Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An investigation of earnings management practices in Australian firms

Earnings management is an area in which managers are able to exercise discretion over financial reporting to achieve various objectives. Researchers have been investigating the pervasiveness of earnings management and incentives that induce earnings management. However, the evidence is mixed and studies of using Australian data are scarce. This thesis is an empirical investigation of earnings management in the Australian context addressing if and why Australian firms engage in earnings management. Based on a sample covering all ASX listed firms during the period of 2000 to 2006, this study examines the overall breadth and scope of earnings management behaviour in a broad context across Australian industry sectors and individual firms’ characteristics. The result suggests that Australian firms engage in earnings management. The level of earnings management practices in some specific industries and the association of these practices with firms’ characteristics may help the assessment and improvement of the overall quality of financial reporting. Based on a sub-sample, this study also examines whether the practices of earnings management is induced by executive compensation incentives. It extends prior research by using more relevant, recent, and large-scale compensation data to capture the dynamic relations between earnings management and different forms of executive pay. Such dynamic relations may be of interest to compensation committees in designing compensation structures that balance the incentives to improve firms’ performances with the incentive to earnings manipulation. This study also examines whether earnings management is induced by benchmark beating incentives. It extends prior research by examining under what circumstance managers are more likely to beat benchmarks. The results suggest that managers beat two earnings benchmarks: reporting profits and sustaining prior year’s earnings. More importantly, managers are more likely to exercise positive discretionary accruals to inflate earnings to beat ex post benchmarks when the true earnings are below relevant benchmarks. This will be of interest to regulators as an effective way to detect earnings management may be pronounced when the ex ante condition under which firms seek to manipulate earnings is identified.
The internationalization of hospitality firms: factors influencing a franchise decision‐making process

Purpose – The paper's purpose is to evaluate the factors which influence a multinational hospitality organization's franchise decision‐making process.Design/methodology/approach – A single embedded case study of an international hotel firm was the focus of the enquiry. Interviews and document analysis were used as data collection techniques.Findings – Findings suggest that the two important contextual variables which have a bearing on the franchise decisions are the key stakeholders of the organization and different country markets. Decisions with regard to franchising are driven by capital market systems trying to meet the demands of shareholders and also by a strong desire to protect the core competences to meet the expectations of international customers. The growth through franchising mode however faces strong cultural challenges in different hotel markets in Europe.Research limitations/implications – Conducted on a single case study basis, with the hotel industry chosen as its focus the applicability.
An Optimal Acceptance Policy for an Urn Scheme

An urn contains m balls of value -1 and p balls of value +1. At each turn a ball is drawn randomly, without replacement, and the player decides before the draw whether or not to accept the ball, i.e., the bet where the payoff is the value of the ball. The process continues until all m+p balls are drawn. Let $\overline{V}(m,p)$ denote the value of this acceptance $(m,p)$ urn problem under an optimal acceptance policy. In this paper, we first derive an exact closed form for \overline{V}(m,p) and then study its properties and asymptotic behavior. We also compare this acceptance (m,p) urn problem with the original (m,p)$ urn problem which was introduced by Shepp [Ann. Math. Statist. , 40 (1969), pp. 993--1010]. Finally, we briefly discuss some applications of this acceptance (m,p) urn problem and introduce a Bayesian approach to this optimal stopping problem. Some numerical illustrations are also provided.
A preliminary study of trust in internet-based inter-organisational systems

Internet-based inter-organisational systems (IIOS) help to strengthen supply chain collaboration so as to gain greater competitive advantages. However, IIOS are not popular in applications. The problems of trust in IIOS perceived by the users pose the hesitation to adopt IIOS. Thus there is a need to have a model to examine the influence of the trust factors on the supply chain members towards the IIOS adoption. In this study, a holistic trust model is employed and a preliminary survey is conducted to evaluate the importance of the trust factors on the adoption of IIOS. This study provides a theoretical model and methodology that can be used for future research on the success of IIOS adoption.
The Relation between Excess Control and Cost of Capital Under Different Law Regimes

Prior empirical work examined the relationship between dominant shareholders, whose voting rights exceed cash flow rights, and firm value. In this study, we adopt a different perspective and argue that because of the risk imposed on minority shareholders and debtors, such excess control likely increases firms’ weighted-average cost of capital. We further argue that in legal environments that provide weak investor protection, the firms’ cost of capital is likely to be higher. Using panel data of 155 Canadian firms over a four-year period from 2002 to 2005, we find supporting evidence.
Cognitive Impairment and Evaluation in Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures

