Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN FAMILY BUSINESSES

The role of women in family businesses is explored in the paper. Although recognised as generally very important players, the role of women is oft en defined as invisible in business decision-making, supportive in men’s traditional business domains and only rarely adequately recognised and rewarded. The paper explores possible differences in the views of men and women who manage small family firms. Their attitudes opposing the traditional business roles of women, different views on managerial, ownership and transition issues and possible gender discrimination are examined. The findings support the paradigm of a different, more feminine style of management, while signs of discrimination are not clearly revealed.
Light availability affects sex lability in a gynodioecious plant.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Sex lability (i.e., gender diphasy) in plants is classically linked to the larger resource needs associated with the female sexual function (i.e., seed production) compared to the male function (i.e., pollen production). Sex lability in response to the environment is extensively documented in dioecious species, but has been largely overlooked in gynodioecious plants. METHODS Here, we tested whether environmental conditions induce sex lability in the gynodioecious Geranium sylvaticum. We conducted a transplantation experiment in the field where plants with different sex expression were reciprocally transplanted between high light and low light habitats. We measured plants' reproductive output and sex expression over four years. KEY RESULTS Our results show that sex expression was labile over the study period. The light level at the destination habitat had a significant effect on sexual expression and reproductive output, because plants decreased their reproductive output when transplanted to the low light habitat. Transplantation origin did not affect any parameter measured. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that sex expression in Geranium sylvaticum is labile and related to light availability. Sexually labile plants did not produce more seeds or pollen, and thus, there was no apparent fitness gain in sexually labile individuals. Sex lability in gynodioecious plants may be more common than previously believed because detection of sex lability necessitates data on the same individuals over time, which is rare in sexually dimorphic herbaceous plants.
Factors Determining of International Competitiveness of the Latin American Peruvians-SMEs

This article evaluates the factors determining of the international competitiveness of small and medium multinational enterprises (SMEs) located in developing countries. This took place with a sample of 103 SMEs from a Latin American developing country, Peru. In accordance with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS) methodology, the results seem to confirm that one of the most important factors to compete in foreign markets is the use of a global strategy (GS). SMEs see the global market as one which allows the standardization of their production. Some HR backgrounds such as a good level of education (Bs MA, PhD), experience in foreign countries and with different cultures play an important role in the utilization of a GS. Moreover, the great level of international competitiveness shown by the Peruvian SMEs is due to the collaboration of their industrial sectors that provide knowledge and experience within the internationalization process.
The Pharmacogenomic Association of Fcγ Receptors and Cytochrome P450 Enzymes With Response to Rituximab or Cyclophosphamide Treatment in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitis

The Rituximab in ANCA‐Associated Vasculitis (RAVE) trial compared rituximab to cyclophosphamide as induction therapy for the treatment of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis. We undertook the current study to determine whether known single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for Fcγ receptors (FcγR) or cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes were associated with the response to treatment with rituximab and cyclophosphamide, respectively.
Biographical predictors of music-related motor skills in children pianists

This study aimed to identify biographical predictors of children pianists’ motor skills in a relevant musical context. Motor skills at the piano were assessed in 30 piano-playing children by testing temporal evenness in standardized scale playing which is a basic element of piano technique. Questionnaires were used to collect detailed information regarding the practice habits and other biographical factors. Associations between performance values and variables from the questionnaire were investigated by multiple regression analysis. Besides the duration of piano education and the frequency of technical exercise, motivational factors and parental supervision predicted children pianists’ motor skills in the selected motor task, i.e. in a relevant musical context.
Asymmetric price transmission

Introduction In this paper quantitative methods were used to establish whether petrol prices really respond faster to crude oil price increases than to decreases, as it is sometimes stated by drivers in theUK. Themodel created in this paper is designed to look for asymmetric patterns in the process of reverting to the long run equilibrium after shocks to the upstream variables. It can be used to assess asymmetries in interest rates and prices and to detect the impact of the transaction costs (consistent versions of TAR andM-TARmodels) inmany markets. Last but not least, it may be able to detect the impact of foreign exchange rate bands. The composition is as follows. The first part presents up-to-date developments in the theory behind modelling asymmetric price transmission. It also reports results of previous studies. This review is aimed only at familiarizing the reader with the state-of-the art not at providing the comprehensive study of the modelling techniques. This is the task of the second part in which, the empirical methods developed for assessing asymmetry in price transmissions are described. Next part describes the results of the application of time series techniques aimed at characterising the nature of the long-run relationship between crude oil prices and retail prices of 4 Star petrol. The last sections deal directly with the issue of asymmetry.
Interfacial motion in flexo- and order-electric switching between nematic filled states

