Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drivers Behind the Monitoring Effectiveness of Global Institutional Investors: Evidence from Earnings Management

This paper studies the drivers behind the monitoring effectiveness of institutional investors in curbing earnings management in an international setting. We identify three distinct drivers and propose two competing hypotheses: the hometown advantage hypothesis predicts that because of proximity to monitoring information, domestic institutions have a comparative advantage over foreign institutions in deterring earnings management, whereas the global investor hypothesis predicts that foreign institutions have a comparative advantage because of their proclivity toward activism and ability to deploy superior monitoring technologies. Consistent with the hometown advantage hypothesis, in aggregate, domestic, but not foreign, institutional ownership is associated with less earnings management; the monitoring effectiveness of foreign institutions improves as they gain proximity to monitoring information. Consistent with the global investor hypothesis, the monitoring effectiveness of foreign institutions improves in environments of greater agency conflicts or weaker governance controls or when the gap in monitoring technology between foreign and domestic institutions widens.
The Policy and Institutional Drivers of Economic Growth Across OECD and Non-OECD Economies

This paper analyses the policy and institutional determinants of long-run economic growth for a sample of OECD and non-OECD countries, with two objectives. First, it assesses the extent to which the main findings from growth regressions covering industrial countries are robust to a larger sample covering lower-income OECD and non-OECD countries. Confirmation is found from pooled mean group estimates for the larger sample of countries that long-run GDP per capita levels are increased inter alia by education policies, trade openness, R&D expenditures and policy frameworks that are conducive to low inflation, although the estimated effect of education is implausibly large. Second, the paper proposes a new growth regression framework that explicitly models technology diffusion and allows exploring the growth effects of a wider set of policies and institutions, while alleviating some of the constraints of the pooled mean group estimator. Under this approach, the estimated return to education is more in line with available evidence from microeconomic studies. Regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship, explicit barriers to trade and – especially – patent rights protection appear to be fairly robust determinants of long-run cross-country differences in technology. Some other policies and institutions such as trade liberalisation are found to speed up technology convergence. There is limited evidence here that the effects of policies and institutions vary depending on countries’ level of development. These findings are subject to the usual limitations of growth regression analysis.
The Toxicity of Paraquat

Samples of paraquat dichloride and paraquat dimethosulphate are equitoxic when the LD50 is expressed as mg. paraquat ion/kg. body-weight. There are wide species variations in the LD50 and, of course, variations according to the route of administration in a single species. The pathological lesions attributable to paraquat are described in some detail. Among the most unusual is a peculiar proliferative condition in the lungs, which in an extreme case and in many parts can hardly be recognized as consisting of pulmonary tissue. With slight variations, the same microscopical picture may be seen in the rat, mouse, dog, and man, and less often in the rabbit. The experimental evidence suggests that once the condition is initiated it often proceeds in the absence of further exposure to paraquat until it becomes lethal. There is evidence that much of the mortality resulting from dermal application of paraquat in the rabbit is caused not by percutaneous absorption but by oral contamination from the stratum corneum. This leads to glossitis and oesophagitis and an inability or unwillingness to eat.
Revisiting the Value of Repeated Contacts on Survey Response Rates in Management Accounting Research

This study examines the use and effect of repeated contacts on mail survey response rates in management accounting research. The use of repeated contacts such as prenotification or follow-up is one highly recommended means to increase response rates. However, there is very little theory behind this recommendation. Further, the empirical evidence is mixed. We start by documenting the use and effect of such techniques on response rates in extant management accounting research. Second, we conduct an experiment to examine the individual and combined influence of prenotification and follow-up on response rates. The analysis of the literature from 1985 to 2004 and our experimental evidence reveal that repeated contacts do not systematically increase response rates. Our analysis suggests that there is a need to better understand when, why, and how repeated contacts are expected to influence response rates, and in particular, their potential benefit to management accounting mail survey research.
The Effect of Missing a Quarterly Earnings Benchmark on the CEO'S Annual Bonus

We investigate the effects of missing quarterly earnings benchmarks on the CEO's annual bonus. After controlling for the general pay‐for‐performance relation, we find a significant incremental adverse effect on CEO annual cash bonuses when the firm's quarterly earnings fall short of the consensus analyst forecast or the earnings for the same quarter of the prior year, for at least two quarters during the year. However, we find that the relation between the bonus and the number of loss quarters is not significant. Our results suggest that CEO bonus payments provide CEOs with economic incentives to meet quarterly analyst earnings forecasts and earnings from the same quarter of the prior year.
Innovation in clusters: effects of absorptive capacity and environmental moderators

