Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why Do Firms Go Public? The Role of the Product Market

This paper investigates the effect of product market characteristics on the decision to go public. When firms decide to go public or remain private, they trade off product market related costs and benefits. Costs arise from the loss of confidential information to competitors, e.g., in the IPO prospectus and subsequent mandated public disclosures, while benefits emerge from raising capital allowing the firm to strengthen its position in the product market. Our results show that UK firms are more likely to go public when they operate in a more profitable industry and in an industry with lower barriers to entry. These firms are more likely to go public in order to improve their position in the product market and to deter new entrants into the industry. However, firms from more competitive industries and firms with smaller market share are less likely to go public. For these firms the loss of confidential information to rivals outweighs the benefits of going public.
Analyzing the effects of past prices on reference price formation

We propose a new reference price framework for brand choice. In this framework, we employ a Markov-switching process with an absorbing state to model unobserved price recall of households. Reference prices result from the prices households are able to remember. Our model can be used to learn how many prices observed in the past are used for reference price formation. Furthermore, we learn to what extent households have sufficient price knowledge to form an internal reference price. For A.C. Nielsen scanner panel data on catsup purchases, we find that the prices observed at the previous purchase occasion have an average recall probability of about 20%. Furthermore, the average probability that a household has sufficient price knowledge to form a reference price is estimated at about 30%. Even though price recall is very limited the impact of reference price formation on brand choice is substantial, and it is stronger than two popular alternative models in the literature suggest. Moreover, contrary to the two alternative models, our model does not suggest asymmetry between price gains and losses.
A case for gender equity in governance of the Okavango Delta fisheries in Botswana

Fish is a major source of livelihood for the majority of people living around the Okavango Delta in northwestern Botswana. Gender dynamics and governance regimes determine differential access to, and control of, resources between women and men in the area. The purpose of this case study is to critically assess the embeddedness of gendered inequities in the governance of Okavango Delta fishery. Primary data was collected through focus group discussions and face‐to‐face interviews of 96 basket fishers from five villages along the Panhandle area of the Okavango River. The study found that past and present Okavango Delta fishery policy and programme interventions tended to entrench rather than minimize gendered disparities between women and men fishers' access to and control over fish resources, asset accumulation and employment opportunities. Basket fishers have intimate knowledge of flood variability, fish migration and habitat and use this knowledge to make decisions about when and where to harvest what fish species. Women fishers' ecological knowledge, interests and concerns however, have been excluded from current zoning and closed season regulations and co‐management structures. The paper concludes that past and current development interventions as well as the regulatory framework continue to entrench pre‐existing gender relations in the fishery sector which excludes, disempowers and marginalizes women fishers. We recommend innovative co‐management and local based structures which recognize the diversity of interests and interest groups.
Land Quality, Irrigation Development, and Cropping Patterns in the Northern High Plains

This article examines the interactions between land quality, crop choice, and technological change using a framework that integrates cross-sectional and intertemporal aspects of diffusion. The empirical results indicate that (a) the acreages allocated to different crops vary significantly over land quality, (b) crops tend to be grown on specific ranges of land quality, (c) the introduction of center pivot technology induced significant changes in cropping patterns, (d) land quality-augmenting technologies tend to be utilized primarily on lower qualities of land, and (e) irrigation development has been quite sensitive to tax policies.
The Run on Daily Foods and Goods After the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake

Using high-frequency scan-based data on purchases by households compiled by a market research firm, this article examines changes in consumption patterns in the period of confusion immediately after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. In particular, we focus on the panic buying of foods and daily necessities observed mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area immediately after the unprecedented disaster. The results of our empirical analysis suggest that the sudden increase in daily expenditure due to panic buying was mainly due to a jump in the share of households that engaged in buying; on the other hand, increases in prices and the quantities that each household purchased were limited. Furthermore, based on regression analyses on items for which panic buying was clearly observed, we found that households that engaged in panic buying appear to have hoarded a wide range of commodities at random (i.e., they purchased rice, bread, noodles, and whatever they could lay their hands on).
Population PKPD modelling of the long-term hypoglycaemic effect of gliclazide given as a once-a-day modified release (MR) formulation.

