bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantity and price controls by the firm under demand uncertainty and welfare implications
Authors: Adar Zvi , Arad Ruth 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA monopoly facing an uncertain demand can affect its profit distribution through the choice of ex ante controls. This paper compares two modes of behavior ‐ price‐setting and quantity‐setting ‐ in the context of a mean‐variance model. The main results are: (a) With nonlinear cost, the monopoly will not be indifferent between the two modes. In the particular case of quadratic cost, conditions for the dominance of price‐setting over quantity‐setting behavior are derived. (b) Whereas it is well‐known that the risk averse, quantity‐setting monopoly will produce less under uncertainty than under certainty (or risk neutrality), the price‐setting monopoly increases its expected output when faced by uncertain demand, possibly exceeding even the competitive output under uncertainty. (c) Using expected social surplus as a welfare criterion, price‐setting emerges as the welfare‐dominant behavior when there is a conflict between the privately and the socially preferred modes. (d) Finally, there exist conditions where price‐setting monopolies welfare‐dominate a competitive industry facing the same random demand.
The cotton weaving industry in European countries: Size of firm, static and dynamic efficiency
Authors: Giuiuzza Paolo , Mariotti Sergio 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper is based on the results of a field work analysis of the cotton weaving industry, focusing on the relationships between performance, size and structure of firms. The results are utilized to compare models of the industries in the main European countries and to evaluate their competitiveness in the light of both standard and some non‐standard efficiency criteria.
Concentration, unionization and the distribution of income in Canadian manufacturing industry
Authors: Hollander Abraham 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAn attempt is made to assess how the unionization of labor and the presence of buyers possessing monopsony power affects the distribution of income among the factors of production in Canadian manufacturing. It is found that these variables have a composite effect. They transfer income from factors of production in one industry to the factors in another. They also affect the distribution of income between labor and capital within industries.
Multinationalization in the pharmaceutical industry as a response to national health policies
Authors: Heiduk Günter 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis study shows that from the viewpoint of the German pharmaceutical industry the French and Italian markets require an unusual corporate international strategy. Foreign subsidiaries export bulk chemicals and semi‐processed drugs. Regulation favouring direct foreign investment results in foreign affiliates carrying out nearly the same range of activities as their parent companies. Entry into these markets is thus deterred. Some conclusions are drawn on the consequences of such international competitive restrictions as they effect the market performance of international competitive processes.
Theory and history in marketing
Authors: Kirkpatrick Jerry 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis article presents a theoretical foundation for marketing based on the ideas of the Austrian school of economists. After a discussion of the methodological foundations of Austrian economics, which reject the statistical and experimental methods of the physical sciences as the means to verify theory in the social sciences, the article presents the Austrians' principle of methodological individualism, which provides the basis for a theory of entrepreneurship and marketing.
New public stock issues by seasoned and unseasoned firms: A comparative analysis in a turbulent environment—the case of israel
Authors: Barniv Ran , Bulmash Samuel B. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis study presents and examines new evidence on the relationship between financial structure and ownership in New and Veteran Public firms (sometimes known as unseasoned or seasoned firms, respectively). The major findings are: (1) the cost of capital and the cost of equity increased with financial leverage, but at a different magnitude in new and veteran public firms reflecting different risk conceptions; and (2) management and administration costs for new public firms are indicated to be higher than for veteran public firms. Reasons for and implications of these findings are subsequently discussed.
Between markets and hierarchies: The multinational operations of Japanese general trading companies
Authors: Enderwick Peter 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper questions the conclusion of Kojima and Ozawa (1984) that the overseas activities of Japanese General Trading Companies are best explained by Japanese‐type theories of the multinational enterprise. Such investments appear amenable to inclusion within the prevailing micro‐economic paradigm when due consideration is given to the existence of ownership‐specific advantages and economic incentives to federated business relationships. The inadequacies of the Kojima/Ozawa treatment stem from reliance on a deficient theoretical base, selective description of the characteristics of trading companies and superficial treatment of the modern theory of the multinational enterprise. The reinterpretation offered casts doubts on the proferred welfare effects of this type of investment.
