Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Status of woody vegetation along riparian areas in Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe

We assessed the composition and structure of woody vegetation along Save, Runde and Mwenezi rivers in Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe. Data were collected from 62 sample plots between April and May 2011 using a stratified random sampling design. Our results showed significant differences in plant height, shrub density and numbers of stems per plant across the three major perennial rivers. However, there were no significant differences in basal area, tree density, dead plant density, browsed plant density, fire damaged plant density and species diversity. Our findings suggest that disturbances, e.g., herbivory, are affecting the woody vegetation structure in all major rivers in Gonarezhou. We therefore, recommend for the continuous monitoring of riparian vegetation in Gonarezhou and other similar protected areas.
Banking Markets: Productivity, Risk and Customer Satisfaction

This paper describes a structural model which incorporates bank decisions on productivity, risk-taking and customer satisfaction into an equilibrium model of banking markets for 219 large U.S. banks, between 1984 and 1992. The cost of bank risk is assessed using banks stock market betas as a broad measure of total risk. In particular, the effect of size on risk-taking is analyzed, as well as the decomposition of risk on a product basis. The Capital Asset Pricing Model is used to measure bank risk, thereby capturing all risk in a measure based on market behavior. Productivity losses due to mismatches between demand capacity are modeled and estimated. In addition, the effect of customer satisfaction, or quality, on bank profitability is measured. Structural model estimation is used to expand the range of questions that can be empirically addressed. It is also used to explain and directly estimate inefficiencies heretofore captured only by inference in fixed effects models. In this structural model banks face long- and short-run cost function choices, they optimally choose capacity levels and risk levels with limited information, and they interact in markets, leading to an asymmetric Cournot-Nash equilibrium. Each bank's profit function is derived from the market equilibrium conditions, and its parameters are directly estimated. The empirical analysis incorporates six bank products and develops a unified approach to thinking about what a bank s products are. The ability of banks to satisfy their customers is examined for the first time in the literature, and it is shown to be a source of profitability A new customer satisfaction data set is introduced to study this phenomenon. All of the relevant factors are integrated into a single model that estimates all parameters simultaneously. The model has five distinct parts: operating activities, risk, demand, customer satisfaction or quality and competitive interactions. The author concludes that banks differ widely in their ability to manage risk. Larger banks take on relatively more risk, with risk cost accounting for 38 percent of bank earnings on average. There also are substantial inefficiencies due to demand/capacity mismatches. On average, banks are over-optimistic by 10 percent in the demand for which they plan, and the cost to them is approximately 2.2 percent of total costs. This is substantially more than can be justified by "optimal overshooting" in the face of planning uncertainty and amounts to over 25 percent of average bank margin. Greater customer satisfaction correlates with greater profitability, principally due to greater demand. The effect of quality on cost and price is minimal. Bank-specific fixed effects are relatively insignificant. The very significant bank-specific effects that previous research discovered appear to have been largely captured and directly estimated in the structural model. The research confirms the results of previous research that there are no significant long-run economies of scale or scope.
Consumer responses to online retailer's service recovery after a service failure

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer responses to online retailer service recovery remedies following a service failure and explores whether the phenomenon of the service recovery paradox exists within the context of online retailing.Design/methodology/approach – This paper reports on the results of two studies. Study I explores the main and interaction effects of the various dimensions of service recovery justice (i.e. distributive justice, procedural justice, and interactional justice) on customer satisfaction, negative word‐of‐mouth (WOM), and repurchase intention based on the justice theory. Study II investigates whether the phenomenon of the service recovery paradox exists (i.e. whether customers have higher satisfaction, higher repurchase intention, and lower negative word‐of‐mouth after experiencing an effectively remedied service failure as compared to if the service failure had not occurred). A laboratory experimental design is used to test the research hypotheses.Findin.
The impact of SOX on earnings quality outside the U.S.: Evidence from Belgian subsidiaries of U.S. listed companies

