Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deferred Cash Compensation: Enhancing Stability in the Financial Services Industry

Employees in financial firms are compensated for creating value for the firm, but firms themselves also serve a public interest. This tension can lead to issues that could impose a significant risk to the firm and the public. The authors describe three channels through which deferred cash compensation can mitigate such risk: by promoting a conservative approach to risk, by inducing internal monitoring, and by creating a liquidity buffer. Ultimately, the net contribution of deferred cash pay to financial stability is the sum of the effects of the three channels. The authors argue that a deferred cash program can be designed to limit interference with labor mobility. Further, they underscore that such a scheme for banks is not punitive, particularly in a world of no bailouts. They offer a baseline conservative estimate for the size of the buffer for the largest U.S. banks. Finally, they discuss the potential effects of deferred cash pay on information production and sharing with regulators, and the intersection of deferred cash and enforcement.
Dividend Policy and Practices in Select Corporate Firms of India and South-East Asia: A Comparative Study

This paper examines and compares dividend policies and practices of select corporate firms in India and South-East Asia. The study confirms, as suggested by Lintner, that the firms prefer a stable dividend policy. Inter-industry variations, notwithstanding, retained earnings constitute an important source of funds for Indian firms; and the ratio shows a statistically significant increase in the post-liberalisation period.
Three tomato genes code for heat stress transcription factors with a region of remarkable homology to the DNA‐binding domain of the yeast HSF.

Heat stress (hs) treatment of cell cultures of Lycopersicon peruvianum (Lp, tomato) results in activation of preformed transcription factor(s) (HSF) binding to the heat stress consensus element (HSE). Using appropriate synthetic HSE oligonucleotides, three types of clones with potential HSE binding domains were isolated from a tomato lambda gt11 expression library by DNA‐ligand screening. One of the potential HSF genes is constitutively expressed, the other two are hs‐induced. Sequence comparison defines a single domain of approximately 90 amino acid residues common to all three genes and to the HSE–binding domain of the yeast HSF. The domain is flanked by proline residues and characterized by two long overlapping repeats. We speculate that the derived consensus sequence is also representative for other eukaryotic HSF and that the existence of several different HSF is not unique to plants.
Genetic population structure and introgression in Anopheles dirus mosquitoes in South‐east Asia

Genetic structure and species relationships were studied in three closely related mosquito species, Anopheles dirus A, C and D in Thailand using 11 microsatellite loci and compared with previous mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data on the same populations. All three species were well differentiated from each other at the microsatellite loci. Given the almost complete absence of mtDNA differentiation between An. dirus A and D, this endorses the previous suggestion of mtDNA introgression between these species. The high degree of differentiation between the northern and southern population of An. dirus C (RST = 0.401), in agreement with mtDNA data, is suggestive of incipient species. The lack of genetic structure indicated by microsatellites in four populations of An. dirus A across northern Thailand also concurs with mtDNA data. However, in An. dirus D a limited but significant level of structure was detected by microsatellites over ~400 km in northern Thailand, whereas the mtDNA detected no population differentiation over a much larger area (>1200 km). There is prior evidence for population expansion in the mtDNA. If this is due to a selective sweep originating in An. dirus D, the microsatellite data may indicate greater barriers to gene flow within An. dirus D than in species A. Alternatively, there may have been historical introgression of mtDNA and subsequent demographic expansion which occurred first in An. dirus D so enabling it to accumulate some population differentiation. In the latter case the lack of migration‐drift equilibrium precludes the inference of absolute or relative values of gene flow in An. dirus A and D.
Occupational radiation dose to eyes from interventional radiology procedures in light of the new eye lens dose limit from the International Commission on Radiological Protection.

OBJECTIVE In 2011, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommended a substantial reduction in the equivalent dose limit for the lens of the eye, in line with a reduced threshold of absorbed dose for radiation-induced cataracts. This is of particular relevance in interventional radiology (IR) where it is well established that staff doses can be significant, however, there is a lack of data on IR eye doses in terms of Hp(3). Hp(3) is the personal dose equivalent at a depth of 3 mm in soft tissue and is used for measuring lens dose. We aimed to obtain a reliable estimate of eye dose to IR operators. METHODS Lens doses were measured for four interventional radiologists over a 3-month period using dosemeters specifically designed to measure Hp(3). RESULTS Based on their typical workloads, two of the four interventional radiologists would exceed the new ICRP dose limit with annual estimated doses of 31 and 45 mSv to their left eye. These results are for an "unprotected" eye, and for IR staff who routinely wear lead glasses, the dose beneath the glasses is likely to be significantly lower. Staff eye dose normalized to patient kerma-area product and eye dose per procedure have been included in the analysis. CONCLUSION Eye doses to IR operators have been established using a dedicated Hp(3) dosemeter. Estimated annual doses have the potential to exceed the new ICRP limit. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE We have estimated lens dose to interventional radiologists in terms of Hp(3) for the first time in an Irish hospital setting.
Molecular evidence for persistence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the absence of clinical abnormalities in horses after recovery from acute experimental infection.

