Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does ownership structure affect dividend policy? A panel data analysis for the French market

This study tries to examine the effect of ownership structure on the dividend policy of 102 French companies listed on the SBF1201 index for a period of five years from 2010 to 2014 with a total of 510 observations. Based on agency and signal theories, we have empirically demonstrated the role of substitution between corporate governance mechanisms and dividend payout. Our study also demonstrates the role of dividend policy in disciplining manager behaviour (or in reducing managers' opportunistic behaviour). Our results indicate that firms with institutional, largest, managerial and family shareholders pay lower dividends.
The Impact of Earnings Expectations on Corporate Downsizing

Research Summary: We propose that due to financial market pressures, managers are forward‐looking in their search and decision processes and focus on meeting performance targets set by the financial community. Using panel data on S&P 100 companies, we find that pressure felt by management to meet the analyst consensus earnings estimate influences the extent of corporate downsizing. Moreover, our results show that high levels of institutional investor stock ownership and CEO power attenuate managers’ sensitivity to financial market pressures, while high levels of analyst coverage increase their sensitivity. Managerial Summary: In this study we examine how financial market pressures influence managers’ downsizing decisions. We argue that investment analysts’ earnings estimates represent important performance targets to which managers aspire. If firms fail to meet analysts’ expectations, the stock price will suffer. This study shows that managers utilize corporate downsizing to address the potential shortfall between a firm's future performance and the analyst consensus earnings estimate. In addition, we find that managers’ concerns over meeting analysts’ earnings estimates are influenced by various contextual factors such as institutional investor stock ownership, CEO power, and high levels of analyst coverage.
MHC-dependent mate preferences in humans

One substantial benefit of sexual reproduction could be that it allows animals (including humans) to react rapidly to a continuously changing environmental selection pressure such as coevolving parasites. This counteraction would be most efficient if the females were able to provide their progeny with certain allele combinations for loci which may be crucial in the parasite-host arms race, for example the MHC (major histocompatibility complex). Here we show that the MHC influences both body odours and body odour preferences in humans, and that the women’s preferences depend on their hormonal status. Female and male students were typed for their HLA-A, -B and -DR. Each male student wore a T-shirt for two consecutive nights. The next day, each female student was asked to rate the odours of six T-shirts. They scored male body odours as more pleasant when they differed from the men in their MHC than when they were more similar. This difference in odour assessment was reversed when the women rating the odours were taking oral contraceptives. Furthermore, the odours of MHC-dissimilar men remind the test women more often of their own actual or former mates than do the odours of MHC-similar men. This suggests that the MHC or linked genes influence human mate choice today.
Heart‐specific expression of laminopathic mutations in transgenic zebrafish

Lamins are key determinants of nuclear organization and function in the metazoan nucleus. Mutations in human lamin A cause a spectrum of genetic diseases that affect cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle as well as other tissues. A few laminopathies have been modeled using the mouse. As zebrafish is a well established model for the study of cardiac development and disease, we have investigated the effects of heart‐specific lamin A mutations in transgenic zebrafish. We have developed transgenic lines of zebrafish expressing conserved lamin A mutations that cause cardiac dysfunction in humans. Expression of zlamin A mutations Q291P and M368K in the heart was driven by the zebrafish cardiac troponin T2 promoter. Homozygous mutant embryos displayed nuclear abnormalities in cardiomyocyte nuclei. Expression analysis showed the upregulation of genes involved in heart regeneration in transgenic mutant embryos and a cell proliferation marker was increased in adult heart tissue. At the physiological level, there was deviation of up to 20% from normal heart rate in transgenic embryos expressing mutant lamins. Adult homozygous zebrafish were fertile and did not show signs of early mortality. Our results suggest that transgenic zebrafish models of heart‐specific laminopathies show cardiac regeneration and moderate deviations in heart rate during embryonic development.
Acceptance and Positive Attitude Increased Utilization of Long Acting and Permanent Family Planning Methods Among Reproductive Age Group Women from Debre Berhan District, Ethiopia: Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

