Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Capital Structure and Performance of Quoted Firms in Nigeria: A Principal Component Analysis.

This paper examines the effects of capital structure on performance of quoted non-financial firms in Nigeria between 1996 and 2014. The study employed both the first and second generation econometrics method of panel unit root test, principal component analysis, and Generalized Method of Moments. Using return on assets returns on equity, price earnings ratio, Tobin’s Q, and constructed Performance Index as measures of firm performance and debt ratio as a measure of capital structure. Our result showed that capital structure has a negative and significant relationship with firm performance. The study concluded that the agency cost of the non-financial firms under the Nigerian Stock Exchange is very high and this leads to negative performance.
Decrease in serum leptin after prolonged physical activity in men.

PURPOSE This study was designed to determine whether serum leptin levels were affected by a 5-d military course after 3 wk of combat training. METHODS 26 male soldiers (mean age = 21 +/- 2 yr) were examined at the beginning of the training program and just at the end of the 5-d course. The combination of continuous heavy physical activity and sleep deprivation led to energy deficiency. Blood samples were analyzed for serum leptin, insulin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), and testosterone; plasma was analyzed for free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, glucose, and catecholamines. RESULTS At the end of the 5-d course, there was a significant reduction in serum leptin (0.40 +/- 0.04 ng x mL(-1) versus 1.47 +/- 0.14 ng x mL(-1), < 0.001), i.e., a mean decrease of 67.00 +/- 3.75%. Plasma norepinephrine and dopamine rose significantly from 296 +/- 17 ng x L(-1) to 672 +/- 48 ng x L(-1) and 23 +/- 3 ng x L(-1) to 40 +/- 5 ng x L(-1) ( < 0.001 and < 0.01, respectively), whereas epinephrine remained unchanged. Serum concentrations of the anabolic hormone, insulin, fell from 31.17 +/- 3.03 microU x mL(-1) to 17.79 +/- 1.58 microU x mL(-1) ( < 0.001), whereas plasma FFA and glycerol were increased ( < 0.001, < 0.05, respectively). A statistically significant correlation appeared between the changes in leptin and insulin (r = 0.5306, < 0.01). Serum testosterone decreased significantly ( < 0.001), whereas serum cortisol, ACTH, and plasma glucose were unchanged at the end of the course. The training program had no significant effect on mean body mass index. CONCLUSION A 4-wk strenuous military training program, which induced an energy deficiency, reduced serum leptin to a third of normal levels. The decrease in serum leptin was attributed to the exercise-induced elevation in catecholamines and hypoinsulinemia.
The Operating System Network Eect and Carriers' Dynamic Pricing of Smartphones

Consumers’ utility from a smartphone increases with its operating system (OS) network size. Due to this OS network eect, telecom carriers have dierent pricing strategies for smartphones than the manufacturers in a dynamic environment. While manufacturers choose higher prices for larger networks, carriers, who can internalize competition across OSs, have incentives to choose lower prices for larger networks. The carriers’ pricing strategy contributes to the growth in the number of smartphone users and OS concentration. In this paper, I rst analyze a theoretical model to compare the pricing strategies of the carriers and manufacturers. Then I design a structural model of consumers’ demand and the carriers’ dynamic pricing game for smartphones, and empirically study the impact of the OS network eect
Measuring Service Quality in the Banking Industry: A Hong Kong Based Study

The goal of this study is to identify the interrelationships between service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in the retail banking sector in Hong Kong. The study also aims to find out the most important attributes of service quality in retail banks, which can be used to evaluate the characteristics of banking service quality as perceived by customers. A sample of 119 retail banking customers was drawn from the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) in Hong Kong. The questionnaire developed for this study was based on a SERVQUAL model that identified the influence of five dimensions (i.e. tangibility, responsibility, reliability, assurance and empathy) in banking service environments on customer satisfaction. The results indicate that the five SERVQUAL dimensions have a positive influence on customer satisfaction. Tangibility, responsibility, reliability and assurance were more significant in contributing to customer satisfaction, while empathy was the least significant. This study suggests that SERVQUAL is a suitable instrument for measuring service quality in the retail banking sectors in Hong Kong. Hence, banking industry practitioners can consider this instrument as a tool to assess and help improve their service quality. Keywords: SERVQUAL, Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction, Customer Loyalty, Banking Industry, Hong Kong To cite this document: Mei Mei Lau, Ronnie Cheung, Aris Y. C. Lam, and Yuen Ting Chu, "Measuring Service Quality in the Banking Industry: A Hong Kong Based Study", Contemporary Management Research, Vol.9, No.3, pp.263-282, 2013. Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi. org/10.7903/cmr.11060
Impact of international trade on employment in manufacturing industry of Turkey

