Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Firms' Use of Outside Contractors: Theory and Evidence

A firm's decision to contract out for business support services may be influenced by the wage and benefit savings it could realize, the volatility of its output demand, and the availability of specialized skills possessed by the outside contractor. Analysis of newly available establishment-level data shows that all three of these factors help to explain observed contracting behavior. The reported empirical findings are relevant both for understanding the recent growth in business support service contracting and for understanding firms' relationships with their own employees.
Semantic and phonological influences on visual word learning in a transparent language

Orthographic representations of words are indispensable for reading fluency. The ways in which these representations are developed and their resistance to decay are hotly debated topics. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of semantic and phonological representations on the formation of orthographic representations in a transparent orthography. In order to achieve this objective, an experiment with three conditions was carried out. In the first condition, a group of university students were asked to repeatedly read 10 new words after semantic and phonological training, in the second condition another group of participants read the new words after phonological training, and in the third condition participants read without previous training. Finally, a follow-up session was performed to test the resistance to decay of the orthographic representations. The results showed that participants who had received semantic training formed the representations faster than participants in the other conditions, as indicated by the decrease in length effect. These results indicate the important role of previous knowledge when people face new written words. A month later these orthographic representations still remained in the lexicon of the participants.
An Application of the Weak Form of the Efficiency Hypothesis on the Saudi Arabia Stock Market after Tadawul

The aim of this study is to test the efficiency of the Saudi Stock Market (SSM) after “Tadawul” (the entity responsible for operating the SSM). The weak form of the efficiency theory was applied to test the SSM efficiency. The SSM daily stock price returns index was examined using autocorrelation and the run test of randomness from January 1 st 2007 to March 18 th 2007 (before Tadawul) and from March 19 th 2007 to May 29 th 2007 (after Tadawul). The results suggest more investigation to be done on the SSM behavioral finance and under reaction and overreaction split to confirm the SSM “efficiency”
Preparing adult branch students for their management role as staff nurses: an action research project.

AIM This action research project aimed to investigate students', newly qualified staff nurses' and ward managers' views about the management skills and knowledge required by staff nurses, and how best students could be prepared for their management role. BACKGROUND The importance of the staff nurse's management role is increasingly being recognized but the literature highlights the difficulties in preparing students for management, and personal experience confirmed this. METHODS Focus group interviews were held with senior students and newly qualified staff nurses. A questionnaire was then developed which was completed by 23 ward managers. FINDINGS A good insight into the management skills and knowledge expected of newly qualified staff nurses, and useful ideas about preparation for the role emerged. An extra 2 weeks in practice, supernumerary and with specific management learning outcomes, was implemented and evaluated well. CONCLUSIONS Preparation of students for their management role as staff nurses benefits from being closely linked to practical experience, with clear learning outcomes and supportive clinical staff. Using an action research approach to investigate the problem and develop a strategy was found to be an appropriate methodology.
The Age of Austerity: Contesting the Ethical Basis and Financial Sustainability of Welfare Reform in Europe

This paper examines the policy of austerity in three European welfare regimes with differing levels of social spending and fiscal balance: Italy; Sweden; and the UK. In spite of significant material differences between the three countries, the paper begins by illustrating that there is ultimately convergence in their responses to the economic crisis. These welfare regimes have justified the terms of austerity by suggesting that economic and welfare reforms address questions of ‘need’, ‘fairness’ and ‘sustainability’. Contrary to dominant political and policy rationale, the paper demonstrates that austerity measures in each country fail to meet policy objectives given their own conceptions of social and distributive justice. The three welfare regimes lack cogent strategies to safeguard their financial sustainability and this results in a neo-liberal paradigm that compromises the ethical and internal coherence of austerity.
Epidemiology and Trends in Incidence of Kidney Cancer in Iran.

BACKGROUND Kidney cancer has shown an increasing trend in recent decades. This study aimed to determine change in the incidence rate between 2003 and 2009 in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, national cancer registry data were used. Crude incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 and age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) were computed using the direct standardization method and the world standard population. Significant trend of incidence rates was examined by the Cochran-Armitage test for linear trend. RESULTS A total of 6,944 cases of kidney cancer were reported. The incidence cases increased from 595 patients in 2003 to 1,387 patients in 2009. Sex ratio (male to female) was 1.67. ASR also increased from 1.18 in 2003 to 2.52 in 2009 per 100,000, but the increasing trend was not significant. CONCLUSIONS A slow increasing trend of incidence rate was observed in the study population. This may be due to an increase of risk factors. It is suggested to perform a study on risk factors for the cancer.
M062 Is a Host Range Factor Essential for Myxoma Virus Pathogenesis and Functions as an Antagonist of Host SAMD9 in Human Cells

