Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cash Holdings in Finnish SMEs

This paper examines the determinants of cash holdings in a sample of Finnish small and micro firms. Our results suggest that lending relationships and the share of managerial ownership both have a significant impact on cash holdings. The results on the relationship lending variables indicate that using multiple banks reduces the level of cash holdings. This suggests that firms with not so tight relationships with their banks have easier access to funds and therefore less need for cash holdings. The results also suggest that a similar effect can be achieved by building long-term bank-borrower relationships in cases where the firm has outstanding loans from one bank at the most. The results on managerial ownership variables indicate that the relationship between cash holdings and managerial ownership is cubic but that this result only holds for the larger firms in the sample and for the firms that borrow from two or more banks. Furthermore, our results show that larger firms, firms facing financial constraints and firms with high debt to assets ratios all hold more cash.
The Italian Road to Creating Worker Cooperatives from Worker Buyouts: Italy's Worker-Recuperated Enterprises and the Legge Marcora Framework

This paper highlights the first phase of a research program, completed in late 2014 and early 2015 that homes in on worker-recuperated enterprises (imprese recuperate dai lavoratori) in Italy. The paper specifically focuses on Italy’s worker buyouts (WBOs) facilitated by its Legge Marcora (Marcora Law) framework — the form of worker-recuperated enterprises predominating in Italy. The paper first offers a definition of WBOs as a subset of worker-recuperate enterprises. It also reviews the most common scenarios from which WBOs emerge globally. It then overviews Italy’s Legge Marcora’s legal and financial framework, and situates the emergence of WBOs since the early 1980s as direct responses to market failure, business closures, rising unemployment, and, with the most recent WBOs, coinciding with the Great Recession and subsequent austerity measures that continue to negatively impact the country. The paper then discusses key findings from our research on WBO creation in Italy, touching on their most salient demographic and geographic particularities. Throughout the paper distinguishes Italy’s WBOs as exemplar because of their resilience in times of crisis, and the inclusion of multiple stakeholders in its WBO framework, namely: workers, the cooperative sector, and the state.
IT and Profit Persistence: The Role of Intangibles and Risk

We examine the impacts of information technology (IT) intangibles and risk on profit and its retention in heterogeneous competitive environments. We show that IT leaders achieve higher abnormal profits through IT intangibles possibly due to their leading position and skills in exploiting IT than their peers while a portion of benefits is attributable to higher risk. We also find evidence that abnormal profit accruing to IT leaders is retained over a reasonable time horizon while its sustainability is dependent on the degree of competition. Consistent with our expectation, the positive impacts of R&D and advertisement intensities on profit are competed away when the degree of competition is high. However, IT intangibles contribute to profits for both IT leaders and their peers without regard for the degree of competition. Interestingly, our results further suggest that firms in a leading position in IT (i.e., IT leaders) are able to achieve higher profits through IT intangibles relative to their peers in a more competitive environment. Overall, our study sheds new light on the economic gains that accrue to IT leaders and their counterparts and highlight the critical role of the IT intangibles and risk and their interplay with competition.
The Effect of Contracting-Out Audits on Resource Allocation and Efficiency in Public Sector Audits

ABSTRACT: Significant changes in public sector have impacted on the operations ofgovernment audit offices in several countries, notably, Australia, New Zealand, Canada,United Kingdom and the United States. Government audit offices are required tooperate in a more contestable or market-like environment, where they are accountablefor an efficient and effective provision of public sector audit. The purpose of this studyis to compare the efficiency of in-house and contract-out arrangements to deliverfinancial audits in the public sector. This study examines the audit cost efficiency withinthe context of the current public sector arrangement at the state level in WesternAustralia (WA). The results for 178 public agencies in WA suggest that contract-outaudits are more costly than in-house audits but the result is conditional on agency type.Specifically, for statutory authority audits, the costs of contract-out audits are, onaverage, significantly higher than in-house audits. For hospital audits, there is nosignificant difference in audit costs between contract-out and in-house arrangements.Sensitivity analyses reveal that the supervision costs incurred by the Auditor-General tomonitor audit quality have a significant impact on the interpretation of the costefficiency results.
H9N2 Influenza Whole Inactivated Virus Combined with Polyethyleneimine Strongly Enhances Mucosal and Systemic Immunity after Intranasal Immunization in Mice

