Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Executive Compensation and Firm Leverage

This work explores the role of executive compensation in determining the capital structure decisions of a firm. CEOs experience a large personal cost of default that interacts through the risk adjusted probability of default with their compensation contract. Since default happens in a particularly costly state of the world for a CEO whose compensation contract consists primarily of pay for performance elements, i.e. a CEO who has a large personal equity stake in the firm, a large pay performance sensitivity is negatively and significantly associated with firm leverage choice. I document this effect in detail for the first time, and I show that it is both statistically robust and significant in magnitude, approximately 1% of firm value. I show that this effect is driven by the stock holdings of the CEO, not the option holdings. I provide a simple principal agent model that explains the observed negative relationship and makes additional predictions on the relationship of other firm characteristics to pay performance sensitivity and leverage. I then test and confirm these predictions empirically using a standard OLS framework and an instrumental variable approach to control for endogeneity in the compensation contract. I also look at leverage adjustment speeds and show that CEOs with higher pay performance sensitivity adjust leverage upwards towards target values more slowly and downwards more quickly than their peers, and I interpret this as direct evidence that CEOs are actively managing personal risk through firm leverage choice. ∗I’m very grateful to the faculties of Duke University, ITAM, the University of Hawaii, and The Ohio State University for comments, with a special mention for David Robinson, John Graham, Lukas Schmid, and Pino Lopomo. All errors are my own.
Altered Cellular Distribution and Sub-Cellular Sorting of Doppel (Dpl) Protein in Human Astrocytoma Cell Lines

Doppel, a prion-like protein, is a GPI-membrane anchored protein generally not expressed in the Central Nervous System (CNS) of different mammalian species, including human. Nevertheless, in astrocytomas, a particular kind of glial tumors, the doppel encoding gene (PRND) is over-expressed and the corresponding protein product (Dpl) is ectopically localized in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. In this study we have analysed the sub-cellular localization of Dpl using double-immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy examinations in two astrocytoma-derived human cell lines (IPDDC-A2 and D384-MG). Our results confirmed that Dpl is localized in the cytoplasm of the astrocytoma cells and indicated that it is mostly associated with Lamp-1 and Limp-2 positive lysosomal vesicles and, marginally, to the Golgi apparatus and other cellular organelles. Noticeably, none of the examined tumor cells showed a membrane-Dpl localization. The membrane-associated Dpl expression was restored after the transfection of the astrocytoma cells with mutated Dpl-expression vectors in its glycosylation sites. Additionally, Dpl showed altered expression and traffic using the acidotropic agent ammonium chloride, leading to the accumulation of Dpl in nascent exocytic vesicles. Altogether, these results indicated that in the astrocytic tumor cells Dpl has an altered biosynthetic trafficking, likely derived from abnormal post-translational processes: these modifications do not permit the localization of Dpl in correspondence of the plasma membrane and lead to its intracellular accumulation in the lysosomes. In these proteolytic compartments, the astrocytic tumor cells might provide to the degradation of the excess of a potentially cytotoxic Dpl product.
killing rage: Ending Racism

A collection of essays addressing race and racism in American society from a black and feminist standpoint. Most of the pieces here are new, but some of her most important essays from the author's past 20 years of social engagement have been included as well. The subjects covered in the book include: the psychological trauma of racism, anti-Semitism, friendship between black and white women, and the internalized racism of the media.
Capacity, BER and Coding Gain Analysis for Rate One QSTBC: A general approach

Outline Intro System Eigenvalues Performance Illustration ConclusionReferences 16 / 16S.M. Alamouti.A simple transmitter diversity scheme for wireless communications.IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, SAC-16:1451–1458, October 1998.H. Jafarkhani.A quasi-orthogonal space-time block code.IEEE Trans. on Comm., 49(1):1–4, January 2001.C.B. Papadias and G.J. Foschini.Capacity-approaching space-time codes for systems employing four transmit antennas.IEEE Trans. on Info. Theory, 49(3):726 –733, March 2003.N. Sharma and C.B. Papadias.Full-rate full-diversity linear quasi-orthogonal space-time codes for any number of transmit antennas.EURASIP Journal on Applied Sign. Processing, 9:1246 –1256, March 2004.O. Tirkkonen, A. Boariu, and A. Hottinen.Minimal non-orthogonality rate 1 space-time block code for 3+ Tx antennas.IEEE ISSSTA 2000, pages 429–432, September 2000.O. Tirkkonen and A. Hottinen.Square-matrix embeddable space-time block codes for complex signal constellations.IEEE Trans. on Information Theory, 48(2):1122–1126, February 2002.V. Tarokh, H. Jafarkhani, and A.R. Calderbank.Space-time block codes from orthogonal designs.IEEE Trans. on Information Theory, 45(5):1456–1467, July 1999.
Effect of evaporation and pasteurization in the biochemical and immunological composition of human milk.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of evaporation and pasteurization of human milk on its biochemical and immunological composition and on its osmolarity. METHODS The samples of mature human milk were categorized into four study groups: in natura human milk, pasteurized human milk, human milk evaporated at 70% of the baseline volume and human milk pasteurized and evaporated at 70%, with 12 different samples of milk in each group. The samples were used to determine the concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, protein, fat, lactose, immunoglobulin A and osmolarity. RESULTS The pasteurization of human milk did not show statistically significant changes in the concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, protein, fat, lactose, or in osmolarity; however, it showed remarkable reduction in the mean concentration of immunoglobulin A. Evaporation had a mean increase of 38% in the concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, protein, fat and lactose and mean reduction of 45% in the concentration of immunoglobulin A, without significant change in osmolarity in unprocessed milk. CONCLUSION By evaporation at 70% of the baseline value of human milk, it is possible to obtain human milk that meets the nutritional requirements recommended for preterm infants, except for calcium and phosphorus.
Effects of 12 Months of Intense Exercise Training on Ischemic ST‐segment Depression in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