ABSTRACT Myxoma virus (MYXV) M062R is a functional homolog of the C7L family of host range genes from orthopoxviruses. We constructed a targeted M062R-knockout-MYXV (vMyxM062-KO) and characterized its properties in vitro and in vivo. In European rabbits, infection by vMyxM062-KO was completely asymptomatic. The surviving rabbits did not gain full protection against the subsequent lethal-dose challenge with wild-type MYXV. We also looked for cellular tropism defects in a variety of cultured cells. In all of the rabbit cells tested, vMyxM062-KO conducts an abortive infection, although it initiates viral DNA replication. In many, but not all, human cancer cells that are permissive for wild-type MYXV, vMyxM062-KO exhibited a profound replication defect. We categorized human cells tested into two groups: (i) type A, which support productive replication for wild-type MYXV but are unable to produce significant levels of progeny virus by vMyxM062-KO, and (ii) type B, which are permissive to infections by both wild-type MYXV and vMyxM062-KO. Furthermore, using proteomic strategies, we identified sterile α motif domain containing 9 (SAMD9), an interferon-regulated cellular protein implicated in human inflammatory disorders, as a unique host binding partner of M062 in human cells. Significantly, knocking down SAMD9 in type A human cancer cells led to a substantial rescue of vMyxM062-KO infection. In summary, M062 is a novel host range factor that controls productive MYXV replication in rabbit cells and in a wide variety of human cells. M062 also binds and antagonizes cellular SAMD9 in human cells, suggesting that SAMD9 is a novel innate antiviral factor against poxviruses.
Ontogeny of preproenkephalin mRNA expression in the rat retina

Abstract Endogenous opioid systems (i.e. opioid peptides and opioid receptors) modulate developmental events in the neonatal mammalian retina. In the present study, the mRNA encoding preproenkephalin A (PPE), the prohormone for the opioid growth factor (OGF), [Met5]-enkephalin, was studied in the developing and the adult retinas of rats. Northern analysis indicated the presence of a 1.4-kb message in the developing and adult retinas corresponding to rat PPE mRNA. Quantitation showed that PPE message was present on postnatal day 1 at 5% of the adult level, and increased during development until the adult quantity was reached by postnatal day 27. In situ hybridization experiments first detected the presence of PPE mRNA in retinal tissues during late gestation. In late prenatal and neonatal retinas, PPE message was associated with areas of the developing retina containing proliferating neuroblasts and postmitotic cells. Later in development, message appeared to be located primarily within the inner retina, with abundant PPE mRNA associated with putative horizontal cells of the inner nuclear layer (INL). The adult retina showed a similar pattern of PPE gene expression in the cells of the INL. These findings document that the gene expression in the retina for PPE begins in the fetus, continues during retinal development, and coincides with the presence of a PPE mRNA derivative ([Met5]-enkephalin) that regulates DNA synthesis during retinal ontogeny. Our results are also the first to show the presence of PPE message in the adult mammalian retina, suggesting transcription of an opioid gene in the mature visual system.
Best Practices in Diversity Management in Customer Service Organizations

An analysis of diversity management programs used by fourteen companies cited for diversity found a suite of practices used by nearly all of them. Using a benchmarking assessment, this study analyzed the diversity management programs from a sample of hospitality and customer service organizations that were named by Diversity Inc. to be top companies for diversity. The analysis of the organizations’ specific practices revealed the following seven complementary and highly related categories of diversity management practice: corporate diversity council, diversity training programs, supplier diversity, employee networking and mentoring, cultural awareness, support for women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender network programs and same-sex benefits. The result of these policies is a highly diverse workforce and relatively diverse management in the sample firms.
The acute physiological stress response to an emergency alarm and mobilization during the day and at night

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute physiological stress response to an emergency alarm and mobilization during the day and at night. Sixteen healthy males aged 25 ± 4 years (mean ± SD) spent four consecutive days and nights in a sleep laboratory. This research used a within-participants design with repeated measures for time, alarm condition (alarm or control), and trial (day or night). When an alarm sounded, participants were required to mobilize immediately. Saliva samples for cortisol analysis were collected 0 min, 15 min, 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min after mobilization, and at corresponding times in control conditions. Heart rate was measured continuously throughout the study. Heart rate was higher in the day (F20,442 = 9.140, P < 0.001) and night (F23,459 = 8.356, P < 0.001) alarm conditions compared to the respective control conditions. There was no difference in saliva cortisol between day alarm and day control conditions. Cortisol was higher (F6,183 = 2.450, P < 0.001) following the night alarm and mobilization compared to the night control condition. The magnitude of difference in cortisol between night control and night alarm conditions was greater (F6,174 = 4.071, P < 0.001) than the magnitude of difference between the day control and day alarm conditions. The augmented heart rate response to the day and night alarms supports previous observations in field settings. Variations in the cortisol responses between conditions across the day and night may relate to differences in participants′ ability to interpret the alarm when sleeping versus when awake.
From a VAR Model to a Structural Model, with an Application to the Wage-Price Spiral

