Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate Governance and CEO Turnover Decisions

This paper provides a cross-country analysis to determine whether CEO turnover is a credible disciplining device for managers, whether it is effective in delivering performance improvements, and whether better governance improves the credibility and effectiveness of CEO turnover. The analysis is based on a detailed panel of 5,300 CEO years and spans two distinctly different financial systems- the U.K. and Germany-over the period 1995-2005. We find that CEOs face a credible threat of being removed for underperformance and that the hiring of new CEOs is effective in realizing large profitability improvements in the following years. We also find both relations to be virtually identical in both countries, despite large structural governance differences. Further, we consider a large number of firm-specific governance mechanisms previously proposed as indicators of better governance and find no evidence that any of them improves the observed relations between firm performance and CEO turnover. Taken together, our results suggest that replacing the CEO is an important component of successful turnarounds in underperforming firms and that this economic mechanism appears to work in nearly identical ways across very different financial markets, and across firms with very different quality of governance.
Achieving Financial Export Performance: Contribution of External Resources

This study focuses on the relationship between networking with external organizations and export performanceamong Thailand manufacturing exporting firms in the agro-based sector. The fifteen external organizationsidentified as capable of assisting exporters that are defined as external resources are government agencies,financial institutions, trade associations, knowledge institutions, and business associates. The analysis revealedthat the commitment to network with external organizations explain the variations in export performance. Theexternal resources that contribute positively to export performance are financial institutions, and businessassociates. The contribution government agencies are also statistically significant but show a negativeassociation; trade associations and knowledge institutions are not associated with export performance. Theresults appeared to concur with some of the previous studies conducted in other developing nations.
Negative Cardiovascular Consequences of Small Molecule Immunosuppressants

Immunosuppressants are critical after transplantation and prescribed as immune‐modulators for autoimmune disorders and glomerulonephritides. Immunosuppressants include large (e.g., thymoglobulin, alemtuzumab, and rituximab) and small molecules (e.g., corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, antimetabolites, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors). The majority of the small molecules worsen traditional cardiovascular risks. This review describes cardiovascular risks of small molecule immunosuppressants: corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus and cyclosporine), and mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin), by categorizing these risks into two categories: ischemic heart disease and nonischemic cardiac effects.
Near-Total Splenectomy: A New Technique for the Management of Hereditary Spherocytosis

Objective:The authors used a new surgical technique of near-total splenectomy (NTS) and report their experience. Summary Background Data:Total splenectomy is indicated for the management of patients with hereditary spherocytosis but may be complicated by severe infections and thromboembolic events. Studies have shown that partial or subtotal parenchymal resections can lead to excessive regeneration of the residual parenchyma. The resulting onset of hemolysis requires total splenectomy in a significant portion of patients. Our hypothesis was that a more radical approach to open resection permanently decreases recurrent hemolysis while potentially ensuring immune function. Methods:This longitudinal cohort study included 42 patients with moderate to severe hereditary spherocytosis who underwent NTS according to an open procedure developed by the authors. The end criterion was to conserve a remnant spleen of 10 cm3 in size. Results:Patient age ranged between 2 and 42 years. Mean resected spleen weight was 580 g; mean remnant volume was 10 cm3 (range, 8–11 cm3). A surgical complication (loss of spleen) occurred in 1 patient. Six-month to 6-year follow-up data was available on 22 patients; 21 of 22 showed preserved phagocytosis and normal blood circulation of the remnant; 1 of 22 experienced secondary remnant necrosis. On average, the remnant spleen grew back to four and a half times its postoperative size. No patients required transfusions, developed gallstones, or symptomatic hemolysis. Conclusions:This new technique of NTS is safe, effective, and can minimize the late sequelae of secondary splenectomy.
Ionizing Radiation Induces Delayed Hyperrecombination in Mammalian Cells

ABSTRACT Exposure to ionizing radiation can result in delayed effects that can be detected in the progeny of an irradiated cell multiple generations after the initial exposure. These effects are described under the rubric of radiation-induced genomic instability and encompass multiple genotoxic endpoints. We have developed a green fluorescence protein (GFP)-based assay and demonstrated that ionizing radiation induces genomic instability in human RKO-derived cells and in human hamster hybrid GM10115 cells, manifested as increased homologous recombination (HR). Up to 10% of cells cultured after irradiation produce mixed GFP+/− colonies indicative of delayed HR or, in the case of RKO-derived cells, mutation and deletion. Consistent with prior studies, delayed chromosomal instability correlated with delayed reproductive cell death. In contrast, cells displaying delayed HR showed no evidence of delayed reproductive cell death, and there was no correlation between delayed chromosomal instability and delayed HR, indicating that these forms of genome instability arise by distinct mechanisms. Because delayed hyperrecombination can be induced at doses of ionizing radiation that are not associated with significantly reduced cell viability, these data may have important implications for assessment of radiation risk and understanding the mechanisms of radiation carcinogenesis.
Service recovery in the airline industry: a cross‐cultural comparison of the attitudes and behaviours of British and Italian front‐line personnel

