Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analyzing technology licensing decisions with a real options perspective: a literature review and research agenda

As part of the growing trend towards Open Innovation, the market for technology licensing has experienced a tremendous growth since the beginning of the 1990s. This phenomenon has increased firms' strategy space, as they now have the choice between internal R&D or internal exploitation on the one hand, and external markets on the other hand. Yet, licensing decisions are particularly difficult to make because they display a high level of technical, commercial and legal uncertainty. Therefore, technology licensing requires highly proficient management. In this regard the real options (RO) framework appears quite promising, because it is adapted to uncertain contexts. Patents have been early recognized by the literature as real options, and we have anecdotal evidence of the use of real options by firms for their licensing decisions. In this article, our objective is to review the patent strategy literature dealing with real options, and lay out a foundation for future research on the application of the RO framework to licensing decisions. We find that the literature has concentrated on the use of real options in the domain of patent rights management, while RO applications to licensing decisions remain limited to specific uses. We therefore systematically investigate whether the various types of licensing-in and licensing-out decisions follow a real options logic. We find that not all licensing decisions can be analogized to real options. Key determinants of the real options logic are in particular the maturity of the licensed technology, and the motivations pursued by the innovator to license-out the technology. We analyze the potential benefits and limits of applying real options to licensing decisions, both from a managerial and academic perspective. Finally, we derive a research agenda from our analysis.
Voyager 2 observations related to the October–November 2003 solar events

A transient flow system observed at 1 AU from October 24–November 7, 2003 (consisting of several shocks, ejecta and possibly other flows) moved away from the Sun for ≈180 days to 73 AU, where Voyager 2 (V2) observed a large Merged Interaction Region (MIR) associated with a fast (560 km/s) stream that followed a forward shock and moved past V2 for ≈1.5 solar rotations. The MIR and stream were associated with a large decrease in the cosmic ray intensity and an exceptionally large enhancement in the flux of ≈2.5 MeV protons. The speed and the cosmic ray profiles observed by V2 were very simple, resembling the profiles of a shock/sheath/ejecta flow and a Forbush decrease, respectively, at 1 AU, but rescaled by a factor by a factor of ≈10. The onset of the MIR‐associated decrease in the cosmic ray intensity occurred 10 days after the shock, lasting several days, with a full recovery ≈70 days after the onset.
Banking and Financial Crises in United States History: What Guidance can History Offer Policymakers?

This paper assesses the validity of comparisons between the current financial crisis and past crises in the United States. We highlight aspects of two National Banking Era crises (the Panic of 1873 and the Panic of 1907) that are relevant for comparison with the Panic of 2008. In 1873, overinvestment in railroad debt and the default of railroad companies on that debt led to the failure of numerous brokerage houses, precursor to the modern investment bank. During the Panic of 1907, panic-related deposit withdrawals centered on the less regulated trust companies, which had only indirect access to the existing lender of last resort, similar to investment banks in 2008. The popular press has made numerous references to the banking crises of the Great Depression as relevant comparisons to the recent crisis. This paper argues that such an analogy is inaccurate. The previous banking crises in U.S. history reflected widespread depositor withdrawals whereas the recent panic arose from counterparty solvency fears and large counterparty exposures among large complex financial intermediaries. In historical incidents, monitoring counterparty exposures was standard banking practice and the exposures were smaller. From this perspective, the lessons from the past appear less directly relevant for the current crisis.
THE ANALYSIS OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES WITH DEMOGRAPHICS ON SCALE-FREE NETWORK †

In this paper we consider a model with demographics for sexu- ally transmitted diseases (STDs) spread on scale-free networks. We derive the epidemic threshold, which is depend on the birth rate, the natural death rate and other parameters. The absence of a threshold in infinite scale-free network is proved. For a hard cut off scale-free network, we also analyze the stability of disease-free equilibrium and the persistence of STDs infection. Two immunization schemes, proportional scheme and targeted vaccination, are studied and compared. We find that targeted strategy is more effective on scale-free networks.
Mentoring Relationships in the Real Estate Industry: A Descriptive Analysis

