Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence on the determinants of equity issue method in the UK

Eckbo and Masulis (1992), Burton et al. (1999) and Armitage (1999) reported that the method used to issue new shares is one of the key determinants of the market reaction to seasoned equity offer announcements. This article develops this earlier line of research by examining a sample of 193 rights issues and 329 placings of shares made by UK firms between 1995 and 1996. It (i) details the relative popularity of rights and placings amongst London-quoted firms; (ii) compares the characteristics of the equity issues made under the different methods; (iii) examines variations in the attributes of firms which place their shares or offer them to existing investors via a rights issue and; (iv) uses logit analysis to investigate whether the determinants of offer method choice can be modelled accurately. A holdout sample of 59 placings and 29 rights issues is employed to examine the predictive ability of the logit model results. The evidence suggests that identifiable differences exist in both the size of the issue and the characteristics of the issuer, but that these differences provide only limited ability to predict equity issue methods accurately.
The use of institutional measures for business ethics implementation in family and non-family businesses: Does a family matter?

The case study research methodology in combination with quantitative methods was applied to explore the influence of a family on the emergence and presence of informal and formal institutional measures of business ethics implementation. For the empirical testing, we have selected Slovenia, one of the most developed European post socialist transition countries. Our research reveals that the role modeling is presented to a greater extent in family than in non-family businesses; this measure is the most popular measure of encouraging ethical behavior in family as well as in non-family businesses. The core value statement is presented to a greater extent in non-family than in family businesses, reflecting the less formal mode of family businesses functioning. Key words: Family, family enterprise, case study, informal and formal measures of business ethics implementation, ethical behavior, transition economies, Slovenia. INTRODUCTION At the most basic level, a family enterprise may be defined as an enterprise which is controlled by members of a family. However, family enterprises are not homo-genous. Empirical research has revealed that, among others, family enterprises vary, regarding the degree of family involvement in ownership and management (Astrachan et al., 2002; Aronoff and Ward, 2002; Sharma, 2004; Westhead and Cowling, 1998; Poutziouris et al., 1997; Duh et al., 2009). The family is an intimate room where the core values, culture, as well as ethical climate of the family, as well as of the broader environment is shaped (Duh and Belak, 2009). It is also where the first social relationships are formed, which differ from relationships with people outside the family circle. The process of family education and upbringing form the foundation for the focused expectations of every single family member upon which the trust and firmness of family relations are built (Bogod and Leach, 1999). The family system forms fundamental principles, core values,
ON MEASURING THE EFFECT OF INFLATION UNCERTAINTY ON REAL GNP GROWTH

In this paper we reexamine the relationship between inflation uncertainty and total output. To properly specify an estimating equation, we investigate the time series properties of two frequently used measures of inflation uncertainty. We fail to reject the hypothesis that each series has a unit root. However, the uncertainty measures are not cointegrated with output and relative oil prices. This means that the proper specification is in terms of differences. With this specification we find that an increase in inflation uncertainty growth reduces real GNP growth but, unlike earlier work, we find that this effect is temporary. It is also unlikely that an inflation uncertainty shock on its own could produce a recession. Copyright 1996 by Royal Economic Society.
Location of the sensorimotor cortex: functional and conventional MR compared.

