Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Valuation of Voting Scheme Changes The Cases of Electrolux Ab and Skf Ab

This paper studies the effects of a voting scheme change on the stock market prices of Electrolux and SKF AB using standard event study methodology and a clinical approach. The economic effect of the voting scheme change is assessed using the market model. We investigate the loss of control due to the change in the voting scheme. The degree of change in power is calculated using the Shapley-Shubik power index and the Banzhaf power index. There is a wealth transfer from the high vote shareholders to the low vote shareholders in the process since in both cases the high vote shareholders required no compensation. We expect share price to respond positively to an announcement of a forthcoming voting scheme change, due to the reduced power discount and corporate governance improvement. The magnitude of the response on the event day depends also on the information structure of the period leading up to the announcement. A bigger effect on the value of the firm is to be expected if the voting powers of the major owner(s) shift away from absolute control to moderate control, indicating a significant change in governance pattern.
Growth suppression effect of human mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and Wharton’s jelly of umbilical cord on PBMCs

Objective(s): Immunosuppressive property of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has great attraction in regenerative medicine especially when dealing with tissue damage involving immune reactions. The most attractive tissue sources of MSCs used in clinical applications are bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AT), and Wharton’s jelly (WJ) of human umbilical cord. The current study has compared immunomodulatory properties of human BM, AT, and WJ-MSCs. Materials and Methods: Three different types of human MSCs were isolated, cultured, and characterized by flow cytometry and differentiation potentials. The MSCs were co-cultured with allogeneic phytohemagglutinin (PHA) activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The proliferation of PBMCs was assessed by flow cytometry of carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) stained cells and compared to each other and to the growth of PBMCs in the absence of MSCs. Additionally, the growth suppression was indirectly assessed by using the transwell culture system. Results: The proliferation of PBMCs reduced to 6.2, 7 and 15.4- fold in cultures with AT-MSCs, WJ-MSCs, and BM-MSCs, respectively, compared to the PHA-activated cells. When the growth suppression was indirectly assessed by using the transwell culture system, it was revealed that AT-MSCs, WJ-MSCs, and BM-MSCs caused growth reduction in PBMCs to 3, 8, and 8 -fold, respectively, compared to the PHA-activated cells. Conclusion: These data collectively conclude that the immunomodulatory effects of MSCs, which may mostly carry out through direct cell to cell contact, are different between various sources. Accordingly results of this study may contribute to the application of these cells in cell therapy and regenerative medicine.
A model for the uptake and continued use of e-learning in Thai higher education

: In order to achieve long-term sustainability of E-learning projects in Thai Higher Education, the purpose of this research is to investigate the factors that affect a Thai student’s decision to take up and continue using E-learning. To this end, a mathematical model has been constructed to explain the uptake and continued use of E-learning in Thai universities. At this stage, through review of related theories and literatures, a model was constructed by applying three grounded theories; these are: Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), Keller’s ARCS model, and Expectancy Disconfirm Theory (EDT). As the learning preference factor was included in the model and past literature confirmed that the difference in a student’s learning preference between Thailand and each other country is caused by culture, Thai national culture will also be considered in this research.
Degrees of Freedom and Modular Structure in Matrix Multiplication

An algorithm is presented which enables certain matrix multiplications in a digital computer to be implemented with a considerable savings in storage and computational operations. For NxN matrix vector multiplication (that is a multiplication of a matrix by a vector) a maximum of N Σn-1 r=0 pr, storage words are necessary compared to normal full matrix storage requirements of N2locations. In addition only N Σn-1 r=0 Pr, computer operations are necessary compared to N2operation in a general vector matrix multiplication. N is chosen to be a highly composite number, N= πn-1 r=0 pr, and the pr, are integers. The algorithm takes advantage of the redundancies in the definition of certain matrices and develops a matrix description based on the number of degrees of freedom necessary in defining an NxN matrix. The algorithm is optimal in the sense that it describes a vector matrix multiplication in exactly as many operations as available degrees of freedom N σn-1 r=0 Pr(no greater number of degrees of freedom could be implemented in fewer operations). The matrix transformation formulation is based largely on noting the use of lexicographic positional digit notation in keeping track of the few parameters describing the final N by N matrix. The algorithm includes the generation of the fast Fourier transform, fast Hadamard transform, fast Walsh transform, fast Kronecker matrix transform, and an infinite class of transformations unnamed but potentially useful in generalized spectral analysis as well as coding, bandwidth reduction, and feature selection.
Fibroblast growth factors

