Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Determinants of Service Imports: The Role of Cost Pressure and Financial Constraints

This study provides evidence on how German multinational firms have restructured their service activities around the recent crisis. Making use of new micro-level data on service imports of German multinationals from 2002-2008, we assess the determinants of service offshoring along the extensive and intensive margins. In particular, we evaluate how internal frictions in terms of a sharp drop in the sales level (per employee) and external frictions in terms of a reduced availability of credit co-determine the likelihood and the extent of sourcing services from abroad. First, we find that firms are less likely to start to import services from abroad if they are under cost pressure. By contrast, firms intensify existing service imports linkages in times of a sales drop. Second, financial constraints, which played a major role for the goods trade during the crisis, did not have any significant effect on service imports. These results are in line with the argument that the generally observed crisis-resilience of service trade stems from increased pressures to save on variable costs through offshoring and from its lower dependence on external finance. Furthermore, and in line with our argument, we find that a decline in sales and labor productivity induces firms to sort into intra-firm rather than arm's-length trading.
Sustained Release of the CCR5 Inhibitors CMPD167 and Maraviroc from Vaginal Rings in Rhesus Macaques

ABSTRACT Antiretroviral entry inhibitors are now being considered as vaginally administered microbicide candidates for the prevention of the sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus. Previous studies testing the entry inhibitors maraviroc and CMPD167 in aqueous gel formulations showed efficacy in the macaque challenge model, although protection was highly dependent on the time period between initial gel application and subsequent challenge. In this paper, we describe the sustained release of maraviroc and CMPD167 from matrix-type silicone elastomer vaginal rings both in vitro and in vivo. Both inhibitors were released continuously during 28 days from rings in vitro at rates of 100 to 2,500 μg/day. In 28-day pharmacokinetic studies in rhesus macaques, the compounds were measured in the vaginal fluid and vaginal tissue; steady-state fluid concentrations were ∼106-fold greater than the 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) for simian human immunodeficiency virus 162P3 inhibition in macaque lymphocytes in vitro. Plasma concentrations for both compounds were very low. The pretreatment of macaques with Depo-Provera (DP), which is commonly used in macaque challenge studies, was shown to significantly modify the biodistribution of the inhibitors but not the overall amount released. Vaginal fluid and tissue concentrations were significantly decreased while plasma levels increased with DP pretreatment. These observations have implications for designing macaque challenge experiments and also for ring performance during the human female menstrual cycle.
Investor irrationality and Closed-End Hedge Funds

The present study assesses the rationality of investors who pay large sums to hedge fund managers for their services. For my analysis I use a sample of closed-end funds which invest their capital in one or more open-ended hedge funds. The results imply that investors rationally exploit the available information when deciding whether to engage in the initial public offering of a new closed-end fund. However, I also find evidence that investors react with a burst of irrational pessimism to the worsening economic conditions in the second half of 2008.
Diabetes Mellitus Is Associated With the Presence of Metastatic Spread at Disease Presentation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is identified as a negative prognostic indicator in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A retrospective review of HCC patients was conducted to assess the effect of DM on clinical variables. Results: Ninety-seven of 265 (34%) patients had DM at the time of diagnosis. Distant metastasis was found in 33% (30/91) of patients with DM compared with only 9.7% (17/174) of those without DM (OR: 4.5, 95% CI: 2.3–8.8, p < .0001). This difference remained significant when adjusting for other clinical variables (OR: 10.0, 95% CI: 3.9–25.7, p < .0001). Conclusions: DM is associated with the presence of metastatic disease among a single institution cohort of HCC patients.
YOUNG GALAXY CANDIDATES IN THE HUBBLE FRONTIER FIELDS. II. MACS J0416–2403

We searched for z ≳ 7 Lyman-break galaxies in the optical-to-mid-infrared Hubble Frontier Field and associated parallel field observations of the strong-lensing cluster MACS J0416−2403. We discovered 22 candidates, of which 6 lie at z ≳ 9 and 1 lies at z ≳ 10. Based on the Hubble and Spitzer photometry, all have secure photometric redshifts and a negligible probability of being at lower redshifts according to their peak-probability ratios,  ? > . This substantial increase in the number of known high-redshift galaxies allows a solid determination of the luminosity function (LF) at z ≳ 8. The number of high-z candidates in the parallel field is considerably higher than that in the Abell 2744 parallel field. Our candidates have median stellar masses of log ( M * ) ∼ 8.44 − 0.31 + 0.55 ? > M⊙, star formation rates (SFRs) of ∼ 1.8 − 0.4 + 0.5 ? > M⊙ yr−1, and SFR-weighted ages of ≲ 300 − 140 + 70 Myr ? > . Finally, we are able to put strong constraints on the z = 7, 8, 9, and 10 LFs. One of the objects in the cluster field is a z ≃ 10 candidate, with a magnification of μ ∼ 20 ± 13. This object is likely the faintest z ∼ 10 object known to date, allowing a first look into the extreme faint end (L ∼ 0.04 L*) of the z ∼ 10 LF (It is named “Tayna” in the Aymara language).
Cultural, Physiological, and Biochemical Identification of Actinobacteria