In this paper a VAR model is considered as a general framework in which a structural model can be tested. We carefully describe the hypotheses defining a structural model; this leads us to discuss various notions such as: predeterminedness, non-causality, exogeneity, contemporaneous identification, overall identification, weak and strong structural forms, Then we propose a test procedure, based on the asymptotic least-squares method, which allows successive testing of each aspect of a structural model. This procedure is applied to the wage price spiral. Copyright 1990 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
When Does Pre-IPO Financial Reporting Trigger Post-IPO Legal Consequences?

Prior research suggests that the fear of litigation precludes most managers from manipulating earnings in the initial public offering (“IPO”) setting. Yet, managers’ restraint is perhaps unwarranted: research has not yet linked instances of aggressive pre-IPO reporting to increased litigation risk. This paper investigates when aggressive IPO reporting triggers legal consequences. Examining 2,037 IPOs, we find that even when ex post evidence indicates the presence of earnings inflation, litigation is more likely to occur when investors have relied on the suspect earnings during the pricing process (i.e., when pre-IPO abnormal accrual reporting opportunistically increases IPO valuation but ultimately links to disappointing post-IPO performance). Why might investors rely on some firms’ abnormal accruals when valuing the IPO and yet discount the abnormal accruals of other firms? Our analyses suggest that IPO investors incorporate abnormal accrual information into IPO prices in situations where accruals are more likely to reflect information and other sources of information to help investors make pricing decisions are lacking or are less reliable. In these situations, we find that abnormal accruals do positively correlate with future performance, validating investors’ use of this information when pricing these offerings. Yet, when ex post performance reveals that these pre-IPO abnormal accruals were in fact inflated, we find that litigation emerges to allow harmed shareholders to recover losses incurred dating back to the pricing process — importantly, investors are only harmed if they used those abnormal accruals in pricing the IPO. Collectively, our evidence indicates that litigation in response to earnings inflation does indeed surface in the IPO setting — but only when investors need it to settle the score.
The Value of Firms’ Voluntary Commitment to Improve Transparency: The Case of Special Segments on Euronext

This paper examines whether a firm's commitment to increase transparency affects firm value and liquidity by studying firms' voluntary decision to be listed in “special segments” created by Euronext. The empirical analysis finds positive valuation effects for firms that opted into the special segments and documents positive effects on the liquidity of these firms. In contrast, when similar market regulations are imposed on all listed firms, and the segments become unavailable, I find marketwide negative valuation effects. The findings suggest that stock exchanges can provide an effective channel that improves firms' liquidity and value; however, when a regulation with similar requirements is imposed on all firms in the market, the effect is less likely to be recognized, at least in the short term.
Government Preferences for Promoting Open-Source Software: A Solution in Search of a Problem

Governments around the world are making or considering efforts to promote open-source software (typically produced by cooperatives of individuals) at the expense of proprietary software (generally sold by for-profit software developers). This article examines the economic basis for these kinds of government interventions in the market. It first provides some background on the software industry. The article discusses the industrial organization and performance of the proprietary software business and describes how the open-source movement produces and distributes software. It then surveys current government proposals and initiatives to support open-source software and examines whether there is a significant market failure that would justify such intervention in the software industry. The article concludes that the software industry has performed remarkably well over the past 20 years in the absence of government intervention. There is no evidence of any significant market failures in the provision of commercial software and no evidence that the establishment of policy preferences in favor of open-source software on the part of governments would increase consumer welfare.
Alveolar ridge dimensional changes following ridge preservation procedure using SocketKAP(™) : exploratory study of serial cone-beam computed tomography and histologic analysis in canine model.

