The Firm Size Distribution and Inter-Industry Diversification

We show that the stylized facts of the Firm Size Distribution (FSD) by age cohorts, as shown in Cabral and Mata (2003), bind within 4-digit manufacturing industries in the UK and Belgium. As in Klepper and Thompson (2006) and Sutton (1998), we explore whether time to build a portfolio of products is a mechanism that relates age to firm size. While inter industry diversification, to some extent, accounts for the role of age, we find that the presence of economies of scope has a separate impact on firm size when controlling for age, amongst other factors. Using the techniques in Cabral and Mata's we show that the FSD by degrees of product diversification shifts to the right, but more so in older age groups. This shows a role for inter-industry diversification over and above an age effect.

TOKENIZATION TICKET MASTER

The present invention discloses a tokenization ticket master system where in which a consumer 101 enters sensitive data into an event checkout page which is displayed/presented on a user device 102. The event checkout page presented/displayed on the user device 102 posts the sensitive data to an event server 103. The sensitive data is then sent to a tokenization server 104, where the data is securely stored, and a token is created to represent the sensitive data. A token ID is returned to the event server 103 and the token ID is encoded as a QR code. The token may be generated using, but not limited to Universally Unique Identifier (UUID). The event server and the tokenization server may interact via Application Program Interface (API). In one embodiment, the QR code is displayed to the consumer 101 on a receipt page on the user device 102. The consumer 101 may print the QR code with a QR printer 105 or may save the QR code as a digital file in the user device 102. In an embodiment, known techniques can be used to generate the QR code

Language and communication needs (SLCN) in police custody

The police custody setting is one of the most challenging environments a person can experience in terms of communication requirements. The suspect is required to respond to complex questions with potentially unfamiliar vocabulary and rapid topic changes, while remembering and articulating an experience in sequence, against a milieu of heightened emotions. Unsupported speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) represent a significant barrier in this context where engagement is heavily reliant on effective comprehension and communication. SLCN has been described as a ‘hidden’ disability; with difficulties such as poor understanding and use of expressive language often not noticeable to non-experts. This paper will illustrate that people who have SLCN are more prevalent in criminal justice settings than in the wider population. Previous research focusing primarily on young people and the prison population has led to calls for early interventions and screening, particularly in youth justice settings. The paper presents data from NHS Liaison and Diversion (L&D) referrals in a single police force region in England that were screened for SLCN over a period of three months. The results indicate a need for early identification of SLCN for all age groups, and for those with no previous SLCN-related diagnoses

The firm size distribution and inter-industry diversification

We show that the stylized facts of the Firm Size Distribution (FSD) by age cohorts, as shown in Cabral and Mata (2003), bind within 4-digit manufacturing industries in the UK and Belgium. As in Klepper and Thompson (2006) and Sutton (1998), we explore whether time to build a portfolio of products is a mechanism that relates age to firm size. While inter industry diversification, to some extent, accounts for the role of age, we find that the presence of economies of scope has a separate impact on firm size when controlling for age, amongst other factors. Using the techniques in Cabral and Mata’s we show that the FSD by degrees of product diversification shifts to the right, but more so in older age groups. This shows a role for inter-industry diversification over and above an age effect

Nkx2-5 and Sarcospan genetically interact in the development of the muscular ventricular septum of the heart

The muscular ventricular septum separates the flow of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood in air-breathing vertebrates. Defects within it, termed muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs), are common, yet less is known about how they arise than rarer heart defects. Mutations of the cardiac transcription factor NKX2-5 cause cardiac malformations, including muscular VSDs. We describe here a genetic interaction between Nkx2-5 and Sarcospan (Sspn) that affects the risk of muscular VSD in mice. Sspn encodes a protein in the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Sspn knockout (Sspn(KO)) mice do not have heart defects, but Nkx2-5(+/−)/Sspn(KO) mutants have a higher incidence of muscular VSD than Nkx2-5(+/−) mice. Myofibers in the ventricular septum follow a stereotypical pattern that is disrupted around a muscular VSD. Subendocardial myofibers normally run in parallel along the left ventricular outflow tract, but in the Nkx2-5(+/−)/Sspn(KO) mutant they commonly deviate into the septum even in the absence of a muscular VSD. Thus, Nkx2-5 and Sspn act in a pathway that affects the alignment of myofibers during the development of the ventricular septum. The malalignment may be a consequence of a defect in the coalescence of trabeculae into the developing ventricular septum, which has been hypothesized to be the mechanistic basis of muscular VSDs