We consider a nematic liquid crystal, in coexistence with its isotropic phase, in contact with a substrate patterned with rectangular grooves. In such a system the nematic phase may fill the grooves without the occurrence of complete wetting. There may exist multiple (meta)stable filled states, each characterized by the type of distortion (bend or splay) in each corner of the groove and by the shape of the nematic–isotropic interface, and additionally the plateaux that separate the grooves may be either dry or wet with a thin layer of nematic. Using numerical simulations, we analyse the dynamical response of the system to an externally-applied electric field, with the aim of identifying switching transitions between these filled states. We find that order-electric coupling between the fluid and the field provides a means of switching between states where the plateaux between grooves are dry and states where they are wetted by a nematic layer, without affecting the configuration of the nematic within the groove. We find that flexoelectric coupling may change the nematic texture in the groove, provided that the flexoelectric coupling differentiates between the types of distortion at the corners of the substrate. We identify intermediate stages of the transitions, and the role played by the motion of the nematic–isotropic interface. We determine quantitatively the field magnitudes and orientations required to effect each type of transition.
An online multi-channel SSVEP-based brain–computer interface using a canonical correlation analysis method

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in using steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) in brain–computer interface (BCI) systems. However, several aspects of current SSVEP-based BCI systems need improvement, specifically in relation to speed, user variation and ease of use. With these improvements in mind, this paper presents an online multi-channel SSVEP-based BCI system using a canonical correlation analysis (CCA) method for extraction of frequency information associated with the SSVEP. The key parameters, channel location, window length and the number of harmonics, are investigated using offline data, and the result used to guide the design of the online system. An SSVEP-based BCI system with six targets, which use nine channel locations in the occipital and parietal lobes, a window length of 2 s and the first harmonic, is used for online testing on 12 subjects. The results show that the proposed BCI system has a high performance, achieving an average accuracy of 95.3% and an information transfer rate of 58 ± 9.6 bit min−1. The positive characteristics of the proposed system are that channel selection and parameter optimization are not required, the possible use of harmonic frequencies, low user variation and easy setup.
Employees’ relationship management: Realizing competitive advantage through Information Technology

Employee relationship management (ERM) constitutes an emerging trend of managing human resources by building and maintaining individualized and mutually valuable relationships with employees based on information technology. However, given the early and still emerging state, there is little knowledge and agreement regarding ERM. Hence, the current paper attempts to clarify the concept and derive research implications. The formation and the strategic, procession and technological components of ERM are derived and discussed based on the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) concept that preceded it. As a result, a first general outline of an interesting and ambitious concept is presented. Based on the outline, major implications for further conceptual elaboration, theoretical foundation and empirical evaluation of ERM are derived to propose directions for future research. Normal 0 false false false RU X-NONE X-NONE
DECREASING PREVALENCE AND SEASONAL VARIATION OF GUNSHOT TRAUMA IN RAPTORS ADMITTED TO THE WILDLIFE CENTER OF VIRGINIA: 1993–2002

Abstract A retrospective study was conducted to identify the epidemiologic factors associated with gunshot injuries in raptors presented to the Wildlife Center of Virginia from 1993 to 2002. Of the 3,156 raptors admitted, 118 raptors (3.7%), representing 15 species, were admitted with gunshot trauma as the primary cause of morbidity and mortality. The majority of cases consisted of four species: red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis; 47%), red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus; 14%), turkey vulture (Cathartes aura; 10%), and bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus; 8%). For species with greater than 40 admissions during the study period, the proportion of gunshot trauma of all causes of morbidity and mortality ranged from <1% to 11%. Greater numbers of raptors with gunshot trauma were admitted during the fall and winter months (75%) compared with the spring and summer (25%). A significant decrease in the absolute number of gunshot cases per year was observed over the time period studied. The population-level effect of gunshot trauma is unknown for these species; however, it appears to be minor compared with other causes of morbidity and mortality.
Sovereign and Bank Credit Risk During the Global Financial Crisis