Mentoring Relationships 2 Mentoring is an old phenomenon which dates back to ancient Greece. It has recently gained the attention of researchers in organizational and business settings. The study examines mentoring relationships in the real estate industry. The purpose of this study was to identify whether mentoring takes place in a particular occupation, specifically real estate, and to further investigate the functions and qualities of the mentoring relationships. Sixty-three questionnaires were distributed to local real estate agents. Twenty-seven were returned yielding a response rate of 42%. Six follow-up interviews were conducted to compliment the quantitative data from the questionnaire. Results indicated that 80% of all respondents did have mentors and the mentors were usually the boss of broker/owner of the business. T-test results indicated that women scored higher on three career function variables which were: introduced to other managers, increased contact with other managers, and helped protege meet new colleagues. Men scored higher on one career function variable identified as "helped protege finish tasks. " Five out of six interviewees agreed that mentoring does make a difference in career success. Results indicated that mentors can beneficial to real estate agents and may help them become successful. Dedication Mentoring Relationships 3 This paper and project are dedicated to my mother. In the short time that I spent with you, you taught me a lifetime of lessons. You were my mentor and my friend and your memory ~ill live in my heart forever. Mentoring Relationships 4
Big Data Processing with MapReduce for E-Book

Evolution of IT and computer has made e-books popular day by day. In this paper, we are interested in searching a word in e-books. However, it is impossible to search a word in digitized e-books if they consist of image files such as JPG and PDF. Our solution to this problem is to transform the image file based e-books into text files based e-books to enable searching a word in e-books. We use EPUB, a XML-based text file, which is defined by IDPF(International Digital Publishing Forum). That is, we convert the image file based ebooks into EPUB format e-books, so that searching a word in e-books can be done without any problem. The converting job should deal with very big data usually and require a lot of computing power. If we do the conversion in an usual personal computer, it would take a lot of processing time or it might be impossible for us to complete it. We used MapReduce model with a cluster system which enables us to perform the conversion successfully and reduce the processing time. This paper presents our Hadoop-based e-book Conversion System which is a distributed computing framework to transform the image based e-books into EPUB format ebooks. Our experimental system consists of up to 15 cluster nodes. This paper evaluates the performance of the experimental system which processes the conversion of up to 2TB(Terra Byte) image files into EPUB files with a 15 nodes cluster system. We analyzed the processing time when the number of nodes in the cluster system was varied. We also analyzed the improvement effect when the dpi of the image file was varied. The performance evaluation confirmed us that the Hadoop-based e-book Conversion System successfully processed the big data for e-book.
Prognostic value of quantitative sensory testing in low back pain: a systematic review of the literature

Quantitative sensory testing (QST) measures have recently been shown to predict outcomes in various musculoskeletal and pain conditions. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the emerging body of evidence investigating the prognostic value of QST measures in people with low back pain (LBP). The protocol for this review was prospectively registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. An electronic search of six databases was conducted from inception to October 2015. Experts in the field were contacted to retrieve additional unpublished data. Studies were included if they were prospective longitudinal in design, assessed at least one QST measure in people with LBP, assessed LBP status at follow-up, and reported the association of QST data with LBP status at follow-up. Statistical pooling of results was not possible due to heterogeneity between studies. Of 6,408 references screened after duplicates removed, three studies were finally included. None of them reported a significant association between the QST measures assessed and the LBP outcome. Three areas at high risk of bias were identified which potentially compromise the validity of these results. Due to the paucity of available studies and the methodological shortcomings identified, it remains unknown whether QST measures are predictive of outcome in LBP.
A Radiostereometric Analysis of the Bryan® Cervical Disc Prosthesis

Study Design. Prospective, radiostereometric study of the Bryan® Cervical Disc prosthesis (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN) for the treatment of a single-level disc disease of the cervical spine. Objective. To study the stability of the titanium endplates of the disc prosthesis at the interface between the bone and prosthesis. Summary of Background Data. Cervical disc prosthesis is a motion-sparing technology in which the longevity is dependent on initial fixation as well as secondary fixation with bone ingrowth into the surface of the device. Little is known regarding the stability of this fixation with the currently studied prosthesis. Methods. Eleven patients with symptomatic cervical radiculopathy underwent implantation of a radiostereometry modified Bryan® prosthesis after a standard anterior cervical discectomy. The adjacent vertebrae were perioperatively marked with tantalum markers. The patients were then frequently studied with radiostereometric radiographs and evaluated for pain, and neurologic and physical function for 2 years. Results. Both titanium endplates of the device were immediately stable in 5 patients. Small but measurable changes (micromotions) were recorded in 4 patients until the 3-month examination and in 2 patients at the 3–6-month time period. All prostheses continued to be stable after 6 months until the final assessment at 2 years after surgery. The recorded micromotions did not influence the clinical results. Conclusions. The Bryan® prosthesis is immediately stable in many patients and is securely fixed to the bone within 3–6 months in all patients. The result of this study suggests that there is sufficient bone ingrowth on the coated surface of the Bryan® prosthesis endplates to stabilize securely the prosthesis.
Branding is no longer child's play!

