Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Executive target bonuses and what they imply about performance standards

We provide evidence that CEOs' and lower‐level business unit executives' target bonuses are negatively associated with a proxy for measurement noise in accounting‐based performance measures, and positively associated with proxies for firms' growth opportunities and the extent of executives' decision‐making authority. Non‐CEO executives' target bonuses are also positively associated with their CEO's target bonus. In addition, we compare executives' actual and target bonuses over two consecutive periods to draw inferences about how firms revise executives' performance standards. If firms adjust performance standards to fully reflect executives' past performance, then we expect an executive's chances of earning an above‐target bonus to be independent of his past performance. We find evidence to the contrary; an executive is more likely to receive an above‐target bonus if he received an above‐target bonus in the prior year than if he did not. This suggests that firms do not adjust standards to fully reflect e.
Some Biological Aspects of Bigeye Scad, Selar crumenophthalmus from Bangaa Faru, Maldives

In this paper, we studied some biological aspects of big eye scad (Selar crumenophthalmus) from Maldives. The fish sample was collected from the local fish market at Bangaa Faru, Male, Maldives. The length of the samples were ranged from 7.7 cm to 24.5 cm (mean value = 16.85 ± 2.82 cm) in fork length. Body weight ranged between 8 g to 255.6 g (mean value = 87.76 ± 40.41 g). The exponent values (b slope) of lengthweight relationship of S. crumenophthalmus are 2.9838 for females and 2.7687 for males; indicating negative allometric growth pattern for both sexes. Synchronous reproductive behaviour was observed in both sexes and a pronounced peak of Gonadosomatic index was observed in females in January 2013. It is estimated that length at first maturity (L50) for females is at 19.39 cm FL and for males at 21.76 cm FL. Our result also suggest that big eye scad have a reduced swimming capability, resulting the species to be easily caught. Careful planning and management should be implemented to prevent the big eye scad from being overfished.
The impact of institutional decentralization on protest in Western Europe

There are many explanations for variation in political protest. However, they have not focused sufficiently on institutions and the influence the latter exert on protest. This article, by using multilevel analysis and cross-national survey data, suggests that political protest depends on the level of institutional decentralization. In fact, decentralization increases the number of state actors, implies a multiplication of access points to the political system, and provides greater chances of influencing the decision-making process. Furthermore, it is shown that the effect of mobilizing agencies, such as political parties and trade unions, also depends on the level of decentralization.
Reliability of severity estimates for usability problems found by heuristic evaluation

Ratings from single evaluators are very unreliable when usability specialists judge the severity of usability problems found by heuristic evaluation, but the mean severity rating from four evaluators gets within half a rating point of the true severity 95% of the time. Also, the evaluators do agree that usability problems found by heuristic evaluation are all real problems even though each rater had originally only identified a small proportion of the problems.
Velocity adaptation for self-improvement of skills learned from user demonstrations

We address the problem of how to increase the speed of movements that occur in contact with the environment, where the initial movements were acquired by kinesthetic guiding. We take into account dynamic capabilities and constrains of both the robot and the environment. This leads to a modified, non-uniformly accelerated motion. To enable the non-uniform modulation of the movement policy, we encode the initial control policy using an extended formulation of dynamic movement primitives. The initial policy is improved using feedback error adaptation, ILC-based learning or reinforcement learning. We propose a new policy learning algorithm which takes into account intermediate rewards during the policy learning. The proposed approach was experimentally evaluated on a bi-manual kitchen task, where the robot, composed of two KUKA LWR arms, had to assemble a cake decoration tool.
John Nash: The Master of Economic Modeling

