Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rating Changes Across Europe

How do European stocks react to rating actions issued by Rating Agencies using a Pan-European sample of more than 500 credit rating changes released by Moody’s in the period 2002-2007 we show that the reaction to rating changes is asymmetric. Downgrades negatively affect equity value and upgrades show no significant impact on stock prices. Moreover, we find that the prior credit quality and the magnitude of the rating change mitigate this asymmetry. The negative impact of downgrades is more intense in non-UK firms and for non-financial companies suggesting lower asymmetric information or higher disclosure in UK than in other European countries.
Anaplastic Oligodendrogliomas: Prognostic Factors for Tumor Recurrence and Survival

Objectives: Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (AO) are uncommon primary brain tumors whose natural history, prognosis, and optimal management are not yet fully understood. However, they are associated with a better prognosis and response to multimodality therapy based on specific molecular changes. In this multicenter retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients with AO to identify prognostic factors that influence time to progression (TTP) and survival. Methods: A retrospective search of the brain tumor databases of three institutions (the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, the University of California at San Francisco, and the University of Utah) for patients between 1977 and 1995 with histologically confirmed AO identified a cohort of 106 patients that was further analyzed in this study. Initial treatment included surgery alone (n = 12) or surgery followed by one of the following: radiotherapy (RT) alone (n = 49), chemotherapy alone (n = 4), chemotherapy followed by RT (n = 10), RT followed by chemotherapy (n = 20), and others (n = 11). Results: The median age at diagnosis was 43 years, and the median Karnofsky performance score (KPS) was 90. The overall median survival was 7.3 years, and the 5-year survival rate was 62%. Univariate analysis of several clinical variables showed that only age (p < 0.0001) and KPS (p = 0.04) correlated significantly with survival. Fifty patients had disease progression after initial therapy. The median TTP was 48 months. Age at diagnosis was the only variable that correlated significantly with TTP. Conclusions: A trend towards longer survival with a greater extent of resection was evident. The relative efficacy of various treatment modalities could not be definitively determined because of the heterogeneity of the therapies used. Overall, patients with AO have a better prognosis after therapy compared with those who have other malignant gliomas.
Association of CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 gene polymorphisms with prostate cancer in a Lebanese population

The present study investigates the association of the genetic polymorphisms of cytochromes P450 (CYP) 1A1 and 2E1 with prostate cancer (PCa), which is among the most common cancers in Lebanon and many countries. Prostate cancer is a multifactor disease where genetic polymorphisms of genes involved in carcinogen metabolism such as CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 could play a key role. Regarding the association of these genes polymorphisms with PCa, case-control studies as well as meta-analyzes investigations reported conflicting results in diverse populations. We conducted the present case-control study to assess whether the alleles CYP1A1*2A (6235T>C) and CYP2E1*6 (7632T>A) are associated with PCa in Lebanon and to compare with polymorphism in other populations. Our results showed that CYP1A1*2A allele was associated with PCa (P= 0.016) and that individuals carrying at least one CYP1A1*2A allele present 2.7-fold increase of PCa risk (P= 0.038). On the contrary, the CYP2E1*6 allele was not significantly associated with this cancer in the studied population despite a clear difference of genotype distribution between patients and controls. We conclude that CYP1A1*2A is among the genetic risk factors that contribute to PCa occurrence in Lebanon.
Dynamics of Market Liquidity and Funding Liquidity during Financial Crisis, Its Resolution, and the Volcker Rule

We provide the first empirical evidence of a non-linear relationship between funding liquidity and market liquidity (FL-ML). The relationship depends on the state of business cycle, firm volatility, and the regulatory regime. Due to heightened funding constraints, equity trading costs increased twofold during the recent financial crisis; and even more for low quality firms, confirming the “flight to quality” hypothesis. The FL-ML relationship strengthens after favorable bank stress test results indicating the importance of market intermediation by bank affiliates. The relationship weakens after the enactment of the Volcker Rule as Volcker rule prohibits proprietary trading by banks.
Retail banking in Nordic countries: the case of Finland