Background: Wider access and use of long-acting and permanent methods of contraception are the most effective contraceptives available to contribute to reduction of the high levels of maternal mortality and morbidity. Yet, utilization of long acting and permanent contraception methods in Ethiopian is recorded to be low. Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe utilization of long acting reversible and permanent family planning methods and identify associated factors among women of 15-49 years age group in Debre Berhan district, Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in four selected kebeles of Debre Berhan. Cluster sampling was used to select study subjects for survey while purposive sampling was used to select study subjects for qualitative study. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and interviewer topic guide was used for qualitative. The survey data was entered into Epi-Info version 3.5. 4 and exported, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Open code version 3.6. 2 was used to categorize and code qualitative data. Factors associated with utilization of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods were identified using logistic regression model and content analysis of qualitative data. Results: Current utilization of long acting and permanent family planning methods among women of reproductive age was estimated to be 27.3% (95% CI: 23.4-31.2). Women of 24-35 age group were 2.23 (AOR=2.23; 95% CI: 1.18-4.18) times more likely to utilize long acting and permanent contraceptive methods as compared to those women whose age was 35 and above. Women who had positive attitude towards the method were 1.87 times more likely to use long acting and permanent contraceptive methods as compared to those women who had negative attitude (AOR=1.87; 95% CI: 1.13-3.07). Clients who were satisfied with treatment and advice given were 1.81 times more likely to use long acting and permanent contraceptive methods as compared to those clients who were not satisfied (AOR=1.81; 95% CI: 1.1-2.99). Myths and misconceptions about intrauterine device and implants were major barriers for the use of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods. Conclusion: Acceptance, positive attitude, client satisfaction and age were factors affecting utilization, whereas myth and misconception in the community hindered use of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods. Therefore, sustained and appropriate information on long acting and permanent contraceptive methods should be provided to raise awareness and build the attitude of women and the community. District health office should design educational programs that promote long acting family planning and reduce barriers at community level in the town. Moreover, health professionals should improve the quality of long acting and permanent contraceptive methods service, which enhances satisfaction.
Universal screening versus case finding for detection and treatment of thyroid hormonal dysfunction during pregnancy.

CONTEXT Thyroid disease during pregnancy has been associated with multiple adverse outcomes. Whether all women should be screened for thyroid disease during pregnancy is controversial. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine whether treatment of thyroid disease during pregnancy decreases the incidence of adverse outcomes and compare the ability of universal screening vs. case finding in detecting thyroid dysfunction. DESIGN Women in the first trimester were randomly assigned to the universal screening group or case-finding group. Women in both groups were stratified as high risk or low risk based on risk factors for thyroid disease. All women in the universal screening group, and high-risk women in the case-finding group, were immediately tested for free T(4), TSH, and thyroid peroxidase antibody. Low-risk women in the case-finding group had their sera tested postpartum. SETTING The study was conducted at two ambulatory clinics of community hospitals in southern Italy. PATIENTS A total of 4562 women were randomly assigned to the universal screening or case-finding group. INTERVENTION Intervention included levothyroxine in women with a TSH above 2.5 mIU/liter in TPO antibody-positive women and antithyroid medication in women with a undetectable TSH and elevated free T(4). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Total number of adverse obstetrical and neonatal outcomes was measured. RESULTS No significant differences were seen in adverse outcomes between the case-finding and universal screening groups. Adverse outcomes were less likely to occur among low-risk women in the screening group than those in the case-finding group. CONCLUSIONS Universal screening compared with case finding did not result in a decrease in adverse outcomes. Treatment of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism identified by screening a low-risk group was associated with a lower rate of adverse outcomes.
Accuracy of self-reported height, weight, and waist circumference in a general adult Chinese population.

BACKGROUND Self-reported height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) are widely used to estimate the prevalence of obesity, which has been increasing rapidly in China, but there is limited evidence for the accuracy of self-reported data and the determinants of self-report bias among the general adult Chinese population. METHODS Using a multi-stage cluster sampling method, 8399 residents aged 18 or above were interviewed in the Jiangsu Province of China. Information on self-reported height, weight, and WC, together with information on demographic factors and lifestyle behaviors, were collected through structured face-to-face interviews. Anthropometrics were measured by trained staff according to a standard protocol. RESULTS Self-reported height was overreported by a mean of 1.1 cm (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.0 to 1.2). Self-reported weight, body mass index (BMI), and WC were underreported by -0.1 kg (95 % CI: -0.2 to 0.0), -0.4 kg/m(2) (95 % CI: -0.5 to -0.3) and -1.5 cm (95 % CI: -1.7 to -1.3) respectively. Sex, age group, location, education, weight status, fruit/vegetable intake, and smoking significantly affected the extent of self-report bias. According to the self-reported data, 25.5 % of obese people were misclassified into lower BMI categories and 8.7 % of people with elevated WC were misclassified as normal. Besides the accuracy, the distribution of BMI and WC and their cut-off point standards for obesity of a population affected the proportion of obesity misclassification. CONCLUSION Amongst a general population of Chinese adults, there was rather high proportion of obesity misclassification using self-reported weight, height, and WC data. Self-reported anthropometrics are biased and misleading. Objective measurements are recommended.
Protein Kinase C Mediates Insulin-induced Glucose Transport through Actin Remodeling in L 6 Muscle Cells