ABSTRACT Influenza whole inactivated virus (WIV) is more immunogenic and induces protective antibody responses compared with other formulations, like split virus or subunit vaccines, after intranasal mucosal delivery. Polyethyleneimine (PEI), an organic polycation, is widely used as a reagent for gene transfection and DNA vaccine delivery. Although PEI recently has demonstrated potent mucosal adjuvant activity for viral subunit glycoprotein antigens, its immune activity with H9N2 WIV is not well demonstrated. Here, mice were immunized intranasally with H9N2 WIV combined with PEI, and the levels of local respiratory tract and systemic immune responses were measured. Compared to H9N2 WIV alone, antigen-specific IgA levels in the local nasal cavity, trachea, and lung, as well as levels of IgG and its subtypes (IgG1 and IgG2a) in the serum, were strongly enhanced with the combination. Similarly, the activation and proliferation of splenocytes were markedly increased. In addition, PEI is superior as an H9N2 WIV delivery system due to its ability to greatly increase the viral adhesion to mucosal epithelial cells and to enhance the cellular uptake and endosomal escape of antigens in dendritic cells (DCs) and further significantly activate DCs to mature. Taken together, these results provided more insights that PEI has potential as an adjuvant for H9N2 particle antigen intranasal vaccination.
OXIDATION OF NONIONIC SURFACTANTS BY FENTON AND H2O2/UV PROCESSES

Abstract The oxidation of 10 nonionic surfactants (6 alcohol ethoxylates and 4 alkylphenol ethoxylates) by Fenton and H2O2/UV processes was investigated in synthetic (deionized water) and real aqueous matrices, i.e. secondary effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plant and groundwater. Batch tests were carried out to assess the optimal dosages of reagents leading to the total removal of surfactants. Regardless to the specific surfactant, both Fenton and H2O2/UV treatments of synthetic solutions containing one single surfactant (C0=14 mg l−1) always caused its rapid and quantitative removal (96–99%) with a corresponding very low (0–18%) TOC decrease. Only for the Fenton treatment, linear relationships were found between the amounts of H2O2 and Fe2+ necessary for surfactant removal and the ethoxy chain length of each surfactant. Conversely, in the case of H2O2/UV treatment the H2O2 dosage causing the quantitative oxidation of the treated surfactant depended on the length of both chains: the ethoxy and the hydrophobic one. Mixtures of the 10 surfactants (1.4 mg l−1 each) were treated in both synthetic and real matrices. These latter were different in the case of Fenton (i.e. municipal secondary effluent) or H2O2/UV (i.e. real groundwater) treatments. Fenton treatment of municipal secondary effluent containing the surfactants mixture led to its total removal when a molar ratio [Total surfactants]/[H2O2]/[Fe2+] equal to 1/17/12 was used. As for H2O2/UV treatment of real groundwater samples, quantitative removal of surfactants mixture was achieved with a molar ratio [Total surfactants]/ [H2O2] equal to 1/7.4. Surfactants mixture removals, if compared in deionized water and in real matrices, showed the same matrix effect during both treatments, i.e. less amounts of reagents were always required in synthetic solutions.
The relationship between corporate social responsibility disclosure and financial performance: evidence from Thailand

This study examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and financial performance in Thailand during the period 2009-2011. Four measures of financial performance were used based on data extracted from the annual reports of 232 firms listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. A CSR disclosure index was constructed to measure the extent and dimensions of CSR disclosure. Overall, the results from the empirical analysis provide some evidence of positive relationship between financial performance and CSR disclosure. This study adds further evidence to the literature on the relationship between the CSR and financial performance in an emerging country. In particular, it is found that there is a strong positive relationship between CSR and financial performance in Thai listed firms. As well, CSR disclosure is not related to market based performance when tested using pooled OLS but it is found to be significant when instrumental variables estimation is carried out.
A Farewell to Australia's Welfare State

For much of the postwar period, the Australian welfare state has been misunderstood by overseas social policy commentators. The lack of generosity of welfare payments has been substantially compensated for by a system of wage regulation that has prevented waged poverty and delivered a reduced disparity of incomes. The strong emphasis on means-testing of benefits has not had the stigmatizing effects of benefit selectivity elsewhere, since Australian means tests are designed to exclude the well-off rather than focus benefits exclusively on the very poor and Australian means-testing has been nondiscretionary in character. Policy changes in the 1980s and 1990s, and most particularly under the present Liberal Coalition government, have undermined these distinctive aspects of welfare Australian-style, and it is no longer possible to defend the Australian welfare state from its critics.
USING OF TRASCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION IN ACUPUNCTURE POINTS FOR REDUCING LABOR PAIN

