Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Board Independence and CEO Duality on Firm Performance: A Quantile Regression Analysis for Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand

We study the effect of board independence and CEO duality on firm performance for a sample of stock-listed enterprises from Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand, applying quantile regression. Quantile regression is more powerful than classical linear regression since quantile regression can produce estimates for all conditional quantiles of the distribution of a response variable, whereas classical linear regression only estimates the conditional mean effects of a response variable. Moreover, quantile regression is better able to handle violations of the basic assumptions in classical linear regression. Our empirical evidence shows that the effect of board independence and CEO duality on firm performance is different across the conditional quantiles of the distribution of firm performance, something classical linear regression would leave unidentified. This finding suggests that estimating the quantile effect of a response variable can well be more insightful than estimating only the mean effect of the response variable. Additionally, we find a negative moderating effect of board size on the positive relationship between CEO duality and firm performance.
Toward a Tactile Language for Human–Robot Interaction

Objective: Two experiments were performed to investigate the feasibility for robot-to-human communication of a tactile language using a lexicon of standardized tactons (tactile icons) within a sentence. Background: Improvements in autonomous systems technology and a growing demand within military operations are spurring interest in communication via vibrotactile displays. Tactile communication may become an important element of human–robot interaction (HRI), but it requires the development of messaging capabilities approaching the communication power of the speech and visual signals used in the military. Method: In Experiment 1 (N = 38), we trained participants to identify sets of directional, dynamic, and static tactons and tested performance and workload following training. In Experiment 2 (N = 76), we introduced an extended training procedure and tested participants’ ability to correctly identify two-tacton phrases. We also investigated the impact of multitasking on performance and workload. Individual difference factors were assessed. Results: Experiment 1 showed that participants found dynamic and static tactons difficult to learn, but the enhanced training procedure in Experiment 2 produced competency in performance for all tacton categories. Participants in the latter study also performed well on two-tacton phrases and when multitasking. However, some deficits in performance and elevation of workload were observed. Spatial ability predicted some aspects of performance in both studies. Conclusions: Participants may be trained to identify both single tactons and tacton phrases, demonstrating the feasibility of developing a tactile language for HRI. Application: Tactile communication may be incorporated into multi-modal communication systems for HRI. It also has potential for human–human communication in challenging environments.
The experience of power: examining the effects of power on approach and inhibition tendencies.

Two studies of task-focused dyads tested the approach/inhibition theory of power (D. Keltner, D. H. Gruenfeld, & C. Anderson, in press), which posits that having power increases the tendency to approach and decreases the tendency to inhibit. Results provided preliminary support for the theory: Participants higher in personality dominance or assigned control over resources expressed their true attitudes, experienced more positive and less negative emotion, were more likely to perceive rewards (i.e., that their partner liked them), and were less likely to perceive threats (e.g., that their partner felt anger toward them). Most of these effects were mediated by the sense of power, suggesting that subjective feelings of power are an important component in the effects of power.
Framing of Incentives and Effort Provision

A prospect theory model combining loss aversion and diminishing sensitivity predicts that the link between incentives framing and effort is ambiguous: small penalties yield higher effort, but isomorphic contracts with large penalties decrease effort. We conduct two experiments (a framed field and a conventional lab experiment) in which economically equivalent contracts are framed as menus of either (i) bonuses, (ii) penalties, or (iii) bonuses and penalties. The experimental results confirm the main intuition of the model as subjects performed best when bonuses and penalties are combined. A follow‐up lottery experiment confirms that both loss aversion and diminishing sensitivity influenced the performance.
Electrochemical Immunosensor Using Nanoparticle-Based Signal Enhancement for Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Detection

An electrochemical immunosensor based on the assembly of three nanoparticles for the rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been developed. The biosensor assay consists of magnetic separation using antibody-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and electrochemical reporters using gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-conjugated lead sulfide (PbS) nanoparticles via oligonucleotide linkage. The AuNPs were also functionalized with polyclonal anti-E. coli O157:H7 antibodies in order to bind the target bacterial cells which were captured and separated from the sample by antibody-functionalized MNPs. Because each AuNP was linked to multiple PbS nanoparticles, each binding event to the target resulted in substantial amplification. The signal of PbS was measured on screen-printed carbon electrode by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. Results show that the biosensor could detect E. coli O157:H7 in the range of 101-106 colony forming units per milliliter (cfu/ml) with a signal-to-noise ratio ranging from 2.77 to 4.31. With sample preparation being minimized, results were obtained in 1 h from sample processing to final readout. Due to its high sensitivity, this trinano immunosensor has great potential applications in public health, biodefense, and food/water safety monitoring.
Differential Associations Between Problem and Pathological Gambling and Psychiatric Disorders in Individuals With and Without Alcohol Abuse or Dependence

ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol abuse and/or dependence, alcohol use disorders (AUDs), and problem and/or pathological gambling (PPG) frequently co-occur with each other and other psychiatric disorders. However, prior studies have not investigated the relative influence of AUDs on the associations between PPG and other psychiatric disorders. Methods: Nationally representative data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (n=43,093; United States residents ≥18 years of age) was used to examine the influence of AUDs on the associations between gambling and other psychiatric disorders and behaviors. The main outcome measures were co-occurrence of past-year AUD and Axis I and II disorders and severity of gambling based on the 10 inclusionary diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling. Results: Among non-AUD respondents, increasing gambl ing severity was associated with increasingly elevated odds for the majority of Axis I and II disorders. Among AUD respondents, this pattern was typically not observed. Alcohol-by-gambling-group interactions for PPG were also found and the odds of these disorders was significantly increased in non-AUD respondents with PPG, but either unchanged or significantly lower in AUD respondents with PPG. Conclusions: Gambling-related associations exist with multiple psychiatric disorders, but particularly in those without AUD. These associations have important implications with respect to conceptualization, prevention, and treatment of psychiatric disorders in individuals with gambling and/or AUDs.
Effects on the osseointegration of titanium implants incorporating calcium–magnesium: a resonance frequency and histomorphometric analysis in rabbit tibia

OBJECTIVE This study assessed the bone formation around titanium surface incorporating the calcium-magnesium (CaMg) deposited by blasted in rabbit tibia bone to determine whether this surface would further enhance bone healing compared with commercially available implant surface. MATERIAL AND METHODS The deposition of CaMg on the titanium SLA surface were obtained by blasting formed the experimental group (EX group), while implants with traditional SLA surface were used as control group (CO group), in this study. Fifty cylindrical threaded implants with a length of 8 mm were used (P = 25 per group). Five implants of each group were used to surface characterization by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, and optical profilometry. Ten New Zealand white rabbits received 40 implants (n = 20 per group). Resonance frequency analysis was performed three times (0, 4, and 6 weeks). Histomorphometric analysis was performed 4 and 6 weeks after implantation. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS Blasted CaMg deposition on SLA implant surface displayed almost identical surface morphologies and R(a) values at the micron scale. In comparing the implant stability quotient at the three time points, highly significant statistic differences were found (P < 0.001). Histomorphological analysis showed higher degrees of bone organization in the samples of test implant surfaces at both implantation times. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, the results indicate that the deposition of CaMg on the SLA titanium surface may be effective in enhancing the osseointegration of moderately rough grit-blasted implants by increasing the degree of bone-implant contact.
A Phase I Study of Samarium Lexidronam/Bortezomib Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Purpose: This open-label, phase I dose-escalation study assessed the safety, tolerability, and initial efficacy of Samariam 153 (153Sm)-lexidronam/bortezomib combination therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Experimental Design: Patients were enrolled in six cohorts and given bortezomib (1.0 or 1.3 mg/m2) on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 and 153Sm-lexidronam (0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 mCi/kg) on day 3 of a 56-day cycle (maximum of four cycles). The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability of the 153Sm-lexidronam/bortezomib regimen. Results: Twenty-four patients were enrolled. Median values for age, time since diagnosis, and number of prior treatments were 63 years, 29 months, and three regimens, respectively. The most common toxicities were hematologic; during the first cycle, median neutrophil and platelet nadirs were 1,000/mm3 and 98,500/mm3, respectively, and observed generally 3 to 4 weeks post-treatment. The incidences of grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were 12.5% and 8.3%, respectively, during treatment cycle 1. Dose-limiting toxicity, reached in cohort 6 as a result of hematologic toxicity, defined the maximum tolerated dose as 0.5 mCi/kg 153Sm-lexidronam in combination with 1.3 mg/m2 bortezomib. The maximum tolerated dose for 153Sm-lexidronam in combination with the 1.0 mg/m2 bortezomib was not reached. No nonhematologic dose-limiting toxicities were observed; both the incidence and the severity of peripheral neuropathy were low. Responses occurred in 5 (21%) patients, including 3 (12.5%) complete and 2 (8.3%) minimal responses. Conclusions: Bortezomib combined with 153Sm-lexidronam appears to be a well-tolerated regimen, which showed clinical activity in this phase I trial for patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.
Immunoglobulin prophylaxis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma: systematic review and meta-analysis