The traditional phenotypic tests are commonly used in actinobacterial identifica‐ tion. They constitute the basis for the formal description of taxa, from species and subspecies up to genus and family. The classical phenotypic characteristics of acti‐ nobacteria comprise morphological, physiological, and biochemical features. The morphology of actinobacteria includes both cellular and colonial characters. The physiological and biochemical features include data on growth at different tempera‐ tures, pH values, salt concentrations, or atmospheric conditions, and data on growth in the presence of various substances such as antimicrobial agents, the pres‐ ence or activity of various enzymes, and with respect to metabolization of com‐ pounds. The phenotype is the observable expression of the genotype. Gene expression is directly related to the environmental conditions. Actinobacterial phe‐ notype cannot be based on the simple observation of the organism. Strains of the most closely related taxa should be compared in their phenotypic analysis using identical methods. The comparisons must include the type strain of the type species of the appropriate genera. Furthermore, with the development of technology, mi‐ crobial physiological and biochemical identification technology is becoming fast, simple, and automated. range of pH as well as the optimal pH for growth. Measure growth responses from a standar‐
Employee Perceptions on Reward/Recognition and Motivating Factors: A Comparison between Malaysia and UAE

Reward and recognition is one of the most important factors to motivate employees. Over the many decades the reward and recognition system has been adopted by numerous organizations to motivate their employees to retain for long term. There are myriad ways by which employees can be motivated. Further, one special type of reward may not motivate equally everyone. One person"s reward may be perceived by another person as punishment. In order to know the appropriate reward/recognition and motivating factors, the present study conducted surveys in two countries, namely Malaysia and UAE. Altogether 504 and 434 employees working in various organizations in Malaysia and UAE, respectively took part in the survey. The research data were analyzed based on mean, standard deviation, and independent samples t-tests via SPSS 19 version. The results are synthesized and prioritized lists of reward/recognition and motivating factors are obtained for both the countries. A detailed comparison on the findings on the two countries is made. The findings of the research are expected to provide guidelines in developing an appropriate reward and recognition system for motivating employees of the organization in Malaysia and UAE.
Notice of RetractionManagers' overconfidence, financing decision-making and company performance

The drawback of cognitive bias is manifested by managers because of their overconfidence. This makes negative impact on financing decision-making and company performance. This paper analyses relationships between overconfidence, financing decision-making and company performance. It also studies the overconfidence impact of managers on financing decision, and the impact of financing decision on company performance from two aspects, i.e. financing decision of capital structure and debt maturity structure. Our analysis shows that the cognitive bias indirectly affect the company performance through company financing decision behavior.
Comparison of Transformation and T Antigen Induction in Human Cell Lines

Skin fibroblast cultures were established from eight individuals. These cell cultures, together with WI-38 cells, were examined for susceptibility to transformation by SV40 virus. Four transformation-susceptible cell lines (TS), established from patients with Down's syndrome, were found to be three to four times more susceptible to transformation than transformation-resistant cell lines (TR) from normal individuals. TR and TS cell lines were compared for their susceptibility to induction of SV40 T antigen. For dividing cells T antigen was detected in a higher percentage of TS cells than TR cells. For nondividing cells, the reverse was found; T antigen was detected in 10-fold more cells of the TR lines than in cells of the TS lines. Similar results were obtained after infection of cells with CELO virus. Titration of vaccinia virus and influenza virus A2/Scotland/49/57 indicated that TR and TS cells were equally sensitive to the former virus, but TR cells were three to five times more sensitive to influenza virus A2/Scotland/49/57 than were TS cells.
Effects of Fentanyl and S(+)-ketamine on Cerebral Hemodynamics, Gastrointestinal Motility, and Need of Vasopressors in Patients With Intracranial Pathologies: A Pilot Study

