Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The high‐molecular‐mass amylase (HMMA) of Geobacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 12980 interacts with the cell wall components by virtue of three specific binding regions

The complete nucleotide sequence encoding the high‐molecular‐mass amylase (HMMA) of Geobacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 12980 was established by PCR techniques. Based on the hmma gene sequence, the full‐length rHMMA, four N‐ or C‐terminal rHMMA truncations as well as three C‐terminal rHMMA fragments were cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. Purified rHMMA forms were used either for affinity studies with the recombinant (r) S‐layer protein SbsC (rSbsC), peptidoglycan‐containing sacculi (PGS) and pure peptidoglycan (PG) devoid of the secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP), or for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) studies using rSbsC and isolated SCWP. In the C‐terminal part of the HMMA, three specific binding regions, one for each cell wall component (rSbsC, SCWP and PG), could be identified. The functionality of the PG‐binding domain could be confirmed by replacing the main part of the SCWP‐binding domain of an S‐layer protein by the PG‐binding domain of the HMMA. The present work describes a completely new and highly economic strategy for cell adhesion of an exoenzyme.
The impact of corporate debt on long term investment and firm performance

Prior research indicates a linkage between debt, research and development (R&D) and physical investment, and that the relationship varies depending on the type of firm (science versus non–science). Leverage also plays a multidimensional role in corporate performance and growth. The relationship between financial leverage and R&D expenditure is analysed using a sample of large United States (US) manufacturing firms. Then, the impact of leverage on R&D expenditure is studied using corporate performance drivers as intermediate variables. The results indicate that there is a strong negative relationship between the degree of financial leverage and the level of R&D expenditure that firms undertake. The negative relationship is robust to changes in model specifications and sample periods. More importantly, the results show that it is higher leverage that leads to lower R&D expense rather than R&D causing variations in future leverage. In addition, the results indicate that higher leverage adversely influences future investment in R&D which may in turn lead to negative impact on long term operating performance and future growth opportunities.
Downsizing to the wrong size? A study of the impact of downsizing on firm performance during an economic downturn

This study extends research on downsizing strategies and influences of an economic downturn to examine the relationship between downsizing strategies and firm performance, and to clarify how a firm's downsizing strategies interact with an economic downturn to affect firm performance. Offering models predominantly based on network, efficiency wage and organization theories, this study tests hypotheses using the Taiwan Economic Journal Financial Data Bank to collect data on 436 listed Taiwanese companies from 2005 through 2009 to examine the impacts of three popular downsizing strategies – layoffs, pay cuts and organizational slack reductions – on firm performance. The results indicate that downsizing may not always be the appropriate strategy for improving firm performance because downsizing with layoffs and reduction of organizational slacks may leave the firm at an inappropriate size, thus, negatively affecting firm performance, while downsizing on pay cuts may not negatively affect firm performance, but it may not be an effective strategy to use in the face of an economic downturn. These findings provide researchers and business practitioners with evidence about firms' responses to an economic downturn and the effectiveness of downsizing strategies for improved performance from a multidimensional perspective.
Public Sector to Public Services: 20 Years of 'Contextual' Accounting Research

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to review and critique the field of public sector accounting research. Many nation states deliver essential public services. In recent times, many of these nations have been involved in programmes of “modernisation”, which, in part, means that these public services now are significantly managed, delivered and governed by private and third sector organisations. Design/methodology/approach - The paper employs a literature-based analysis and critique of public sector accounting articles published in the selected journals from 1992 to 2006. From this, a descriptive meta-analysis of the characteristics of the research will be discussed. Finally, a conceptual analysis of the selected literature will be used to evaluate the field and address a possible future research agenda. Findings - The descriptive analysis highlights that among the research papers reviewed several interesting patterns emerged concerning public service research. Also, the dominance of Australasia and UK research was noted. The extent of research in different levels of government/jurisdiction indicated that the majority of research was organisationally based. Finally, when the various functional types of accounting are considered, management accounting remained the most researched area of interest. Research limitations/implications - The paper only considered research within eight selected journals and over the period 1992 to 2006. Therefore, for instance, US mainstream public sector accounting research has not been reviewed. Originality/value - The main implications of the paper are that “contextual” public service accounting research has a strong tradition and, through the process of reflection and critique of the body of work, several important insights are provided in order to highlight areas for further research and policy development.
Biodiversity of human faecal bacteria isolated from phytic acid enriched chemostat fermenters.