INTRODUCTION The aim of this pilot study was to examine the kinetics of alterations in alveolar ridge width and height following tooth extraction with and without ridge preservation, using anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM) and a novel device (SocketKAP(™) ) designed for obturation of socket orifice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Maxillary left and right PM1 and mandibular right PM2 and PM4 were extracted on six beagle dogs and treated as follows: Group A: negative control; Group B: SocketKAP(™) alone; Group C: ABBM + SocketKAP(™) . Serial cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was taken at 0-, 1-, 2-, 4-, 8- and 12-week intervals to calculate the rate of alveolar bone loss, followed by histologic and histomorphometric analyses at 12 weeks. Across group outcomes were compared. RESULTS Without additional intervention, the crestal-most 3 mm of alveolar bone width lost approximately 0.21-0.28 mm per week. The rate of alveolar buccal bone height loss was 0.19 mm per week. Comparatively, in group C, the alveolar bone was relatively stable, with loss of only 0.003-0.13 mm of width and 0.12 mm of height per week. These differences were statistically significant. The alveolar bone in sites treated by SocketKAP(™) alone was significantly different from control only at select time points and locations of the ridge, presumably due to small sample size. CONCLUSION Without additional intervention, tooth extraction was accompanied by rapid loss of alveolar ridge width and height. Applications of SocketKAP(™) and ABBM were effective in reducing alveolar crestal width and height loss following tooth extraction.
Students’ use of extra-curricular activities for positional advantage in competitive job markets

With the rise of mass higher education, competition between graduates in the labour market is increasing. Students are aware that their degree will not guarantee them a job and realise they should add value and distinction to their credentials to achieve a positional advantage. Participation in extra-curricular activities (ECAs) is one such strategy, as it allows students to demonstrate competencies not otherwise visible in their résumés due to limited job experience. This article presents data from interviews with 66 students about their use of ECAs in relation to the labour market. It describes the reasons students got involved in ECAs, how they integrate them in their résumés, their perceptions of their peers’ behaviour and their beliefs about how employers will interpret their activities. Our data show that especially students involved in associations use ECAs to distinguish themselves from competition. Implications for employers, students and further research are discussed.
Auditory Perception in Individuals with Friedreich’s Ataxia

Introduction: Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is an inherited ataxia with a range of progressive features including axonal degeneration of sensory nerves. The aim of this study was to investigate auditory perception in affected individuals. Methods: Fourteen subjects with genetically defined FRDA participated. Two control groups, one consisting of healthy, normally hearing individuals and another comprised of subjects with sensorineural hearing loss, were also assessed. Auditory processing was evaluated using structured tasks designed to reveal the listeners’ ability to perceive temporal and spectral cues. Findings were then correlated with open-set speech understanding. Results: Nine of 14 individuals with FRDA showed evidence of auditory processing disorder. Gap and amplitude modulation detection levels in these subjects were significantly elevated, indicating impaired encoding of rapid signal changes. Electrophysiologic findings (auditory brainstem response, ABR) also reflected disrupted neural activity. Speech understanding was significantly affected in these listeners and the degree of disruption was related to temporal processing ability. Speech analyses indicated that timing cues (notably consonant voice onset time and vowel duration) were most affected. Conclusion: The results suggest that auditory pathway abnormality is a relatively common consequence of FRDA. Regular auditory evaluation should therefore be part of the management regime for all affected individuals. This assessment should include both ABR testing, which can provide insights into the degree to which auditory neural activity is disrupted, and some functional measure of hearing capacity such as speech perception assessment, which can quantify the disorder and provide a basis for intervention.
CORDIC implementation with parameterizable ASIC/SoC flow

A CORDIC processor with three computation modes is designed. The design targets low power applications. A novel fine grain clock gating scheme is employed to reduce power. The design is mapped to two technology nodes, i.e., 350 nm and 65 nm, using a script-based, parameterizable ASIC/SoC flow that can be easily adapted for different designs and technologies for fast concept-to-silicon mapping. Power numbers at both technology nodes are reported for the CORDIC design. The contribution of the paper includes both the actual design and the design flow.
Temporal lobe changes in early, untreated Parkinson's disease

The purpose of this study was to determine if focal cortical abnormalities may occur in early Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied 26 untreated patients with early PD and 14 healthy control subjects, with cognitive screening and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Voxel‐based morphometry was used to assess for the presence of localized cortical grey matter (GM) and/or subcortical white matter (WM) changes. Patient and control groups showed no differences in age or gender distribution. Females had a greater GM% than males (P = 0.001). Comparison of patients and controls revealed no difference in local GM volumes. In PD, however, there was decreased WM volume in the anterior right fusiform gyrus and superior temporal gyrus. There were no correlations between the California Verbal Learning Test long delay free recall, Judgment of Line Orientation, Trail Making A or B and either the GM or WM localized volumes. These results suggest that right anterior temporal lobe changes occur in untreated patients with PD. The earliest changes may occur in subcortical white matter rather than temporal cortex. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society