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Purpose: Culturally bound communication styles affect the length of verbal and written messages. Legal contracts are no exception. This paper aims to explore the relationship between cultural communication style and the level of written detail in international joint venture (IJV) contracts. Using a database of actual IJV contracts, we empirically test the relationship between the parties' cultural communication styles, cultural distance, and the textual length of contracts. We apply Edward T. Hall's high- and low-context communication construct and find that contracts are longer when made between parties of low- and high-context cultures and shorter when both parties come from high-context cultures relative to when both parties are low context. Additionally, we find that the higher the cultural distance in terms of individualism versus collectivism between partners, the shorter the text of the contracts. The results highlight the influence of culture on contract text length and, as such, on contract negotiation and design costs. This article contributes to the culture and strategic alliance literature by going beyond the assumption that low-context culture contracts are longer and high-context culture contracts shorter by testing it empirically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through its electronic filing system EDGAR, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provides information that listed companies are required to report. However, while the information is thus made public, it is not readily available. This article explains the purpose of the SEC and its EDGAR filing system, how it works and how anyone can access this information. It further explains how companies file their material contracts as attachments to their filings and how to find them. The paper also explains the development of a program for mining EDGAR, resulting in the extraction of over six hundred JV contracts. Finally, the paper explores basic text mining techniques to dissect the contracts and point out the most widely used clauses, such as joint venture type and scope, the laws governing the contract and the description and responsibilities of the parties and opens a broad research agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural intelligence (CQ) has been regarded as a key factor in international business success. A recently validated scale, the Business Cultural Intelligence Quotient (BCIQ), refines the CQ concept by applying it exclusively to the business context. The BCIQ aims at predicting long-term cross-cultural success using a combination of CQ factors, cognitive features, and measurable independent variables (Alon et al., 2016b). Using the multigroup exploratory factor analysis approach, we found low measurement invariance for the (BCIQ) instrument across eight countries (Austria, Chile, Colombia, Greece, Philippines, Poland, Spain, and Venezuela). Global knowledge was included as a covariate in the invariance test. We found that type of performance is related to some BCIQ dimensions in our multicountry sample of professionals. Our results provide additional evidence about the construct validity of the BCIQ and its appropriateness for cross-cultural applications. By knowing that the BCIQ is a reliable cross-cultural instrument for the measurement of CQ applied to the business context, managers can benefit by identifying the right individuals for international business assignments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing importance of global virtual teams in business is reflected in the classroom by the increased adoption of activities that facilitate real-time cross-cultural interaction. This article documents the experience of students from two Colombian universities who participated in a collaborative international project using virtual teams as part of the international business (IB) curriculum. The data reveals that in spite of challenges associated with time zone differences, technology limitations, and trust issues, the vast majority of students perceived that the use of virtual teams as a teaching tool facilitates cultural understanding and IB-relevant learning. The findings of this research suggest that online experiential exercises can be an effective approach in teaching and in the development of virtual collaboration skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine entrepreneurial ventures in a post-conflict context to identify practices that are helpful for companies operating in conflict zones while contributing to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16)—Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Using emancipatory entrepreneuring as our theoretical lens, we analyze entrepreneurial ventures where ex-combatants seek to create economic opportunities and challenge the status quo of violence, poverty, and inequality in their rural communities. We develop four qualitative case studies of ex-combatant entrepreneurship to identify the activities that enable them to grow their businesses while promoting peace. We identify actor distance and entrepreneurial stage as key dimensions for defining a matrix of relationship arrangements that facilitate venture success and peacebuilding efforts. We conclude with a summary of our contributions and implications for research and practice. JEL Classifications : D63, D74, H56, L14, L26 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Muscle and joint aches (MJA) are frequently observed among menopausal women. They impair quality of life and are a burden to the healthcare system. Objective: To analyze the relation between MJA and several variables related to the menopause. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 8373 healthy women aged 40–59 years, accompanying patients to healthcare centers in 18 cities of 12 Latin American countries, were asked to fill out the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and a questionnaire containing personal data. Results: Mean age of the whole sample was 49.1±5.7 years, 48.6% were postmenopausal and 14.7% used hormone therapy (HT). A 63.0% of them presented MJA, with a 15.6% being scored as severe to very severe according to the MRS (scores 3 or 4). Logistic regression model determined that vasomotor symptoms (OR: 6.16; 95% CI, 5.25–7.24), premature menopause (OR: 1.58; 95% CI, 1.02–2.45), postmenopausal status (OR: 1.43; 95% CI, 1.20–1.69), psychiatric consultation (OR: 1.93; 95% CI, 1.60–2.32) and the use of psychotropic drugs (OR: 1.35; 95% CI, 1.08–1.69) were significantly related to the presence of severe-very severe MJA. Other significant variables included: age, tobacco consumption and lower education. Self perception of healthiness (OR: 0.49; 95% CI, 0.41–0.59), private healthcare access (OR: 0.77; 95% CI, 0.67–0.88) and HT use (OR: 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62–0.91) were significantly related to a lower risk for the presence of severe-very severe MJA. Conclusion: In this large mid-aged sample the prevalence of MJA was high, which was significantly associated to menopausal variables, especially vasomotor symptoms. This association may suggest a potential role of mid-life female hormonal changes in the pathogenesis of MJA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Several studies indicate that quality of life (QoL) is impaired in middle aged women. Assessment of QoL using a single validated tool in Latin American climacteric women has not been reported to date at large scale. Objective: The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess QoL among middle aged Latin American women and determine factors associated with severe menopausal symptoms (QoL impairment). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 8373 healthy women aged 40–59 years, accompanying patients to healthcare centres in 18 cities of 12 Latin American countries, were asked to fill out the MRS and a questionnaire containing socio-demographic, female and partner data. Results: Mean age of the entire sample was 49.1±5.7 years (median 49), a 62.5% had 12 or less years of schooling, 48.8% were postmenopausal and 14.7% were on hormonal therapy (HT). Mean total MRS score (n =8373) was 11.3±8.5 (median 10); for the somatic subscale, 4.1±3.4; the psychological subscale, 4.6±3.8 and the urogenital subscale, 2.5±2.7. The prevalence of women presenting moderate to severe total MRS scorings was high (>50%) in all countries, Chile and Uruguay being the ones with the highest percentages (80.8% and 67.4%, respectively). Logistic regression determined that impaired QoL (severe total MRS score ≥17) was associated with the use of alternatives therapies for menopause (OR: 1.47, 95% CI [1.22–1.76], p =0.0001), the use of psychiatric drugs (OR: 1.57, 95% CI [1.29–1.90], p =0.0001), attending a psychiatrist (OR: 1.66, 95% CI [1.41–1.96], p =0.0001), being postmenopausal (OR: 1.48, 95% CI [1.29–1.69, p =0.0001]), having 49 years or more (OR: 1.24, 95% CI [1.08–1.42], p =0.001), living at high altitude (OR: 1.43, 95% CI [1.25–1.62, p =0.0001]) and having a partner with erectile dysfunction (OR: 1.69, 95% CI [1.47–1.94, p =0.0001]) or premature ejaculation (OR: 1.34, 95% CI [1.16–1.55, p =0.0001]). Lower risk for impaired QoL was related to living in a country with a lower income (OR: 0.77, 95% CI [0.68–0.88], p =0.0002), using HT (OR: 0.65, 95% CI [0.56–0.76], p =0.0001) and engaging in healthy habits (OR: 0.59, 95% CI [0.50–0.69], p =0.0001). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge this is the first and largest study assessing QoL in a Latin American climacteric series with a high prevalence of impairment related to individual female and male characteristics and the demography of the studied population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Preeclampsia is a common disorder of pregnancy exhibiting abnormal plasma and placental coenzyme Q_{10} (CoQ_{10}) levels when compared to normal pregnancies. Objective: To evaluate CoQ_{10} levels both in plasma and placenta among normal pregnant (n = 60) and preeclamptic (n = 63) primigravid women and determine the effect of high or low altitude residency. Study design: CoQ_{10} was determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) technique and group comparisons were performed. Results: Preeclamptic women living at high altitude displayed significantly lower CoQ_{10} plasma levels (0.64 ± 0.23 vs. 0.82 ± 0.46 μmol/L, p = 0.05). No differences were found in CoQ_{10} plasma levels among women living at sea level. Interestingly, plasma CoQ_{10} levels at low altitude in normal pregnancies were significantly lower than high altitude normal pregnancies. Compared to normal pregnancies, preeclamptic women displayed higher placental CoQ_{10} content, which was only significant among those living at sea level (0.120 ± 0.07 vs. 0.076 ± 0.04 ng/mg protein, p < 0.005). Normal pregnant women living at high altitude displayed higher placental CoQ_{10} content when compared to those residing at sea level (p < 0.0005). Conclusion: Women suffering from preeclampsia (high or low altitude) display high placental CoQ_{10} content, with significant low plasma CoQ_{10} levels among those residing in high altitude. More research