Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity, Community Structural Shifts, and Biogeography of Prokaryotes within Antarctic Continental Shelf Sediment

ABSTRACT 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) clone library analysis was conducted to assess prokaryotic diversity and community structural changes within a surficial sediment core obtained from an Antarctic continental shelf area (depth, 761 m) within the Mertz Glacier Polynya (MGP) region. Libraries were created from three separate horizons of the core (0- to 0.4-cm, 1.5- to 2.5-cm, and 20- to 21-cm depth positions). The results indicated that at the oxic sediment surface (depth, 0 to 0.4 cm) the microbial community appeared to be dominated by a small subset of potentially r-strategist (fast-growing, opportunistic) species, resulting in a lower-than-expected species richness of 442 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). At a depth of 1.5 to 2.5 cm, the species richness (1,128 OTUs) was much higher, with the community dominated by numerous gamma and delta proteobacterial phylotypes. At a depth of 20 to 21 cm, a clear decline in species richness (541 OTUs) occurred, accompanied by a larger number of more phylogenetically divergent phylotypes and a decline in the predominance of Proteobacteria. Based on rRNA and clonal abundance as well as sequence comparisons, syntrophic cycling of oxidized and reduced sulfur compounds appeared to be the dominant process in surficial MGP sediment, as phylotype groups putatively linked to these processes made up a large proportion of clones throughout the core. Between 18 and 65% of 16S rDNA phylotypes detected in a wide range of coastal and open ocean sediments possessed high levels of sequence similarity (>95%) with the MGP sediment phylotypes, indicating that many sediment prokaryote phylotype groups defined in this study are ubiquitous in marine sediment.
Changes in Underwriters’ Selection of Comparable Firms Pre- and Post-IPO: Same Bank, Same Company, Different Peers

We compare the selection of peer firms made by investment banks as underwriters at the IPO with that done shortly thereafter as analysts. We find that 3 out of 7 comparable firms, on average, are changed. The peers published in the IPO prospectuses have higher valuations than those published in the post-IPO equity research reports of the same firm, especially if the underwriter is US-based. We argue that underwriters select comparable firms that make the issuer's shares look conservatively priced at the IPO, while this conflict of interest tends to fade afterwards. The upward bias in peer selection is larger for underwriters with greater market power, and lower for repeat players in the IPO market. A biased selection of peers results in higher underpricing and lower long run performance of IPOs.
Propelling Students into Active Grammar Participation.

O! this learning, what a thing it is. -W. Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew The aim of this action research was to find out if active grammar involvement amongst students might lead to better results. My approach was to activate my students during grammar instruction by using cooperative learning: that is a form of learning in which teachers favour the instructional use of small groups through which students work together to maximize their own and each other’s learning (Johnson, Johnson, & Holubec, 1991). My motivation was to instil a more active attitude towards grammar instruction amongst my students. I used three groups, of 26-30 students each that participated in this study: one experimental group and two control groups. I incorporated the Jigsaw Method in my experimental group. I divided this group into small groups with one mini-expert who would explain grammar to others. After two cycles the findings were promising. The students of my experimental group scored higher and were more actively involved during the grammar lessons than their peers of the control groups. Though this approach to grammar seems to have worked in my school practice I do advise to study the effects of cooperative learning in grammar education holistically over a longer period of time.
Cross-shareholding in the Japanese Banking Sector, Tacit Collusion, and Market Power

This paper modifies the well-known conjectural variation model of Clarke and Davis (1982) by taking into account partial cross ownership (PCO) links among firms. It is shown that, unlike in the no PCO case, the link between firms’ price-cost margins and the degree of tacit collusion is nonlinear in the presence of PCO. Thus, ignoring PCO in their presence would most likely lead to biased results due to model misspecification. The model is applied to the Japanese banking sector in 2003. We find that Japanese banks compete in a modest collusive environment, while neglecting PCO gives a different result indicating a Cournot oligopoly. It is further shown that banks with passive holdings in rivals exert a strictly larger market power than those without any PCO. In particular, city banks with many shareholdings are found to exercise a much larger market power than regional banks with none or few stockholdings.
Structural Decomposition Analyses with Dependent Determinants

Structural decomposition techniques are used to break down the changes in one variable into the changes in its determinants. Typically, these determinants are assumed to be independent. Using the decomposition of value added growth as a prototype example, this paper examines the phenomenon that several of the determinants are not independent. The determinants are termed fully dependent if changes in one determinant cannot occur without corresponding changes in another determinant. In most empirical cases, full dependence exists between groups of determinants, not between separate determinants. It is indicated that dependencies may cause a bias in the results of decomposition analyses. An alternative to overcome this problem is proposed and the findings are illustrated by an empirical study for The Netherlands 1972-1986.
Move Over, Bacteria! Viruses Make Their Mark as Mutualistic Microbial Symbionts

