Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating the associations between executive compensation and firm performance: Agency theory or tournament theory

While there have been extensive empirical investigations of pay-performance sensitivity, the perspective of performance-pay has received less attention to date. While executive compensation is sensitive to firm performance, firm performance is also likely to be affected by executive compensation. Adopting multiple theoretical perspectives, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether executive compensation has a greater influence on firm performance or whether the latter has a greater influence on compensation. ,Using data from a five-year period (2010-2014) for Financial Times and Stock Exchange 350 companies, the authors employ a set of simultaneous equation modelling to jointly investigate, after accounting for endogeneity problem, the mutual association of executive compensation and firm performance by employing four control variables (board size, non-executive directors, leverage and boardroom ownership). ,The authors find strong evidence for the greater influence of executive compensation on firm performance than the pay-performance framework. This finding supports the tournament theory compared with the agency perspective. ,Inevitably, there are limitations in a wide-ranging study of this nature that could be addressed in future research. As any empirical study utilising company data, there may be concerns to the effect of survivorship bias and the manner in which companies have reorganised, if there is any, themselves during the period under examination. There are also issues as to missing data, some measures relating to both executive compensation and corporate governance are not provided by the BoardEx database. ,The study results provide evidence that using the tournament perspective by remuneration committees as a guide for determining executive compensation helps in achieving better performance. This helps in developing appropriate mechanisms for setting executive remuneration. ,This paper combines an empirical investigation of the frameworks of pay-performance and performance-pay and develops a system of six simultaneous equations to examine the associations between executive compensation and firm performance.
Positive antibody response to vaccination in adolescence predicts lower C‐reactive protein concentration in young adulthood in the philippines

Objectives: Inflammation has been associated with a wide range of chronic degenerative diseases, but the developmental factors contributing to the regulation of inflammation are poorly understood. This study investigates the within‐individual association between antibody response to vaccination in adolescence and C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentration in young adulthood.
Measuring Personality for Automatic Elicitation of Privacy Preferences

The increasing complexity and ubiquity in user connectivity, computing environments, information content, and software, mobile, and web applications transfers the responsibility of privacy management to the individuals. Hence, making it extremely difficult for users to maintain the intelligent and targeted level of privacy protection that they need and desire, while simultaneously maintaining their ability to optimally function. Thus, there is a critical need to develop intelligent, automated, and adaptable privacy management systems that can assist users in managing and protecting their sensitive data in the increasingly complex situations and environments that they find themselves in. This work is a first step in exploring the development of such a system, specifically how user personality traits and other characteristics can be used to help automate determination of user sharing preferences for a variety of user data and situations. The Big-Five personality traits of openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism are examined and used as inputs into several popular machine learning algorithms in order to assess their ability to elicit and predict user privacy preferences. Our results show that the Big-Five personality traits can be used to significantly improve the prediction of user privacy preferences in a number of contexts and situations, and so using machine learning approaches to automate the setting of user privacy preferences has the potential to greatly reduce the burden on users while simultaneously improving the accuracy of their privacy preferences and security.
The impact of student involvement and engagement on African American undergraduate success in college

Keron A. Piper THE IMPACT OF STUDENT INVOLVEMENT AND ENGAGEMENT ON AFRICAN AMERICAN UNDERGRADUATE SUCCESS IN COLLEGE 2007/08 Dr. Burton R. Sisco Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration The primary purpose of the study was to investigate student involvement and engagement levels and its impact on various aspects of student life on selected African American students at Rowan University. Data were collected by means of a Likert-style survey. In addition, a focus group was conducted consisting of students from the survey sample. Data analysis from the survey suggests that faculty involvement and active/collaborative learning in the classroom are very important to academic success in college. Holding an internship, making class presentations, and tutoring other students were reported as having a positive impact on GPA. From the focus group, students reported feeling lower expectations from instructors which serve as a distraction. Also, it was reported that younger students used peers as a source of influence and advisement while the older students looked to faculty and advisors for advice.
Intracellular sodium changes during the speract response and the acrosome reaction in sea urchin sperm