BACKGROUND Myo-inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) or phytic acid is found mostly in cereals and legumes and is thought to possess anti-carcinogenic properties. AIM To isolate and identify faecal bacteria capable of phytic acid metabolism and to assess the effectiveness of prebiotics (dietary oligosaccharides, metabolised by selective colonic bacteria) in preserving the integrity of phytic acid. METHODS Faecal samples from three volunteers were used in continuous culture experiments under varying conditions of pH, substrate concentration and dilution rates, seventy three different isolates cultured at steady state were then screened for phytic acid metabolism and identified through partial sequencing of their 16S rRNA genes (16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid). Utilisation of phytic acid was also assessed in a continuous culture system enriched with prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS). RESULTS Bacteroides spp. , Clostridium spp. and facultatively anaerobic bacteria generally appeared to maintain viable counts in the presence of phytic acid. Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. appeared less able to maintain viable counts in the presence of phytic acid. These results were confirmed by an increase in viable counts of Bacteroides spp. , Clostridium spp. and a decrease in viable counts of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. once phytic acid was introduced to a FOS enriched continuous culture. CONCLUSIONS The phytate metabolising biodiversity from the human large intestine does not appear to encompass major bacterial genera associated with beneficial or benign health effects (e.g. Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp).
Priorities for sustainable mountain development in Europe

SUMMARY The concept of sustainable mountain development (SMD) was first used in Chapter 13 of Agenda 21. This chapter marked the first time that mountains were recognized as a global priority, and led to a number of meetings on the topic of SMD, each of which produced a long list of priorities. The definition of SMD, and identification of indicators to evaluate success in achieving its objectives, are discussed. In order to move towards prioritization of the concept in Europe, a questionnaire was sent to 249 respondents in 30 European countries asking for their perceptions of the importance of 36 variables linked to SMD, and of the performance of policies relating to each of these variables. The response rate was 47%. The results were analysed using importance-performance analysis, first for all respondents, and then comparing (1) respondents in Western vs. Central/Eastern Europe and (2) government vs. research/NGO respondents. The analyses show that environmental variables are generally perceived as more.
Entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial activity

Since the 1990s, entrepreneurship education has been an area of commitment for a number of European countries, as well as the European Union (EU). One method of measuring whether entrepreneurship education contributes to a culture of creativity and new business creation or not is to study the start-up frequency among previous participants. In this paper, the following two-part question is asked: Are young people who participate in entrepreneurship education more likely to become entrepreneurs and what characterises the entrepreneurs? The empirical data used are based on a survey performed in six countries. The subjects were former participants in the Company Programme (CP) provided by Junior Achievement-Young Enterprise (JA-YE) Europe.
Financial development, investment, and economic growth

In this article, I use a multivariate vector-autoregressive (VAR) approach to examine the effects of permanent financial development on domestic investment and output in 41 countries between 1960 and 1993. The VAR approach permits the identification of the long-term cumulative effects of financial development on the domestic variables by allowing for dynamic interactions among these variables. The results reject the hypothesis that financial development simply follows economic growth and has very little effect on it. Instead, there is strong evidence that financial development is important to growth and that investment is an important channel through which financial development affects growth. Copyright 2000 by Oxford University Press.
The Federal Reserve's Response to the Financial Crisis: What It Did and What It Should Have Done

This paper analyzes the Federal Reserve’s major policy actions in response to the financial crisis. The analysis is divided into the pre-Lehman and post-Lehman monetary policies. Specifically, I describe the pre- and post-Lehman monetary policy actions that I believe were appropriate and those that were not. I then describe the monetary policy actions the Fed should have taken and why those actions would have fostered better financial market and economic outcomes. Had these actions been taken, the Fed’s balance sheet would have returned to normal and the FOMC’s target for the federal funds rate would be a level consistent with a positive real rate and an inflation target of 2 percent.
A survey on adherence to secondary ischemic stroke prevention

