Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiac rehabilitation decreases plasma pentraxin 3 in patients with cardiovascular diseases

Background: Inflammatory markers such as serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), and plasma pentraxin 3 (PTX3), which belong to the pentraxin superfamily, increase due to various inflammatory diseases. Some studies demonstrated that serum CRP and SAA are predictors of cardiovascular diseases, and cardiac rehabilitation (CR) induces anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CR on pentraxins (serum CRP, SAA, and plasma PTX3) in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Methods: Fifty patients with cardiovascular diseases [61 ± 13 (mean ± SD) years old, male/female 44/6] participated. Each subject performed CR using aerobic bicycle exercise two or three times per week for 3–6 months. We measured resting serum high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), SAA, and plasma PTX3 before and 3 and 6 months after CR, and compared them with VO2peak determined using a standard increment cycle ergometer protocol, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and other biochemical data such as HbA1c. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between hsCRP and SAA (r = 0.92, p < 0.001), but no relations between these parameters and PTX3. Plasma PTX3 significantly decreased time dependently during CR (at baseline 3.2 ± 2.0 ng/ml, at 3 months 2.3 ± 0.8 ng/ml, at 6 months 2.1 ± 0.7 ng/ml; all p < 0.05). Serum hsCRP tended to decrease, but not statistically significantly. At baseline, plasma PTX3 was negatively correlated with the percentage of the predicted values of VO2peak and positively correlated with BNP. CR significantly increased the percentage of the predicted values of VO2peak and decreased BNP. Conclusions: Plasma PTX3, an inflammatory marker, which was quite different from CRP and SAA, decreased during cardiac rehabilitation with an improvement of exercise capacity in patients with cardiovascular diseases.
South Africa moves to a global model of corporate governance but with important national variations : corporate governance and mergers & takeovers : part ll

South Africa's path toward sustainable economic development requires a sound legal structure for governance of its businesses - a structure that complements and supports the continuing development of a diverse, equitable political system and respects South Africa's distinct social needs. With the Companies Act of 2008, South Africa has established a model of corporate regulation that can substantially improve its business climate while supporting essential broader economic and social aims. In this chapter, we compare the new Companies Act governance provisions to those in comparable statutes in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. We also compare Companies Act rules to securities market listing standards, codes applicable to publicly traded companies, and other statements of corporate governance 'best practices', including those set out in the King Reports. The comparative analysis addresses protection of stakeholder rights; board duties, governance, and independence; appointment and removal of directors; director and management compensation; board supervision of management; and shareholder rights. Our analysis confirms that, in line with tested standards in other major economies and current international trends in corporate governance, the Companies Act sets out a modern, enabling model of regulation. In providing for flexibility and simplicity of company formation, transparency of governance, and effective exercise of shareholder rights, the Act creates a secure environment for entrepreneurship and investment. At the same time, it establishes standards of corporate responsibility distinctly appropriate to South Africa.
Human Resource Management and Performance in the Service Sector: The Case of Bank Branches

This paper utilizes a unique dataset collected through site visits to extend the analysis of the relationship between the human resource management environment and establishment performance to the service sector, specifically the branch operations of a large bank. Case studies of several branches were used to understand how and why the human resource management environment is likely to affect branch level performance. The branch interviews were instrumental in properly specifying a branch-level performance equation. The econometric analysis showed that, controlling for the characteristics of the market in which the branch is located and the characteristics of the branch employees, as well as unobserved branch-specific and unobserved manager-specific characteristics, the human resource management environment at the branch, as measured by the performance evaluation and feedback system and the quality of communications between the manager and the staff, had a significant effect on the branch's performance. An important finding is that, even though all managers in this bank are given a formal set of human resource policies, they appear to have considerable discretion in their application.
Strategic Sustainability Management for Enhancing Corporate Value: in the context of Korean Business Circles

textabstractIn line with the growing importance of Corporate Sustainability Management (CSM) in business circles, the linkages between CSM, corporate values and performance is becoming increasingly higher on the agenda both for internal corporate management purposes and for external relations for corporations. To deal with this subject, academic researcher, practitioners and international organizations have elaborated schemes and tools designed to assist corporate leaders to make progress in CSM. These schemes and tools are mainly focused on the collection of evidence and development of recommendations for action. This process is supported by usage of newly developed SD, coaching tools and valuation processes that are, designed to help the businesses to make the business case for CSM. Among the methodologies, this dissertation author relied mainly on collecting evidence and broad recommendations based upon action‘ methodologies; since it is very important to understand the relationships between strategic sustainability management and corporate values. In particular, the author shows that this approach is a sound way to work within the Korean business circle considering its lack of data and limited CSM experiences. This dissertation author identified and evaluated the key factors of CSM, based upon the definition developed to answer Research Question 1(What factors are generally considered for strategic corporate sustainability in Korean business circles? ). The author then performed empirical studies on three Korean companies to obtain insights into the effects of the selected Korean company‘s strategies for enhancing their competitivity. SWOT analyses were performed to ascertain the qualitative effects of the companies‘ CSM programs. This process helped the author to obtain answers to Research Question 2(Is the direction of corporate sustainability strategy in Korean companies appropriate for sustainable growth of the companies? ). In addition, the author analyzed whether business activities of the three Korean companies actually contribute to their value from CSM perspectives (Research Question 3: Why have Korean companies tried to integrate sustainability into corporate sustainability? ).
Characterization of mAb dimers reveals predominant dimer forms common in therapeutic mAbs

