Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Company learning about corporate social responsibility

This article analyses the learning experiences gained by 19 Dutch companies when implementing the concept of corporate social responsibility in their own business practices. It is concluded that learning processes took place at individual level and, in certain cases, at group level. Learning at the level of the organization as a whole was still one bridge too far for practically all companies. Moreover, the analysis showed that transferring first-order learning experiences turned out to be relatively easy. Getting across the fundamentals behind corporate social responsibility that could lead to second-order learning was much harder. Much depended on the extent to which the concept of corporate social responsibility had become an integral part of the business culture. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Willingness to Pay for Eco‐Certified Refurbished Products: The Effects of Environmental Attitudes and Knowledge

Refurbishing products, which are increasingly sold in business‐to‐consumer markets, is a key strategy to reduce waste. Nevertheless, research finds that consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for refurbished products is low. Strategies for a higher WTP are needed in order to grow consumer markets for refurbished products. Eco‐certification of refurbished products may be a key strategy here. Drawing on the consumer WTP literature concerning “green” products, we investigate the impact of independent eco‐certificates. Our analysis is based on a survey of 231 potential customers. The results suggest that, across various product categories, the WTP for products with refurbished components is significantly lower. Adding an eco‐certificate tends to return the WTP toward the virgin product level. We show that consumers with proenvironmental attitudes particularly exhibit green buying behavior. Our findings indicate that eco‐certification is often worthwhile because it enhances the business rationale for producing products with refurbished components.
Experimental evaluation of starch utilization mechanism by activated sludge

The study aimed to explore the conversion processes of hydrolysable substrates by activated sludge. Experimental data were collected from a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and from batch tests using activated sludge acclimated to native potato starch (NPS). Parallel batch tests were run with NPS (particulate), soluble starch (SolS), maltose, and glucose for comparative evaluation. The fate of organic carbon in the reactor was followed directly by measuring substrate, poly‐glucose, and oxygen uptake rate. Results indicated that adsorption was the dominant mechanism for starch removal with subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis inside the flocs. The role of bulk liquid enzyme activity was minimal. Starch was observed to hydrolyze to maltose rather than glucose. The behavior of NPS and SolS was quite similar to maltose in terms of poly‐glucose formation and oxygen uptake. Since the simplest hydrolysis product was maltose, the biomass was not acclimated to glucose and thus, glucose exhibited a significantly different removal and storage pattern. The study also showed that differentiation of readily biodegradable and slowly biodegradable COD should better be based on the kinetics of their utilization rather than simple physical characterization. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Delaware incorporation matters for new ventures: evidence from venture capital investment and the going public process

In the United States, corporate actors choose their state of incorporation and are subject to the laws of the state in which they are incorporated. Incorporating in Delaware is a common move for most US firms, especially those interested in attracting venture capital, as the state's corporation laws are clearer, more fully defined and business friendly, courts have more experience judging corporate cases, antitakeover laws are less restrictive, and financing or merger deals are more quick and efficient than in most other states. Using a large sample of privately held companies, we empirically investigate the implications of Delaware incorporation and examine its effect on access to VC financing and the process of going public. The results suggest that companies incorporated in Delaware receive more venture financing and attract more involvement from different venture capitalists than entrepreneurial firms incorporated elsewhere. In addition, we find that Delaware incorporated venture-backed firms are more likely to reach the stage of going public, get to that stage faster, and generate more IPO proceeds or higher acquisition values than similar firms incorporated elsewhere. Overall, our study reveals the first empirical evidence about the importance of state laws to privately held, informationally opaque firms seeking venture capital support.
Increasing returns to information and the survival of Turkish public theatre plays

This paper investigates increasing returns to information and the survival of Turkish public theatre productions. Log size and rank relationship is found to display autocorrelated growth in a sample of 556 plays put on stage in the Turkish public theatre system in 12 different cities between 1998 and 2003. The lifetime of plays is also investigated and the features of plays are found not to matter for duration which can be explained by the non-profit nature of public theatre. However, the lifetimes of plays in more developed cities are longer than in less developed cities. In contrast to Broadway shows, the hazard function for Turkish public theatre plays is increasing in the number of performances.
Post-thrombotic syndrome, functional disability and quality of life after upper extremity deep venous thrombosis in adults

