Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acid sphingomyelinase is required for lipid Raft TLR4 complex formation.

BACKGROUND Lipid rafts, composed of sphingolipids, are critical to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) assembly during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure as a result of phosphokinase C (PKC)-zeta activation. However, the mechanism responsible for these events remains unknown. PURPOSE We determined whether LPS-induced TLR4 assembly and activation are dependent on the sphingolipid metabolite ceramide, produced by acid sphingomyelinase following the initial binding of LPS to CD14. METHODS Cultured THP-1 cells were stimulated with LPS, exogenous C(2) ceramide, or both. Selected cells were pretreated with the acid sphingomyelinase inhibitor imipramine or CD14 neutralizing antibody. RESULTS Exposure to LPS led to activation of acid sphingomyelinase, production of ceramide, phosphorylation of PKCzeta, and assembly of the TLR4 receptor within lipid rafts. This was followed by activation of the MAPK family of products and the liberation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Pretreatment with imipramine or CD14 blockade was associated with attenuation of all of these LPS-induced events. Simultaneous treatment with C(2) ceramide and LPS reversed all the inhibitory effects induced by imipramine, but not those associated with CD14 blockade. CONCLUSION Assembly and activation of the TLR4 receptor following LPS binding to CD14 requires the production of ceramide by acid sphingomyelinase.
Transparency , Ownership , and Financing Constraints in Private Firms

The role that financial information plays in facilitating the flow of capital between external providers of capital and the firm is less obvious for private firms compared with public firms. We find that private firms that choose to have their financial information reviewed by an independent external auditor (our proxy for financial transparency) experience significantly lower problems with gaining access to external finance (and obtain those funds at a lower cost) than do other private firms. We further find that the effect of financial transparency in reducing financing constraints increases in the presence of a controlling shareholder, and that this joint effect is more pronounced in poorer countries with weaker institutional environments. We thus provide unique evidence on the joint role of financial transparency and ownership in a private firm setting. Our results are robust to controlling for firm-level characteristics, industry effects, and country-level variables, as well as controlling for self-selection biases related to the choice of having the financial information reviewed. Given the predominance of private firms around the world and the relatively scarce amount of research in this area, we add to the literature on the role of financial information for an important and interesting group of firms.
The effects of 884 MHz GSM wireless communication signals on headache and other symptoms: An experimental provocation study

Findings from prior studies of possible health and physiological effects from mobile phone use have been inconsistent. Exposure periods in provocation studies have been rather short and personal characteristics of the participants poorly defined. We studied the effect of radiofrequency field (RF) on self‐reported symptoms and detection of fields after a prolonged exposure time and with a well defined study group including subjects reporting symptoms attributed to mobile phone use. The design was a double blind, cross‐over provocation study testing a 3‐h long GSM handset exposure versus sham. The study group was 71 subjects age 18–45, including 38 subjects reporting headache or vertigo in relation to mobile phone use (symptom group) and 33 non‐symptomatic subjects. Symptoms were scored on a 7‐point Likert scale before, after 1½ and 2¾ h of exposure. Subjects reported their belief of actual exposure status. The results showed that headache was more commonly reported after RF exposure than sham, mainly due to an increase in the non‐symptom group. Neither group could detect RF exposure better than by chance. A belief that the RF exposure had been active was associated with skin symptoms. The higher prevalence of headache in the non‐symptom group towards the end of RF exposure justifies further investigation of possible physiological correlates. The current study indicates a need to better characterize study participants in mobile phone exposure studies and differences between symptom and non‐symptom groups. Bioelectromagnetics 29:185–196, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How Franchisors Describe Their Ideal Entrepreneurial Franchisee

This article has two main objectives: first, to identify the various entrepreneurial profiles of the ideal franchisee, as perceived by franchisors, and second, to describe and compare each profile on the basis of system characteristics. Qualitative research of franchisors is coupled with analyses of data collected from 90 franchise systems. This procedure offers strong sequential evidence in that the results of the first method inform the second-stage sampling and instrumentation (Greene et al., 1989). Th e study reveals three main entrepreneurial profiles of prospective franchisees - system developer, in-store craftsperson, and opportunistic investor. It also establishes that the term of the franchise agreement and the level of system plurality are two factors on which entrepreneurial profiles differ. These results offer strong support for franchisors in their selection strategy of future franchise partners.
Essays on liquidity and asset pricing

The thesis is comprised of two parts. First part is devoted to liquidity of the stock market and its interaction with holding horizon. I start from investigating relative importance of liquidity level and liquidity risk. I find that liquidity level is more important for explaining stock returns. I notice that liquidity risk gains some explanatory power during recent decade, and it seems to be attributed to the 2008 financial crisis and to trading tick decrease in 2000. Further, I investigate relationship between liquidity and the investment holding horizon. I find that liquid stocks are traded by short term investors and illiquid by long term investors. Finding holds for a battery of liquidity measures. Regarding relationship of liquidity risk with the holding horizon I discover that short term investors increase liquidity risk of the stocks they hold. The second part investigates the shape of the pricing kernel. Using nonparametric approach we estimate pricing kernel. We propose two tests of monotonicity of the pricing kernel. The monotonicity of the pricing kernel cannot be rejected by our tests and hence we confirm that pricing kernel is in agreement with economic theory.
Movements with lateral constraint.