Prior U.S. studies report significant earnings quality effects of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). In this paper we examine whether this SOX effect is also observed outside the U.S. on earnings quality measures of foreign subsidiaries of U.S. listed firms. We argue that in institutional environments where the incentives to issue high quality financial reporting are weaker than in the U.S., an “export” of SOX improving earnings quality is likely. Belgium is a suitable institutional setting to test this hypothesis, with weak investor protection, trivial auditor and manager litigation and limited regulatory reforms after the public trust crisis. We find that Belgian subsidiaries of U.S. listed parents indeed manage their earnings less and recognize their losses timelier after SOX, whilst the earnings quality of a control group of Belgian subsidiaries of Belgian listed parents deteriorates. These findings suggest that SOX is associated with an improvement of earnings quality of Belgian SOX compliers and that this change is not caused by changes in the Belgian regulatory environment.
Real Options Theory and International Investment Strategy: Past, Present and Future

This study reviews the research on international investment strategy from a real options lens and discusses avenues for future research. Uncertainty has been a persistent feature in international business, and multinational enterprises (MNEs) have to deal with uncertainty (e.g., market, political, technological) in strategic decisions concerning foreign market entry mode, scale, and timing. The conventional wisdom in international business (IB) is to view uncertainty as an unfavorable condition that complicates the decision making process and exposes firms to downside risks and losses; as a result, much effort has been put into designing strategies to minimize potential negative outcomes in an uncertain environment. In contrast with the conventional wisdom, real options theory offers a fresh perspective to tackle uncertainty in international investment: Uncertainty in the host market does not necessarily pose a threat to MNEs’ profitability; it may also present valuable opportunities for MNEs to exploit. From this perspective, MNEs should design strategies such that they have the flexibility to benefit from upside potentials while containing downside losses in future. The unique contribution of real options theory is that it provides a general theoretical foundation on which IB scholars can conceptualize how MNEs make investment decisions in an uncertain environment as well as adjust their investment strategies in response to new information in the environment.
Incidence of foot and mouth disease and its effect on milk yield in dairy cattle at Andassa dairy farm, Northwest Ethiopia.

A study on incidence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) was conducted at Andassa Government Dairy Farm during July to August 2008 with the objective of determining the incidence rate and to evaluate the effect of the disease on milk yield. The overall incidence of foot and mouth disease in dairy cattle of the farm was 14.55%. The incidence rate in Fogera cattle (15.52%) was significantly (p > 0.05) higher than that of Holstein-Friesian cross cattle (2.50%). The average milk yield ahead of 10 days of FMD infection (1182.86±32.13) was found significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the milk yield 10 days after infection (602.86±18.86). The overall mortality rate of the disease was 2.24% during the study period and the mortality rate in cross cattle (2.50%) was found higher than that of Fogera cattle (2.22%). In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that the complex epidemiological situation of the disease in Ethiopia needs more detailed investigation for improved vaccine-based control is to be achieved efficiently.
Effect of Ginkgo biloba Extract on Visual Field Progression in Normal Tension Glaucoma

Purpose:To evaluate the long-term effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on progression of visual field (VF) defects in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Methods:Forty-two eyes of 42 patients with treated NTG who received 80 mg GBE 2 times daily and who had at least 5 VF tests using the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer for more than a 4-year period before and after GBE treatment were evaluated in this retrospective study. We evaluated the change of progression rate using mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), and visual field index (VFI) after GBE treatment. The time course of mean total deviation in 10 zones corresponding to the glaucoma hemifield test was analyzed using a linear mixed effects model with unequal random effect variances. Results:The mean follow-up period was 12.3 years. The posttherapeutic intraocular pressures before and after GBE treatment were not significantly different (P=0.509 paired t test). Before GBE treatment, the regression coefficients (RCs) of MD, PSD, and VFI change were −0.619 dB/y, 0.626 dB/y, and −2.153%/y, respectively. After GBE treatment, the RCs of MD, PSD, and VFI change improved significantly to −0.379 dB/y, 0.342 dB/y, and −1.212%/y (P <0.001), respectively. In zone 1, the RC of mean total deviation change was significantly increased after GBE administration (P <0.005). Conclusions:GBE administration slowed the progression of VF damage in patients with NTG, especially in zone 1 corresponding to the superior central field.
Polymorphism of Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Gene in 13 Pig Breeds and its Relationship with Pig Growth and Carcass Traits