This study investigates the attitudes and behaviour of airline front‐line personnel in Britain and Italy, in situations of service failure and recovery. Attitudes towards service recovery are explored through hypothetical scenarios in a questionnaire, and actual behaviours are recorded by using the critical incident technique. The results show that respondents’ attitudes toward service recovery differ by nationality with regard to their affectivity, their group orientation, and to whom they confer authority. With respect to behaviour, satisfactory outcomes from service recovery situations seem to be attributed to different factors by the two nationalities.
Sequence selective recognition in the minor groove of dsDNA by pyrrole, imidazole-substituted bis-benzimidazole conjugates.

A series of pyrrole, imidazole-substituted bis-benzimidazole conjugates, Py-Py-Im-gamma-biBenz, Py-Py-gamma-biBenz, Py-Im-gamma-biBenz, and Im-Py-gamma-biBenz (1-4), were prepared in an attempt to target dsDNA sequences possessing both A/T and G/C bps. The dsDNA interactions and sequence specificity of the conjugates have been characterized via spectrofluorometric titrations and thermal melting studies. All conjugates form 1:1 complexes with dsDNA at subnanomolar concentrations. The Im moiety selectively recognizes a G/C bp embedded in the A/T-rich binding site. This represents the first clear example of sequence selective recognition in a 1:1 motif. (1) The equilibrium association constant (K(1)) for complexation of a specific nine-bp dsDNA site, 5'-gcggTATGAAATTcgacg-3', by conjugate 1 is approximately 2.6 x 10(9) M(-1). Displacement of the G/C position or G/C-->A/T substitution within the nine-bp site decreases the K(1) by approximately 8-fold, whereas two continuous G/C bps decrease the K(1) by approximately 50-fold magnitude. The K(1) values for seven-bp dsDNA, 5'-gcggtaTGAAATTcgacg-3' and 5'-gcggtaCAAAATTcgacg-3', binding sites by conjugates Py-Im-gamma-biBenz (3) and Im-Py-gamma-biBenz (4) are approximately 2.3 x 10(9) and approximately 1.2 x 10(9) M(-1), respectively. However, the conjugates with no Im moiety, Py-Py-gamma-biBenz (2) and Py-Py-Py-gamma-biBenz (5 and 6), are specific for seven- to nine-bp A/T-rich sites and single A/T-->G/C bp substitution within the binding site decreases the K(1) values by 1-2 orders of magnitude.
Multiattribute Approaches for Product Concept Evaluation and Generation: A Critical Review

Multiattribute research in marketing seeks an understanding of the structure of customer decisions with respect to the market offerings of a firm and its competitors. Through such understanding the firm trys to evaluate and/or design its offerings for greater customer satisfaction and profitability. Recent applications of such research to new product evaluation and to concept generation are reviewed and critiqued, relevant methodologies are contrasted, and the import of this research thrust for management is assessed.
THE UNDERPRICING AND LONG RUN PERFORMANCE OF INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS - Evidence from Turkey