Abstract The literature on terminal control tasks and continuous tracking tasks suggests a possible model for tasks where the subject must guide a vehicle at his own speed along a course defined by a tolerance band. The model predicts a linear relationship between the average velocity and the width of the tolerance band. Throe experiments are described which simulate vehicle guidance by pencil-and-paper experiments for courses consisting of straight lines and circles. The predictions of the model were confirmed, suggesting that a general measure for the ease of control of a vehicle (or other controlled system) is possible using this technique.
Diversification and firm performance in dynamic environments: the role of the firm?s dynamic capabilities and absorptive capacity.

Competing theories of the firm? s diversification behavior have been less than clear in projecting its effects on performance, especially when firms operate in dynamic environments. We propose that diversification performance can be modified by organizational mechanisms that can increase the efficiency of internal markets in allocating resources and maximize the uses of resource bundles, which are necessary conditions for firms operating in dynamic environments. We argue that these mechanisms are embodied in the firm? s absorptive capacity and dynamic capabilities. The mediating impact of these mechanisms on the effects of related and unrelated diversifications on firm performance is examined based on a sample of 150 large ICT firms traded in the USA between 1975 ? 2010. On average, the sample firms benefit from dynamic capabilities and absorptive capacity. Dynamic capabilities moderate the negative impact of unrelated diversification and absorptive capacity strengthens the positive impact of related diversification.
Effect of interleukin-6 blockade on tissue factor-induced coagulation in human endotoxemia

Objective:Clinical trials show that interleukin (IL)-6 represents a predictive marker in human sepsis. Furthermore, IL-6 has been proposed as a candidate mediator for endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide)-induced coagulation activation: In a primate model, an &agr;IL-6 antibody (&agr;IL-6 Ab) almost abolished lipopolysaccharide-induced coagulation activation. Therefore, we wished to determine if an &agr;IL-6 Ab (B-E8) may also attenuate lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of coagulation in humans. Design:The study was a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled parallel group trial (n = 12 per group). Setting:University medical center. Patients:Healthy volunteers. Interventions:Healthy volunteers were randomized to receive either 80 mg of a monoclonal anti-IL-6 Ab (B-E8) or placebo intravenously before bolus infusion of 2 ng/kg lipopolysaccharide. Measurements and Main Results:B-E8 effectively decreased IL-6 bioactivity as measured by a B9-bioassay in vitro and concentrations of C reactive protein. However, B-E8 did not decrease lipopolysaccharide-induced tissue factor-messenger RNA transcription or plasma concentrations of downstream coagulation variables (prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, thrombin-antithrombin III complexes, and D-dimer concentrations). Similarly, tumor necrosis factor-&agr; concentrations, fibrinolytic activity (plasmin-antiplasmin complexes), endothelial activation (soluble E-selectin), and IL-10 were unaffected. Conclusion:IL-6 does not appear to mediate early-phase lipopolysaccharide-induced coagulation activation in humans.
Earning the Right to Indulge: Effort as a Determinant of Customer Preferences toward Frequency Program Rewards

Although frequency programs (FPs) have become ubiquitous in the marketplace and a key marketing-mix tool for promoting customer relationship and loyalty, little is known about the factors that determine how such programs are evaluated by consumers. The authors investigate the impact of the level of effort participants must invest to obtain the reward on the types of rewards they prefer and, consequently, on the decision to join the FP. In particular, the authors propose that higher required effort shifts consumer preferences from necessity to luxury rewards, because higher efforts reduce the guilt that is often associated with choosing luxuries over necessities. A series of studies with approximately 3100 consumers demonstrated that (1) higher program requirements shift preferences in favor of luxury rewards, (2) this effect is also observed when consumers choose between luxury and necessity rewards (of the same value) that they themselves proposed, and (3) the effect of program requirements on reward preferences is stronger among consumers who tend to feel guilty about luxury consumption and among those for whom the effort is invested in the context of work rather than pleasure. In addition, contrary to an alternative explanation based on the notion that higher requirements signal higher value of luxury rewards, the authors show that (1) when the program requirements are held constant but the individual consumer's effort is higher, the shift in preference toward luxuries is still observed and (2) increasing the monetary cost of participating in the FP decreases consumer preferences for luxury rewards. The authors discuss the theoretical implications of this research and the practical implications with respect to the design, targeting, and promotion of FPs.
Inactivation of the ribonucleic acid-processing enzyme ribonuclease E blocks cell division