During the past two decades non-cooperative game theory has become a central topic in economic theory. Many scholars have contributed to this revolution, none more than John Nash. Following the publication of von Neumann and Morgenstern's book, it was Nash's papers in the early fifties which pointed the way for future research in game theory. The notion of Nash equilibrium is indispensable. Nash's formulation of the bargaining problem and the Nash bargaining solution constitute the cornerstone of modern bargaining theory. His insights into the non-cooperative foundations of cooperative game theory initiated an area of research known as the Nash program. Nash's analysis of the demand game in which he uses a perturbation of a game to select an equilibrium inspired the construction of several refinements of the notion of Nash equilibrium. A scholar's influence does not necessarily qualify him for a Nobel prize. One may argue that such awards are a social institution established to serve social goals. It is legitimate to ask what message the Swedish Academy sends to the scientific community and the rest of the world. In some cases, prizes are designed to encourage individuals to invest their resources in endeavors that are important to society. Nash's achievements depend more on his genius than on characteristics which can be encouraged by utilitarian incentives. Sometimes, prizes are expressions of social indebtedness towards members of society who have devoted their life towards advancing a social goal: Nash's active career was intensive but very short and I have not heard that he deliberately sacrificed attractive alternatives in favor of advancing economic knowledge. Prizes are also intended to promote the recipient's field of research. By now, game theory is well recognized; any graduate student in economics is familiar with the foundations of non-cooperative game theory and I doubt that there is any further need to expand the influence of game theory.
Carbon and nitrogen mineralization in a vineyard soil amended with grape marc vermicompost

Vineyard soils in many areas suffer from low organic matter contents, which can be the cause of negative effects such as increasing the risk of erosion, so the use of organic amendments must be considered a good agricultural practice. Even more, if grape marc is recycled as a soil amendment in the vineyards, benefits from a good waste management strategy are also obtained. In the present study, a grape marc from the wine region of Valdeorras (north-west Spain) was used for the production of vermicompost, and this added to a vineyard soil of the same area in a laboratory study. Mixtures of soil and grape marc vermicompost (2 and 4%, dry weight) were incubated for ten weeks at 25°C and the mineralization of C and N studied. The respiration data were fitted to a first-order kinetic model. The rates of grape marc vermicompost which should be added to the vineyard soil in order to maintain the initial levels of organic matter were estimated from the laboratory data, and found to be 1.7 t ha−1 year−1 of bulk vermicompost (if the present mean temperature is considered) and 2.1 t ha−1 year−1 of bulk vermicompost (if a 2°C increment in temperature is considered), amounts which could be obtained recycling the grape marc produced in the exploitation.
Audit Committee Incentives and the Resolution of Detected Misstatements

SUMMARY: We investigate the role of audit committee economic incentives in judgments involving the resolution of detected misstatements. The results reveal a positive association between audit committee short-term stock option compensation and the likelihood that managers are allowed to waive income-decreasing misstatements that, if corrected, would have caused the company to miss its analyst forecast. Complementary results reveal a positive association between the audit committee long-term stock option compensation and the likelihood that managers are allowed to waive income-increasing misstatements when the company reports just missing, meeting, or beating its analyst forecast. These findings illustrate agency conflicts that can arise when compensating audit committees with options. We obtain these results while controlling for CEO option compensation and audit committee characteristics, along with indicators of corporate governance, auditor incentives, and company characteristics. Data Availability: D.
Associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms of RFC-1, GGH, MTHFR , TYMS, and TCII genes and the efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION The differences in drug efficacy and adverse reactions may be caused by genetic variations in drug metabolism between individuals. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of gene polymorphisms on the efficacy of therapy and side effects in patients with rheumatoid arthrit s (RA) treated with methotrexate (MTX). PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 273 Caucasian patients with RA were treated with MTX for at least 6 months or stopped MTX because of adverse effects. Seven polymorphisms (RFC-1 c.80G>A, GGH c.-401C>T, MTHFR c.1298A>C and c.677C>T, TYMS 2R/3R, TYMS 6-bp deletion, and TCII c.593T>C) were examined for their effects on MTX efficacy and toxicity. Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral blood leukocytes. RESULTS Of all patients, 53% reported some adverse effects during at least 1 visit, which led to MTX withdrawal in 17% of the patients. Adverse effects were more frequent in patients with the MTHFR 677T allele than in those with the 677CC genotype (odds ratio [OR], 1.97; P = 0.01) and in those with the GGH 401CC genotype than in those with the GGH 401CT and TT genotypes (OR, 3.8; P = 0.05). Furthermore, the MTHFR 677T allele was associated with increased activity of aminotransferases (OR, 3.4; P = 0.02). MTX-related hepatotoxicity and alopecia were more common in patients with the RFC-1 80AA genotype (OR, 3.5, P = 0.01; OR, 2.4, P = 0.04; respectively). A more rapid positive response to MTX therapy was demonstrated in MTHFR 677CC homozygotes (OR, 3.4; P = 0.001). There were no other associations between single -nucleotide polymorphisms and the efficacy of MTX treatment. CONCLUSIONS The MTHFR 677CC and GGH 401TT and CT genotypes were associated with a reduction in the number of MTX-related adverse events. Future allele and genotype analyses may help identify the subsets of RA patients with an increased risk of adverse effects.
Chronic bronchitis in an elderly population.

