Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Shareholding Structure on Firms’ Dividend Decisions: Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies

Investigating the impact of three types of state ownership on firms’ dividend pay-out decisions for the first time, this study focuses on the differences in dividend pay-out behavior among various state ultimate owners. It has been found that the state enterprises supervised by lower level state agencies, as well as those affiliated to local governments are more likely to pay a dividend than the firms controlled by private ultimate owners. Central enterprises are no more likely to instigate a dividend pay-out as ultimate owners than the firms controlled by private ultimate owners. Similar patterns are found regarding the impact of ultimate owners’ cash rights and voting rights on dividend pay-out decisions. To a certain extent, central enterprises behave more similarly to private firms than other types of government controlled firms. No expropriation is detected in all kinds of firms controlled by the state as ultimate controlling shareholders via corporate pyramids, although weak evidence is found for firms owned by private investors. It is also inferred that paying dividends is no longer a necessary condition to get permissions of rights issues.
PAF-induced elastase-dependent neutrophil transendothelial migration is associated with the mobilization of elastase to the neutrophil surface and localization to the migrating front.

One of the cardinal signs of acute inflammation is neutrophil (PMN) emigration across the endothelium and into the affected tissue. We have previously shown that human PMN migration across human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers is dependent on PMN-derived elastase. However, whether migrating PMN release elastase into the extracellular milieu or retain it on the cell surface is unclear. In the present study, we show that when PMN are activated by platelet activating factor (PAF), elastase was mobilized to and retained in the cell membrane; no elastase activity was detected in the supernatant. Neutroplasts (enucleated cells devoid of granules) prepared from PAF-activated PMN contained twice as much elastase as did neutroplasts prepared from unstimulated PMN. Neutroplasts from PAF-activated PMN migrated across HUVEC monolayers in response to a chemotactic gradient (PAF), while those prepared from unstimulated PMN did not. The neutroplast transendothelial migration was inhibited (80%) by a monoclonal antibody against elastase. Using confocal microscopy, we noted that the localization of elastase on the cell surface of PMN, which were adherent to HUVEC but not migrating, was largely confined to the apical aspect of the PMN. There was little or no elastase detectable on the basal aspect of the PMN membrane in contact with the endothelium. By contrast, in migrating PMN the membrane-bound elastase was primarily localized to the migrating front, i.e. pseudopodia penetrating the HUVEC monolayers. Taken together, our findings indicate that migrating PMN localize their membrane-bound elastase to the migrating front where it facilitates transendothelial migration.
Men's experiences of sexuality after cancer: a material discursive intra-psychic approach

Men can experience significant changes to their sexuality following the onset of cancer. However, research on men's sexuality post-cancer has focused almost exclusively on those with prostate and testicular cancer, despite evidence that the diagnosis and treatment for most cancers can impact on men's sexuality. This Australian qualitative study explores the experiences of changes to sexuality for 21 men across a range of cancer types and stages, sexual orientations and relationship contexts. Semi-structured interviews were analysed with theoretical thematic analysis guided by a material discursive intra-psychic approach, recognising the materiality of sexual changes, men's intrapsychic experience of such changes within a relational context and the influence of the discursive construction of masculine sexuality. Material changes included erectile difficulty, decreased desire, and difficulty with orgasm. The use of medical aids to minimise the impact of erectile difficulties was shaped by discursive constructions of ‘normal’ masculine sexuality. The majority of men reported accepting the changes to their sexuality post-cancer and normalised them as part of the natural ageing process. Men's relationship status and context played a key role managing the changes to their sexuality. We conclude by discussing the implications for clinical practice.
The mechanism of stimulation of MgATPase activity of chloroplast F1-ATPase by non-catalytic adenine-nucleotide binding. Acceleration of the ATP-dependent release of inhibitory ADP from a catalytic site.