The sperm‐activating peptide speract and fucose‐sulphate glycoconjugate (FSG) are sea urchin egg‐envelope components that modulate sperm ion permeability. They influence motility and induce acrosomal reaction (AR), respectively. A fluorescent Na+‐sensitive dye (Na+‐binding benzofuran isophthalate, SBFI) was used to determine how these egg envelope components influence sperm Na+ permeability. [Ca2+]i and pHi were also measured to correlate their changes in response to speract and FSG with those observed in [Na+]i. SBFI determinations indicate that the resting [Na+]i is 20 ± 8 mm in sea urchin sperm. Saturating levels of speract increased [Na+]i by ≈15 mm, while similar levels of FSG caused a further elevation of ≈30 mm. The kinetics of the [Na+]i, [Ca2+]i and pHi changes induced by saturating levels of speract were faster than those induced by FSG. Both egg ligands appeared to activate more than one Na+ transport system. Nifedipine, Ni2+ and TEA+ inhibited the ionic changes and the AR induced by FSG but, importantly, did not alter those caused by speract. Thus, there are differences in some of the ionic transport mechanisms that operate in the speract and FSG responses. ZD2788, a blocker of hyperpolarization and cyclic‐nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels such as SpHCN present in sea urchin sperm, did not decrease the speract‐induced [Na+]i increase, but slowed its kinetics. Therefore, SpHCN does not play a major role in the uptake of Na+ triggered by this decapeptide. KB‐R7943, an inhibitor of Na+/Ca2+ exchangers, decreased the resting [Na+]i and did not change significantly the speract‐induced [Ca2+]i increase, but slowed its recovery.
Working Papers in Economics and Statistics Crude Oil Prices and the EuroDollar Exchange Rate : A Forecasting Exercise

If oil exporters stabilize the purchasing power of their export revenues in terms of imports, exchange rate developments (and particularly, developments in the US dollar/euro exchange rate) may contain information about oil price changes. This hypothesis depends on three conditions: (a) OPEC has price setting capacity, (b) a high share of OPEC imports comes from the euro area and (c) alternatives to oil invoicing in US dollar are costly. We give evidence that using information on the US dollar/euro exchange rate (and its determinants) improves oil price forecasts significantly. We discuss possible implications that these results might suggest with regard to the stabilization of oil prices or the adjustment of global imbalances. JEL-Classification Numbers: Q43, F31, C53
The Mandarin Model of Growth

China's economic reforms over the past 40 years have led to a mixed economic structure with the government playing a key role in an increasingly market-driven economy. This paper expands a standard growth model of Barro (1990) to incorporate this structure, with a particular focus on including the agency problem between the central and local governments. To incentivize local governors, the central government has established an economic tournament, which generates not only intended incentives to develop local economies, a la Holmstrolm (1982), but also short-termist behaviors, a la Stein (1989). The latter channel helps to explain a series of challenges that confront the Chinese economy, such as overleverage through shadow banking and unreliable economic statistics.
Does Systemic Inflammation Play a Role in Pediatric Psychosis?

CONTEXT Human and animal studies have suggested an underlying inflammatory mechanism for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. To date, most available reports focused on adult patients. OBJECTIVE We wished to test the hypothesis that the first psychotic episode in youth is associated with inflammation. PATIENTS We studied patients admitted to a pediatric inpatient psychiatric unit. Patients (n=80) had new-onset psychosis diagnosed using DSM-IV TR criteria for Psychosis NOS, Schizophreniform Disorder or Schizoaffective Disorder. Patients were matched for age, race and gender with inpatient controls without psychosis within the same unit (n=66). We also compared these values to normal pediatric hematologic values. To study the role of inflammation in youth with psychosis, we collected serum samples of 28 children presenting with first-episode psychosis and compared their serum cytokine and S100B levels to eight healthy controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES In this study, we measured serum markers of systemic inflammation. RESULTS Leukocyte counts revealed a statistically significant increase in absolute monocytes compared to patients without psychosis (0.61 ± 0.282 k/ml vs. 0.496 ± 0.14 k/ml; p<0.01) and lymphocytes (2.51 ± 0.84 k/ml vs. 2.24 ± 0.72 k/ml; p<0.05) in patients with psychosis. All other hematologic values were similar between the groups. In addition, psychosis was characterized by increased serum levels of S100B, a peripheral marker of blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage. Several inflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-5, IL-10, and IFN-γ) were elevated in children with psychosis. CONCLUSIONS These results strongly support a link between systemic inflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption and first-episode psychosis in pediatric patients.
Preliminary Development of an Attrition Risk Assessment Instrument for Secondary Agricultural Educators.