Tweens (8‐14 year‐olds) comprise a new type of audience – an increasingly powerful and smart consumer group which last year alone spent and influenced an astounding US$1.18 trillion across the globe. They are different in every way. They are more likely to have a friend on the other side of the world than in their own street, they think the television remote is broken when they cannot find the courser on the screen; they drop from existence when the battery in their cell phone is flat. And they know current brand images better than any advertising expert. Based on the world’s most extensive study of tween attitudes and behaviors ever conducted, the author looks at the phenomena behind global children and their relationships with brands and explores why building brands to our future generation no longer is just a child's play.
Not quite so fast: effect of training at 90% sprint speed on maximal and repeated-sprint ability in soccer players

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of training at an intensity eliciting 90% of maximal sprinting speed on maximal and repeated-sprint performance in soccer. It was hypothesised that sprint training at 90% of maximal velocity would improve soccer-related sprinting. Twenty-two junior club-level male and female soccer players (age 17 ± 1 year, body mass 64 ± 8 kg, body height 174 ± 8 cm) completed an intervention study where the training group (TG) replaced one of their weekly soccer training sessions with a repeated-sprint training session performed at 90% of maximal sprint speed, while the control group (CG) completed regular soccer training according to their teams’ original training plans. Countermovement jump, 12 × 20-m repeated-sprint, VO2max and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 test were performed prior to and after a 9-week intervention period. No significant between-group differences were observed for any of the performance indices and effect magnitudes were trivial or small. Before rejecting the hypothesis, we recommend that future studies should perform intervention programmes with either stronger stimulus or at other times during the season where total training load is reduced.
The Cost of Cooking the Books

From 1978 through 2002, federal regulators brought 585 enforcement actions for financial misrepresentation by publicly traded companies, naming 2,310 individuals and 657 firms as potentially liable parties. The legal penalties imposed on individuals and firms are substantial. For example, individuals were assessed $15.9 billion in fines and civil penalties, and 190 managers received jail sentences for financial reporting violations. Companies were assessed an additional $8.4 billion in fines and damages via class action lawsuits. As large as the legal penalties are, however, the reputational penalties are even larger. Our point estimate of the reputational penalty is twelve times the sum of all penalties imposed through legal and regulatory processes. This evidence belies a widespread view that financial misrepresentation is disciplined lightly. To the contrary, the SEC historically has pursued many enforcement actions for financial misconduct, resulting in substantial legal penalties but even higher reputational penalties. JEL classification: G38; K22; K42; M41
Stochastic Technology, Risk Preferences, and Adoption of Site‐Specific Technologies

This paper develops a model of farmer decision-making to examine the extent to which uncertainties about the performance of site-specific technologies (SSTs) and about the weather impact the value of these technologies. The model uses the jointly estimated risk and technology parameters to examine the impacts of SSTs on returns and nitrogen pollution. The availability of uncertain soil information and production uncertainty can lead risk-averse farmers to apply more fertilizers and generate more pollution. Ignoring the impact of uncertainty and risk preferences of farmers leads to a significant overestimation of the economic and environmental benefits of SSTs and underestimation of the required subsidy for inducing adoption of SSTs. The model that accounts for uncertainties about soil conditions and production as well as risk preferences of farmers provides an explanation for the low observed adoption rates of SSTs. Improvements in the accuracy of SSTs have the potential to increase the incentives for adoption.
Assessment of consumers' perception and cognition toward table grape consumption in China

Purpose – The paper aims to understand consumers' perception and cognition toward table grapes, which focuses on the most important attributes, consumption consequences and personal values of grape consumption and the relations among them. Design/methodology/approach – The study related grape consumption with consumers based on Means-end chain analysis. The data were gathered with both laddering interviews (n=37) and questionnaire survey returned by 843 individuals in 31 provinces of China. The data were firstly processed by SPSS software and descriptive statistics was adopted to evaluate consumers' awareness. Furthermore, MECanalyst software was opted for, to construct the hierarchical relations of table grape consumption. Findings – The findings are that consumers consume grapes based on their functional cognition and sensory perception. The quality-orientated characters are deemed to be the most important grape attributes, healthy and practical function are the main expected benefits and desired values.
Off-Balance-Sheet Activities, Earnings Persistence and Stock Prices: Evidence from Operating Leases

