December 1988, announced the government's intention to invite local employerled groups to submit proposals for the introduction of Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs). These would contract with the Training Agency (TA) to plan and deliver training, and promote and support small businesses and self-employment in their areas. In April 1990, the first 10 TECs signed contracts to move into their operational phase; by October 1990, 22 TECs were operational, and the remainder (82 in all, covering the whole of England and Wales) came on stream by April 1991. Whilst it is too early to evaluate the TECs and their effectiveness, the launch of the operational phase provides a timely opportunity to take stock. On the one hand, there is some evidence of the problems the TECs will face, based on the experience of the past 18 months, when the government has moved rapidly to implement the programme, simultaneously evolving the objectives, rules and performance criteria for TECs. On the other hand, there is still time for local authorities and other bodies involved in local economies to influence TECs' activities, and help ensure their success or otherwise. This paper is based in part on research conducted in six local areas (see, for example, Meager etal, 1990a; 1990b) to establish benchmarks of training and enterprise support provision prior to the TECs, and against which subsequent TEC performance might be evaluated. The paper sets out some initial observations on the TECs, and the benefits and problems associated with them.
Is an inequality-neutral flat tax reform really neutral?

Let us assume a revenue- and inequality-neutral flat tax reform shifting from a graduated-rate tax. Is this reform really distributional neutral? Traditionally, there has been a bias toward the inequality analysis, forgetting other relevant aspects of the income distribution. This kind of reforms implies a set of composite transfers, both progressive and regressive, even though inequality remains unchanged. This paper shows that polarization is a useful tool for characterizing this set of transfers caused by inequality-neutral tax reforms. A simulation exercise illustrates how polarization can be used to discriminate between two inequality-neutral tax alternatives.
Who Influences the Fed? Presidential Versus Congressional Leadership

This paper examines political influences over U.S monetary policy, analysed quarterly from 1953 to 2000. We use indicators of presidential and congressional ideology as predictors of actor preferences and as representative of overhead democracy. We also include several economic variables predicting percent change in the federal funds rate. While not surprised to find that economic conditions are important in explaining Fed decisionmaking, we also find that the theory of overhead democracy also contributes to the explanation. Initially, both presidential and congressional ideology are important but in a combined model, presidential variables wash out influence of congressional variables. Thus, we conclude that overhead democracy must be included in models predicting Fed decisionmaking.
Renegotiation and Information Revelation Over Time: The Case of Optimal Labor Contracts

The paper analyzes the issue of commitment in Grossman and Hart's model of optimal labor contracts under asymmetric information about firm profitability. We extend their framework by allowing employment to vary over time, at equidistant intervals. When both parties can precommit ex ante not to renegotiate the contract, this replicates the Grossman-Hart outcome each subperiod. When precommitment is not possible, information revealed through the contract can create Pareto-improving renegotiation opportunities, and the issue of optimal information revelation arises. The paper analyzes the impact of ex post Pareto-improving renegotiations on the optimal contract.
A Diamond Curse?

While territory, oil, and water are frequently mentioned as resources likely to promote interstate conflict, diamonds have emerged as a prominent factor in explanations of civil war. In this article, the authors report on a new database on diamond deposits and production and analyze the relationship between diamonds and armed conflict incidence. They find a strong bivariate relationship between diamonds (particularly secondary diamonds) and the onset of civil war. Adding diamond dummies to standard models of civil war, the results are more mixed. The production of secondary diamonds increases the risk of onset of ethnic war, but not other types of war. The authors find evidence that secondary diamonds are positively related to the incidence of civil war, especially in countries divided along ethnic lines. Primary diamonds, on the other hand, make ethnic war onset and incidence less likely. The authors also find that the impact of diamonds has been substantially stronger in the post-cold war era.
Essays on corruption in sub-Saharan Africa

