Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Economic Impact of the ATA/Southwest Airlines Code Share Alliance-a Case Study from Denver International Airport

This paper describes how Southwest Airlines entered into a codeshare agreement with ATA in 2005. This was the first time that Southwest chose to enter markets via a codeshare agreement rather than through an outright entry. This paper uses a reduced form structural conjectural variation model to empirically estimate the impact of this code-share alliance under the assumption of product differentiation. Preliminary results are presented for the impact of this codeshare agreement on routes either originating or terminating in Denver. Empirical results show that code sharing tends to increase incumbents’ market demand. However, the authors do find that codesharing makes consumers more responsive to incumbent firm price changes. In addition, incumbent firms tend to increase departure frequency on code shared routes. Finally, the codeshare arrangement is not found to have any significant impact on market power in affected markets.
Cash Flows as Determinants of Dividends Policy in Mature Firms: Evidence from FTSE 250 and Aim Listed Firms

Earnings have long been used as a measure to determine dividends policy in firms. While many studies have demonstrated an association between earnings and dividend changes, not many studies have proved so with cash flows. It is argued in this study that while earnings are in important factor in dividend setting process, the liquidity of a firm is more important in changes to dividends as firms don't like to change dividends unless the nature of the change in earnings and cash flows is also permanent. The major objective of this paper is to examine the association between operating cash flows and dividend changes given earnings. Some 25 firms' were selected from FTSE 350 and 25 from FTSE AIM of the London Stock Exchange for the panel data analysis and tested using OLS multivariate regression methodology.The results indicate no significant association between cash flows and dividend changes; however, they do confirm earlier findings that dividend changes are strongly associated with earnings. The thinking behind the regression model is that while there are notable dividend paying firms in the FTSE 350, there is a lack of dividend evidence in AIM firms, hence the models developed test for dividend changes given cash flows in FTSE 350 firms (mature firms) and capital gains in FTSE AIM firms (growth firms) using dividend change as the dependent variable in the mature firms and share price movement for growth firms.Originally in the proposal to this dissertation four sub-hypotheses were proposed, however, the first two hypotheses were amalgamated in to one sub-hypothesis. Also, some of the variables originally declared were deleted or mostly replaced by more appropriate variables.
Performance of total prostate specific antigen and free prostate specific antigen ratio for screening prostate cancer in a Turkish population

The aim of the study was to report the diagnostic performance of total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) and free prostate-specific antigen ratio (%fPSA). The diagnostic performances of tPSA and %fPSA were evaluated in 3�4 men by ROC curves, sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio calculations. One hundred and sixty-two patients were diagnosed as prostate cancer (PCa) and 202 as normal. The median tPSA levels and %fPSA ratios differed significantly, 11.1� ng/mL and 11 versus �. 51 ng/mL and 20 in PCa and normal groups, respectively. At tPSA levels between 4-10 ng/mL; area under curve (AUC)%fPSA was greater than AUCtPSA. 1� as a cut off value of %fPSA was the optimum choice revealing a sensitivity of 0.703, a specificity of 0. �5� and diagnostic odds ratio of 4.254(95% CI 2.157- 8.39 ). %fPSA ratio is an expedient screening marker in PCa. In our laboratory, at tPSA levels between 410 ng/mL, %fPSA ratio of 1� offers a preferable diagnostic performance. [Turk J Cancer 2009;39(1):18-25]
Genetic Variation in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2 Live-Virus Macaca nemestrina Vaccine Model