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are heparin‐binding protein mitogens that induce division of most cultured cells derived from embryonic mesoderm and neuroectoderm. Terminally differentiated neurons also respond in vitro by eliciting outgrowth of neurites. In vivo, FGFs have been shown to induce DNA synthesis, cell migration, blood vessel growth, and dermal wound closure. The protein and nucleic acid sequences for two different FGFs, denoted acidic and basic FGF, have been determined and recognized to be homologous. Additional genes recently have been identified that extend this protein family. — Thomas, K. A. Fibroblast growth factors. FASEB J. 1: 434‐440; 1987.
Meaning in Electroacoustic Music and the Everyday Mind

The key question posed here is how listeners experience meaning when listening to electroacoustic music, especially how they experience it as art. This question is addressed by connecting electroacoustic listening with the ways that the mind constructs meaning in everyday life. Initially, the topic of the everyday mind provides a framework for discussing cognitive schemas, mental spaces, the Event schema and auditory gist. Then, specific idioms of electroacoustic music that give rise to artistic meaning are examined. These include the creative binding of circumstances with events and the conceptual blending that creates metaphorical meaning. Finally, the listener’s experience of long-term events is discussed is relation to the location event-structure metaphor.
The Factors Affecting on IPO Return in Thai Stock Market

An alternative for a short-term investment, IPO return is one of the most attractive investments in every stock market. In the past Stock Exchange of Thailand, the rate of stock listing or IPO issue is less when compare to the other markets. After the crisis period in 1997, the number of IPO issues is reduced to almost zero for a few years. Then SET has implemented the new regulation and procedure to control all listed and will be listed companies and also pursue them to be corporate governance. Nowadays 2004, the rate of stock listing increase to almost one a week and the number of positive return IPO also increase. This study reported 14% to 24% IPO Returns in Thai stock market in study period. This figure is same with international Stock markets. In addition to the factors affect the initial return of IPOs also disclosed. By using the published data that can be acquired by general investor, we investigate those which have relations to the return of IPOs and develop the initial return prediction model.
The Value of Trees

• In the United States over 200 million cubic yards of urban tree and landscape residue are generated every year. Of the 200 million cubic yards of urban tree and landscape residue, 15% is classified as "unchipped logs. " If these logs were sawn into boards, they theoretically would produce 3.8 billion board feet of lumber, or nearly 30% of the hardwood lumber produced annually in the United States.
Small and medium-sized enterprises: findings from the 2004 Workplace Employee Relations Survey

This report presents a descriptive analysis of employment relations in small and medium-sized private-sector enterprises (SMEs) using data from the 2004 Workplace Employment Relations Survey (WERS 2004). WERS 2004 is the fifth in a series of surveys that are regarded as one of the most authoritative sources of information on employment relations in Great Britain. The report is based on a subset of interviews with managers in around 600 private sector workplaces that belonged to SMEs. It also draws on a survey of around 5,000 employees working in these establishments. An analysis is provides of the key features of employment relations and working life in British SMEs.
Domestic energy efficiency measures, adopter heterogeneity and policies to induce diffusion