Financial markets and the limits of regulation
Authors: Wall Richard A. , Gort Michael 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe paper examines the effect of electric utility growth on the marginal returns to investment. Despite the presence of regulatory lag between rises in construction costs and public utility rates, cross‐section analysis showed a positive effect of investment on the ratio of market to book value of equity. This result, it is shown, stems from a feedback mechanism from financial markets to regulatory commission behavior. The statistical analysis is carried out with a sample of sixty companies in the period 1961–83.
Evaluating capital investment projects
Authors: Ben‐Horim Moshe , Sivakumar Narayanaswamy 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe risk‐adjusted discount rate method for evaluating capital investment projects applies the risk‐adjusted rate to equilibrium as well as disequilibrium expected returns, leading to biased NPV calculations. This paper uses the CAPM framework, and suggests a procedure for applying the risk‐adjusted rate without causing a bias. The procedure is shown to result in NPVs identical to those obtained by the certainty equivalent approach. A comparison with a previously suggested procedure is also provided.
Production theory with profit‐constrained revenue‐maximization: The duality approach
Authors: Kahana Nava , Nitzan Shmuel 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper derives a general version of Baumol's production theory, where the main behavioral assumption is ‘revenue maximization subject to a profit constraint’ instead of ‘profit maximization’. This theory turns out to be analogous to the neoclassical (competitive) production and consumption theories. Employing the fruitful duality approach it is presented here in a unified and very economical form that provides a complete and general analysis of the comparative static behavior of Baumol's firm.
Costs and goals of the multiproduct firm
Authors: Ladd George W. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA profit‐maximizing multiproduct firm's optimum production and pricing decision rules are different if the firm's fixed resources are fully employed than if they are underutilized. If they are fully employed, the opportunity cost of using a fixed input affects the firm's pricing decisions. The way for a multiproduct firm to maximize profit is to lose money on a product if large volume and low price of that product increases sales or reduces cost for other products sufficiently. Decision rules are different for a revenue‐maximizing firm than for a profit‐maximizing one.
Portfolio selection in thinly traded environments—a case study
Authors: Barr Graham D. I. , Bradfield David J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper proposes a flexible technique for selecting portfolios in an environment which includes thinly traded shares. The proposal uses the Capital Asset Pricing Model with a thinly traded beta estimator to generate the expected return input. This technique has the advantage of being applicable when the opportunity set includes well‐traded securities, as the beta estimator converges to the ordinary least squares beta for well traded shares. In addition, it allows portfolio estimation to be carried out under a range of expected market performance scenarios. An empirical study on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange over the period 1974–85 indicates that the proposed method is superior to traditional techniques.
Informational efficiency tests of quarterly macroeconometric GNP forecasts from 1976 to 1985
Authors: Joutz Frederick L. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe objective of the paper is to compare the informational efficiency of five macroeconometric and one statistical quarterly forecasting models. The results suggest that the forecasters inefficiently utilize readily available economic information. The qualitative effect for a particular information variable is the same across all forecasters exhibiting inefficiency. Further, the magnitude on coefficients of significant information variables are quite close. In particular, real GNP forecasts appear to not fully incorporate information about lagged M 1 growth and lagged changes in housing starts. Deflator forecasts can be improved by more fully specifying the degree of slackness in the economy as captured by capacity utilization and changes in the labor market.
Decision making in the multiproduct firm: Adaptability and firm organization
Authors: Haber Lawrence J. , Levy David T. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis study presents an explicit model of the choice process by which decision makers within a multiproduct firm would optimally allocate their firm‐specific inputs. The first‐order conditions of the model indicate the kind of information required for efficient transfer of these inputs. Transfer within the firm can be more efficiently accomplished than contracting over markets. Consequently, one may demonstrate the superior efficiency of the multiproduct firm over a comparable group of single‐product firms independent of any production externalities. Further, this superior efficiency results only if the central administration of the firm controls the exchange of these inputs.
