Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Firm Characteristics, Economic Conditions and Capital Structure Adjustments

We use a dynamic framework and panel methodology to investigate the NEWLINE determinants of a firms’ time-varying capital structure. Our sample comprises NEWLINE 706 European firms from France, Germany, Italy and the U.K. over NEWLINE the period from 1983 to 2002. If capital structure adjustment is costly, firms NEWLINE may deviate temporarily from their target debt ratios. Therefore, we endogenize NEWLINE the adjustment process and analyze the impact of firm-specific NEWLINE characteristics as well as macroeconomic factors on the speed of adjustment NEWLINE towards target leverage. We find that larger and faster growing firms as well NEWLINE as firms that are further away from their targets adjust more readily. Additionally, NEWLINE we document interesting relations between well-known business NEWLINE cycle variables and the adjustment speed. In a nutshell, firms adjust faster in NEWLINE favorable macroeconomic conditions, e.g. if interest rates are low and the NEWLINE risk of disruptions in the global financial system are negligible. We also NEWLINE document that capital structure decision are largely determined by financial NEWLINE constraints. Finally, we shed new light on the interdependence between NEWLINE book value based and market value based measures of leverage as well as on NEWLINE capital structure rebalancing issues.
Collaborative supply‐chain partnerships built upon trust and electronically mediated exchange

Purpose – To investigate how supply‐chain partners can achieve collaboration under varying circumstances (transactional types) by developing trust‐based social foundations and by utilizing electronically mediated exchange.Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual framework illustrates the roles of trust and electronically mediated exchange in achieving collaboration and its hypotheses are tested with a sample of 157 supply‐chain relationships of international subsidiaries of Nordic multinational corporations (MNCs). Findings – Finds that collaborative partnerships can be achieved both via trust and through electronically mediated exchange. Results also indicate that electronically mediated exchange more readily enhances collaboration in exchange relationships involving standardized products, while trust plays a larger role when customized products are being exchanged.Research limitations/implications – The transactional type involved impacts the relative effectiveness of trust and electronically mediated .
Entrepreneurs' Perceptions of Business Networks: Does Gender Matter?

This paper looks at perceptions of entrepreneurial networks and the gender differences in networking. Women's networks tend to be more limited and to focus on family and friends, whereas male entrepreneurs generally have wider networks. The results of the study indicate that female entrepreneurs have a significantly more positive attitude towards networking, especially once the business has been established. The main benefits of networks for both men and women are better business contacts, sharing knowledge, problem solving and social aspects. Female entrepreneurs also believe that networks can provide them with learning opportunities and enable them to develop management skills.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: misinterpretation and misrepresentation of active detection and isolation.

during the study period. A regional survey on MRSA performed in 2005 by the Public Health Authorities revealed that the prevalence of MRSA carriage in the randomly sampled general population was 0.08% (2 of 2500 individuals), 2–3fold lower than the prevalence in our study [5]. The prevalence of MRSA carriage of 0.2% at our ICU is markedly lower than the 6.9% observed by Lucet et al. [6] among 2400 screened patients in 14 ICUs in France in 2003. We consider the approach of active selective screening of patients to be useful in a high-risk department such as the ICU, because active surveillance has been shown to decrease the incidence of MRSA infection elsewhere [7]. Active surveillance has prevented outbreaks in our ICU, after 3 outbreaks of infection due to multidrug-resistant bacteria in the years before its implementation. The 0.2% prevalence of MRSA among patients on admission to our ICU was 7-fold higher than that found during a previous screening for MRSA among hospital-admitted patients performed 5 years earlier elsewhere in The Netherlands, which demonstrated a low prevalence rate of 0.03% [8]. Weighing the costs of a prescreening program for all or for a selected group of hospital-admitted patients versus the cost of unexpected epidemics will be necessary to optimize or refine a prevention strategy. The current MRSA policy has been reconfirmed recently by a report released by The Netherlands National Health Council in November 2006 [9]. McGinigle et al. [1] defined the Dutch policy as the most aggressive approach and not one that is generally applicable in other settings. In view of the calculated higher costs of early closures of our ICU versus the cost of our targeted admission culture-screening program, our goal was fulfilled in the department most susceptible to MRSA outbreaks, the ICU.
Epigenetic silencing of multiple genes in primary CNS lymphoma