Summary The post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) after upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) has not been well characterized. The objective of our study was to describe and quantify residual symptoms, functional disability and quality of life associated with PTS after UEDVT in adults. Twenty-four patients with objectively diagnosed UEDVT (bilateral in 1 patient) at least 6 months previously were recruited from two Canadian thrombosis clinics. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, DVT risk factors and affected venous segments. The Villalta PTS scale, modified for the upper extremity, was used to diagnose PTS. Patients completed questionnaires on degree of functional disability (DASH questionnaire), and generic (SF-36) and disease-specific (VEINES-QOL) quality of life. Results were compared in patients with and without PTS. Patients were assessed a median of 13 months after the diagnosis of UEDVT. Daily ipsilateral arm or hand swelling was reported by 52% of patients and daily ipsilateral arm pain by 20% of study patients, compared with 0% and 0%, respectively, in the contralateral arm. PTS was present in 11/25 (44%) limbs (11/24 patients). One patient had severe PTS. Patients with PTS, compared with those without PTS, had significantly more functional disability (mean DASH score 20.9 vs. 3.7, p= 0.009) and poorer quality of life (mean VEINES-QOL score 45.6 vs. 53.6; p=0.001; mean SF-36 Physical Component Score (PCS) 40.8 vs.50. 2; p= 0.12). PTS scores were higher and quality of life was poorer when PTS involved the dominant arm. In conclusion, PTS occurs frequently after UEDVT and is associated with significant functional disability and reduced quality of life. Patients with dominant arm PTS appear to fare worse than those with non-dominant arm PTS. Larger, prospective studies to identify prognostic factors that lead to PTS after UEDVT are warranted.
Card bases payment mode - an accounting perspective: a comparison between credit card and debit card payment systems in India

When commerce goes electronic, the means of paying for goods and services must also go electronic. Thus, for electronic commerce it is also necessary to change payment mode from physical to logical. Many businesses accept payment by card for their goods and services and this can undoubtedly offer some distinct advantages as far as accounting and business is concerned. After considering the advantages we should know how other people think of it. So in this study, we conducted a survey to know how an ordinary Indian customer feels about electronic payment so that business houses can make changes in their accounting system to incorporate the customers' choice. Studies show that followed by the slowdown, Indians continued to spend online in the last quarter of 2008 to emerge as the third highest spenders on the internet in the Asia Pacific region. During the present study, it has been observed that the credit card and debit card payment systems are more common as compared to other modes of electronic payments. Thus in this paper, we are presenting complete information on the credit card and debit card payments and transactions in the last five years and until November 2010 in India.
Maximization of productivity for Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum Linn.) through improved technologies in farmer’s fields

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum Linn.) is most important pulse crop in Madhya Pradesh. Front line demonstration were conducted during the post rainy season at 48 farmers fields, to demonstrate production potential and economic benefit of improved technologies consisting suitable varieties (cvs ‘JG -322’, ‘JG-11’), integrated nutrient management (20:60:20:30 NPKS kg/ha + Rhizobium + PSB @ 20 g/kg seed), integrated pest management (deep ploughing + seed treatment with Tricoderma viride @ 5 g/kg seed + Fermone trap @ 10/ha + Bird perchers @ 50/ha + quanalphos @ 1.2 l with 600 l of water) at Tikamgarh district of Bundelkhand Agro-climate zone during Rabi season 2004-05 to 2008-09. The improved technologies recorded mean yield of 19.65 q/ha which was 71.88 per cent higher than that obtained with farmers practices of 11.44 q/ha. Improved technologies gave higher mean net return of 24611/ha with a benefit cost ratio 2.99 as compared to local practice ( 11820/ha, benefit cost ratio 2.58).
Implications of Security Market Data for Models of Dynamic Economies

We show how to use security market data to restrict the admissible region for means and standard deviations of intertemporal marginal rates of substitution (IMRSs) of consumers. Our approach (i) is nonparametric and applies to a rich class of models of dynamic economies, (ii) characterizes the duality between the mean--standard deviation frontier for IMRSs and the familiear mean- standard deviation frontier for asset returns, and (iii) exploits the restriction that IMRSs are positive random variables. The region provides a convenient summary of the sense in which asset market data are anaomalous from the vantage point of intertemporal asset pricing theory.
Price discovery in the hang seng index markets: Index, futures, and the tracker fund

In this paper, price discovery among the Hang Seng Index markets is investigated using the Hasbrouck and Gonzalo and Granger common‐factor models and the multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (M‐GARCH) model. Minute‐by‐minute data from the Hang Seng Index, Hang Seng Index futures, and the tracker fund show that the movements of the three markets are interrelated. The futures markets contain the most information, followed by the spot market. The tracker fund does not contribute to the price discovery process. The three markets exhibit spillover effects, indicating that their second moments are linked, even though the flow of information from the tracker fund to the other markets is minimal. Overall results suggest that the three markets have different degrees of information processing abilities, although they are governed by the same set of macroeconomic fundamentals. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:887–907, 2004
Upregulation of the Genes Encoding Lysosomal Hydrolases, a Perforin-Like Protein, and Peroxidases in the Brains of Mice Affected with an Experimental Prion Disease