AIMS To study the relationship between the pharmacokinetics (PK) of gliclazide and its long-term pharmacodynamic (PD) effect in a large population of Type 2 diabetic patients and to identify factors predicting intersubject variability. METHODS A PKPD database of 634 Type 2 diabetic patients with a total of 5,258 fasting plasma glucose (FPG) samples was built up from the data collected during the clinical development of a modified release formulation of gliclazide (gliclazide MR). The PKPD analysis used a nonlinear mixed effect modelling approach. A mixture model was used to identify patients with a FPG response to treatment. In patients identified as responders, the decrease in FPG was related to gliclazide exposure (AUC) by an Emax relationship. An effect compartment was used to describe the link between PK and PD. A linear disease-progression model was used to assess the glycaemic deterioration observable over several months of treatment. Simulations were performed to evaluate the predictive performance of the PKPD model and to illustrate the time course of the antidiabetic effect of gliclazide MR. RESULTS Disease state was found to be the main explanatory factor for intersubject variability in response to gliclazide. The percentage of responders to gliclazide, used as monotherapy, increased inversely to the number of classes of antidiabetic agents received prior to entry in the studies. In responders, the initial dose (30 mg) of the gliclazide MR dosing regimen induced half of the maximum hypoglycaemic effect. The equilibration half-life between the PK and PD steady states was 3 weeks (intersubject variability of 84%). The rate of disease progression was 0.84 mmol l(-1) year(-1) (intersubject variability 143%). The PKPD model adequately predicted the FPG profiles of 234 patients who received the current formulation of gliclazide. Simulation of a 1-year parallel dose ranging clinical trial illustrated the influence of dose, time and type of previous antidiabetic treatment on the percentage of patients with clinically significant improvement of blood glucose control. CONCLUSIONS This population PKPD analysis has characterized the relationship between the exposure to gliclazide and its long-term hypoglycaemic effect, and has established that the intersubject variability in response is mostly related to disease state. These results underline the clinical interest of quickly increasing the dose of gliclazide MR according to the response to treatment in order to achieve effective blood glucose control.
Induction of Tissue Factor Expression in Human Endothelial Cells by CD40 Ligand Is Mediated via Activator Protein 1, Nuclear Factor κB, and Egr-1*

Induction of tissue factor expression in endothelial cells via ligation of CD40 probably figures prominently in the pathogenesis of prevalent inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanisms of tissue factor gene expression triggered by CD40 ligand (CD40L) in this cell type remain unknown. We demonstrate here that the tissue factor promoter region −278 bp to +121 bp contains the CD40L-responsive elements, consisting of activator protein 1 (AP-1)±, nuclear factor (NF) κB-, and Egr-1-binding sites. Mutations of either the AP-1- or NF-κB-binding sites markedly reduced the CD40L-dependent promoter activation. The AP-1 and NF-κB sites displayed constitutive and CD40L-enhanceable DNA binding activity, respectively. Of note, mutation of the Egr-1-binding sites, previously not associated with CD40 signaling, impaired activation of the tissue factor promoter. Accordingly, CD40L strongly induced Egr-1 protein expression and DNA binding activity to all three bindings sites. In contrast to CD40L, other established inducers of tissue factor in endothelial cells, interleukin-1β or tumor necrosis factor α, did not increase the expression of Egr-1. In conclusion, induction of tissue factor gene expression in human endothelial cells by CD40L involves AP-1 and NF-κB as well as Egr-1, a pathway previously not implicated in CD40 signaling and distinct from that employed by certain other proinflammatory cytokines.
Reviewing the Main Characteristics of the International Forest Regime Complex and Partial Explanations for its Fragmentation

SUMMARY The objectives of this review article are, firstly, to provide an overview of the literature on the main characteristics of what is referred to as the international forest regime and secondly, based on this, to review explanations for fragmentation as its core characteristic. A third aim of the article is to propose fields for future policy-oriented research on global forest governance, the international forest regime and its fragmentation. The article discusses different strands of literature and academic views on the existence and main characteristics of an international forest regime. It regards the recent notion of an international forest regime complex to be a fruitful topic for future research proposals and finds that fragmentation is its analytical core characteristic. In addition, the article reviews partial explanations for the great relevance of fragmentation in the case of the forest regime complex. It discriminates between domestic factors and causes as opposed to those resulting from the international system. Based on the review, the article suggests, lastly, fields for future research on global forest governance, the international forest regime complex and its fragmentation.
Cost Effectiveness of Universal Hepatitis B Virus Screening in Patients Beginning Chemotherapy for Sarcomas or GI Stromal Tumors