In neurosurgical patients, opioids are administered to prevent secondary cerebral damage. Complications often related to the administration of opioids are a decrease in blood pressure affording the use of vasopressors and intestinal atonia. One alternative approach to opioids is the application of S(+)-ketamine. However, owing to a suspected elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP), the administration of S(+)-ketamine has questioned for a long time. The aim of the present study was to evaluate ICP, gastrointestinal motility, and catecholamine consumption in neurosurgical patients undergoing 2 different protocols of anesthesia using fentanyl or S(+)-ketamine. Twenty-four patients sustaining traumatic brain injury or aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage received methohexitone plus either fentanyl or S(+)-ketamine to establish a comparable level of sedation. To reach an adequate cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), the norepinephrine dosage was adapted successively. Enteral nutrition and gastrointestinal stimulation were started directly after admission on the critical care unit. ICP, CPP, and norepinephrine dosage were recorded over 5 days and also the time intervals to full enteral nutrition and first defecation. There was no difference regarding ICP, CPP, and the time period until full enteral nutrition or first defecation between both groups. Patients who underwent analgesia with S(+)-ketamine showed a trend to a lower demand of norepinephrine compared with the fentanyl group. Our results indicate that S(+)-ketamine does not increase ICP and that its use in neurosurgical patients should not be discouraged on the basis of ICP-related concerns.
Low degree of activation of circulating neutrophils determined by flow cytometry during cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND Enhanced expression of adhesion molecules LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) and Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) following cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is held responsible for postoperative complications. Surface expression of these molecules, intracellular pH (pH(i)), and oxidative burst capacity was analyzed to test for neutrophil activation during pediatric cardiac surgery. METHODS Blood samples were drawn from 36 patients (age: 3--16 years) 24 h preoperatively, after onset of anesthesia, after connection to CPB (CPB1, before and after passing CPB, n = 15), at reperfusion (CPB2), and up to 7 days postoperatively. Cells adhering to CPB filters were isolated (n = 11). Antigen expression, pH(i), and oxidative burst capacity on neutrophils was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS During surgery, oxidative burst capacity was at low level with a mild increase only 1 day after surgery. pH(i) was decreased throughout the surgery. Surgery induced more than 36% decrease of LFA-1 and Mac-1 expression (P < 0.03). Up to postoperative day 7, no increase of antigen expression above baseline was found. Neutrophils isolated from filters of the CPB had increased LFA-1 and Mac-1 expression (all P < 0.05). Integrin expression on neutrophils passing the CPB at CPB1 was decreased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Reduced adhesion molecule expression on neutrophils may be due to selective filtration of highly adhesive cells. This, in combination with low-level oxidative burst capacity, induced by immunosuppressive cytokines (e.g., interleukin-10), reduced the neutrophil activity. Our data indicate that increased activity of circulating neutrophils cannot exclusively be held responsible for postoperative complications after surgery with CPB.
THE CONSTRAINED AFFINE PROJECTION ALGORITHM — DEVELOPMENT AND CONVERGENCE ISSUES

This paper introduces the constrained version of the Affine Projection Algorithm. The new algorithm is suitable for linearly-constrained minimum-variance applications, which include beamforming and multiuser detection for communications systems. The paper also discusses important aspects of convergence and stability of constrained normalized adaptation algorithms in general. It is shown that normalization may introduce bias in the final solution. Computer simulations are also included providing extra insight to the algorithm performance.
Travel and Activity Participation as Influenced by Car Availability and Use

The objective of the research described in this paper is to determine how the use of specific modes of travel affects the relationships between out-of-home activity duration and the travel required for such activities. We proceed by constructing a model that interrelates classes of out-of-home activities and the travel required to participate in these activities, all as a function of population sociodemographic characteristics and the modes of travel used by the population.
Statutory-backed continuous disclosure regime and corporate disclosure behaviour : does corporate governance matter?

Since 1 December 2002, the New Zealand Exchange’s (NZX) continuous disclosure listing rules have operated with statutory backing. To test the effectiveness of the new corporate disclosure regime, we compare the change in quantity of market announcements (overall, non-routine, non-procedural and external) released to the NZX before and after the introduction of statutory backing. We also extend our study in investigating whether the effectiveness of the new corporate disclosure regime is diminished or augmented by corporate governance mechanisms including board size, providing separate roles for CEO and Chairman, board independence, board gender diversity and audit committee independence. Our findings provide a qualified support for the effectiveness of the new corporate disclosure regime regarding the quantity of market disclosures. There is strong evidence that the effectiveness of the new corporate disclosure regime was augmented by providing separate roles for CEO and Chairman, board gender diversity and audit committee independence, and diminished by board size. In addition, there is significant evidence that share price queries do impact corporate disclosure behaviour and this impact is significantly influenced by corporate governance mechanisms. Our findings provide important implications for corporate regulators in their quest for a superior disclosure regime.
European harmonization of MIC breakpoints for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria.