Purpose – This paper aims to empirically explore the impact of absorptive capacity (AC) on explorative and exploitative innovation in business cluster settings, and the environment's moderating role on these relationships.Design/methodology/approach – Using a sample of Central European companies, the paper applies multivariate data analysis techniques to test the effect of AC on innovation performance and potential moderators, respectively.Findings – The empirical evidence indicates that AC impacts both explorative and exploitative innovation, and that the strength of the impact depends on the business clusters' level of dynamism and competitiveness. Environmental dynamism and competitiveness positively moderate the effect of AC on explorative innovation, and negatively moderate the effect of AC on exploitative innovation.Research limitations/implications – Several research limitations apply. First, only one interview per firm was conducted on a self‐reporting basis. Second, the survey's focus was on SMEs.
Getting off the streets: Economic resources and residential exits from homelessness

Based on a 15-month prospective study, the following variables demonstrated an association with residential stability in a countywide probability sample of 397 homeless adults: female gender, a history of less than 1-year homelessness, absence of a health problem that limited work ability, entitlement-benefit income, and use of subsidized housing. Multivariate analyses show that two forms of public support—entitlement income and subsidized housing—were the most important variables associated with exits from homelessness into stable housing. Homeless adults with substance use disorders were more likely than other homeless adults to obtain unstable, but not stable housing. Homeless adults with mental disorders were no less likely than other homeless adults to report stable housing. Stable housing is necessary to break the cycle of homelessness, and economic resources such as entitlement income and subsidized housing are associated with stable housing for homeless adults. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Does gender-specific starting point bias in choice experiments prevail among well-informed respondents: evidence from an empirical study

Welfare estimates in discrete choice experiments studies are found to be sensitive towards the applied bid vector, i.e. anchoring bias or starting point bias. Furthermore, there are some evidence that female respondents might be more prone to starting point bias compared to male respondents. Using a market good, starting point bias is tested and found on the preference margin only to be evident among female respondents with less experience with the market good. Experienced female and male respondents do not state significant starting point biased preferences. This suggests that starting point bias might be less severe among well-informed respondents.
Bureaucrats Versus the Ballot Box in Foreign Policy Decision Making

The bureaucratic politics model and the poliheuristic theory are used to examine how political advice presented in various contexts influences choice. Organizational advisers who offer endogenous political advice are compared with situations in which the decision maker is offered advice by a separate, or exogenous, political adviser. Results show that decision makers are influenced by political evaluations in a noncompensatory manner, even when this advice is endogenously presented, and that political evaluations (and foreign policy choices) can be affected by the presence of multiple bureaucratic advisers. These findings have significant implications for how information is presented in advisory group settings.
Surveillance and Poaching on Inshore Reefs of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia, is managed under the GBR Marine Park Act (1975) and is seen as a shining example of marine resource management. The principle tool of management is zoning for multiple use. We examined surveillance and illegal fishing around two inshore islands (Magnetic and Orpheus) of the GBR Marine Park in 2000/2001. Both islands are near Townsville, the largest city adjacent to the GBR. Surveillance effort was low, with vessels present on only 16% of days of the year. Measurable but low levels of illegal recreational fishing occurred within no-take zones. Levels decreased with increasing surveillance effort. Thus zoning was not completely successful in protecting fish targeted by fisheries, even within the most highly enforced sections of the Park. The expansion of no-take zones in 2004 from 4.6% to 33.4% of the area of the 358,000 km2 Park represents a considerable challenge for future surveillance and enforcement.
Socio-Economic Characteristics As Correlates Of Adoption Among Yam Farmers In Rural Ikwerre Areas Of Rivers State, Nigeria

This study assessed the correlation between socio-economic characteristics of yam farmers and adoption of yam minisett technology. It was carried out in the Ikwerre rural areas of Rivers State, Nigeria. The sample size of the study is made up of 252 yam farmers who were randomly sampled. Interview schedule was used for data collection. Data were analyzed with the use of percentages and Pearson Product- Moment Correlation Coefficient (r). Results indicate that complete adoption is as low as 18.6%. Results of the r-values of socio-economic characteristics of yam farmers and adoption at 0.05 level of significance shows that age (r=-0.1149) and farming experience (r=-0.0897) were negative, very low and not significant. Income (r= 0.5540), yam farm size (r=0.5982) and extension contact (r=0.5851) gave positive, moderate and significant correlation. Education (r=0.7658) however, gave a positive, very strong and significant correlation with adoption. In view of the above results, it is recommended that extension efforts concentrated around middle age yam farmers who have higher: income, farm size, extension contact and education will yield a better adoption among yam farmers in this study areas. Keywords : Yam farmers, socio-economic characteristics, adoption Global Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 2 (2) 2006: pp. 74-80
Business Group Affiliation and R&D