This paper examines the implications of the off-balance-sheet treatment of operating leases for future earnings and stock returns. The property rights granted by an operating lease contract generate both future benefits (off-balance-sheet capital investment) and future obligations (off-balance-sheet financing liabilities) for the lessee. The change in the off-balance-sheet capital investment can be viewed as a form of growth in net operating assets and also a form of off-balance-sheet accruals. By examining the footnote disclosure on operating leases, this paper shows that, after controlling for current earnings, greater off-balance-sheet operating lease activities lead to lower future earnings. This finding is consistent with diminishing marginal returns to investment in operating lease activities. Additional tests show that investors incorrectly estimate the implications of off-balance-sheet lease activities for future earnings. A long-short investment strategy that exploits this misestimation generates significant future abnormal stock returns. These results suggest that the accrual anomaly documented in prior research extends to off-balance-sheet lease accruals.
The progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is heterogeneous: the experience of the BODE cohort.

RATIONALE Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is thought to result in rapid and progressive loss of lung function usually expressed as mean values for whole cohorts. OBJECTIVES Longitudinal studies evaluating individual lung function loss and other domains of COPD progression are needed. METHODS We evaluated 1,198 stable, well-characterized patients with COPD (1,100 males) recruited in two centers (Florida and Tenerife, Spain) and annually monitored their multidomain progression from 1997 to 2009. Patients were followed for a median of 64 months and up to 10 years. Their individual FEV(1) (L) and BODE index slopes, expressed as annual change, were evaluated using regression models for repeated measures. A total of 751 patients with at least three measurements were used for the analyses. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Eighteen percent of patients had a statistically significant FEV(1) slope decline (-86 ml/yr; 95% confidence interval [CI], -32 to -278 ml/yr). Higher baseline FEV(1) (relative risk, 1.857; 95% CI, 1.322-2.610; P < 0.001) and low body mass index (relative risk, 1.071; 95% CI, 1.035-1.106; P < 0.001) were independently associated with FEV(1) decline. The BODE index had a statistically significant increase (0.55, 0.20-1.37 point/yr) in only 14% of patients and these had more severe baseline obstruction. Concordance between FEV1 and BODE change was low (κ Cohen, 16%). Interestingly, 73% of patients had no significant slope change in FEV1 or BODE. Only the BODE change was associated with mortality in patients without FEV(1) progression. CONCLUSIONS The progression of COPD is very heterogeneous. Most patients show no statistically significant decline of FEV(1) or increase in BODE. The multidimensional evaluation of COPD should offer insight into response to COPD management.
6th International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies in Agriculture, Food and Environment (HAICTA 2013) The Effect of the IFRS on Intercompany Transactions. The Case of the Greek Food-Beverage Sector

The present study examines the value relevance of disc losed related party transactions (RPTs) in group of companies at the Greek food-beverage sector. We are based on two types of transactions, exchange of goodsproducts and exchange of assets, using a value relevance approach. We apply the model of Ohlson for the period 2003-2012 and we observ e that the reported earnings of firms selling goods or assets to related parties exhibit a lower valuation coefficient than those of firms in Greece without such transactions. This result is not observed after 2005, when a new fair value measurement rule for related party transactions came into effect. Our evidence suggests that the new RPT regulation in Greece is perceived to be effective at reducing the potential misuse of RPTs for earnings management purposes. Since RPTs have been the subject of numerous scandals, our evidence from the Greek stock markets suggests that new RPT accounting standards could prove an effective solution to this issue. © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of HAICTA
CEO Turnover and Earnings Management in Banks: Evidence Using Age-Based Retirement Policies

We examine the effect of CEO turnover on earnings management in banks. Since banking is intrinsically an opaque activity, we hypothesize that an incoming CEO of a bank is more likely to manage earnings than a counterpart in a non financial firm. To identify the hypothesized effects, we exploit exogenous variation generated by age-based CEO retirement policies in Indian public sector firms. Compared to banks where there is no turnover, banks experiencing CEO turnover report 23% lower profit-to-sales and 25% lower return-on-assets in the transition quarter. This decrease occurs due to increased provisions, though such provisions do not associate with increased non-performing assets subsequently. Shorter CEO tenure exacerbates earnings management by the incoming CEO. The stock price declines by 1%, and lending is 2% lower than average, which highlight the real effects of earnings management by incoming CEOs. In contrast to banks, we observe no earnings management coinciding with CEO turnover for other public sector firms. As evidence of motivation, we show that earnings management increases likelihood of directorship positions in other firms within two years of retirement.