Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Determinants of Growth for SMEs - A Longitudinal Study from French Manufacturing Firms

This paper investigates the structural and strategic determinants of firm growth using a unique data set for French firms employing between 10 and 250 employees in 1997 and active over the period 1997-2007. Starting from the idea that firm growth is not only a random process but that some regularities may be emphasized, we consider a growth model that combines different elements presented as determinant in the firm’s growth path. Results based on two families of multinomial logit model do not confirm the conclusions about the exclusive role played by the previous size. In addition, thanks to the references to legal structure, market share and localization, one observes these variables shape strongly the individual growth path. However environment and structural elements are not the only elements to focus on in order to provide an explanation of the employment growth rate at the firm level. Strategic factors matter too. In particular we demonstrate the crucial role of labor costs and financial structure as explanatory variables of firm growth.
Runway Performance as a Function of Positively and Negatively Correlated Olfactory Cues

Double-alternation runway performance of rats is shown to be influenced by 2 sources of odor, donor-odorant Ss and previous Ss that have traversed the runway. Performance in initial segments of the apparatus depended upon odors produced by start-box confined donor Ss, while performance in the terminal segment was predominantly influenced by odors produced by previous running Ss (ns = 14).
Building the Flexible Firm: How to Remain Competitive

1. Introduction 2. A Revision of Management and Organization 3. Flexibibity, the Hallmark of Postmodern Organization 4. Grasping the Paradox of Flexibility 5. The Managerial Task: Creating Flexible Capabilities 6. The Organization Design Task: Reducing Organizational Barriers 7. Resolving the Paradox: Flexibility under Various Levels of Competition 8. Towards the Flexible Form 9. How to Improve the Firm's Flexibility: Tools and Techniques 10. Discovering Flexible Corporations of the Future: Managerial and Theoretical Implications References Appendices
Enhancing and improving voice transmission quality over LTE network : challenges and solutions. (Renforcer et améliorer la transmission de la qualité de la voix sur le réseau LTE : défis et solutions)

LTE (Long Term Evolution) has been developed and standardized by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). It is a packet-switched network. This means voice over LTE (VoLTE) is a VoIP service with the guaranteed QoS requirements instead of transmitted in a circuit-switched network such as the legacy system (2G/3G). Since VoLTE is deployed in an All-IP network combined with IMS (IP Multimedia Subsytem), thus, the VoLTE deployment is quite complex and how to ensure voice transmission quality over LTE networks is a very big challenge. Therefore, there needs to be many different solutions to enhance and improve voice transmission quality over LTE networks. In this dissertation, we present solutions to enhance and improve voice transmission quality over LTE networks for both narrowband and wideband audio services. In order to do that, there needs to be many different factors complemented in solutions. One of them is QoE (Quality of Experience) which is a new trend. And in order to determine user perception for real-time service such as VoLTE, we use extended E-model and WB (Wideband) E-model for narrowband and wideband audio services, respectively. The proposed solutions in this thesis mainly focus on key elements in LTE networks such as channel coding, MAC (Medium Access Control) scheduling schemes and monitor voice quality described as follows. First, enhanced/improved algorithms for enhancing LTE channel codec (coder and decoder) have been proposed. In order to enhance LTE channel coder, a joint source-channel code rate adaption algorithm has been deployed. The goal of this algorithm is to minimize redundancy generated by channel coding with a slight reduction of user perception. Next, in order to enhance LTE channel decoder, an improved Log-MAP algorithm has been presented. This algorithm aims at obtaining BER performance that is closest to the LOP-MAP with the computational complexity reduced in comparison with state-of-the-art. Second, channel- and QoS-Aware scheduling schemes with the enhancement of user perception and VoIP priority mode have been proposed. These schedulers are deployed for both narrowband and wideband audio users. The numerical results show that they outperform several featured schedulers such as FLS, M-LWDF, and EXP/PF in terms of delay, packet loss rate, cell throughput, fairness index, and spectral efficiency in almost cases. Last, in order to ensure voice transmission quality over LTE network, prediction of user satisfaction is essential. For this reason, we present two object non-intrusive models for measuring voice quality in LTE networks. These models are used for narrowband and wideband audio users. The proposed models do not refer to the original signal, thus, they are very suitable for predicting voice call quality in LTE networks
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI PREDIKSI PERINGKAT OBLIGASI PADA PERUSAHAAN MANUFAKTUR DI BEI

