Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expropriation Through Loan Guarantees to Related Parties: Evidence from China

We identify and analyze a sample of publicly traded Chinese firms that issued loan guarantees to their related parties (usually the controlling block holders), thereby expropriating wealth from minority shareholders. Our results show that the issuance of related guarantees is less likely at smaller firms, at more profitable firms and at firms with higher growth prospects. We also find that the identity and ownership of block holders affect the likelihood of expropriation. In addition, we use this sample to provide new evidence on the relation between tunneling and proxies for firm value and financial performance. We find that Tobin's Q, ROA and dividend yield are significantly lower, and that leverage is significantly higher, at firms that issued related guarantees.
T-S fuzzy controllers for nonlinear interconnected systems with multiple time delays

This paper investigates the effectiveness of a passive tuned mass damper (TMD) and fuzzy controller in reducing the structural responses subject to the external force. In general, TMD is good for linear systems. We proposed here an approach of Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy controller to deal with the nonlinear system. To overcome the effect of modeling error between nonlinear multiple time-delay systems and T-S fuzzy models, a robustness design of fuzzy control via model-based approach is proposed in this paper. A stability criterion in terms of Lyapunov's direct method is derived to guarantee the stability of nonlinear multiple time-delay interconnected systems. Based on the decentralized control scheme and this criterion, a set of model-based fuzzy controllers is then synthesized via the technique of parallel distributed compensation (PDC) to stabilize the nonlinear multiple time-delay interconnected system and the H/sup /spl infin// control performance is achieved at the same time. Finally, the proposed methodology is illustrated by an example of a nonlinear TMD system.
Impact of static stretching on the gain in knee-extensor strength of community-dwelling older women after a training program.

BACKGROUND The decrease in muscle strength in older adults has an impact on functionality. Muscle strengthening programs have been proposed, however there is some controversy surrounding the effects of stretching prior to strengthening exercises on muscle strength gain. OBJECTIVE To verify the impact of static stretching on the gain in knee-extensor strength of community-dwelling elderly women after a training program. METHODS This was a quasi-experimental study that included a ten-week knee-extensor strengthening program and a final assessment of 12 community-dwelling elderly women divided into two groups: group SE - strengthening exercises with prior static stretching in all sessions, mean age 73.8 (± 5.36) years; and group E - same strengthening exercises as SE without prior stretching, mean age 72.14 (± 5.43) years. To measure knee-extensor strength gains, we used the isokinetic dynamometer Biodex System 3 Pro, in concentric mode at angular velocities of 60º and 180º/s, and for statistical analysis we used the difference between pre- and post-intervention means of work adjusted by body weight. RESULTS The data showed normality in the Shapiro-Wilk test (p > 0.266). When comparing the differences between the pre- and post-intervention means using the t test for independent samples, there was no significant difference in any of the limbs at the velocities evaluated (p>0.383). CONCLUSION Previous static stretching did not interfere in muscle strength gain following a ten-week muscle strengthening program in the population studied. Article registered in the ISRCTN register under number ISRCTN62824599.
Prolonged sitting-induced leg endothelial dysfunction is prevented by fidgeting.

Prolonged sitting impairs endothelial function in the leg vasculature, and this impairment is thought to be largely mediated by a sustained reduction in blood flow-induced shear stress. Indeed, preventing the marked reduction of shear stress during sitting with local heating abolishes the impairment in popliteal artery endothelial function. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that sitting-induced reductions in shear stress and ensuing endothelial dysfunction would be prevented by periodic leg movement, or "fidgeting. " In 11 young, healthy subjects, bilateral measurements of popliteal artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were performed before and after a 3-h sitting period during which one leg was subjected to intermittent fidgeting (1 min on/4 min off) while the contralateral leg remained still throughout and served as an internal control. Fidgeting produced a pronounced increase in popliteal artery blood flow and shear rate (prefidgeting, 33.7 ± 2.6 s(-1) to immediately postfidgeting, 222.7 ± 28.3 s(-1); mean ± SE; P < 0.001) that tapered off during the following 60 s. Fidgeting did not alter popliteal artery blood flow and shear rate of the contralateral leg, which was subjected to a reduction in blood flow and shear rate throughout the sitting period (presit, 71.7 ± 8.0 s(-1) to 3-h sit, 20.2 ± 2.9 s(-1); P < 0.001). Popliteal artery FMD was impaired after 3 h of sitting in the control leg (presit, 4.5 ± 0.3% to postsit: 1.6 ± 1.1%; P = 0.039) but improved in the fidgeting leg (presit, 3.7 ± 0.6% to postsit, 6.6 ± 1.2%; P = 0.014). Collectively, the present study provides evidence that prolonged sitting-induced leg endothelial dysfunction is preventable with small amounts of leg movement while sitting, likely through the intermittent increases in vascular shear stress.
Consumers’ Responses to Table Spacing in Restaurants