The presence of ATP at non-catalytic sites of the chloroplast F1-ATPase (CF1) eliminates a considerable lag in onset of enzyme activity that otherwise occurs in the presence of bicarbonate [Milgrom, Y. M. , Ehler, L. & Boyer, P. D. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 11551-11558]. Sulfite is known to be much more effective than bicarbonate in stimulating ATPase activity CF1. Results reported here show that when assayed in the presence of sulfite, CF1, with some non-catalytic sites empty or filled with GT(D)P, is able to hydrolyze both ATP and GTP. Thus, the presence of adenine nucleotides at non-catalytic sites is not necessary for catalytic turnover of CF1. However, even though CF1 with empty non-catalytic sites shows a significant initial activity, the prior binding of adenine nucleotides at non-catalytic site(s) results in further activation of MgATPase and MgGTPase activities, even at relatively high sulfite and substrate concentrations. Although extensive activation of CF1 results from the presence of sulfite, with or without nucleotide binding at non-catalytic sites, the Km remains constant, at about 50 microM for MgATP and 400 microM for MgGTP. The results obtained show that the ATPase activity of CF1 is determined by the fraction of the active enzyme. The inactive CF1.ADP. Mg2+ formed during MgATP hydrolysis can be rapidly trapped by azide to provide a measure of the fraction of inactive enzyme. Increasing the concentration of sulfite increases the fraction of active CF1 in the assay medium. Measurements with radioactively labeled nucleotides show that the presence of ATP at non-catalytic sites promotes the ATP-dependent release of inhibitory ADP from a catalytic site. The activating effect of ATP binding at non-catalytic sites results from increasing the portion of CF1 in an active state during steady-state ATP hydrolysis.
Improved Babylonian Square Root Algorithm-Based Analytical Expressions for the Surface-to-Surface Solution to the Sommerfeld Half-Space Problem

In a recent work, analytical explicit expressions have been derived for the Sommerfeld integrals describing the surface fields of a vertical electric dipole placed near a plane air-earth boundary. Such formulas have the advantage of being exact, but unfortunately consist of slowly convergent infinite sums of special functions. As a consequence, accurate evaluation of the fields is obtained at the cost of a non-negligible computational effort. The purpose of this communication is to derive improved explicit expressions for the Sommerfeld integrals, which assure the same degree of accuracy as the preceding ones, but are constituted by fast-convergent sums of Hankel functions.
GIS diffusion in Uganda

ABSTRACT Despite myriad studies having been carried out on the diffusion of geographical information systems (GIS) technology, only a limited number have been done within the context of developing countries. This paper addresses the research question, how did the diffusion of GIS technology occur in Uganda? Mixed methods were used for data collection, and analysis was performed using a theoretical framework called the diffusion of innovations (DOI). The results of the study showed that the adoption of GIS by institutions in Uganda occurred in a classic diffusion pattern consistent with diffusion theory. Adoption of GIS was promoted by its relative advantage over, and compatibility with, existing technologies. It was characterized by both heterophilous and homophilous communication channels, and influenced by change agents and champions. Its rate of adoption followed an S-shaped diffusion curve, and was hampered by bureaucracy, and patronage-based societal norms. This study makes a contribution to literature on GIS diffusion in developing countries.
Stunning after tracer dosimetry.

TO THE EDITOR: We read with interest the article by Yeung et al. (1) on therapeutic radioiodine uptake in thyroid remnants after tracer dosimetry. The authors reported decreased uptake in thyroid remnants if 131I-based dosimetry preceded therapy. Unlike other studies (2–5) in which a threshold of 111 MBq 131I was observed before thyroid stunning occurred, the authors reported decreased iodine uptake even with doses as low as 37 MBq 131I. We congratulate the authors on their excellent study. However, we cannot fully agree with their conclusion that the thyroid stunning was caused by radiation damage from the dosimetric tracer dose. Assuming the effect of thyroid stunning, one would expect a correlation between the amount of radioiodine in remnant tissue (diagnostic dose 3 diagnostic uptake) and the degree of stunning (ratio of diagnostic uptake to therapeutic uptake). This correlation cannot be found in the data presented in the study (r 5 20.08). With respect to this lack of correlation, we believe instead that there is considerable intratherapeutic stunning rather than dosimetric stunning. Within the first hours after therapeutic radioiodine administration, high radiation doses within thyroid remnant tissue can be expected to have major influence on the subsequent iodine clearance rate in the remnant tissue (iodine subsequently taken up in the stomach and radioiodine coming from the liver after deiodination of radioactive thyroid hormones). This theory would also agree with the previous studies that reported a higher threshold for dosimetric doses.
Does It Pay or Does Firm Pay? The Relation between CSR Performance and the Cost of Debt