Epigenetic silencing of functionally important genes is important in the development of malignancies and is a source of potential markers for molecular detection. Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an increasingly common tumor that has not been extensively examined for changes in promoter region methylation. We examined 14 tumor suppressor genes in 25 cases of PCNSL using methylation‐specific PCR. Methylation was observed in DAPK (84%), TSP1 (68%), CRBP1 (67%), p16INK4a (64%), p14ARF (59%), MGMT (52%), RARβ2 (50%), TIMP3 (44%), TIMP2 (42%), p15INK4b (40%), p73 (28%), hMLH1 (12%), RB1 (8%) and GSTP1 (8%). Promoter methylation of p14ARF, p16INK4a and MGMT was correlated with loss of expression by immunohistochemical staining. The methylation of many of these genes in PCNSL is similar to that reported in other high‐grade B‐cell lymphomas. All 25 cases of PCNSL had methylation of at least 2 genes. Methylation of DAPK, p16INK4a or MGMT was found in 96% of the tumors, suggesting simple marker strategies to detect circulating methylated DNA in serum that might facilitate early tumor detection. Our study provides insight into the epigenetic alterations in PCNSL and provides potential biomarkers of disease. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CUSTOMER-SUPPORT SERVICE FROM A RELATIONSHIP PERSPECTIVE: BEST PRACTICE FOR TELECOM

Customer-support service in companies has existed for a long time. Today, customer support in companies is differently outlined in comparison to the situation one decade ago; still phone calls or messages over Internet are most common. Customers may phone the companies and ask questions, they can complain and they can ask for support regarding technical devises. However, most research on the topic show customers being dissatisfied with the service they receive under the label of customer-support. One frequently mentioned reason is long queues for customers when they search for help and support on different issues, which again may be caused by the fact that companies in their attempts to renovate the function mostly seem to have focused on cost reducing, which has resulted in unsuccessful solutions seen from the customers’ perspective. The purpose of the study is to find out the best-practice for customer-support service in the telecom industry; from the customers’ perspective when the relationship strength is considered. The study maintains a relationship perspective on the best practice for customer-support in telecom. Customers are asked to recall their customer-support experiences from different services and to include the consequences of the customer-support contact and handling. In order to apply the content analysis, innovative principles by Downe-Wamboldt (1992) and Granheim and Lundman (2004) are followed. When customers’ experiences are related to actual behavior in customer relationships the results reveal five important areas for the innovation focus: (1) Identification of customers in connection to customer support, (2) Availability of Internet customer support, (3) Pro-activeness, (4) Inter-activeness for full understanding and (5) Queues.
Autonomic neuropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus.

the aneurysm no intimal tear could be seen as it was very friable. The aneurysmal sac was excised. Arterial continuity was restored by using a graft. Pulsations were good and no significant bleeding occurred from the graft or the anastomosis. The post operative course was uneventful and he returned to work. His hoarseness of voice improved but not the Homer's syndrome. The usual presentation of these lesions is a symptomless pulsatile cervical mass; neurological symptoms may be the presenting features. Rapid expansion can result in dysphagia and respiratory obstruction.4 The hoarseness of voice in this case was probably due to compression of the larynx by the aneurysm as he had no vocal cord palsy. Homer's syndrome was due to cervical sympathetic chain involvement. In India it is a common practice among the rural population to have manipulation of neck with oil massage for relief of neck pain, by a barber. The manipulation consists of sudden jerky and forcible flexion, extensions and rotatory movements. Hyperextension and rotation movements ofneck can pull the internal carotid artery tightly against the lateral mass of either the Cl or C2 vertebra as the carotid is firmly rooted in the carotid canal at the base of the skull. Subsequent stretching or compression of the artery against the bony prominence can result in intimal tears and subsequent pseudoaneurysm formation.5 This mechanism was probably responsible for aneurysm formation in this case. Cases of cervical manipulation presenting with signs and symptoms of an acute internuclear ophthalmoplegia and brainstem dysfunction have been reported.6 JMK MURTHY KV NAIDU The Departments of Neurology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Panjagutta, Hyderabad 500 482, India
Cross-cultural validation of the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) in Spain.