ABSTRACT Viruses are being redefined as more than just pathogens. They are also critical symbiotic partners in the health of their hosts. In some cases, viruses have fused with their hosts in symbiogenetic relationships. Mutualistic interactions are found in plant, insect, and mammalian viruses, as well as with eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes, and some interactions involve multiple players of the holobiont. With increased virus discovery, more mutualistic interactions are being described and more will undoubtedly be discovered.
Accountability and Role Effects in Balanced Scorecard Performance Evaluations When Strategy Timeline Is Specified

Abstract This study experimentally examines if fixation on lagging financial measures (relative to leading non-financial measures) as reported in prior balanced scorecard literature is mitigated when evaluators are provided with a strategy implementation timeline (a non-manipulated variable). The experiment manipulates whether or not evaluators are subject to process accountability as well as the role to which evaluators are assigned (i.e. supervisor or subordinate). We predict and find that, in general, the provision of an implementation timeline results in evaluators placing more weight on strategically linked, leading non-financial measures within a subordinate's time span of control compared to strategically linked, lagged financial measures beyond the subordinate's controllable time horizon. However, we also find that evaluators in the role of a supervisor differentiate less between strategically linked non-financial measures that fall within the subordinate's control and strategically linked financial measures beyond the subordinate's control when held accountable compared to supervisors not held accountable. On the other hand, participants in the role of a subordinate were able to differentiate appropriately between these measures when held accountable. Our results extend prior research by considering how linking a timeline to strategy implementation may assist evaluators when assessing performance in the presence of both leading and lagging strategic measures. Further, reference to an implementation timeline may influence role and accountability effects. Implications for future research in multidimensional strategic performance evaluation are discussed.
Accelerated fluid bed drying using NIR monitoring and phenomenological modeling: method assessment and formulation suitability.

The theory behind a fluidized bed fast-drying method is investigated as a potential timesaving process, which can reduce overall drying time compared to single-temperature cycles. The method teaches that for formulations in which heat transfer dominates the drying mechanism, an increase in temperature during the evaporative phase of drying decreases overall process time by 50%, without changing the physical properties of the active ingredient. The method is also examined in terms of its potential for cycle shortening for a given formulation. A combined expression for the overall drying profile has been developed and committed to a macro that facilitates the identification of phenomenological trends, which identify whether or not a process will benefit by using fast drying. The relationship and macro also allows prediction of time frames associated with a given set of dryer and formulation parameters.
Human Resource Management Practices: Drivers for Stimulating Corporate Entrepreneurship in Large Companies in the Philippines

© 2010 De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines Leading companies in the Philippines have realized that nurturing an entrepreneurial culture through the implementation of various strategic human resource management (HRM) practices will enhance their firm’s ability to gain competitive advantage and achieve superior performance. This study attempted to determine the degree to which various HRM practices stimulate corporate entrepreneurship and which HRM function is the most significant driver of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) in large companies in the Philippines. Findings reveal that the companies are extensively implementing different practices related to HRM functions that cultivate CE. Employee relations, training and development, and recruitment and selection HRM functions are found to be significant enablers of CE. Employee relations proved to be the most significant driver of innovation in the firms.
Board composition and bank performance in Kuwait: an empirical study

Purpose - This study aims to examine the relationship between board composition (i.e. non-executive directors, family directors, role duality and board size) and bank performance, using a sample of nine listed Kuwait banks over the 2006 to 2010 period. Design/methodology/approach - The study uses ordinary least squares (OLS) and two-stage-least squares (2SLS) to test such a relationship and to address endogeneity in explanatory variables. Findings - The results provide some evidence that board composition of banks relates to their performance. According to the OLS regression results, only board size and proportion of non-executive directors negatively affect bank performance. Meanwhile, the 2SLS results indicate that role duality positively affects a bank's performance while board size affects a bank's performance negatively. Research limitations/implications - Although the model has explained a significant part of the variation in performance, still unexplained is a material part that represents the “noise” of the model. Data availability limited the ability to study other aspects of corporate governance mechanisms such as number of audit committee members on board. The sample size is small; thus, in future research, the sample size could be increased by including a longer period of time or different countries such as members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia). Practical implications - Given the importance of effective boards in monitoring bank values, more actions and rules need to take place in Kuwait to improve the efficacy of boards in protecting shareholders and their interests in Kuwaiti banks. Regulators may mandate a corporate governance code or adopt the OECD corporate governance principles as a starting point in Kuwait. Kuwaiti companies may use the findings to make appropriate choices about board appointments and best governance to improve performance. Investors also may use the findings to understand Kuwaiti companies. Such findings may assist them to diversify their investment portfolios. Originality/value - This study asserts to provide insights on the relationship between bank performance and board composition in Kuwait. The study extends prior research and investigates the roles of board of directors in banks in the context of an emerging market characterized by weak shareholder protection and highly concentrated ownership.
Clinical evaluation of nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) in urine as a novel marker for urothelial cancer.