This paper investigates the link between corporate social performance and cost of debt financing. The literature on the determinants of the cost of debt generally documents a negative association between measures of the risk of the firm and its cost of debt. The literature on Corporate Social Responsibility, instead, presents risk reduction as one of the potential benefits related to these investments. Thanks to that effect, therefore, an efficient market should recognize a ‘ethical financial premium’ to socially responsible firms, corresponding to a less cost of debt financing.In order to test this hypothesis, the developed model investigates the relation between firms’ CSR performance (measured through the SAM index*) and their cost of debt. Potentially confounding factors such as industry, size and time lag effects were also analyzed. Employing a unique data set of 332 firms over a time period of five years (1641 observations) we find some evidence that there is no ‘ethical financial premium’ for improved corporate social responsibility in term of cost of debt applied by banks and financial institutions to the company. Instead, the results document a positive relation between the CSR performance proxy and the cost of debt, demonstrating that CSR is not considered a value driver with an impact on the firm’s risk profile, but a sort of waste of resources that can negatively affect the performance of the firm, independently from the country in which the firm operates.
Simulation study of edge effect in high voltage condenser bushing foils

During the operation of a HVAC bushing, there exists E-field distortion at the edge of the aluminum foils where the edge effect enhances E-field. To figure out the operating performance of a bushing, it's essential to analyze the distribution of E-field at the edge of foils. In this paper, computing and experimental researches are conducted to analyze the edge effect. We first investigate a 2-D model of several parallel foils using finite element method. By means of ANSYS parametric design language (APDL) in ANSYS computing environment, we systematically analyze the dependence of the E-field distribution on the geometrical variables describing the relative position and dimension of the foils, finding that E-field strength at the edge of foils and the ratio of the enhanced E-field strength and the average value each have an exponential relationship with the distance between two foils and the thickness of a foil.
Reexamination of the Relationship Between Disclosure and Cost of Capital

This study examines how information environment and industry concentration affect the relations between firmsâ€™ financial disclosure quality and cost of capital. Information environment is proxied by firm size, and industry concentration is proxied by four-firm concentration ratio. The study finds a significant negative association between financial disclosure quality and cost of capital only for small firms and firms in more concentrated industries. The results of this study suggest that the contradictory findings in the extant accounting literature (Botosan, 1997; Botosan and Plumlee, 2002; Cheng et al., 2006) may be driven by variation in their sample in terms of firm size. The findings in this paper suggest that managers of small firms should recognize the significant role of disclosure in reducing cost of capital and increase their financial disclosure to enhance firm value.
Biosynthesis of vitamin K (menaquinone) in bacteria.