Programmes for carbon emissions reductions invariably require households to adopt energy efficiency measures such as heating controls. Thus, understanding why households adopt efficiency measures and what policies can successfully increase their adoption (induced diffusion), is critical to energy policy. This study addresses these questions by developing research hypotheses grounded in diffusion and finance theory, and the literature on the barriers to energy efficiency. By employing two cross sectional surveys of UK consumers, the adoption of multiple technologies is assessed allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of adopter heterogeneity. The empirics indicate that numerous factors are important in understanding adoption including; inertia, tenure variables, a desire to save money and/or increase comfort, replacement effects, adopter characteristics as prescribed by diffusion theory and policy interventions. In the latter case, investment support schemes appear to have induced diffusion while information based instruments have had no effect.
Quantitative Analysis of Fungal DNA in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Objectives/Hypothesis Fungi have been recognized as important pathogens in sinusitis; however, they are equally present in patients with and without sinusitis. The authors postulated that the quantity of fungal DNA in the nose is determinant of disease, is greater in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, and is directly correlated to their quality of life.
Voluntary disclosure of intangibles by capital-raising companies in Australia

The decline in the usefulness of financial reports and the invisibility of intangibles information in those reports has resulted in a growing effort to expand disclosure by way of voluntary reporting to reduce the information asymmetry problem. Prior studies on intangibles disclosure have successfully created awareness about the importance of intangibles. However, the literature argues that clear results on the determinants of differential disclosure are still scarce and that prior research does not offer a strong theoretical basis to interpret the motives for disclosure. A direct comparison of disclosure behaviour between firms with and without a capital-raising motive provided by this study should provide an understanding of how these firms signal their intangibles information. Focusing on the top 200 Australian firms (based on market capitalisation) in 2006- 2008, this study aims to determine whether financing decisions provide a strong incentive for firms to signal a greater variety of intangibles information, a higher level of disclosure and more intense information to the capital market. Content analysis of annual reports and prospectuses is carried out to determine the variety, and extent of intangibles disclosure. Incorporating a range of impression management tools in signalling information, this study also explores the concept of intensity of disclosure, which reflects the strength of messages presented based on their type, nature and also their presentation emphasis. The findings, which support signalling theory, provide evidence that capital-raiser firms disclose a greater variety of voluntary intangibles information with a higher level of disclosure in their annual reports immediately prior to capital-raising activity. Further, capital-raisers provide more intense and powerful signals compared to their non-capital-raiser counterparts. In addition to annual reports, these firms also utilise prospectuses to signal intangibles information during capital-raising activity. However, the variety, extent and intensity of disclosure in prospectuses are significantly lower compared to disclosure in annual reports. The overall findings suggest that in order to compensate for the inadequacy of financial reports, capitalraiser firms strive to make intangibles information visible in both annual reports and prospectuses by not only making narrative disclosures but also by emphasising intangibles using pictures and presentation emphasis by way of repetition. This is consistent with the motivation to provide intangibles information that investors will not only recognise but that they will also retain and recall when making investment decisions.
A Two-Tier Heterogeneous Mobile Ad Hoc Network Architecture and Its Load-Balance Routing Problem

The mobile ad hoc network (MANET) has attracted a lot of interest recently. However, most of the existing works have assumed a stand-alone MANET. In this paper, we propose a two-tier, heterogeneous MANET architecture which can support Internet access. The low tier of the network consists of a set of mobile hosts each equipped with a IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN card. In order to connect to the Internet and handle the network partitioning problem, we propose that the high tier is comprised of a subset of the mobile hosts, called gateways, which can access to cellular/infrastructure networks. The high tier is heterogeneous in the sense that the network interfaces in the gateway hosts could be IEEE 802.11 cards, PHS handsets, or GPRS handsets characterized by different bandwidths and latencies. Observing that the gateways could become the bottlenecks of the two-tier network, we propose a set of solutions, namely boundary-moving, host-partitioning, and probabilistic solutions, to solve the load-balance routing issue. Implementation issues/concerns of these schemes are discussed. Simulation results are presented to compare these load-balance routing schemes.
Assessing Credit or Determining Quantity? The Evolving Role of Rating Agencies