OBJECTIVES This study was undertaken to determine the clinical usefulness of nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) as a novel urine marker for urothelial cancer, particularly, to substitute for voided-urine cytology. METHODS NMP22 values were determined for 280 patients and 20 healthy volunteers by NMP22 Test Kit based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS When the cut-off value was set at 10 U/ml, the positive rate of urinary NMP22 for urothelial cancer was 80.9% (38/47), whereas that for posttreatment cases and benign diseases was 35.7% (74/207). When urinary NMP22 and voided-urine cytology were compared, the test for urinary NMP22 showed higher sensitivity than cytology in patients with urothelial cancer. When urinary NMP22 values were determined pre- and postoperatively in patients with urothelial cancer, the postoperative value decreased in all patients, and were below the cut-off value in all except one patient. CONCLUSIONS Urinary NMP22 is a useful diagnostic marker as a substitute for voided-urine cytology for the surveillance of urothelial cancer.
Does unilateral liberalization promote WTO GATS commitment? Cross-country evidence from the telecommunications sector

This paper addresses two questions: (1) does unilateral liberalization in the telecommunications sector promote a country's commitments in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and (2) what are the possible reasons for a disconnection between unilateral liberalized measures and General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) commitments? On the basis of interviews with trade and WTO experts and a closer comparison between the GATS commitments and actual policies of the selected WTO members in the telecommunications sector, we argue that unilateral liberalization, in most cases, acts as a push factor and provides the grounds for making multilateral WTO commitments. Apart from unilateral liberalization, a country also requires the achievement of ‘sufficient conditions’ before agreeing to undertake liberalization commitments under GATS. Furthermore, the study suggests that the desire to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and also to overcome domestic resistance to reform may encourage each WTO member to make higher commitments. Conversely, a countries’ intention to remain unconstrained by WTO commitments may induce them to commit at a lower level than their actual level of openness.
Data Association for Multiple Sensor Types Using Fuzzy Logic

Target association in sensor data fusion often assumes that both the target tracks and the measurements are described with Gaussian random variables. For some sensor reports, such as passive acoustics, this assumption creates a poor approximation. For the association of measurement to target track, significant errors can occur as a uniform distribution is warped such that the centroid is weighted significantly more than the edges when a single Gaussian is used as the approximation. Using the chi-squared metric to associate a new measurement to an existing target track under this condition can increase the likelihood of association or reduce it significantly. In this paper, a fuzzy-logic approach to data association is enhanced. The original approach showed that it could emulate the chi-squared metric comparing two Gaussian random variables. Here, the approach is enhanced to handle the cases of two uniformly distributed random variables and the case where a uniform measurement is compared to a Gaussian track
Sectoral stock return sensitivity to oil price changes: a double-threshold FIGARCH model

We investigate the association between the stock return distributions of 10 major U.S. sectors and oil returns within a double-threshold FIGARCH model. This model nests GARCH, IGARCH and Fama–French specifications as its special cases and allows a test of their validity. This model also has the advantage of capturing not only the short-run dynamics (as in the standard GARCH model), but also the long-run persistence pattern of oil shock effects that may decay at a slower hyperbolic pace. We find that: (i) data reject the more restricted GARCH, IGARCH and Fama–French models in favor of FIGARCH, (ii) oil return is a significant determinant of every sector's return and/or return volatility, (iii) oil effects are asymmetric for oil returns above and below the thresholds, (iv) asymmetry is stronger when oil return volatility is greater, (v) volatilities of sectoral returns exhibit threshold-based regime shifts, and (vi) oil shock effects follow a hyperbolic, rather than an exponential decay pattern, establishing long-term persistence of shocks. Policy implications are drawn.
Using attachment theory in medical settings: Implications for primary care physicians

Background Mental health researchers, clinicians and clinical psychologists have long considered a good provider–patient relationship to be an important factor for positive treatment outcomes in a range of therapeutic settings. However, primary care physicians have been slow to consider how attachment theory may be used in the context of patient care in medical settings. Aims In the current article, John Bowlby's attachment theory and proposed attachment styles are proffered as a framework to better understand patient behaviors, patient communication styles with physicians and the physician–patient relationship in medical settings. Conclusion The authors recommend how primary care physicians and other health care providers can translate attachment theory to enhance practice behaviors and health-related communications in medical settings.
Regionalization of health services in Newfoundland and Labrador: perceptions of the planning, implementation and consequences of regional governance