This paper investigates the interaction of market views on the sustainability of sovereign debt and the perceived credit risk of banks. This interaction came into spotlight during the recent financial crisis, as government interventions in support of the financial sector were associated with increases in fiscal burden. I analyze and quantify the effect of government interventions in the domestic financial system on the default risks of the banking sector and sovereign borrowers. The paper focuses on the cases of Ireland and Spain, which experienced large public interventions in the domestic banking system and at a later stage highly volatile bond markets. For each country, I estimate a Vector Autoregression model to trace the interaction among sovereign CDS spreads, bank CDS spreads, and a measure of the business cycle over the sample period 2007-2011. I identify shocks by imposing sign restrictions on the impulse response functions. The results point towards a risk transfer from the financial to the sovereign sector, which generates an increase in the credit risk of the latter but only a temporary drop in that of banks.
Barriers to Participation in Physical Activity Among South Sudanese Children in South Australia: Parents' Perspectives

Physical inactivity is one of the determinants of childhood obesity. Although its facilitators are well documented for the general community, limited evidence exists informing newly arrived and emerging migrant communities in Australia. To explore parents' perspectives of barriers to participation in physical activity among South Sudanese children in South Australia. Qualitative, face-to-face interviews were conducted with parents. Data were transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically using NVivo software. Multiple and complex barriers to physical activity participation were described. Enabling and supportive programs are needed to improve physical activity participation and health outcomes of new migrants.
The National Flood Insurance Program’s Market Penetration Rate

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is currently conducting a major evaluation of the goals and performance of the National Flood Insurance Program. This report contributes to that evaluation by developing more reliable estimates of the proportion of single-family homes that have flood insurance (the market penetration rate); by identifying factors that determine the market penetration rate; and by examining some of the opportunities for, and the potential benefits of, increasing the market penetration rate.
UNIVERSITY- INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT OF KNOWLEDGE

Advancement of knowledge, innovations in the field of technology and race of the best have changed the role of higher education. Currently, higher education does not mean a degree but skill and knowledge of how to use skill for the advancement. In the 21 st century, the function of higher education is to produce such skilled personnel who must be able to utilize his/her knowledge in the real situation. National educational policy (2009) states, changing innovation processes and the evaluation of the relative contribution made by the private and public sectors have emphasized the need for strong industry-university linkage, allowing both sectors to interact and collaborate on joint project. In Pakistan, Higher Education Commission (HEC) and educational policies acknowledge that industry-university cooperation is the need of the time. Even now, higher education degrees are completed without research in industry. For development, it is necessary that research in higher education must be linked with local industry and need of time is to establish research centers which must be responsible for assisting research and provide linkage between higher education and industry. The present study explores the opinion of academicians about the university-industry cooperation. In this study, the words cooperation, partnership and relation are used as synonyms. A questionnaire was developed for knowing their opinion about university-industry cooperation. It is found that in Pakistan, university-industry cooperation is weak while university-industry cooperation is necessary for the development of knowledge .
Measuring improvement following total hip and knee arthroplasty using patient-based measures of outcome.

BACKGROUND Patient-derived outcome scales have become increasingly important to physicians and clinical researchers for measuring improvement in function after surgery. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the ability of health-status instruments to measure early functional recovery after total hip and total knee arthroplasty. METHODS Four hundred and six patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty and 266 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty completed health-status questionnaires preoperatively and six months postoperatively to determine the standardized response mean. In the second phase of the study, a group of patients undergoing knee and hip arthroplasty were evaluated with several instruments before and after surgery to test for postoperative ceiling effects. RESULTS The standardized response mean at six months was 1.7 for the MODEMS Hip Core, 1.2 for the MODEMS Knee Core, and 1.5 and 1.1 for the Physical Component Summary of the SF-36 for patients managed with hip and knee replacement, respectively. A standardized response mean of 1.0 is generally satisfactory for measuring improvement in orthopaedic surgery. In Phase 2 of the study, the vast majority of patients who had a score of 95 to 100 (that is, a maximum or near-maximum score) on the joint-specific scales generally believed that the hip or knee was normal and could not be better. CONCLUSIONS The MODEMS, Oxford, and WOMAC scales all demonstrated a ceiling effect following total knee and total hip arthroplasty. These scores likely reflected the patients' perception of the status of the knee or hip rather than an inability to measure their improvement beyond the highest possible score. The Physical Component Summary score of the SF-36 had similar standardized response means when compared with hip and knee-specific instruments, and, therefore, consideration should be given to using this scale without a joint-specific scale for the measurement of improvement following total knee and total hip replacement, as a way to decrease responder burden (that is, the time required to complete the questionnaires).
The Diagnosis value of Fucosylated GP73 in Hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: To analyze the application and clinical values of fucosylated Golgi protein 73 (Fuc-gp73) in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods: A total of 481 serum samples were collected, including 218 cases of HCC, 61 cases of chronic hepatitis B patients, 96 cases of liver cirrhosis, 106 cases of healthy controls, from Sep. 2011 to Apr. 2013 in Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College. Fuc-gp73 was isolated by using microcentrifugalcolumn conjugated with Lentil Lectin (LCA), LCA affinity ELISA was used to detect the serum level of Fuc-gp73. Chemiluminescent immunoassay was used to detect the serum level of AFP. Results: The serum level of Fuc-gp73 was uncorrelated with age, gender, tumor TNM stage, tumor size and serum AFP level. Serum Fuc-gp73 level in patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher than that non-metastasis(P<0.05). Fuc-gp73 level in HCC group was significantly higher than liver cirrhosis group, chronic hepatitis group and healthy control group. Fuc-gp73 level in liver cirrhosis group was significantly higher than chronic hepatitis B and healthy control groups. The area under the curve (AUC) of Fuc-gp73 and AFP in single detection for the diagnosis of HCC was 0.939 and 0.818, respectively. Fuc-gp73 had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 95.1%,when the put 8.24ng/ml as the optimal cut-off point. Conclusion: Serum Fuc-gp73 was highly expressed in the patients with HCC, and its level correlated with lymph node metastasis of HCC. The diagnosis accuracy on HCC of serum Fuc-gp73 was better than serum AFP.
Efficacy of Adjuvant Magnesium for Posttonsillectomy Morbidity in Children: A Meta-analysis