BACKGROUND Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects several mammalian species, and can persist in sheep, dogs, and calves. However, whether this organism persists in horses or induces long-term clinical abnormalities is not known. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether A. phagocytophilum can persist in horses and to document clinical findings for 3 months after complete recovery from acute disease. ANIMALS Five clinically normal adult horses that had recovered spontaneously from experimentally induced acute disease caused by a Swedish equine isolate of A. phagocytophilum. METHODS Horses were monitored for up to 129 days post inoculation (PI) by daily clinical examination and at least alternate day blood sampling for evidence of A. phagocytophilum on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and blood smears. All horses were euthanized and underwent postmortem examination. RESULTS All horses were periodically PCR positive after recovery from acute infection. Before day 66 PI 2 horses were persistently PCR negative whereas 3 horses were intermittently PCR positive. Subsequently, 4 of 5 horses were intermittently PCR positive, particularly after stress mimicking interventions. One animal was positive immediately before postmortem examination. Clinical abnormalities related to persistence of anaplasma were not observed. No specific changes were found at postmortem examination, and all sampled tissues from all horses were negative on PCR for A. phagocytophilum. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Infection with A. phagocytophilum can persist in the horse for at least 129 days. However, the continued presence of the organism is not associated with detectable clinical or pathological abnormalities.
Antioxidative effect of fluvastatin, an inhibitor of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, on peroxidation of phospholipid liposomes

The antioxidative effect of fluvastatin sodium (fluvastatin), a 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, on lipid peroxidation of phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes was investigated in various peroxidizing systems. Fluvastatin markedly inhibited the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in iron (II)‐supported peroxidation of liposomes (IC50 = 1.2 × 10−5 M). The order of magnitude of inhibition of each drug on the peroxidation was: butylated hydroxytoluene > fluvastatin ≥ probucol ≥ pravastatin. Moreover, concentrations of fluvastatin ranging from 1 × 10−6 to 1 × 10−4 M inhibited peroxyl radical‐mediated peroxidation of liposomes induced by water‐soluble and lipid‐soluble radical generators, 2,2‐azobis (2‐amidinopropane) dihydro‐chloride and 2,2‐azobis (2,4‐dimethylvaleronitrile), respectively. However, pravastatin showed no effect against peroxyl radical‐mediated peroxidation. These results indicate that fluvastatin acted non‐enzymatically as an effective inhibitor against lipid peroxidation of PC liposomes and that the antioxidative effects of fluvastatin may be due to the scavenging action of fluvastatin on liposomal lipid peroxidation induced by peroxyl radicals generated in the aqueous and lipid phases.
Natural Schistosoma mansoni infection in Nectomys squamipes: histopathological and morphometric analysis in comparison to experimentally infected N. squamipes and C3H/He mice.

Histopathologic and morphometric (area, perimeter, major and minor diameters) analysis of hepatic granulomas isolated from twelve naturally infected Nectomys squamipes were compared to four experimentally infected ones and six C3H/He mice. Liver paraffin sections were stained for cells and extracellular matrix. Both groups of N. squamipes presented peculiar granulomas consisting predominantly of large macrophages, full of schistosome pigment, characterizing an exudative-macrophage granuloma type, smaller than the equivalent granuloma type in mouse. Naturally infected animals exhibited granulomas in different stages of development, including large number of involutional types. Morphometric analysis showed that all measurements were smaller in naturally infected animals than in other groups. The results demonstrated that both N. squamipes groups reproduced, with small variations, the hepatic granuloma aspects already described in cricetidium (Calomys callosus), showing a genetic tendency to set up strong macrophage responses and small granulomas. Unexpectedly, natural infection did not engender distinguished histopathological characteristics distinct from those derived from experimental single infection, showing changes predominantly secondary to the duration of infection. It appears that the variability of the inocula (and the number of infections? ) interfere more with the quantity than with the quality of the pathological changes, denoting some morpho-functional determinism in the response to schistosomal infection dependent on the animal species.
Detection of endotoxins and other pyrogens using human whole blood.