Reports the findings and implications of a bank marketing study which was conducted in the Turku region of Finland in 1993. Determines the importance of selected patronage factors used by Finnish bank consumers in choosing national versus local banks, and determines the perceived usefulness of the variety of services offered by these two groups of commercial banks. Offers certain guidelines for bank managers. Suggests that the study findings would have wider application in other Nordic countries. With the recent entry of Finland into the European Union, banks from other member countries may find the study useful for policy development purposes. Suggests further avenues in Finnish commercial bank marketing.
Close Resemblance between Chemokine Receptor Expression Profiles of Lymphoproliferative Disease of Granular Lymphocytes and Their Normal Counterparts in Association with Elevated Serum Concentrations of IP-10 and MIG

T-cell large granular lymphocyte (T-LGL) leukemia and chronic natural killer (NK) cell lymphocytosis (CNKL) are major subtypes of lymphoproliferative disease of granular lymphocytes (LDGL). To clarify the mechanism of LGL proliferation and the relationship with the chemokine system in LDGL, we enrolled 22 T-LGL leukemia patients and 8 CNKL cases, analyzed the expression profiles of chemokine receptors, and measured the serum concentrations of the corresponding chemokines. There were no significant differences in chemokine receptor expression profiles between T-LGL leukemia patients and healthy donors. An association of CCR5 and CXCR3 expression levels on LGLs was recognized in T-LGL leukemia patients (r = 0.84;P <.001). Among the chemokines, serum IP-10 and MIG levels were significantly higher in LDGL patients than in healthy donors(P <.05, andP <.001, respectively), and MIG expression was associated with the number of circulating LGLs (r = 0.73;P <.01). The chemokine receptor phenotypes of LDGL cells are essentially similar to those of normal T-cells and NK cells. The roles of IP-10 and MIG in the pathophysiology of LDGL need further examination.
A study of mobile banking usage in Iran

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore barriers, the mediating role of usability and the moderating effects of self-efficacy and perceived image on consumers’ attitudes toward use of mobile banking (MB) in Iran. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the consumer data collected through a survey, structural equations modeling and path analysis were employed to test the research model. Findings – The results revealed that “system compatibility” was found to be the main factor affecting users’ attitudes toward use of MB. “Resistance” showed a significant negative effect on both ease of use and usefulness. “Perceived usefulness” mediated the relationship between ease of use and users’ attitudes. At last, contrary to self-efficacy which showed no significant effect, perceived image moderated the relationships between usefulness and attitude. Research limitations/implications – The sample was only composed of MB users and non-users were not studied. Originality/value – Past studies have seldom examin.
NATURAL RESOURCE BASED GREEN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to conceptualise a structural model of natural resource based green supply chain management (GSCM), and its relationship, with an indication of cause and effect, to relevant performance measures and drivers.Design/methodology/approach – The literature, describing GSCM from a natural resource based view (NRBV), along with performance measures and institutional drivers, is critically evaluated and used to develop the model.Findings – Constructs are identified in terms of intra‐ and inter‐organisational environmental practices, performance measures and institutional drivers. Causal relationships, within and between the constructs, are also proposed in the form of hypotheses.Research limitations/implications – At this stage the model is purely conceptual and the causal relationships are only proposed. Empirical tests of the model and hypotheses are required.Practical implications – On empirical verification, this work can furnish managers with validated measurement scales to.
[Effects of different treatments on endothelial function in patients with erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism].