The role of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) prophylaxis in hypogammaglobulinemic patients with lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) and plasma cell dyscrasias (PCD) has not been established. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials comparing prophylaxis with polyvalent IVIG versus control. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and major infections. Nine trials, assessing patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple myeloma (MM), were included. No survival benefit could be demonstrated, RR 1.36 (95% CI 0.58–3.19, two trials), but there was a significant decrease in the occurrence of major infections, RR 0.45 (95% CI 0.27–0.75, three trials) and a significant reduction in clinically documented infections, RR 0.49 (95% CI 0.39–0.61, three trials). Adverse events, usually not requiring discontinuation of IVIG, occurred significantly more with IVIG. On the basis of the available data, IVIG cannot be recommended routinely for patients with CLL or MM with hypogammaglobulinemia and/or recurrent infections and should be considered on individual basis.
Identification of Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B Domains Involved in Binding to Cultured Human Kidney Proximal Tubular Cells: Imparting Proliferation and Death

Studies suggest that staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is initially harbored in the kidney by binding to digalactosylceramide molecules in the proximal tubular cells. However, little is known in regard to the peptide motif within SEB that binds to these cells and imparts toxic effects. Herein, using human kidney proximal tubular cells (PTs) we have performed a systematic study on the binding of various peptides and peptide analogs of SEB and demonstrate a structure-functional relationship. Using [125I]labeled SEB peptides, we show a high affinity and displaceable binding of SEB 191–220 to human PT cells. Binding was mitigated by the use of antibody against SEB, by digalactosylceramide (the putative receptor), and by the use of endoglycoceramidase, which selectively removes the oligosaccharide backbones from glycosphingolipids. Our structure/ functional studies revealed that peptide 130–160 induces a concentration-dependent increase in programmed cell death/ apoptosis in human proximal tubular cells. Mechanistic studies further suggest that SEB/SEB peptide (130–160) impart apoptosis via the activation of neutral sphingomyelinase, which hydrolizes sphingomyelin to ceramide and phosphocholine. SEB 130–160 mediated apoptosis was mitigated by preincubation of cells with antibody against SEB and an SEB 130–160 antibody.
Are the military expenditures of India and Pakistan external determinants for each other: An empirical investigation

Empirical modeling of arms race between India and Pakistan has been a focus of interest in many studies. Nevertheless, the possibility of asymmetric dynamics between the variables under question seems to be ignored in these studies. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap of the earlier literature by examining possible asymmetric effects of military expenditures of India and Pakistan on each other. It is assumed that asymmetry is due to the existence of two distinct regimes characterizing the variable of interest, with regime shift being a function of either a past value of the dependent or an exogenous variable. Smooth transition class of nonlinear models is used in the study. The results for Pakistan indicate that India's military expenditure have more deep effects when the past military expenditure of Pakistan is high, implying asymmetric relationship between the two variables.
Components of the Bid-Ask Spread and the Statistical Properties of Transaction Prices

The bid-ask spread can be decomposed into two parts-one part due to asymmetric informat ion and the other part due to other factors such as monopoly power. T he part due to asymmetric information attenuates statistical biases i n mean return, variance, and serial covariance. Thus, using spread da ta to adjust for biases in return moments requires knowing not only t he spread but the composition of the spread. Furthermore, any spread estimation procedure using transaction prices must estimate two sprea d components. Copyright 1987 by American Finance Association.
The Motives for Corporate Hedging among UK Multinationals

This study employs questionnaire survey and financial data to assess the extent to which the motives for corporate hedging among UK multinational corporations (MNCs) are consistent with existing theories. Corporate treasury managers' perceptions of (1) stakeholders' attitudes to risk and (2) the behaviour of financial markets are also examined. The results indicate that the primary motive for corporate hedging is to minimize the impact of foreign exchange (FX) rate fluctuation on operational cash flow. Motives which relate to the extra compensation required by bondholders and substantial guarantees required by customers and suppliers for bearing FX risk have minor impacts on hedging decisions. The study also examines the extent to which the motives emphasized by firms have impacts on the variability of specific financial variables as well as on non-financial variables. Our results indicate some consistency with the emphasis firms place on certain hedging motives and the expected impacts on those variables. In some instances however, the impacts might be considered to be in the wrong direction. Copyright @ 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved.
Trade Liberalization, Skill‐linked Intermediate Production and the Two‐sided Wage Gap