Purpose The value of screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection before chemotherapy for nonhematopoietic solid tumors remains unsettled. We evaluated the cost effectiveness of universal screening before systemic therapy for sarcomas, including GI stromal tumors (GISTs). Patients and Methods Drawing from the National Cancer Centre Singapore database of 1,039 patients with sarcomas, we analyzed the clinical records of 485 patients who received systemic therapy. Using a Markov model, we compared the cost effectiveness of a screen-all versus screen-none strategy in this population. Results A total of 237 patients were screened for HBV infection. No patients developed HBV reactivation during chemotherapy. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) of offering HBV screening to all patients with sarcomas and patients with GISTs exceeded the cost-effectiveness threshold of SG$100,000 per QALY. This result was robust in one-way sensitivity analysis. Our results show that only changes in mortality rate secondary to HBV reactivation could make the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio cross the cost-effectiveness threshold. Conclusion Universal HBV screening in patients with sarcomas or GISTs undergoing chemotherapy is not cost effective at a willingness to pay of SG$100,000 per QALY and may not be required.
Acceptability of a brief computerized intervention targeting anxiety sensitivity

Abstract Despite the well-documented efficacy of cognitive behavioral treatments for anxiety disorders, the acceptability of these treatments remains an under-researched area. A better understanding of acceptability could help to improve the initiation of, and engagement in, these effective interventions. Recent research has suggested computerized interventions of anxiety-related risk factors may be one way to improve acceptability and overcome several common barriers to treatment. Considering this, the current study tested the acceptability of a computerized, anxiety sensitivity (AS)-focused treatment among a sample of treatment-seeking community participants and military veterans (N = 58). Results indicated that the majority of participants rated the intervention as acceptable, and that drop-out rate was low (ie 5%). Moreover, higher acceptability scores were associated with older age, veteran status, lower income levels, African-American race, and being separated/divorced. Findings suggest that a computerized AS-focused treatment may be an acceptable treatment method, and may have advantages in acceptability for hard to reach populations.
Financing through cash-waqf: a revitalization to finance different needs

Purpose - – Recently the revival of the institution of waqf took a movable form especially in terms of the creation of cash waqf which found its ways as one of the financial institutions financing different goods and services in the different countries. In an attempt to enrich the literature on this area, this study is an extension to the authors' work, focusing mainly on the different goods and services provided by different cash waqf schemes in Muslim and Muslim minority countries without depending on the government to provide their needs. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - – This study uses data collected from primary sources including text from the Hadith, while data collected from secondary sources include books, articles, journals besides web sites and e-books. Findings - – The findings show the potential of cash waqf in financing not only religious areas but also financing different goods and services needed globally, such as education, health, social care and commercial activates, basic infrastructures, besides opening jobs for the majority of people. Practical implications - – The expected outcome of this research is to open the door wider for more researchers to explore the potential of cash waqf as one of the instruments to finance all sectors in Muslim and Muslim minority countries without exhausting government budget. Originality/value - – A revitalization of an old Islamic financial product to meet the different needs.
Using aggregate Customer Satisfaction Index: Challenges and problems of comparison with special reference to Russia

Starting from 1999, regular Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) studies were launched in (Northwest) Russia for a number of industries based on consumer evaluation of individual brand names and companies. The first surveys disclosed some problems with the interpretation of CSI comparisons. These relate both to comparisons between industries and with results from other countries. In particular, it is observed that customers perceive the quality in some industries like banking and mobile phones to be surprisingly high compared with what was expected. The same applies when cross-national comparisons are made, for example with results from Scandinavian countries and the USA. Based on an evaluation of the actual product and service output qualities in these countries, Russian customers turn out to be unexpectedly satisfied. Based on these observations we discuss here possibilities and limitations of comparing, in meaningful ways, aggregated CSI indices. In the introduction a more general model for such comparisons is set up, while the reasoning in the subsequent sections is limited to a few special aspects relating to the actual product penetration level and market structure in an industry.
Do Australian investment and savings behave procyclically

This study uses spectral analysis to examine the behaviour of Australian savings and investment and their synchronisation with the business cycle over the period September 1959 to December 2005. The results reveal that the major cyclical components of savings and investment cohere strongly. Further, savings coheres strongly with the business cycle suggesting that Australian savings is procyclical. Investment also exhibits a procyclical pattern although the evidence of this is weaker
Supplementary private pensions and saving: evidence from Spain

This paper analyzes the effect of private supplementary pensions (and the tax reliefs that aim to stimulate such plans) on national saving in Spain. It tries to test the alleged positive effects of private pension plans on savings. Using a longitudinal dataset and fixed-effects methods, we find that tax-favored contributions to a pension fund are not associated with a lower consumption level, which implies that this policy does not increase national saving. The empirical results on the impact of contributions on private household wealth are less clear.
Equipotent Generation of Protective Antitumor Immunity by Various Methods of Dendritic Cell Loading With Whole Cell Tumor Antigens

