Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unions and Non-union Bargaining Agents under the Employment Contracts Act 1991: an Assessment after 12 Months

This paper records a study of the impacts of the Employment Contracts Act 1991 (ECA) on unions and non-union bargaining agents. The assessment primarily relates to the first 12 months of the Act's operation but, where appropriate, does extrapolate certain trends into the foreseeable future. Both trade unions and non-union agents (alternative worker agents and employer agents) are discussed.
Behavioral Corporate Finance : Decisions that Create Value

1- Behavioral Foundations 2- Valuation 3- Capital Budgeting 4- Perceptions About Risk and Return 5- Inefficient Markets and Corporate Decisions 6- Capital Structure 7- Dividend Policy 8- Agency Conflicts and Corporate Governance 9- Group Process 10- Mergers and Acquisitions 11- Application of Real-Option Techniques to Capital Budgeting and Capital Structure (on the website only)
Secretory Phospholipase A 2 Modulates Phagosome Maturation and Regulates the Innate Immune Response against Candida albicans 1

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) hydrolyzes the sn-2 position of cell membrane phospholipids to release fatty acids and lysophospholipids. We have previously reported that group V secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) translocates from the Golgi and recycling endosomes of mouse peritoneal macrophages to newly formed phagosomes and regulates the phagocytosis of zymosan, suggesting a role in innate immunity. Here we report that in macrophages lacking group V sPLA2, phagosome maturation was reduced 50–60% at early time points while the binding of zymosan was unimpaired. The ability of group V sPLA2 to regulate phagocytosis extended to phagocytosis of IgGand complement-opsonized sheep RBC. Moreover, macrophages lacking group V sPLA2 had delays in phagocytosis, phagosome maturation, and killing of Candida albicans. Cytokine production and eicosanoid generation were not impaired by the lack of group V sPLA2. Furthermore, in a model of systemic candidiasis, mice lacking group V sPLA2 had an increased fungal burden in the kidney, liver, and spleen at day 7 postinfection and increased mortality. Thus, group V sPLA2 regulates phagocytosis through major phagocytic receptors and contributes to the innate immune response against C. albicans by regulating phagocytosis and killing through a mechanism that is likely dependent on phagolysosome fusion. The Journal of Immunology, 2009, 182: 4891–4898.
Portfolio Construction and Risk Management: Long–Short/Market-Neutral Portfolios

Long–short/market-neutral portfolios can offer a higher return in a more efficient fashion than traditional active management, but they are difficult to create. Managers must not only follow the unwritten "rules," such as limiting leverage to a maximum of 2:1 and diversifying holdings across the portfolio, but they must also pay attention to the details, such as the challenges associated with beta control and the nuances of principal trading. And instead of continuing to use the same risk models, managers must be innovative so that long–short management continues to thrive and grow.
Mandatory IPO Grading: Does it Help Pricing Efficiency?

The paper examines the market impact of a unique IPO certification recently introduced in India – mandatory grading of IPOs by a credit rating agency. The grading was expected to improve the IPO pricing efficiency by providing comprehensive issue-related information to the market, especially to the retail investors. The results indicate that grading has only a limited influence on the IPO demand of retail and institutional investors. The low grade issues appear to have weaker demand from investors relative to the ungraded IPOs. But there is no evidence to support IPO pricing improvement due to the introduction of IPO grading. This is contrary to the evidence reported by some earlier studies. This suggests the failure of grading as an IPO certification.
An examination of the internationalisation process of the smaller craft firm in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

This thesis involves an examination of the internationalisation process of the smaller craft firm in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Sectoral analysis was carried out in order to determine historical precedents as well as the identification of industry and firm level factors impinging upon domestic and export market behaviour. Key findings at this stage included the fact that the majority of craft firms could be classified as small and that they impact economically at both domestic and international level. The majority of existing craft sector research is practitioner specific, with little evidence of theoretical rigour. Following this, a range of internationalisation theories were discussed, from their historical provenance in economic trade theory to the more recent developments concerning the impact of technology and networking. It was concluded that the majority of these frameworks fail to readily explain smaller firm internationalisation behaviour. The research methodology followed was pluralistic in nature, given that the majority of existing internationalisation studies follow the quantitative method and are generally replicative. It was believed that by adopting both quantitative and qualitative methods, a richer amount of data would be obtained in order to generate an improved understanding of smaller firm internationalisation. Research propositions centred on the belief that investigation of the sector would uncover a number of internal and external impinging factors which were specific to the craft firm. Future modelling of the internationalisation process would need to account for situation specific factors, instead of attempting to offer a generic interpretation of the process.
Achieving Compositional Language in a Population of Iterated Learners