BACKGROUND in order to describe the prevalence and prognostic implications of chronic bronchitis in individuals 65 years or older we analysed data from The Copenhagen City Heart Study. METHODS the population was studied in 1976-1978 resurveyed in 1981-1983 and 1991-1994 and followed with regard to survival for up to 12 years. Approximately 3,700 elderly participants with a mean age of 76 years were available for analyses. RESULTS the prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 13.0% in women and 18.6% in men. Multiple logistic regression yielded the following predictors for chronic bronchitis: male gender (odds ratio with 95% confidence interval = 1.1 (0.9-1.3)), previous smoking odds ratio = 1.7 (1.2-2.2), present smoking odds ratio = 2.1 (2.1-3.8), previous exposure to dusts and fumes (odds ratio = 2.2 (1.7-2.7)), chest infections in childhood (odds ratio = 2.1 (1.6-2.9)), more than 6 chest infections in previous 10 years (odds ratio = 6.2 (4.1-9.2)) and alcohol consumption of more than 3 drinks a day (odds ratio = 1.8 (1.3-2.3)). Chronic bronchitis was a significant predictor of both subsequent respiratory infections and survival. After adjustment for age, smoking and lung function, a Cox regression showed that chronic bronchitis was significantly related to mortality from all causes with a hazard ratio with 95% confidence interval = 1.3 (1.1-1.4), all benign respiratory diseases (hazard ratio = 2.0 (1.6-2.7)), obstructive lung disease (hazard ratio = 2.5 (1.7-3.6)) and lung cancer (hazard ratio = 2.0 (1.4-2.9)). CONCLUSIONS in an elderly population, chronic bronchitis is a prevalent condition with important prognostic implications.
Eastern Enlargement of the EU: How Much is it Worth for Austria?