PURPOSE To determine the value of functional MR imaging to supplement conventional MR imaging for locating the rolandic cortex. METHODS Parasagittal MR images acquired in conjunction with functional MR images were reviewed. The central sulcus was identified on the MR images by conventional parcellation methods. In the functional MR images, the sensorimotor cortex (rolandic cortex) was identified by the activation secondary to finger and thumb movement or tactile stimulation of the palm. The location of the central sulcus and rolandic cortex was compared. RESULTS In 18 of 23 studies, the central sulcus selected by anatomic criteria coincided exactly or approximately with the cortex activated by the motor or sensory tasks. In two cases of tumor, the rolandic cortex could be located by means of the activation, but the central sulcus was not identified because of severe distortion of anatomic landmarks. In two volunteers, the central sulcus identified by anatomic landmarks did not coincide with the activated cortex. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that functional imaging supplements anatomic imaging in locating the sensorimotor cortex. Functional MR imaging may be a useful adjunct to conventional MR imaging to determine noninvasively the proximity of eloquent brain to focal brain lesions.
Paclitaxel-based versus docetaxel-based regimens in metastatic breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract Objectives: Docetaxel and paclitaxel show significant clinical activity in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and have been approved for MBC by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but it is still unclear whether a paclitaxel-based regimen improves outcomes over a docetaxel-based regimen in patients with MBC. We therefore performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to compare the safety and efficacy of these two regimens in MBC. Methods: We systematically searched for randomized controlled trials that comparing paclitaxel-based with docetaxel-based regimens in patients with MBC in PubMed (up to January 2012), Embase (1980 to January 2012), and the Cochrane databases (up to January 2012). Abstracts presented at conferences (up to January 2011) were also searched. Data were extracted from the studies by two independent reviewers. The meta-analysis was performed by Stata version 12.0 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA). Results: Seven eligible trials involving 1694 patients with MBC were selected. Our results showed that a paclitaxel-based regimen was comparable to a docetaxel-based regimen for MBC patients in terms of OS (HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.60–1.27, p = 0.48), PFS (HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.58–1.00, p = 0.052), TTP (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.81–1.58, p = 0.46), and ORR (RR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.88–1.15, p = 0.92), but fewer grade 3 or 4 adverse events including anemia (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.44–0.94, p = 0.023), neutropenia (RR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58–0.93, p = 0.011), febrile neutropenia (RR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15–0.96, p = 0.041), thrombopenia (RR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.41–0.96, p = 0.033), mucositis (RR: 0.082, 95% CI: 0.025–0.27, p < 0.001), diarrhea (RR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.081–0.47, p < 0.001) and fatigue (RR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20–0.96, p = 0.039) were observed in the paclitaxel-based regimen. However, limitations of our study needed to be considered when interpreting these results: our study was a meta-analysis of published data, and there was significant heterogeneity among included trials. Potential publication bias might also exist. Conclusion: The present systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that both taxane-based regimens have comparable efficacy for patients with MBC, and the paclitaxel-based regimen is associated with less toxicity and better tolerability, especially in older patients and when used in weekly regimens.
The Cold Signaling Attenuator HIGH EXPRESSION OF OSMOTICALLY RESPONSIVE GENE1 Activates FLOWERING LOCUS C Transcription via Chromatin Remodeling under Short-Term Cold Stress in Arabidopsis[C][W]

Short-term cold stress delays flowering by activating the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). This study shows that the cold signaling attenuator HIGH EXPRESSION OF OSMOTICALLY RESPONSIVE GENE1 (HOS1) acts as a chromatin remodeling factor for FLC regulation under short-term cold stress by antagonizing the actions of FVE and its interacting partner histone deacetylase 6. Exposure to short-term cold stress delays flowering by activating the floral repressor FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) in Arabidopsis thaliana. The cold signaling attenuator HIGH EXPRESSION OF OSMOTICALLY RESPONSIVE GENE1 (HOS1) negatively regulates cold responses. Notably, HOS1-deficient mutants exhibit early flowering, and FLC expression is suppressed in the mutants. However, it remains unknown how HOS1 regulates FLC expression. Here, we show that HOS1 induces FLC expression by antagonizing the actions of FVE and its interacting partner histone deacetylase 6 (HDA6) under short-term cold stress. HOS1 binds to FLC chromatin in an FVE-dependent manner, and FVE is essential for the HOS1-mediated activation of FLC transcription. HOS1 also interacts with HDA6 and inhibits the binding of HDA6 to FLC chromatin. Intermittent cold treatments induce FLC expression by activating HOS1, which attenuates the activity of HDA6 in silencing FLC chromatin, and the effects of intermittent cold are diminished in hos1 and fve mutants. These observations indicate that HOS1 acts as a chromatin remodeling factor for FLC regulation under short-term cold stress.
Programme-level determinants of women's international football performance

Research question: Between 2012 and 2015, the Federation Internationale de Football (FIFA) plans to spend $44.2 million to further develop women's football. With increasing efforts in place to help develop women's football worldwide, it is important to understand the effect of programme-specific factors on the performance of women's national teams. Yet there is scarce evidence in the academic literature surrounding this issue. This paper focuses on how four programme-level factors – governance, training, youth development and early initiation into football – are associated with a country's international performance. Research methods: This study uses 2006 programme-level data from 139 FIFA member nations. The contemporaneous and longer-term associations between programme-level factors and FIFA/Coca-Cola ranking points are explored using ordinary least squares regressions. Controls for economic, gender equity, talent pool, temperature, men's soccer legacy, political and cultural factors are included. Results and findings: Dedicated governance staff and training are key correlates of successful football nations in the short term. In the longer term, dedicated governance staff and investments in youth development are strong predictors of international success. At the macro level, economic development, gender equity, talent pool and men's soccer legacy are consistently and significantly associated with women's football outcomes. Implications: These results imply that policy makers hoping to boost international performance can do so with shorter-term programme-related policies targeting governance and training, and longer-term investments in governance and youth development.
Effects of Macroeconimic Instability on Relative Price Variability within Agricultural Sector