Iterated learning takes place when the input into a particular individual’s learning process is itself the output of another individual’s learning process. This is an important feature to capture when investigating human language change, or the dynamics of culturally learned behaviours in general. Over the last fifteen years, the Iterated Learning Model (ILM) has been used to shed light on how the population-level characteristics of learned communication arise. However, until now each iteration of the model has tended to feature a single immature language user learning from their interactions with a single mature language user. Here, the ILM is extended to include a population of immature and mature language users. We demonstrate that the structure and make-up of this population influences the dynamics of language change that occur over generational time. In particular, we show that, by increasing the number of trainers from which an agent learns, the agent in question learns a fully compositional language at a much faster rate, and with less training data. It is also shown that, so long as the number of mature agents is large enough, this finding holds even if a learner’s trainers include other agents that do not yet posses full linguistic competence.
International marketing, strategic orientations and business success

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to highlight key themes and issues within the strategic orientation research domain that are in need of research attention by international scholars.Design/methodology/approach – The approach taken is an essay format.Findings – The essay identifies six prime issues in need of attention by scholars interested in examining strategic orientations in the context of international business success. These are the need to: examine the relative merits of adopting strategic orientations in firms’ domestic and international business operations; more carefully match international performance metrics to the theory being developed; develop more theory‐rich conceptual models of the consequences of strategic orientations by considering non‐linear and complex moderated relationships; consider the dimensionality of strategic orientations more closely, potentially viewing the constructs in a variety of disaggregated ways, so as to develop models with greater conceptual precision and ma.
Removal of phosphate from water using six Al-, Fe-, and Al-Fe-modified bentonite adsorbents

This study was part of a larger effort that involves evaluating alternatives to upgrading secondary treatment systems in the United Arab Emirates for the removal of nutrients. In this study, six modified bentonite (BNT) phosphate adsorbents were prepared using solutions that contained hydroxy-polycations of aluminum (Al-BNT), iron (Fe-BNT), and mixtures of aluminum and iron (Al-Fe-BNT). The adsorption kinetics and capacities of the six adsorbents were evaluated, and the adsorbents were used to remove phosphorus from synthetic phosphate solutions and from treated wastewater. The experimental adsorption kinetics results were well represented by the pseudo–second-order kinetic model, with R2 values ranging from 0.99 to 1.00. Similarly, the experimental equilibrium adsorption results were well represented by the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, with R2 values ranging from 0.98 to 1.00. The adsorption capacities of the adsorbents were dependent on the BNT preparation conditions; the types, quantities and combination of metals used; BNT particle size; and adsorption pH. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacities of the six adsorbents ranged from 8.9–14.5 mg P/g-BNT. The results suggested that the BNT preparations containing Fe alone or in combination with Al achieved higher adsorption capacities than the preparations containing only Al. However, the Al-BNT preparations exhibited higher adsorption rates than the Fe-BNT preparation. Three of the six adsorbents were used to remove phosphate from secondarily treated wastewater samples, and the removal results were comparable to those obtained using synthetic phosphate solutions. The BNT adsorbents also exhibited adequate settling characteristics and significant regeneration potential.
Rehabilitation of irradiated patients with modified and conventional sandblasted acid-etched implants: preliminary results of a split-mouth study.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate of chemically modified and conventional sandblasted acid-etched surface (SLA) titanium implants in irradiated oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty patients with a mean age of 61.1 years were treated with dental implants after ablative surgery and radio-chemotherapy of oral cancer. All patients were non-smokers. The placement of SLA and modSLA implants was performed bilaterally according to a split-mouth design. All 102 implants (50 SLA, 52 modSLA) placed showed an unloaded healing time of 6 weeks in the mandible and 10 weeks in the maxilla. Mean crestal bone changes using standardized orthopantomographies and clinical parameters like pocket depths, mPII and mBI were evaluated. RESULTS Of 102 implants, 55 implants (27 SLA implants, 28 modSLA) were located in the maxilla and 47 implants (23 SLA, 24 modSLA) in the mandible. The average observation period was 14.4 months. The amount of bone loss at the implant shoulder of SLA implants was 0.4 mm mesial and 0.4 mm distal. The modSLA implants displayed a bone loss of mesial 0.3 mm and distal 0.3 mm. Two SLA implants were lost resulting in a success rate of 96%. The success rate of modSLA implants was 100%. CONCLUSION Regarding the data found in this investigation, we can conclude that implants with chemically modified and conventional SLA titanium surface show high success rates in irradiated patients. SLA implants with or without a chemically modified surface regardless of the location can be restored with a high predictability of success at least in the short time range observed.
Dynamic Conditional Correlation: On Properties and Estimation