For present member countries, eastern EU enlargement entails gains from integration as well as fiscal costs. The authors use a calibrated model to quantify the dynamic effects of discriminatory trade liberalization and immigration from eastern applicants. It is found that enlargement is expansionary and yields a remarkable fiscal dividend. Surprisingly, integration compresses the wage spread between skilled and unskilled labor. Overall, the (dynamic) gains from integration clearly outweigh the fiscal cost. While ambiguous a priori, enlargement is found to hold a remarkable net welfare gain for Austria.
Acute Exercise Effects on Craving and Withdrawal Symptoms among Women Attempting to Quit Smoking Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Cigarette cravings are one of the most often expressed difficulties related to quitting. The effect of acute exercise on craving and withdrawal symptoms during a pharmacological based smoking cessation intervention is unknown. Methods: Participants included female smokers (n = 178) undertaking the Getting Physical on Cigarettes trial - a 14-week exercise-aided nicotine replacement therapy (NRT, i.e. patch) cessation program. They completed the Shiffman-Jarvik scale immediately before and after the first scheduled exercise session during weeks 5, 11, and 13. The first exercise session (week 5) occurred shortly after participants quit smoking (week 4) and began their 21 mg NRT patch dose. The second and third exercise bout coincided soon after participants stepped down their NRT strength to 14 mg (week 11) and 7 mg (week 13), respectively. Results: Significant reductions in cigarette craving were demonstrated following exercise at all three time points (i.e. week 5, 11, and 13). Significant reductions in psychological and sedation withdrawal symptoms were shown at week 5 and 11, but not at week 13. Significant increases in physical symptoms were found at week 5 and 11, but not week 13. No significant change in appetite was evident at any time point. Conclusions: An acute bout of moderate intensity exercise can alleviate cravings as well as psychological and sedation withdrawal symptoms in quitters during a 14-week exercise-aided NRT smoking cessation program. Promoting exercise among women using NRT is recommended.
A note on the impact of scheduled macroeconomic news announcements on implied volatility

This note demonstrates that different methodological approaches may lead to somewhat different conclusions about the impact of scheduled macroeconomic news announcements on implied volatility. While there is no doubt that implied volatilities are significantly affected by macroeconomic releases, the analysis presented in this note shows that different approaches provide inconsistent results regarding the direction of the effect and also about the relative importance of different types of macroeconomic announcements.
A Tale of Two Novels: Developing a Devolved Approach to Black British Writing

In October 2000, Penguin launched Zadie Smith's novel White Teeth. In the same month, Headline Review released a novel by Joe Pemberton. It was called Forever and Ever Amen. This article traces the differing fortunes of these two British novels and seeks to understand why Forever and Ever Amen, which was also a critical success, came nowhere near the sales or popular acclaim of White Teeth. It examines the commercial and (multi)cultural logic by which novels are coded as worthy of national and international readerships by corporate publishers and high street retail outlets. Emphasizing the significance of many black British novels that emerge from non-metropolitan glocalities, the author calls for a sustained focus by literary scholarship on the discomforting links between the political and literary economy. Most particularly, novels such as Pemberton's invite popular and critical engagement with what James Procter has described as “devolved” diasporic cultures throughout Britain.
Colombia and the Coffee Export Upsurge During the 1920?S Decade. Ii.'New Financial Istitutions'

This paper examines the information voluntarily disclosed about corporate restructurings. In 1995 the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus opinion about mandatory restructuring disclosures. I use these requirements to construct a statistic that measures the amount of information voluntarily disclosed for a sample of firms from 1990–1993. Disclosure levels increased dramatically when the SEC targeted restructurings as an area for increased oversight in late 1993. Controlling for this SEC action, I document a positive association between the amount of information disclosed and increased monitoring by shareholders, suggesting that monitoring complements disclosure rather than substitutes for it. The amount disclosed is negatively related to the appointment of a new CEO prior to the restructuring, perhaps reflecting the use of the restructuring charge to manage earnings for these firms.
Comparing risk attitudes of organic and non-organic farmers with a Bayesian random coefficient model

Organic farming is usually considered to be more risky than conventional farming, but the risk aversion of organic farmers compared with that of conventional farmers has not been studied. Using a non-structural approach to risk estimation, a Bayesian random coefficient model is used to obtain individual Arrow--Pratt coefficients of absolute risk aversion for a sample of Dutch organic and non-organic arable farmers. The model is estimated using Gibbs sampling. The results indicate that organic farmers are significantly less risk averse than their non-organic colleagues. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
The reinvention of management