This paper provided an index to present relative price variability (RPV) in agricultural sector for the period 1984-2004 among eleven products. Then, effects of macroeconomic instability on relative price variability by non-linear model were explored. The results showed that changing in macroeconomic activity has no sensible significant effect on RPV. Also, relationship between anticipated inflation and RPV is negative.
Proteomic Analysis of the Mouse Liver Mitochondrial Inner Membrane*

Mitochondria play a crucial role in cellular homeostasis, which justifies the increasing interest in mapping the different components of these organelles. Here we have focused our study on the identification of proteins of the mitochondrial inner membrane (MIM). This membrane is of particular interest because, besides the well known components of the respiratory chain complexes, it contains several ion channels and many carrier proteins that certainly play a key role in mitochondrial function and, therefore, deserve to be identified at the molecular level. To achieve this goal we have used a novel approach combining the use of highly purified mouse liver mitochondrial inner membranes, extraction of membrane proteins with organic acid, and two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. This procedure allowed us to identify 182 proteins that are involved in several biochemical processes, such as the electron transport machinery, the protein import machinery, protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, and ion or substrate transport. The full range of isoelectric point (3.9–12.5), molecular mass (6–527 kDa), and hydrophobicity values (up to 16 transmembrane predicted domains) were represented. In addition, of the 182 proteins found, 20 were unknown or had never previously been associated with the MIM. Overexpression of some of these proteins in mammalian cells confirmed their mitochondrial localization and resulted in severe remodeling of the mitochondrial network. This study provides the first proteome of the MIM and provides a basis for a more detailed study of the newly characterized proteins of this membrane.
Development and in‐vivo evaluation of insulin‐loaded chitosan phthalate microspheres for oral delivery

Novel chitosan phthalate microspheres containing insulin were prepared by emulsion cross‐linking technique. The feasibility of these microspheres as oral insulin delivery carriers was evaluated. The pH‐responsive release behaviour of insulin from microspheres was analysed. The ability of chitosan phthalate‐insulin microspheres to enhance intestinal absorption and improve the relative pharmacological availability of insulin was investigated by monitoring the plasma glucose and insulin level of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats after oral administration of microspheres at insulin dose of 20 IU kg−1. In simulated gastric fluid (pH 2.0), insulin release from the microspheres was very slow. However, as the pH of the medium was changed to simulated intestinal fluid (pH 7.4), a rapid release of insulin occurred. The relative pharmacological efficacy for chitosan phthalate microspheres (18.66 ± 3.84%) was almost four‐fold higher than the efficacy of the chitosan phthalate‐insulin solution administration (4.08 ± 1.52%). Chitosan phthalate microspheres sustained the plasma glucose at pre‐diabetic level for at least 16 h. These findings suggest that the microsphere is a promising carrier as oral insulin delivery system.
Fully Modified Estimation with Nearly Integrated Regressors

I show that the test procedure derived by Campbell and Yogo (2005, Journal of Financial Economics, forthcoming) for regressions with nearly integrated variables can be interpreted as the natural t-test resulting from a fully modified estimation with near-unit-root regressors. This clearly establishes the methods of Campbell and Yogo as an extension of previous unit-root results.
Psychometric properties of the Rivermead Mobility Index in Italian stroke rehabilitation inpatients

Objective: To examine the internal consistency, validity, responsiveness and test scalability of the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) in Italian rehabilitation inpatients recovering from stroke. Design: Seventy-three stroke inpatients undergoing rehabilitation were assessed at admission (T 0) and five weeks later (T 1), using RMI, the motor (motFIM) and cognitive (cognFIM) subscales of the Functional Independence Measure, the ‘leg’ section of the Motricity Index and Trunk Control Test. Results: Cronbach's alpha of the RMI was 0.92. The item-to-total correlation coefficients (r rb) ranged from 0.36 to 0.83, all p < 0.003. All correlations between RMI scores and the other instruments, both at T 0 and T 1, were statistically significant (r 3 0.49, all p < 0.0001), except those with cognFIM. The difference in RMI scores over the testing period was statistically significant (sign test: z = 7.1, p < 0.0001) and the effect size was 0.89. The coefficient of reproducibility was 0.95 at T 0 and 0.93 at T 1, and both coefficients of scalability were 0.67. Conclusions: The study confirms the internal consistency, construct validity and responsiveness of the RMI, according to the classic psychometric indexes. However, some minor concerns arise regarding: (a) a floor effect of RMI in subacute rehabilitation stroke inpatients at admission and; (b) one item (‘bathing’) that seems sensitive to cultural and environmental factors. Moreover, even though RMI met the scaling criteria, the item hierarchy is not coincident with the one originally postulated. So, RMI should be considered only as a summated index with ordinal properties, and not a hierarchically ranked scale.
The use of human resource information systems: a survey