Over the past ten years, credit rating agencies have come under intense criticism from both practitioners and academics, first for their failure to identify problems resulting in bankruptcies at Enron and Worldcom and second for providing overly optimistic ratings for structured finance products. While many investors question the value of rating agencies in light of these criticisms, they have proven remarkably resilient. This paper provides a brief background on how rating agencies secured competitive advantages in evaluating credit quality. It then reviews the empirical evidence on the information content of ratings given these advantages. I argue that the information content of ratings stems from two intertwined sources: 1) information related to credit quality and 2) information related to the firm’s ability to access debt. Based on this evidence, I suggest that the dominant role for ratings today is as a benchmark for financial contracting. In this way, ratings remain influential in establishing the supply and demand of debt securities.
Mast cell‐rich leiomyomas should not be mistaken for gastrointestinal stromal tumours

nucleus to cytoplasm can sequester it away from the nuclear target proteins. This phenomenon has been observed in Barrett’s-associated oesophageal adenocarcinoma and other tumours. Analysis of the p53 tumour suppressor gene according to a previously published method showed that the TCC harboured a missense mutation at codon 220 (TyrfiCys) in exon 6 (TATfiTGT) and a novel missense mutation at codon 285 (GlufiLeu) in exon 8 (GAGfiTTG) (Figure 2). In contrast, the leiomyosarcoma had only wild-type p53. In conclusion, ureteral leiomyosarcoma may cause diagnostic difficulty because of its rarity. We recommend that all poorly differentiated tumours, even those accompanied by a typical TCC, should be subjected to immunohistochemistry for a-SMA and cytokeratin. When immunohistochemical analysis for these differentiation markers is equivocal, immunohistochemistry for p27 or mutational analysis for p53 can be employed, because different molecular mechanisms of neoplastic transformation appear to be involved in these two malignancies.
Unclaimed health care benefits: a mixed-method analysis of rural veterans.

PURPOSE Rural areas contribute a disproportionate number of US military recruits compared to urban areas. However, few studies have examined why many rural veterans do not enroll in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for health care. Our objective was to elicit reasons rural veterans chose not to use VHA. METHODS This mixed-methods study included quantitative survey and qualitative interview data. Surveys were mailed to 4,176 households with a registered voter in a rural Midwestern county to reach the estimated 1,100 veterans, of whom 600 were not enrolled in VHA. Surveys were designed to assess demographics and basic eligibility requirements for VHA. Themes were derived deductively from survey responses and inductively as they emerged through analysis of interview transcripts. FINDINGS A total of 180 veterans completed the survey and 165 were eligible based on an approximation of enrollment criteria. Of those, 74 (45%) were current VHA users, and 91 (55%) were nonusers of VHA but appeared to be eligible. The most common reason selected by these potentially eligible veterans for not using VHA was they did not think they were eligible (41%). Interviews revealed the issue of distance was superseded by the perception that enrollees must be poor and have experienced combat, injury, or disability during service. Most reported they had never been told about VHA health care benefits. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that lack of awareness of VHA health care benefits may be the biggest barrier identified by rural veterans. Targeted outreach and education efforts related to eligibility for rural veterans are warranted.
Dofetilide for the treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients with congestive heart failure.