Neuropsychological studies comparing patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) to those with epilepsy have been largely equivocal. The variability in the neuropsychological literature highlights the heterogeneity of the PNES population across a number of psychiatric and neurologic factors. Phenotypic presentations in PNES arise from complex interactions between vulnerable cognitive and emotional systems. We propose that variability in neuropsychological findings in PNES emerge in the context of diverse psychiatric, neurologic, and clinical factors. Traditional assessments that fail to integrate cognitive and emotional/behavioral profiles sufficiently would fall short in characterizing the complexity of brain-behavior relationships in this population. To advance the neuropsychology of PNES, we propose a systematic approach to measure a number of factors that influence cognitive impairment in this population. We begin by reviewing the current neuropsychological literature in PNES and discussing a number of factors that influence cognitive deficits. We then present a comprehensive neuropsychological battery designed to capture elements (cognitive dysfunction, psychopathology, emotion processing deficits) underlying the proposed vulnerable cognitive-emotional system in PNES. It is our hope that the proposed battery will facilitate the aggregation of data across neuropsychological investigations, to allow more advanced statistical analyses, and ultimately enhance our understanding of PNES and the development of effective management and treatment options.
Circuit Breakers on the London Stock Exchange: Do they improve subsequent market quality?

This paper uses proprietary data to evaluate the efficacy of single-stock circuit breakers on the London Stock Exchange during July and August 2011. We exploit exogenous variation in the length of the uncrossing periods that follow a trading suspension to estimate the effect of auction length on market quality, measured by volume of trades, frequency of trading and the change in realised variance of returns. We also estimate the effect of a trading suspension in one FTSE-100 stock on the volume of trades, trading frequency and the change in realised variance of returns for other FTSE-100 stocks. We find that auction length has a significant detrimental effect on market quality for the suspended security when returns are negative but no discernible effect when returns are positive. We also find that trading suspensions help to ameliorate the spread of market microstructure noise and price inefficiency across securities during falling markets but the reverse is true during rising markets. Although trading suspensions may not improve the trading process within a particular security, they do play an important role preventing the spread of poor market quality across securities in falling markets and therefore can be effective tools for promoting market-wide stability.
The Impact of Cosumers’ Attitude on Online Video Advertising towards Product Branding

Online video advertising is becoming much more common and data shows that companies’ demand for online video advertising is increasing rapidly. However, there is a scarcity of research done about the consumers’ perspective on online video advertising and there is still little evidence that online video advertising is beneficial for companies and the products being advertised. This research would like to find out the impact of consumers’ attitude on online video advertising towards product branding. Consumer attitude itself is divided into cognitive, affective and behavioral components. The research was done using Android One as the case study. 100 respondents from Surabaya were taken and personally asked to watch the online video advertising and fill in questionnaires. Data from the questionnaires were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results show that consumers’ attitude on online video advertising has significant positive effect towards product branding and all three component of consumer attitude have significant positive effect towards product branding individually with affective component having the most impact. Therefore it is recommended to promote using online video advertising and create online video advertising that focus more on giving affective impact to consumers. Keywords: Consumer Attitude, Online Video Advertising, Product Branding
Stress Fracture of the Pelvic Wing-Sacrum After Long-Level Lumbosacral Fusion: A Case Report

Study Design. A case report of transverse stress fracture of the pelvic wing-sacrum after long-level lumbosacral fusion. Objective. To report this rare complication of long-level lumbosacral fusion. Summary of Background Data. There are a number of well-described complications of instrumented lumbosacral fusion, including delayed stress fracture of the pelvis. A bilateral pelvic wing-sacrum transverse stress fracture after long-level lumbosacral fusion has not been previously reported to our knowledge. Methods. Radiography and computed tomography were used to confirm the diagnosis. Long lumbosacral fusion and a pelvic wing-sacrum fracture were shown. Results. A 48-year-old woman underwent several revision spinal surgeries for collapse or instability occurring at the adjacent levels. She presented with low back and bilateral buttock pain with slow progression after last surgery. A bilateral transverse pelvic wing-sacrum stress fracture was found on plain radiographs 7 months later. Conclusions. Stress fracture of bilateral pelvic wing-sacrum can occur as a potential source of late pain after long fusions of the lumbosacral spine. A better understanding of the related biomechanical forces and preoperative risk factors may identify patients at risk and may aid in surgical planning. There are few reports of pelvic stress fracture as a complication of lumbosacral fusion, and it is typically described as a late occurrence. We present the occurrence of a bilateral pelvic wing-sacrum transverse stress fracture, not previously discussed to our knowledge.
Cell type‐ and region‐specific expression of protein kinase C‐substrate mRNAs in the cerebellum of the macaque monkey

