Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GOVERNANCE PROVISIONS AND MANAGERIAL ENTRENCHMENT : EVIDENCE FROM FORCED CEO TURNOVER OF ACQUIRING FIRMS

This study examines the effect of governance provisions on forced CEO turnover following value-reducing acquisitions. Results show that managers of firms with staggered boards are less likely to be replaced by the takeover market than are managers of firms with annually-elected boards. Combined with the evidence that CEOs of firms with staggered boards are more likely to pursue value-reducing acquisitions, this finding is consistent with the notion that managers can use staggered board structure to pursue their self interests and to facilitate managerial entrenchment. However, the aggregate indices of governance provisions are not significantly related to forced CEO turnover suggesting that they do not measure entrenchment effectively.
Estimating Causes of Cyber Crime : Evidence from Panel Data FGLS Estimator

This paper explores cyber crime from different perspectives, providing a deeper analysis of the phenomena itself as more sophisticated technical tools have emerged. Making detection of such methods quite difficult for law enforcement authorities around the globe, since the rise of the deep-web has made the prevention of such crimes is difficult if not impossible. However, the main objective of this paper is to examine the effect of unemployment rates and GDP growth per capita on the level of cyber-attacks in 10 countries (USA, Belgium, the Netherlands, Japan, China, Italy, Spain, India, and Canada) during the period of 20052017. In addition, this study seeks to provide insight into what might be the reason behind the fluctuating levels of attacks in these countries. This paper provides different authorities as well as the government with insight into how to take steps forward in preventing and combating these crimes. ________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DRIVES LONG-RUN ECONOMIC GROWTH? EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM SOUTH AFRICA

In this study, we examine empirically the key determinants of economic growth in South Africa – using the ARDL bounds-testing approach. The paper has been motivated by the low and dwindling economic growth that South Africa has been experiencing in recent years. Our study finds that the key macroeconomic determinants that are significantly associated with economic growth in South Africa include, amongst others, investment, human capital development, population growth, government consumption, inflation, and international trade. The study finds that in the short-run, investment is positively associated with economic growth, while population growth and government consumption are negatively associated with economic growth. However, in the long-run, the study finds investment, human capital development and international trade to be positively associated with economic growth, while population growth, government consumption, and inflation are negatively associated with economic growth. These results have important policy implications. They imply that economic strategies pursued in the short-run should include policies that attract investment, and reduce population growth and government consumption. However, long-run strategies to be adopted should include those that attract long-term investments, improve the quality of education, as well as trade liberalization; and ensure a reduction in population growth, government consumption and inflation.
Social Capital : The World Bank ’ s Fungible Friend BEN FINE

A critique is offered of social capital and its supposed ‘role in development’, on the basis of the World Bank’s latest volume promoting that notion. It is argued that Robert Putnam’s call, in his Foreword, for a ‘lean and mean’ definition has signally failed. Attention is focused upon social capital’s fungibility, in five different, if connected, senses: its breadth of application across the social sciences, its ease of application from one context to another, its general transferability from one practice to another, its power to be selective in what it does and does not include, and its exclusion of meaning and context in its analytical categories. In all of these respects it remains plump and benevolent. This is illustrated by consideration of the contributions to the volume. It is argued that tautology is never far from the contributions’ conclusions, and that there is a marked neglect of how social capital is created. The idea that analysis based on social capital marks a more progressive World Bank is questioned as well as the ability of more progressive and radical applications to redirect its use and impact.
EVALUATION AND COMPARISON OF DOPPLER SONOGRAPHY IN CASES OF ACUTE RENAL OBSTRUCTION AND ROLE OF INTRAVENOUS UROGRAPHY ?