BACKGROUND Despite growing interest in the topic of participation, the construct has not yet been assessed in children and adolescents with and without cerebral palsy (CP) in Spain. As there are no available instruments to measure participation in leisure activities which have been adapted in this country, the goal of this study was to validate a Spanish version of the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). METHOD The sample comprised 199 children and adolescents with CP and 199 without CP, between 8 and 18 years of age, from seven regions in Spain. The adaptation of the original version of CAPE was carried out through translation and backward translation, and the validity of the instrument was analysed. Construct validity was assessed through the correlation of the diverse CAPE domains and the quality of life domains (KIDSCREEN questionnaire). Discriminant validity was established by comparing children and adolescents with CP and typically developing children and adolescents. For test-retest reliability, the children and adolescents with and without CP completed the CAPE questionnaire twice within 4 weeks. RESULTS The correlations found between the CAPE domains and the quality of life domains show that the CAPE presents construct validity. The CAPE discriminated children and adolescents with CP from those without any disability in the results of participation. According to most CAPE domains, typically developing children and adolescents engage in a greater number of activities than children and adolescents with CP. Test-retest reliability for the Spanish version of CAPE was adequate. CONCLUSION The study provides a valid instrument to assess the participation of children and adolescents with and without CP who live in Spain.
Atom probe contribution to the caracterisation of CIGSe grain boundaries

Atom Probe Tomography (APT) technique is the only nano-scale-sensitive analytic tool allowing 3D chemical analysis with atomic scale resolution. For long restricted to conductive samples, implementation of ultra fast laser pulsing extend now the field of applications to the analysis of semiconductor materials. In the present study, high efficiency Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) thin films have been investigated by APT in order to solve interrogations about grain boundaries (GBs) composition. The analyzed CIGSe layers have been grown by co-evaporation on Mo-coated soda-lime glass substrates following the standard 3-stage process and the atom probe tips prepared using a focused ion beam (FIB) equipment. In order to ensure the presence of GB in the small APT investigated volume, location and misorientation of GBs have been determined by electron backscattering scanning diffraction (EBSD) and one GB interface placed close to the edge of the tip. From APT analyses, spatial distribution of CIGSe elements can be imaged at atomic scale; particular attention has been devoted to the composition profiles at the vicinity of the CIGSe GB interface. New results are compared with usual CIGSe GB passivation models.
Pulmonary diseases due to Mycobacterium szulgai in Japan.

