Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Youth earnings and labour market volatility in Europe

The authors provide new evidence on youth earnings and labour market volatility, including flows into and out of employment, across Europe during the Great Recession. EU‐SILC data for the period 2004–13 reveal large disparities in volatility levels and trends across European countries. As expected, the Great Recession increased youth labour market volatility, offsetting the trends observed over the previous years of economic prosperity. A variance decomposition exercise points to greater exposure to worker turnover in southern Europe. Fixed effects regression on labour market institutions relates higher unemployment benefits and more stringent employment protection legislation to lower earnings and labour market volatility.
Corporate culture, environmental innovation and financial performance

Based on the logic of culture‐behaviour performance, this study constructs a theoretical model to examine the effect of four types of corporate culture (clan, adhocracy, hierarchy and market) on the three dimensions of a firm's environmental innovation (eco‐organizational, eco‐process and eco‐product) and whether environmental innovation affects a firm's financial performance. Three hundred and sixty‐six firms in the manufacturing and service industries are selected as a valid research sample, and a structural equation model is used for empirical analysis. The results show that adhocracy and market cultures are positively related to a firm's eco‐organizational, eco‐process and eco‐product innovation; clan culture has a positive effect, and hierarchy culture a negative effect, on eco‐organizational innovation; and the three dimensions of environmental innovation all promote a firm's financial performance. Based on these conclusions, this study discusses managerial implications and suggests future research directions.
Clinical and Radiological Outcomes 5 Years After Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in Patients With Symptomatic, Traumatic Chondral Defects

Background: To date, few studies have been published reporting the 5-year follow-up of clinical and radiological outcomes for chondral defects treated with matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI). Hypothesis: A significant improvement in clinical and radiological outcomes after treatment of symptomatic, traumatic chondral defects of the knee with the MACI implant will be maintained up to 5 years after surgery. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A prospective evaluation of the MACI procedure was performed in 21 patients with chondral defects of the knee. After the MACI procedure, patients were clinically assessed with the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the Tegner-Lysholm score, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form, and the modified Cincinnati score at years 1, 2, and 5. The quality of repair tissue was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging using the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score at months 3 and 6 and years 1, 2, and 5. Results: Significant improvements (P < .05) were observed for all 5 KOOS subcategories at year 1 and were maintained through year 5 in 90.5% of patients (19/21). Treatment failure occurred in only 9.5% of patients (2/21). Significant improvements (P < .05) from baseline to year 5 were also observed for the IKDC score (30.1 to 74.3), the modified Cincinnati score (38.1 to 79.6), and the Tegner-Lysholm activity score (1.8 to 4.3). Similarly, the MOCART score significantly improved (P < .001) from baseline to year 5 (52.9 to 75.8). After 5 years, complete filling (83%) and integration (82%) of the graft were seen in the majority of patients. Signs of subchondral bone edema were still present in 47% of patients at 5 years. No product-specific adverse events were reported over the 5-year follow-up period. Conclusion: Patients treated with a MACI implant demonstrated significant clinical improvement and good quality repair tissue 5 years after surgery. The MACI procedure was shown to be a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic, traumatic chondral knee defects in this study.
Strategic Analysis of Dual Sourcing and Dual Channel with an Unreliable Alternative Supplier

In today's increasingly interconnected world, co‐opetition has emerged as a new business practice among many high‐tech firms. The boundaries between cooperation and competition becomes vague, and rivals engage in collaborative activities. This study develops an analytical model to investigate the dual sourcing decision of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the presence of a competitive supplier (i.e., frenemy) as well as a non‐competitive supplier who nevertheless suffers from unreliable production yield. We study the competitive supplier's dual channel decision if it prefers operating both component‐selling business and self‐branded business, and find that the OEM always prefers supplier diversification even though the additional non‐competitive supplier is unreliable. Interestingly, our results reveal that the non‐competitive supplier's expected profit is unimodal in its production technology level, which suggests the non‐competitive supplier may not have incentive to improve its production technology once it reaches a threshold. Furthermore, we analyze the credibility of the competitive supplier's threat to terminate the supply of the components to OEM as a response of OEM's engagement of a new supplier. We show that this termination of component‐selling business by competitive supplier is a non‐credible threat to prevent OEM from seeking the alternative supplier.
An East‑West Divide in the European Union? The Visegrad Four States in Search of the Historical Self in National Discourses on European Integration

