Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incomplete Contracts and Industrial Organization

We develop an equilibrium model of industrial structure in which the organization of firms is endogenous. Differentiated consumer products can be produced either by vertically integrated firms or by pairs of specialized companies. Production of each variety of consumer good requires a unique, specialized component. Vertically integrated firms can manufacture the components they need in the quantity and type that maximizes profits, but they face a relatively high cost of governance. Specialized firms can produce at lower cost, but input suppliers face a potential hold-up problem. We study the equilibrium mode of organization when inputs are fully or partially specialized. We consider how the degree of competition in the market and other parameters affect the equilibrium choices, and how the equilibrium compares with the efficient allocation.
Measuring and Assessing the Quality and Usefulness of Accounting Information

High quality accounting information is of key importance for a large number of users, as it influences the quality of the decisions made. Providing high quality and useful accounting information is a prerequisite for the efficiency of the enterprise. Usefulness is determined by the quality of accounting information. Measuring and assessing the quality and usefulness of accounting information are of particular importance, as these activities will not only enhance the quality of economic decision-making for the users, but the overall market efficiency of the business as well.
Peer Group and Audit Fees in Chinese Firms

Drawing on herding behavior theory, prior studies regarding the use of peers for investment decisions and compensation practices and the recent reports which suggest that firms use peer information for audit pricing, we examine the effect of peer groups on the audit pricing process of a sample of Chinese firms. Using observations for the years 2002-2012, and matching groups based on the Industry, Industry/Region, Industry/Big4 and Industry/Size to define peer group, we find that peer group information is used in audit pricing. We also find evidence that peer group information are more likely to be used in firms in low technology industry, less developed regions, and firms audited by non-Big 4 CPA firms compared to those in high technology industry, more developed regions, and firms audited by Big 4 CPA firms. Finally, we find that clients with lower audit fees than their peer groups in the previous period are more likely to increase audit fees in the current period. These are consistent with the herding theory that peer group information is most likely used in conditions when information asymmetry risk is high.
Drugs affecting thyroid function.

INTRODUCTION Over the years, several drugs used in the treatment of nonthyroidal conditions have been shown to affect thyroid function. As novel drugs are introduced, novel interactions are described. The aim of this review is to summarize clinically relevant thyroidal side effects of drugs used for nonthyroidal conditions. Special focus is given to recent developments and to drugs with the largest clinical relevance. SUMMARY Thyrosine kinase inhibitors are novel drugs used in the treatment of several neoplasias, including thyroid cancer. Thyroidal side effects are being increasingly detected with these drugs. Some drugs in this category affect thyroid hormone metabolism and therefore only affect patients on thyroid replacement. Others affect the thyroid directly profoundly, causing primary hypothyroidism. Immune modulators used in infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic conditions also cause hyper- and hypothyroidism, through poorly understood immune or nonimmune mechanisms. The effects of amiodarone on the thyroid have been long recognized. However, given the complexity of these effects, several areas in this field remain problematic, such as the identification of subtypes of hyperthyroidism and the best treatment strategies. Lithium also has important antithyroid effects and it is a commonly prescribed medication. Its antithyroid effects may have clinical utility in selected clinical situations. Other drugs known to affect thyroid hormone absorption, metabolism, and transport are also briefly reviewed. CONCLUSIONS Several drugs are known to alter thyroid function as a side effect of their primary pharmacological action. Some of these effects have been recognized for decades, but novel thyroid-drug interactions are being recognized as new drugs are developed. It is important for the clinician to be familiar with thyroid-drug interactions, as enhanced surveillance may be necessary in patients undergoing therapies known to affect thyroid function.
Time Evolution Degradation Physics in High Power White LEDs Under High Temperature-Humidity Conditions

A high temperature-humidity test is commonly employed to evaluate the humidity reliability of electronic devices. For an integrated circuit, the degradation mechanism under the high temperature-humidity test is metal corrosion, and Peck's model is used for extrapolating the test results at accelerated test conditions to the normal operating condition. Such extrapolation is possible as the underlying degradation physics is invariant from the accelerated test conditions to the normal operating condition for integrated circuits. However, this is not true for high power LEDs, as found in this paper. The degradation in the LEDs undergoes time evolution at either 95% or 85% relative humidity (RH) and 85 °C. We also found that the degradation physics are completely different among the various RH levels from 95% to 70%. The degradation process begins from bond pad contamination and Kirkendall void formation, galvanic dissolution, phosphor dissolution to encapsulant, and die attach delamination. Such time evolution degradation physics renders the inapplicability of the Peck model and presents a challenge in extrapolation of test results to the normal operating condition for lifetime prediction.
Optimizing initial therapy for HIV infection.

