Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asking Directors About Their Dual Roles

This paper uses a large survey of directors to investigate variation in directors' dual roles as advisors and monitors of management. I examine whether the advisory role encourages information exchange between the CEO and the board, as suggested by Adams and Ferreira (2007). I also examine factors related to directors' perceptions of their roles. Amongst others the data suggests that a) directors vary in their perceptions of their roles and directors' roles affect their perceptions of information exchange, b) directors who agree more that they primarily monitor management perceive that they participate less in boardroom discussion than directors who agree that the CEO often asks them for advice, c) directors with a stronger personal relationship with management perceive their advisory role to be more important, and d) directors on boards with more decision-making power perceive their monitoring role to be less important relative to their advisory role. The results are robust to using Heckman selection techniques to address nonresponse bias. Overall, the data suggests that monitoring alone may not be sufficient for good governance.
Analysis of transit quality of service through segmentation and classification tree techniques

Perceptions about the quality of service are very different among public transport (PT) users. Users’ perceptions are heterogeneous for many reasons: the qualitative aspects of PT service, users’ socio-economic characteristics, and the diversity of tastes and attitudes towards PT. By analysing different groups of users who share a common characteristic (e.g. socio-economic or travel behaviour), it is possible to homogenise user opinions about the quality of service. This paper studies quality as perceived by users of the metropolitan transit system of Granada (Spain) through a classification tree technique (classification and regression trees (CART)) based on five market segmentations (gender, age, frequency of use, reason for travelling, and type of ticket). CART is a non-parametric method that has a number of advantages compared to other methods that require a predefined underlying relationship between dependent and independent variables. The study is based on data gathered in several customer satisfact.
Influence of slope aspect on soil physico-chemical and biological properties in the mid hills of central Nepal

This study assessed the influence of slope aspect and land use on soil physio-chemical and biological properties (soil quality indicators) on contiguous south- and north-facing slopes of the mid hills in central Nepal, having the same climate, vegetation and parent material. In each aspect, two treatments (agriculture and forest) were chosen and four replicates taken for each treatment. Soil sample collection and microarthropod extraction was done according to the standard methodology: soil core samples (10 × 10 × 5 cm) and extraction with the modified Berlese–Tullgren funnel. The investigated soil variables were temperature, moisture, faunal abundance and diversity, organic matter, organic carbon, bulk density and pH. Except in a few cases, all considered soil properties showed significant differences between aspects and land use. Soils of the north-facing slope had higher SOC content, moisture, faunal abundance and diversity, and lower temperature and pH. Variations due to topographic aspect induced varied microclimates, causing differences in faunal abundance and diversity; soil moisture, temperature and organic matter trends affected soil fertility and ultimately soil quality. Further studies are required to clarify the complex interactions between soil properties (physio-chemical and biological), vegetation and slope aspect in Nepal, as well as to develop soil biological indicators as a tool to assist in sustainable land management.
Correlates of early language development in Chinese children

Caregivers of 608 (331 boys and 277 girls) children in Shanghai, China reported on their children's language development and on the language teaching practices used in the home. The children were between 24 and 47 months old. The relation of age-corrected language level to paternal education, child gender, and teaching practice use was examined. Children of more educated fathers were more advanced in language development than children of less educated fathers. Girls were more advanced than boys. Some language teaching practices were positively related to language development but one, the practice of eliciting imitation from children, was negatively related to language development. Vocabulary development showed a greater number of significant relations to environmental variables than did grammatical development. These results suggest the cross-linguistic and cross-cultural generalizability of previous findings from studies of North American samples with respect to correlates of children's early language development.
Prioritization of outsourcing risks from a systemic perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this research is so that project managers can use a systemic approach to prioritizing the risks of outsourcing including an understanding of the external factors that could affect the prioritization.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was designed by the authors and distributed to 2,500 outsourcing professionals from different organizations and the hypotheses were tested using the data from these surveys. The logic for forming the hypothesis is discussed for each hypothesis and so are the demographics of the respondentsFindings – External factors such as the type of technology involved, type of market targeted, location of outsourcing and the amount of experience the outsourcing professional had, did affect the prioritization of the outsourcing risks. Furthermore, trends were identified among the ranking of the outsourcing risks.Research limitations/implications – One of the constraining factors of this research, as in the majority of empirical research initiatives, was the lim.
Characterization of hepatocellular carcinomas with triphasic CT and correlation with histopathologic findings.