This article addresses some of the issues that arise with the Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC) model. It is proven that the DCC large system estimator can be inconsistent, and that the traditional interpretation of the DCC correlation parameters can result in misleading conclusions. Here, we suggest a more tractable DCC model, called the cDCC model. The cDCC model allows for a large system estimator that is heuristically proven to be consistent. Sufficient stationarity conditions for cDCC processes of interest are established. The empirical performances of the DCC and cDCC large system estimators are compared via simulations and applications to real data.
More corporate environmental reporting in South Africa

The environment is establishing itself as an important business issue. There are no laws or regulations to enforce environmental disclosure or reporting in South Africa, yet it is on the increase. However, the reporting tends to be biased and general in nature. The amount and the quality of environmental reporting will only be improved if made compulsory. This will only be feasible if the relevant parties are in favour . A survey was done amongst the preparers and auditors of financial statements as well as others, to establish whether they would be willing to support additional environmental reporting. A large number of individuals are indeed in favour of more compulsory corporate environmental reporting.
A Cross Sectional Study of Antiphospholipid-protein Antibodies in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism

Summary Objective: To look for an association between venous thromboembolism (VTE) and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients without Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) when implementing, beside conventional assays, new tests for aPL screening directed towards purified proteic targets. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, hospital-based study of consecutive unselected outpatients. We compared VTE+ patients to VTE- among 398 consecutive unselected outpatients referred for clinical suspicion of VTE. To detect aPL, the following ELISAs were performed : 1) a conventional standardized ELISA 2) an improved APA assay, 3) an anti-Beta2GPI ELISA, 4) an anti-Annexin V ELISA, 5) an anti-Prothrombin ELISA. We sought an association between VTE and aPL through a quantitative (t-test) and a qualitative comparison (chi-square test, according to the cut-off values set as the 95th percentile of aPL distribution). First we conducted an analysis of all patients. Then we stratified them into 2 subgroups, with or without a wellknown risk factor for VTE (prolonged immobilization >72h, surgery or trauma within the past three months, current malignancy). Results: 61% of patients were classified as VTE-positive. Before stratification, we did not find any significant association between the VTE status and aPL. However, after stratification, in the subgroup without risk factors for VTE, the frequency of positive values as regards the anti Prothrombin antibodies detection was significantly higher in VTE+ patients (p = 0,04). Conclusion: The presence of anti Prothrombin antibodies might be an independent risk factor of VTE. However systematic screening for aPL in non SLE patients referred for VTE suspicion at the time of the thromboembolic event has little clinical relevance.
Changes in cancer worry associated with participation in ovarian cancer screening

While ovarian cancer is rare and screening is not recommended for most women, it is being studied as a way to reduce ovarian cancer mortality. As effective strategies for screening emerge it will be important to understand the quality of life (QOL) effects of participation in ovarian cancer screening. In this study, we examined the effects of participation in an ovarian cancer screening program on worry about cancer risk and QOL. A randomized controlled clinical trial (n = 592) was conducted. Women without a family history suggestive of a BRCA1/2 mutation were randomly assigned to screening and risk counseling, separately and in combination. Results were compared to women randomized to usual care alone. Levels of cancer worry fell for all study groups and QOL was unaffected; no statistically significant differences were found between groups. Increased levels of worry about ovarian cancer at 2‐year follow‐up were found among participants in screening receiving abnormal test results. For those who receive abnormal results, screening may have long‐term effects and increase worry about cancer risk. Further research will be required to examine the possibility that screening reduces worry when women receive only normal, presumably reassuring, results. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Information Content of Cross-Market Deviations in Option Prices and Credit Default Swap Spreads

Cross-market deviations in equity put option prices and credit default swap spreads are temporal and revert to their usual level shortly after they occur, on average within about one week. The process of reversion involves predictable and economically significant changes also in the equity values of the reference firm, thus empirically supporting the theoretical linkage of the three markets. Cross-market deviations occur for firms with high information uncertainty and are not created equally. Firms with unusually more expensive credit than equity insurance are likely to experience informed trading in their credit insurance contract. However, we attribute instances of unusually expensive equity insurance to belief heterogeneity.
Characterization and Induction of Two Cytochrome P450 Genes, CYP6AE28 and CYP6AE30, in Cnaphalocrocis medinalis: Possible Involvement in Metabolism of Rice Allelochemicals