Abstract A rising wage‐gap, almost universally, in the last two decades has contradicted the age‐old conventional wisdom of asymmetric wage movements across nations when trade is liberalized. We offer an explanation that fits well with the emerging trade pattern between the developed and more advanced developing countries like India and Mexico. We argue that a tariff reduction in the South on imports of an intermediate good from the North may raise the wage‐gap in both the North and the South. The price of the intermediate good moving in different directions and different factor‐intensity‐ranking of this good relative to the two different final goods produced in the two countries underlie this result. Rising wage inequality may specially affect the South because educational expenses and infrastructure do not allow ready transformation of the vast masses of unskilled workers into skilled workers. Hence, the policy lesson of the paper seems to be more public effort in arranging for smoother acquisition of human capital by the unskilled.
Dynamic organisation of intermediate filaments and associated proteins during the cell cycle

Intermediate filaments, which form the structural framework of both the cytoskeleton and the nuclear lamina in most eukaryotic cells, have been found to be highly dynamic structures. A continuous exchange of subunit proteins at the filament surface and a stabilisation of soluble subunits by chaperone‐type proteins may modulate filament structure and plasticity. Recent studies on the cell cycle‐dependent interaction of intermediate filaments with associated proteins, and a detailed analysis of intermediate filament phosphorylation in defined subcellular locations at various stages of mitosis, have brought new insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the mitotic reorganisation of intermediate filaments. Some of these studies have allowed new speculations about the possible cellular functions of cytoplasmic intermediate filaments, and increased our understanding of the specific functions of the lamins and the lamina‐associated membrane proteins in the post‐mitotic reassembly of the nucleus.
Global reaction of security prices to major US-induced surprises: an empirical investigation

This paper documents investors' reactions in international equity markets to major events in the US market. The results provide evidence that investors in advanced equity markets overreact to market surprises originating from the USA. In the case of emerging markets, however, the results indicate that investors' reactions are consistent with the predictions of the uncertain information hypothesis. The implication of these findings for international investors is that a contrarian strategy in the advanced markets and a strategy of buying current losers and holding on to current winners in the emerging markets may generate abnormal returns.
Solvation effects on alanine dipeptide: A MP2/cc‐pVTZ//MP2/6‐31G** study of (Φ, Ψ) energy maps and conformers in the gas phase, ether, and water

The effects of solvation on the conformations and energies of alanine dipeptide (AD) have been studied by ab initio calculations up to MP2/cc‐pVTZ//MP2/6‐31G**, utilizing the polarizable continuum model (PCM) to mimic solvation effects. The energy surfaces in the gas phase, ether, and water bear similar topological features carved by the steric hindrance, but the details differ significantly due to the solvent effects. The gas‐phase energy map is qualitatively consistent with the Ramachandran plot showing seven energy minima. With respect to the gas‐phase map, the significant changes of the aqueous map include (1) the expanded low‐energy regions, (2) the emergence of an energy barrier between C5‐β and αR‐β2 regions, (3) a clearly pronounced αR minimum, a new β‐conformer, and the disappearance of the gas‐phase global minimum, and (4) the shift of the dominant region in LEII from the gas‐phase C7ax region to the αL region. These changes bring the map in water to be much closer to the Ramachandran plot than the gas‐phase map. The solvent effects on the geometries include the elongation of the exposed NH and CO bonds, the shortening of the buried HNCO peptide bonds, and the enhanced planarity of the peptide bonds. The energy surface in ether has features similar to those both in the gas phase and in water. The free energy order computed in the gas phase and in ether is in good agreement with experimental studies that concluded that C5 and C7eq are the dominant species in both the gas phase and nonpolar solvents. The free energy order in water is consistent with the experimental observation that the dominant C7eq in the nonpolar solvent was largely replaced by PII‐like (i.e., β) and αR in the strong polar solvents. Based on calculations on AD + 4H2O and other AD–water clusters, we suggest that explicit water–AD interactions may distort C5 and β (or αR and β) to an intermediate conformation. Our analysis also shows that the PCM calculations at the MP2/cc‐pVTZ//MP2/6‐31G** level give good descriptions to the bulk solvent polarization effect. The results presented in this article should be of sufficient quality to characterize the peptide bonds in the gas phase and solvents. The energy surfaces may serve as the basis for developing of strategies enabling the inclusion of solvent polarization in the force field. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 25: 1699–1716, 2004
Fecal lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase and serum C‐reactive are effective biomarkers in the assessment of disease activity and severity in patients with idiopathic ulcerative colitis

Background and Aim: Disease activity and severity of ulcerative colitis (UC) is assessed using colonoscopy, which is invasive, costly and has poor patient acceptability. The role of non‐invasive biomarkers of intestinal inflammation in the evaluation of patients with UC is not known. The aim of the study was to examine the role of serum C‐reactive protein (SCRP), fecal myeloperoxidase (FMPO) and fecal lactoferrin (FLF) in assessing disease severity, activity and response to therapy.