ABSTRACT The formation of undesired high molecular weight species such as dimers is an important quality attribute for therapeutic monoclonal antibody formulations. Therefore, the thorough understanding of mAb dimerization and the detailed characterization mAb dimers is of great interest for future pharmaceutical development of therapeutic antibodies. In this work, we focused on the analyses of different mAb dimers regarding size, surface properties, chemical identity, overall structure and localization of possible dimerization sites. Dimer fractions of different mAbs were isolated to a satisfactory purity from bulk material and revealed 2 predominant overall structures, namely elongated and compact dimer forms. The elongated dimers displayed one dimerization site involving the tip of the Fab domain. Depending on the stress applied, these elongated dimers are connected either covalently or non-covalently. In contrast, the compact dimers exhibited non-covalent association. Several interaction points were detected for the compact dimers involving the hinge region or the base of the Fab domain. These results indicate that mAb dimer fractions are rather complex and may contain more than one kind of dimer. Nevertheless, the overall appearance of mAb dimers suggests the existence of 2 predominant dimeric structures, elongated and compact, which are commonly present in preparations of therapeutic mAbs.
In Search of the Classics: A Study of the Impact of JPIM Papers from 1984 to 2003

The Journal of Product Innovation Management (JPIM) was launched in 1984 and over its first two decades of existence evolved into the leading journal in the field of innovation and the management of technology. During these 20 years JPIM contributed to the field by publishing 488 academic papers. This paper is a follow-up study to an earlier study that looked at how JPIM evolved in terms of knowledge stock and knowledge flows during the first two decades (published in JPIM, March 2007). That paper looked at what was published during the first 20 years, which sources were cited, and which journals cited JPIM papers. This study takes a closer look at the impact of JPIM on the field of innovation and the management of technology by identifying the most classic papers published in JPIM during its first two decades of existence. This study used multiple research methods to identify 64 candidate potential classics from the 488 papers published in the first 20 years of JPIM's existence, to analyze how they differ from the other 424 papers published in the journal, and to investigate authors' motivations for writing these papers. Finally, using survey responses from the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) membership and other academics in innovation and new product development, the research then determines which 5 of the 64 candidate papers are considered to be the “most classic” papers published and the factors driving that determination. The findings show that classic papers are those presenting a “pioneering idea” in the field that creates buzz in both the academic and practitioner worlds. High numbers of citations are indeed the outcome of these endeavors, but being a classic requires more than having high numbers of citations. Authors of the true classics generally have worked hard to disseminate their research, usually to both academics and practitioners, perhaps also contributing to the network buzz created by their findings. While one of the five most classic papers represented the first investigation into a particular stream of research, the other four were culminations of a significant body of research, providing a distinct summary of known information on a topic at the time they were published and a clear road forward for future research on the topic. These bodies of knowledge have yet to be superseded by other culminating papers.
Cognitive Motivation Correlates of Coping Style in Decisional Conflict

Can personality traits account for the handling of internal conflicts? The authors explored how individual differences in information-processing style affect coping patterns displayed before making important decisions. Need for cognition and need for cognitive closure were linked to the major tendencies identified in the conflict theory of decision making: vigilance, hypervigilance, and defensive avoidance (buck passing and procrastination). A sample of 1,119 Belgian human resource professionals completed the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (L. Mann, P. Burnett, M. Radford, & S. Ford, 1997), the 18-item short-form Need for Cognition Scale (J. T. Cacioppo, R. E. Petty, & C. F. Kao, 1984), and the Need for Closure Inventory (D. M. Webster & A. W. Kruglanski, 1994). Ordinary least squares regression analysis indicated that significant relationships existed between need for cognition, need for closure, and conflict decision-making styles. The authors also found significant effects of gender and age.
High-Frequency Technical Trading: The Importance of Speed

This paper investigates the importance of speed for technical trading rule performance for three highly liquid ETFs listed on NASDAQ over the period January 6, 2009 up to September 30, 2009. In addition we examine the characteristics of market activity over the day and within subperiods corresponding to hours, minutes, and seconds. Speed has a clear impact on the return of technical trading rules. For strategies that yield a positive return when they experience no delay, a delay of 200 milliseconds is enough to lower performance significantly. On low volatility days this is already the case for delays larger than 50 milliseconds. In addition, the importance of speed for trading rule performance increases over time. Market activity follows a U-shape over the day with a spike at 10:00AM due to macroeconomic announcements and is characterized by periodic activity within the day, hour, minute, and second.
Making a difference? Measuring the impact of an information literacy programme for pre-registration nursing students in the UK.