is warranted to establish the cause-effect relationship between CoQ_{10} levels and preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the intraplatelet cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate(cGMP) levels during normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Pregnant women(n = 15), women with preeclampsia(n = 15), and nonpregnant, normotensive women(n = 15) were included. Intraplatelet cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Intraplatelet cGMP levels were significantly different among all groups(p < 0.02). The values were higher in normal pregnant women(mean 19.8 SD 2.6 fmol/105 platelets) in comparison to nonpregnant women(mean 7.6 SD 0.3 fmol/105 platelets; p = 0.001) and women with preeclampsia(mean 11.3 SD 1.8 fmol/105 platelets; p = 0.05). Plasma nitric oxide levels did not reveal differences between all groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study in a high-risk Andean population demonstrated that intraplatelet cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate levels are decreased during preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancy, suggesting a lack in action of nitric oxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preeclampsia is a common (∼7% of all pregnancies) disorder of human pregnancy in which the normal hemodynamic response to pregnancy is compromised. Despite many years of intensive research, the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is still not fully understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the concentration of coenzyme Q10 in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. Pregnant women (n = 18), women with preeclampsia (n = 12), and nonpregnant normotensive women (n = 22) were included. Plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma coenzyme Q10 levels were significantly higher in normal pregnant women (mean = 1.08, SEM = 0.08 umol/l; p < .005) in comparison to nonpregnant women (mean = 0.86, SEM = 0.16 umol/l) and women with preeclampsia (mean = 0.7, SEM = 0.03 umol/l; p < .0001). These results demonstrated that during preeclampsia there is a significant decrease in plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 compared to normal pregnant women, and compared to those who are not pregnant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To assess whether supplementation with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) during pregnancy reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia.Methods: Women at increased risk of pre-eclampsia were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Women were assigned to receive 200 mg of CoQ10 or placebo daily from 20 weeks of pregnancy until delivery. The primary outcome was rate of pre-eclampsia. Statistical analyses were by intention-to-treat.Results: Of the 235 women enrolled in the trial, 118 were randomized to receive CoQ10 and 117 received a placebo. A total of 197 (83.8%) women were followed-up. The overall rate of pre-eclampsia was 20% (n=47). Thirty women (25.6%) in the placebo group developed pre-eclampsia compared with 17 women (14.4%) in the CoQ10 group, and this reduction was significant (P=0.035) (relative risk [RR] 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-0.96).Conclusion: Supplementation with CoQ10 reduces the risk of developing pre-eclampsia in women at risk for the condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-eclampsia is a common disorder of human pregnancy (about 7% of all pregnancies) in which the normal hemodynamic response to pregnancy is compromised. In 2009, we demonstrated that supplementation with CoQ10 reduces significantly the risk of developing pre-eclampsia in women at risk for the condition. From these women, placental and mitochondrial Q10 levels, in women receiving either placebo or 200 mg CoQ10 daily were measured. Results showed that before supplementation, at week 20 of pregnancy, plasma CoQ10 levels showed no difference between the control (0.134±0.05 umol/l) and supplemented (0.139±0.06 umol/l) groups. Interestingly, at delivery, placental tissue showed no differences in the placebo group between women with normal pregnancy and those with preeclampsia; while in the Q10 group, women with preeclampsia showed significantly higher placental levels (0.31±0.20 ug/mg of protein) compared to normal pregnant women (0.18±0.08 ug/mg of protein; p=0.005). However, mitochondrial levels of Q10 in placenta from pregnant women with preeclampsia receiving placebo did not show differences compared to those receiving CoQ supplementation (0.82±0.41 vs. 0.77±0.42 ug/mg of protein). These results suggest that in women with preeclampsia, although CoQ10 reduced preeclampsia and increased its content in placental tissue, it is not able to increase the mitocondrial levels of CoQ10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) endocervical infection among gestations at risk for preterm birth by means of DNA amplification. One hundred fifty eight ( n = 158) gestations of Guayaquil (63.3%) and Quito (36.7%) Ecuador, at risk for preterm birth: threatened preterm labor (TPL, 60.8%) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM, 39.2%) were recruited. CT infection was presented in 8.2% of cases (TPL: 10.4% and PPROM: 4.8%). No significant difference was observed in this frequency in regard to city or diagnosis. Although the causative role of CT infection for these antenatal complications cannot be completely ruled out, its presence may justify an antenatal routine screening program in order to provide appropriate therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]