Presents the results of a survey of the use of human resource information systems (HRIS) in smaller organizations, conducted in 1998. The survey enquires as to the nature of information stored electronically in three core areas: personnel, training and recruitment as well as the type of information analysis being undertaken. Significant relationships were found between the total number of people employed by the organization, and certain aspects of its information storage and manipulation. Smaller organizations were also found to be less likely to use HRIS, and HRIS was also used less frequently in training and recruitment. No sectoral differences were found. Similar to the results of IES/IPD surveys, and some academic work, it was found that HRIS are still being used to administrative ends rather than analytical ones.
Government reforms, performance management and the labour process: the case of officers in the UK probation service

Taking a labour process perspective, this article investigates the impact of government reforms and performance management on officers in the National Probation Service (England and Wales). Based on a case study involving two Probation Service Areas and interviews with national and local trade union officers, insights are gained into changes for probation work and the workforce that perform it. The findings illustrate how reforms of probation practice, implemented locally through performance management, have led to probation work becoming increasingly ‘Taylorized’ with implications for the division of labour based on labour substitution, deskilling and degradation. As the Probation Service was entering a new political era under the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition, these findings provide insights into its trajectory under previous governments. They also invoke questions regarding the implications of reforms for the Probation Service and public services generally.
Entrepreneurial marketing within the French wine industry

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to develop an understanding of the value and application of entrepreneurial marketing within the French wine industry.Design/methodology/approach – Following an initial review of the literature describing the nature of entrepreneurial marketing and its potential application within the wine industry, a case study is presented of a small independent winery of the Cotes du Rhone in order to explore the theory and practice of entrepreneurial marketing in this commercially important French wine growing region.Findings – The marketing approach adopted by the case company is found to contrast with the traditional adversarial approach to competition prevalent throughout the French wine industry. The case study illustrates how entrepreneurial marketing has allowed the leverage of superior knowledge of customer preferences, market intelligence and product knowledge in the process of delivering superior value to the customer through brand differentiation at firm level. Additionally.
On an equal footing: adults’ accounts of the experience of using assistive devices for standing

Purpose: The aim of the study was to illuminate the meaning that standing holds for persons who require standing devices. Method: The phenomenological/hermeneutical analysis of the interviews was carried out using a life world-approach. Fifteen users of standing devices lacking the ability to stand independently participated in the interviews.Result: Each person’s lived experiences of standing in their devices indicated that the upright body position opens up an opportunity for connection to the outside world. An upright body position (i) alters the person’s sense of self, (ii) augments the person’s availability to the outside world, (iii) strengthens social interplay, and (iv) changes a person’s motivation and their expectations over time. Conclusion: Standing may be something that unites the body and self. Understanding the meaning of the altered body position that the use of standing devices opens up is vital for physiotherapists and occupational therapists prescribing these devices. Furthermore, it is important to take account of the subjective body, as well as the biological one, to enhance the adoption of different body positions and the person’s experiences. Implications for Rehabilitation Prolonged standing in standing devices Use of assistive devices for standing has benefits beyond physical/physiological ones. Standing in assistive devices for standing positively affects subjective well-being. Use of assistive devices for standing enhanced participation and social functioning of persons with severe disabilities such as spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis.
Diffusion and Performance of Modular Production in the U.S. Apparel Industry

This paper examines the determinants of the diffusion of team production systems (modular assembly) and the impact of these systems on firm performance relative to traditional assembly systems in the apparel industry. The paper draws on an extensive survey providing detailed information on a wide range of manufacturing practices and retail relationships in the U.S. apparel industry. We find that recent diffusion of modular practices is driven primarily by forces in the product market rather than from human resource-related factors. We also show that the low level of diffusion of team production systems can be explained by the small impact of modular systems relative to other manufacturing innovations (particularly those in information systems).
Making sense of knowledge transfer and IC measurement in clusters: the missing point

Intellectual Capital (IC) research has mainly focused on firms rather than on macro-level units and the academia has abandoned the meso-level, i.e., the cluster IC debate. Thus, our objective consists of developing a cluster knowledge transfer framework, which sets the fundamentals to understand and contextualise how IC is created, disseminated and measured within a cluster. After exploring theoretically the different types of clusters, the paper systematically explains all the factors and agents integrated in the knowledge creation and dissemination within industrial districts, connecting the IC clusters' drivers to the IC fundamentals in order to set the IC cluster platform.