This study investigates the underpricing and long run performance of initial public offerings in an emerging market economy, Turkey, by using event study methodology. Consistent with the evidence from international experiences, Turkish IPOs are underpriced by 7.3 percent on average during 1999-2007. Underpricing is higher in financials compared to non financials as measured by the first trading day market adjusted returns. Turkish IPOs are underpriced more in bullish markets consistent with “hot issue” markets. Pre event market trend is the most significant variable affecting underpricing while firm specific characters have minor effects in underpricing. 12 months after the offer, IPOs underperform the market by 12.4 percent. Firms with lower initial returns underperform more in contrast to international evidence though this result seems sensitive to the choice of the time interval.
Physician based surveillance system for occupational respiratory diseases: the experience of PROPULSE, Québec, Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of implementing a physician based surveillance system of occupational respiratory diseases (PROPULSE) in Québec with regard to physician participation rate, characteristics of reported cases, and comparison with official statistics from the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB). METHODS: All chest physicians and allergists in Québec were asked to report suspected new cases of occupational respiratory diseases, on a monthly basis, between October 1992 and September 1993. For each case, personal information was collected and the physician's opinion on whether the condition was related to work was categorised as highly likely, likely, and unlikely. RESULTS: Of the 161 physicians initially approached, 68% participated. Physicians rated 48% of suspected cases as highly likely, 29% as likely, and 20% as unlikely. The most often reported diagnosis was asthma (63%), followed by diseases related to asbestos (16%). Silicosis was less frequent (5%) but it was reported for six workers under 40 of whom five were involved in sandblasting activities. The high proportion of cases of asthma probably reflects the increasing importance of this disease but may also reflect the different patterns of reporting among physicians with different expertise. The distribution of cases by diagnostic category is quite different between the PROPULSE system and that of the WCB (annual mean number of compensated cases during a four year period). Asthma and allergic alveolitis are more frequent in PROPULSE, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome are about the same in both systems, and other diseases are more frequent among compensated cases. The most frequent sensitising agents reported for asthma were the same in both systems (isocyanates, flour, and wood dust). 15% of the PROPULSE cases were not covered by the WCB, and therefore would not be found in the board's official statistics. CONCLUSIONS: A physician based reporting procedure can be implemented as part of a surveillance system to supplement data from other sources and thus provide a better understanding of the occurrence of occupational respiratory diseases.
TOE drivers for cloud transformation: direct or trust-mediated?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain cloud service transformation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) based on technology-environment-organization paradigm and understand the role of cloud service trust in transformation process. Design/methodology/approach – A survey involving 107 SMEs was conducted to examine the research model and hypotheses. Findings – First, cloud service trust is found to have a significant positive effect on the SMEs’ cloud service transformation intention. The second finding is about significant influences of technological drivers (reliability and information security), environmental drivers (institutional pressure, structure assurance, and vendor scarcity) and entrepreneurship on SMEs’ cloud service trust. Further, the authors found mediating effects of trust on relationships between external drivers and cloud service transformation. Practical implications – For vendors, it suggests building cloud service trust by distinguishing advantages of their cloud service a.
Toughness , particle size and chemical composition of meadow fescue ( Festuca pratensis Hud . ) herbage as affected by time of day

While herbage chemical composition varies diurnally, it is not known if this variation affects herbage biomechanical properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in herbage toughness and particle size in relation to diurnal fluctuations of herbage chemical composition. Vegetative (i.e, tillers with three fully expanded leaves) micro-swards of Festuca pratensis Hud. were sampled at four times of the day being: 06:50 (sunrise), 11:10, 15:30 and 19:25 h. Cut herbage was analysed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC), neutral and acid detergent fibre (aNDF, ADF), in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), toughness and particle size. The experiment was repeated on two consecutive days. Diurnal variation of temperature, relative humidity and photosynthetic radiation were recorded every 5 min with an automated weather station. To characterize the relationship between dependent variables, Pearson correlations were performed. From 06:50 to 19:25 h, DM, TNC and the proportion of small particles (<1 mm) increased (P<0.05), CP, aNDF, ADF, toughness and proportion of large particles (>4.75 mm) decreased (P<0.05) while IVTD remained constant (P>0.05). Toughness was negatively correlated (P<0.05) with DM and TNC concentrations, and positively correlated (P<0.05) with proportions of aNDF and Abbreviations: ADF, acid detergent fiber; aNDF, neutral detergent fiber; CP, crude protein; N, Newton; TNC, total nonstructural carbohydrates; DM, dry matter; IVTD, in vitro true digestibility. ∗ Corresponding author. Present address: DairyNZ Ltd., Private Bag 3221, Corner Ruakura and Morrisville Roads Hamilton, New Zealand. Tel. : +64 7 858 3787; fax: +64 7 858 3751. E-mail address: Pablo.Gregorini@dairynz.co.nz (P. Gregorini). 0377-8401/$ – see front matter. Published by Elsevier B.V. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci. 2009.02. 004 P. Gregorini et al. / Animal Feed Science and Technology 151 (2009) 330–336 331 ADF. The proportion of small particles was positively correlated (P<0.05) with DM and TNC concentrations, and negatively correlated (P<0.05) with proportions of aNDF, ADF and toughness. Results suggest an effect of time of day on herbage toughness and particle size as a function of increases in DM concentration, and reductions of aNDF and ADF concentrations, due to an increase in TNC. Diurnal fluctuations in chemical composition of herbage not only result in differential nutrient supply to grazing ruminants during the day, but also in temporal fluctuations in herbage biomechanical features. Published by Elsevier B.V.
A 19W high-efficiency wide-band CMOS-GaN class-E Chireix RF outphasing power amplifier