An analysis of shareholder rights plans
Authors: Strong John S. , Meyer John R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPrevious studies of shareholder rights plans (poison pills) have emphasized short‐term valuation effects in the context of specific takeover attempts. This paper analyzes rights largely adopted in ‘neutral’ environments. Using a paired‐case control approach, differences between rights and non‐rights firms are examined. Positive long‐term valuation effects are associated with restructurings, while negative performance is associated with ownership/control influences. The evidence supports a multiple signalling model in which investors use subsequent information to revise probabilities concerning control preferences of management and directors.
A model for sealed‐bid auctions with independent private value and common value components
Authors: Harrison J. Richard 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper shows how a decision‐making model can be applied to a sealed‐bid auction with both independent private value (IPV) and common value (CV) components. The model yields estimates for the winning bid and for the actual value and error components of the winning bid as functions of the number of bidders and the underlying value and error distributions, assuming that these distributions are normal. The winner's curse and the special cases of IPV and CV auctions are examined using the model.
Novel ANO5 mutations causing hyper‐CK‐emia, limb girdle muscular weakness and miyoshi type of muscular dystrophy
Authors: Schessl Joachim , Kress Wolfram , Schoser Benedikt 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIntroduction:Mutations in the anoctamin 5 gene (ANO5) have been recently identified.They cause limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD2L) and Miyoshi muscular dystrophy.Methods:Clinical findings of four unrelated patients are reviewed. Mutation detection was performed by direct sequencing of the ANO5 exons.Results:We identified four novel mutations in the ANO5 gene. In one patient, a novel homozygous mutation (c.1965G>C). In three patients, the recurrent heterozygous exon 5 c.191dupA mutation is combined with other variants to form a compound heterozygous state: in two cases, novel splice site mutations in intron 5 (c.295‐1G>A) and in intron 14 (c.1407+5G>A), and in one case, a novel missense mutation in exon 4 (c.172C>T).Conclusions:The cases reported here should help to better understand the important role of mutation screening in the ANO5 gene in patients with adult onset muscular dystrophy and very high CK levels. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Factors relating to gender specificity of unloading‐induced declines in strength
Authors: Deschenes Michael R. , Mccoy Raymond W. , Mangis Katherine A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIntroduction: This investigation aimed to: (1) confirm whether women were more vulnerable to the negative neuromuscular adaptations elicited by muscle unloading and if so, (2) determine which physiological mechanism(s) explain those gender‐related differences. Methods: Healthy young men (20.7 ± 0.3 years) and women (20.3 ± 0.3 years)—(N = 12/group)—participated by completing neuromuscular functional tests before and after 7 days of unloading. Results: During isokinetic testing of peak torque, work performed, and power, women displayed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater declines in performance than men at 1.05 and 2.09, but not 0.53 rads/s. During maximal isometric contractions, women experienced greater strength decrements. Similar gender‐specific adaptations to unloading were found in EMG activity, but not muscle mass, neuromuscular transmission, or force relative to EMG. Conclusions: Women are more susceptible to the adaptations of muscle unloading, and disturbances in neural drive from the central nervous system are probably responsible. Muscle Nerve 46: 210–217, 2012
Myasthenia gravis: Sleep quality, quality of life, and disease severity
Authors: Martínez‐Lapiscina Elena Hernández , Erro María Elena , Ayuso Teresa , Jericó Ivonne 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIntroduction: There is much research on quality of life in myasthenia gravis (MG), and its relationship to disease severity is well‐established. However, evidence regarding sleep disturbance in MG is inconclusive. Methods: To evaluate sleep and quality of life among clinically stable MG patients, 54 subjects were investigated by means of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and 15‐Item‐Quality‐Of‐Life Instrument for MG (MG‐QOL15). Results: A pathological PSQI score, which was observed in 59% of patients, was increased in subjects with active disease compared with patients in clinical remission [odds ratio = 4.3; confidence interval 95% (1.0–17.6); P = 0.04]. We found a relationship between PSQI and MG‐QOL15 scores in patients with clinically active disease (r = 0.62; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study highlights the high prevalence of sleep disturbance among MG patients. Disease severity may be considered to be a MG‐specific risk factor for patient‐reported sleep disturbance. The MG‐QOL15 and PSQI should be used to estimate the impact of the disease on sleep and quality of life. Muscle Nerve 46: 174–180, 2012