The Escherichia coli endoribonuclease ribonuclease E, the enzyme responsible for the processing of precursor 5S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA) from the nascent ribosomal RNA transcript, is thermolabile in rne-3071 mutants. When cells of such a strain were shifted to a nonpermissive temperature, the function of ribonuclease E was almost instantaneously inactivated. However, a threefold linear increase in absorbance took place over a 3-h period, and similar linear increases occurred in all the macromolecules we measured, including deoxyribonucleic acid, RNA, protein, and lipopolysaccharides. Interestingly, during this period, the cells elongated but failed to divide. Thus, these experiments suggest that an early effect of inactivation of the RNA processing enzyme ribonuclease E is a block in cell division.
Three Essays on Executive Compensation

Dissertation zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades Doktor der Wirtschaftswissenschaften (Dr. rer. pol.) vorgelegt von Moritz Heimes an der Universitat Konstanz Sektion Politik Recht Wirtschaft Fachbereich Wirtschaftswissenschaften Verfasser: Moritz Heimes Tag der mundlichen Prufung: 10.01. 2014 1. Referent: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Gunter Franke 2. Referent: Prof. Dr. Jens Jackwerth Berlin, den 19.01. 2014
Outcomes in athletes with marked ECG repolarization abnormalities.

BACKGROUND Young, trained athletes may have abnormal 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) without evidence of structural cardiac disease. Whether such ECG patterns represent the initial expression of underlying cardiac disease with potential long-term adverse consequences remains unresolved. We assessed long-term clinical outcomes in athletes with ECGs characterized by marked repolarization abnormalities. METHODS From a database of 12,550 trained athletes, we identified 81 with diffusely distributed and deeply inverted T waves (> or = 2 mm in at least three leads) who had no apparent cardiac disease and who had undergone serial clinical, ECG, and echocardiographic studies for a mean (+/-SD) of 9+/-7 years (range, 1 to 27). Comparisons were made with 229 matched control athletes with normal ECGs from the same database. RESULTS Of the 81 athletes with abnormal ECGs, 5 (6%) ultimately proved to have cardiomyopathies, including one who died suddenly at the age of 24 years from clinically undetected arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Of the 80 surviving athletes, clinical and phenotypic features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy developed in 3 after 12+/-5 years (at the ages of 27, 32, and 50 years), including 1 who had an aborted cardiac arrest. The fifth athlete demonstrated dilated cardiomyopathy after 9 years of follow-up. In contrast, none of the 229 athletes with normal ECGs had a cardiac event or received a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy 9+/-3 years after initial evaluation (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Markedly abnormal ECGs in young and apparently healthy athletes may represent the initial expression of underlying cardiomyopathies that may not be evident until many years later and that may ultimately be associated with adverse outcomes. Athletes with such ECG patterns merit continued clinical surveillance.
Earnings Forecasts Disclosure Regulation and Earnings Management by IPO Firms

This study examines whether a regulation on mandatory disclosure of earnings forecasts encourages managers to issue more optimistic earnings forecasts, and whether the optimistic forecasts are revised downward or the reported earnings are managed upward using discretionary accruals to reduce the forecast error. Additionally, it evaluates how investors react to earnings management and forecast revisions. The study is based on 760 forecasts issued by Taiwan IPO firms from 1991 to 2000 after the regulation to issue the earnings forecasts was imposed by the Taiwan Securities and Futures Exchange Commission (TSFEC) and it also uses a sample of 86 IPO firms prior to the issue of regulation. The results show that the IPO firms issue more optimistic forecasts than conservative forecasts. They adjust their reported earnings of optimistic forecasts upward with discretionary accruals more than revising the earnings forecasts downward, whereas they revise conservative forecasts upward more than adjusting the reported earnings downward. The results on the comparative analysis of earnings management by IPO firms before and after issuance of the TSFEC regulation provide additional support to the findings that earnings management by IPO firms increased significantly after the regulation was imposed. The results on investors' reaction to reported earnings show that investors reacted positively to higher reported earnings compared to the last revision of forecasts and they ignored the upward adjustment of reported earnings. Their reaction has been negative to downward revisions and positive to upward revisions.
The Influence of Insider Ownership and Board Independence on the Narrative Risk Reporting