ABSTRACT Four pigtailed macaques were inoculated with an infectious, apathogenic human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) molecular clone (HIV-2KR) and subsequently challenged with a highly pathogenic strain, HIV-2287, together with two naive control animals. After challenge, two animals inoculated with a high dose of the immunizing strain were protected from CD4 decline and immunodeficiency. To examine the role of genetic heterogeneity in protection, fragments of the env gene were amplified from peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA and plasma RNA of challenged animals by PCR, examined by using a heteroduplex tracking assay (HTA), and sequenced. By HTA, variation was detected principally within the V1 and V2 regions of envelope. Extent of variation in viral DNA clones as assessed by HTA correlated with inoculum size, as did the degree of variation in sequences of clones derived from viral DNA. Conversely, a rapid reduction in the number of plasma viral RNA variants was noted by HTA at 8 weeks postinfection in protected animals; this reduction was not present in naive or unprotected macaques. Sequences derived from plasma viral RNA were found to be more closely related than corresponding viral DNA sequences, and protection correlated with a significant reduction in variation in plasma RNA sequences in animals given the identical inocula of HIV-2287. Nonsynonymous mutations were significantly less prevalent in the protected animals. An additional potential glycosylation site was predicted to be present in the V2 region in all but one clone, and amino acid signatures related to protection were identified in viral DNA and RNA clones within both the V1 and V2 regions. Examination of the role of viral variation in this HIV-2 live-virus vaccine model may provide valuable insights into immunopathogenesis.
On Physical-Layer Security Over SIMO Generalized-$K$ Fading Channels

In this paper, we consider the transmission of confidential message through single-input-multiple-output (SIMO) identically and independent generalized-K fading channels in the presence of an eavesdropper. We derive the analytical expressions for the probability of strictly positive secrecy capacity (SPSC), secure outage probability (SOP), and average secrecy capacity (ASC) of SIMO systems. Numerical results are presented and verified via Monte Carlo simulation.
The Aedes albopictus inhibitor of apoptosis 1 gene protects vertebrate cells from bluetongue virus‐induced apoptosis

We sequenced and characterized the inhibitor of apoptosis (iap) 1 gene from Aedes albopictus, designated as Aaiap1. The Aaiap1 gene rescued Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells from apoptosis when cotransfected with the Drosophila pro‐apoptotic hid gene. The antiapoptotic function of the Aaiap1 gene was evaluated in the bluetongue virus (BTV)‐induced apoptosis system. BTV infection induced apoptosis in vertebrate cells via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. This was shown by the translocation of cytochrome C and the second mitochondria‐derived activator of caspase (Smac, also known as DIABLO) from the mitochondria and the subsequent activation of caspase‐9 and ‐3. Stable expression of the Aaiap1 gene in derivative baby hamster kidney cells delayed BTV‐induced apoptosis by 24 h and reduced the BTV progeny yield by 10‐fold. This study provides the first evidence that the mosquito AaIAP1 protein possesses antiapoptotic activity.
The Financial Numbers Game: Detecting Creative Accounting Practices

1 Financial Numbers Game. Rewards of the Game. Classifying Creative Accounting Practices. Plan of This Book. Summary. Glossary. Notes. 2 How the Game Is Played. Accounting Policy Choice and Application. Fraudulent Financial Reporting. Cleaning Up after the Game. Clarifying Terminology. Summary. Glossary. Notes. 3 Earnings Management: A Closer Look. What Is Earnings Management? Incentives and Conditions for Earnings Management. Earnings Management Techniques. Evidence of Earnings Management. Effectiveness of Earnings Management. Is Earnings Management Good or Bad? Summary. Glossary. Notes. 4 The SEC Responds. The Chairman's Speech. The Action Plan. Subsequent Developments. Enforcing the Securities Laws. Summary. Glossary. Notes. 5 Financial Professionals Speak Out. Survey of Financial Professionals. Survey Results. Summary. Glossary. Notes. 6 Recognizing Premature or Fictitious Revenue. Is It Premature or Fictitious Revenue? When Should Revenue Be Recognized? Detecting Premature or Fictitious Revenue. Checklist to Detect Premature or Fictitious Revenue. Summary. Glossary. Notes. 7 Aggressive Capitalization and Extended Amortization Policies. Cost Capitalization. Detecting Aggressive Cost Capitalization Policies. Amortizing Capitalized Costs. Detecting Extended Amortization Periods. Checklist to Detect Aggressive Capitalization and Extended Amortization Policies. Summary. Glossary. Notes. 8 Misreported Assets and Liabilities. Link with Reported Earnings. Boosting Shareholders' Equity. Overvalued Assets. Undervalued Liabilities. Checklist to Detect Misreported Assets and Liabilities. Summary. Glossary. Notes. 9 Getting Creative with the Income Statement: Classification and Disclosure. Current Income Statement Requirements and Practices. Reporting Comprehensive Income. Creative Income Statement Classifications. Creativity with Other Aspects of the Income Statement. Summary. Glossary. Notes. 10 Getting Creative with the Income Statement: Pro-Forma Measures of Earnings. Recasting the Bottom Line: Pro-Forma Earnings Measures. Summary. Glossary. Notes. 11 Problems with Cash Flow Reporting. Reporting Cash Flow. Problems with Reported Operating Cash Flow. Using Operating Cash Flow to Detect Creative Accounting Practices. Checklist for Using Operating Cash Flow to Detect Creative Accounting Practices. Summary. Glossary. Notes. Subject Index. Company Index.
The influence of CYP3A5*3 and BCRPC421A genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of felodipine in healthy Chinese volunteers