We study three topics on corruption that are of particular relevance to sub-Saharan Africa. Firstly, we address the question of why corruption is such an endemic problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Is it policy driven or "destiny"? We analyse indices of perceived corruption and test several theories regarding the causes of corruption. We find strong support for two arguments: Countries with a British heritage are perceived to be less corrupt, while those with a common law system are perceived to be more corrupt. We find weaker support for four further arguments: Countries with good quality institutions and a greater proportion of women in the labour force are perceived as less corrupt. Countries with greater natural resource abundance and with greater trade openness are perceived to be more corrupt. Secondly, we look at the supply side of bribery. Within the public procurement process, we study how a firm's uncertainty regarding the official's corruptibility and rival firms' costs influences the magnitude of the bribe it offers. Due to the illegal nature of bribery, we also explicitly consider different punishment mechanisms for corrupt firms. We find that secrecy leads to lower bribe levels, and that bribery can be completely deterred by either appropriate fixed fines or by firms being fined punitive damages. Thirdly, we investigate whether more corrupt governments receive less aid. We develop a theoretical framework that treats corruption as a tax on aid. Although we are unable to empirically test this model, we use it to motivate our empirical analysis of aid receipts using data on sub-Saharan Africa. We find a negative correlation between a country's perceived level of corruption and its aid receipts. However, we find no causal effect of perceived corruption on aid receipts. We revisit the results of an influential paper in the literature and find that their result of no evidence that countries perceived as more corrupt receive less aid is not robust to a sample of sub-Saharan African countries, although we find no evidence of a causal effect. We find no evidence that the impact of perceived corruption on aid receipts differs across sectors.
The Role of Psychological Contracts within Internal Service Networks

This article explores internal service relationships within the service delivery process of a large telecommunications company. The empirical research generates an expression of the psychological contracts held between internal customers and suppliers based upon the content analysis of qualitative interviews. Seven hundred and twenty three contractual expectations are reduced into 17 categories and this analytical framework is applied to measure the strength of the psychological contract between three interdependent service groups. The research explores how established psychological contracts encouraged the provision of flexible internal services and how psychological contract breach precipitated service delivery problems with clear implications for managers and service organisations.
Sovereign Wealth Funds and Target Firms: Does ‘Networking’ Matter?

This paper analyses the impact of Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) equity investments on target firm operating performance. Metrics from network analysis are used to investigate whether target firms, that are better connected each other by means of the SWF investments, extract benefits from this network in terms of higher operating performance. The study dataset is made up of 507 SWF acquisition deals worldwide in the time span between 2000 and 2011. Findings indicate that more central firms in the SWF-target firm network enjoybetter operating performance. In addition, the analysis points out that operating performance is higher: (i) the larger the stake acquired, (ii) if the investment is direct and domestic, (iii) if the SWF is run by a politician. Overall, the results reveal that only when a target firm can benefit from the network of both political andcommercial connections created by SWFs, do they enjoy these benefits and gain in operating performance.
Rhs Elements Comprise Three Subfamilies Which Diverged Prior to Acquisition by Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT The Rhs elements are complex genetic composites widely spread among Escherichia coli isolates. One of their components, a 3.7-kb, GC-rich core, maintains a single open reading frame that extends the full length of the core and then 400 to 600 bp beyond into an AT-rich region. Whereas Rhs cores are homologous, core extensions from different elements are dissimilar. Two new Rhs elements from strains of the ECOR reference collection have been characterized. RhsG (from strain ECOR-11) maps to min 5.3, and RhsH (from strain ECOR-45) maps to min 32.8, where it lies in tandem with RhsE. Comparison of strain K-12 to ECOR-11 indicates that RhsGwas once present in but has been largely deleted from an ancestor of K-12. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the cores from eight known elements fall into three subfamilies, RhsA-B-C-F,RhsD-E, and RhsG-H. Cores from different subfamilies diverge 22 to 29%. Analysis of substitutions that distinguish between subfamilies shows that the origin of the ancestral core as well as the process of subfamily separation occurred in a GC-rich background. Furthermore, each subfamily independently passed from the GC-rich background to a less GC-rich background such asE. coli. A new example of core-extension shuffling provides the first example of exchange between cores of different subfamilies. A novel component of RhsE and RhsG,vgr, encodes a large protein distinguished by 18 to 19 repetitions of a Val-Gly dipeptide occurring with a eight-residue periodicity.
Market Prices of Risk with Diverse Beliefs, Learning, and Catastrophes