This research aims at providing empirical evidence on factor that affect obligation ratings prediction. The variables on this research consist of leverage, size, profitability, growth, maturity, secure, and auditor reputation. The sample of this research consist of 11 manufacturing firms are listed in Indonesian Stock Exchange and rated by PT. PEFINDO from 2007-2010. The type of data used in this research was secondary data. Logistic regression is used to test the hypothesis. The result of this research shows that all variables generally can be the instrument for predicting the corporate bond rating. However, only secure is significant variable determining obligation ratings. Leverage, size, profitability, growth, maturity, and auditor reputation are insignificant variables determining obligation ratings. The result of this research indicates that in general, the obligation manufacturing firms in Indonesia are investment grade.
Opioid receptors and legal highs: Salvia divinorum and Kratom

Salvia divinorum and Mitragyna speciosa (“Kratom”), two unscheduled dietary supplements whose active agents are opioid receptor agonists, have discrete psychoactive effects that have contributed to their increasing popularity. Salvia divinorum contains the highly selective kappa- opioid receptor agonist salvinorin A; this compound produces visual hallucinations and synesthesia. Mitragynine, the major alkaloid identified from Kratom, has been reported as a partial opioid agonist producing similar effects to morphine. An interesting minor alkaloid of Kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine, has been reported to be more potent than morphine. Both Kratom alkaloids are reported to activate supraspinal mu- and delta- opioid receptors, explaining their use by chronic narcotics users to ameliorate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Despite their widespread Internet availability, use of Salvia divinorum and Kratom represents an emerging trend that escapes traditional methods of toxicologic monitoring. The purpose of this article is to familiarize toxicologists and poison control specialists with these emerging psychoactive dietary supplements.
Implications of dominant technological frames over a longitudinal period

Successful adoption and use of information systems is an area of continued research in the field of information systems. This prior research has shown that how we adopt and use an information system depends on how we make sense of it. The sense‐making activity is carried out through our cognitive structures of knowledge that relate to technology (our technological frames). The sense‐making activity changes over time, as use and exposure to differing technologies occur. Most research into information systems in organisations has focused on a specific information system; this preoccupation with studying discrete projects at one point in time may be limiting. In an attempt to fill this research gap, we use the socio‐cognitive perspective of Orlikowski & Gash to analyse technological frames in one organisation over a longitudinal period to evaluate sensemaking in relation to multiple systems. The interpretive case study looks at the technological frames of senior management, faculty teaching staff, information technology (IT) mediating staff and IT groups over a 10‐year period in a university and finds that there were incongruent frames between senior management and other groups within the organisation with senior management holding a dominant frame. The consequences of these frames were demonstrated when they were linked to the use of the four major information systems in the organisation, showing repeated historical patterns of use that caused inefficiencies due to the incongruent frames of the various groups. The unchanging dominant technological frame contributed to this pattern.
Corporate Derivatives Use and the Cost of Equity

We investigate the relation between derivatives use and corporations' cost of equity capital. Using a large sample of non-financial firms, we compute and analyze (i) the relative cost of equity of firms that use derivatives and those that do not; and (ii) the change in cost of equity experienced by firms initiating derivatives programs. We find that the cost of equity of derivatives users is lower than non-users by 24-78 basis points. Our results are robust to specifications that account for potential endogeneity related to a firm's derivatives use and capital structure decisions. We further find that the reduction in the cost of equity is attributable to both lower market beta and SMB beta, suggesting that firms use derivatives to reduce their financial distress risk and that this distress risk has a systematic component that is priced in the market. Finally, the observed reductions in the cost of equity tend to be largest for smaller firms and for firms utilizing currency and interest rate derivatives.
The related neuronal endosomal proteins NEEP21 (Nsg1) and P19 (Nsg2) have divergent expression profiles in vivo