The role of CYP3A5 in drug metabolism has been receiving attention because CYP3A5 may be more involved in the metabolism of CYP3A substrates in vivo than previously thought. The polymorphism of transporters, such as P‐gp (P‐glycoprotein) and breast cancer‐related protein (BCRP), influences the metabolism of these substrates, and felodipine is a substrate of P‐gp. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacogenetic variability in the disposition of felodipine in healthy Chinese subjects.
The Role of Taboos in the Protection and Recovery of Sea Turtles

Despite increased efforts from government agencies, scientists, and non-government organizations over the past few decades, anthropogenic sources of sea turtle mortality continue to threaten the survivorship of sea turtle species around the globe. More recent efforts to engage local people with community-based sea turtle conservation programs have been based primarily on economic incentives and less on cultural and social traditions. But there is growing evidence that informal institutions such as taboos can be extremely effective at promoting wildlife conservation. Ghana is a culturally diverse country where local traditions have shown to improve protection for primates, crocodiles, and many bird species. This study explores the presence of a sea turtle taboo in fishing communities to demonstrate that traditional practices make residents more receptive to sea turtle conservation and more willing to follow government regulations. Fishers in the communities that are aware of the taboo are also more willing to adjust fishing methods to better protect sea turtles. The traditional taboo and national laws appear to be working synergistically to enhance sea turtle conservation in some regions of Ghana. This paper extends the argument that sea turtle conservation strategies succeed when the cultural and social traditions of local communities are integrated with management activities.
Intention to comply with food safety messages in a crisis as a function of message source and message reliability

A key role of public relations is to manage crises, unexpected yet unpredictable events that cause emotional and physical harm (Coombs, 2007). Among the challenges in handling a crisis effectively is dealing with the various media in which information is presented. Because the use of social media in a crisis is a relatively new phenomenon, further understanding of the challenges and opportunities of these media is warranted. Part of meeting this challenge requires precise modeling of consumer responses to safety messages. To remedy gaps in our understanding of social media and food safety crisis communications, consumer intent to comply with a food safety message was evaluated within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991). Superimposed on the TPB intention model were possible moderator variables of message source (professional versus user-generated) and message reliability (confirmed versus unconfirmed information). Three focus groups provided background for the construction of a research instrument according to guidelines specified by Francis, Eccles, Johnston, Walker, Foy, et al. (2004). A 2x2 experimental design with four scenarios (message source x reliability), and realism checks of the scenarios were conducted. A pilot test with 130 undergraduate university students preceded administration of the instrument to a representative U.S. consumer panel of 400 participants. Results indicated that intent to comply with a food safety message was higher in response to messages in professional sources than in user-generated sources, but that the majority of this effect could be explained by participant age, which in turn predicted use of social media. Message
Coronary revascularization in patients with stable or asymptomatic coronary artery disease: A review of the COURAGE trial

