Analysis on the Relationship between Financing Constraints and Research and Development from the Perspective of the Location of Top Management Network

Taking listed Chinese companies during 2009–2019 as objects, this paper constructs a multivariate discriminant model to measure the degrees of multiple financing constraints and establishes empirical models to analyze the non-linear relationship between the financing constraints and research and development (R&D) investment. Further, the author investigated how the top management network (TMN) location acts on the relationship between financing constraints and R&D investment. The research provides a robust evidence to an inverted U-shaped relationship between the degrees of financing constraints and corporate R&D investment: appropriate financing constraints promote corporate R&D investment; once passing a turning point, excess financing constraints would suppress corporate R&D investment. Besides, it was learned that TMN location positively moderates the financing constraints and R&D investment. In addition, TMN location plays a more obvious regulating role in non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs) than in SOEs. The research clarifies the relationship between financing constraints and R&D investment, as well as the moderating role of TMN location. Empirical evidence was provided to help the government reduce credit discrimination and enterprises to widen financing channels and improve innovation capability.

Sex estimation of Brazilian skulls using discriminant analysis of cranial measurements

The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of cranial measurements for estimation of sex in the Brazilian population and develop discriminant formulas with a reference table to be used as a reference on Brazilian Forensic Anthropology studies. The total sample was comprised of 100 skulls from an osteological collection and 200 computed tomography. The measure’s protocol comprised 51 cranial measurements and it was based on 29 cranial landmarks. The results of the univariate comparison of cranial measurements showed a higher mean for male skulls, except for the following variables: zygoorbital breadth (diff=-2.21), interorbital breadth (diff=-0.72), nasal breadth (diff=-0.19) and palatal breadth (diff=-0.01). The paired test t analysis showed that the variables with the highest sexual dimorphism were maximum cranial length (p<0.001), Basion-Bregma height (p<0.001), cranial base length (p<0.001), nasal height (p<0.001), bizigomatic breadth (p<0.001), left Porion-Mastoidale length (p<0.001), right Asterion-Mastoidale length (p<0.001), right (p<0.001) and left (p<0.001) mastoid length. The multivariate discriminant analysis of the cranial measurements of the Brazilian sample showed a percentage of accuracy between 82-90%. The analysis of the metric variables showed that there is sexual dimorphism between skulls in the sample. The regression formulas and the reference table presented satisfactory results for sex estimation in a Brazilian population. The validation process of the discriminant functions and the reference table showed a percentage of accuracy between-74.2-85.7% The analysis of the metric variables showed that there is sexual dimorphism between skulls of the analyzed sample.

Development and research of a model for differential diagnosis of latent late syphilis and false-positive serological reactions on immunochips with a panel of 12 Treponema pallidum antigens

The aim - to find the optimal attributing rules to distinguish groups of latent stages of syphilis and false positive serological tests of using multivariate discriminant analysis Material and methods. The objects of the study were serum samples from patients with late latent (N=34) syphilis and false positive serological tests (N=31). The samples were studied to determine IgG and IgM levels using indirect immunofluorescent reaction with immunochip containing recombinant antigens T. pallidum Results The mathematical model allows to differentiate with a high degree of confidence patients with late latent syphilis and with false-positive serological reactions to syphilis. Conclusions. . Multivariate discriminant analysis makes possible to create reliable mathematical models to classify patients with late latent syphilis and with false-positive serological reactions to syphilis.

Bankruptcy prediction model for listed companies in Greece

This paper deals with the ever-increasing issue of bankruptcy prediction in distressed economies. Specifically, the aim of this study is to create a model by establishing a new set of predictor variables, which achieves significant discrimination among listed manufacturing firms in Greece, by using multivariate discriminant analysis (MDA). An equally balanced matched sample of 28 Greek-listed manufacturing firms was used in this study covering the distressed period from 2008 to 2015 (including all firms that went bankrupt between 2008–2015). It is found that the quick ratio, cash flow interest coverage, and economic value added (EVA) divided by total assets are significant for predicting bankruptcy in Greece. The discriminant analysis (DA) model comprised the aforementioned variables and correctly classified 96.43% of grouped cases 1 year before bankruptcy. The adjusted DA prediction model for two and three years before bankruptcy used the same variables and correctly classified 92.86% and 89.29% of grouped cases, respectively. Consequently, this mix of financial ratios achieved strong classification accuracy even three years before bankruptcy, captivating an overall picture of a firm’s financial health and providing a powerful tool for decision making to investors and risk managers in the banking section and economic policy makers.