Multiple clinically applicable methods have been used to induce dendritic cells (DCs) to express whole cell tumor antigens, including pulsing DCs with tumor lysate, and mixing DCs with apoptotic or live tumor cells. Herein we demonstrate, using two different tumor systems, that these methods are equipotent inducers of systemic antitumor immunity. Furthermore, tumor lysate pulsed DC vaccines generate more potent antitumor immunity than immunization with irradiated tumor cells plus the classic adjuvant, Corynebacterium parvum.
Deficits and recovery of first‐ and second‐order motion perception in patients with unilateral cortical lesions

Unilateral lesions in the posterior parietal cortex can degrade motion perception in the contralesional visual hemifield. Our aim was to investigate whether deficits caused by cortical lesions may be different for first‐ and second‐order motion perception, and to study the time scale of any potential recovery. In nine patients with circumscribed lesions mainly in the parietal and fronto‐parietal cortex, thresholds for direction discrimination were measured for stimuli presented peripherally in their ipsi‐ and contralesional hemifield. Subjects had to identify the direction of a vertically moving object embedded in a background of dynamic random dot noise. The object consisted of various proportions of signal and noise dots. Signal dots were either (a) coherently moving in the same direction as the object (first‐order), (b) stationary (second‐order: drift‐balanced), or (c) coherently moving in the opposite direction (second‐order: theta). Noise dots were flickering. Two patients showed significant threshold elevations for all three types of motion stimuli presented in their contralesional hemifield, while thresholds for ipsilesional targets were unaffected. Neither showed any selective deficit of first‐ versus second‐order motion perception, but second‐order motion was more impaired. Their lesions probably included the motion area V5‐MT, which was spared in the other seven patients. One of the patients, who was retested several times during a 27‐month postlesional period, showed complete recovery for first‐ and second‐order motion direction discrimination, as well as for the detection of speed differences.
Are Targeted Wage Subsidies Harmful? Evidence from a Wage Voucher Experiment

This paper presents the results of a controlled experiment designed to test the effectiveness of a targeted wage subsidy program. Such programs are intended to increase the employment of target group workers by offering employers reimbursement for part of those workers' wages. In the Dayton, Ohio, experiment, however, job seekers given experimental vouchers identifying them to employers as eligible for a generous wage subsidy were significantly less likely to find employment than were job seekers without vouchers. The author speculates that the vouchers had a stigmatizing effect and provided a screening device with which employers discriminated against economically disadvantaged workers.
EFFECTS OF LEARNING RESOURCES AND LEADERSHIP STYLE ON ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA: A CASE OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

Provision of learning resources and leadership styles have been shown to influence organizational learning in private organizations. As Kenyan public universities try to gain competitive advantage, improve performance and to continuously adapt to changing environments there is need to ensure organizational learning is enhanced. This study assessed the effect of learning resources provision and leadership styles on organizational learning in Kenyatta University. Data was collected using questionnaires from 94 staff comprising of teaching and non-teaching staff. Data was analyzed through Chi-square test of independent measures and correlations. There was significant positive correlation between organizational learning and the provision of learning resources (rho=0.421; p .05) with organizational learning. It is concluded that Kenyatta University promoted organizational learning through provision of learning resources, while management leadership style has not been used effectively in enhancing organizational learning. It is recommended that public universities provide equitable learning resources and re-address their management leadership styles to enhance organizational learning.
Understanding the private worlds of physicians, nurses, and parents

This study’s aim was to describe: (a) How life-sustaining treatment (LST) decisions are made for critically ill children in Italy; and (b) How these decisional processes are experienced by physicians, nurses and parents. Focus groups with 16 physicians and 26 nurses, and individual interviews with 9 parents were conducted. Findings uncovered the ‘private worlds’ of paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) physicians, nurses and parents; they all suffer tremendously and privately. Physicians struggle with the weight of responsibility and solitude in making LST decisions. Nurses struggle with feelings of exclusion from decisions regarding patients and families that they care for. Physicians and nurses are distressed by legal barriers to LST withdrawal. Parents struggle with their dependence on physicians and nurses to provide care for their child and strive to understand what is happening to their child. Features of helpful and unhelpful communication with parents are highlighted, which should be considered in educational and practice changes.