Both atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure occur more commonly in older age groups. As the world population ages, the prevalence of both atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure will increase. When the two conditions are both present, mortality is very high. Atrial fibrillation is also a frequent reason for worsening of heart failure requiring hospitalization. Currently the only available medication that can be used to achieve sinus rhythm in the setting of heart failure is amiodarone, which is associated with frequent and occasionally serious side effects. In recent years, the use of pure class III drugs for the treatment of re-entrant arrhythmias has received increasing attention. One such drug is dofetilide, which, as a pure blocker of the delayed rectifier potassium current (lkr), prolongs cardiac action potential and the QTc interval. Dofetilide has been demonstrated to be effective both in converting atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm and for the long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm after conversion. As with most other drugs which prolong the action potential, dofetilide carries a risk of proarrhythmia; in particular torsade de pointes ventricular tachycardia. In patients receiving dofetilide, torsade de pointes tachycardia is most frequently observed shortly after initiation of treatment, and all clinical trials have utilized in-hospital initiation with continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. The use of antiarrhythmic drugs is known to carry a particular risk of life threatening proarrhythmia in the setting of congestive heart failure. Only amiodarone, digoxin and beta-blockers have been proven in large trials to be safe in patients with congestive heart failure, whereas a number of class I drugs as well as the class III drug d-sotalol have been shown to increase mortality in various patient populations. The Danish Investigations of Arrhythmia and Mortality on Dofetilide (DIAMOND) studies were designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dofetilide in patients with congestive heart failure or a recent myocardial infarction accompanied by left ventricular dysfunction. The two DIAMOND studies were conducted concurrently in 37 Danish cardiology
Investigation of the level of safety and appropriateness of playgrounds in Elazig city in Turkey

This study was conducted to identify and evaluate the degree of appropriateness of children's playground standards and the level of compliance with the current safety specifications of the playgrounds in Elazig city in Turkey. This was accomplished by on-site observation and measurement in the total of 24 playgrounds present in this city centre. It was determined that 83.3% of the playgrounds were next to a street and in 60% of these playgrounds there were no fences or any barrier to keep children from running into the street. In 87.5% of playgrounds the surfacing was not in proper depth and good order. Separate playgrounds for different ages were provided in only 12.5% of the playgrounds. In 62.5% of the playgrounds children were supervised to make sure they were safe. There was unsafe equipment in 95.8% of the playgrounds. In 83.3% of the playgrounds there were sharp edges, pinch points, or playground debris that might injure a child. The findings of the present study indicate that nearly all of the playgrounds in Elazığ city center do not meet the criteria for playground standards and are not in compliance with the current safety specifications and need improvement.
Synergistic effect of environmental estrogens: report withdrawn.

1. は じめ に 内分泌系 は神経系及 び 免疫系 と と も に生体 の 恒常性 を保 つ た め に 重 要 な 制御機構 で あ り,さ ら に 生 殖 , 発 生 に は 性 ホ ル モ ン が 必 須 の 役 割 を演 じ て い る . し か し,最近,内 分 泌 バ ラ ン ス に 障害 を来す物 質が 環境中 に も数 多 く存在 し,そ の 影響 と も考え られ る野 生動物 の 繁殖 や 形 態 の 異常 が 注 目さ れ る よ うに な っ た . こ れ は 主 と し て estrogen 作 用 を有す る環境汚染物質 が 原因 と す る考 え 方 が あ る. そ こ で , それ らの estrogen 作用 物 質 及 び estrogen 様作 用 物質 の 主 な もの に っ い て 整 理 し , 簡単 な 解説 (化学構造)を加 え る. 背景 近年,男性 に お け る 精 子 数 の 減 少 ,精巣 が ん の 増加 ,女 性 で は 性 成 熟 の 早 期 化 , 乳 が ん の 増加 が 報 告 さ れ , 環 境 中 に 存在す る estrogen 作 用 物 質 が そ の 原 因 で あ る可能性 が 指 摘 さ れ て い る. しか し , 現 時 点 で は 原 因物質 と の 因果 関係 は 不 明 で あ る.
Friendships in Online Peer-to-Peer Lending: Pipes, Prisms, and Relational Herding

This paper investigates how friendship relationships act as pipes, prisms, and herding signals in a large online, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending site. By analyzing decisions of lenders, we find that friends of the borrower, especially close offline friends, act as financial pipes by lending money to the borrower. On the other hand, the prism effect of friends' endorsements via bidding on a loan negatively affects subsequent bids by third parties. However, when offline friends of a potential lender, especially close friends, place a bid, a relational herding effect occurs as potential lenders are likely to follow their offline friends with a bid.