Secondary agricultural education has consistently faced a shortage of teachers for the past several decades. Because there are not enough newly qualified teachers certified annually to fill all the vacancies, attrition must be addressed. The purpose of this research was to develop and pilot test an attrition risk assessment instrument. Items were written and included in a preliminary instrument based on existing literature as well as a qualitative study we conducted previously. Principal components analysis resulted in a 25-question instrument, with 17 questions measuring attrition risk in four constructs including alternative career opportunities, expectations versus realities, passions, and people frustrations. Cronbach’s alpha indicated overall instrument reliability was α = . 76. Individual construct reliabilities ranged from α = . 57 to α = . 85. Recommendations include further development and refinement of constructs and questions. Additionally, longitudinal data should be collected in order to identify the threshold magnitude of each risk factor that results in actual exit of a teacher from the profession. Finally, implementation of the instrument could assist researchers and teacher educators in identifying the most prevalent risks contributing to teacher attrition in a population.
Interleukin‐9 polymorphism in infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection: An opposite effect in boys and girls

The predominance of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in boys compared to girls is well known, but its mechanism is not yet understood. This is the first study focusing on gender‐specific genetic factors affecting the risk of severe RSV infection using a previously described cohort. We determined 347 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 470 children hospitalized for RSV infection, their parents, and 1,008 random population controls. We tested if these SNPs exerted a different effect in boys and girls by performing statistical interaction tests. Only one SNP (rs2069885) had a gender‐specific significant association with RSV infection, severe enough to require hospitalization (P‐value 0.00057). The major allele of this structural polymorphism in the interleukin (IL)‐9 gene is associated with an increased susceptibility to severe RSV infection in boys, while there is a decreased susceptibility in girls. Haplotype analysis of two SNPs in the IL‐9 gene (rs2069885 and rs1799962) showed overrepresentation of the TT haplotype in girls with severe RSV bronchiolitis requiring hospitalization indicating that this is the haplotype conferring the highest risk in girls. In conclusion, the IL‐9 genetic polymorphism (rs2069885) has an opposite effect on the risk of severe RSV bronchiolitis in boys and girls. Although so far a difference in IL‐9 production in boys and girls has not been reported, this study may help in explaining the different risks of severe RSV bronchiolitis in boys and girls. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:608–613. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Histopathology, classification, and grading of gliomas

Neoplastic transformation occurs in all glial cell types of the human nervous system, producing a wide variety of clinico‐pathological entities and morphological variants. Astrocytomas are most common and span an unusually wide spectrum, ranging from the slowly growing juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma to the highly malignant glioblastoma multiforme. Diffusely infiltrating astrocytomas of the cerebral hemispheres show an inherent tendency for progression towards a more malignant phenotype. This change is morphologically categorized in histologic grading schemes (e.g., WHO Grade II to IV) and is associated with the sequential acquisition of genetic alteration, including mutation in the p53 and homozygous deletion of the p16 tumor suppressor genes. Loss of heterozygosity on chromosomes 10 and 19q as well as amplification of the EGF receptor are largely restricted to malignant gliomas and thus considered late events in astrocytoma progression. Gliomas often show phenotypic expresson of different glial cell lineages (e.g., oligoastrocytoma). Recent studies sugeest that the occurrence of mixed glomas is not indicative of a polyclonal orgin but rather reflects altered gene exprssion leading to a charge in the balance of growth factors influencing glioma defferentiation. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patients and general practitioners have different approaches to e-mail consultations.

INTRODUCTION The few extant Danish studies on e-mail consultations were undertaken before it became manda-tory under Danish law to offer patients this form of consultation. This study investigates the ways in which patients and general practitioners communicate with each other by e-mail, explores factors influencing this means of communication and puts into perspective the potential of e-mail consultations in patient treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study is explorative and based on an individual interview and four qualitative focus group interviews. The empirical data were analysed from a social constructivist and a practice-theoretical approach. RESULTS The study indicated that patients wanted to be able to use the general practitioner (GP) as a sparring partner in e-mail consultations. They expected a reply in case of uncertainties. The GPs found it difficult to handle complicated medical problems by e-mail and they tended to send a standard reply. A number of patients perceived the wording of the standard reply as a rejection of their problem. Patients highlighted the logistical advantages of e-mail consultations, the physical separation of doctor and patient which made it easier for them to disclose psychological or intimate issues. The GPs preferred short uncomplicated questions with no option for the patient to enter into a discussion. CONCLUSION Patients and GPs have different approaches to e-mail. The development of clear guidelines for patients and revised guidelines for GPs regarding e-mail consultations is therefore recommended. FUNDING not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION journal no. 2012-41-0063 with the Danish Data Protection Agency.
Race, uneven recovery and persistent negative equity in the southeastern United States