Relationship between effectiveness and match outcome in the Spanish Water Polo League (Relación entre efectividad y resultado del partido en la Liga Española de Waterpolo)

The purpose of the present study was to identify the indicators of offensive effectiveness which best discriminate by match score (favourable, balanced or unfavourable) in water polo. The sample comprised 88 regular season games (2011-2014) from the Spanish Professional Water Polo League. Univariate (ANOVA test; Kruskal-Wallis test and Generalized Linear Model test (GLM)) and multivariate (Discriminant) analysis were used to compare favourable, balanced or unfavourable games, and effect sizes of the differences for the indicators were calculated. The results showed that favourable games had averages that were significantly higher for the success rate in even attacks and shots, power-play attacks and shots, counterattack and counterattack shots, shots from zone 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, drive shots, and shots after 1, 2 and more than 2 fakes. The indicators of offensive effectiveness that most discriminated were the success rate for drive shots (SC=-.624), even attacks and shots (SC=-.359 and SC=-.322, respectively), and for power-play actions and shots (SC=-.343 and SC=-.321, respectively). These results could help coaches when planning training and competition, providing them with the percentages of offensive effectiveness that must be reinforced in order to have more chances to win the match. This information can help coaches to evaluate their teams and to design training aimed at improving their weakest skills. Resumen: El objetivo del presente estudio fue identificar los indicadores de eficacia ofensiva que mejor discriminan en función del resultado del partido (favorable, equilibrado o desfavorable) en el waterpolo. La muestra estuvo formada por 88 partidos de temporada regular (2011-2014) de la Liga Española de Waterpolo Profesional. Se utilizaron análisis univariados (prueba ANOVA; prueba de Kruskal Wallis y prueba del Modelo Lineal Generalizado (GLM)) y multivariante (discriminante) para comparar resultados favorables, equilibrados o desfavorables, y se calcularon los tamaños del efecto de las diferencias para los indicadores. Los resultados mostraron que los equipos con resultado favorables tenían promedios significativamente más altos para la tasa de efectividad en ataques y lanzamientos en igualdad, ataques y lanzamientos en superioridad, ataques y lanzamientos de contraataque, lanzamientos de zona 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 y 6, lanzamientos directos y después de 1, 2 y más de 2 efectividad en lanzamientos directos (SC=-.624), ataques y lanzamientos en igualdad (SC=-.359 y SC=-.322, respectivamente), y ataques y lanzamientos en superioridad (SC=-.343 y SC=-.321, respectivamente). Estos resultados podrían ayudar a los entrenadores a la hora de planificar los entrenamientos y la competición, proporcionándoles los porcentajes de efectividad ofensiva que se deben reforzar para tener más posibilidades de ganar el partido. Puede ayudar a los entrenadores a evaluar a sus equipos y diseñar entrenamientos destinados a mejorar sus habilidades más débiles.

SPECIAL METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONDITION OF THE LIVER IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS

The aim. Using special methods to investigate the functional state of the liver in patients with cirrhosis. Materials and methods. The study involved 95 patients with LC who were hospitalized from 2018 to 2020 in the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Surgical and Gastroenterological Departments of the Transcarpathian Regional Clinical Hospital. Andriy Novak (Uzhhorod). All patients underwent C13-metacetin breath test (C13-MDT) to determine the degree of liver damage. To determine the degree of fibrosis in the examined patients used the following specially developed tests: Forns test, FibroIndex test, FIB-4 test (Fibrosis 4 Score), APRI test (AST-to-Platelet Ratio Index), MDA test (multivariate discriminant analysis), test GUCI (Gothenburg University Cirrhosis Index), FPI test. Results. In all examined patients with LC on the results of C13-MDT revealed changes characteristic of liver cirrhosis. In group I of patients with LC, the percentage of functioning hepatocytes was 54.7 ± 5.3%. MFG was the lowest in group III patients with LC - 18.2 ± 1.8% and was statistically significantly different from patients in group I (p <0.05). A statistically significant difference between MFG parameters was also found between groups I and II of patients with LC - p <0.05. We found a strong correlation between the results of C13-MDT and histostructure disorders and the stage of liver damage (mainly F4) by METAVIR in the examined patients (r = 0.72; p <0.01). Based on the results of statistical analysis, it was found that the most effective test based on serum biochemical parameters is the FPI test. Conclusions. The most pronounced changes that characterize the reduced functional capacity of the liver, found in patients of group III - p <0,05. The most effective test based on serum biochemical parameters is the FPI test. Severe liver cirrhosis is characterized by higher plasma levels of endothelial mediators, fibrinolysis regulators and lower platelet counts, levels of physiological anticoagulants, prolonged invertebrate values.

A Dual Immunological Raman-Enabled Crosschecking Test (DIRECT) for Detection of Bacteria in Low Moisture Food

Among the physical, chemical and biological hazards that could arise with respect to food safety, bacterial contamination has been one of the main concerns in recent years. Bacterial contamination in low moisture foods (LMFs) was an emerging threat which used to draw less attention as LMFs were considered at low risk of such a hazard. Bacteria can survive in low moisture environments and cause foodborne diseases once they enter the digestive system. Common detection methods such as ELISA and PCR are not well suited to LMFs, as most of them operate under aqueous environments. In this study, a Dual Immunological Raman-Enabled Crosschecking Test (DIRECT) was developed for LMFs using a nano-scaled surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) biosensor platform and multivariate discriminant analysis with a portable Raman spectrometer. It could provide a limit of detection (LOD) of 102 CFU/g of bacteria in model LMFs, with a detection time of 30–45 min. It has the potential to become a quick screening method for on-site bacteria detection for LMFs to identify food safety risks in real time.