A class-E Chireix outphasing power amplifier is presented that enables high efficiency across a wide power back-off range and RF bandwidth. In this design the Chireix compensation elements and class-E loading conditions are provided by an asymmetric coupled-line power combiner. The class-E operated GaN HEMT switches are driven by high-speed, high-voltage CMOS drivers, implemented in a standard 65nm process technology. The proposed concept demonstrates 51.6% system average power efficiency and 65.1% average drain efficiency for a 7.5dB PAR WCDMA signal at 1.95GHz, while meeting the ACLR specifications. Moreover, the PA demonstrated more than 60% drain efficiency across a 6dB power back-off range and up to 19W peak power between 1800–2050MHz.
The Predictive Ability of Financial Information for Future Earnings: A European Perspective

ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to analyse cross-national differences in the predictive ability of financial information (accounting and market data) for future earnings. We adopt a European perspective in our analysis by focusing on four representative European countries (France, Germany, Spain and the UK) in order to assess whether the institutional and accounting differences among them result in inter-country differences in the predictive value of financial information. In particular, we consider that differences in the extent of conservatism, due to country characteristics, such as the legal system (code-law vs common-law), the way companies finance their operations, and the relationship between accounting and taxation, are likely to influence the measurement of accounting variables and, as a result, affect their predictive ability about future earnings. Furthermore, cross-national differences in the disclosure requirements of the respective stock exchanges, as well as accounting conservatism, are likely to result in differences in the forecasting value of security prices. In this regard, and due to inter-country differences in accounting conservatism, the forecasting ability of stock prices in the event of “good news” about the firm is likely to differ across countries. Our results confirm that there are indeed differences in the predictive ability of both accounting and market data across European countries, which is an indirect test of the economic consequences of different accounting measurement rules, an aspect that has received little attention by researchers to date.
Customer participation and value creation: a systematic review and research implications

Purpose – Customer participation in the creation of offerings has become a key focus in marketing literature. This paper synthesizes extant research on the topic to enhance understanding of the conceptualization and value outcomes of customer participation in the creation of offerings.Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on an extensive, systematic literature review covering 163 articles on customer participation published over the last four decades. Selected publications were analyzed according to the topics studied, study context, research approach, and findings.Findings – The review demonstrates how the conceptualization of customer participation has evolved in terms of the nature and range of customer contributions, their temporal scope, and the outcomes considered. It also synthesizes the hypothesized and empirically scrutinized value outcomes of customer participation for both sellers and customers.Research limitations/implications – The review reveals important gaps in the existing know.
Combined oral contraception : nomegestrol / estradiol ( Zoely ) Evidence summary

Nomegestrol/estradiol (Zoely) has similar contraceptive efficacy to drospirenone/ethinylestradiol (Yasmin) with similar numbers of days of unscheduled bleeding, fewer days of withdrawal bleeding and significantly more absence of withdrawal bleeding. Acne and weight gain were reported more frequently in women taking nomegestrol/estradiol than in women taking drospirenone/ ethinylestradiol (statistical significance not reported).
What Explains the Distress Risk Puzzle: Death or Glory?

Campbell, Hilscher, and Szilagyi (2008) show that firms with a high probability of default have significantly low average future returns. We show that there is a large overlap between stocks classified as high default risk, and those that are likely to produce extremely high returns over the next year (‘glory’ stocks). Predicted glory and predicted distress are highly correlated, with over 50% of firms in the top distress risk quintile also in the top quintile of predicted glory. Stocks with high predicted probabilities for glory also earn abnormally low average returns. We find evidence that low returns to high glory firms are also present in firms with zero leverage, where financial distress is unlikely, and that the low returns to high distress risk firms are large and significant in ‘speculative’ firms (with high sales growth and market-to-book ratios) that have high predicted glory; subsequent returns are small and statistically insignificant in ‘traditionally distressed’ firms. Thus, we show that, on average, firms which have a high potential for death (default) also tend to have a high potential for glory; where the two factors can be separated, the results suggest that it is glory, rather than distress, which is responsible for the low expected returns in securities.
Modeling of gyroklystrons with MAGY

The self-consistent time dependent code MAGY is presently being used for designing and modeling gyrodevices. In this paper, the code's self-consistent capability is used to investigate three different issues relating to the operation of gyroklystron amplifiers. These are the effect of window reflection on the properties of the output waves, higher order mode excitation in nonlinear output tapers, and excitation in cutoff drift sections. The first two effects can potentially have major impacts on the gyroklystron output radio frequency (RF) in terms of bandwidth power ripple, phase ripple across the band, and mode purity. In fact, strong correlation between simulation results and experimental data indicates that the observed bandwidth ripple in a recently tested W-band gyroklystron can be attributed to a small (-20-dB) window reflection. The last effect, excitation in cutoff drift sections, is found to result in a high level of RF fields at the drive frequency in drift sections. This effect impacts the design and use of lossy ceramics in the drift section because of thermal considerations, particularly in high average power devices.