This study was undertaken to determine whether adaptation to 12 months of intense endurance exercise training could alter the relationship between the product of heart rate and systolic blood pressure (double product) and the extent of ischemic ST-segment depression during exercise in patients with coronary artery disease. True (i.e., not symptom-limited) maximum oxygen uptake capacity increased from 25.5 ± 4.2 ml/kg/min (mean ± SD) to 35.3 ± 4.4 ml/kg/min with training. The maximum degree of ST-segment depression during exercise averaged 0.20 + 0.04 mV before and 0.16 0.08 mV after training despite a 20% increase in maximum double product. The double product at which ST depression (0.1 mV) first appeared was 22% greater after training. The extent of ST-segment displacement at the same double product was less after training. These findings suggest that training, if sufficiently intense and prolonged, can result in a reduction in myocardial ischemia at the same or a higher double product.
Chronic granulomatous disease – conventional treatment vs. hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: an update

Purpose of reviewWe update and summarize the recent findings in conventional treatment and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in chronic granulomatous disease (CGD). We also summarize the contemporary view on when hematopoietic stem cell transplantation should be the preferred treatment of choice in CGD. Recent findingsAzole antifungal treatment in CGD has improved survival. With prolonged survival, inflammatory complications are an emerging problem in CGD. Several studies now present excellent results with stem cell transplantation in severe CGD, also with reduced intensity conditioning. SummarySeveral lines of evidence now suggest that stem cell transplantation should be the preferred treatment of choice in severe CGD, if there is an available donor. This should be performed as soon as possible to avoid severe sequelae from infection and inflammation.
The Effect of Student Satisfaction on Freshman Retention in Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Programs

The Effect of Student Satisfaction on Freshman Retention in Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Programs Student retention is an issue facing higher education administrators that cannot be ignored. Program directors of athletic training education programs (ATEP) must become aware of the factors which influence retention and develop strategies to reduce attrition. Because the majority of attrition occurs during the freshman year, the focus of retention programs should be on the first year of the students’ college experience. To better understand why they persist in undergraduate ATEPs, freshman students (n = 603) were surveyed to determine their level of satisfaction with various aspects of the program as well as whether or not they chose to apply to the program during the spring semester. Of the surveys that were mailed, 347 were returned for a 58% return rate. Significant differences were found at the p < . 01 level with regard to their satisfaction with their intellectual integration, social integration, commitment, and clinical education experience. Significant differences between groups were also noted at the p < . 01 and p < . 05 levels for the students’ college cumulative grade point average (GPA) and their athletic training and science course grades. This study provides sufficient support for the development of retention programs to enhance student satisfaction with the freshman experience in ATEPs and in turn, increase the retention rates as well. Enriched by an evidence-based and coordinated retention program, the freshman experience can be a stimulating and fulfilling transition into college life as an athletic training student.
Flow-Related Platelet Deposition on Subendothelium

The deposition of platelets on subendothelium is controlled both by flow factors that determine their transport to the surface through convective diffusion, and by the kinetics of their interactions with the surface. Red cells influence platelet transport by several mechanisms, and may also influence platelet reactivity. Platelets initially contact the surface through the binding of membrane GPIb to von Willebrand factor (vWf) that is present in the subendothelium or deposited there from plasma. Platelet spreading on the surface is promoted by the binding of the arg1744 gly1745 asp1746 (RGD) region of vWf (at high shear rates) to platelet GPIIb-IIIa. At high (arterial) shear rates, vWf binding to GPIIb-IIIa also promotes thrombus formation. At these shear rates, thrombin that is generated at the subendothelial surface is not involved in platelet adhesion or thrombus formation that occurs early in thrombogenesis, but is a major mediator of subsequent thrombus growth and/or stabilization.
Stability and change of antisocial behavior in children and adolescents : the role of neurobiological factors