ABSTRACT In an attempt to identify the molecules involved in the pathogenesis of prion diseases, we performed cDNA subtraction on the brain tissues of mice affected with an experimental prion disease and the unaffected control. The genes identified as being upregulated in the prion-affected brain tissue included those encoding a series of lysosomal hydrolases (lysozyme M and both isoforms of β-N-acetylhexosaminidase), a perforin-like protein (macrophage proliferation-specific gene-1 [MPS-1]), and an oxygen radical scavenger (peroxiredoxin). Dramatic increases in the expression level occurred at between 12 and 16 weeks after intracerebral inoculation of the prion, coinciding with the onset of spongiform degeneration. The proteinase K-resistant prion protein (PrPSc) became detectable by immunoblotting well before 12 weeks, suggesting a causal relationship between this and the gene activation. Immunohistochemistry paired with in situ hybridization on sections of the affected brain tissue revealed that expression of the peroxiredoxin gene was detectable only in astrocytes and was noted throughout the affected brain tissue. On the other hand, the genes for the lysosomal hydrolases and MPS-1 were overexpressed exclusively by microglia, which colocalized with the spongiform morphological changes. A crucial role for microglia in the spongiform degeneration by their production of neurotoxic substances, and possibly via the aberrant activation of the lysosomal system, would have to be considered.
Factors Influencing Anticipated Decisions about Sunscreen Use

The present study examined influences on the decision-making processes relevant to sun-damage preventive behaviour, namely sunscreen use. Participants were randomly assigned to a positive, a negative or a control group and underwent two successive experimental manipulations: (1) information and (2) focus.They made pre-experimental, post-information and post-focus ratings of likelihood of using sunscreen and susceptibility to skin cancer.The results suggested that decision making changes as a function of the information present, and the information which individuals focus on at the time of decision making.The findings are described with particular emphasis on the implications for future intervention strategies.
Abnormal Priming of CD4+ T Cells by Dendritic Cells Expressing Hepatitis C Virus Core and E1 Proteins

ABSTRACT Patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have an impaired response against HCV antigens while keeping immune competence for other antigens. We hypothesized that expression of HCV proteins in infected dendritic cells (DC) might impair their antigen-presenting function, leading to a defective anti-HCV T-cell immunity. To test this hypothesis, DC from normal donors were transduced with an adenovirus coding for HCV core and E1 proteins and these cells (DC-CE1) were used to stimulate T lymphocytes. DC-CE1 were poor stimulators of allogeneic reactions and of autologous primary and secondary proliferative responses. Autologous T cells stimulated with DC-CE1 exhibited a pattern of incomplete activation characterized by enhanced CD25 expression but reduced interleukin 2 production. The same pattern of incomplete lymphocyte activation was observed in CD4+ T cells responding to HCV core in patients with chronic HCV infection. However, CD4+ response to HCV core was normal in patients who cleared HCV after alpha interferon therapy. Moreover, a normal CD4+ response to tetanus toxoid was found in both chronic HCV carriers and patients who had eliminated the infection. Our results suggest that expression of HCV structural antigens in infected DC disturbs their antigen-presenting function, leading to incomplete activation of anti-HCV-specific T cells and chronicity of infection. However, presentation of unrelated antigens by noninfected DC would allow normal T-cell immunity to other pathogens.
Gendered parenthood penalties and premiums across the earnings distribution in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States

Parenthood explains some of the gender earnings gap, but effects differ among women and men, and across countries. Wave 6 LIS data and regressions of the recentered influence function are used to compare effects of parenthood across the unconditional earnings distribution in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The three countries are considered more liberal welfare regimes, but still differ in within- and between-gender economic inequality. Australia has slightly greater income equality than the other two countries. Results reveal that fatherhood premiums and motherhood penalties are smaller in Australia, as are differences between the highest- and lowest-earning parents. Australian and British mothers are more likely to work part-time, but controlling for work hours, motherhood penalties in those countries are smaller across the bottom half of the distribution than in the United States. Motherhood penalties across the upper half of the earnings distribution are more similar in the three countries, and decrease as earnings increase. The lowest-earning men in all three countries face small but significant fatherhood penalties, whereas high-earning British and US fathers garner significant premiums as compared with childless men. Parenthood penalties and premiums therefore reflect relative socioeconomic (dis)advantage among women and men, as well as between them.
Corporate Managers' Earnings Forecasts and Symmetrical Adjustments of Market Expectations