Endosomal maturation and transport constitutes a complex trafficking system present in all cell types. Neurons have adapted their endosomal system to meet their unique and complex needs. These adaptations include repurposing existing proteins to diversify endocytosis and trafficking, as well as preferential expression of certain regulators more highly in neurons than other cell types. These neuronal regulators include the family of Neuron‐Specific Gene family members (Nsg), NEEP21 (Nsg1), and P19 (Nsg2). NEEP21/Nsg1 plays a role in the trafficking of multiple receptors, including the cell adhesion molecule L1/NgCAM, the neurotransmitter receptor GluA2, and β‐APP. Recently, we showed that NEEP2/Nsg1 and P19/Nsg2 are not expressed in all neuronal cell types in vitro. However, it is not known where and when NEEP21/Nsg1 and P19/Nsg2 are expressed in vivo, and whether both proteins are always coexpressed. Here, we show that NEEP21/Nsg1 and P19/Nsg2 are present in both overlapping and distinct cell populations in the hippocampus, neocortex, and cerebellum during development. NEEP21/Nsg1 and P19/Nsg2 levels are highest during embryonic development, and expression persists in the juvenile mouse brain. In particular, a subset of layer V cortical neurons retains relatively high expression of both NEEP21/Nsg1 and P19/Nsg2 at postnatal day 16 as well as in the CA1‐3 regions of the hippocampus. In the cerebellum, NEEP21/Nsg1 expression becomes largely restricted to Purkinje neurons in adulthood whereas P19/Nsg2 expression strikingly disappears from the cerebellum with age. This divergent and restricted expression likely reflects differential needs for this class of trafficking regulators in different neurons during different stages of maturation.
An overview of bilastine metabolism during preclinical investigations

Knowledge of the biotransformation of oral H1 antihistamines is clinically important because it can define their pharmacokinetic profile through possible effects on absorption (i.e., first-pass metabolism) and elimination. Further, clinically significant interactions with inhibitors of cytochrome P450 (CYP) have previously been reported for drugs of this therapeutic group, such as terfenadine and astemizole, indicating the possibility of drug-drug interactions involving agents that share the same metabolic pathway. The aim of this article was to review the preclinical testing of a new antihistamine (i.e., bilastine) in terms of its biotransformation in various animal species, including humans, and to evaluate its potential for possible drug-drug interactions involving the CYP system. A wide array of preclinical experiments were reviewed, all of which demonstrated that bilastine undergoes minimal metabolism in all species tested to date, including humans. Further, bilastine did not interact significantly, either as an inhibitor or inducer, with the CYP enzyme system, suggesting a low propensity for involvement in drug-drug interactions. These characteristics demonstrate the potential for bilastine to be a good choice for allergic patients receiving treatment for other concomitant diseases, including those with renal or hepatic dysfunction.
Participatory research in breast cancer: A case study in regional Victoria

Abstract While participatory research is now strongly advocated as progressive, ethical and useful, consultation with participants and other stakeholders can raise issues which compromise research or which create conflicting choices in research protocols. This paper discusses some of the issues raised by a participatory research project undertaken to assess the needs of women with breast cancer in northern Victoria. The participatory process has meant that despite some compromises, there were positive outcomes from the research process that would not have otherwise been achieved.
School of Business Arizona State University