The polymorphism of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in 13 pig breeds (total n=559) was detected by PCR-Hha I- RFLP, and allele A (151 bp and 28 bp) or allele B (116 bp, 35 bp and 28 bp) were observed. In these pig breeds, it was found that European pig breeds carried high frequencies of allele B, while Chinese native pig breeds carried high frequencies of allele A. Meanwhile the role of porcine IGF-I was investigated in 117 Nanchang White pigs and 360 Large Yorkshire pigs. Eight traits about growth and carcass were recorded for analyzing the associations between IGF-I gene polymorphism and performance quantitative traits. In the Nanchang White pigs, those with AA genotype generally had higher birth weight than those with AB genotype (p<0.05), but all these genotypes had no significant effect on the other traits which had been analyzed. In Large Yorkshire pigs, those with BB genotype had higher 2 months and 6 months body weight than those with AA genotype (p<0.05), and had a thicker hind-back-fat thickness and mid-back-thickness than those with AB and BB genotypes (p<0.05). And those with BB genotype were the thinnest in Large Yorkshire. Furthermore, pigs with AA genotype had a lower lean percentage than those with AB and BB genotypes (p<0.01), and the lean percentage of those with BB genotype was the highest. Based on these results, it is possible to make the IGF-Ⅰgene locus into the application of marker-assisted selection programmes. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 10 : 1391-1394)
STRATEGY, STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE: A FRAMEWORK FOR LOGISTICS RESEARCH

Organizational issues have attracted a great deal of attention in logistics. However, developments such as the expanding use of information technology and outsourcing call into question conventional organizational assumptions of past research. This paper proposes a framework for the structural properties of logistics organizations, including supply-chains. Such a framework could be used in research on the organization of logistics and would facilitate comparability among studies. A contingency theory approach is recommended to yield insights into the complex relationships between logistics strategy, structure and performance.
COMPACT BANDPASS FILTER WITH WIDE UPPER- STOPBAND BASED ON SPIRAL-SHAPED RESONATORS AND SPUR-LINES

A novel compact bandpass fllter (BPF) with wide upper- stopband has been proposed in this paper. The structure is based on spiral-shaped resonators. Cross coupling is used to generate two transmission zeros at the lower and upper stopbands. Therefore, the out-of-band performance is improved. In addition, two spur-lines are adopted in the feed lines to reject the spurious response. The central frequency f0 of this fllter is at 2.45GHz with a minimum insertion loss of less than 1dB and a 3dB bandwidth of 12.5%. Four transmission zeros are located at 2GHz, 3GHz, 5.5GHz, and 8GHz. The attenuation is greater than 20dB in a wide upper stopband up to 9.8GHz.
Stakeholder selection in cleantech start-ups and stakeholder contribution to new venture’s outcome