Turkey abandoned import substitution industrialization strategies in foreign trade policies and started to implement export promoting strategies after a reform program started in 1980. Promoted exports brought along increasing imports. In this study, the impact of international trade on employment level in industry was investigated using an annual panel of data from 95 manufacturing industries in Turkey for the period of 1992 - 2001. A dynamic panel data model was used for that purpose. Results showed that trade variables had no significant impact on employment in the manufacturing industry at the current level, while lagged real exports and import penetration had the opposite effect on current employment during the period analyzed.
In Search of the 'Lost Capital': A Theory for Valuation, Investment Decisions, Performance Measurement

This paper presents a theoretical framework for valuation, investment decisions, and performance measurement based on a nonstandard theory of residual income. It is derived from the notion of \unrecovered" capital, which is here named \lost" capital because it represents the capital foregone by the investors. Its theoretical strength and meaningfulness is shown by deriving it from four main perspectives: nancial, microeconomic, axiomatic, accounting. Implications for asset valuation, capital budgeting and performance measurement are investigated. In particular: an aggregation property is shown, which makes the simple average residual income play a major role in valuation; a dual relation between the standard theory and the lost-capital theory is proved, clarifying the way periodic performance is computed in the two paradigms and the rationale for measuring performance with either paradigm; the average accounting rate of return is shown to be more reliable than the internal rate of return as a capital budgeting criterion, and maximization of the average residual income is shown to be equivalent to maximization of Net Present Value (NPV). Two metrics are also presented: one enjoys the nice property of robust goal congruence irrespective of the sign of the cash ows; the other one enjoys periodic consistency in the sense of Egginton (1995). The results obtained suggest that this theory might prove useful for real-life applications in rm valuation, capital budgeting decision-making, ex ante and ex post performance measurement, incentive compensation. A numerical example illustrates the implementation of the paradigm to the EVA model and the Edwards-Bell-Ohlson model.
Beneficial effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on hepatotoxicity induced by allyl alcohol

The effect of aminoguanidine (a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase) on allyl alcohol‐induced liver injury was assessed by the measurement of serum ALT and AST activities and histo‐ pathological examination. When aminoguanidine (50–300 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to mice 30 min before a toxic dose of allyl alcohol (75 μL/kg, i.p.), significant changes related to liver injury were observed. In the presence of aminoguanidine the level of ALT and AST enzymes were significantly decreased. All symptoms of liver necrosis produced by allyl alcohol toxicity almost completely disappeared when animals were pretreated with aminoguanidine at 300 mg/kg. Depletion of hepatic glutathione as a consequence of allyl alcohol metabolism was minimal in mice pretreated with aminoguanidine at 300 mg/kg. It was found that the inhibition of toxicity was not due to alteration in allyl alcohol metabolism since aminoguanidine did not effect alcohol dehydrogenase activity both in vivo and in vitro. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 15:317–321, 2001
Vegetables procurement by Asian supermarkets: a transaction cost approach

Purpose – The paper seeks to understand the conditions that motivate Asian supermarkets' choices for vegetable sourcing through wholesale procurement or preferred supplier systems.Design/methodology/approach – Insights from transaction cost theory are used to analyze the evolution of fresh produce procurement regimes by supermarkets in Bangkok and Nanjing.Findings – Trade‐offs between higher production‐cum‐investment costs (i.e. fixed investments, variable production costs and economies of scale) with expected savings in transaction costs (governance and opportunistic behaviour) are registered that could hinder contractual delivery.Research limitations/implications – Transaction costs play an important role in shaping procurement regimes. Information, negotiation and monitoring costs are high in early phases of market development, but may be reduced when retailers establish direct and contractual relations with selected producers. Such preferred supplier arrangements may be helpful to reduce risks related.
Assessment of obesity in chronic kidney disease: what is the best measure?