ABSTRACT I analyze neighborhoods with persistent negative equity in the Southeast to understand whether persistent negative equity can be explained by the same factors that led to the crash or whether dynamics during the recovery period are more relevant. Negative equity is high in the Southeast and concentrated in urban areas. In a series of regressions, I evaluate the contribution of income, commute times, unemployment, housing stock quality, vacancy rates, mortgage market factors, and racial/ethnic composition to rates of negative equity. I also provide within-state and within-metropolitan estimates. I find that even after controlling for subprime lending, the severity of the housing market crash, and other factors, the places with persistent high negative equity are in predominantly Black ZIP codes. Other correlates with persistent negative equity are longer commute times, higher unemployment rates, and high rental vacancy rates. Even after controlling for factors relating to the housing market crash, race remains the strongest predictor of persistent negative equity. This finding indicates that though subprime lending and the foreclosure crisis exacerbated racial and spatial inequality, the recovery itself has also been uneven and has proceeded in a way that widens the racial gap in housing wealth. To further explore the dynamics of the recovery, I provide preliminary evidence that recovery efforts like refinances of Home Affordable Refinancing Program–eligible loans were less likely to be performed in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Managing group work in the classroom: An international study on perceived benefits and risks based on students’ cultural background and gender

Working in groups has become an essential part of success of every organization operating in global economy. Therefore, the business sector has created an imperative for higher education institutions (HEIs) to modify study programs and prepare students to be effective team players. However, while group work has been highly encouraged among university students, their opinions on this practice remain rather neglected. In addition, the role of culture and gender in students’ perceptions of group work has received little attention. The purpose of this study is to examine how university students perceive group work in terms of its benefits and risks and whether their national culture and gender moderates these perceptions. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed to meet the research goal. Data were collected among Spanish, Croatian and international students from two European universities: University of Valencia in Spain and University of Split in Croatia. Results suggest that, although students seem to recognize the benefits of group work, they also perceive a considerable number of risks, especially Croatian students. This might be the reason why they don’t seem to prefer group work over individual work, despite their cultural background and gender.
Predictors of plasma lead among lithographic print shop workers in Mexico City.

BACKGROUND Plasma lead is considered a biological marker that reflects the fraction of lead in blood that is toxicologically available. We examined the relationship between plasma lead and other biomarkers of lead exposure in 69 lithographic print shop workers. METHODS Lead was measured in plasma and whole blood (by inductively coupled plasma-magnetic sector mass spectrometry), in bone (by 109Cd X-ray fluorescence), and in hand wipes and occupational air samples. Personal hygiene habits at work were surveyed. RESULTS Mean age was 47 years and 86% (n=59) were men. Mean lead levels were 0.3 microg/L in plasma, 11.9 microg/dL in blood, 46.7 microg/g in patella, and 27.6 microg/g in tibia. Taken together, two multivariate linear models explained 57% of variability in plasma lead levels. Predictors for the first model were lead in patella (beta = 0.006), blood (beta = 0.008), and hygiene index (beta = -0.11). Predictors for the second model were lead in tibia (beta = 0.008), blood (beta = 0.008), and hygiene index (beta = -0.13). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that accumulated bone stores and hygiene habits are both significant independent predictors of plasma lead levels in active workers at this print shop.
Paraoxonase 1, Agricultural Organophosphate Exposure, and Parkinson Disease

Background: Human, animal and cell models support a role for pesticides in the etiology of Parkinson disease. Susceptibility to pesticides may be modified by genetic variants of xenobiotic enzymes, such as paraoxonase, that play a role in metabolizing some organophosphates. Methods: We examined associations between Parkinson disease and the organophosphates diazinon, chlorpyrifos, and parathion, and the influence of a functional polymorphism at position 55 in the coding region of the PON1 gene (PON1-55). From 1 January 2001 through 1 January 2008, we recruited 351 incident cases and 363 controls from 3 rural California counties in a population-based case-control study. Participants provided a DNA sample, and residential exposure to organophosphates was determined from pesticide usage reports and a geographic information system (GIS) approach. We assessed the main effects of both genes and pesticides in unconditional logistic regression analyses, and evaluated the effect of carrying a PON1-55 MM variant on estimates of effects for diazinon, chlorpyrifos, and parathion exposures. Results: Carriers of the variant MM PON1-55 genotype exposed to organophosphates exhibited a greater than 2-fold increase in Parkinson disease risk compared with persons who had the wildtype or heterozygous genotype and no exposure (for diazinon, odds ratio = 2.2 [95% confidence interval = 1.1–4.5]; for chlorpyrifos, 2.6 [1.3–5.4]). The effect estimate for chlorpyrifos, was more pronounced in younger-onset cases and controls (≤60 years) (5.3 [1.7–16]). No increase in risk was noted for parathion. Conclusion: The increase in risk we observed among PON1-55 variant carriers for specific organophosphates metabolized by PON1 underscores the importance of considering susceptibility factors when studying environmental exposures in Parkinson disease.