or failure of antimicrobial therapy in bacterial and fungal infections is predicted ideally by antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), in which microorganisms are divided into treatable and non-treatable categories on the basis of MIC breakpoints. In Europe, the categorization was traditionally a clinical one and it was made irre-spective of whether or not the organism harboured resistance mechanisms. MIC breakpoints generally divide bacteria into three categories of susceptibility: susceptible, intermediate or indeterminate, or resistant. These terms can be defined as susceptible (S— where the antimicrobial activity is associated with a likelihood of therapeutic success), intermediate or indeterminate (I—where the antimicrobial activity is associated with an indeterminate or uncer-tain therapeutic effect) and resistant (R—where the antimicrobial activity is associated with a higher than expected likelihood of therapeutic failure). MIC breakpoints are used either directly, as in MIC determination and ‘breakpoint’ susceptibility testing methods in broth or agar, or indirectly when converted into inhibition zone diam-eters in disc diffusion techniques.
The Impact of Financial Constraints on the Relation between Investor-Level Taxes and Capital Structure Decisions

This study addresses the question of whether the relation between investor-level taxes and a firm’s capital structure decisions varies predictably with financial constraints. Using the setting of the 2003 reduction in individual tax rates for ordinary income, dividends, and capital gains, this study documents that constrained firms decrease their debt use in response to the 2003 tax cuts, while unconstrained firms increase their debt use over the same period. I find these effects are only evident among firms with relatively high individual ownership, which is the group of firms that theory suggests will react to the tax cuts. This paper contributes to the literature on how investor-level taxes influence firms’ financing decisions as well as the literature pertaining to the 2003 Tax Act.
How Do Firms Set Prices? Survey Evidence from Ireland

Despite the importance of understanding and estimating the “stickiness” of prices of goods and services, empirical assessment of price setting behaviour by firms has remained relatively limited. This is the first paper to provide detailed information on the pressures, manner and frequency with which Irish firms adjust their output prices. Using survey information from almost a thousand Irish firms, we present a number of stylised facts on price setting behaviour. One of the first of these relates to the level of control firms have over their pricing strategy – the most common approach for firms is to set a price based on costs and a self-determined profit margin. However, one-third of firms said that their price was set primarily by following that of their closest competitors. The perceived intensity of competition was found to be one of the most significant factors in determining the price-setting approach and is also a central factor in determining price changes
The Toronto food inspection and disclosure system: A case study

– To describe and then review the Toronto food inspection to describe that inspection system and to assess the mandated completion rates, compliance rates, impact of food‐handler training and levels of standardization in inspection and enforcement activities. , – The study included a review and summary of information relating to compliance inspections as well as analysis of data stored in the Toronto Healthy Environments Information System using descriptive and inferential statistics. , – Several efficiencies were identified including a 17 per cent increase in completion rates between 2001 and 2003; increased compliance with regulatory requirements from 78 per cent in 2001 to 88 per cent in 2003; a reduction in infractions known to be associated with food‐borne illness; and greater compliance in food premises with certified food handlers compared with those without. , – All public health units in Ontario, Canada, conduct routine inspection of food establishments to determine compliance with the Ontario Food Premises Regulations, but few of them disclose the results. , – Disclosure of inspection results offers an incentive to operators to comply with the regulations and provides an opportunity to consumers to make informed purchasing choices. Furthermore, investment in food‐handler training and certification programs have long‐term positive implications for food safety.
Determinants of Voluntary Conservation: The USDA Conservation Reserve Program

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is the largest U.S. land conservation program, distributing about $1.8 billion dollars each year to keep 36 million acres of cropland out of production. The CRP generates both market and non-market environmental benefits; USDA estimates indicate that CRP benefits exceed program costs, with $464 million in benefits coming from added fresh water recreation, pheasant hunting, and wildlife viewing alone. The CRP relies on voluntary participation by landowners, who agree to retire land from production for 10-15 years in return for annual per-acre rental payments. There is evidence that CRP payments confer windfall rents to enrolling landowners, and it has been suggested that redesigning the CRP enrollment mechanism may significantly decrease the cost of conserving land under the program (Kirwan et al. [2005]). Despite the central role landowner decisions play in CRP enrollment, and the importance of these decisions to the administration of the program, there is little consensus in the literature about the sign and magnitude of the major determinants of landowner decisions to participate in CRP(Konyar and Osborn [1990], Parks and Schorr [1997], Esseks and Kraft [1988],Isik and Yang [2004]). This paper presents a parcel-level structural model of landowner decisions to enroll all, some, or none of their land in the CRP, and uses enrollment data for farms in Minnesota to estimate the impact of land characteristics and non-CRP government payments on participation decisions. The estimation contributes to the literature by using parcel level data in an econometric framework that explicitly accounts for censoring in the enrollment data. The results offer the first parcellevel evidence of the association between lower land productivity and increased CRP enrollment and has implications for the ex-ante estimation of the costs and benefits of this large land conservation program.