study, with an a priori definition of equivalence being met if the bounds of the 2-sided 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the hazard ratio of virologic failure fell between 0.71 and 1.40. Study participants were stratified by baseline viral load at the 100000 copies/mL threshold. A planned interim review by a data safety and monitoring board found an increased risk of virologic failure when abacavir/lamivudine was used among those with baseline plasma viral load . 100000 copies/mL (hazard ratio [HR], 2.33; 95% CI, 1.46‐3.72), leading to study unblinding in this group. The atazanavir/r and efavirenz arms of ACTG 5202 were found to have comparable efficacy (hazard ratios for time to virologic failure: 1.13 [95% CI, .82‐1.56] and 1.01 [95% CI, .70‐1.46], respectively) [7], although this did not meet the prespecified definition of equivalence. The additional ACTG 5202 results presented in this issue of the Journal show that abacavir/lamivudine and tenofovir/ emtricitabine have comparable efficacy (hazard ratios for time to virologic failure: 1.25 [95% CI, .76‐2.05] and 1.23 [95% CI, .77‐1.96], when used with boosted atazanavir and efavirenz respectively) among those participants whose baseline plasma viral load was ,100000copies/mL[8]. Of note, analysis of emerging resistance mutations following virologic failure did not identify statistically significant differences in the nature of resistance mutations for those receiving abacavir/lamivudine or tenofovir/emtricitabine in combination with either atazanavir/r or efavirenz. Mutations identified were most commonly the M184V mutation associated with lamivudine resistance, and the K103N mutation conferring first-line NNRTI resistance in those failing efavirenz-based regimens. No protease inhibitor mutations were identified. In contrast, analysis of the virologic outcomes for those
Sticky Cost Behavior: Evidence from Small and Medium Sized Companies

This paper investigates whether cost stickiness occurs in small and medium sized companies using a sample of Italian non-listed and listed firms during the period 1999-2008. Our findings show that cost stickiness emerges only for the total cost of labor and not for selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) costs, cost of goods sold and operating costs. Stickiness of operating costs is only detected in a sample of listed companies. We further contribute to the literature on sticky cost behavior by discussing critical issues associated to the extant approach of empirical analysis and interpretation of sticky cost behavior.
Examining the effect of using multiple media tools on the marketing performance of organizations in a trade campaign environment

The idea that integrated marketing communications (IMC) can lead to higher levels of marketing performance has gained widespread recognition in the marketing communication literature. Despite this, concrete empirical evidences demonstrating the contribution of implementing IMC to organization- and campaign-level marketing performance are still limited. In an effort to make a contribution to this area, this paper examines whether using multiple media tools, at multiple customer touch points, leads to higher levels of marketing performance in a trade show campaign environment. Data were collected using questionnaire from organizations that exhibited at a large international trade show. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the propositions of the study. Consistent with our expectation, the regression results indicated that using multiple media tools for the trade show campaign purposes led to higher levels of marketing performance. Based on the results, a host of practical insights for marketing campaign strategists are developed.
Corporate Governance, Board Diversity, and Firm Performance

This study examines the relationship between board diversity and firm value for Fortune 1000 firms. Board diversity is defined as the percentage of women, African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics on the board of directors. This research is important because it presents the first empirical evidence examining whether board diversity is associated with improved financial value. After controlling for size, industry, and other corporate governance measures, we find significant positive relationships between the fraction of women or minorities on the board and firm value. We also find that the proportion of women and minorities on boards increases with firm size and board size but decreases as the number of insiders increases. For women, there is an inverse relationship between the percentage of women on boards and the average age of the board.
CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF NATIONAL,PRIVATE AND GENERIC BRANDS AT GIANT GROCERY STORES

Subject : CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF NATIONAL, PRIVATE AND GENERIC BRANDS AT GIANT GROCERY STORES Subject Alt : CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF NATIONAL, PRIVATE AND GENERIC BRANDS AT GIANT GROCERY STORES Keyword : : CONSUMER PERCEPTION PRIVATE AND GENERIC BRANDS Description : The basic concept of this research is to determine comparative perceptions of national,generic and private brand in terms of such product attributes and descript present consumer grocery brand purchasing behavior
Empirical study of particle swarm optimizer with an increasing inertia weight

A PSO with increasing inertia weight, distinct from a widely used PSO with decreasing inertia weight, is proposed in this paper. Four standard test functions with asymmetric initial range settings are used to confirm its validity. From the experiments, it is clear that a PSO with increasing inertia weight outperforms the one with decreasing inertia weight, both in convergent speed and solution precision, with no additional computing load compared with the PSO with a decreasing inertia weight.
An Analysis of the Accounting Errors that Arise During the Transition to IFRS