Abstract This article explores whether a new east‑west divide exists in the enlarged European Union by analysing national discourses on European integration in the Visegrad Four (V4) states. Two V4 foreign policy legacies form the basis of analysis: the “Return to Europe” discourse and the discourses around the reconstruction of the historical self. The article gives evidence that the V4 countries share sovereignty in external policies and thus have a distinct European orientation. V4 national‑conservative governments hold sovereigntist positions, however, in policy areas that they consider falling exclusively within the realm of the member state. Comparison with Western European member states gives evidence that the post-1945 paradigm changes were more profound than those of post-1989 ones of Eastern Europe. This historic legacy can explain the more integrationist orientations in Western Europe. The article concludes that behaviour of the individual V4 state seems to be of greater importance for each member than collective V4 group action. Finally, the article gives an outlook on ways in which solidarity between the Western and Eastern halves of the EU can be exercised in an ideologically diverging Union.
Low income college-educated people: recognition, self-fulfillment and protest

ABSTRACT A new strand of writing in political philosophy deals with the linkage – rather than the tension – between politics of recognition and politics of redistribution. This scholarship usually deals with two-dimensionally subordinated groups (e.g. poor ethnic minorities). In this case study, I explore empirically how such linkages may be manifested in regard to a mismatched status group. Focusing on low-income college-educated people (LICEP), and going beyond the traditional status inconsistency approach, I have explored how LICEP frame their social positioning mostly in terms of self-fulfillment and recognition. This is at odds with LICEP having a pivotal role in social protests globally. Taken together, the findings yield a configuration of a few recognition-redistribution interactions: Low material reward is experienced as misrecognition; LICEP-centered social protests are also about recognition of their lifestyle and are characterized by self-fulfillment potential for this group (i.e. creative environment); and the different modalities of self-fulfillment work as sources for LICEP activists’ biographies. This specific configuration takes us beyond abstract notions of the recognition-redistribution linkage and the double subordination examples.
The impact of sharing accommodation on the hotel occupancy rate in the kingdom of Swaziland

This paper examines the relationship and impact of sharing accommodation on the hotel occupancy rate (HOR) from a developing country perspective. Using panel data on the monthly HOR and the number of Airbnb room occupancy rate for the periods 2012–2016 and 2015–2016, respectively, the study applies a hierarchical regression model to respond to the research questions. The Pearson correlation test reveals a positive relationship between the HOR and Airbnb room occupancy rate, thus indicating that an increase in the hotel room occupancy rate moves in tandem with a rise in the Airbnb room occupancy rate. Further test revealed that increase in the Airbnb room occupancy rate coincided with an increase in the hotel room occupancy rate. In addition, the Airbnb platform was found to appeals to a different tourist market profile than does that of hotels, and that, therefore, the two products may be viewed as non-competitors. Furthermore, inconsistencies in regulatory provisions, in terms of which hotels are required to undergo various legal procedures as opposed to such platforms, are evident. The study recommends that the Swaziland Government should undertake stakeholder consultations aimed at developing regulations to manage and monitor sharing accommodation platform participants that will incorporate its innovative and diverse dimensions. The study is important as it provides insights into tourism destination managers on the impact of the sharing economy from a developing country perspective where empirically based research that could be useful in policy formulation is scant.
Evaluation of Conventional and Real-Time PCR Assays Using Two Targets for Confirmation of Results of the COBAS AMPLICOR Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae Test for Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Clinical Samples

ABSTRACT Two conventional PCR-enzyme immunoassays (PCR-EIAs) and two real-time PCR assays (LightCycler system; Roche Diagnostics) were evaluated as confirmation assays with cppB and 16S rRNA genes as targets. Of 765 male and female genitourinary and nasopharyngeal specimens positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the COBAS AMPLICOR Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae PCR test (Roche Diagnostics), 229 (30%) were confirmed positive; 13 of these (5.7%) were lacking the cppB gene. Of the 534 samples (70%) that could not be confirmed, 81 (15%) showed a positive crossing point. However, melting curve analysis revealed an aberrant melting temperature in the LightCycler 16S rRNA assay; therefore, these samples were considered non-N. gonorrhoeae Neisseria species. Both of the 16S rRNA assays performed well, with positive predictive values of 99.1% and 100% for the PCR-EIAs and the real-time assays, respectively, and a negative predictive value of 99.8% for both. The cppB assays were compromised by the absence of the cppB gene in 5.7% of the N. gonorrhoeae-positive samples, resulting in negative predictive values of 96.8% and 97.6% for the PCR-EIAs and the real-time assays, respectively. Therefore, the 16S rRNA gene is preferable to the cppB gene as a target for confirmation assays. The melting curve analysis of the real-time assays provides useful additional information.
The Effects of Digital Media Advertising Content on Message Acceptance or Rejection: Brand Trust as a Moderating Factor