The cleantech industry has gained a lot of attention in recent years. This has made many entrepreneurs discover opportunities and start new businesses. However, cleantech is associated with high investments and a great deal of R&D costs. To overcome these obstacles entrepreneurs, in particular ecopreneurs, have to select the best partners to work with. The recent literature reveals weaknesses regarding how the partner selection process in startups is structured and why some stakeholders come on board. Therefore this study aims to investigate the impact of partnerships between stakeholders and entrepreneurs in their work towards creating innovative cleantech products. The research paper gives an answer to the research question: How do cleantech startups select stakeholders and how do they contribute to the start ups? To accomplish this goal an introduction of the importance of partner selection is given and a qualitative study with the CEOs of 6 start-ups across Europe has been conducted. Data has been evaluated and several steps taken for the selection of answers, which have been categorized into two groups, describing intrinsic and extrinsic motivational reasons for finding the best match. Moreover, a guideline on how to succeed in collaborative work with your partners will be presented at the end of the research. The outcome of the partner selection is estimated by the contribution of the stakeholders to the venture. This research provides insight over the most valuable resources which the startup can derive from their stakeholders. Factors like risk and time to the market influencing the success of the collaboration are also taken into account when evaluating the mutual fit. Implications for further research and advice for entrepreneurs are discussed. To entrepreneurial practice, the research presents that, startups need not only a good idea but a reliable partner to run a successful business in cleantech environment. It should be noted that financial factors are not the most important ones for a mutual fit.
Do Dividend Payments Respond to Taxes? Preliminary Evidence from the 2003 Dividend Tax Cut

The individual income tax burden on dividends was lowered sharply in 2003 from a maximum rate of 35% to 15%, creating a unique opportunity to analyze the effects of dividend taxes on dividend payments by U.S. corporations. This paper uses data from the Center for Research in Security Prices (CRSP) spanning 1980 to 2004-Q1 to analyze this issue. We find a sharp and widespread surge in dividend distributions following the tax cut, along several dimensions. First, the fraction of publicly traded firms paying dividends began to increase precisely in 2003 after having declined continuously for more than two decades. Nearly 150 firms have initiated dividend payments after the tax cut, adding more than $1.5 billion to aggregate quarterly dividends. Most of these firms initiated regular, recurrent payments rather than one-time special' distributions. Second, many firms that were already paying dividends prior to the reform raised regular dividend payments significantly after the tax cut. Third, special dividends also rose, but the magnitude of this effect is likely to be small relative to the increases in regular distributions in the long run. All three of these effects are significant among all company sizes, and are robust to controls for profits and other firm characteristics. The surge in regular dividend payments after the 2003 reform is unprecedented in recent years. The Tax Reform Act of 1986, which also reduced the top individual tax rate on dividends significantly, led to a temporary, concentrated rise in special dividend payments. However, the number of regular dividend payers did not rise much after the 1986 reform.
Choice of Rating Technology and Price Formation in Imperfect Credit Markets

Accurate rating systems are of key importance for banks to price and manage their loan portfolios. In this paper we analyze the choice of the rating technology in an oligopolistic banking sector. In our model the rating system estimates the probabilities of default for the individual borrowers and therefore provides important input for the pricing of the loans. We model the technology choice and the pricing as a two-stage game. In the first stage banks choose the rating technology and in the second stage banks choose their pricing policy given the imperfect (oligopolistic) market using a risk-based pricing approach. The presented probabilistic framework and the modeling of the technology choice is novel in the banking literature and can provide important insights. In a comparative static analysis we study the implications for a market with two banks, which can employ two different rating systems (low or high accuracy). We find that in equilibrium the rating technology choice critically depends on the cost structure. If the additional costs for the high accuracy system are large both banks will have no incentive to adopt this technology. If the additional costs are low equilibrium behavior of banks results in the implementation of the accurate technology. In this case credit spreads unambiguously decrease and credit volume increases. The use of the more accurate technology, however, does not necessarily result in higher profits for the banks. Only if the costs are sufficiently small the equilibrium behavior results in a Pareto improvement. This has important implications for banking regulation which aims to provide incentives to use high accuracy rating systems (e.g. Basel II regulation).
Customer Retention Strategies