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in insulin-induced glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cell, although the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of PKC on actin remodeling and glucose transport in differentiated rat L6 muscle cells expressing myc-tagged glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). On insulin stimulation, PKC translocated from low-density microsomes to plasma membrane accompanied by increase in GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake. Z-scan confocal microscopy revealed a spatial colocalization of relocated PKC with the small GTPase Rac-1, actin, and GLUT4 after insulin stimulation. The insulin-mediated colocalization, PKC distribution, GLUT4 translocation, and glucose uptake were inhibited by wortmannin and cell-permeable PKC pseudosubstrate peptide. In stable transfected cells, overexpression of PKC caused an insulin-like effect on actin remodeling accompanied by a 2.1-fold increase in GLUT4 translocation and 1.7-fold increase in glucose uptake in the absence of insulin. The effects of PKC overexpression were abolished by cell-permeable PKC pseudosubstrate peptide, but not wortmannin. Transient transfection of constitutively active Rac-1 recruited PKC to new structures resembling actin remodeling, whereas dominant negative Rac-1 prevented the insulin-mediated PKC translocation. Together, these results suggest that PKC mediates insulin effect on glucose transport through actin remodeling in muscle cells.
Effect Of Good Corporate Governance On Company Profitability RE & Property Sector In Indonesia

This study aims to examine the effect of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) on company profitability. The dependent variable are Return On Assets (ROA) and Return On Equity (ROE). The independent variable are Good Corporate Governance (GCG) represented by the Board of Commissioners, the Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee. This study uses secondary data from audited financial statements of Real Estate and Property companies in 2013-2017. The analytical tool used in this study uses panel data regression. Based on the results of the study it is known that the Board of Directors and Audit Committee variables have a significant positive effect on ROA and ROE. The Board of Commissioners variable has no influence and negative relationship to ROA and ROE.
The Impact of Proprietary Costs, Agency Costs, and Financing Incentives on Segment Profit Growth Variations

: This study aims to determine the effects of proprietary costs, agency costs, and financing incentives on the differences in segment earnings growth in state-owned enterprises listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2009–2015. The data sources consisted of financial statements, annual reports, and sustainability reports. The study used a quantitative research method. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The research shows that the three variables of proprietary costs, agency costs, and financing incentives show a significant effect on segment profit growth variations.
Cytotoxic effects of antipsychotic drugs implicate cholesterol homeostasis as a novel chemotherapeutic target

The reported reduction in cancer risk in those suffering from schizophrenia may be because antipsychotic medications have antineoplastic effects. In this study, 6 antipsychotic agents with a range of structural and pharmacological properties (reserpine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, pimozide, risperidone and olanzapine), were screened for their effect on the viability of cell lines derived from lymphoblastoma, neuroblastoma, non‐small cell lung cancer and breast adenocarcinoma. We aimed to determine if antipsychotic drugs in general possess cancer‐specific cytotoxic potential, and whether it can be attributed to a common mode of action. With the exception of risperidone, all drugs tested displayed selective inhibition of the viability of cancer cell lines compared with normal cells. Using Affymetrix expression microarrays and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, we found that for the antipsychotic drugs, olanzapine and pimozide, cytotoxicity appeared to be mediated via effects on cholesterol homeostasis. The role of cholesterol metabolism in the selective cytotoxicity of these drugs was supported by demonstration of their increased lethality when coadministered with a cholesterol synthesis inhibitor, mevastatin. Also, pimozide and olanzapine showed accelerating cytotoxic effects from 12 to 48 hr in time course studies, mirroring the time‐dependent onset of cytotoxicity induced by the amphiphile, U18666A. On the basis of these results, we concluded that the Class II cationic amphiphilic properties of antipsychotic drugs contribute to their cytotoxic effects by acting on cholesterol homeostasis and altering the biophysical properties of cellular membranes, and that drugs affecting membrane‐related cholesterol pathways warrant further investigation as potential augmentors of standard cancer chemotherapy.
The Factor V Leiden Mutation (R506Q) is not a Major Risk Factor for Migrainous Cerebral Infarction

The etiology of migrainous cerebral infarction is unknown, but may involve prothrombotic coagulation abnormalities. Therefore, we studied resistance to activated protein C and the presence of the Arg506Gln factor V Leiden mutation in 20 patients, with migrainous cerebral infarction. Only one heterozygous carrier of the mutation was found, whereas other patients did not carry the mutation. This indicates that the factor V Leiden mutation is not a major risk factor for migrainous cerebral infarction.
Early evidence for the use of wheat and barley as staple crops on the margins of the Tibetan Plateau