INTRODUCTION . 241 DISCOVERY OF VITAMIN K IN BACTERIA . 243 BIOSYNTHESIS OF MENAQUINONES . 245 Geeneral Informaton . 246 Role of Shikimate . 247 A Possible Role for 1-Naphthol? 251 Origin of the "Three Carbon" Unit. 252 First Aromatic Intermediate, o-Succinylbenzoate . 254 1,4-Dihydroxy-2-Naphthoate, a Naphthalenoid Intermediate. 254 Role of Naphthalene Compounds Other than 1-Naphthol. 255 INDIVIDUAL REACTIONS IN MENAQUINONE BIOSYNTHESIS . 256 Formation of o-Succinylbenzoate. 256 Formation of succinic semialdehyde-thiamine pyrophosphate complex . 257 Subsequent reactions. 257 Formation of 1,4-Dlhydroxy-2-Naphthoate . 258 Structure of o-Succinylbenzyl Coenzyme A Intermediate . 261 Prenylation Reaction. 262 Methylation of Demethylmenaquinone. 263 Formation of Reduced Isoprenyl Units . 263 GENETICS OF MENAQUINONE BIOSYNTHESIS . 263 men Mutants of Escherichia coli . 263 men Mutants of Bacillus subtdis. 264 men Mutants of Staphylococcus aureus . 265 FACTORS INLUENCING MENAQUINONE BIOSYNTHESIS. 265 Aerobic Versus Anaerobic Growth. 265 Other Factors Influendng Menaquinone Biosynthesis. 267 VITAMIN K-REQUIRING BACTERIA . 268 Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. 268 Bacteroides melaninogenicus. 270 Lactobacilus bfidus var. pennsylvanicus . 272 Other Microorpnisms . 272 Are the Vitamin K-Like Growth Factors Secreted by Bacteria ActuaHly Menaquinones? 272 Are Growth Factors with Vitamin K Activity Converted to Menaquinones? 273 VITAMIN K BIOSYNTHESIS BY INTESTINAL BACTERIA . 273 LITERATURE CITED. 274
The Governance of Corporate Sustainability

This article assesses the current status of the governance of corporate sustainability. It does so from the perspectives of both corporations and of institutional investors. Topics covered include the evolution of responsible ownership, the required integration of corporate governance and sustainability agendas, implications for Board composition, alignment with incentive strategies, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms. We close with an action agenda that would take the governance of corporate sustainability to the next level.
Client importance and earnings quality: an analysis of the moderating effect of managerial incentives for target beating versus auditors’ incentives to avoid reputational losses and litigation

I examine the effects of client importance on accounting quality. In particular, I analyse whether these effects are moderated by managerial incentives to engage in earnings management (like benchmark beating) or by auditors’ incentives to maintain their reputation and avoid litigation. While the managerial incentives would lead to lower earnings quality, auditors’ incentives would lead to higher earnings quality. My results are in line with client importance being associated with better quality accounting. In particular, I show that auditors’ incentives are important and moderate the relation between client importance and accounting quality.
EFFECTS OF DIETARY COMMERCIAL YEAST GLUCAN ON INNATE IMMUNE RESPONSE, HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS, INTESTINAL MICROBIOTA AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF WHITE FISH (Rutilus kutum) FRY

Yeast glucan Innate immune response Intestinal microbiota Hematology Growth Kutum ABSTRACT This study investigates the effects of different levels of commercial yeast glucan (CYG) on innate immune response, hematological parameters, intestinal microbiota, growth performance and survival rate of white fish (kutum) fry. Specimens (1.1 ± 0.15 g) were randomly allocated into 15 tanks (100 L) at a density of 25 fish per tank and triplicate groups were fed either a basal control diet (0% CYG) or a basal diet supplemented with yeast (0.5, 1, 1.5 or 2% CYG) for 60 days. All dietary CYG levels significantly increased the innate immune responses (IgM levels and lysozyme activity) (P 0.05), but WBC levels were significantly higher in CYG fed fish (P < 0.05). Microbiological assessment indicated that the viable culturable autochthonous and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) levels significantly elevated in 0.5 and 1% treatments. Our results indicated that low levels of dietary CYG (0.5 and 1 %) improved growth performance, body protein levels and survival rate compared to the control treatment (P < 0.05). These results indicate that CYG stimulates innate immune response, improves growth performance and modulates intestinal microbiota of kutum fry. Thus, we suggest that low level CYG may be used as a beneficial dietary supplement in kutum fry culture. CODEN RIBAEG ISSN 1330-061X
The Imapct of Attitude, Subjective Norm and Consumer Innovativeness on Cosmetic Buying Behavior

TITLE The Impact of Attitude, Subjective Norm, and Consumer Innovativeness on Cosmetic Buying Behavior – Evidence from women in Sweden. DATE OF SEMINAR 2013-05-27 COURSE BUSN29 Degree Project Master Level – Master Thesis in International Marketing and Brand Management. AUTHOR Jeanette Nikdavoodi ADVISOR Kayhan Tajeddini
Positive Mental Health Scale: Validation of the Mental Health Continuum - Short Form