ABSTRACT The goal of this study is: (1) to expand upon prior research into general online content, (2) to analyze the acceptance and rejection factors of Internet advertising messages, and (3) to examine the moderating role of brand trust in this process. The results show that, when displaying intentions relating to the acceptance of online advertising, brand trust is not a significant influencing variable. However, when studying the intent to reject a message, brand trust does act as a barrier against the negative effect of irritation, while when this trust does not exist, irritation exercises a significant negative effect on advertising value.
Can board gender diversity promote corporate social performance

This paper examines if gender diversity on corporate boards promotes corporate social performance (CSP) across industries and across countries. ,Fixed-effect panel models are estimated using Europe-wide data from 2002 through 2013. Instrumental variable estimation and propensity score matching are also used to control for potential endogeneity. ,Board gender diversity (BGD) improves environmental and social performance and consequently the CSP. Although the positive effect of gender diversity is prevalent across industries, the effect is more pronounced for firms in emerging markets. ,The findings suggest that gender law that fosters gender diversity can promote CSP in firms, and the benefit can be enjoyed with just an introduction of one female director to the board. Promotion of gender diversity in Europe is most beneficial in emerging markets. ,The results provide new insights to the literature, as we find that a critical mass of female directors on boards is not required to promote CSP. The research also highlights that BGD enhances CSP irrespective of the industry, and the effect on CSP is more pronounced in emerging markets where regulations regarding CSR are not so clear-cut.
Cluster analysis of p-glycoprotein, c-erb-B2 and P53 in relation to tumor histology strongly indicates prognosis in patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Various biomarkers have prognostic value in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to identify the roles of P53, c-erb- B2 and p-glycoprotein (pgp) as prognostic factors, independently or in conjunction with each other, in operable NSCLC. MATERIAL/METHODS Seventy operable NSCLC cases were retrospectively evaluated for P53, c-erb-B2 and pgp expression patterns by immunohistochemistry. An unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis of the 3 biomarkers was conducted. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were made in relation to cluster affiliation. RESULTS Cluster analysis yielded two distinct subgroups; group A of high biomarker expressors (n=26, 37%), and group B (n=44, 63%) of low expressors. Cluster affiliation with regard to tumor histology (interaction term) was independently associated with Recurrence- free survival (RFS) and Overall survival (OAS) with a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 5.88, P=0.003, and HR=4.68, P=0.012, respectively. The median OAS times for cluster A and B in the squamous cell carcinoma subgroup were 328 and 596 days, whereas the corresponding figures in the non-squamous cell carcinoma subgroup were non-measurable and 298 days. CONCLUSIONS In operable NSCLC there may be different relationships of P53, c-erb-B2 and pgp with patient outcome for different tumor histologies. The prognostic utility of cluster affiliation with regard to these biomarkers, and in relation to tumor histology, deserves further testing.
Impacts of Green Growth Policies on Labour Markets and Wage Income Distribution

This paper explores the consequences on the labour markets of structural changes induced by decarbonisation policies. These policies are likely going to have consequences on labour-income distribution given i) existing rigidities in the labour markets, and ii) their different impacts on sectors and on job categories. These policies are analysed in a general equilibrium modelling framework, which includes interlinkages between different sectors and regions as well as five different categories of workers.
A High-Resolution Detector in Multipath Environments

Abstract : In this paper we introduce a high-resolution CFAR detector for the linear data model. The detector is derived using the generalized likelihood-ratio test (GLRT) framework. The resulting detector has a number of distinctive properties. One property of the detector is that it is most useful when the training and testing data contain the signal-of-interest. In fact, this detector does not need training data although it can utilize it if provided. This is in contrast to most methods, which in order to prevent signal suppression, require a set of signal-free training data to estimate the noise/interference background. Another important property of the detector is that the probability of detection is invariant to the correlation of the signal-of-interest with other signals. This can be particularly important in array processing, where the signal-of-interest is often correlated with one or more multipath components. If the objective of the detector is to discriminate between sources that are very close in terms of the spans of their signal subspaces, then the detector derived herein has very good resolution properties. In array processing, this translates to very good spatial resolution. Next Abstract
Purification and Properties of Glycogen Isolated from a Blue-Green Alga, Nostoc muscorum