We performed nonradioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry in the monkey cerebellum to investigate the localization of protein kinase C‐substrate (growth‐associated protein‐43 [GAP‐43], myristoylated alanine‐rich C‐kinase substrate [MARCKS], and neurogranin) mRNAs. Hybridization signals for GAP‐43 mRNA were observed in the molecular and granule cell layers of both infant and adult cerebellar cortices. Signals for MARCKS mRNA were observed in the molecular, Purkinje cell, and granule cell layers of both infant and adult cortices. Moreover, both GAP‐43 and MARCKS mRNAs were expressed in the external granule cell layer of the infant cortex. In the adult cerebellar vermis, signals for both GAP‐43 and MARCKS mRNAs were more intense in lobules I, IX, and X than in the remaining lobules. In the adult hemisphere, both mRNAs were more intense in the flocculus and the dorsal paraflocculus than in other lobules. Such lobule‐specific expressions were not prominent in the infant cerebellar cortex. Signals for neurogranin, a postsynaptic substrate for protein kinase C, were weak or not detectable in any regions of either the infant or adult cerebellar cortex. The prominent signals for MARCKS mRNA were observed in the deep cerebellar nuclei, but signals for both GAP‐43 and neurogranin mRNAs were weak or not detectable. The prominent signals for both GAP‐43 and MARCKS mRNAs were observed in the inferior olive, but signals for neurogranin were weak or not detectable. The cell type‐ and region‐specific expression of GAP‐43 and MARCKS mRNAs in the cerebellum may be related to functional specialization regarding plasticity in each type of cell and each region of the cerebellum. J. Comp. Neurol. 467:135–149, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Suppressed proliferation and apoptotic changes in the rat dentate gyrus after acute and chronic stress are reversible

Acute stress suppresses new cell birth in the hippocampus in several species. Relatively little is known, however, on how chronic stress affects the turnover, i.e. proliferation and apoptosis, of the rat dentate gyrus (DG) cells, and whether the stress effects are lasting. We investigated how 3 weeks of chronic unpredictable stress would influence the structural dynamic plasticity of the rat DG, and studied newborn cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis, volume and cell number in 10‐week‐old animals. To study lasting effects, another group of animals was allowed to recover for 3 weeks. Based on two independent parameters, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and Ki‐67 immunocytochemistry, our results show that both chronic and acute stress decrease new cell proliferation rate. The reduced proliferation after acute stress normalized within 24 h. Interestingly, chronically stressed animals showed recovery after 3 weeks, albeit with still fewer proliferating cells than controls. Apoptosis, by contrast, increased after acute but decreased after chronic stress. These results demonstrate that, although chronic stress suppresses proliferation and apoptosis, 3 weeks of recovery again normalized most of these alterations. This may have important implications for our understanding of the reversibility of stress‐related hippocampal volume changes, such as occur, for example, in depression.
Tidal flow over topography: effect of excursion number on wave energetics and turbulence

Abstract The excursion number, $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}Ex = U_0/\varOmega l$ , is a parameter that characterizes the ratio of streamwise fluid advection during a tidal oscillation of amplitude $U_0$ and frequency $\varOmega $ to the streamwise topographic length scale $l$ . Direct numerical simulations are performed to study how internal gravity waves and turbulence change when $Ex$ is varied from a low value (typical of a ridge in the deep ocean) to a value of unity (corresponding to energetic tides over a small topographic feature). An isolated obstacle having a smoothed triangular shape and 20 % of the streamwise length at critical slope is considered. With increasing values of $Ex$ , the near field of the internal waves loses its beam-like character, the wave response becomes asymmetric with respect to the ridge centre, and transient lee waves form. Analysis of the baroclinic energy balance shows significant reduction in the radiated wave flux in the cases with higher $Ex$ owing to a substantial rise in advection and baroclinic dissipation as well as a decrease in conversion. Turbulence changes qualitatively with increasing $Ex$ . In the situation with $Ex \sim 0.1$ , turbulence is intensified at the near-critical regions of the slope, and is also significant in the internal wave beams above the ridge where there is intensified shear. At $Ex = O(1)$ , the transient lee waves overturn adjacent to the ridge flanks and, owing to convective instability, buoyancy acts as a source for turbulent kinetic energy. The size of the turbulent overturns has a non-monotonic dependence on excursion number: the largest overturns, as tall as twice the obstacle height, occur in the $Ex = 0.4$ case, but there is a substantial decrease of overturn size at larger values of $Ex$ simulated here.
INVIGORATING ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AMONG WORKFORCE