Objective:��ToreviewtheCOURAGEtrialandother� datarelatedtorevascularizationofpatientswith�� asymptomaticorstablecoronaryarterydisease. •� Methods:��Literaturereview. •� Results:��Thegoalsoftherapyinpatientswithstable� anginaaretoalleviatesymptoms,�preventfuture� events,�andimprovesurvival. �Thisisachievedbya� combinationofantiplatelettherapy,�riskfactormodi- fication,�antianginalmedications,�andrevasculariza- tionwithpercutaneouscoronaryintervention�(PCI)� orcoronaryarterybypassgrafting. �TheCOURAGE� trialcomparedoptimalmedicaltherapyplusPCI� withbare-metalstentingwithoptimalmedicalther- apyalone. �Nosignificantdifferencewasseeninthe� rateofdeathorMI;�patientsinthePCIgrouphad� lessanginaand�1�and�3�yearsbutnotat�5�years� andhadfewernewrevascularizations. � •� Conclusion:��Revascularizationinasymptomaticor� stableCADisreasonableinpatientswhocontinue� tohavesymptomsdespiteoptimalmedicaltherapy� andinpatientsinwhomrevascularizationmay� changesurvival. �Patientpreferencesshouldbein- cludedindecisionmaking.
Health Insurance and the Supply of Entrepreneurs: New Evidence from the Affordable Care Act's Dependent Coverage Mandate

Is the difficulty of purchasing health insurance as an individual or small business a major barrier to entrepreneurship in the United States? I answer this question by taking advantage of the natural experiment provided by the Affordable Care Actâs dependent coverage mandate, which allowed many 19-25 year olds to acquire health insurance independently of their employment. This mandate provides a means to estimate the number of potential entrepreneurs discouraged by the current system of employer-based health insurance. A difference-in-difference strategy finds that the dependent coverage mandate led to a 13-24% increase in self-employment among the treated group. The effect is found to be larger for women and for unincorporated businesses. An instrumental variables strategy finds that those actually receiving health insurance coverage as dependents were much more likely to start businesses.
Ownership Structure and its Effects on Corporate Financial Policies in Developing Markets: Evidence from Mexican Publicly Traded Companies

Existing research demonstrates that corporate financing decisions influence the cash-flow rights and control rights of the securities issued by companies differently and that the same corporate capital structures and/or ownership patterns have diverse effects and aims across countries, especially when emerging countries are analysed. The 1research purpose of this investigation is to understand how corporate financing decisions are affected by ownership structure in emerging countries. For this purpose, two game-theoretic models are developed and an empirical test is carried out. The first theoretical model analyses a number of key factors inducing a separation of ownership and control in emerging countries. This model argues that large private benefits of control, extreme risk, low investor protection, inefficient capital markets, and governments sympathetic to incumbent management at the expense of outside investors are factors contributing to create a separation of ownership and control in emerging markets. The second model examines the positive side of network creation through the analysis of the interaction of empathy and economic gains. This model identifies important factors promoting the formation of business groups in emerging countries. The empirical study is a two-fold analysis. Firstly, it tests the effects of well-known determinants of capital structure on debt; secondly, the effects of ownership and control in the financial policies of emerging countries are analysed. To do so, corporate financial data and firm-level data of Mexican publicly traded companies for was gathered. As expected, asset tangibility, company size, profitability and market to book ratio proved to be important firm-specific capital structure determinants, similar to the case of developed countries. Business risk and effective tax rate are key firm-specific capital structure determinants, as emerging markets research has identified. The two factors proposed by this researcher, viz. consolidation and liquidity are significant in the determination of capital structure of the Mexican publicly traded companies. Further, almost two thirds of Mexican publicly traded companies are family controlled. When families are large shareholders, they favour debt financing; whereas when families are the majority controlling shareholder they prefer issue shares, the latter supports the risk management argument proposed by Hagelin et al. (2006) and Cespedes et al. (2010).
Strategy As Action: Competitive Dynamics and Competitive Advantage