Having adequate personal space is an important aspect of users’ comfort with their environment. In a restaurant, for instance, spatial intrusion by others can lead to avoidance responses such as early departure or a disinclination to spend. A web-based survey of more than 1,000 Americans elicited behavioral intentions and emotional responses to a projected restaurant experience when parallel dining tables were spaced at six, twelve, and twenty-four inches apart under three common dining scenarios. Respondents strongly objected to closely spaced tables in most circumstances, particularly in a “romantic” context. Not only did the respondents react negatively to tightly spaced tables but they were generally disdainful of banquette-style seating, regardless of table distance. The context of the dining experience (e.g., a business lunch, a family occasion) is likely to be a key factor in consumers’ preferences for table spacing and their subsequent behaviors. Gender was also a factor, as women were much less comfortable than men in tight quarters. The findings are clear but the implications for restaurateurs are not, because a tight table arrangement has been demonstrated to shorten the dining cycle without affecting spending. However, diners may be less likely to return to a restaurant with uncomfortable table spacing.
Corporate Debt Financing and Earnings Quality

Our study establishes linkages between two extensively researched areas, debt financing and the quality of earnings. Debt can have a 'positive influence'on earnings quality because managers are likely to use their accounting discretion to provide private information about the firms' future prospects to lower financing costs. For high debt, it can also have a 'negative influence' on earnings quality as managers use accruals aggressively to manage earnings to avoid covenant violations. Using accruals quality as a proxy for earnings quality, we document a non-monotonic (curvilinear) relation between debt and earnings quality. The relationship is positive at low levels of debt and negative at high debt levels with an inflection point around 41%. Our results suggest that firms that rely heavily on debt financing might be willing to bear higher costs of borrowing from lower earnings quality because the benefits from avoiding potential debt covenant violations exceed the higher borrowing costs. Copyright (c) 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
The Compliance Challenge: Implications for Social Security in the People's Republic of China

Discussion of social security compliance in developing societies has mainly focused on systemic administrative and operational issues. The article argues that analysis of compliance calls also for frameworks which draw lessons from nation-specific policy circumstances and comparisons of social protection regime types. Using such an approach, it also examines social security compliance in the context of China. Four considerations are found to be central to improved compliance: the sustainability of economic growth, trust in social institutions and regulations, the differing social values inherent in regime types, and institutional inertia accumulated in China's existing policy path.
Topological selectivity of a hybrid site-specific recombination system with elements from Tn3 res/resolvase and bacteriophage P1 loxP/Cre.

In order to investigate the functions of the parts of the Tn 3 recombination site res, we created hybrid recombination sites by placing the loxP site for Cre recombinase adjacent to the "accessory" resolvase-binding sites II and III of res. The efficiency and product topology of in vitro recombination by Cre between two of these hybrid sites were affected by the addition of Tn 3 resolvase. The effects of resolvase addition were dependent on the relative orientation and spacing of the elements of the hybrid sites. Substrates with sites II and III of res close to loxP gave specific catenated or knotted products (four-noded catenane, three-noded knot) when resolvase and Cre were added together. The product topological complexity increased when the length of the spacer DNA segment between loxP and res site II was increased. Similar resolvase-induced effects on Cre recombination product topology were observed in reactions of substrates with loxP sites adjacent to full res sites. The results demonstrate that the res accessory sites are sufficient to impose topological selectivity on recombination, and imply that intertwining of two sets of accessory sites defines the simple catenane product topology in normal resolvase-mediated recombination. They are also consistent with current models for the mechanism of catalysis by Cre.
How Quality Management Models Influence Company Results- Conclusions of an Empirical Study Based on the Delphi Method

Abstract In this article, the authors analyse the influence on companies' performance of the two most important models for Quality Management practice popularized in Europe in recent years–the ISO 9000 and the EFQM models–based on a qualitative survey carried out using the Delphi method. The results of this survey were analysed and triangulated with the results of other surveys carried out previously, as well as with information gathered during several in-depth interviews of the experts that participated in the Delphi panel.
Thymidylate synthase haplotype is associated with tumor recurrence in stage II and stage III colon cancer