With the key intent of stimulating entrepreneurial spirit among the workforce, this paper identifies the diverse entrepreneurial qualities required to propel the entrepreneurial spirit unremittingly. These relevant personal skills and strategies of New Venture Creation further aid in the successful creation and subsequent maintenance of an entrepreneur business. Prior to application of the identified skills, this paper vividly demonstrates the importance of such skills to any entrepreneurial business entity. This helps in New Venture Creation whilst aiding the businesses’ sustainability. Therefore, the through proper application of the knowledge attained as well as skills identified, the entrepreneur manages to depict dynamism by consistently exploring different entrepreneurial opportunities. Although these skills tremendously boost the entrepreneur’s spirit, they also create opportunities for the business to explore new and diverse opportunities thus circling back to enhancing entrepreneurial spirit. Furthermore, the paper seeks to make out the possible ways of constantly improving these entrepreneurial skills and in turn encouraging their adoption and consequent utilization among workforce. Further incorporation of knowledge attained from research projects on organizational climate, management support and reward and resource availability similarly focuses the paper to invigorating entrepreneurial spirit among
Pasteurella multocida Toxin, a Potent Intracellularly Acting Mitogen, Induces p125@ and Paxillin Tyrosine Phosphorylation, Actin Stress Fiber Formation, and Focal Contact Assembly in Swiss 3T3 Cells (*)

Treatment of Swiss 3T3 cells with recombinant Pasteurella multocida toxin (rPMT), a potent intracellularly acting mitogen, stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple substrates including bands of M 110,000-130,000 and M 70,000-80,000. Tyrosine phosphorylation induced by rPMT occurred after a pronounced lag period (1 h) and was blocked by either lysosomotrophic agents or incubation at 22°C. Focal adhesion kinase (p125) and paxillin are prominent substrates for rPMT-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation. Tyrosine phosphorylation by rPMT could be dissociated from both protein kinase C activation and the mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores. rPMT stimulated striking actin stress fiber formation and focal adhesion assembly in Swiss 3T3 cells. Cytochalasin D, which disrupts the actin cytoskeleton, completely inhibited rPMT-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, tyrosine phosphorylation of p125 and paxillin in response to rPMT was completely abolished when cells were subsequently treated with platelet-derived growth factor at a concentration (30 ng/ml) that disrupted the actin cytoskeleton. Our results demonstrate for the first time that rPMT, a bacterial toxin, induces tyrosine phosphorylation of p125 and paxillin and promotes actin stress fiber formation and focal adhesion assembly in Swiss 3T3 cells.
Niche Firms and Partnerships in International Food Supply Chains

This study applies the partnership model to explore how internationally oriented niche firms organize and develop partnerships with their supply chain members, and how these niche firms are benefiting from these partnerships. This exploratory study uses semistructured in-depth interviews of key informants in four supply chains to obtain qualitative data. The findings include observations of the drivers, facilitators, components, and outcomes of niche partnerships in supply chains. The results suggest that niche firms are able to overcome some of the weaknesses, without losing the advantages of being small, by forming channel partnerships.
Biochemical Indices of Tetracycline Hepatic Injury in Rats

Summary The intraperitoneal administration of tetracycline (TCL) to female Wistar rats in graded doses ranging from 100 to 300 mg/kg led to the development of small-droplet fatty metamorphosis by 24 hr and to modest, dose-related, increased serum levels of glutamic-oxalactic transaminase (SGOT). A dose of 50 mg/kg of TCL led to an increase in the SGOT level but not to demonstrable fatty metamorphosis. Serum levels of glutamic pyruvic transaminase were found to be less sensitive than those of SGOT as a reflection of the hepatic injury. Serum levels of glutamic dehydrogenase, acid and alkaline phosphatase, β-glucuronidase, and bilirubin remained normal.
Going Beyond CAFE Standards: Feebate Financing Incentives for Fuel Economy

Vehicle efficiency or emission standards such as U.S. CAFE standards and California's Pavley standards have only been able to motivate a fraction of the technology investments in efficiency that would be cost-effective based on fuel savings alone. Vehicle feebates could create technology-development incentives that are not limited by any predetermined performance standard; but it may not be practicable or politically feasible to create feebate incentives approaching the limits of feasibility and cost effectiveness because of the "wealth transfer" that feebates create between low- and high-efficiency vehicles. This paper proposes a feebate-type vehicle financing program that combines loans for fuel-efficient vehicles with refundable fees on inefficient vehicles to create regulatory incentives far surpassing CAFE standards. The program would be revenue-neutral within the regulated sector and would not impose long-term revenue transfers between vehicle owners or manufacturers. In essence, it would operate to internalize the lifecycle benefits of fuel-efficient vehicle technologies, and the lifecycle costs of inefficient vehicles, in upfront vehicle prices, so that consumers fully consider long-term operating costs in their vehicle choice preferences.