Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why Did US Banks Fail? What Went Wrong at US Banks in the Run Up to the Financial Crisis

This paper analyzes the differences between weak and strong US banks prior (2002-2006) to the financial crisis. We define strength as the ability to endure the crisis independently. Weak banks either went bankrupt, were acquired due to financial distress, or did not pass the stress test and needed government support. Strong banks, on the other hand, passed the stress test and repaid the government support as soon as they were eligible.The quality of formal governance, measured by CEO duality (CEO is also the chairman) and the rights of shareholders versus management, was slightly lower at strong banks. Weak banks were financed with more debt of which a larger portion short term, and less profitable than strong banks. The CEOs of weak banks were paid higher cash bonuses and more often raised in a low socio-economic environment than their counterparts at strong banks.Finally, we compare the buy-and-hold stock return of weak versus strong banks from January 2000 until February 2015. Weak banks outperformed strong ones in the run up to the crisis by 113%. Subsequently, weak banks lost 94% of their market value in the crisis and did not recover to pre-crisis levels afterwards. Strong banks lost 71% but did recover.
Accrual-Based Budgeting and Accounting in the Public Sector: The Dutch Experience

Traditionally, governments used to deploy input-based budgeting systems and cash-based accounting systems. However, these systems do not provide the information that is necessary for a government to operate efficiently and effectively. Therefore, a growing number of countries have already shifted or are planning to shift from cash-based tot some form of accrual accounting in the public sector. Usually, the implementation of some accrual-based system is linked to wider financial management reforms including performance management requiring information on cost. This paper focuses on the Dutch experience with the shift from cash-based accounting and budgeting systems to an accrual-based system.
Biogeographic variation in the baboon: dissecting the cline

All species demonstrate intraspecific anatomical variation. While generalisations such as Bergman's and Allen's rules have attempted to explain the geographic structuring of variation with some success, recent work has demonstrated limited support for these in certain Old World monkeys. This study extends this research to the baboon: a species that is widely distributed across sub‐Saharan Africa and exhibits clinal variation across an environmentally disparate range. This study uses trend surface analysis to map the pattern of skull variation in size and shape in order to visualise the main axes of morphological variation. Patterns of shape and size‐controlled shape are compared to highlight morphological variation that is underpinned by allometry alone. Partial regression is used to dissociate the effects of environmental terms, such as rainfall, temperature and spatial position. The diminutive Kinda baboon is outlying in size, so analyses were carried out with and without this taxon. Skull size variation demonstrates an east–west pattern, with small animals at the two extremes and large animals in Central and Southern Africa. Shape variation demonstrates the same geographical pattern as skull size, with small‐sized animals exhibiting classic paedomorphic morphology. However, an additional north–south axis of variation emerges. After controlling for skull size, the diminutive Kinda baboon is no longer an outlier for size and shape. Also, the east–west component is no longer evident and discriminant function analysis shows an increased misclassification of adjacent taxa previously differentiated by size. This demonstrates the east–west component of shape variation is underpinned by skull size, while the north–south axis is not. The latter axis is explicable in phylogenetic terms: baboons arose in Southern Africa and colonised East and West Africa to the north, diverging in the process, aided by climate‐mediated isolating mechanisms. Environmental terms appear poorly correlated with shape variation compared with geography. This might indicate that there is no simple environment–morphology association, but certainly demonstrates that phylogenetic history is an overbearing factor in baboon morphological variation.
A Review of New Method of Cold Plasma in Cancer Treatment

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a semi-ionizing gas with ions, electrons, and particles without charge such as atoms. CAP is produced by different methods such as atmospheric plasma jet (APPJ), pencil plasma and needle plasma. Today, the CAP along with other methods of cancer treatment used to in oncology. This study provides some information about the structure, different methods of production and the general mechanisms of cold atmospheric plasma. Furthermore, this study explores and interprets the results of studies done about the influence of cold atmospheric Plasma on cancer cells. Articles express investigated the relationship between cold atmospheric plasma and improved outcomes of cancer treatment. Cold atmospheric plasma through mechanisms such as activating protein P53, enabling inhibitor P21CDK, stop the cell cycle in phase G2 / M phase and S, stimulate apoptosis through ROS production and disable the mitochondria and so on, leading to tumor cell death. So it can be as a good therapy method is effective in destroying cancer cells. Case studies have shown that the use of cold atmospheric plasma in treatment of cancer patients, Not only will quickly eradicate tumors, but increases the median survival in patients. Moreover, the exact mechanism of cold atmospheric plasma action is still unknown that can be the subject of future research.
Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction and adenosine deaminase assay for the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in children