Aggressive behavior has long been a major concern in our society. There is a growing consensus that disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) originates from the interaction of biologically based child characteristics with non-optimal characteristics of the child's environment. In this thesis, we investigated neurobiological correlates of aggression and the role they play in the stability of antisocial behavior and/or in changes that occur in that behavior. We did this by focusing on the relationship of aggression to cortisol and testosterone in a low socioeconomic status (SES) population-based sample, and on the relationship of aggression to cortisol and measures of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), i.e. heart rate (HR) and skin conductance level (SCL), in a sample of referred DBD children. In addition, the role of some psychological and family characteristics in stability and change was examined, although these correlates occupy a very modest place in this thesis. Within the low SES male adolescents sample, it appeared that, although we provide some evidence that cortisol and testosterone are correlates of aggressive and antisocial behavior, the relationship was not consistent with and in contrast to what is known from literature. We suggest that this may be due to the type of participants that were studied. Furthermore, in correspondence with the finding from previous studies, we found that antisocial behavior was relatively stable in a sample of severely disturbed DBD children. There was, however, a large variance among the outcome for adolescents. When outcome was defined in terms of DBD diagnosis, living status, delinquency, school attendance, and smoking behavior, 38% had a positive outcome and 34% had a poor outcome. Moreover, in a sample of referred DBD children, SCL in particular was found to have a predictive influence on both the effect of treatment and the stability of antisocial behaviors in adolescence. Low SCL is suggested to be a marker of fearlessness. A lack of fear would predispose children to antisocial and violent behavior because low fear of socializing punishment in childhood would contribute to poor fear conditioning and lack of conscience development. In addition, social conditioning plays a central role in behavior therapy. Difficulty in social conditioning due to fearlessness thus would result in low treatment effect and in the persistence of antisocial behavior.
Accessing Capital Resources: Investigating the Effects of Teacher Human and Social Capital on Student Achievement

Background A growing empirical base suggests that there is a positive relationship between teacher social interaction and student achievement. However, much of this research is based on standardized summative assessments, which, while important, may have limited applicability to timely instructional decision making. As such, in this work, we examine the relationship between teacher social interaction and interim benchmark formative assessments, which have been argued to play a more useful role in instructional decision making. Purpose In this study we used a human and social capital framework to explore the relationship between teacher social interaction and student achievement on an interim benchmark formative assessment. We hypothesized that teacher social capital would be positively related with student achievement as measured by an interim assessment, even after controlling for student and teacher demographics as well as proxies for teacher human capital. Population A sample of 63 teachers from five elementary schools in a midsize U.S. district completed a demographic and social network survey, from which we generated our human and social capital measures. For student-level data, we collected current and prior student achievement from 1,196 third to fifth grade students on an English Language Arts Interim Benchmark Assessment. Research Design We used survey data to conduct social network analysis and hierarchical linear modeling to explore the multilevel relationship between human and social capital and student achievement. Results Results indicated that even when controlling for student demographics and prior achievement, teachers’ human and social capital had a significant effect on student achievement as measured by interim assessments. More specifically our results indicated that more teaching experience in the current school was associated with better student performance on the interim assessment. In addition, the act of reaching out to other teachers to share knowledge regarding reading comprehension was associated with higher student scores on the interim assessment even when controlling for demographics and past academic performance. Conclusions This study offers a unique insight into the role of accessing capital resources and student achievement in strengthening schools under increased pressure to improve. Our work adds to the growing empirical base that suggests that teacher social interaction has a relationship with student achievement. To encourage social interaction, creating formal policies and structures for teachers to develop social ties with one another related to content may be a useful strategy in supporting student outcomes.
Law, Pragmatism, and Democracy