Background Tumor recurrence after curative resection is a major problem in the management of colon cancer therapy. Identifying molecular markers for tumor recurrence is critical for successfully selecting patients who are more likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. We analyzed the value of thymidylate synthase (TS) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms as a prognostic marker in stage II and stage III colon cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods Between 1987 and 2007, blood samples were obtained from 197 patients with stage II or stage III colon cancer at medical facilities at the University of Southern California. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and the genotypes were analyzed using PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Results Patients harboring the TS 3RG/+6-bp haplotype were at greatest risk to develop tumor recurrence [relative risk (RR): 2.25; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–4.85; adjusted P value=0.032]. TS enhancer region 3RG alone (RR: 3.48 years; 95% CI: 1.61–7.54; adjusted P value=0.013) or in combination with TS 1494del6 bp (RR: 3.41 years; 95% CI: 1.33–8.75; adjusted P value=0.044) proved to be adverse prognostic markers in both univariate and multivariable analysis. Conclusion ‘High-expression’ variants of TS 2R/3R repeat, TS enhancer region 3R G/C, TS 1494del6 bp, and TS haplotype analysis might help to identify stage II and stage III colon cancer patients who are at great risk of developing tumor recurrence, and also those who are more likely to benefit from 5-fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Larger, independent, prospective studies are, however, needed to confirm and validate our preliminary findings.
Empowering women? an assessment of international gender policies in Bosnia

International policy-making promises to empower women in Bosnia through encouraging their participation in the political process, giving them a voice in civil society and providing enhanced opportunities for economic independence. This essay challenges these claims, suggesting that while a narrow echelon of young middle-class urban professionals have benefited from international gender approaches, the prospects for ordinary Bosnian women have not improved. First, the essay considers international attempts to promote the political empowerment of women through quota mechanisms and support for women's organizations operating in civil society. Secondly, it considers international policies intended to further the economic empowerment of women and how these relate to broader neo-liberal prescriptions for the post-war state. It concludes that international policies, in both the political and economic realms, contain fundamental limitations which look likely to frustrate the long-term advancement of women in Bosnia.
Accuracy and precision of EDS analysis for identification of metal-bearing minerals in polished and rough particle samples

The study was carried out in order to estimate reliability of EDS analysis for identification of various natural and anthropogenic metal-bearing phases in polished and rough particle samples of stream sediments. For this purpose, the accuracy and precision of EDS analysis were assessed. Results of the precision measurements showed that the overall relative standard deviation of EDS measurements was 8 % for polished samples and 24 % for rough particle samples and was within acceptable limits for most of major elements and some of the elements present in minor or trace contents in the analysed metal-bearing phases. The random analytical fluctuations were considered negligible and phase compositions could be determined with sufficient reliability in individual grains of each phase. The overall average relative error for all elements amounted to about 12 %, which was within acceptable limits for accuracy in EDS analysis of polished samples. Chemical formulae and identification of mineral species of metalbearing phases were thus calculated from atomic ratios between constituent elements with sufficient accuracy. A comparison between EDS measurements in polished and rough particle samples using the Welch’s t-test showed that about 38 % of studied metal-bearing phases could be identified with sufficient reliability by EDS analysis of rough particle samples. The results of this study demonstrated that elemental composition of metal-bearing phases in polished and rough particle samples was mostly determined with sufficient precision and accuracy using EDS analyses.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1-Encoded Protein Kinase UL13 Phosphorylates Viral Us3 Protein Kinase and Regulates Nuclear Localization of Viral Envelopment Factors UL34 and UL31

ABSTRACT UL13 and Us3 are protein kinases encoded by herpes simplex virus 1. We report here that Us3 is a physiological substrate for UL13 in infected cells, based on the following observations. (i) The electrophoretic mobility, in denaturing gels, of Us3 isoforms from Vero cells infected with wild-type virus was slower than that of isoforms from cells infected with a UL13 deletion mutant virus (ΔUL13). After treatment with phosphatase, the electrophoretic mobility of the Us3 isoforms from cells infected with wild-type virus changed, with one isoform migrating as fast as one of the Us3 isoforms from ΔUL13-infected cells. (ii) A recombinant protein containing a domain of Us3 was phosphorylated by UL13 in vitro. (iii) The phenotype of ΔUL13 resembles that of a recombinant virus lacking the Us3 gene (ΔUs3) with respect to localization of the viral envelopment factors UL34 and UL31, whose localization has been shown to be regulated by Us3. UL34 and UL31 are localized in a smooth pattern throughout the nuclei of cells infected with wild-type virus, whereas their localization in ΔUL13- and ΔUs3-infected cells appeared as nuclear punctate patterns. These results indicate that UL13 phosphorylates Us3 in infected cells and regulates UL34 and UL31 localization, either by phosphorylating Us3 or by a Us3-independent mechanism.
Fiscal and monetary policy interactions: lessons for revising the EU Stability and Growth Pact