In Japan, the rate of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteriosis (NTM) in the total pulmonary mycobacteriosis is continuously increasing, and in 1997 it reached 18.8% of newly admitted mycobacteriosis cases in 14 sanatoriums throughout Japan (1). Thus, NTMis considered to have become an important chest disease. M.aviumcomplexis the most commoncause of NTMin Japan, followed by M. kansasii, although several pulmonary diseases caused by other species of NTM,such as M. fortuitum, Nt. chelonae, M. scrofulaceum, and M. szulgai have also been reported. Since the early 1980s, the rate ofM. kansasii and other species has increased gradually (Table 1) (1, 2), and 12 cases of pulmonary infection with M. szulgai were reported in detail, including the case in this issue of the Journal (3-10).
Risk Factors and Subtype Analysis of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose: Stroke risk factors and subtypes were examined for associations with mortality and recurrence rate in Taiwanese patients with first-ever and recurrent stroke. Methods: This study examined patients with initial and recurrent stroke from 2003 to 2005 for risk factors, demographic data, Bamford subtypes and transient ischemic attack. Results: One thousand and twenty-one patients with 1,085 stroke episodes were recruited. Significant factors associated with recurrent stroke were hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation and smoking. A significant incidence of lacunar infarction was noted in the patient population (37.82% in all patients; 41.02% in first stroke vs. 35.67% in recurrent stroke patients). Patients with diabetes mellitus were more likely to have lacunar rather than total anterior circulation infarction (TACI) or partial anterior circulation infarction (PACI). Hyperlipidemia was more often attributable to lacunar stroke than PACI. Atrial fibrillation was significantly associated with nonlacunar infarcts, TACI and PACI but not lacunar stroke. Conclusions: The incidence of lacunar infarction was significantly higher in initial rather than recurrent stroke patients. Diabetes mellitus or hyperlipidemia was highly associated with lacunar infarction. Atrial fibrillation was associated with nonlacunar infarction in Taiwan, similar to the result of White and Black populations in the UK.
ISO in the service sector: perceptions of small professional firms

There is a need to evaluate the ISO system in respect of the 1994 amendments for service industries. This paper examines the impact that ISO 9000 has had in the service sector by studying professional quantity surveyors, who form part of the design team for the building construction industry. A questionnaire, formatted from preliminary qualitative interviews explored the extent of registration to the standard, the perceptions held regarding the benefits of ISO 9000, the effect on staff and clients and the costs involved. The analysis shows that the majority of firms have not yet registered. Those that have registered have done so mainly for marketing reasons, but have also experienced internal improvements. The findings also indicate that the informal quality systems of the smaller firms, based on detailed customer knowledge, are not inferior to ISO 9000. Furthermore, it is concluded that, while providing some degree of increased rigour, ISO 9000 should be used in conjunction with more proactive business improvement approaches.
Does alfa lipoic acid prevent liver from methotrexate induced oxidative injury in rats?

PURPOSE To determine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of alfa lipoic acid (ALA) on the liver injury induced by methotrexate (MTX) in rats. METHODS Thirty two rats were randomly assigned into four equal groups; control, ALA, MTX and MTX with ALA groups. Liver injury was performed with a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg) to groups 3 and 4. The ALA was administered intraperitonealy for five days in groups 2 and 4. The other rats received saline injection. At the sixth day the rats decapitated, blood and liver tissue samples were removed for TNF-α, IL-1β, malondialdehyde, glutathione, myeloperoxidase and sodium potassium-adenosine triphosphatase levels measurement and histological examination. RESULTS MTX administration caused a significant decrease in tissue GSH, and tissue Na+, K+ ATPase activity and which was accompanied with significant increases in tissue MDA and MPO activity. Moreover the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL- β) were significantly increased in the MTX group. On the other hand, ALA treatment reversed all these biochemical indices as well as histopathological alterations induced by MTX. CONCLUSION Alfa lipoic acid ameliorates methotrexate induced oxidative damage of liver in rats with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Pesticide effects on body temperature of torpid/hibernating rodents (Peromyscus leucopus and Spermophilus tridecemlineatus)

Environmental contaminants have been shown in the lab to alter thyroid hormone concentrations. Despite the role these hormones play in the physiological ecology of small mammals, no one has investigated the possible effects of thyroid-disrupting chemicals on mammalian thermal ecology and thermoregulatory ability. Because the energetic impact of such a disruption is likely to be most dramatic during times already energetically stressful, we investigated the effects of two common pesticides (atrazine and lindane) on the use of daily torpor in white-footed mice, and the use of hibernation in 13-lined ground squirrels. Fortunately, we found that these strategies for over-wintering success were not impaired.
Pyogenic spondylodiskitis: a radiologic/pathologic and culture correlation study.