Background: Renal colic disease is among the most frequent presentation in urologic practice. Urolithiasis is the most common cause of renal obstruction and reported frequently. The presentation of renal obstruction is more prevalent among males, approximately 6% and around 5% in females. There are published case reports of devastating effects on urinary tract structure because of renal obstruction due to urolithiasis. Material & Methods: The present case-control study was conducted at Department of Radiodiagnosis of our tertiary care hospital. Patients presenting to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of acute unilateral renal colic were enrolled for the study. The kidney on the side of obstruction was taken as case kidney and the healthy contralateral kidney taken as the control. All study participants were subjected to USG, IVU, and Doppler USG using a 3.5 to 5 MHz transducer. Results: In the present study, 120 patients were enrolled, out of them 82 were males, and 38 were females. The mean age of males was 34.22±5.68 years, which is nearly similar to the mean age of females 33.61±7.48 years. This difference between age groups was statistically non-significant. The mean resistivity index (RI) was found to be higher in obstructed kidneys in all study participants. The delta RI, i.e., the difference in RI of obstructed and healthy contralateral kidney was ranged from 0.03 to 0.14 with a mean delta of 0.075. Most of the study participants (58%) were assessed between 6-12 hours, 24% patients within 13-18 hours, and 18% patients within 19-24 hours after the onset of symptoms. RI values were nearly similar in all three groups, and their difference was statistically non-significant. Conclusion: Doppler sonography was a better diagnostic tool for unilateral acute renal obstruction, with RI values being statistically significantly higher in complete obstruction than partial obstruction. the overall sensitivity of Doppler sonography was 92%, and specificity reported to be 94%.
APOE GENE POLYMORPHISMS : FROM LIPIDS METABOLISM , BRAIN INJURIES AND ALZHEIME R DISEASE TO NEW HIGHLIGHTS IN HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THER

In laboratory medicine, routine determination of APOE alleles is carried out for more than three decades . Primary attention had been focused mainly on the risk allel e APOEε4 with respect to the cardiovascular diseases, brain injuries and Alzheimer's disease. Currently, the em phasis is on assessing APOE genotype with respect t o the overall metabolic state of patient in terms of pers onalized medicine. The new challenge becomes the us e of this marker in hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in treat ment of diseases, where APOE is an important predictive
Notes on CSPs and Polymorphisms

These are notes from a multi-year learning seminar on the algebraic approach to Constraint Satisfaction Problems (CSPs). The main topics covered are the theory of algebraic structures with few subpowers, the theory of absorbing subalgebras and its applications to studying CSP templates which can be solved by local consistency methods, and the dichotomy theorem for conservative CSP templates. Subsections and appendices cover supplementary material.
Title Differential expression of interferon-γ and chemokine genes distinguishes Rasmussen encephalitis from cortical dysplasia and provides evidence for an early Th 1 immune response Permalink

Background: Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare complex inflammatory disease, primarily seen in young children, that is characterized by severe partial seizures and brain atrophy. Surgery is currently the only effective treatment option. To identify genes specifically associated with the immunopathology in RE, RNA transcripts of genes involved in inflammation and autoimmunity were measured in brain tissue from RE surgeries and compared with those in surgical specimens of cortical dysplasia (CD), a major cause of intractable pediatric epilepsy. Methods: Quantitative polymerase chain reactions measured the relative expression of 84 genes related to inflammation and autoimmunity in 12 RE specimens and in the reference group of 12 CD surgical specimens. Data were analyzed by consensus clustering using the entire dataset, and by pairwise comparison of gene expression levels between the RE and CD cohorts using the Harrell-Davis distribution-free quantile estimator method. Results: Consensus clustering identified six RE cases that were clearly distinguished from the CD cases and from other RE cases. Pairwise comparison showed that seven mRNAs encoding interferon-γ, CCL5, CCL22, CCL23, CXCL9, CXCL10, and Fas ligand were higher in the RE specimens compared with the CD specimens, whereas the mRNA encoding hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase was reduced. Interferon-γ, CXCL5, CXCL9 and CXCL10 mRNA levels negatively correlated with time from seizure onset to surgery (P <0.05), whereas CCL23 and Fas ligand transcript levels positively correlated with the degree of tissue destruction and inflammation, respectively (P <0.05), as determined from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 and FLAIR images. Accumulation of CD4 lymphocytes in leptomeninges and perivascular spaces was a prominent feature in RE specimens resected within a year of seizure onset. Conclusions: Active disease is characterized by a Th1 immune response that appears to involve both CD8 and CD4 T cells. Our findings suggest therapeutic intervention targeting specific chemokine/chemokine receptors may be useful in early stage RE.
Action Video Games Influence on Audiovisual Integration in Visual Selective Attention Condition

Visual and auditory stimuli filled every hole and corner of our lives. Audiovisual (AV) integration is an important cognitive capability involved in individual information processing. Previous researches show that the experience of playing action video games (AVG) will influence cognitive function. However, it is still unknown that whether the experience will affect AV integration processing function. We compared the AV integration processing function differences between Game Players and Non Game Players in visual selective attention condition. The results show Game Players’ level of AV integration function is lower than Non Game Players’, which means the experience of playing AVG will affect our audiovisual integration processing function.
New approaches to manage invertebrate pests in conservation agriculture systems – uncoupling intensification