Alpha granules were isolated from a blue-green alga, Nostoc muscorum, in large quantities and high purity by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Sodium deoxycholate was used to eliminate membrane contamination. Isolated α granules from this species have average dimension of 31 nm in width and 65 nm in length. Each α granule consists of two equal parts. Attempts to dissociate the intact granule under mild conditions into relatively large subunits did not succeed. Analytical centrifugation of the α granules yields a sedimentation coefficient of 265S (S20, w). Chemical analysis reveals that α granules contain highly branched polyglucosyl units with short external chain lengths.
Complete Nucleotide Sequence of a 43-Kilobase Genomic Island Associated with the Multidrug Resistance Region of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium DT104 and Its Identification in Phage Type DT120 and Serovar Agona

ABSTRACT This study describes the characterization of the recently describedSalmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) (D. A. Boyd, G. A. Peters, L.-K. Ng, and M. R. Mulvey, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 189:285–291, 2000), which harbors the genes associated with the ACSSuT phenotype in a Canadian isolate of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DT104. A 43-kb region has been completely sequenced and found to contain 44 predicted open reading frames (ORFs) which comprised ∼87% of the total sequence. Fifteen ORFs did not show any significant homology to known gene sequences. A number of ORFs show significant homology to plasmid-related genes, suggesting, at least in part, a plasmid origin for the SGI1, although some with homology to phage-related genes were identified. The SGI1 was identified in a number of multidrug-resistant DT120 and S. enterica serovar Agona strains with similar antibiotic-resistant phenotypes. The G+C content suggests a potential mosaic structure for the SGI1. Emergence of the SGI1 in serovar Agona strains is discussed.
First Patient-Centered Drug Information Service in Germany—A Descriptive Study

BACKGROUND The majority of patients have unmet drug information needs, and patients’ knowledge of their own treatment is often poor. This is a major obstacle to a more patient-centered healthcare system. OBJECTIVE To explore patterns of patients’ unmet drug information needs and outcomes of counseling patients by a drug and therapy information center (DTIC). METHODS We established the first German DTIC for patients. In this descriptive study, data obtained on callers within 24 months were analyzed. Questionnaires for gathering information about callers’ characteristics and the outcome of the advice were sent to all patients using the service after consultation. Data on all inquiries and evaluation sheets were documented and analyzed by a standardized database. RESULTS During 24 months, 2049 telephone calls were recorded. Patients’ unmet information needs were mainly related to adverse drug reactions/drug interactions (31.0%) and therapy information (27.2%). In 81.0% of the cases, patients’ uncertainties regarding their prescribed medications were reduced, 37.9% discussed the advice with their physician, and 18.3% reported a reduction of physician visits as a result of our advice. The patient–physician relationship remained mainly (70.6%) unaffected after our intervention. CONCLUSIONS The DTIC is useful as a source of medical expert advice. The service can help to reduce medication problems based on inadequate information and therefore avoid unnecessary healthcare utilization. With the knowledge provided, patients can participate in decisions affecting their own health. This procedure encourages greater confidence in the merits of drug therapy.
Calcitriol Attenuates Weight‐Related Systemic Inflammation and Ultrastructural Changes in the Liver in a Rodent Model

The role of vitamin D in maintaining calcium homoeostasis and bone mineralization is well‐established. The aim of the current investigation was to evaluate the effect of calcitriol treatment on inflammation, insulin resistance and liver changes induced by increased body‐weight. Four groups of mice (n = 11 each) were maintained on either low‐fat diet (LFD) or high‐fat diet (HFD) with and without 1α, 25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) for 16 weeks. Body‐weight of animals was recorded at the start of the study and every 4 weeks thereafter. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected for the determination of biochemical parameters, and liver tissues were harvested for the histopathological evaluation. A significant gradual decrease in weight was observed in HFD‐fed mice treated with calcitriol compared with a steady increase in controls (p < 0.01). Furthermore, calcitriol treatment reduced concentrations of various inflammatory markers including TNF‐α, CRP and IL‐6 (p < 0.05). Treated animals also exhibited lower levels of C‐peptide and insulin (539.4 ng/ml versus 718.9 ng/ml and 0.77 ng/ml versus 1.7 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.05), which are consistent with improved insulin resistance. Liver histology and ultrastructural studies showed a marked accumulation of fat droplets in approximately 60–70% of hepatocytes of mice fed on HFD, while calcitriol administration rendered the whole structure more normal. Overall, our data signify an important effect of calcitriol on inflammation under HFD conditions and a protective effect on the liver structure.