Preface Introduction: Pragmatic Liberalism and the Plan of the Book 1. Pragmatism: Philosophical versus Everyday The Pragmatic Mood and the Rise of Philosophical Pragmatism Orthodox versus Recusant Pragmatism The Influence of Philosophical Pragmatism on Law Everyday Pragmatism 2. Legal Pragmatism Some Principles of Pragmatic Adjudication John Marshall as Pragmatist The Objections to Legal Pragmatism Recapitulated 3. John Dewey on Democracy and Law Deweyan Democracy: From Epistemic to Deliberative Dewey's Concept of Political Democracy Evaluated Dewey's Theory of Law The Theory Extended 4. Two Concepts of Democracy Concept 1 Democracy: Idealistic, Deliberative, Deweyan Concept 2 Democracy: Elite, Pragmatic, Schumpeterian American Democracy Today Democracy and Condescension 5. Democracy Defended The Two Concepts Evaluated But Is the Well Poisoned? Pragmatism and Convergence An Economic Interpretation of Concept 2 Democracy A Behavioralist Interpretation But Is Concept 2 Democracy Legitimate? 6. The Concepts Applied The Impeachment of President Clinton The 2000 Election Deadlock Judges on Democracy Schumpeter, Antitrust, and the Law of Democracy Of Human Nature 7. Kelsen versus Hayek: Pragmatism, Economics, and Democracy Kelsen's Theory of Law Kelsen, Pragmatism, and Economics Kelsen Positivism Contrasted with the Positivist Theories of Hart and Easterbrook Hayek Theory of Adjudication Hayek on Kelsen Kelsen and Schumpeter 8. Legality and Necessity Crisis Prevention as Pragmatic Adjudication Lawyers' Hubris Clinton v. Jones 9. Pragmatic Adjudication: The Case of Bush v. Gore The Case A Potential Crisis Averted A Pragmatic Donnybrook The Perils of Formalism The Democratic Legitimacy of Pragmatic Adjudication Revisited Coping with Indeterminacy 10. Purposes versus Consequences in First Amendment Analysis The Pragmatic Approach to Free Speech The "Purposivist" Critique of the Pragmatic Approach Conclusion Index
Innate Immune Response in Implant-Associated Infections: Neutrophils against Biofilms

Biofilm has been recognized as a well-protected form of living for bacteria, contributing to bacterial pathogenicity, particularly for opportunistic species. Biofilm-associated infections are marked by their persistence. Extensive research has been devoted to the formation and composition of biofilms. The immune response against biofilms remains rather unexplored, but there is the notion that bacteria within a biofilm are protected from host defences. Here we glance at the mechanisms by which neutrophils recognize and face biofilms in implant infections and discuss the implications of this interplay, as well as speculate on its significance.
A link between irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia may be related to findings on lactulose breath testing

Background: An association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been found. Objective: To compare the prevalence and test results for bacterial overgrowth between IBS and fibromyalgia. Methods: Subjects with independent fibromyalgia and IBS were compared with controls in a double blind study. Participants completed a questionnaire, and a lactulose hydrogen breath test was used to determine the presence of SIBO. The prevalence of an abnormal breath test was compared between study participants. Hydrogen production on the breath test was compared between subjects with IBS and fibromyalgia. The somatic pain visual analogue score of subjects with fibromyalgia was compared with their degree of hydrogen production. Results: 3/15 (20%) controls had an abnormal breath test compared with 93/111 (84%) subjects with IBS (p<0.01) and 42/42 (100%) with fibromyalgia (p<0.0001 v controls, p<0.05 v IBS). Subjects with fibromyalgia had higher hydrogen profiles (p<0.01), peak hydrogen (p<0.0001), and area under the curve (p<0.01) than subjects with IBS. This was not dependent on the higher prevalence of an abnormal breath test. The degree of somatic pain in fibromyalgia correlated significantly with the hydrogen level seen on the breath test (r = 0.42, p<0.01). Conclusions: An abnormal lactulose breath test is more common in fibromyalgia than IBS. In contrast with IBS, the degree of abnormality on breath test is greater in subjects with fibromyalgia and correlates with somatic pain.
Toward a Social Constructivist Reconceptualization of Intrinsic Motivation for Literacy Learning

This conceptual essay critiques current understandings of children's motivation for literacy learning, and argues for a reconceptualization of motivation that centers on the learner as agent in the social construction of meaning. The essay is illustrated with vignettes and examples drawn from two ethnographic studies conducted in whole-language classrooms. Both studies investigated children's perspectives of their own literacy learning processes and their constructs of themselves as readers and writers.
Risk Factors for High-Titer Inhibitor Development in Children with Hemophilia A: Results of a Cohort Study

Among the discussed risk factors for high-titre inhibitor (HRI) development in patients with hemophilia A (HA) are high dose FVIII replacement therapy and use of recombinant FVIII concentrates (rFVIII). The aim of this study was to evaluate the aforementioned risk factors for HRI development in children with hemophilia A ≤2%. About 288 ascertained PUPs (Israel and Germany) were followed after initial HA diagnosis over 200 exposure days. Inhibitor-free survival, hazard ratios (HR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Adjustment was performed for factor VIII concentrates, median single dose over the first three months of treatment, first FVIII administration before the age of three months, presence of risk HA gene mutations, “intensive treatment moments” and “year of birth” (proxy for different treatment periods). HRI occurred in 71/288 children (24.7%). In multivariate analysis adjusted for “year of birth”, underlying risk gene mutations (HR/CI: 2.37/1.40–3.99), FVIII dose, measured per one IU increase per kgbw (HR/CI: 1.05/1.04–1.07), and first FVIII administration before the age of three months showed a significant impact on HR development. The risk of HRI development was similar for recombinant or plasmatic FVIII products. Children at risk should be treated with carefully calculated lower dose regimens, adapted to individual bleeding situations.