Abstract Reduced adherence and compliance to discharge instructions and protocols could significantly influence the ability of any stroke prevention strategy. The goals of this investigation were to evaluate the adherence to secondary prevention strategies within 1 year after ischemic stroke and to identify possible causes of poor compliance with these strategies. Patients who had suffered either acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIA) were recruited retrospectively through telephone follow-up. The survey included whether the patient was prescribed antithrombotic treatment at discharge and reasons for non-compliance with this prescription both immediately after discharge and 1 year after discharge. Of 472 (73.8%) patients with detailed clinical data who were finally evaluated in this survey, 326 (69.1%) were still under antithrombotic treatment and 172 (36.4%) underwent the same antithrombotic agent as prescribed when discharged. We found that medical insurance and free medical care were able to promote compliance with medication in stroke patients for secondary prevention, while administration of non-aspirin antithrombotic agents or a poor ability for daily activities (Barthel index, BI) had significantly negative effects on medication compliance in stroke patients. Under the conditions of this observational study, adherence to stroke prevention strategies was poor. Income levels, categories of antithrombotic agents and the personal living ability are closely related to compliance. The results suggest that doctors should pay more attention to the secondary prevention of stroke. We suggest that providing stroke patients with detailed instructions for medication usage, physicians could increase the potential that their secondary prevention of stroke could be increased.
Determination of the conformational ensemble of the TAR RNA by X-ray scattering interferometry

Abstract The conformational ensembles of structured RNA's are crucial for biological function, but they remain difficult to elucidate experimentally. We demonstrate with HIV-1 TAR RNA that X-ray scattering interferometry (XSI) can be used to determine RNA conformational ensembles. X-ray scattering interferometry (XSI) is based on site-specifically labeling RNA with pairs of heavy atom probes, and precisely measuring the distribution of inter-probe distances that arise from a heterogeneous mixture of RNA solution structures. We show that the XSI-based model of the TAR RNA ensemble closely resembles an independent model derived from NMR-RDC data. Further, we show how the TAR RNA ensemble changes shape at different salt concentrations. Finally, we demonstrate that a single hybrid model of the TAR RNA ensemble simultaneously fits both the XSI and NMR-RDC data set and show that XSI can be combined with NMR-RDC to further improve the quality of the determined ensemble. The results suggest that XSI-RNA will be a powerful approach for characterizing the solution conformational ensembles of RNAs and RNA-protein complexes under diverse solution conditions.
Habit Formation, Surplus Consumption and Return Predictability: International Evidence

On an international post World War II dataset, we use an iterated GMM procedure to estimate and test the Campbell and Cochrane (1999, By force of habit: a consumption-based explanation of aggregate stock market behavior. Journal of Political Economy 107, 205-251.) habit formation model with a time-varying risk-free rate. In addition, we analyze the predictive power of the surplus consumption ratio for future stock and bond returns. We find that, although there are important cross-country differences and economically significant pricing errors, for the majority of countries in our sample the model gets empirical support in a variety of different dimensions, including reasonable estimates of risk-free rates. Further, for the majority of countries the surplus consumption ratio captures time-variation in expected returns. Together with the price-dividend ratio, the surplus consumption ratio contains significant information about future stock returns, also during the 1990s. In addition, in most countries the surplus consumption ratio is also a powerful predictor of future bond returns. Thus, the surplus consumption ratio captures time-varying expected returns in both stock and bond markets.
The effect of corporate governance on earnings management around UK rights issues

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate the relation between corporate governance and earnings management around UK rights issues. Design/methodology/approach - The paper examines the effect of board structure, ownership structure, adviser structure, and capital structure on discretionary current accruals – a proxy for earnings management – for a sample of size-controlled rights issuers. Rights issues are chosen as a context in which firms have particular incentives to manage earnings. Findings - The results suggest that firms with higher debt to equity ratios, with lower proportions of non-executive directors, or with no large block owner, are more likely to use discretionary current accruals to manipulate earnings around rights issues. Research limitations/implications - Similar research can be conducted around other equity issuing methods such as open offers and around other major corporate events such as initial public offerings. Practical implications - The paper's evidence contributes to an understanding of corporate governance and has practical implications for stakeholders. It suggests that investors can rely more on the financial disclosures of firms with lower debt to equity ratios, higher proportions of outside directors, and with a large blockholder. Regulators may propose that firms undertaking corporate events such as equity offerings should follow best corporate governance practices to enhance investor confidence. Originality/value - This study is the first to investigate the corporate governance mechanisms in place to check opportunistic earnings management around specific corporate events for the UK market.
Further potentiation of dynamic muscle strength after resistance training.