In this paper we focus on Australia’s adoption of IFRS in 2005, providing evidence on factors affecting errors in financial reporting as Australian companies transitioned from Australian GAAP to IFRS, and the effect of these errors on measures of cost of capital. We find that characteristics of the firm, the CFO, and the firm’s auditor are all associated with IFRS transition errors, and that these errors are associated with larger bid/ask spreads (i.e. greater information asymmetry) and increased audit fees as market participants react to the firm’s difficulties adopting a new GAAP. We suggest that this evidence is helpful to both U.S. firms and regulators as the U.S. moves towards IFRS adoption, and also useful to academics, as it suggests the long term benefits of IFRS are likely understated, as transition errors may temporarily understate these benefits.
Studies on 3‐Methoxy‐4‐Hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and 3,4‐Dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) Levels in Human Urine, Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluids, and Their Significance in Studies of Depression

Abstract: Both concentrations of total 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) in the human urine, plasma and CSF were determined with a high‐pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection in order to clarify the dynamic change in these noradrenaline metabolites. Three different biological fluids were collected simultaneously from 16 orthopedic patients who were regarded clinically as substitutes for normal subjects. In the urine, the MHPG concentrations were 1.67±0.65 μg/mg creatinine (mean±S. D.) and DHPG 0.39 μg/mg creatinine±0.21. The plasma levels were 21.16 ng/ml±9.58 for MHPG, and 19.58 ng/ ml±8.13 for DHPG. The CSF levels of MHPG and DHPG were 24.08 ng/ml±8.10 and 34.76 ng/ml±11.46, respectively. The CSF levels ofthese metabolites were correlated significantly with those in the plasma (r = 0.852, p <0.001 for MHPG; r = 0.799, p <0.001 for DHPG), while no significant correlations were found between the urinary levels and either the plasma or CSF levels of these metabolites. In the urine, the MHPG levels were proportional to the DHPG levels, while the former were inversely proportional to the latter in the plasma or CSF. Neither the MHPG nor DHPG levels in the urine from depressed patients revealed to have any significant correlation withtheir clinical assessments using the Hamilton Rating Scale Score (HRS). The patients weretreated with an antidepressant active selectively on the noradrenergic system, and no significant changes in urinary excretion of these metabolites were observed before and afterthe drug treatment. These findings suggest that in the case of psychiatric disorders suchas depression, these compound levels in the plasma or CSF would provide more important information than those in the urine.
The Role of the Clinician in Cancer Clinical Communication

Clinician communication is critical to positive outcomes for patients and families in most health contexts. Researchers have investigated areas such as defining and teaching effective communication and identifying specific outcomes that can be improved through more effective communication. In the area of cancer care, advances in detection and treatment require that clinicians develop new skills to adapt to the evolving needs of patients, families, and other members of the health care team. Some areas that require the attention of researchers are defining, assessing, and teaching effective communication in the context of the specific desires and preferences of individual patients and special populations; and meeting the needs of patients across the cancer continuum from screening, diagnosis, treatment to palliative care and survivorship. This report highlights three areas of research in cancer clinician communication including key areas of current and emerging research and theories and approaches for future research.
Optimizing for multiple species and multiple values: tradeoffs inherent in ecosystem‐based fisheries management

Although a consensus in marine science is developing on the need to adopt ecosystem‐based fishery management, few studies try to quantify the context‐specific gains from implementing it. Using a multi‐species bioeconomic model for a Caribbean reef community, we determine the optimal harvesting rates for predator and prey species and ask how this more comprehensive optimization differs from traditional single‐species approaches. We also identify tradeoffs when the objective of the manager includes nonfishing values. We find that the optimal solution when accounting for nonfishing values can include temporary or permanent fishing moratoriums in contrast to continuous fishing at low levels when only fishing profits are considered. We also show that the greatest gains from ecosystem‐based fishery management are not from improved estimation of the trophic coupling, but from reforming the social and economic management of individual fish stocks and by explicitly incorporating a broader set of values into management decisions.
Adult Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in adults is an autoimmune disorder characterised by persistent thrombocytopenia due to autoantibodies directed against platelet antigens. There have been major advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of ITP and an increasing number of diagnostic tests and treatments available. Despite this, the diagnosis remains largely one of exclusion and treatment decisions vary widely and are hindered by a lack of good quality, randomised clinical trials. This review will cover the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of adult ITP.
Private Benefits of Control and the Choice of Seasoned Equity Flotation Method