PURPOSE To determine the utility of triphasic CT in the characterization of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and correlations with histopathologic findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty patients with hepatocellular carcinomas were included in the study and triphasic CT examinations were performed. The CT protocol included hepatic arterial, portal venous and late phases. A histopathologic examination was carried out in all but 3 patients, and the diagnosis and degrees of differentiation were determined. RESULTS Hepatocellular carcinomas were hyperattenuated in 17 (57%) and hypoattenuated in 13 (43%) of the 30 patients in arterial phase images. The lesions were hypoattenuated in 26 (87%) and hyperattenuated in 4 (13%) patients in portal venous phase images. These hyperattenuated tumors were well-differentiated in the histopathologic examinations (P < or = 0.05). Portal vein invasion was seen in 50% of the patients and this relationship was significant in patients whose lesions was greater than 10 cm (P < 0.05). Capsule formation, abnormal internal vessels and necrosis were detected in 57%, 53% and 40% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSION Triphasic CT can aid in the histopathologic differentiation of HCCs, in addition to their characterization. Hyperattenuation in PVP images was found to be associated with well-differentiated HCCs and portal vein invasion was more frequent in tumors larger than 10 cm.
Absence of a Pharmacokinetic Interaction Between Entecavir and Adefovir

This study evaluated the effect of entecavir on the pharmacokinetics of adefovir and the effect of adefovir on the pharmacokinetics of entecavir using a fixed‐sequence crossover design in healthy adult subjects. Subjects received 10 mg of adefovir once daily on days 1 to 4, 1 mg of entecavir on days 5 to 14, and 1 mg of entecavir plus 10 mg of adefovir on days 15 to 24. Pharmacokinetic assessments were performed on days 4 and 24 for adefovir and on days 14 and 24 for entecavir. The geometric mean ratios (90% confidence interval) for area under the plasma concentration—time curve in 1 dosing interval, peak plasma concentration, and 24‐hour postdose plasma concentration of entecavir when coadministered with adefovir and of adefovir when coadministered with entecavir were within the prespecified 0.80 to 1.25 no‐effect range. Entecavir and adefovir were well tolerated when administered in combination. Therefore, the pharmacokinetic data generated in this study indicate that entecavir and adefovir can be coadministered without the need for dosage adjustment.
Macroeconomic Effects of Federal Reserve Forward Guidance [with Comments and Discussion]

A large output gap accompanied by stable inflation close to its target calls for further monetary accommodation, but the zero lower bound on interest rates has robbed the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the usual tool for its provision. We examine how public statements of FOMC intentions—forward guidance—can substitute for lower rates at the zero bound. We distinguish between Odyssean forward guidance, which publicly commits the FOMC to a future action, and Delphic forward guidance, which merely forecasts macroeconomic performance and likely monetary policy actions. Others have shown how forward guidance that commits the central bank to keeping rates at zero for longer than conditions would otherwise warrant can provide monetary easing, if the public trusts it. We empirically characterize the responses of asset prices and private macroeconomic forecasts to FOMC forward guidance, both before and since the recent financial crisis. Our results show that the FOMC has extensive experience successfully telegraphing its intended adjustments to evolving conditions, so communication difficulties do not present an insurmountable barrier to Odyssean forward guidance. Using an estimated dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model, we investigate how pairing such guidance with bright-line rules for launching rate increases can mitigate risks to the Federal Reserve's price stability mandate.
Energy efficiency rating systems for housing: an Australian perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine current trends in energy efficiency ratings and consider their likely impact on the Australian housing market.Design/methodology/approach – The research is yet to be conducted; however a mixed method is proposed which is grounded on the theoretical model of consumer behaviour within housing markets. This model has been tested and demonstrated to be useful in predicting buyer behaviour.Findings – Established theories of buyer perception indicate the introduction of energy efficiency rating systems will have an effect on the level of house prices.Research limitations/implications – This research is focussed on housing in Australia but also has implications for other global housing markets which are addressing sustainability.Practical implications – Outputs of this research have implications for policy makers, real estate agents and valuers.Social implications – Increasing energy costs is likely to restructure the way housing markets operate with regard to su.
Socially responsible investing: sustainability indices, ESG rating and information provider agencies

Currently, there are many sustainability indices and environmental, social and governance rating and information provider agencies (ESG IPAs). These organisations study companies in terms of sustainability, that is, economic, social, environmental and corporate governance criteria. But which are the criteria used to evaluate? This paper exhibits an exhaustive overview about the different criteria for evaluation used by sustainability indices and ESG agencies. The sample comprises a group of six sustainability indices and ten ESG agencies. The importance of the sustainability indices and ESG agencies is increasing in terms of encouraging the implementation of responsible corporate policies. This is considered as an important research topic because of the growth of social responsible financial markets, and the fact that investors are demanding more and more information about these topics. The results suggest that the methods currently being used by ESG agencies and sustainability indices are diverse and show a lack of standardisation.
Short External Loops as Potential Substrate Binding Site of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Transporters (*)