This paper explores the macroeconomic consequences of interactions between fiscal and monetary policy, in an environment characterized by endogenous money in which the interest rate is set exogenously by the central bank. Three "benchmark" interest rate operating procedures are identified, none of which presupposes that the main purpose of the central bank is to engage in inflation targeting. The paper then explores the consequences for macroeconomic performance (specifically, short-run growth and the rate of inflation) of activist fiscal policies designed to raise the short-run growth rate. The results provide insights into fiscal and monetary policy interactions in the sort of macroeconomic environment envisaged by some critics of the European Central Bank and the Stability and Growth Pact. In so doing, they provide lessons for those calling for fundamental reforms of both institutions.
Age and gender differences in the association between body mass index and all-cause mortality among older Japanese

ABSTRACT Objective: Increasing evidence suggests a reverse J-shaped association between body mass index (BMI) and all-cause mortality among the older population. However, findings from non-Western societies including Japan are still sparse. Furthermore, little evidence regarding variation by age and gender in the BMI-mortality relationship in old age exists. This study aimed to examine age and gender variations in the relationship between BMI and all-cause mortality among older Japanese. Design: Data came from a national representative sample of community-dwelling Japanese aged 60 years and older at baseline (n = 4,869). Participants were followed for up to 25 years. We categorized BMI into seven categories: < 18.5, 18.5–19.9, 20.0–21.4, 21.5–22.9, 23.0–24.9, 25.0–26.9, and ≥ 27.0. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the relative mortality risk associated with BMI categories. Results: Lower BMI (< 18.5 and 18.5–19.9) was associated with higher mortality, compared to the mid-normal weight category (BMI: 21.5–22.9), after adjusting for covariates. In contrast, high-normal weight (BMI: 23.0–24.9) and overweight (BMI: 25.0–26.9 and ≥ 27.0) were not associated with mortality. Relative to old-old (aged ≥ 75 years), the higher mortality risk associated with lower BMI (< 20) appeared to be more prominent among young-old (aged 60–74 years). A moderately increased mortality risk associated with low BMI (18.5–19.9) was identified among men but not among women. Conclusion: Among older Japanese, low BMI (< 20.0) was associated with higher mortality, while high BMI (≥ 27.0) was not. The increased mortality risk associated with low BMI is more apparent among young-old and men. These age and gender differences need to be considered in assessing healthy body weight in old age.
Declining Values and the Afternoon Effect: Evidence from Art Auctions

We study the order of sale in art auctions. The final bid relative to the auctioneer's estimated price declines throughout the course of an auction. A theoretical model shows that in an auction ordered by declining valuation, even in the presence of risk-neutral strategic bidders, the price received relative to the estimate for later items in an auction should be less than the price relative to the estimate for earlier items. Furthermore, ordering heterogeneous items by value maximizes revenue for the auctioneer.
INFORMATIONAL VERSUS PRICE-PRESSURE EFFECTS: EVIDENCE FROM SECONDARY OFFERINGS

The negative market reaction to secondary offerings is the likely result of informational or price-pressure effects. We find a more negative announcement-period reaction for larger offerings, which supports both explanations. However, we also find a more negative issuance-day reaction for larger offers. Unless issuance reveals new information, this finding can only be associated with price-pressure effects. After issuance, we observe a price recovery directly related to the relative size of this offer, which additionally supports the price-pressure hypothesis.
Military Modernization in Chinese Technical Progress and Industrial Innovation

Abstract This paper assesses the impact of military-related programs on Chinese technical progress since 1980. We argue that efforts to modernize weapons production and integrate the civilian and military sectors of the economy have increased China's innovation potential and led to an improvement in the country's overall technological capabilities. Although it is still too early to draw sweeping conclusions, China appears to be following a road taken by other great powers before it, where the pursuit of modern defense systems stimulates the development of advanced technologies.
The Southern Regional Science Association and The Review of Regional Studies: History and Characteristics

This paper summarizes some characteristics of the Southern Regional Science Association (SRSA), attendance at yearly meetings of the SRSA, and the participation of individuals and institutions in presented paper sessions at those meetings. We also provide a detailed analysis of publishing performance, by individuals and institutions, in The Review of Regional Studies, which is the official publication of the SRSA.
Guess Who's Coming to Therapy? Getting Comfortable With Conversations About Race and Ethnicity in Psychotherapy

The ability to conduct psychotherapy effectively with racially and ethnically diverse populations is becoming increasingly important given the changing demographics of this country. Recent estimates of population trends suggest that by the year 2050, non-Hispanic Caucasian Americans will constitute approximately 50% of the United States population, as compared with the current 72% of the population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001). The American Psychological Association (APA) has recognized the critical nature of integrating issues of race and ethnicity into the field of psychology by encouraging attention to these issues in clinical training programs (APA, Committee on Accreditation, 2002), creating therapist competency guidelines for working with racial and ethnic minority populations (APA, 1993), and sponsoring professional meetings to identify strategies to promote sensitivity to diversity in psychology (McGuire, 1999). It is likely that most clinical psychologists have acquired an intellectual appreciation of the salience of race and ethnicity in the