Rights offers and new issues to non-existing shareholders are two major flotation methods used in seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) worldwide. Yet the existing literature has been unable to explain within the same framework: (a) why some firms choose rights offers and other firms choose new issues in a particular country; (b) why almost all firms in the U.S. are willing to choose new issues rather than rights offers; and (c) why almost all firms in most European and Pacific Basin countries do the oppositechoose rights offers rather than new issues. This paper suggests that controlling shareholders' concern about an intrusion-induced, significant loss of their private benefits of control crucially affects the choice of flotation method. We argue that control-diluting new issues provide a window opportunity for rent-seeking new blockholders to facilitate their participation in control benefits sharing; since undoing such coveted intrusion can be very costly, when coming to raise new equity, the incumbents with large control benefits may have to resort to rights offers to safeguard them. Under asymmetric information about control benefits, the choice of flotation method can convey new information about firm value. Our theory supports three important equilibriums that characterize the choice of flotation method worldwide and helps explain, in particular, the negative announcement effect of rights offers in many countries.
Bandwidth potential analysis of GSM antennas based on oval-shaped mobile terminals

In this paper, the effect of long-axis length of oval-shaped chassis on the bandwidth potential of GSM antennas is analyzed for the first time. The optimal long-axis lengths for oval-shaped chassis to achieve the maximum antenna bandwidth at 900MHz and 1800MHz are obtained. Simulation results show that the optimal long-axis length of oval chassis at 900MHz is about 155mm, and at 1800MHz the optimal lengths are about 80mm and 165mm. In addition, a comparison in optimal length between rectangular and oval-shaped chassis is also discussed.
Measuring risk‐adjusted customer lifetime value and its impact on relationship marketing strategies and shareholder value

Purpose – The calculations which underlie efforts to balance marketing spending on customer acquisition and customer retention are usually based on either single‐period customer profitability or forecasts of customer lifetime value (CLTV). This paper argues instead for risk‐adjusted CLTV, which is termed the economic value (EV) of a customer, as the means for marketing to assess both customer profitability and shareholder value gains.Design/methodology/approach – Reports on the empirical measurement of EV of customers through a collaborative case study analysis of business‐to‐business relationships in the financial service industry.Findings – One direct consequence of measuring this risk and the EV of key account customers was a customer portfolio review which led to changes in their relationship marketing strategies and improvements in shareholder value for the firm.Practical implications – Selective customer retention through lifetime value analysis and a risk‐adjustment process may be the means for dev.
Training of Muscle Strength and Power: Interaction of Neuromotoric, Hypertrophic, and Mechanical Factors

It is a common observation that muscle strength can be increased almost by any method provided that the frequency of exercises and loading intensities exceed sufficiently enough those of the normal activation of an individual muscle. The puzzling question, however, still remains as to which detailed mechanismic features are behind an increase in muscle strength or power. There is no doubt that the training per se is the primary contributor, but its influence is reflected by at least three factors: (1) neural activation as an important determinant of the type and growth of myofibrils, (2) cheniotrophic effect on muscle fibers, and (3) hormonal influence on the myofibrils. Although all of these factors have been discussed in connection with muscle hypertrophy or atrophy, muscle strength and especially power must not necessarily be synonymous to the growth of individual fibers. In fact, many of the recent studies imply that the degree of hypertrophy is not only dependent on the type of strength/power training used but that its occurrence may follow the effects of the motor input and that the preceding influence of the motor unit activation could be the necessary condition for the hypertrophic myofibrillar changes. The major portion of this paper makes an effort to examine the time courses of the neural and hypertrophic factors during strength! power training. Both neural and muscular (hypertrophy/ atrophy) factors are involved in the important concept of muscle function: stiffness regulation. Because muscular stiffness is associated with muscular performance, the latter part of this paper examines the role of strength of power training for improvement of stiffness. Many of the concepts to be presented are still hypothetical, but their introduction may be useful for the understanding of one of the interesting features where neural and muscular factors interact.
Conflicting legitimations and pressures in performance measurement adoption, use and change in Finnish municipalities

Rautiainen, Antti Conflicting legitimations and pressures in performance measurement adoption, use and change in Finnish municipalities. Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2010, 52 p. (+ articles) (Jyväskylä Studies in Business and Economics
Complex network theory-based approach for designing resilient supply chain networks

Globalisation within supply chains opens many doors for new opportunities but can also result in highly complex, unstable and fragile supply chains. Due to importance of complex network theories in supply chain, the authors examine the advances of complex network theories to understand the properties of these networks in underlying efficient supply chains. In this paper, the resilience metrics for supply chain are developed based on complex network theory. Agent-based simulation approach is used to show the applicability of various complex network models to design the resilient supply chain networks. Simulation results shows that supply chain network can be designed based on complex network theory especially as a scale-free network. It was also concluded that scale-free models have some limitations and cannot accurately represent an efficient and resilient supply chain. Therefore, it is suggested that a scale-free model should be developed that can represent more robust and resilient supply chain networks.