Purpose of reviewObesity is a major driver of the current epidemic of chronic kidney disease (CKD), but metrics of obesity in the CKD population have been studied sparsely. This review updates knowledge on this issue. Recent findingsMeasures of abdominal obesity, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), are better predictors than BMI of the high risk of mortality in predialysis and dialysis patients and waist circumference reliably reflects visceral fat in CKD patients. Skinfold thickness and WHR are superior to BMI for the classification of obesity in CKD patients. Multifrequency body impedance analysis (BIA) provides valid estimates of fat mass in hemodialysis patients. SummarySkinfold thickness,WHR and multifrequency BIA are superior to BMI for measuring body fat in CKD patients and measures of abdominal obesity are stronger predictors of adverse clinical outcomes than the BMI. These metrics should be preferentially applied for the assessment of obesity in CKD, but it remains unproven that these techniques offer real advantages over the BMI in clinical practice in CKD patients.
The U.S. Food Marketing System: Recent Developments, 1997-2006

Major recent developments in the U.S. food system include the increasing presence of nontraditional grocery retailers, such as supercenters and drugstores, and competitive responses by traditional grocers, such as supermarket chains. These developments have contributed to sharp increases in concentration in the grocery retail sector, changing conventional relationships among retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers. In such a competitive domestic food market, food companies are attempting to differentiate themselves from the competition by reporting voluntary activities that demonstrate social responsibility and by more-tailored advertising campaigns and product offerings.
Intentions to Use Self-Service Technologies: A Confluence of Multiple Attitudes

The introduction of self-service technologies (SSTs) into the service encounter necessitates research to better understand customers’ attitudes toward service providers and technologies, and their intentions to use technology-based service delivery systems. In this research, the authors develop and empirically test three nested structural models that include a hierarchy of consumer attitudes toward both the interpersonal and the technological aspects of the encounter to better understand their intentions to use SSTs. The findings indicate that intentions to use SST options are driven by multiple, hierarchical attitudes. In addition to the direct effects of attitudes toward specific SSTs and individual employees, the findings confirm that higher order global attitudes toward service technologies influence intentions to use SSTs. Interestingly, the findings indicate that heavy SST users rely more on attitudes toward specific SSTs than do light SST users, who rely more heavily on global attitudes toward SSTs when determining intention to use an SST.
The electromagnetic characteristics of conducting rough surfaces at millimeter wave frequencies

In course of debugging microwave and millimeter wave devices, we often need to get the accurate electromagnetic models for conducting rough surfaces. In this paper, the electromagnetic characteristics of two-dimensional conducting rough surfaces are studied at millimeter wave frequencies. Machine-fabricated rough surfaces with controlled roughness statistics were examined accurately. The reflecting energy and the absorbing energy of electromagnetic waves are dependent on the surface roughness and the working frequency. Because the millimeter wave has a short wavelength, the characteristics of the reflecting energy and the absorbing energy of electromagnetic waves are affected by the surface roughness strongly. In this paper, the reflecting characteristics and the absorbing characteristics of a series of aluminous rough surfaces are calculated using the electromagnetic field simulation software CST microwave studio from 26 GHz to 40 GHz. The reflecting coefficient and the absorbing characteristics of the rough surfaces are extracted by the simulated data and the statistical analysis methods.
Small and Medium Enterprises’ Awareness Regarding Export Credit Delivery System

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is a regulating authority for commercial banks. It takes care that consumer interest is not ignored in the greed of making profits by commercial banks. Hence, from time-to-time, it issues guidelines in the form of master circulars to commercial banks on various issues. Commercial banks are required to offer a number of financing products to exporters to meet their varying needs as per RBI guidelines. Exporters can get their finance in Indian rupee or in foreign currency as per their requirements. But as commercial banks are there to make profits, they may not be interested in exporters’ awareness of the products giving lesser profits to the banks. Therefore, in the present study, an effort has been made to analyze the awareness level of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) exporters regarding various forms of export finance issued by commercial banks. Findings revealed a low level of awareness regarding various export financing products among SME exporters. Moreover commercial banks are not implementing RBI guidelines regarding export credit.
Differences between Short and Long‐term Relationships: An Empirical Analysis in Franchise Systems

The moderating role of duration on the effects of trust and commitment on relational outcomes has been examined in the marketing literature in business‐to‐consumer contexts, but its application to business‐to‐business settings has been somewhat neglected. The current study tries to fill this gap by examining the moderating role of duration in the effects of trust and commitment on satisfaction and intention to continue a relationship. It examines a particular aspect of business‐to‐business marketing from a dyadic perspective: the franchisor–franchisee relationship. Measures were developed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Structural equation modelling was used to test the model based on data from a survey of 107 franchisors and 102 franchisees operating in Spain. Results highlight the moderating effect of duration from the franchisees' perspective.
Age and etiology of childhood epidermolysis bullosa mortality