AIM To study effects of different treatments on erectile and endothelial functions in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and age-related hypogonadism (HG). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 66 males with ED who had clinical and laboratory signs of HG. All the patients were examined using questionnaires (international index of erectile function, AMS), blood hormones tests. Endothelial function was assessed with postcompression tests on the cavernous arteries and blood homocystein assay. All the patients were divided into two matched groups. Group 1 (20 males, mean age 54.6 +/- 11.5 years) received androgens only, replacement therapy consisted of testosterone undecanoate (Nebido, Shering) 1000 mg each 10-12 weeks intramuscularly, interval between the first and second injection was 6 weeks. Group 2 (46 males, mean age 53.98 +/- 10.03 years) was given combined treatment (androgens and PDE 5 inhibitors), wardenafil (Levitra, Buer Shering Pharma) was used in a dose 20 mg. The treatment lasted 6 months. RESULTS AMS points decreased in group 1 from 38.3 +/- 0.29 to 29.2 +/- 0.32, in group 2--from 39.02 +/- 0.21 to 28.6 +/- 0.95, while testosterone rose from 9.86 +/- 0.4 to 17.77 +/- 0.42 and 9.35 +/- 0.25 to 17.21 +/- 0.63 nmol, respectively. Homocystein lowering was significantly more manifest in group 2. EF index in group 2 rose from 11.4 +/- 0.77 to 25.54 +/- 0.25 points versus 11.2 +/- 1.01 to 23.95 +/- 0.71 points in group 1, improvement of EF in group 2 occurred sooner. Endothelial function by diameter of the cavernous arteries differed after treatment in group 1 and 2 (19.55 +/- 2.88 to 39.2 +/- 0.84% and 19.51 +/- 1.28 to 48.5 +/- 1.76, respectively, p<0.001). CONCLUSION Combined therapy improves blood homocistein, acts faster and stronger on endothelial and erectile functions and can be recommended as first line for ED and HG patients.
An investigation into Enterprise Resource Planning Software adoption amongst firms listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange

Enterprise Resource Planning systems are being adopted by many organizations in Kenya and all over the world. Many reasons have been advanced as to why such adoptions are taking place. This research aimed at studying ERP attributes that make organizations adopt or reject them within companies listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. By applying Rogers theory of Diffusion of Innovations, the research aimed at finding out the adoption status in the NSE listed companies and help other organizations that may want to adopt ERPs have a rich insight on how to go about the adoption process. ERPs are expensive, huge and complex systems that warrant careful planning and execution for successful adoption. This is because they affect how businesses conduct themselves. They also affect processes and peoples jobs within the adopting organizations. A census was done by surveying all the 47 companies listed on the NSE for this study. The study found out that adoption of ERP systems within the NSE listed companies generally agreed with Rogers theory of diffusion of innovations and that management support is paramount in ERP adoption or rejection. It is therefore important for organizations to note that before they think of adopting ERP systems, such organizations must ensure that there is support for the ERP project right from the people at the top within the given organization.
Institutional effects of interorganizational collaboration: The emergence of proto-institutions

We argue that collaboration can act as a source of change in institutional fields through the generation of “proto-institutions”: new practices, rules, and technologies that transcend a particular collaborative relationship and may become new institutions if they diffuse sufficiently. A four-year study of the collaborative activities of a small nongovernmental organization in Palestine suggests that collaborations that are both highly embedded and have highly involved partners are the most likely to generate proto-institutions.
The long-term outcome of central serous chorioretinopathy.

OBJECTIVE To assess the long-term outcome of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR) among a group of patients who previously participated in a prospective argon laser photocoagulation study of CSR. DESIGN Thirty-eight of 41 surviving patients with CSR participating in an earlier study were invited to participate in a follow-up study that included history taking, ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy, and fundus photography. RESULTS Thirty-seven (38 eyes) of 38 surviving patients (97%) were available for follow-up between 11 and 15 years after participation in the earlier study. There were no clinically documented or historical recurrences of CSR among the six eyes previously treated by direct laser photocoagulation. There were 13 clinically documented recurrences and four historical recurrences among the 32 eyes not treated with direct laser photocoagulation. The difference in recurrences was statistically significant (P = .02). Pigment changes indistinguishable from age-related macular degeneration frequently occurred in eyes with CSR. The difference in the development of such pigment changes between eyes with CSR (33 of 38) and nonaffected fellow eyes (12 of 35) was significant (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS The decreased rate of CSR recurrence after direct laser photocoagulation reported in an earlier study was sustained with follow-up beyond 10 years. Pigmentary changes in the fundus indistinguishable from those associated with age-related macular degeneration developed in eyes affected with CSR, probably as a consequence of the presence of subretinal fluid accompanying the CSR rather than from early age-related macular degeneration.
The safety of breast-conserving therapy in patients with breast cancer aged < or = 40 years.