Objectives The perioperative administration of magnesium is known to reduce postoperative morbidities in adults, such as pain, agitation, and laryngospasm. The objective is to assess the effects of perioperative magnesium as the adjuvant to tonsillectomy as compared with tonsillectomy in children. Data Source Five databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane). Method Two authors independently searched databases up to January 2017. We compared perioperative magnesium administration (magnesium groups) with no administration of magnesium (control group). The following outcomes were measured: postoperative pain intensity, analgesics administration, or other morbidities (laryngospasm, agitation, postoperative bleeding) in the postoperative 24 hours. Additionally, to evaluate the discrepancy of effects according to different administration routes, subgroup analyses regarding effects according to systemic or local administration of magnesium were performed. Results Nine prospective randomized controlled studies (n = 615) that evaluated the effect of magnesium in children having undergone tonsillectomy met inclusion criteria. Compared with control group, the time for first analgesic requirement was significantly delayed in magnesium groups (standardized mean difference = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.20-1.31; P = .0079). Laryngospasm (log odds ratio = −1.09; 95% CI,−2.11 to −0.07; P = .0362) and agitation score (standardized mean difference = −0.67; 95% CI, −0.97 to −0.36; P < .0001) in the recovery room also significantly decreased in magnesium groups. In subgroup analyses regarding pain and laryngospasm-related measurements, local administration of magnesium was shown to be more effective at reducing postoperative morbidities. Conclusions Perioperative magnesium regardless of route may offer pain, agitation, and laryngospasm relief without adverse effects in pediatric tonsillectomy. Based on the high heterogeneity of results within some parameters, further studies need to be performed to affirm these results.
The trading of unlimited liability bank shares: the Bagehot Hypothesis

From the mid-1820s, banks became the first business sector in Great Britain and Ireland to be granted the right to form freely on an unlimited liability joint stock basis. Walter Bagehot, the renowned contemporary banking expert, warned that shares in such banks would ultimately be owned by widows, orphans and other impecunious individuals. An alternative hypothesis is that the governing bodies of these banks constrained by special legal restrictions on share trading acted effectively to prevent such shares being transferred to the less wealthy members of society. We test both conjectures using the archives of an Irish joint stock bank. The results do not support Bagehot's hypothesis, but instead indicate that shares continued to be owned by wealthy individuals.
Private Equity and Venture Capital Investors' Involvement in Firms Post Initial Public Offering

The paper assesses the determinants of voluntary PE and VC investors’ ownership in the post-IPO period. I show that these investors retain shares to mitigate potential managerial expropriation of outside shareholders, but their retention propensity depends significantly on the fundamental characteristics of IPO, PE and VC firms, investment, and divestment intensity of different pre-IPO shareholders. I find that the financial sponsors’ compulsory holding is significantly larger in US than in UK IPOs. The analysis of the aftermarket performance, based on the calendar-time approach, reveals strong negative average monthly abnormal returns for portfolios of backed IPOs over various holding periods, but the relationship between PE/VC voluntary ownership and the long-run performance is convex, suggesting that only large holdings create value.