When cells of the immune system, i.e. primarily blood monocytes and macrophages, come into contact with pyrogens (fever-inducing contaminations) they release mediators transmitting the fever reaction through the organism to the thermoregulatory centres of the brain. The new test discussed here exploits this reaction for the detection of pyrogens: human whole blood taken from healthy volunteers is incubated in the presence of the test sample. If there is pyrogen contamination, the endogenous pyrogen interleukin-1 is released, which is then determined by ELISA. According to the pharmacopoeia, the rabbit pyrogen test determines the fever reaction following injection of a test sample. In comparison, the new whole blood assay is more sensitive, less expensive and determines the reaction of the targeted species. Compared to the well established in vitro alternative, i.e. the limulus amebocyte lysate assay (LAL), the new blood assay is not restricted to endotoxins of gram-negative bacteria, it is not affected by endotoxin-binding blood proteins and it reflects the potency of different endotoxin preparations in mammals. Here, interim results of the ongoing optimization and pre-validation are reported and the present state of the evaluation for biological and pharmaceutical drugs are presented.
Market Risk Disclosures and Board Gender Diversity in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Firms

We investigate the impact of board gender diversity on corporate risk reporting for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) financial firms. Recent developments and improvements of corporate governance in the GCC markets suggest that firms in the GCC have become more transparent with less information asymmetry. However, we find that the presence of female directors in the boards of financial institutions suppresses the positive association between corporate governance and market risk disclosures for the period between 2007 and 2011. These findings suggest that culture and conservatism nature of GCC societies persist in the GCC business environment. Our results are robust to alternative specifications and endogeneity tests.
Omega 3 fatty acids supplementation has an ameliorative effect in experimental ulcerative colitis despite increased colonic neutrophil infiltration.

PURPOSE omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis. Dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) colitis in rats appears to mimic nearly all of the morphological characteristics and lesion distributions of ulcerative colitis. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of omega 3 fatty acids in the treatment of experimental ulcerative colitis. METHODS thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly assigned to group A or group B receiving 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in their drinking water for eight days. For the next eight days post-DSS, group A animals received tap-water, and group B animals were fed a nutritional solution containing high levels of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ProSure®, Abbott Laboratories, Zwolle, Netherlands) once per day, administrated with a orogastric feeding tube. RESULTS animals fed an omega 3 rich diet exhibited a statistically significant increase in hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, compared to animals drinking tap water, and a trend towards histopathological and clinical improvement, with the administration of omega 3 fatty acids ameliorating epithelial erosion by day 8 post-DSS, but no statistically significant difference was observed between group A and group B animals at 4 or 8 days post-DSS. Also, a statistically significant increase in neutrophil infiltration was observed, as depicted by myelohyperoxidase activity. CONCLUSION our findings support a positive role of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis despite the increased colonic neutrophil infiltration. Further studies are needed in order to investigate the role of increased neutrophils in colonic mucosa.
Photoreceptor rescue after low-dose intravitreal IL-1beta injection in the RCS rat.

Photoreceptor survival in the dystrophic rat was evaluated following administration of IL-1beta at dosages much lower than those used previously for this purpose. Royal College of Surgeons rats (pink-eyed, pigmented, or non-dystrophic) received 1 microl intravitreal injections of murine recombinant IL-1beta (0.5, 2, or 5 microg ml(-1); at 3 or 4 weeks of age). Eyes were harvested 4 weeks later and outer nuclear layer profiles counted. Additional animals received intravitreal basic fibroblast growth factor (1000 microg ml(-1)), or vehicle alone. Others were treated with IL-1beta to evaluate the inflammatory response (CD45+ profiles) or visual function via opto-kinetic response. IL-1beta was associated with photoreceptor rescue that was both dose-dependent and comparable to that seen following high-dose basic fibroblast growth factor. Significant anatomical rescue relative to controls was seen in both pink-eyed and pigmented strains, although the degree and distribution varied between strains. Functional rescue was confirmed by opto-kinetic response using the pigmented strain. At 5 microg ml(-1), IL-1beta resulted in numerous CD45+ profiles within the retina and vitreous. Infiltration peaked at 48 hr and was minimal at 4 weeks, without dysplastic sequelae. IL-1beta therefore induces visually significant photoreceptor rescue in a potent, dose-dependent manner that need not entail cytoarchitectural disruption. This is consistent with the known association between injury and rescue in the rat retina. Neuroprotection may be a general, if under-appreciated, consequence of inflammatory cascade activation.
Survival Signals and Targets for Therapy in Breast Implant–Associated ALK− Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