BACKGROUND Intervertebral disk tissue is resistant to hematogenous infection because of its avascularity. However, spondylodiskitis is being diagnosed with increasing frequency because of advancement in magnetic resonance imaging technology. There is a dearth of information regarding the bacteriology, histomorphologic features, and radiopathologic correlation of spondylodiskitis. DESIGN The study population consisted of 20 patients diagnosed as having spondylodiskitis by magnetic resonance imaging with and without gadolinium 67 enhancement and bone scans with technetium Tc 99m or gallium citrate Ga 67. Twenty-seven biopsy and debridement specimens were obtained from these patients. The specimens were cultured for microorganisms and also processed for histopathologic testing. Tissue sections were examined with hematoxylin-eosin and stains for infectious agents (Gomori's methenamine-silver, Gram, and Ziehl-Neelsen stains). RESULTS Where intervertebral disk tissue was present (23 of 27 cases), the morphologic changes included vascularization (with or without granulation tissue), myxoid degeneration, and necrosis. Chronic osteomyelitis was present in all 27 specimens and was associated with acute osteomyelitis in 7 cases (25%). Twenty-one of 27 cases had positive culture results (mostly pyogenic bacteria), but special stains revealed microorganisms in sections of the disk in only 4 cases (3 cases with gram-positive cocci and 1 with yeast consistent with Blastomyces). Florid acute inflammation was present in all the 4 cases. CONCLUSION Histopathologic features of acute spondylodiskitis include vascular proliferation, myxoid degeneration, and necrosis of the disk tissue with adjacent chronic osteomyelitis. Acute inflammation is variable and when florid is usually associated with identifiable organisms on histologic examination. At biopsy, tissue should be submitted for culture, since culture has a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting the etiologic organism.
A new informal economy in Africa: The case of Ghana

This paper reveals a new informal economy in Ghana, Africa – the ‘in formal informal economy’ – where the actors are highly educated and skilled, and neither migrants nor ‘dropouts’ from the formal sector. Cast in the same setting where the concept of the informal economy was born, this paper shows that there are informalisation dynamics and moments within the process of professionalisation. This informal economy is not only different from existing informal economies, it is also differentiated internally and externally – differentiated relative to existing informal economies and differentiated regarding its own sub-sectors. The paper shows that in addition to the cohort of informal workers who fail to get formal jobs because they are not qualified, there is a cohort of informal workers who fail to get formal jobs even though they are qualified. As a result, there is a segment of temporary informal workers who are educated and certified in a queue for formal jobs, but who are unlikely to obtain them because the ‘solution’ to their condition is simultaneously the cause of their experience.
Globalization and Asset Prices

We investigate whether the globalization process of the last thirty years has lead to “convergence” of asset prices in a wide set of countries, encompassing both developed and emerging markets. We examine several measures of convergence for interest rates (real and nominal) and bond and equity returns, and important fundamentals as inflation and earnings growth rates. While doing so, we extensively review the extant literature. Our results do not indicate strong effects of globalization on the convergence of asset prices, even though we document some links. In particular, financial openness matters relatively more than measures of corporate governance and political risk.
Effects of impact noise on the hearing of military personnel

Abstract Shooting is an activity that exposes military personnel to noise impact, which may cause irreversible effects on hearing. Objective To evaluate impact noise on the hearing of military personnel that practice shooting. Study design A case-control retrospective study. Methods 115 military personnel were enrolled; 65 had been exposed to impact noise and 50 were non-exposed. Firearm noise levels were evaluated, subjects answered a questionnaire and underwent threshold tonal audiometry and otoacoustic emissions testing. Results The average noise level was 125dB(C). Most subjects (78%) believe that noise may cause hearing loss; nearly all (92.3%) used ear noise protectors while shooting, but most (32.3%) had never received guidance for using this equipment. There were significant differences between the two groups in relation to changes suggesting impact noise-induced hearing loss. Conclusion The differences between groups show that noise-exposed military personnel are more likely to develop hearing loss. The goal of a hearing conservation program for this population should be to preserve hearing and educate these individuals about the importance of using hearing protection correctly.