While the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter GAT1 exclusively transports GABA, GAT2, −3, and −4 also transport β-alanine. Cross-mutations in the external loops IV, V, and VI among the various GABA transporters were performed by site-directed mutagenesis. The affinity of GABA transport as well as inhibitor sensitivity of the modified transporters was analyzed. Kinetic analysis revealed that a cross-mutation in which loop IV of GAT1 was modified to resemble GAT4 resulted in increased affinity to GABA from Km = 8.7 to 2.0 μM without changing the Vmax. A cross-mutation in loop VI, which swapped the amino acid sequence of GAT2 for GAT1, decreased the affinity to GABA (Km, 35 μM). These results suggest that loops IV and VI contribute to the binding affinity of GABA transporters. A substitution of three amino acids in loop V of GAT1 by the corresponding sequence of GAT3 resulted in β-alanine sensitivity of its GABA uptake activity. These three amino acids in loop V seem to participate in the β-alanine binding domain of GAT3. It is suggested that those three external loops (IV, V, and VI) form a pocket in which the substrate binds to the GABA transporters.
Differential Effect of Frusemide on Renal Medullary and Cortical Blood Flow in the Anaesthetised Rat

In addition to its known effect on renal tubular transport, frusemide (furosemide) has been shown to affect renal circulation. This study in the anaesthetised rat examined the influence of frusemide (bolus 0.25 or 0.5 mg kg‐1 I.V., then infusion delivering the same dose over 1 h) on renal cortical and medullary circulation measured as laser‐Doppler blood (cell) flux. The responses were compared with simultaneously measured changes in renal excretion and in the tissue admittance, an index of medullary ionic hypertonicity of the interstitium. Renal vascular responses to frusemide were significant but not dose dependent. During low‐dose frusemide infusion cortical flux decreased 11.5 ± 0.9% and medullary flux decreased 32.3 ± 3.5% (difference significant at P < 0.001). During high‐dose infusion the decreases were by 13.5 ± 1.4 and 29.3 ± 3.8%, respectively (difference significant at P < 0.001). Sodium excretion increased 15‐fold (by 3.7 ± 0.4 μmol min‐1) and 30‐fold (by 5.9 ± 1.1 μmol min‐1) during low‐ and high‐rate infusion of frusemide, respectively. By contrast, medullary tissue admittance decreased similarly with the two doses: maximally by 13.4 ± 1.4 and 10.9 ± 0.9%, respectively. The observations that an exaggerated post‐frusemide decrease in blood flow within the medulla coincided with decreasing tissue admittance in this zone and that neither medullary blood flow nor admittance changes were related to the dose suggest a causal relationship between interstitial ionic hypertonicity and vascular resistance. We propose that the post‐frusemide decrease in medullary tissue NaCl depressed medullary circulation by inhibiting local generation of vasodilator prostaglandins.
Performance Information Use in Local Government: Monitoring Relationships with Emergency Medical Services Agencies

ABSTRACT Evaluating service effectiveness and ensuring accountability of third-party public service providers is important in collaborative relationships. Emergency medical services (EMS), a function in many cases provided by community-based organizations with long-standing relationships, constitutes one such case. This article examines the central concern of performance information use by municipal officials as they engage in monitoring and decision-making regarding relationships with third-party EMS agencies. Findings indicate that information availability, length of the relationship, ease of negotiations, and municipal size all influence performance information use, suggesting that the palpable nature of these relationships and the comprehensiveness of the agreements are key in shaping attitudes about performance information use.
Malaysian Fast Food Brand Equity

Most Malaysian research defines the brand equity dimensions. This paper addresses this gap by developing an empirical research model with better understanding of sequential relationships between the dimensions of brand equity within the Malaysian fast food context. The results indicate perceived quality (PQ) and brand awareness (BA) are the initial stage of brand building. Brand familiarity, brand image, and brand trust serve as important role in enlightening the relationships between PQ, BA, and attitudinal brand loyalty (ABL). ABL plays as a key variable for explicating the relationships between other dimensions and overall brand equity. Future research could explore the possibility of a longitudinal study through repeated observations, and invariance test across different samples to make certain the components of measurement model and structural model are remained equivalent.
A Study of Labour Markets and Youth Unemployment in Eastern Europe

The paper examines the labour markets of Eastern Europe. It studies the problem of high levels of joblessness among young people. The paper begins by showing that, in both West and East, adult and youth unemployment rate are closely correlated. It provides scatter-plot evidence using cross-sections for the early 1990s. This suggests that to understand joblessness among the young it is necessary to understand joblessness among the old.
Good Governance Badan Amil Zakat, Infak , dan Sedekah Dan Dampaknya Terhadap Keputusan dan Loyalitas Muzaki