Aim: To evaluate and compare the utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in children. Methods: PCR, adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) were evaluated in the fluid of 31 tuberculous (20 pleural, 8 ascites and 3 pericardial) and 24 non-tuberculous (10 transudtative ascites, 8 empyema thoracis, 3 malignant pleural and 3 pyopericardium) effusions. Results: Fluid PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive in 74% of tuberculous effusions, whereas it was falsely positive in 13% of the non-tuberculous group. The mean fluid ADA and ALC values were significantly higher in tuberculous effusions than in non-tuberculous effusions (p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of PCR, ADA (⩾38 IU/l) and ALC (⩾275/mm3) were 74% and 88%, 81% and 75%, and 90% and 83%, respectively, in diagnosing tuberculous effusions. The sensitivity of PCR, ADA and ALC was 100%, 100% and 88%, respectively, for confirmed tuberculous effusions. When the two tests were combined (either/or positive), the sensitivity increased (90–100%) at the expense of specificity. When both the tests were positive, then the specificity markedly increased (92–96%), but sensitivity of the tests decreased. Conclusion: Fluid PCR alone should not be relied on as a single test; rather, combined analysis with either ADA or ALC could be more useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in children.
The zone of localization of antibodies. VI. The rate of localization of anti-mouse-kidney serum.

Summary The rate at which antibodies to mouse kidney are extracted from the circulating blood was measured by using antibody tagged with radioactive iodine. It was found that the circulating blood was essentially freed of antibody within 18 minutes after intravenous injection. Some localization of the radioactive anti-kidney antibody in the glomeruli was observable within as little as 2.5 minutes after injection.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of a specialist nurse in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Objective To determine the effect of a specialist nurse on the management outcome of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Design Audit of the management of a cohort of patients in the year prior to the employment of the specialist nurse and the year immediately after. Subjects 339 patients, both male and female, with either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, resident in the Cambridge health district. Setting Addenbrooke's Hospital NHS Trust Outpatient Centre. Main outcome measures Health status was measured by blood tests (C‐reactive protein, albumin and haemoglobin) throughout the year, symptom indices, number of clinic attendances, admissions to hospital and length of stay. Quality of life was measured via a postal questionnaire. Results Hospital visits were reduced from 1377 to 853 (38% reduction) and in‐patient length of stay measured in bed‐days from 516 to 417 (19% reduction). The number of patients in remission increased from 63 to 69%. Patient satisfaction improved in key areas, in particular, access to information on IBD and advice on avoidance of illness and maintaining health. Of a total of 251 calls to the telephone helpline, only 19 patients were referred for a medical opinion and five patients required hospital admission. Conclusion The IBD nurse specialist is a valuable and cost‐effective member of the gastroenterology team. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 12:967‐973
International liquidity shocks and the European sovereign debt crisis: Was euro area unconventional monetary policy successful?

Using novel data on individual euro area banks' balance sheets this paper shows that exposure to stressed European sovereigns manifested in a liquidity shock to their international funding through two channels: (i) a contraction in cross-border funding, and (ii) a contraction in US wholesale funding. The effectiveness of the ECB's unconventional monetary policy measures, in the form of the 3-year Long-Term Refinancing Operations (VLTROs), in mitigating effects of the European sovereign debt crisis on the supply of private sector credit is assessed. Controlling for banks' risk factors and credit demand, the first round of VLTROs in December 2011 is not found to have been successful in offsetting the decline in credit supply to Households and non-financial corporates. In contrast, the VLTROs in February 2012 are found to have mitigated the effect of the European sovereign debt crisis on credit supply. Moreover, a contraction in credit supply to non-financial corporates, but not households, is documented for euro area banks affected by the international liquidity shock and that drew on ECB liquidity under the VLTRO facilities.
Review of E-Learning and ICT Infrastructure in Developing Countries (Case Study of Iran)

Problem statement: E-Learning aims to apply information and communications technology to enhance and/or support learning process. Today E-Learning is one of tools for education justice. This study attempts to review on challenges and infrastructure of e-learning in developing countries specially Iran and to know what have been developed in Iran, what issues and challenges exists and what solutions make e-Learning as a major success to transforms Iran to knowledge society. Conclusion/Recommendation: Our finding have shown that the following factors can be attributed for hindering the success of e-Learning projects in Iran: process focus, implementation expertise, technology focus, open-source technology and one-time funding.
Ultra-Sensitive Capacitive Detection Based on SGMOSFET Compatible With Front-End CMOS Process

Capacitive measurement of very small displacement of nano-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS) presents some issues that are discussed in this article. It is shown that performance is fairly improved when integrating on a same die the NEMS and CMOS electronics. As an initial step toward full integration, an in-plane suspended gate MOSFET (SGMOSFET) compatible with a front-end CMOS has been developed. The device model, its fabrication, and its experimental measurement are presented. Performance obtained with this device is experimentally compared to the one obtained with a stand-alone NEMS readout circuit, which is used as a reference detection system. The 130 nm CMOS ASIC uses a bridge measurement technique and a high sensitive first stage to minimize the influence of any parasitic capacitances.
Bank Ownership Reforms and Prudential Behavior: Evidence from a Transition Country