Article history: Received: 15 Mar 2011 Accepted: 11 June 2011 Available online: 28 Oct 2012 ZJRMS 2013; 15(2): 32-35 Background: Labor pain is an important factor in increasing mother anxiety. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on specific acupuncture points for reducing labor pain in the first stage of labor. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial study, 64 nulliparous healthy women who were selected based on inclusion criteria and were in their active phase of labor’s first stage, were randomly divided into 2 equal groups; according to their admittance file numbers and by 2Tlottery2T, the odd numbered patients were assigned to the TENS group and the even numbered to the control group. In either groups two electrodes were put on the Hegu points of both hands and two electrodes were put on the Sanyinjiao points of both feet, after cervix was dilated 4 cm. Pain scores (through visual analogue scale) were studied in both groups. Finally, the collected data were analyzed by independent t-test. Results: The pain intensity was significantly decreased in the TENS group compared to the control group (p=0.001). Duration of the labor’s first stage in the TENS group (180 min) was significantly shorter than control group (238 min) (p=0.001). The number of labor induction with oxytocin were 16 in the TENS group (50%) and 25 in the control group (78.1%) (p=0.019). Conclusion: Application of TENS on acupuncture points can be used as a nonmedicinal and without complication method for mother and fetus to reduce pain in the first stage of labor. Copyright © 2013 Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.
An analysis toolbox to explore mesenchymal migration heterogeneity reveals adaptive switching between distinct modes

Mesenchymal (lamellipodial) migration is heterogeneous, although whether this reflects progressive variability or discrete, 'switchable' migration modalities, remains unclear. We present an analytical toolbox, based on quantitative single-cell imaging data, to interrogate this heterogeneity. Integrating supervised behavioral classification with multivariate analyses of cell motion, membrane dynamics, cell-matrix adhesion status and F-actin organization, this toolbox here enables the detection and characterization of two quantitatively distinct mesenchymal migration modes, termed 'Continuous' and 'Discontinuous'. Quantitative mode comparisons reveal differences in cell motion, spatiotemporal coordination of membrane protrusion/retraction, and how cells within each mode reorganize with changed cell speed. These modes thus represent distinctive migratory strategies. Additional analyses illuminate the macromolecular- and cellular-scale effects of molecular targeting (fibronectin, talin, ROCK), including 'adaptive switching' between Continuous (favored at high adhesion/full contraction) and Discontinuous (low adhesion/inhibited contraction) modes. Overall, this analytical toolbox now facilitates the exploration of both spontaneous and adaptive heterogeneity in mesenchymal migration. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.11384. 001
Frequency and Power Components Estimation from Instantaneous Power Signal

In this paper, the problem of the simultaneous estimation of frequency and power components is investigated. It is solved through a new recursive estimator capable of estimating the unknown model parameters during severe dynamic changes in the system. By this, a simple nonlinear parameter model for the instantaneous power, taking into account the fundamental components of voltage and current, is used as a starting point for the power components and frequency estimation. In the model, the system frequency is considered as an unknown model parameter, and it is simultaneously estimated with other unknown parameters. This resulted in an efficient numerical algorithm for the measurement of power components, which is not sensitive to variations of the system frequency. This is an important achievement, which improves the accuracy of the method during network transients. The new estimator has been improved by the strategy for tuning its forgetting factor according to the system dynamics, and it is tested through computer simulations and by using data records obtained under laboratory conditions. The algorithm was developed for a single-phase system, and the approach might be easily extended to multiphase systems.
A Segmentation Model for the Targeted Marketing of Consumer Durables

The authors use finite mixture distribution theory to develop a segmentation model for targeting potential consumer durable buyers. The model enables them to identify simultaneously durable replacer segments on the basis of household characteristics and product ages and determine which of the household characteristics are significant predictors of segment membership. Using household data for five home appliances, the authors present an empirical application of the model. They also discuss managerial implications and uses of this approach.
Licensed Nurse Staffing and Adverse Events in Hospitals

Objective. To examine the changes in licensed nursing staff in Pennsylvania hospitals from 1991 to 1997, and to assess the relationship of licensed nursing staff with patient adverse events in hospitals. Data Source. A convenience sample of all Pennsylvania, acute-care, hospitals, 1991 to 1997. Study Design. The study first describes the percentage change of licensed nursing staff categories in Pennsylvania hospitals from 1991 to 1997. Second, random effects Poisson regressions are used to assess the association of the numbers and proportions of licensed nurses with yearly iatrogenic lung collapse, pressure sores, falls, pneumonia, posttreatment infections, and urinary tract infections. Controls are the yearly number of patients, hospital acuity, and other hospital characteristics. Data Collection. Secondary data containing patient- and hospital-level measures from three sources were recoded to establish the incidence of adverse events, aggregated to the hospital level, and merged to form one data set. Principal Funding. Licensed nurses’ acuity-adjusted patient load increased from 1991 to 1997. Licensed nurse/total nursing staff declined from 1994 to 1997. Greater incidence of nearly all adverse events occurred in hospitals with fewer licensed nurses. Greater incidence of decubitus ulcers and pneumonia occurred in hospitals with a lower proportion of licensed nurses. Conclusions. This study suggests that licensed nurses’ patient load began increasing in the 1990s. Adequate licensed nurse staffing is important in minimizing the incidence of adverse events in hospitals. Ensuring adequate licensed nurse staffing should be an area of major concern to hospital management. Improved measures of nurse staffing and patient outcomes, and further studies are suggested.
Immunogenicity of a West Nile Virus DIII-Cholera Toxin A2/B Chimera after Intranasal Delivery