This paper is to describe about Good Governance of BAZIS and it’s impact to BAZIS muzaki’s satisfaction and loylity. This paper is based on the research using descriptive analysis approach. The population of this research was BAZIS muzaki in Central Java, and the sample were taken by 150 muzaki in Central Java. The technique used to get data was questionet and in-dept interview. Partial Least Square (PLS) was analysis tool used. The result of this research shows that transparency, accountability, and advantage are important variables for good governance of BAZIS. Transparency, accountability, and advantage of BAZIS significantly influence to BAZIS muzaki’s satisfication and loyality. Besides the two of independent variables, the research also found one independent variable which has never been available in good governance theory before. It is the use of BAZIS. This finding was resulted from the interview of BAZIS muzaki and can be a reference for the next research.
Recent Trends in Arctic Surface, Cloud, and Radiation Properties from Space

Trends in satellite-derived cloud and surface properties for 1982 to 1999 show that the Arctic has warmed and become cloudier in spring and summer but has cooled and become less cloudy in winter. The increase in spring cloud amount radiatively balances changes in surface temperature and albedo, but during summer, fall, and winter, cloud forcing has tended toward increased cooling. This implies that, if seasonal cloud amounts were not changing, surface warming would be even greater than that observed. Strong correlations with the Arctic Oscillation indicate that the rise in surface temperature and changes in cloud amount are related to large-scale circulation rather than to local processes.
The Quest for the Cup: Assessing the Economic Impact of the World Cup

Baade R. A. and Matheson V. A. (2004) The quest for the cup: assessing the economic impact of the World Cup, Reg. Studies 38, 343–354. Hosting the World Cup, the world’s second largest sporting event, is a potentially expensive affair. The co-hosts of the 2002 games, Japan and South Korea, spent a combined US$4 billion building new facilities or refurbishing old facilities in preparation for the event. An ex post analysis of the 1994 World Cup held in the US suggests that the economic impact of the event cannot justify this magnitude of expenditures and that host cities experienced cumulative losses of $5·5 to $9·3 billion as opposed to ex ante estimates of a $4 billion gain touted by event boosters. Potential hosts should consider with care whether the award of the World Cup is an honour or a burden.
Working to live or living to work? Work/life balance early in the career

This article reports the findings of research that explored relationships between work/life balance, work/non-work conflict, hours worked and organisational commitment among a sample of graduates in the early years of their career. It concludes that, although graduates seek work/life balance, their concern for career success draws them into a situation where they work increasingly long hours and experience an increasingly unsatisfactory relationship between home and work. The article discusses the causes and potential consequences of this predicament and in particular how work/non-work conflict is linked to hours worked, the state of the psychological contract and organisational commitment. It highlights the role of organisations' policy and practice in helping to manage the relationship between work and non-work and the development of organisational commitment through support for younger employees' lives out-of-work and effective management of aspects of the psychological contract.
Parasite-specified phagocytosis of Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia trachomatis by L and HeLa cells

Phagocytosis of the 6BC strain of Chlamydia psittaci and the lymphogranuloma venereum 440L strain of Chlamydia trachomatis by L cells and HeLa 229 cells occurred at rates and to extents that were 10 to 100 times greater than those observed for the phagocytosis of Escherichia coli and polystyrene latex spheres. Both species of Chlamydia were efficiently taken up by host cells of a type they had not previously encountered. Phagocytosis of chlamydiae was brought about by the interaction of parasite surface ligands with elements of the host cell surface. The chlamydial ligands were readily denatured by heat, were masked by antibody, and were resistant to proteases and detergents. The host cell components were reversibly removed by proteases. Chlamydial phagocytosis was inhibited when host cells were incubated for many hours with cycloheximide. It was suggested that the presence on the chlamydial cell surface of ligands with high affinity for normal, ubiquitously occurring structures on the surface of host cells is an evolutionary adaptation to intracellular existence. The term parasite-specified phagocytosis was used to describe the efficient phagocytosis of chlamydiae by nonprofessional phagocytes and to distinguish it from the host-specified immunological and non-immunological phagocytosis carried out by professional phagocytes.
Bilateral innervation of syringeal muscles by the hypoglossal nucleus in the jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

Bird vocalizations are produced by contractions of syringeal muscles, which are controlled by the hypoglossal nucleus. In oscines, syringeal muscles are controlled by the hypoglossal nucleus ipsilaterally, whereas syringeal innervation is bilateral in non‐oscines. We have determined the course of hypoglossal nerves in the jungle crow Corvus macrorhynchos. Our results indicate a cross‐over of the hypoglossal nerve from the left side to the right side on the trachea 7 mm rostral to the Musculus sternotrachealis. We also investigated the innervation of the syringeal muscles of jungle crows from the hypoglossal nucleus using the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) method. After HRP was injected into the syringeal muscles on each side, HRP‐labeled cells were found bilaterally in the hypoglossal nerve. These results suggest that the syringeal muscles of jungle crows are innervated bilaterally from the hypoglossal nucleus, although these birds are categorized as oscines.