The Mental Health Continuum – Short Form (MHC-SF) is a self-reporting instrument for assessing positive mental health, which is understood as symptoms of positive affection, self-development and social connectivity. The present article describes the adaptation and validation of the MHC-SF for the Brazilian Portuguese language in a sample of 686 adults, which included 72.7% female participants and had an average age of 33.9 (SD = 11.30) years. The various methods employed to assess the MHC-SF psychometric properties (principal component analysis, factor analysis, Item Response Theory and network analysis) indicated that a unidimensional structure is sufficient to represent the structure of the instrument and its high reliability. In addition, the results showed that the individual-centered aspects of mental health are more easily manifested relative to the social-oriented aspects. The Brazilian version of the MHC-SF is a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of positive mental health.
Surgical correction of isolated superficial venous reflux reduces long-term recurrence rate in chronic venous leg ulcers.

OBJECTIVES surgical correction of isolated superficial venous reflux in ulcerated legs may reduce short term recurrence rates but the longer term benefits are unknown. DESIGN prospective non-randomised cohort study. METHODS consecutive patients with chronic leg ulcers were prospectively assessed at a one-stop clinic over a 4-year period from July 1995 to July 1999. All patients with ankle brachial pressure indices (ABPI)50.85 were initially treated with weekly four-layer bandaging. Venous duplex studies in all ulcerated legs assessed venous reflux pattern with surgery being offered to all those with isolated superficial reflux, of whom 56% accepted. Patients were advised to wear class two elastic compression stockings after healing. RESULTS 766 legs in 669 patients were assessed. Six hundred and thirty-three legs had an ABPI50.85, 236 (39%) demonstrating isolated superficial venous reflux. Surgery was performed on 131 of these legs. Twelve and 24 week healing rates were 50% and 72% for operated legs and 62% and 74% for non-operated legs (p=0.67; Kaplan-Meier life table analysis). Recurrence rates at 1, 2 and 3 years were 14%, 20% and 26% for operated legs and 28%, 30% and 44% for non-operated legs (p=0.03; Kaplan-Meier life table analysis). CONCLUSION surgical correction of superficial venous reflux in legs with chronic leg ulceration may reduce ulcer recurrence rate at 1, 2 and 3 years.
Tunable Threshold Voltage of Organic CMOS Inverter Circuits by Electron Trapping in Bilayer Gate Dielectrics

SUMMARY We have demonstrated tunable n -channel fullerene and p - channel pentacene OFETs and CMOS inverter circuit based on a bilayer-dielectric structure of CYTOP (poly(perﬂuoroalkenyl vinyl ether)) electret and SiO 2 . For both OFET types, the V th can be electrically tuned thanks to the charge-trapping at the interface of CYTOP and SiO 2 . The stability of the shifted V th was investigated through monitoring a change in transistor current. The measured transistor current versus time after programming ﬁtted very well with a stretched-exponential distribution with a long time constant up to 10 6 s. For organic CMOS inverter, after applying the program gate voltages for n -channel fullerene or p -channel pentacene elements, the voltage transfer characteristics were shifted toward more positive values, resulting in a modulation of the noise margin. We realized that at a program gate voltage of 60V for p -channel OFET, the circuit switched at 4, 8V, that is close to half supply voltage V DD , leading to the maximum electrical noise immunity of the inverter circuit.
Growth Trajectories of Task Value and Self-efficacy Across an Academic Semester

Many scholars have argued that motivation is dynamic and malleable across time and contexts. In this article, we investigated changes in undergraduates' task value and self-efficacy across an academic semester. Sixty three undergraduate students completed the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire across five time points in their introductory educational psychology class. We predicted that, across the semester, students' expressiveness of these constructs would change. Using growth curve modeling, we found both constructs to fluctuate in a cubic fashion. The implications of these findings are discussed.