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AbstractThe choice of capital structure (capst) has significant implications for a firm’s financial performance and value. It is always a challenge for the firms to make the right decision on the capst proportion. The study identifies the firm variables that sway the capst decisions of the US automotive industry. In this study, we utilize unbalanced panel data from 86 firms for the period 2011–2022 making up a total of 670 firm/year observations. The dependent variable is the firm’s capital structure proxied by total debt ratio, long-term debt ratio, and short-term debt ratio, while the independent variables are sales growth, firm size, profitability of firm, and tangibility ratio. Through a quantitative approach and panel regression, the study concluded that profitability of firm has a negative and significant impact on both total debt ratio and short-term debt, while sales growth, firm size, and tangibility ratio have no significant impact on any of the debt variables representing capital structure. These findings provide insights into the financial practices of the US automotive industry sample and can support future decision-making in the industry. These insights can inform decision-making related to capst choices, financial risk management, and strategic planning for automotive industry firms.

Sleep is an important physiological process which is very much essential to lead a healthy life. Sleep was once considered an inactive, or passive, state in which both the body and the brain "turned off" to rest and recuperate from the day's waking activities. The quality of sleep determines the well being of an individual. Adequate amount of sleep is very much essential to have better academic performance and also to maintain good health. Two interacting systems-the internal biological clock and the sleep-wake homeostatic largely determine the timing of our transitions from wakefulness to sleep and vice versa. Adolescents face many problems which includes sleep problem also. The sleeplessness of adolescents mostly due to academic stress. Abnormal sleeping habits not only affect the physiological well being but also the psychological well being. Sleep is an important factor to have successful academic performance as well as personal life. Hence the study is intended to find out the sleep habits, Duration of sleep and sleep pattern among higher secondary students with physics as one of the main subjects. Survey method was adopted for this study. The sample consists of 850 +2 Physics students in Sivakasi District. Simple Random Sampling Technique was used. Sleep pattern Inventory developed by the investigator and guide was used to collect the data. The statistical technique used was mean, standard deviation and 't' test. The findings of the study were: i) The level of sleep pattern of +2 physics students is low. ii) There is significant difference between male and female +2 Physics students in their sleep pattern and iii) there is no significant difference between dayscholar and hosteller +2 Physics students in their sleep pattern. Survey method was adopted for this study.

Problems of finding confidence intervals (CIs) and prediction intervals (PIs) for two-parameter negative binomial distributions are considered. Simple CIs for the mean of a two-parameter negative binomial distribution based on some large sample methods are proposed and compared with the likelihood CIs. Proposed CIs are not only simple to compute, but also better than the likelihood CIs for moderate sample sizes. Prediction intervals for the mean of a future sample from a two-parameter negative binomial distribution are also proposed and evaluated for their accuracy. The methods are illustrated using two examples with real life data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract.The problems of finding confidence intervals (CIs) for the difference, ratio, and ratio of odds of proportions based on samples obtained using inverse sampling. Interval estimates based on large sample methods and fiducial approach are proposed. Simple, closed-form, approximate fiducial CIs are also proposed. The new CIs are evaluated for accuracy and compared with those available in the literature. Comparison study indicates that our confidence intervals are not only simple but also better than the available ones in terms of coverage probability and precision. The methods are illustrated using two examples with clinical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of testing a common parameter of several independent continuous populations is considered. Among all tests, Fisher's combined test is the most popular one and is routinely used in applications. In this article, we propose an alternative method of combining the p-values of independent tests using chi-square scores, referred to as the inverse chi-square test. The proposed test is as simple as other existing tests. We compare the powers of the combined tests for (i) testing a common mean of several normal populations, (ii) testing the common coefficient of variation of several normal populations, (iii) testing the common correlation coefficient of several bivariate normal populations, (iv) testing the common mean of several lognormal populations and (v) testing the common mean of several gamma distributions. Our comparison studies indicate that the inverse chi-square test is a better alternative combined test with good power properties. An illustrative example with real-world data is given for each problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) in neonates is challenging with respect to indications, device selection, implantation technique, and long-term outcomes. Complex anatomy, the need for long-term pacing with high rates, and a problematic postoperative period are the major problems. Methods: We prospectively followed up 22 newborns who underwent PPI below 28 days of life at our institute. Results: The median age at implantation was 2 days (interquartile range 1-9 days), and 9% were born preterm. The average heart rate before implantation was 46.4 ± 7.2 bpm. Maternal lupus antibodies were positive in 8 (36.4%) neonates, whereas 11 (50.0%) had associated congenital heart disease. Nineteen neonates underwent single chamber (VVI) and three underwent dual chamber (DDD) pacemaker implantation. Over a median follow-up of 46 months (range 2-123 months), the average ventricular pacing percentage was 87.5 ± 24.9%, with a stable pacing threshold. Seven children underwent pulse generator replacement due to battery depletion at a median age of 47 months. Pacing-induced ventricular dysfunction was seen in five children at a median age of 23.6 months, and two underwent upgradation to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Overall mortality was 13.6%, all due to tissue hypoperfusion and lactic acidosis in the postimplantation period. Conclusions: PPI in neonates has a favorable outcome with excellent lead survival. Overall mortality is 13.6%, which is predominantly in the postimplantation period and related to myocardial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joubert syndrome (JS) is a recessively inherited developmental brain disorder with several identified causative chromosomal loci. It is characterized by hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis and a particular midbrain-hindbrain "molar tooth" sign, a finding shared by a group of Joubert syndrome-related disorders (JSRDs), with wide phenotypic variability. The frequency of mutations in the first positionally cloned gene, AHI1, is unknown. Methods: We searched for mutations in the AHI1 gene among a cohort of 137 families with JSRD and radiographically proven molar tooth sign. Results: We identified 15 deleterious mutations in 10 families with pure JS or JS plus retinal and/or additional central nervous system abnormalities. Mutations among families with JSRD including kidney or liver involvement were not detected. Transheterozygous mutations were identified in the majority of those without history of consanguinity. Most mutations were truncating or splicing errors, with only one missense mutation in the highly conserved WD40 repeat domain that led to disease of similar severity. Interpretation AHI1 mutations are a frequent cause of disease in patients with specific forms of JSRD.