PURPOSE One bout of 5-6 s of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) is known to enhance subsequent dynamic joint performance such as dynamic joint torque and power with maximal voluntary effort. On the other hand, such a muscle contraction can also induce muscle fatigue. It is then possible that individual differences in fatigue resistance is a factor that affects the balance between potentiation and fatigue. Here, we examined the effect of chronic heavy-resistance training on the extent and time course of the potentiation of maximal voluntary dynamic torque. METHODS Before and after a 12-wk intervention, maximal voluntary concentric knee extension torque at 210° · s(-1) was measured in the following sequence: before and immediately after a 5-s MVC of knee extension and 1, 3, and 5 min thereafter. The training group performed heavy-resistance training exercise of knee extension consisting of five sets of eight repetitions with 80% of one-repetition maximum, three sessions a week during the intervention period. RESULTS Before the resistance training intervention, maximal voluntary concentric torque was significantly enhanced only at 1 and 3 min post-MVC. After the 12-wk resistance training, the maximal voluntary concentric torque was potentiated also immediately after the conditioning MVC and was further increased at 1-min point. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that the contraction-induced potentiation of maximal voluntary dynamic torque is pronounced in strength-trained individuals.
Service Orientation of Restaurant Employees

Service orientation has been characterized as the disposition of employees to be helpful, thoughtful, considerate, and cooperative toward guests. The purpose of this study was to examine service orientation of restaurant employees and managers. Data were collected from 852 employees and 309 managers working in pizza restaurants in the United States. Respondents provided job attribute and demographic information. Results suggest that service orientation is comprised of three elements: organizational support, customer focus, and service under pressure. Common to each of the three components of service orientation was the relationship of job security; employees who indicated higher ratings for job security also had higher ratings for each of the service orientation components. Higher ratings for the organizational support and customer service components of service orientation were indicated by employees with higher job satisfaction and job involvement ratings.
Fluoride Sorption Characteristics of Different Grades of Bone Charcoal, Based on Batch Tests

Although bone charcoal (char) has been recommended for use in the de-fluoridation of drinking water in developing countries, parameters relating to fluoride (F) sorption characteristics by grade or type of bone char are unclear. Based on batch tests, the rate and capacity of F uptake were highest with black grade, followed by grey grade and lowest with white grade. Twenty-four- hour contact-time F sorption isotherms indicated saturation at capacities of 11.4 mg F per g of black grade, 2.4 mg F per g of grey grade, and less than 0.3 mg F per g of white grade bone char. Additional investigations showed that F-removal efficiency of black grade char decreased steadily with increasing F concentration. Its initial sorption kinetics were dependent on particle size, and the highest sorption rate was observed with particle sizes below 0.42 mm. For maximum sorption rate, the critical mixing time was between five and 15 min. The presence of chloride anions and elevated temperatures increased the rate of F uptake by black bone-char. The pH of distilled water following contact with bone char rose to 11.5 for white bone-char, 8.3 for grey bone-char, and 7.8 for black bone-char. The effects of processing temperature on the availability of intra- and extraapatitic F-binding sites, levels of oxides of calcium and magnesium, and the carbon content were viewed as possible causes of observed variations. These findings suggest that the black grade of bone char was the most efficacious for use in partial de-fluoridation of drinking water.
Prompting Microfinance Borrowers to Save: A Field Experiment from Guatemala

Can microfinance borrowers use the discipline of regular loan repayments in order to accumulate savings if prompted to do so? In an experiment, we offered commercial savings products to the microfinance borrowers of Guatemala’s largest public-sector bank. We find that giving these borrowers the opportunity to develop a savings plan and be reminded of saving at the time of loan repayment caused no increase in the opening of savings accounts but led to balances among savers that were two and a half times those in the control. A second treatment arm that proposed a default savings contribution of 10% of the loan payment caused the fraction of clients using linked savings accounts to double, as well as elevated deposits among savers, leading to final savings balances that were more than five times the control. The savings treatments also generate faster pay down of debt and weakly better overall repayment performance, suggesting that simultaneous saving and borrowing can be complementary activities. A theoretical model shows that the simultaneous provision of debt and self-commitment savings products can also help a larger fraction of the population to eventually escape a debt-financed equilibrium.
Design and analysis of covert networks, affiliations and projects

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