User's Guide for Flight Simulation Data Visualization Workstation

Today's modern flight simulation research produces vast amounts of time sensitive data. The meaning of this data can be difficult to assess while in its raw format. Therefore, a method of breaking the data down and presenting it to the user in a graphical format is necessary. Simulation Graphics (SimGraph) is intended as a data visualization software package that will incorporate simulation data into a variety of animated graphical displays for easy interpretation by the simulation researcher. This document is intended as an end user's guide

Trade Credit Management Practices of Malaysian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Manufacturing Sector

Considered as the engine of growth, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia are heavily assisted and supported by various government agencies. Nonetheless, previous studies indicated that SMEs were facing many problems, where the most common finance-related problem was the lack of financing. However, the existence of various sources of financing in the market raised doubt as to whether the lack of funding is real or a myth. It is suspected that the problem for SMEs in Malaysia is not with the availability of funds, but the management of the funds obtained. Hence, this study focuses on the management of receivables, as they constitute a substantive component of company assets. This study centres on the trade credit management practices of Malaysian SMEs in the manufacturing sector, since this sector is a dominant contributor to the Malaysian SMEs’ total output. Specifically, the research objectives are (1) to compile the profile of, and investigate, the trade credit management practices of SMEs in the manufacturing sector; and (2) to identify factors (company characteristics) that might influence the trade credit management practices. To accomplish the research objectives, data on 214 manufacturing SMEs were collected from two different sources. Non-financial data was collected using mail questionnaires while the financial data were obtained from a private credit information agency. Both these primary and secondary data were later matched and used for analysis. First, descriptive analyses were performed to present the profile of practices adopted by SMEs in managing their trade credit. Then, bivariate associative analyses were conducted between the credit management practices and company characteristics using the Mann-Whitney, chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman’s rank correlation tests. Next, trade credit management practice variables that showed associations with multiple company characteristics were further analysed as the dependent variables under multivariate settings. Multiple and logistic regressions were used for this purpose. The study provides a broad view of the SMEs’ trade credit management practices and finds them to be not very sophisticated. Thus, the study identifies some aspects that should be addressed to overcome this lack of sophistication. In addition, the study also identifies some of the company characteristics that may have some influence on the SMEs’ credit management practices. The study provides many implications that illustrate the SMEs’ lack of awareness and understanding on the importance of the various credit functions. Therefore, one of the recommendations suggested is to provide training for SMEs to increase knowledge and skills in managing trade credit. The study also proposes the establishment of a cooperative for SMEs, to be initiated and run, either by the SMEs themselves, or one of the related government agencies

172. Risk Factors for 30-Day Mortality in Patients with Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia at a Community Hospital: A Prospective Case–Control Study

Background: Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is associated with 30-day all-cause mortality rates approaching 20–30%. The purpose of this case–control study was to evaluate risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with SAB at a community hospital. Methods: As part of an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) initiative mandating Infectious Diseases consultation for episodes of SAB, our ASP prospectively monitored all cases of SAB at a 341-bed community hospital in Jefferson Hills, PA from April 2017–February 2019. Cases included patients with 30-day mortality from the initial positive blood culture. Only the first episode of SAB was included; patients were excluded if a treatment plan was not established (e.g., left against medical advice). Patient demographics, comorbidities, laboratory results, and clinical management of SAB were evaluated. Inferential statistics were used to analyze risk factors associated with 30-day mortality. Results: 100 patients with SAB were included; 18 (18%) experienced 30-day mortality. Cases were older (median age 76.5 vs. 64 years, P \u3c 0.001), more likely to be located in the intensive care unit (ICU) at time of ASP review (55.6% vs. 30.5%, P = 0.043), and less likely to have initial blood cultures obtained in the emergency department (ED) (38.9% vs. 80.5%, P \u3c 0.001). Variables associated with significantly higher odds for 30-day mortality in univariate analysis: older age, location in ICU at time of ASP review, initial blood cultures obtained at a location other than the ED, and total Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Variables with P \u3c 0.2 on univariate analysis were analyzed via multivariate logistic regression (Table 1). Conclusion: Results show that bacteremia due to MRSA and total CCI were not significantly associated with 30-day mortality in SAB, whereas older age was identified as a risk factor. Patients with initial blood cultures obtained at a location other than the ED were at increased odds for 30-day mortality on univariate analysis, which may raise concern for delayed diagnosis