Abstract Many firms have invested substantial resources in customer retention strategies based on the premise that improving customer retention rates leads to significant increases in profits. However, the profitability is determined by four factors; industry retention rates, segmentation issues, components of long-term customer value, and ability to calculate long-term customer value. If these factors are not favourable, the pay offs may be lower than the costs of retention strategies. Using the factors, a case study illustrates how firms can evaluate when retention strategies are likely to pay off. In general, the strategies are appropriate when; industry retention levels are high, segments differ in value, components of long-term customer value are favourable and individual customer value can be determined.
A Role of the Sulfonylurea Receptor 1 in Endocytic Trafficking of ATP‐Sensitive Potassium Channels

The ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channel consisting of sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) and inward‐rectifier potassium channel 6.2 (Kir6.2) has a well‐established role in insulin secretion. Mutations in either subunit can lead to disease due to aberrant channel gating, altered channel density at the cell surface or a combination of both. Endocytic trafficking of channels at the plasma membrane is one way to influence surface channel numbers. It has been previously reported that channel endocytosis is dependent on a tyrosine‐based motif in Kir6.2, while SUR1 alone is unable to internalize. In this study, we followed endocytic trafficking of surface channels in real time by live‐cell imaging of channel subunits tagged with an extracellular minimal α‐bungarotoxin‐binding peptide labeled with a fluorescent dye. We show that SUR1 undergoes endocytosis independent of Kir6.2. Moreover, mutations in the putative endocytosis motif of Kir6.2, Y330C, Y330A and F333I are unable to prevent channel endocytosis. These findings challenge the notion that Kir6.2 bears the sole endocytic signal for KATP channels and support a role of SUR1 in this trafficking process.
PRKAR 1 A Inactivation Leads to Increased Proliferation and Decreased Apoptosis in Human B Lymphocytes

The multiple neoplasia syndrome Carney complex (CNC) is caused by heterozygote mutations in the gene, which codes for the RIA regulatory subunit (PRKAR1A) of protein kinase A. Inactivation of PRKAR1A and the additional loss of the normal allele lead to tumors in CNC patients and increased cyclic AMP signaling in their cells, but the oncogenetic mechanisms in affected tissues remain unknown. Previous studies suggested that PRKAR1A down-regulation may lead to increased mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Here, we show that, in lymphocytes with PRKAR1A-inactivating mutations, there is increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and B-raf phosphorylation and MAPK/ERK kinase 1/2 and c-Myc activation, whereas c-Raf-1 is inhibited. These changes are accompanied by increased cell cycle rates and decreased apoptosis that result in an overall net gain in proliferation and survival. In conclusion, inactivation of PRKAR1A leads to widespread changes in molecular pathways that control cell cycle and apoptosis. This is the first study to show that human cells with partially inactivated RIA levels have increased proliferation and survival, suggesting that loss of the normal allele in these cells is not necessary for these changes to occur. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(21): 10603-12)
Director Connections in the Mutual Fund Industry

The executives of publicly traded firms often sit on mutual fund boards. This paper provides empirical evidence about the influence these executives exert on the investment decisions of the fund. It shows that funds concentrate their holdings in and trade informatively in the stock of the executive’s firm. Specifically, funds hold approximately 25 percent larger stakes in the executive’s firm. When the fund purchases the stock of the executive’s firm, the stock, on average, earns an abnormal return of 2.07 percentage points over the following quarter, and when the fund sells the stock of the executive’s firm, the stock, on average, underperforms by 3.76 percentage points over the following quarter. Furthermore, the paper shows that abnormal trading returns in the executive’s firm, are associated with positive career outcomes for the executive. These results are robust to controlling for fund and firm specific factors and suggest that the influence of fund directors extends beyond their formal monitoring responsibilities.
The Role of Order Contracts in Shareholder Value Creation

TAMPERE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Master’s Degree Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management HELMINEN, OSKARI: The Role of Order Contracts in Shareholder Value Creation Master of Science Thesis, 83 pages, 2 appendices (5 pages) March 2012 Major: Industrial Management Examiners: Professor Saku Mäkinen and Associate Professor Juho Kanniainen