Surface EMG crosstalk during phasic involuntary muscle activation in the nociceptive withdrawal reflex
Authors: Frahm Ken S. , Jensen Michael B. , Farina Dario , Andersen Ole K. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe human nociceptive withdrawal reflex is typically assessed using surface electromyography (sEMG). Based on sEMG, the reflex receptive field (RRF) can be mapped. However, EMG crosstalk can cause erroneous results in the RRF determination. Single differential (SD) vs. double differential (DD) surface EMG were evaluated. Different electrode areas and inter‐electrode‐distances (IED) were evaluated. The reflexes were elicited by electrical stimulation of the sole of the foot. EMG was obtained from both tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SOL) using both surface and intramuscular EMG (iEMG). The amount of crosstalk was significantly higher in SD recordings than in DD recordings (P < 0.05). Crosstalk increased when electrode measuring area increased (P < 0.05) and when IED increased (P < 0.05). Reflex detection sensitivity decreases with increasing measuring area and increasing IED. These results stress that for determination of RRF and similar tasks, DD recordings should be applied. Muscle Nerve 46: 228–236, 2012
Phase synchronization between stratospheric and tropospheric quasi‐biennial and semi‐annual oscillations
Authors: Read P. L. , Castrejón‐Pita A. A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA combination of singular systems analysis and analytic phase techniques are used to investigate the possible occurrence in observations of coherent synchronization between quasi‐biennial and semi‐annual oscillations (QBOs; SAOs) in the stratosphere and troposphere. Time series of zonal mean zonal winds near the Equator are analysed from the ERA‐40 and ERA‐interim reanalysis datasets over a ∼ 50‐year period. In the stratosphere, the QBO is found to synchronize with the SAO almost all the time, but with a frequency ratio that changes erratically between 4:1, 5:1 and 6:1. A similar variable synchronization is also evident in the tropical troposphere between semi‐annual and quasi‐biennial cycles (known as TBOs). Mean zonal winds from ERA‐40 and ERA‐interim, and also time series of indices for the Indian and West Pacific monsoons, are commonly found to exhibit synchronization, with SAO/TBO ratios that vary between 4:1 and 7:1. Coherent synchronization between the QBO and tropical TBO does not appear to persist for long intervals, however. This suggests that both the QBO and tropical TBOs may be separately synchronized to SAOs that are themselves enslaved to the seasonal cycle, or to the annual cycle itself. However, the QBO and TBOs are evidently only weakly coupled between themselves and are frequently found to lose mutual coherence when each changes its frequency ratio to its respective SAO. This suggests a need to revise a commonly cited paradigm that advocates the use of stratospheric QBO indices as a predictor for tropospheric phenomena such as monsoons and hurricanes. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Synthesis and Characterization of Methyl(perfluoroalkyl)Tellurium(II) Compounds, MeTeRf (Rf = CF3, C2F5), the Corresponding Tellurium(IV) Dihalides, MeTe(Rf)X2 (X = F, Cl, Br, I), and Bis(trifluoroacetates), MeTe(Rf)(OCOCF3)2
Authors: Tyrra Wieland , Naumann Dieter , Kremer Silke , Hermle Johannes , Treutlein Vanessa , Pantenburg Ingo , Fischer Hendrik T. M. , Scherer Harald 
Published: January 2012

Abstract MeTeRf (Rf = CF3, C2F5) can easily be prepared via the reactions of methyl iodide and the corresponding tetramethylammonium perfluoroalkyltellurates(0), [NMe4]TeRf (Rf = CF3, C2F5). Both compounds are easily oxidized by xenon difluoride and the heavier halogens to yield the corresponding dihalides, MeTe(Rf)X2 (X = F, Cl, Br, I) and by ArI(OCOCF3)2 to give the corresponding trifluoroacetates, MeTe(Rf)(OCOCF3)2. All compounds are characterized byspectroscopic means. The molecular structures of MeTe(Rf)F2,MeTe(Rf)Cl2, MeTe(Rf)Br2, and of 4‐MeC6H4I(OCOCF3)2 were elucidated by XRD methods.