Objectives To describe the context and key drivers for regionalization of one provincial health care system in Canada; to document the original expectations of regionalization on governance and the extent to which these expectations were met; to identify the perceived successes and weaknesses of the process; and to examine the key issues and concerns that warrant further consideration and action in the future. Methods Forty-five CEO/senior administrator or senior health department officials in the period 1993-2001 were invited to participate, of whom 35 were interviewed (67% of senior health officials and 85% of CEOs/ senior administrators). Results For the most part, key informants felt that expectations of reform with respect to reduction in the number of boards and integration of services under each board's mandate did occur. However, ongoing financial restraint, failure to include the full range of health services under the regional board mandate (including physician and pharmaceutical services), uncertainty regarding the level of authority the regional boards had for decision-making, and unclear accountability mechanisms between the regional boards and the provincial Ministry of Health limited the extent to which broader expectations related to development of a population health focus, and improved continuity of care for individuals and families was achieved. Conclusions Implications for policy-makers were identified in four main areas: alignment between health policy goals and the governance structure; clarification of authority and accountability relationships; clarification of roles and responsibilities among all key actors; and strengthening of mechanisms that support accountability.
IRE1‐ and HAC1‐independent transcriptional regulation in the unfolded protein response of yeast

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a signalling pathway leading to transcriptional activation of genes that protect cells from accumulation of unfolded proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In yeast, the only known ER stress signalling pathway originates at the type I transmembrane protein kinase/endoribonuclease Ire1p. Ire1p regulates synthesis of the basic leucine‐zipper (bZIP)‐containing transcription factor Hac1p by controlling splicing of HAC1 mRNA. Only spliced HAC1 mRNA (HAC1i) is translated, and Hac1ip activates transcription of genes that contain a conserved UPR element (UPRE) in their promoters. Here, we demonstrate that in addition to this well‐understood ER stress signalling pathway, a second, IRE1, HAC1 and UPRE‐independent mechanism for transcriptional activation upon ER stress, exists in yeast. A genetic screen identified recessive SIN4 alleles as suppressors of a defective UPR in ire1Δ strains. Elevation of basal transcription in sin4 strains or by tethering the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme with LexAp‐holoenzyme component fusion proteins to a promoter allowed for activation of the promoter by ER stress in an IRE1, HAC1 and UPRE‐independent manner. We propose that this novel second ER‐to‐nucleus signal transduction pathway culminates in core promoter activation (CPA) through stimulation of RNA polymerase II holoenzyme activity. Core promoter activation was observed upon diverse cellular stresses, suggesting it represents a primordial stress‐induced gene activation mechanism.
Inter-Industry Employment Spillovers from Tourism Inflows

How much economic stimulus does tourism provide by generating jobs in various local industry sectors? Using data across 43 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas during 1987–2006, we analyze the impact of tourism inflows — proxied by the number of hotel rooms sold — on the employment in 22 non-hotel industries. We estimate a dynamic labor demand model with inter-industry spillover effects, using various estimators including GMM-based dynamic panel methods. We find statistically and economically significant effects — an additional 100 rooms sold per day during a year in a given MSA generates between 2 and 5 new jobs per non-hotel industry in that area. Subsample analyses across industries indicate that construction, retail, health care, professional and technical services are among the largest beneficiaries of these spillovers.
Nitric Oxide and Carbon Monoxide Production and Metabolism in Preeclampsia

Objective: To elucidate the regulation of the nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) pathways in preeclampsia and to evaluate the ratio of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) to symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) as a marker for preeclampsia. Methods: Maternal plasma and placental samples were obtained from 20 participants with preeclampsia and 23 controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure plasma NO, ADMA, and SDMA as well as placental NO and hemeoxygnase 1 (HO-1). Western blot was used to measure placental dimethylarginine dimethylaminotransferases (DDAH-I and DDAH-II). Results: Placental DDAH-I, placental DDAH-II, placental NO, and placental HO-1 were significantly decreased in participants with preeclampsia. While ADMA and SDMA levels were decreased in preeclampsia, the ADMA-SDMA ratio was not significantly different. Conclusions: Decreased DDAH and HO with preeclampsia suggest that they are important points in the regulatory pathways of NO and CO production that are altered in preeclampsia. The ADMA-SDMA ratio is not a useful test for preeclampsia.