Prior studies have examined the regulators’ aim for corporate transparency improvement has less being supported by the insider ownership. Further, by addressing the issue of risk and uncertainty, the presence of insider ownership in the company has been observed to influence corporate decisions that eventually drive to lowering corporate transparency. The main objective of this study is to analyse the impact of insider ownership on the narrative risk reporting of Malaysian corporations. Using the data set of 328 companies for 2008 and 2009, the empirical findings indicate a negative effect between narrative risk reporting and the insider ownership that implies Malaysian corporations are continuously resisting to accept recurring changes for the betterment of the companies.
Brand switching of high-technology capital products: how product features dictate the switching decision

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that underpin brand switching of medical imaging products by mass-market users. Most of the literature on brand switching is focused on competitive market products, for which switching costs are manageable. However, little consideration is given to brand switching of high-technology capital products. Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual model is developed based on the existing literature on B2B brand switching. An online survey was developed and distributed to decision makers involved in purchasing medical imaging technology. Findings – The results confirm the expectation that product features is the most influential factor underpinning brand switching. Product features are critical for medical organizations who want to maintain their competitive advantage. The findings suggest that the set of factors that influence the decision to switch is unique for users of different market segments in the same industry (e.g. lead users and mass.
Implementation of self-rostering (the PRIO-project): effects on working hours, recovery, and health.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to (i) investigate the consequences of self-rostering for working hours, recovery, and health, and (ii) elucidate the mechanisms through which recovery and health are affected. METHODS Twenty eight workplaces were allocated to either an intervention or reference group. Intervention A encompassed the possibility to specify preferences for starting time and length of shift down to 15 minutes intervals. Interventions B and C included the opportunity to choose between a number of predefined duties. Questionnaires (N=840) on recovery and health and objective workplace reports of working hours (N=718) were obtained at baseline and 12 months later. The interaction term between intervention and time was tested in mixed models and multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS The odds ratio (OR) of having short [OR 4.8, 95 % confidence interval (95% CI) 1.9-12.3] and long (OR 4.8, 95% CI 2.9-8.0) shifts increased in intervention A. Somatic symptoms (β= -0.10, 95% CI -0.19- -0.02) and mental distress (β= -0.13, 95% CI -0.23- -0.03) decreased, and sleep (β= 1.7, 95% CI 0.04-0.30) improved in intervention B, and need for recovery was reduced in interventions A (β= -0.17, 95% CI -0.29- -0.04) and B (β= -0.17, 95% CI -0.27- -0.07). There were no effects on recovery and health in intervention C, and overall, there were no detrimental effects on recovery or health. The benefits of the intervention were not related to changes in working hours and did not differ by gender, age, family type, degree of employment, or working hour arrangements. CONCLUSIONS After implementation of self-rostering, employees changed shift length and timing but did not compromise most recommendations for acceptable shift work schedules. Positive consequences of self-rostering for recovery and health were observed, particularly in intervention B where worktime control increased but less extensively than intervention A. The effect could not be statistically explained by changes in actual working hours.
The influence of transfusions from unrelated donors upon marrow grafts between histocompatible canine siblings.

Previous studies indicated that marrow grafts between canine siblings matched by serologic histocompatibility typing and for non-reactivity in mixed leukocyte culture uniformly resulted in prompt and sustained engraftment. In contrast, marrow rejection was the rule when the recipient was given a single prior blood transfusion from the matched sibling marrow donor. The present study investigated the effect of multiple prior blood transfusions from randomly selected unrelated dogs on the outcome of marrow grafts between histocompatible siblings. Recipients were given three transfusions on each of three occasions, 24, 17 and 10 days before grafting. Recipients were prepared for grafting by exposure to 1500 R whole body irradiation followed within 4 hr by infusion of marrow from the matched sibling. Seven of the 11 recipients had prompt and sustained marrow engraftment and survived beyond 70 days. Four recipients died between 9 and 40 days, three of marrow rejection and one with a functioning graft and graft-vs-host disease. The data indicated that multiple prior transfusions from unrelated dogs can in some cases immunize a recipient and prevent subsequent successful marrow engraftment from a histocompatible canine sibling.
CEO Option Sensitivity to Dividend Yield and Its Impact on Corporate Dividend Policy

We document a significantly negative correlation between the absolute sensitivity of the CEO’s option portfolio value to dividend yield (denoted by the Greek letter Psi) and corporate dividend payouts. After the implementation of the FAS 123R, firms that reduce the CEOs’ holdings of highly dividend-sensitive options increase dividends significantly. Furthermore, after the 2003 dividend tax cut, firms are much less likely to increase dividends if their CEOs’ option Psi is larger. The result is stronger for firms with less independent boards and when directors receive large amounts of option grants. These results support a causal impact of the CEO’s portfolio (dis)incentives on corporate dividend policy.