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether an information literacy programme for pre-registration nursing students at a UK higher education institution is effective in developing their skills and confidence: examines students' skill levels, factors affecting their confidence, and relationships between skills, confidence and demographic characteristics. METHODS Quantitative and qualitative techniques were used: pre- and post-tests to measure changes in students' skills and self-assessed confidence levels after two key sessions in their first semester (n = 29); semi-structured interviews to explore factors affecting confidence (n = 5). RESULTS Findings demonstrated positive impacts on skills and confidence. Key areas of skill development included: identifying journal articles, selecting search terms and evaluating website quality. Factors affecting confidence included: successful 'mastery' experiences in searching for information and the programme itself, especially small-group sessions, handouts and staff support. Evidence on links between skills, confidence and demographic factors was inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated the programme's effectiveness and identified areas for development, including the need to help students understand the relative merits of search engines and other sources. Evidence has contributed to a change in departmental policy, making attendance at sessions mandatory. Further studies have been recommended.
Probability of Packet Loss in Energy Harvesting Nodes With Cognitive Radio Capabilities

A Markovian battery model for energy harvesting (EH) secondary users (SUs) is proposed to derive the probability of packet loss due to sensing inaccuracy and energy outage in the EH cognitive radio network (CRN). With the proposed analysis, the packet loss probability can easily be predicted and utilized to optimize the transmission policy (i.e., opportunities for successful transmission and EH) of EH SUs to improve their throughput. Especially, the proposed method can be applied to upper layer (scheduling and routing) optimization. To this end, we validate the proposed analysis through Monte-Carlo simulation and show an agreement between the analysis and simulation results.
Cost Management: Strategies for Business Decisions

Hilton, Cost Management: Strategies for Business Decisions, 4/e Part 1 Setting the Strategic Foundation: The Importance of Analyzing and Managing Costs 1.Cost Management and Strategic Decision Making Evaluating Opportunities and Leading Change 2.Product Costing Systems: Concepts and Design Issues 3.Cost Accumulation for Job-Shop and Batch Production Operations Part 2 Activity-Based Management 4.Activity-Based Costing Systems 5.Activity-Based Management 6.Managing Customer Profitability 7.Managing Quality and Time to Create Value Part 3 Process Costing and Cost Allocation 8.Process-Costing Systems 9.Joint-Process Costing 10.Managing and Allocating Support-Service Costs Part 4 Planning and Decision Making 11.Cost Estimation 12.Financial and Cost-Volume-Profit Models 13.Cost Management and Decision Making 14.Strategic Issues in Making Long-Term Capital Investment Decisions 15.Budgeting and Financial Planning Part 5 Evaluating and Managing Performance Creating and Managing Value-Added Effort 16.Standard Costing, Variance Analysis, and Kaizen Costing 17.Flexible Budgets, Overhead Cost Management, and Activity-Based Budgeting 18.Organizational Design, Responsibility Accounting, and Evaluation of Divisional Performance 19.Transfer Pricing 20.Performance Measurement Systems Glossary Photo Credits Bibliography Company Name Index Subject Index
Credit Default Swaps and Stock Prices: Further Evidence within and Across Markets from Mean and Volatility Transmission with a MVGARCH-M Model and Newer Data

The goal of this paper is to investigate empirically the association between the stock market and the credit default swap (CDS) market in terms of mean as well as volatility spillovers. Making use of 1612 daily observations from four stock markets, i.e., US, German, UK and Greek markets, as well as from two European CDS indices along with the methodology of the error correction (EC) and the multivariable generalized heteroskedasticity in mean (MVGARCH-M) modelling, the empirical findings yield: stock returns across European and US markets are negatively related to European CDS spread changes, the CDS market seems to lead the stock market, implying that information contents coming from the firm's environment seems first to have an impact on the CDS market and next to the stock market, and stock market volatility exerts a positive impact on CDS spreads.
ANALISIS PENGARUH RASIO CAMEL DALAM MEMPREDIKSI FINANCIAL DISTRESS PERBANKAN INDONESIA