This paper analyzes whether belonging to a business group enhances firms' propensity for and intensity of R&D based on the greater opportunities to finance and co-ordinate R&D strategies and internalize knowledge spillovers. Compared with the existing literature, this paper has the following novelties: (a) it examines how the organization and diversification of business groups influence the R&D investment of affiliated firms; (b) it analyzes the role of R&D spillovers among affiliated firms; and (c) it distinguishes between propensity for and intensity of R&D. We find that less diversified groups are more likely to centralize R&D, while in more diversified groups firms are more likely to be autonomous. We find that controlled companies are more likely to benefit from knowledge spillovers than firms at the head of the group. Finally, we find that R&D autonomy is significantly associated with both a higher propensity for and intensity of R&D in controlled companies.
Identification of Osteoblast/Osteocyte Factor 45 (OF45), a Bone-specific cDNA Encoding an RGD-containing Protein That Is Highly Expressed in Osteoblasts and Osteocytes*

We describe the cloning and characterization of a novel bone-specific cDNA predicted to encode an extracellular matrix protein. This cDNA was identified by subtractive hybridization based upon its high expression in bone marrow-derived osteoblasts. By Northern blot analysis, we detected a single 2-kilobase mRNA transcript in bone, whereas no expression was detected in other tissues. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the protein was expressed highly in osteocytes within trabecular and cortical bone. RNA and protein expression analysis using in vivo marrow ablation as a model of bone remodeling demonstrated that this gene was expressed only in cells that were embedded within bone matrix in contrast to the earlier expression of known osteoblast markers. The cDNA was predicted to encode a serine/glycine-rich secreted peptide containing numerous potential phosphorylation sites and one RGD sequence motif. The interaction of RGD domain-containing peptides with integrins has been shown previously to regulate bone remodeling by promoting recruitment, attachment, and differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Secretion of this RGD-containing protein from osteocytes has the potential to regulate cellular activities within the bone environment and thereby may impact bone homeostasis. We propose the name OF45 (osteoblast/osteocyte factor of 45 kDa) for this novel cDNA.
Objectives of Financial Reporting

Conceptual framework documents can be evaluated in terms of four criteria: clarity of expression, consistency of assumptions with knowledge of commercial practices and the behaviour of external users of accounting information, internal consistency, and comprehensiveness as a guide to financial reporting practice. On this basis, the Australian Accounting Research Foundation's (AARF's) Statements of Accounting Concepts No. 2 (AARF, 1990a), Objectives of General Purpose Financial Reporting, is found wanting. SAC 2 is inappropriately drafted in terms of normative statements, and incorporates considerable ambiguity because of its allusions to inconsistent objectives without guidance as to weightings or how apparently inconsistent statements might be reconciled. Supporting analysis is rudimentary at best and it relies on an inappropriate use of terminology, while statements lack empirical support and are not linked to any analysis of users' needs for information. Six recommendations for the redrafting of a more narrowly focused SAC 2 (concentrating on annual reports by profit-seeking entities) are presented.
Proteomic Analysis of Eggs from Mytilus edulis Females Differing in Mitochondrial DNA Transmission Mode*

Many bivalves have an unusual mechanism of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) inheritance called doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) in which distinctly different genomes are inherited through the female (F genome) and male (M genome) lineages. In fertilized eggs that will develop into male embryos, the sperm mitochondria remain in an aggregation, which is believed to be delivered to the primordial germ cells and passed to the next generation through the sperm. In fertilized eggs that will develop into female embryos, the sperm mitochondria are dispersed throughout the developing embryo and make little if any contribution to the next generation. The frequency of embryos with the aggregated or dispersed mitochondrial type varies among females. Previous models of DUI have predicted that maternal nuclear factors cause molecular differences among unfertilized eggs from females producing embryos with predominantly dispersed or aggregated mitochondria. We test this hypothesis using females of each of the two types from a natural population. We have found small, yet detectable, differences of the predicted type at the proteome level. We also provide evidence that eggs of females giving the dispersed pattern have consistently lower expression for different proteasome subunits than eggs of females giving the aggregated pattern. These results, combined with those of an earlier study in which we used hatchery lines of Mytilus, and with a transcriptomic study in a clam that has the DUI system of mtDNA transmission, reinforce the hypothesis that the ubiquitin-proteasome system plays a key role in the mechanism of DUI and sex determination in bivalves. We also report that eggs of females giving the dispersed pattern have higher expression for arginine kinase and enolase, enzymes involved in energy production, whereas ferritin, which is involved in iron homeostasis, has lower expression. We discuss these results in the context of genetic models for DUI and suggest experimental methods for further understanding the role of these proteins in DUI.
Asian states : beyond the developmental perspective