When members of a board of directors are distracted by outside obligations, they may be less effective in their advisory and monitoring roles. Prior research on the adverse effects of director distraction—largely focused on directors who sit on multiple boards—offers mixed evidence, presumably because these “busy” board members may also be particularly effective ones. We focus instead on time-varying attention shocks to independent directors who are primarily employed at outside firms. Using newly constructed data that links directors to their employers, we identify periods when poor performance at a director’s employing firm may distract her from board service. We find that firms with distracted directors have lower performance and value, higher CEO compensation, reduced CEO turnover-performance sensitivity, lower earnings quality, and lower M&A performance. These effects are driven by distracted directors who sit on relevant committees, and are stronger for small boards, where each individual director may be more important. Taken together, our evidence suggests that independent executive directors play an important governance role, but their effectiveness suffers when they are distracted by events at their employing firm. We are grateful to participants of the Arizona Junior Finance Conference; and Jeffrey Coles, Michael Hertzel, Aazam Virani (discussant) and Charles C.Y. Wang for useful comments. ∗Department of Finance, W. P. Carey School of Business, PO Box 873906, Tempe AZ 85287; luke.stein@asu.edu and hzhao25@asu.edu. †This version updated September 4, 2016.
Development of a strain of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

A male rat with spontaneously high systolic blood pressures of 150 to 175 mmHg persisting for more than one month and a female rat with blood pressures slighty above the average, 130 to 140 mmHg, were selected from among 68 Wistar strain rats in normal condition and mated to obtain F1 rats. Of these F1 rats, males and females with hypertension (blood pressure exceeding 150 mmHg) persisting for more than a month (mostly over 2 months) were mated to produce F2 rats. The procedure was repeated to obtain F3, F4, F5 and F6 rats totaliag 380 animals. The weights and blood pressures (by the tail-water-plethysmographic method) were measured once weekly biginning at 4 weeks of age, and the results can be summarized as follows : 1. In body weight, the F rats showed little difference from the normal controls. 2. The blood pressures of F rats rose with age and from generation to generation, increasing significantly above those of normotensive controls of the same age after 20 weeks of age among female F1, after 15 weeks among male F1 and also male and female F2, and after 10 weeks among all F3 to F6 rats. E. g. , the average systolic blood pressure of F5 at 25 weeks of age was 206+__-18.5 mmHg in the male and 193+__-20.5 mmHg in female rats. The blood pressures of normotensive controls remained at 131 to 136 mmHg in the male and 130 to 135 mmHg in female rats after 10 weeks of age. 3. Many F rats showed spontaneous hypertension. The incidence of the spontaneous occurrence of hypertension increased, and the development of hypertension occurred at younger ages from generation to generation. All of the F3 to F6, rats developed spontaneous hypertension within 15 weeks of age. Severe hypertension with blood pressures exceeding 200 mmHg began to observed among F2. The incidence of such severe hypertension increased with each generation, so that among male animals it inceased from only 9% in F2 to 35% in F3, 42% in F4, and 56% in F5, and in female animals from 3% in F2, 16% in F3, 33% in F4, and 37% in F5. The authors have named this Wistar strain of rats with spontaneous occurrence of hypertension as "spontaneously hypertensive rats (Okamoto-Aoki)". 4. The blood pressures of β-line rats from parents with very high blood pressures were significantly higher than among α-line rats from parents with moderately high blood pressures at the same age. 5. There was no difference in the blood pressures of offsprings resulting from inbreeding and those from cross breeding. The male blood pressure averaged about 10.6 mmHg above the female value in spontaneous hypertension, and hypertension developed at lower ages in the male. 6. It is a question for future study whether the spontaneous hypertension induced in rats in this Study is comparable in characteristics with essential hypertension in man.
The inter‐rater reliability of the Japanese version of the Montgomery–Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) using a structured interview guide for MADRS (SIGMA)