West Nile virus (WNV) causes potentially fatal neuroinvasive disease and persists at endemic levels in many parts of the world. Despite advances in our understanding of WNV pathogenesis, there remains a significant need for a human vaccine. The domain III (DIII) region of the WNV envelope protein contains epitopes that are the target of neutralizing antibodies. We have constructed a chimeric fusion of the non-toxic cholera toxin (CT) CTA2/B domains to DIII for investigation as a novel mucosally-delivered WNV vaccine. Purification and assembly of the chimera, as well as receptor-binding and antigen delivery, were verified by western blot, GM1 ELISA and confocal microscopy. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized intranasally with DIII-CTA2/B, DIII, DIII mixed with CTA2/B, or CTA2/B control, and boosted at 10 days. Analysis of serum IgG after 14 and 45 days revealed that mucosal immunization with DIII-CTA2/B induced significant DIII-specific humoral immunity and drove isotype switching to IgG2a. The DIII-CTA2/B chimera also induced antigen-specific IgM and IgA responses. Bactericidal assays indicate that the DIII-CTA2/B immunized mice produced DIII-specific antibodies that can trigger complement-mediated killing. A dose escalation resulted in increased DIII-specific serum IgG titers on day 45. DIII antigen alone, in the absence of adjuvant, also induced significant systemic responses after intranasal delivery. Our results indicate that the DIII-CTA2/B chimera is immunogenic after intranasal delivery and merits further investigation as a novel WNV vaccine candidate.
The intercarpal ligaments of the equine midcarpal joint, Part 1: The anatomy of the palmar and dorsomedial intercarpal ligaments of the midcarpal joint.

OBJECTIVE To describe in detail the structure of the medial palmar intercarpal ligament (MPICL), the lateral palmar intercarpal ligament (LPICL), and a dorsomedial intercarpal ligament (DMICL) of the equine midcarpal joint. STUDY DESIGN Dissections of equine midcarpal joints. ANIMALS AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Ten carpal joints from eight thoroughbred horses. METHODS Detailed dissections of the midcarpal joint were performed, with particular attention paid to the MPICL, the LPICL, and the DMICL. The attachments and dimensions of these structures were recorded, as well as their behavior during joint movement. RESULTS The DMICL arose from the dorsomedial surface of the radial carpal bone (CR) and coursed palmarodistally to insert on the dorsomedial aspect of the second carpal bone (C2). The LPICL attached proximally predominantly on the distal part of the palmaromedial surface of the ulnar carpal bone (CU). From here the ligament coursed distomedially and slightly palmarly to the proximal palmarolateral surface of the third carpal bone (C3). The structure of the MPICL was complex. It attached proximally to the distolateral surface of the CR and distally to the proximal palmaromedial surface of C3, and the proximal palmarolateral aspect of the C2. It could be divided into four fiber bundles in all carpi. The predominant direction of fibers was dorsoproximal to palmarodistal, whereas the palmaromedial bundle coursed palmaroproximal to dorsodistal. CONCLUSIONS The orientation of their fibers indicate that the MPICL and DMICL primarily resist dorsomedial displacement of CR, whereas the LPICL resists dorsolateral displacement of the CU and intermediate carpal bone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE An understanding of the structure of the intercarpal ligaments of the midcarpal joint is important in interpreting their function and the reasons for damage to their structure.
Purpose and potential for commodity exchanges in African economies

This paper reviews the purpose and potential of commodity exchanges in Africa. Drawing from the existing literature and using indicative empirics, it examines the conditions that enable successful exchanges, highlights the special challenges to setting up exchanges in Africa, and reviews alternatives to domestic exchanges. We argue that many critical preconditions for the successful establishment of commodity exchanges in Africa remain binding in the short to medium term. The development of commodity exchanges in the region is impeded by the relatively small size of domestic commodity markets, the weak physical and communication infrastructure, a lack of supportive legal and regulatory environments, and the likelihood of policy interventions, particularly in the staple cereals market. Meanwhile, the demand for a domestic commodity exchange for export crops may be limited due to the availability of well-established exchanges abroad and functioning auction floors. The paper highlights three points: (a) efforts to launch exchanges in Africa should realistically assess whether basic conditions for success can be met, (b) if the pre-conditions cannot be met, the use of existing exchanges abroad or the development of regional exchanges may be more feasible than the establishment of national commodity exchanges, and (c) the goals of risk management and reduced transaction costs might be achieved more effectively by improving market fundamentals through investments in transportation, information services, or other financial institutions.