Strategy as Action presents an action plan for how firms can build, improve, and defend their competitive advantage at every stage of their life cycle. For start-up firms entering a market, it provides a model for exploiting competitve uncertainty and blind spots; for growth firms who have established some market advantages, it provides an action plan for exploiting relative resources; for mature firms, it explains how to exploit market position; finally, for firms that have no decisive resource advantage, it provides an action plan based on firm co-operative reactions.
Effect of bariatric surgery on cardiometabolic risk in elderly patients: A population‐based study

Obesity is a major cardiovascular (CV) risk factor. Bariatric surgery (BSx) is an approved therapeutic alternative for class II–III obesity, but little evidence focuses on older adults. We assessed the effect of BSx on cardiometabolic variables and long‐term CV risk in older adults.
Ketoacidosis occurring in newly diagnosed and established diabetic children

A 6‐y retrospective case note review was performed to determine the causes of ketoacidosis. 135 patients and 463 diabetic years were involved. Fifty‐two ketoacidosis episodes occurred: 19 episodes in new patients and 33 episodes in 19 patients with established diabetes. 27% of newly diagnosed patients presented in ketoacidosis. They were similar in terms of age, sex and proportion living in single parent families to those presenting without ketoacidosis. The 33 ketoacidosis episodes occurring in established patients included 12 episodes in 3 children who were transferred to our care because of uncontrolled diabetes. Insulin omission was the cause of ketoacidosis in 9/19 (47%) patients, and was suspected in a further 5/19 (26%). Family and school problems were common and 14/19 patients came from single parent families. Established patients aged ≥11 y were predominantly female (10F, 2M), whereas patients aged ≥10y were predominantly male (6M, 1F). 7 patients with multiple ketoacidosis episodes were all ≥11 y and 6 were female. Families with ≥2 diabetic children appeared vulnerable, 4 cases coming from 3/7 such families.
Targeted Resequencing of 29 Candidate Genes and Mouse Expression Studies Implicate ZIC3 and FOXF1 in Human VATER/VACTERL Association

The VATER/VACTERL association describes the combination of congenital anomalies including vertebral defects, anorectal malformations, cardiac defects, tracheoesophageal fistula with or without esophageal atresia, renal malformations, and limb defects. As mutations in ciliary genes were observed in diseases related to VATER/VACTERL, we performed targeted resequencing of 25 ciliary candidate genes as well as disease‐associated genes (FOXF1, HOXD13, PTEN, ZIC3) in 123 patients with VATER/VACTERL or VATER/VACTERL‐like phenotype. We detected no biallelic mutation in any of the 25 ciliary candidate genes; however, identified an identical, probably disease‐causing ZIC3 missense mutation (p.Gly17Cys) in four patients and a FOXF1 de novo mutation (p.Gly220Cys) in a further patient. In situ hybridization analyses in mouse embryos between E9.5 and E14.5 revealed Zic3 expression in limb and prevertebral structures, and Foxf1 expression in esophageal, tracheal, vertebral, anal, and genital tubercle tissues, hence VATER/VACTERL organ systems. These data provide strong evidence that mutations in ZIC3 or FOXF1 contribute to VATER/VACTERL.
Persistent diarrhea as a cause of childhood mortality in rural Bangladesh

To determine the importance of persistent diarrhea in childhood mortality a multiple‐step verbal autopsy method was used to study 1934 deaths in Matlab, Bangladesh. We found that most of the deaths from acute watery diarrhea occurred in infancy, whereas the peak of non‐watery diarrhea deaths was in children over 12 months of age. Children suffering from persistent diarrhea and malnutrition were at highest risk of dying during their third year of life. Children with infectious diseases have a two to four times higher risk of dying if they are malnourished, and for diarrhea the risk is 17 times as high. Forty‐nine percent of the diarrheal deaths were in children with malnutrition associated with persistent diarrhea. These results imply that fluid and dietary management are key aspects in the treatment of diarrhea, particularly for those episodes which persist. We conclude that attempts to reduce diarrhoeal deaths with vertical ORT programmes will not have a major impact unless other interventions are directed to the persistent diarrhoea‐malnutrition complex.