Using the data of 82 Chinese commercial banks from 2000 to 2012, this paper investigates the effect of bank ownership reforms on prudential behavior. Three main results emerge. First, state-owned commercial banks are more prudential than joint-stock commercial banks and city commercial banks (the static effect). Second, compared to banks that did not introduce foreign strategic investors or undertake Initial Public Offerings (IPO), the banks that introduced foreign strategic investors or undertook IPO exhibit no differences in bank prudential behavior (the selection effect). Third, introducing foreign strategic investors has not an obvious effect on bank prudential behavior, either in the short term or long term, and undertaking IPO has not an obvious effect on bank prudential behavior in the short term. However, undertaking IPO has increased the ratio of gross loans to total customer deposits and the ratio of gross loans to total assets in the long term (the dynamic effect). This research not only presents empirical evidence for ownership reforms but also provides practical suggestions for further reforms in the Chinese banking industry.
The ring‐down artifact.

"Ring‐down" is an ultrasound artifact that appears as a solid streak or a series of parallel bands radiating away from abdominal gas collections. Using an in vitro system of bubbles in water or gelatin, it was found that the ring‐down artifact originated from the center of a cluster of four bubbles (bubble tetrahedron), three on top and one nestled beneath. Entrapped between the bubbles is a horn‐ or bugle‐shaped fluid collection that we theorize emits a continuous sound wave back to the transducer when struck by an ultrasound pulse. Electronic processing by the scanner converts this continuous sound wave into the series of bands seen in the ring‐down artifact.
Evaluation of Antibiotic and Antioxidant Activity of Morus nigra ( Black Mulberry ) Extracts Against Soil Borne , Food Borne and Clinical Human Pathogens

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of fruits extracts of M. nigra prepared in methanol, ethanol, acetone, chloroform and diethyl ether solvent. Significant growth inhibition of all tested bacteria was recorded by M. nigra extracts as compared to fungal microbes. The phytochemical analysis showed that glycosides, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids were present in all extracts of M. nigra whereas free amino acids were absent. It was observed that phenolic and flavonoid contents were higher in ethanolic and acetone extracts as compared to others. Thin layer chromatography was employed to enumerate the antioxidants and phytochemical constituents in most active solvent extracts. The compounds contained in these extracts over silica gel were also evaluated through bioautography.
The Illusion of Delayed Incentives: Evaluating Future Effort–Money Transactions

In many real-world situations, consumers must evaluate future transaction opportunities in which money will be awarded for the performance of effort or for providing a service. In a marketing setting, consumers often are promised a delayed reward, contingent on the performance of future effort. In such situations, the author proposes that at the time of brand choice, the future effort is underweighted, relative to the future savings. Consequently, an incentive that appears attractive at the time of brand choice may appear unattractive at the time of redemption. The author hypothesizes and experimentally demonstrates the effect of face value, level of effort, and temporal delay on choice, redemption, and profits. Results show that temporal delay between choice and redemption causes a systematic underweighting of future effort, which mediates the increased attractiveness of alternatives with delayed incentives. The author also uses an analytical model to derive the profitability implications of delayed incentives.
The Measurements of Firm Performance's Dimensions

The main purpose of this study was to review the measurements that are related to the corporate governance. A close look at the literature of corporate governance and firm performance reveals that different measures have been used by the researchers to measure the performance. They classified those measurements into accounting-based and market-based indicators. Performance measurement has great significance in effective management of an organization and in the enhancement of the processes since only measurable things is manageable. Hence, the enhancement of the organizational performance requires some measurements to determine the impact of the level of organizational effectiveness upon business performance. This study can act as a reference to the researchers who are concerned with the firm performance measurements.
The Oxylipin Pathway in Arabidopsis

Abstract Oxylipins are acyclic or cyclic oxidation products derived from the catabolism of fatty acids which regulate many defense and developmental pathways in plants. The dramatic increase in the volume of publications and reviews on these compounds since 1997 documents the increasing interest in this compound and its role in plants. Research on this topic has solidified our understanding of the chemistry and biosynthetic pathways for oxylipin production. However, more information is still needed on how free fatty acids are produced and the role of beta-oxidation in the biosynthetic pathway for oxylipins. It is also becoming apparent that oxylipin content and composition changes during growth and development and during pathogen or insect attack. Oxylipins such as jasmonic acid (JA) or 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid modulate the expression of numerous genes and influence specific aspects of plant growth, development and responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. Although oxylipins are believed to act alone, several examples were presented to illustrate that JA-induced responses are modulated by the type and the nature of crosstalk with other signaling molecules such as ethylene and salicylic acid. How oxylipins cause changes in gene expression and instigate a physiological response is becoming understood with the isolation of mutations in both positive and negative regulators in the jasmonate signaling pathway and the use of cDNA microarrays.
THE INTRAEPIDERMAL INNERVATION OF THE SNOUT SKIN OF THE OPOSSUM