Studies of earnings forecasts by corporate managers have focused on various issues. Early studies were concerned with the accuracy of such forecasts (e.g., Copeland and Marioni [1972], McDonald [1973], and Ruland [1978], among others). These were followed by studies of the information content of management forecasts (e.g., Foster [1973] and Patell [1976]). Given the evidence on the information content of such forecasts, Gonedes, Dopuch, and Penman [1976] explored various implications of mandatory versus voluntary dissemination of information about firms, particularly earnings forecasts. Finally, Penman [1978; 1980] evaluated the capacity of the unregulated market for management forecasts to reveal "fully" private information, including both "good news" and "bad news. " He concluded that "full" or symmetric disclosure does not appear to result, and that, on average, firms with "good news" appear more willing to reveal their forecasts. Broad economic theories attribute diverse motivations (often under conflicting assumptions) to insider-managers either to suppress (for personal gain) or reveal voluntarily private information (e.g., Spence
Financial performance, environmental performance and environmental disclosure: the case of Tunisian firms

The purpose of our study is to examine the relationship between financial performance, environmental disclosure and environmental performance of Tunisian companies. This paper adopts legitimacy theory as the theoretical perspective for explaining the environmental-financial linkage. First, we measured scores for environmental disclosure and environmental performance through the annual reports and the websites of 31 Tunisian companies. Second, we tested the relationship between these scores and the financial performance using a multiple regression analysis. The results showed that the financial performance of Tunisian companies has a negative influence on environmental performance and on environmental disclosure. Thus, the more profitable firms have low levels of environmental performance and disclose less environmental information. In contrast, Tunisian firms with poor financial performance will undertake environmental activities in order to improve their image towards their stakeholders.
Neurofibromatosis in the Bicolor Damselfish (Pomacentrus partitus) as a Model of von Recklinghausen Neurofibromatosis a

Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis (NF) has been reported to have an incidence of 1 in 3000 individuals. ' Although NF is established to be an autosomal dominant disorder, fully half of the known cases are attributed to new mutations? In spite of the high incidence and the extensive clinical experience with NF, little is known about the etiology, early patterns of development, or the reasons for malignant transformation of associated tumors in this disease. An understanding of the variability in expression and rates of progression of the disease has been particularly elusive. A major limitation on experimental research on NF is the absence of a suitable animal model of this disease.2 Although Schwann cell-derived tumors have been observed sporadically in various mammalian species, none appears regularly or at high incidence? The induction of Schwann cell tumors in mice via transplacental exposure to ethylnitro~ourea~ and the examination of several types of heritable Schwann cell disorders, such as dystrophia rnusculari~,~ have contributed to the understanding of irregularities in Schwann cell development and function, yet none of these lesions is comparable to those of neurofibromatosis. A wide variety of neoplastic diseases have been reported in fishesP Perhaps the most common of these are peripheral nerve sheath tumors. ' The majority of tumors represent isolated occurrences. However, several examples of high incidences of such
Dynamic signal sensing using fiber Bragg grating sensor and interferometric interrogation

We report our recent experimental studies on phase generated carrier (PGC) based fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer (F-MZI) interrogation technique for fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. Interferometric techniques such as F-MZI have emerged as most sensitive and accurate technique for demodulation of signal generated by FBGs. F-MZIs are widely used for dynamic strain measurement applications such as vibration analysis, hydrophones, and acoustic emission studies. But, a fiber interferometer is inherently very sensitive to surrounding parameters of temperatures, pressure, and air currents which makes it unsuitable to be used directly as FBG wavelength shift demodulator. So, a PGC is incorporated in MZI to remove these influences. This paper shows the experimental results which supports PGC based demodulation scheme for dynamic signal sensing. FFT based noise elimination technique has also been used here to remove unwanted surrounding and system noises. We have also compared this PGC based F-MZI with CCD spectrometer for demodulation of dynamic signals generated by FBG sensor.
Natural Gas Consumption and Economic Growth in Korea: A Causality Analysis

Abstract This article investigates the short- and long-run causality issues between natural gas consumption and economic growth in Korea by applying time-series techniques. It employs quarterly data covering the period 1991–2008. Tests for unit roots, co-integration, and Granger-causality based on the multivariate vector error-correction models are presented. The results show that there is bidirectional causality between natural gas consumption and economic growth in Korea. This means that an increase in natural gas consumption directly affects economic growth and that economic growth also stimulates further natural gas consumption.