BACKGROUND The objectives of this study were to study the probability of local control after breast-conserving therapy (BCT) in a large population of patients with early-stage breast cancer aged < or = 40 years and to determine which factors had prognostic value. METHODS All patients (n = 758) aged < or = 40 years with clinical stage I or II breast cancer who underwent BCT in general hospitals in the southern part of the Netherlands between 1988 and 2002 were selected for the current analysis. BCT included local excision of the tumor followed by irradiation of the breast. Of 758 patients, 329 patients (43%) received adjuvant systemic treatment, and 36 patients (5%) underwent a microscopically incomplete excision. The median follow-up was 8.5 years. RESULTS During follow-up, 95 patients developed a local recurrence without evidence of distant disease at the time the recurrence was diagnosed. Contralateral breast cancer was diagnosed in 59 patients. The 5- and 10-year actuarial local recurrence rates were 9.0% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 6.6-11.4%) and 17.9% (95% CI, 14.1-21.7%), respectively. In a multivariate analysis, adjuvant systemic treatment reduced the risk of local recurrence (hazards ratio [HR], 0.47; 95% CI, 0.28-0.78) and contralateral breast cancer (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24-0.87) by >50%. CONCLUSIONS The risk of local recurrence in young patients who underwent BCT was reduced strongly by using adjuvant systemic treatment. This finding may provide an argument if favor of advising the use of systemic treatment for all patients aged < or = 40 years who undergo BCT.
“Five Co‐s” in innovating: a practice‐based view

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to frame innovation as a process of co‐creation according to a practice‐based view.Design/methodology/approach – The paper focuses on the innovation practices that occurred within the web contexts of ten companies. In accordance with netnography research, data include preliminary studies of the web‐based context, naturalistic observations of the community and the activities of its members, and direct interactions with the members of the innovating community.Findings – This work proposes the integration of innovation, practice and the emerging co‐creation research. The paper develops the five “Co‐s” model including: co‐ideation, co‐valuation, co‐design, co‐test and co‐launch. Each “Co‐“ represents a phase of the innovation process resulting from dynamic and on‐going interactions among resources, actions, and a group of actors who are interrelated via a dense network. Within each “Co‐“, the authors identify practices and elements of practices.Practical implications – A.
Decorin-binding proteins A and B confer distinct mammalian cell type-specific attachment by Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease spirochete

Host cell binding is an essential step in colonization by many bacterial pathogens, and the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, which colonizes multiple tissues, is capable of attachment to diverse cell types. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are ubiquitously expressed on mammalian cells and are recognized by multiple B. burgdorferi surface proteins. We previously showed that B. burgdorferi strains differ in the particular spectrum of GAGs that they recognize, leading to differences in the cultured mammalian cell types that they efficiently bind. The molecular basis of these binding specificities remains undefined, due to the difficulty of analyzing multiple, potentially redundant cell attachment pathways and to the paucity of genetic tools for this pathogen. In the current study, we show that the expression of decorin-binding protein (Dbp) A and/or DbpB, two B. burgdorferi surface proteins that bind GAGs, is sufficient to convert a high-passage nonadherent B. burgdorferi strain into one that efficiently binds 293 epithelial cells. Epithelial cell attachment was mediated by dermatan sulfate, and, consistent with this GAG-binding specificity, these recombinant strains did not bind EA-Hy926 endothelial cells. The GAG-binding properties of bacteria expressing DbpB or DbpA were distinguishable, and DbpB but not DbpA promoted spirochetal attachment to C6 glial cells. Thus, DbpA and DbpB may each play central but distinct roles in cell type-specific binding by Lyme disease spirochetes. This study illustrates that transformation of high-passage B. burgdorferi strains may provide a relatively simple genetic approach to analyze virulence-associated phenotypes conferred by multiple bacterial factors.
Motivating Customers to Adhere to Expert Advice in Professional Services