Purpose – The author believes that business leaders and writers are increasingly exploring a fundamental rethinking of the basic tenets of management. This paper aims to address this issue.Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyzes five shifts: the firm's goal (a shift from inside‐out to outside‐in); role of managers (a shift from controller to enabler); mode of coordination (from command and control to dynamic linking); values practiced (a shift from value to values); and communications (a shift from command to conversation). Findings – Among the most important changes being proposed are five basic shifts in management practice.Research limitations/implications – This paper offers a creative analysis of current business thinking.Practical implications – The raison d'etre of the firm shifts from reducing transaction costs to scalable collaboration, learning and innovation.Originality/value – By adopting a people‐centered goal, a people‐centered role for managers, a people‐centered coordination mechan.
Personality and Social Interactions in Patients with Acute Brief Psychoses

Abstract. Although a particularly vulnerable personality has been postulated by some authors as a pathogenetic factor in acute and transient psychotic disorders (ATPD) as introduced with ICD-10, little empirical work has been done on the subject. We therefore evaluated personality features and social interactions in a comparative study of patients with ATPD. We recruited all consecutive inpatients fulfilling the ICD-10 criteria of ATPD (F23) during a 5-year period, as well as control groups with “positive” schizophrenia (PS) and bipolar schizoaffective disorder (BSAD) matched for gender and age at index episode. For assessment of personality features and premorbid social contacts, we administered the NEO Five-Factor Inventory and a semi-structured interview. The assessment of the “Big Five” personality dimensions (neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, conscientiousness) with the NEO-FFI did not show any significant difference between ATPD patients and healthy controls. BSAD patients differed from mentally healthy controls on 2 of 5 subscales of the NEO-FFI (neuroticism, extraversion), but were otherwise indiscernible from ATPD patients and mentally healthy controls. In contrast, PS patients showed the most pronounced differences from the mentally healthy controls on the NEO-FFI, and had significantly less premorbid social interaction than the clinical controls. Within the limits of retrospective assessment, the present findings indicate that (1) patients with ATPD do not share the premorbid social impairment characteristic of schizophrenic patients and (2) the personality of patients with ATPD does not differ substantially from the general population.
Employee perceptions of line management performance: applying the AMO theory to explain the effectiveness of line managers' HRM implementation

Line managers are today seen as increasingly important in effectively implementing HRM practices. Based on the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) theory, we predict that line managers' performance in this regard will depend on their ability to apply HRM practices, and that their motivation and the opportunity provided will enhance this effect. Through a survey of 174 line managers and 1,065 of their direct subordinates in two organizations, we found ability to be the best predictor of a line manager's HRM performance. Motivation did not moderate the effect of ability on performance as predicted, and our results suggest this relationship needs further attention. Opportunity did enhance the effect of ability on HRM implementation effectiveness. Therefore, HRM departments should aim to enhance line managers' abilities and provide adequate opportunities for them to carry out the expected HRM duties
On the Concept of Green National Income

The present paper generalizes the Weitzman-Hartwick approach to national income accounting. The authors first establish a close general relation between the current value Hamiltonian of an optimal control problem and the optimal value of the objective integral if the time argument does not enter the constraints and enters the objective function only as a discount factor. This result is applied to a simple economic model covering most models found in the literature on national income accounting involving pollution and nonrenewable resources. The authors critically review the usefulness of net national product as a welfare indicator and as an indicator for sustainability. Copyright 1996 by Royal Economic Society.
Profiling the capabilities of SMEs to compete internationally

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to detail the rationale for, and development of, the Export Marketing Profiling System; a methodology for profiling and benchmarking the capabilities of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) to compete internationally.Design/methodology/approach – It is the outcome of four years of research, incorporating quantitative, qualitative and longitudinal studies into the international activities of SMEs.Findings – The findings of this research are utilised in the development of a system that recognises key themes and distils them into the specific characteristics, competencies, capabilities and activities that contribute to successful performance in international markets.Originality/value – The value of this system lies in the population of a large database of SMEs that have been profiled using in‐depth interviews. This enables users to profile and benchmark a company's export capabilities against other SMEs. It has been piloted successfully in the Yorkshire and The Hum.