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To authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-629X.2009.00296.x Byline: Chrisostomos Florackis (a), Aydin Ozkan (b) Keywords: Capital structure; Managerial incentives; Corporate governance mechanisms Abstract: Abstract This paper investigates the effect of managerial incentives and corporate governance on capital structure using a large sample of UK firms during the period 1999-2004. The analysis revolves around the view that managerial incentives are important in determining a firm's leverage. However, we argue that the exact impact of these incentives on leverage is likely to be determined by firm-specific governance characteristics. To conduct our investigation, we construct a simple corporate governance measure using detailed ownership and governance information. We present evidence of a significant non-monotonic relationship between executive ownership and leverage. There is also strong evidence suggesting that corporate governance practices have a significant impact on leverage. More importantly, the results reveal that the nature of the relation between executive ownership and leverage depends on the firm's corporate governance structure. Author Affiliation: (a)Management School, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZH, UK (b)Hull University Business School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK Article History: Received 28 March 2008; accepted 18 December 2008 by Robert Faff (Editor).

The corporate cash holdings of some of the United Kingdom companies are investigated for their managerial ownership, board structure and ultimate controllers and their influence. The investigation found that the companies' growth opportunities, cash flows, liquid assets, leverage and bank debt are the determinants of their cash holdings.

Sensors that can detect external stimuli and perceive the surrounding areas could offer an ability for soft biomimetic robots to use the sensory feedback for closed-loop control of locomotion. Although various types of biomimetic robots have been developed, few systems have included integrated stretchable sensors and interconnectors with miniaturized electronics. Here, we introduce a soft, stretchable nanocomposite system with built-in wireless electronics with an aim for feedback–loop motion control of a robotic earthworm. The nanostructured strain sensor, based on a carbon nanomaterial and a low-modulus silicone elastomer, allows for seamless integration with the body of the soft robot that can accommodate large strains caused by bending, stretching, and physical interactions with obstacles. A scalable, cost-effective, and screen-printing method manufactures an array of the strain sensors that are conductive and stretchable over 100% with a gauge factor over 38. An array of nanomembrane interconnectors enables a reliable connection between soft sensors and wireless electronics while tolerating the robot’s multimodal movements. A set of computational and experimental studies of soft materials, stretchable mechanics, and hybrid packaging provides the key design factors for a reliable, nanocomposite sensor system. The miniaturized wireless circuit, embedded in the robot joint, offers real-time monitoring of strain changes during the motions of a robotic segment. Collectively, the soft sensor system presented in this work shows great potential to be integrated with other flexible, stretchable electronics for applications in soft robotics, wearable devices, and human-machine interfaces.

The aim of this study was to investigate immunohistochemically the influence of cigarette smoking on the socket healing after tooth extraction in rats. Eighty-four male rats were divided into 3 groups; 2 groups were considered as experimental and the other as control. The animals in test 1 were exposed to smoking regimen before the surgery and after the surgery, but the animals in test 2 were exposed to the smoking regimen only before surgery. All animals’ maxillary right central incisors were extracted and killed at the 3rd, 7th, 15th, and 28th day. The samples taken on third day after tooth extraction were stained immunohistochemically with fibronectin antibody and the other with type I collagen antibody. On the third day after tooth extraction, samples in the control group were intense stained (3) (); in the test 1 they were slight positive (1) () and in the test 2 they were moderate positive (2) ( ). As a result of scoring type I collagen antibody, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at seventh day, but there were statistically significant differences between the groups at the 15th and 28th day (P= 0.000 and P= 0.001, respectively). Comparison of the paired intense scores of type I collagen antibody staining according to days within each groups were not statistically significant. As a result, we have found out that the healing process of the tooth extraction socket is negatively affected by cigarette smoke.

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery is a surgical treatment option for treating the patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Surgical treatment of OSA by MMA surgery is a problem when it is encountered with an edentulous patient because of the intermaxillary fixation problem of the jaws. A paucity of information is available concerning MMA surgery for edentulous patients.

Lateral luxation is the displacement of the tooth in a direction other than axial, which is accompanied by comminution or fracture of the alveolar socket. Lateral luxation is one of the most prevalent dental injuries among the general population, resulting in up to 27% of all dental wounds. All physical activities have an associated risk of orofacial injuries due to falls, collisions, and contact with hard surfaces. Just like any other training activities, military training exercises present a significant risk of dental traumas, which comprise 2% to 8% of all military dental emergencies. The aim of this report was to present a case of a dental lateral luxation caused by the hit of a rifle stock during close combat training. The tooth was extruded from its bony lock, temporarily filled with a calcium hydroxide-based paste, replaced into its original anatomic position, and secured with Ivy loop wirings. The permanent endodontic treatment was performed 4 weeks after repositioning. At the end of the 8-months follow-up, the tooth was asymptomatic and any pathological alterations were absent.

Objective:This study was set up to investigate the relationship between immune process and high levels of human chorionic gonadotropin-β (βhCG) in hyperemesis patients with or without hyperthyroxinemia. Methods:βhCG, immune parameters and thyroid related hormones were assayed in hyperemesis patients and in controls. Results:Mean serum βhCG, fT4 and TSH levels were significantly higher in hyperemesis patients than in controls (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). Further, immune parameters regarding IgG, IgM, C3, C4 and lymphocyte count were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). In hyperemesis patients with hyperthyroxinemia, mean serum βhCG, IgG and IgM were significantly higher than in hyperemesis women without hyperthyroxinemia (p < 0.001, p< 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). βhCG was positively correlated with fT4 (r = 0.45, p < 0.05), with lymphocyte count (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), with IgM (r = 0.38, p < 0.05) and with C3 (r = 0.40, p < 0.05) in hyperemesis patients. A negative correlation between βhCG and TSH (r = –0.43, p < 0.05) was noted in the hyperemesis group. Free T4 showed a positive association to IgM (r = 0.49, p < 0.01), to IgG (r = 0.40, p < 0.05), to lymphocyte count (r = 0.45, p < 0.05). Conclusion:Immunologic activity in pregnancy may have an effect or role on the stimulatory mechanism of βhCG in hyperemesis patients with or without hyperthyroxinemia.