Abstract Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogeneous group of congenital blistering diseases that are usually present in the neonatal period. They are characterized by blister formation in response to rubbing or frictional trauma. EB is classified into three major categories, each with many subtypes based on the precise location at which separation or blistering occurs, namely epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). We describe the causes and ages of death of three cases of EB in Hong Kong. A 24-year-old male with EBD diagnosed in the neonatal period lived a withdrawn life after completing secondary school and died of metastaic squamous cell carcinoma. Two neonates of consanguineous Pakistani parents, one with JEB and the other with EB-Pyloric Atresia variant, died of sepsis in infancy. We performed an extensive literature review of the causes and ages of death of these diseases. EB is a heterogeneous inherited blistering skin disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. EBS is occasionally associated with death at early ages with sepsis. Patients with JEB usually died of sepsis at young age. DEB patients often survive to adulthood and die of cardiopulmonary and renal complications. Squamous cell carcinoma and metastases are unique in DEB.
MULTIMODAL IMAGING IN TYPE 2 IDIOPATHIC MACULAR TELANGIECTASIA

Background: Macular telangiectasia Type 2 is a bilateral, progressive potentially blinding retinal disease characterized by both vascular and neurodegenerative signs that have been documented using different imaging techniques. The correlation between macular telangiectasia Type 2 signs from various imaging modalities is unknown. Our aim was to investigate the relationship of various macular telangiectasia Type 2 signs using fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography and dual-wavelength autofluorescence images. Methods: Participants were selected from the macular telangiectasia Type 2 Natural History Observation Study, based on a confirmed diagnosis and the availability of images. Signs in fundus fluorescein angiography, dual-wavelength autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography images were graded according to standardized categories, and agreement among the multimodel imaging was assessed statistically. Results: One hundred and ninety-one eyes of 96 patients were examined. Significant correlations were found between early and late fundus fluorescein angiography (&rgr; = 0.82, P < 0.0001), luteal pigment loss and early/late fundus fluorescein angiography signs (&rgr; = 0.52, P < 0.0001 and &rgr; = 0.62, P < 0.0001, respectively), inner and outer segment break length and pigment loss (Class 1 vs. 2/3, P < 0.0001; Class 2 vs. 3, P = 0.04). Correlation between pigment loss and retinal spaces/atrophic retinal restructuring was fair (&kgr; = 0.25–0.33). Bilateral symmetry was slight to substantial (&kgr; = 0.18–0.62). Conclusion: Our data demonstrate the relative extent of neurodegenerative and vascular signs; it may be useful for designing systems for staging disease severity using multimodal imaging and may also provide clues to the pathogenesis of the disease.
Commentary: salvage medical therapy for acute severe colitis – ciclosporin or infliximab?

The article by Croft et al., compared outcomes of 83 patients from a single centre treated with either ciclosporin or infliximab as salvage therapy for acute severe ulcerative colitis (UC). The authors demonstrated significantly better colectomy-free rates for patients treated with infliximab compared with ciclosporin at discharge (84% vs. 56%), 3 months (76% vs. 53%) and 12 months (65% vs. 42%). Although these data provide an interesting comparison of the two therapies, there are several limitations to this study, many addressed by the authors themselves. First, there is no randomisation, and therefore inherent bias with regard to drug selection. Secondly, the colectomy-free rates for infliximab were higher than in other published data, including the only RCT to examine this issue. The GETAID group demonstrated equal efficacy for ciclosporin and infliximab in preventing colectomy, findings that are supported by a meta-analysis of six eligible nonrandomised trials. Thirdly, although Cox regression demonstrated no significant effect of duration of disease and colectomy rates, it is an interesting observation that median disease for the infliximab arm was shorter than for those receiving ciclosporin. Finally, only one infusion of infliximab was administered, which may underestimate the efficacy of this treatment strategy, although a recent retrospective review of outcomes of 211 infliximab-treated patients suggested no difference in colectomy rates between single-dose and three-dose induction. The majority of patients in both groups in this study were not taking immunosuppressants (IS) on initiation of rescue therapy, whilst >90% in both groups were discharged on IS. Whilst numbers in the non-IS maintenance group are small, it would be interesting to know if ‘bridging’ to IS therapy reduced colectomy compared with non-IS (naive/intolerant) patients. Reduced colectomy rates with bridging have been reported with ciclosporin previously, and in our own group with infliximab for acute severe UC. However, a larger infliximab cohort demonstrated no difference in colectomy rates with maintenance IS at 12 months. All patients responding to ciclosporin or infliximab in the GETAID trial were treated with azathioprine (93% were IS naive previously). Thus, it would be interesting if this group report any longer term data on bridging to azathioprine beyond the 98 days of reported follow-up for either drug. This study provides clinically useful data; however, questions remain regarding the use of salvage therapy, in particular, the role of ongoing anti-TNF and/or IS maintenance therapy in this clinical setting.