Purpose: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)–negative, T-cell, anaplastic, non–Hodgkin lymphoma (T-ALCL) in patients with textured saline and silicone breast implants is a recently recognized clinical entity for which the etiology and optimal treatment remain unknown. Experimental Design: Using three newly established model cell lines from patient biopsy specimens, designated T-cell breast lymphoma (TLBR)-1 to -3, we characterized the phenotype and function of these tumors to identify mechanisms of cell survival and potential therapeutic targets. Results: Cytogenetics revealed chromosomal atypia with partial or complete trisomy and absence of the NPM-ALK (2;5) translocation. Phenotypic characterization showed strong positivity for CD30, CD71, T-cell CD2/5/7, and antigen presentation (HLA-DR, CD80, CD86) markers, and interleukin (IL)-2 (CD25, CD122) and IL-6 receptors. Studies of these model cell lines showed strong activation of STAT3 signaling, likely related to autocrine production of IL-6 and decreased SHP-1. STAT3 inhibition, directly or by recovery of SHP-1, and cyclophosphamide–Adriamycin–vincristine–prednisone (CHOP) chemotherapy reagents, effectively kill cells of all three TLBR models in vitro and may be pursued as therapies for patients with breast implant–associated T-ALCLs. Conclusions: The TLBR cell lines closely resemble the primary breast implant–associated lymphomas from which they were derived and as such provide valuable preclinical models to study their unique biology. Clin Cancer Res; 18(17); 4549–59. ©2012 AACR.
Heart rate variability, norepinephrine and ECG changes in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients

While electrocardiographic abnormalities in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients have been known since 1947, the provocative mechanism has not yet been satisfactorily explained. The purpose of this study was to evaluate with some tests, the role of autonomic nervous system in provoking the electrocardiographic abnormalities in 22 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. The standard electrocardiographic tracings and one‐channel computer‐based electrocardiographic tracings for spectral analysis of heart rate variability were made. Blood samples for plasma norepinephrine concentrations were taken. Statistically significant parasympathetic hyperactivation between Days 4 and 6 after sudden onset of the disease was found. In standard electrocardiographic tracings in almost all patients transient repolarisation changes and in one patient transient premature ventricular complexes were observed. Plasma norepinephrine concentrations did not parallel electrocardiographic abnormalities. No statistically significant correlation was found among tests of autonomic nervous system activity. Electrocardiographic abnormalities in our group of patients were transient, functional and observed only in the acute phase. They were probably not dependent on elevated plasma norepinephrine concentration. Spectral analysis of heart rate variability failed to explain the role of the autonomic nervous system in provoking the cardiac abnormalities.
Corporate Political Contributions and the Allocation of U.S. Federal Procurement

This paper aims to determine the extent to which corporate political contributions and the allocation of government procurement contracts are related. We gather information regarding the contributions made by 911 S&P500 companies in 9 congressional election cycles between 1993 and 2010, and study subsequent government procurements. We find that making a contribution, especially to congressional candidates from the Democratic Party, is associated with a considerably higher likelihood of subsequently receiving a procurement contract. On average, a marginal contribution of 1 dollar is associated with 410 dollars in marginal procurements. Companies that contribute to a larger number of candidates subsequently get more procurement contract value. Furthermore, we show that the effects of contributions are persistent over time, that they vary strongly across industries and do not have negative spillovers on firm profitability regardless of the amount.
Practice patterns, case mix, Medicare payment policy, and dialysis facility costs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of case mix, practice patterns, features of the payment system, and facility characteristics on the cost of dialysis. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING The nationally representative sample of dialysis units in the 1991 U.S. Renal Data System's Case Mix Adequacy (CMA) Study. The CMA data were merged with data from Medicare Cost Reports, HCFA facility surveys, and HCFA's end-stage renal disease patient registry. STUDY DESIGN We estimated a statistical cost function to examine the determinants of costs at the dialysis unit level. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The relationship between case mix and costs was generally weak. However, dialysis practices (type of dialysis membrane, membrane reuse policy, and treatment duration) did have a significant effect on costs. Further, facilities whose payment was constrained by HCFA's ceiling on the adjustment for area wage rates incurred higher costs than unconstrained facilities. The costs of hospital-based units were considerably higher than those of freestanding units. Among chain units, only members of one of the largest national chains exhibited significant cost savings relative to independent facilities. CONCLUSIONS Little evidence showed that adjusting dialysis payment to account for differences in case mix across facilities would be necessary to ensure access to care for high-cost patients or to reimburse facilities equitably for their costs. However, current efforts to increase dose of dialysis may require higher payments. Longer treatments appear to be the most economical method of increasing the dose of dialysis. Switching to more expensive types of dialysis membranes was a more costly means of increasing dose and hence must be justified by benefits beyond those of higher dose. Reusing membranes saved money, but the savings were insufficient to offset the costs associated with using more expensive membranes. Most, but not all, of the higher costs observed in hospital-based units appear to reflect overhead cost allocation rather than a difference in real resources devoted to treatment. The economies experienced by the largest chains may provide an explanation for their recent growth in market share. The heterogeneity of results by chain size implies that characterizing units using a simple chain status indicator variable is inadequate. Cost differences by facility type and the effects of the ongoing growth of large chains are worthy of continued monitoring to inform both payment policy and antitrust enforcement.