The intraepidermal innervation of the snout skin of the opossum has been studied with the light and electron microscope. Numerous large nerve fibers loose their myelin sheath in the superficial dermis and pass into the epidermis. The basement membranes of the epidermis and Schwann cell become continuous at the point of entry of the neurite into the epidermis. Within the epidermis, the neurite is associated with a specialized secretory epidermal cell, termed a Merkel cell. This cell has many secretory granules apposed to the neurite. The Merkel cells are epidermal cells since they have desmosomes between them and adjacent epidermal cells. The neurite in the stratum spinosum is enveloped by Schwann cells in a manner analogous to the Schwann cell investment of unmyelinated neurites. In the upper stratum spinosum the nerve fiber evidences changes which can be interpreted as degenerative. The Merkel cell-neurite complex is interpreted as representing a sensory receptor unit.
Intracellular Sensing of Amino Acids in Xenopus laevis Oocytes Stimulates p70 S6 Kinase in a Target of Rapamycin-dependent Manner*

Amino acids exert modulatory effects on proteins involved in control of mRNA translation in animal cells through the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway. Here we use oocytes ofXenopus laevis to investigate mechanisms by which amino acids are “sensed” in animal cells. Small (∼48%) but physiologically relevant increases in intracellular but not extracellular total amino acid concentration (or Leu or Trp but not Ala, Glu, or Gln alone) resulted in increased phosphorylation of p70S6K and its substrate ribosomal protein S6. This response was inhibited by rapamycin, demonstrating that the effects require the TOR pathway. Alcohols of active amino acids substituted for amino acids with lower efficiency. Oocytes were refractory to changes in external amino acid concentration unless surface permeability of the cell to amino acids was increased by overexpression of the System L amino acid transporter. Amino acid-induced, rapamycin-sensitive activation of p70S6K was conferred when System L-expressing oocytes were incubated in extracellular amino acids, supporting intracellular localization of the putative amino acid sensor. In contrast to lower eukaryotes such as yeast, which possess an extracellular amino acid sensor, our findings provide the first direct evidence for an intracellular location for the putative amino acid sensor in animal cells that signals increased amino acid availability to TOR/p70S6K.
Cryoelectron Microscopic Examination of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Virions with Mutations in the Cyclophilin A Binding Loop

ABSTRACT The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 capsid protein contains a conserved P217X4PX2PX5P231motif. Mutation at Pro-222 decreases virion incorporation of cyclophilin A, while mutation at Pro-231 abolishes infectivity. Although viral RNA incorporation and protease cleavage of the Gag precursor were not affected by these mutations, cryoelectron microscopy revealed a loss of virion maturation in P231A particles.
Understanding innovation capacity in food chains: the European traditional food sector

The capacity to innovate is of great concern to scientists, policy makers and the business community. Recent understanding has led to the recognition that innovation is the output of a very complex process involving several actors, both inside and outside the firm. However, it is necessary to understand how the different actors contribute to innovation capacity. This PhD research was conducted in the frame of the Integrated Project “Traditional United European Food” (TRUEFOOD) financed by the European Commission (6th Framework Programme). Firstly, it is investigated how crucial the intensity of collaboration in networks is for the development of innovation in micro, small and medium sized enterprises. Secondly, the innovation capacity of food chains is investigated based on the perspectives of three chain members. Thirdly, the influence of the chain relationship quality on the innovation capacity in the chain is assessed. Fourthly, the contribution of network connections of each individual chain partner outside the chain to the innovation capacity of the whole chain is explored. Fifthly and finally, the innovations applied in traditional food chains are matched with the consumer’s acceptance of these innovations. Assessing the innovation capacity in food chains based on the perspectives of three interrelated chain partners clarifies that the innovation capacity of a firm is interlinked with the innovation capacity of its chain partners and intensive collaboration within the chain. When it comes to innovation in relation to traditional food products Jerry Johnson is right: “The winner says: It may be difficult but it is possible, while the loser says: It may be possible but it is too difficult”. This PhD research can be taken as a starting point for a novel approach in analyzing chains and networks. Hence, in future research it is suggested to gradually increase the degree of complexity of the studied system and to apply the developed measurement tool for innovation capacity to other sectors and countries.