The inter‐rater reliability of the Japanese version of MADRS (MADRSJ) was examined using the structured interview guide for MADRS (SIGMA) developed by our group. Two or more psychiatrists attended the systematic interview sessions with each subject to evaluate MADRSJ independently, using SIGMA. A total of 18 interviews was carried out for seven patients with DSM‐IV major depressive disorder. The severity of each item assessed by the raters ranged from 0 to 6 for nine items and from 0 to 4 for one item. The analysis of variance intraclass correlation coefficient inter‐rater reliability values for the individual items carried out by two trained personnel ranged from 0.91 to 1.00, while those achieved by three raters ranged from 0.85 to 1.00. The present results suggest that SIGMA is a potentially useful interview guide for assessing ten symptoms of MADRSJ precisely in patients with a depressive disorder. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disruption and functional analysis of six ORFs on chromosome IV: YDL053c, YDL072c, YDL073w, YDL076c, YDL077c and YDL080c

Six open reading frames (ORFs) from chromosome IV, YDL053c, YDL072c, YDL073w, YDL076c, YDL077c and YDL080c, were disrupted using the long flanking homology technique (LFH) to replace each target locus with the KanMX4 selection marker. We have also constructed plasmids containing replacement cassettes (pYORC) and the cognate clones (pYCG) for each ORF. Disruption of five of the ORFs—YDL053c, YDL072c, YDL073w, YDL076c and YDL080c (THI3)—resulted in no distinctive phenotype with respect to temperature or nutritional requirements. However, disruption of YDL077c (also known as VAM6) exhibited an slow growth phenotype in minimal media and also in rich media containing glycerol as a carbon source. The homozygous disruptant diploid corresponding to this gene also failed to sporulate. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FOR EVALUATION OF PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY IN SYMPTOMATIC CIRCUMSCRIBED CHOROIDAL HEMANGIOMA

Purpose: To evaluate the results of photodynamic therapy for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma by optical coherence tomography. Methods: A retrospective review of 14 eyes with systematic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma receiving photodynamic therapy was evaluated by time-domain optical coherence tomography. Central retinal thickness and foveal photoreceptor layer thickness were assessed, including the status of the junction between the inner and the outer segments of the photoreceptors (IS/OS) in the fovea at the final examination. Results: The optical coherence tomography findings included 9 eyes (64.3%) with foveal cystoid edema, 9 eyes (64.3%) with subretinal fluid, and 1 eye (7.1%) with foveal thinning. After photodynamic therapy, optical coherence tomography showed absorbed subretinal fluid in 9 eyes and resolved edema in 7 of 9 eyes, with significantly decreased central retinal thickness (440 ± 214 vs. 175 ± 66 μm, P = 0.003). IS/OS lines were observed in 4 eyes, which had a better final visual acuity (VA) (20/40-20/17) and a mean foveal photoreceptor layer thickness of 127.3 ± 5.6 μm. The remaining 10 eyes with an invisible IS/OS line had a poorer final VA and an attenuated foveal photoreceptor layer. The final VA was significantly correlated with initial VA (r = 0.796, P = 0.001) and foveal photoreceptor layer thickness at the final examination (r = −0.832, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Optical coherence tomography was useful for evaluating VA loss and prognosis in circumscribed choroidal hemangioma. Resolved foveal edema, absorbed subretinal fluid, and preserved photoreceptors contributed to the prognosis of photodynamic therapy for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.
Is work in the agricultural sector more hazardous for child laborers in Ghana than work in other sectors

This study examines child labor in Ghana to determine if children working in agriculture are more likely to sustain occupational injuries than children working in other sectors. In 2000, an estimated 2.5 million children, or 4 of every 10 children aged 5-17, were economically active in Ghana. Of these, nearly two-thirds work in agriculture. In rural areas this number is higher, where nearly three-fourths work in agriculture. No study to date has examined the actual risk of injury for children working in Ghanaian agriculture. Using cross-sectional data from the Statistical Information and Monitoring Program on Child Labor (SIMPOC) Ghana Child Labor Survey of 2001, a nationally representative survey of 6,796 economically active children living in 10,000 households in Ghana, it is possible to determine whether children who work in agriculture have an increased likelihood of being injured. I use a logistic regression model to determine the factors associated with occupational injury for economically active children. Controlling for a variety of characteristics of the child and the job, I find that agricultural work is associated with a higher likelihood of occupational injury for children.