This research aims to analyze the effect of the CAMEL ratio to predict Indonesian Banks’s financial distress. The CAMEL ratio consist of CAR (capital adequacy ratio), NPL (non performing loan), ROA (return on asset), ROE (return on equity), LDR (loan to deposit ratio), and BOPO (operating expense to operating income). The sample of this research was extracted using purposive sampling method, comprising 120 banks taken from Infobank magazine for the period of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. From sample, there are 85 banks, consist of 80 nontrouble banks and 5 trouble banks. The statistic methods used to analyze the hypothesis of this research is logistic regression. The resulst of this research show that CAR, NPL, ROA, and ROE have no significant effect on probability of banks’s financial distress. LDR and BOPO have significant influences on probability of banks’s financial distress.
Identification of Novel HCV Deletion Mutants in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Background The HCV genome consists of a positive 9.6 kb single-strand of RNA. Nucleotide substitutions in the HCV genome are common and a 2 kb deletion has been reported. Methods A total of 117 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who were treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy were enrolled in this study. Total RNA was extracted from the patients’ sera and reverse transcription and PCR were performed. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of HCV deletion mutants on treatment with combination therapy. Results By amplifying entire HCV genomes using longdistance PCR, novel large deletion mutants were identified. Sequence analysis revealed that these deletions extended approximately 6 kb from the core/E2 region to the NS5A region and that there are three kinds of deletions that are identical at their 3′ and 5′ extremities. The subgenome virus particles appeared to coexist with full-genome virus particles in the sera of CHC patients despite lacking essential components for HCV viral replication. These short fragments were detected in 26 of 117 patients and were associated with significantly higher HCV RNA levels (P=0.018) and poor response to combination therapy (P=0.043). Moreover, the existence of HCV deletion mutants was significantly associated with virological relapse following combination therapy (P=0.046, OR=3.4). Conclusions HCV deletion mutants may affect the HCV life cycle and reduce the antiviral effects of interferon therapy for CHC.
Offline Brand Communities - A future marketing tool for b2b companies?

The community phenomenon has been recognized in various sciences, including business studies, whereby the latter have been focused on studying brand communities from a customer perspective in the b2c market. Until recently, the brand community’s importance for companies within b2b industries has however been neglected, especially regarding its original real-life setting. This study thus aims to explore the existence of firm-hosted offline b2b brand communities by investigating their constitution, characteristics and their potential value for the hosting firm. In order to do so, this paper investigates a certain type of b2b customer events, creating a new perspective for offline community research. By applying a qualitative research method, combining inductive and deductive approach and conducting semi-structured interviews, this paper explores the offline b2b brand community through the lens of the multinational company Ericsson. This study develops a theoretical framework of offline b2b brand communities based on related community studies from the b2b and b2c industries. Findings indicate that even in today’s web-enhanced world, offline communities can be of value for the hosting firm, since they are likely to foster the development of trust by customers towards the company as well as information exchange and knowledge development. The study further argues that offline b2b brand communities provide subsequent benefits of long-term relationships and product/service improvement to the hosting firm in the long run.
Interaction Effect of Budgetary Participation and Management Accounting System on Managerial Performance: Evidence from Indonesia

This study examines the examine effect of interaction budgetary participaton(BP) and the characteristics of management accounting systems (MAS) including scope (BMAS), timeliness (TMAS), angregation (AMAS) and integration (IMAS) on managerial performance (MP). The study used a survey questionnaire and was sent to leaders of the Regional Work Unit in Banda Aceh. A moderate regression model is used to examined the interaction effect among BP, the characteristics of each MAS and MP. The results showed the interaction between BP and BMAS is negatively related to MP. The interaction between BP and IMAS is positively related to MP. This study shows an interaction between BP and TMAS; BP and AMAS on MP. We explore implications on the development of management accounting theory in that the control system developed at private organization can not be generalized entirely tp government organizations
LIGHT CURVES OF 213 TYPE Ia SUPERNOVAE FROM THE ESSENCE SURVEY

The ESSENCE survey discovered 213 Type Ia supernovae at redshifts between 2002 and 2008. We present their R- and I-band photometry, measured from images obtained using the MOSAIC II camera at the CTIO Blanco, along with rapid-response spectroscopy for each object. We use our spectroscopic follow-up observations to determine an accurate, quantitative classification, and precise redshift. Through an extensive calibration program we have improved the precision of the CTIO Blanco natural photometric system. We use several empirical metrics to measure our internal photometric consistency and our absolute calibration of the survey. We assess the effect of various potential sources of systematic bias on our measured fluxes, and estimate the dominant term in the systematic error budget from the photometric calibration on our absolute fluxes is ∼1%.