This study focuses on the mechanisms by which professional service providers effectively influence customers to adhere to their expert guidance and advice. Eliciting customer adherence is a critical concern for professional service firms since customers of these need-based (rather than want-based) services are often reluctant to adhere, and nonadherence can result in serious negative consequences to customer well-being and firm resource utilization. The study examines this scenario by developing a conceptual framework that integrates the following three theoretical areas: professional services theory, advice utilization theory, and social cognitive theory. The framework proposes associations between professional service provider actions and customer reactions, including adherence to expert advice, adherence intentions, and organizational resources needed to serve the customer (time cost and monetary cost). The study empirically tests the hypothesized relationships based on professional service provider-customer (physician-patient) interactions in a large health care organization setting using both primary survey data and objective, longitudinal customer data encompassing a 48-month period. Results indicate that advice giving frequency and focus on negative consequences impact customer outcomes and the effects are moderated by perceived customer efficacy and service provider efficacy. The findings shed light on the underlying dynamics of customer adherence to advice in professional service settings and provide guidance as to how that adherence can be effectively elicited.
Normalization by Insulin Treatment of Low Mitochondrial Glycerol Phosphate Dehydrogenase and Pyruvate Carboxylase in Pancreatic Islets of the GK Rat

The enzyme activity of the mitochondrial glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase (mGPD) in the pancreatic islet has been reported to be less than one-half of normal in the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat, a genetic model of NIDDM. In the current study, mGPD enzyme activity and the amount of mGPD protein, as judged by Western analysis, were 35–40% of normal in the islets of these animals. With the exception of pyruvate carboxylase, the activities of other enzymes were not abnormal. The assayable activity and amount of pyruvate carboxylase protein were decreased ∼50% in the islets of the GK rats. Because mGPD, which is the key enzyme of the glycerol phosphate shuttle, and pyruvate carboxylase, which is the key component of the pyruvate malate shuttle, have been proposed to be essential for stimulus-secretion coupling in the pancreatic β-cell, an important question is whether the decreases in these enzymes have a causal role in the hyperglycemia or whether the diabetic syndrome caused the decreases. To attempt to differentiate between these two possibilities, GK rats were treated with insulin to normalize their blood sugars. The activities of both mGPD and pyruvate carboxylase were also normalized by insulin treatment. An incidental discovery of this study was the identification of a high level of propionyl-CoA carboxylase activity and a lesser amount of methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase activity in pancreatic islets. These enzymes were normal in the islets of the GK rats. This is the first report on the presence of these two carboxylases in the islet and of low pyruvate carboxylase activity in the islet in NIDDM. We conclude that the decreased mGPD and pyruvate carboxylase in the pancreatic islet of the GK rat result from the diabetic syndrome.
The composition of New Zealand public sector audit committees

This study investigates the association between the source of funding of New Zealand public sector entities (PSEs) and the composition of their audit committees. Fifty PSEs in the health, local government and tertiary sectors were examined and the results show that only 28 PSEs (56 percent) disclosed the existence of an audit committee in their annual reports. The size of the audit committees that exist are on average larger than that recommended by best practice guidelines; however most of the PSEs, with the exception of some of the education providers, do comply with guidelines recommended for audit committee independence and financial expertise. The study also finds that PSEs that have higher levels of debt are more likely to have independent audit committees; however PSEs that rely on high levels of government funding are not more likely than other PSEs to have an audit committee with a majority of independent members and a financial expert.