We compare market prices of risk in economies with identical patterns of endowments, priors, and information flows, but two different market structures, one with complete markets, another in which consumers can trade only a single risk-free bond. We study how opportunities to speculate, uncommon priors, and learning affect market prices of risk. Two types of consumers have diverse beliefs about the law of motion for a random exogenous endowment. One type knows the true law of motion while the other type learns about it via Bayes' theorem. Less-well-informed consumers are pessimistic, initially overestimating the probability of a catastrophic state. Learning dynamics and the wealth dynamics that they drive contribute to differences in evolutions of market prices of risk across market structures.
Same-Day Diagnostic and Surveillance Data for Tuberculosis via Whole-Genome Sequencing of Direct Respiratory Samples

ABSTRACT Routine full characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is culture based, taking many weeks. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) can generate antibiotic susceptibility profiles to inform treatment, augmented with strain information for global surveillance; such data could be transformative if provided at or near the point of care. We demonstrate a low-cost method of DNA extraction directly from patient samples for M. tuberculosis WGS. We initially evaluated the method by using the Illumina MiSeq sequencer (40 smear-positive respiratory samples obtained after routine clinical testing and 27 matched liquid cultures). M. tuberculosis was identified in all 39 samples from which DNA was successfully extracted. Sufficient data for antibiotic susceptibility prediction were obtained from 24 (62%) samples; all results were concordant with reference laboratory phenotypes. Phylogenetic placement was concordant between direct and cultured samples. With Illumina MiSeq/MiniSeq, the workflow from patient sample to results can be completed in 44/16 h at a reagent cost of £96/£198 per sample. We then employed a nonspecific PCR-based library preparation method for sequencing on an Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencer. We applied this to cultured Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG DNA and to combined culture-negative sputum DNA and BCG DNA. For flow cell version R9.4, the estimated turnaround time from patient to identification of BCG, detection of pyrazinamide resistance, and phylogenetic placement was 7.5 h, with full susceptibility results 5 h later. Antibiotic susceptibility predictions were fully concordant. A critical advantage of MinION is the ability to continue sequencing until sufficient coverage is obtained, providing a potential solution to the problem of variable amounts of M. tuberculosis DNA in direct samples.
Substance Flow Analysis of Wastes Containing Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

The present article examines flows and stocks of Stockholm Convention regulated pollutants, commercial penta‐ and octabrominated diphenyl ether (cPentaBDE, cOctaBDE), on a city level. The goals are to (1) identify sources, pathways, and sinks of these compounds in the city of Vienna, (2) determine the fractions that reach final sinks, and (3) develop recommendations for waste management to ensure their minimum recycling and maximum transfer to appropriate final sinks. By means of substance flow analysis (SFA) and scenario analysis, it was found that the key flows of cPentaBDE stem from construction materials. Therefore, end‐of‐life (EOL) plastic materials used for construction must be separated and properly treated, for example, in a state‐of‐the‐art municipal solid waste (MSW) incinerator. In the case of cOctaBDE, the main flows are waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and, possibly, vehicles. Most EOL vehicles are exported from Vienna and pose a continental, rather than a local, problem. According to the modeling, approximately 73% of cOctaBDE reached the final sink MSW incinerator, and 17% returned back to consumption by recycling. Secondary plastics, made from WEEE, may thus contain significant amounts of cOctaBDE; however, uncertainties are high. According to uncertainty analysis, the major cause is the lack of reliable values regarding cOctaBDE concentrations in European WEEE categories 3 and 4, including cathode ray tube monitors for computers and televisions. We recommend establishing a new, goal‐oriented data set by additional analyses of waste constituents and plastic recycling samples, as well as establishing reliable mass balances of polybrominated diphenyl ethers’ flows and stocks by means of SFA.