Notes on Contributors Preface 1. Emancipating the Political Economy of Asia from the Growth Paradigm 2. A Regulationist and State-Theoretical Analysis 3. The State-Market Condominium Approach 4. The Paradox of Weak Power and Strong Authority in the Japanese State 5. The Political Bases of Episodic Agency in the Taiwan State 6. Local State Structure and Developmental Incentives in China 7. Social Contradictions of the Korean State 8. The Political Economy of the Asian Welfare State 9. Transplanting the Neoliberal State in Southeast Asia References Index
Edgeworth Price Cycles and Focal Prices: Computational Dynamic Markov Equilibria

Motivated by the discovery of apparent Edgeworth Cycles in many retail gasoline markets, this paper extends the Maskin & Tirole [1988] theory Edgeworth Cycles to a wide range of more complicated and realistic settings. Taking a computational approach to search for Markov Perfect Equilibria, I examine models involving duopoly and triopoly, differentiation, capacity constraints, and different sharing rules, discount factors and initial beliefs about price leading behavior. I find Edgeworth Cycles equilibrium in many scenarios outside the homogenous-good Bertrand mold. Cycle characteristics and average markups depend on the scenario.
Social Insurance and the Public Budget

Restraints on the public budget may limit the ability of the public sector to use financial markets for the diversification of shocks. This interferes with the role of the public budget as a buffer which may provide insurance by stabilizing income and thereby private consumption. We consider this insurance or stabilizing role of public budgets and show why pro-cyclical budgets and a progressive taxation system may be optimal even when tax distortions are taken into account. Balanced budget restrictions interfere with this insurance effect, and they do not necessarily imply that a lower level of public consumption is optimal.
Autonomous Optofluidic Chemical Analyzers for Marine Applications: Insights from the Submersible Autonomous Moored Instruments (SAMI) for pH and pCO2

The commercial availability of inexpensive fiber optics and small volume pumps in the early 1990’s provided the components necessary for the successful development of low power, low reagent consumption, autonomous optofluidic analyzers for marine applications. It was evident that to achieve calibration-free performance, reagent-based sensors would require frequent renewal of the reagent by pumping the reagent from an impermeable, inert reservoir to the sensing interface. Pumping also enabled measurement of a spectral blank further enhancing accuracy and stability. The first instrument that was developed based on this strategy, the Submersible Autonomous Moored Instrument for CO2 (SAMI-CO2), uses a pH indicator for measurement of the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2). Because the pH indicator gives an optical response, the instrument requires an optofluidic design where the indicator is pumped into a gas permeable membrane and then to an optical cell for analysis. The pH indicator is periodically flushed from the optical cell by using a valve to switch from the pH indicator to a blank solution. Because of the small volume and low power light source, over 8,500 measurements can be obtained with a ~500 mL reagent bag and 8 alkaline D-cell battery pack. The primary drawback is that the design is more complex compared to the single-ended electrode or optode that is envisioned as the ideal sensor. The SAMI technology has subsequently been used for the successful development of autonomous pH and total alkalinity analyzers. In this manuscript, we will discuss the pros and cons of the SAMI pCO2 and pH optofluidic technology and highlight some past data sets and applications for studying the carbon cycle in aquatic ecosystems.
Toxicity of weathered Exxon Valdez crude oil to pink salmon embryos

Research was conducted at the University of Idaho (Moscow, ID, USA) on the toxicity of weathered Exxon Valdez crude oil to embryos of pink salmon from 2001 to 2003 for the purpose of comparing these data with those from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Laboratory at Auke Bay (AK, USA). Mortality reported at Auke Bay for embryos chronically exposed to very low concentrations of aqueous solutions of weathered oil, measured as dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), was inconsistent with that in other published research. Using the Auke Bay experimental design, we found that toxicity is not evident in pink salmon embryos until chronic exposure to laboratory weathered and naturally weathered oil concentrations exceeding 1,500 and 2,250 ppm, respectively, representing a total PAH tissue burden in excess of 7,100 ppb. Effluent hydrocarbons also drop well below concentrations sufficient to cause harm over the time frame of a few weeks, regardless of oiling level. Resolution of differences with Auke Bay involved the source of contributing hydrocarbons. The experimental design did not exclude dispersed oil droplets from the aqueous solution; thus, toxicity was not limited to the dissolved hydrocarbon fraction. The implications of the present results are discussed regarding the toxic risk of weathered oil to pink salmon embryos in streams of Prince William Sound (AK, USA).