Detecting changes in forest floor habitat after canopy disturbance
Authors: White Peter J. T. , McGill Brian J. , Lechowicz Martin J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA massive ice storm hit northeastern North America in 1998, dropping more than 100 mm of freezing rain at its epicenter in southern Quebec, Canada. There has been extensive study of which trees and areas received the most damage, but the biodiversity consequences of this damage at landscape scales have not received much attention. We assessed the effectiveness of seven remotely sensed vegetation indices—Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index, Difference Vegetation Index, Renormalized Difference Vegetation Index, Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index, Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and Visible Atmospheric Resistant Index—for modeling the coarse woody debris (CWD) influx in an old growth forest reserve at the storm's epicenter; NDVI was the best predictor of CWD influx. We categorized the geospatial CWD predictions from the NDVI‐derived model to map the spatial distribution of sun‐exposed, moist‐shaded, dry‐shaded and wet CWD microhabitats on the forest floor. Moist‐shaded, dry‐shaded and wet patches of CWD were large and well connected, but sun‐exposed patches were small and sparse. Since these microhabitats affect the distribution and abundance of saproxylic insects, wood‐rotting fungi, salamanders, birds, small burrowing mammals and plant species dependent on nurse‐logs for establishment, the CWD influx from the 1998 ice storm may have revitalized local populations of these taxa through increased habitat availability as well as increased dispersal within the reserve.
Is whole-body vibration beneficial for seniors?
Authors: Lachance C. , Weir P. , Kenno K. , Horton S. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractNormal aging processes result in losses of functional flexibility and muscular strength, which increase seniors’ fall risk and dependence on others. A relatively new intervention to reduce and/or reverse the adverse effects of aging is whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise. The purpose of this article is to review the established effects of WBV exercise exclusively with the aging population. A systematic search utilizing PubMed and Sport Discus databases uncovered journal articles specific to seniors and whole-body vibration. An extensive hand search supplemented the database results to find other relevant articles. Twenty-seven articles were obtained; all articles have been published in the past 8 years, reflecting the recent and growing interest in this area. Researchers have determined that WBV training can reduce fall risk and improve postural control in seniors. It has also been determined that WBV training can be as effective as conventional resistance training to improve seniors’ lower body strength. However, little is known about the effect of WBV exercise on flexibility and upper body strength in the aging population. More research is required to establish how effective WBV training is on these specific components and how it may affect seniors’ quality of life.
Aminolysis Reaction of Glycerol Carbonate in Organic and Hydroorganic Medium
Authors: Nohra Bassam , Candy Laure , Blanco Jean‐François , Raoul Yann , Mouloungui Zephirin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAminolysis reaction of glycerol carbonate with primary amine in organic and hydroorganic media leads to the formation of two hydroxyurethane isomers and a partial decomposition of glycerol carbonate into glycerol. Aminolysis with a secondary amine promotes the condensation reaction and limits the formation of glycerol. The ratio of α versus β was determined by zgig 13C NMR. This technique permits computing the yield of α and β products in the medium. The quantity of glycerol was determined by GC analysis. The ratio of the isomers and the amount of glycerol depend on the amine and the solvent. Kinetic investigations reveal that, in hydroorganic medium, the more the alkyl chain of the amine increased, the less glycerol was formed. On the contrary, in organic medium, the alkyl chain of the amine does not play a major role in the formation of glycerol.