Significance Adapting agricultural systems to the high-altitude environment of the Tibetan Plateau has long been considered a major challenge for farmers. It has been asserted previously that the ecological characteristics of wheat and barley delayed their spread into East Asia. We argue instead that the ability of these crops to tolerate frost and their low heat requirements facilitated their spread into the high-altitude margins of western China. Following their introduction to this region, these crops rapidly replaced Chinese millets that could not adapt to the cooler temperatures of post-Holocene climatic optimum East Asia. We present data from the eastern Tibetan Plateau demonstrating that wheat and barley rapidly became staple crops shortly after their introduction. We report directly dated evidence from circa 1400 calibrated years (cal) B.C. for the early use of wheat, barley, and flax as staple crops on the borders of the Tibetan Plateau. During recent years, an increasing amount of data from the Tibetan Plateau and its margins shows that a transition from millets to wheat and barley agriculture took place during the second millennium B.C. Using thermal niche modeling, we refute previous assertions that the ecological characteristics of wheat and barley delayed their spread into East Asia. Rather, we demonstrate that the ability of these crops to tolerate frost and their low growing degree-day requirements facilitated their spread into the high-altitude margins of western China. Following their introduction to this region, these crops rapidly replaced Chinese millets and became the staple crops that still characterize agriculture in this area today.
Influence of Short-Term Sucrose Exposure on Plaque Acidogenicity and Cariogenic Microflora in Individuals with Different Levels of Mutans Streptococci

The aim was to study the short-term effect of a varying sucrose exposure on plaque acidogenicity and cariogenic microflora in two groups of subjects with different levels of mutans streptococci (MS). Eight subjects with low (<104) and 8 with high (>106) numbers of MS per millilitre saliva participated. Three 7-day test periods were conducted. During two of these, the subjects rinsed either 5 or 10 times daily with 10% sucrose; the third period without any mouth rinses served as control. The subjects refrained from oral hygiene during the last 3 days of each test period. On day 7, the following parameters were measured: plaque pH after a sucrose rinse, numbers of MS, Streptococcus sanguis and lactobacilli in saliva, percent MS in plaque and plaque index. The results revealed that plaque acidogenicity was more pronounced for the high-MS group compared to the low-MS group after all three test periods, i.e. lower resting pH, deeper pH falls and a lower final pH. For both groups, the greatest pH-lowering capacity of plaque was found after the period with 10 sucrose rinses/day. An increase in bacterial counts was noted for both groups during the test periods with the 5- and 10-time rinse regimen; this increase was larger for the high-MS group compared to the group with low MS counts. The highest plaque index was, irrespective of the test period, found for the high-MS group.
Relationships between giant sea salt particles and clouds inferred from aircraft physicochemical data

This study uses airborne data from multiple field campaigns off the California coast to determine the extent to which a size distribution parameter and a cloud water chemical measurement can capture the effect of giant cloud condensation nuclei (GCCN), specifically sea salt, on marine stratocumulus cloud properties. The two GCCN proxy variables, near‐surface particle number concentration for diameters >5 µm and cloud water chloride concentration, are significantly correlated (95% confidence) with each other, and both exhibit expected relationships with other parameters (e.g., surface wind) that typically coincide with sea salt emissions. Factors influencing the relationship between these two GCCN proxy measurements include precipitation rate (R) and the standard deviation of the subcloud vertical velocity owing likely to scavenging effects and improved mixing/transport of sea salt to cloud base, respectively. When comparing 12 pairs of high and low chloride cloud cases (at fixed liquid water path and cloud drop number concentration), the average drop spectra for high chloride cases exhibit enhanced drop number at diameters exceeding 20 µm, especially above 30 µm. In addition, high chloride cases coincide with enhanced mean columnar R and negative values of precipitation susceptibility. The difference in drop effective radius between high and low chloride conditions decreases with height in cloud, suggesting that some GCCN‐produced raindrops precipitate before reaching cloud tops. The sign of cloud responses (i.e., R) to perturbations in giant sea salt particle concentration, as evaluated from Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications version 2 reanalysis data, is consistent with the aircraft data.
Harnessing the Power of Microbes as Therapeutics: Bugs as Drugs

Bacteria and viruses are not always categorized as harmful microorganisms. In fact, these groups of microbes can be beneficial and can actively participate in many biological processes. With the perception of microorganisms being our partners, research is now being conducted to use microbes to treat disease and enhance human health. Some viruses and species of bacteria can be targeted to kill cancer cells while others can be deployed to replicate in and kill tumors. The Academy convened a colloquium in April 2014 in San Diego, CA to discuss the vast potential of microbes as supplements to existing therapies against infectious and chronic diseases. The product of those discussions was the full report, Harnessing the Power of Microbes as Therapeutics: Bugs as Drugs.