Two cDNAs specific for P450 genes, CYP6AE28 and CYP6AE30, have been isolated from the rice leaf folder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Both cDNApredicted proteins have 504 amino acid residues in length, but with molecular masses of 60177 Dalton for CYP6AE28 and 60020 Dalton for CYP6AE30, and theoretical pI values of 8.49 for CYP6AE28 and 8.56 for CYP6AE30, respectively. Both putative proteins contain the conserved structural and functional domains characteristic of all CYP6 members. CYP6AE28 and CYP6AE30 show 52% amino acid identity to each other; both of them have 49 - 56% identities with CYP6AE1, Cyp6ae12, and CYP6AE14. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the two P450s are grouped in the lineage containing some of the CYP6AE members, CYP6B P450s and CYP321A1. The transcripts of CYP6AE28 and CYP6AE30 were found to be induced in response to TKM-6, a rice variety with high resistance to C. medinalis. The results suggest that the two P450s may play important roles in adaptation to the host plant rice. This is the first report of P450 genes cloned in C. medinalis
Mutations responsible for MYH9-related thrombocytopenia impair SDF-1-driven migration of megakaryoblastic cells

Summary MYH9-related disease (MYH9-RD) is an autosomal-dominant thrombocytopenia caused by mutations in the gene for the heavy chain of nonmuscle myosin-IIA (NMMHC-IIA). Recent in vitro studies led to the hypothesis that thrombocytopenia of MYH9-RD derives from an ectopic platelet release by megakaryocytes in the osteoblastic areas of bone marrow (BM), which are enriched in type I collagen, rather than in vascular spaces. SDF-1-driven migration of megakaryocytes within BM to reach the vascular spaces is a key mechanism for platelet biogenesis. Since myosin-IIA is implicated in polarised migration of different cell types, we hypothesised that MYH9 mutations could interfere with this mechanism. We therefore investigated the SDF-1-driven migration of a megakaryoblastic cell line, Dami cells, on type I collagen or fibrinogen by a modified transwell assay. Inhibition of myosin-IIA ATPase activity suppressed the SDF-1-driven migration of Dami cells, while over-expression of NMMHC-IIA increased the efficiency of chemotaxis, indicat- ing a role for NMMHC-IIA in this mechanism. Transfection of cells with three MYH9 mutations frequently responsible for MYH9-RD (p.R702C, p.D1424H, or p.R1933X) resulted in a defective SDF-1-driven migration with respect to the wild-type counterpart and in increased cell spreading onto collagen. Analysis of differential localisation of wild-type and mutant proteins suggested that mutant NMMHC-IIAs had an impaired cytoplasmic re-organisation in functional cytoskeletal structures after cell adhesion to collagen. These findings support the hypothesis that a defect of SDF-1-driven migration of megakaryocytes induced by MYH9 mutations contributes to ectopic platelet release in the BM osteoblastic areas, resulting in ineffective platelet production.
The morphologic spectrum of primary cutaneous anaplastic large T‐cell lymphoma: a histopathologic study on 66 biopsy specimens from 47 patients with report of rare variants

Background: Primary cutaneous anaplastic large T‐cell lymphoma (PCALCL) is a well‐defined entity with prognostic differences from the nodal counterpart [nodal anaplastic large cell lymphoma (NALCL)]. Several histological variants of NALCL have been characterized (common, lymphohistiocytic and small cell). However, studies on morphological variants of PCALCLs are lacking.
Multifrequency Doppler: improving the quality of spectral estimation by making full use of the information present in the backscattered RF echoes

This paper investigates the application of the two-dimensional Fourier transform in the context of pulsed wave Doppler. It is shown that two-dimensional spectral analysis of the backscattered RF echoes provides individual Doppler spectra corresponding to the whole range of transmitted frequencies which can be combined, after proper scaling, to form a "multifrequency" spectral estimate. Theoretical expressions are derived for the signal-to-noise ratio of the multifrequency sonogram which predict substantial gains over the conventional (one-dimensional) approach for Doppler processing. These predictions are verified by means of extensive simulations, which also provide an insight into the effect of electronic noise. <<ETX>>
The Relationship among e-Retailing Attributes, e- Satisfaction and e-Loyalty

This paper investigates the relationship among e-retailing attributes, esatisfaction, and e-loyalty. We identify five attributes (shopping convenience, product selection, informativeness, price, and customization) of e-retailing that potentially affect e-satisfaction and impact e-loyalty. Data collected from 238 online customers demonstrate that shopping convenience and informativeness except product selection, price and customization affect e-satisfaction and informativeness, price, and customization except shopping convenience and product selection impact e-loyalty. Also, the data show that e-satisfaction strongly affect e-loyalty.
Sources of Exchange Rate Fluctuations: Empirical Evidence from Croatia

This paper investigates the sources of real exchange rate fluctuations in Croatia, distinguishing between real and nominal sources, for the sample period ranging from January 1998 to March 2011. The results obtained using a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) model indicate that the volatility of the Croatian real exchange rate is mainly influenced by demand shocks, both in the short run and in the long run. The impact of supply shocks proved to be insignificant. Therefore, the exchange rate seems to be a shock absorber in Croatian economy.