A large diversity of invertebrate species has been recorded on broad-acre grain farms across Australia, both pests and beneficials (natural enemies, pollinators and nutrient-cyclers). Many have the potential to cause economic damage, but often do not reach high enough densities, or only infrequently feed on commercial crops. Likewise, some species are considered beneficial in certain contexts but cause crop damage in others (e.g. earwigs, Horne and Edward 1995). Overall direct economic losses from invertebrate pests have been estimated at $359 million annually (Murray et al. 2013). Factors, such as the evolution of resistance, withdrawal of pesticides from registration and market access, all have the potential to make management of pests costlier.
Incorporation of Inuit Qaujimanituqangit, or Inuit Traditional Knowledge, into the Government of Nunavut

Defining the term “indigenous knowledge” is a difficult process as it encompasses different things to different people. Variations on the term are about as many as there are interpretations of the concept. Inuit Qaujimanituqangit, or “Inuit traditional knowledge,” is a topic of much interest for the Government of Nunavut, which has publicly stated that it will use Inuit Qaujimanituqangit (IQ) as its foundation. IQ, in this context, becomes more than a purely intellectual exercise: from legislation and policy development, to program design and delivery, to needs assessment, statistical analysis, etc. IQ has huge practical ramifications on public administration in Nunavut. The anthropological element of IQ subsides somewhat, and contemporary political and social development issues come to the fore. IQ, then, becomes a question and means of actualizing social and political aspirations of a people. In this paper, I will talk a bit about the IQ work in the Department of Sustainable Development, the policy and program development framework that we developed for the Department, and about the model and set of guiding principles upon which we base our work.
On Her Own Account: How Strengthening Women’s Financial Control Impacts Labor Supply and Gender Norms

Can greater control over earned income incentivize women to work and influence gender norms? In collaboration with Indian government partners, we provided rural women with individual bank accounts and randomly varied whether their wages from a public workfare program were directly deposited into these accounts or into the male household head’s account (the status quo). Women in a random subset of villages were also trained on account use. In the short run, relative to women just offered bank accounts, those who also received direct deposit and training increased their labor supply in the public and private sectors. In the long run, gender norms liberalized: women who received direct deposit and training became more accepting of female work, and their husbands perceived fewer social costs to having a wife who works. These effects were concentrated in households with otherwise lower levels of, and stronger norms against, female work. Women in these households also worked more in the long run and became more empowered. These patterns are consistent with models of household decision-making in which increases in bargaining power from greater control over income interact with, and influence, gender norms.
CGP FORMING METHOD TI PRODUCE ULTRAFINE GRAINED STRUCTURE IN ALUMINIUM

In this study, the relationship between the structure and properties of commercial purity aluminium (A1199) was investigated by applying constrained groove pressing (CGP) method. The refinement of the coarse grain aluminium microstructure to submicrocrystalline size by large plastic strain at room temperature defined. The impact of various strains upon microstructure changes is investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD). A mixture of subgrains produced by grains subdivision and polygonized subgrains formed locally due to dynamic recovery was found in the deformed aluminium. The tensile properties and hardness data are related to microstructural evolution induced by CGP. A substantial impact of straining upon the increasing in tensile strength was observed after the first pass. Further strain increase had an insignificant effect on tensile strength but was accompanied by ductility loss. The post deformation annealing effect was then explored with aim to increase the ductility. The results indicate that changes in strength and ductility may be related to formation of a bimodal structure.
Self-Rated Health of South Asians in Hong Kong: A Pilot Study

Background: Self-rated health (SRH) is recognized as a global measure of general health status. In Hong Kong, health conditions of the South Asians have never received much attention. This absence of information on health status of the South Asians limits the knowledge about the burden of poor health of the minority groups. Objectives: The aims of the current study were to examine the SRH of the South Asian ethnic minorities in Hong Kong and its relationship with their socio-demographic status. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire to obtain information on SRH, number of physical illnesses, health behaviors including smoking and alcohol consumption, and demographic variables. A total of 125 South Asians completed the questionnaires via face-to-face interviews in autumn 2009. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the association of SRH and respondents’ socio-demographic status and physical health conditions. Results: Of the 125 respondents, 19 were born in Hong Kong and the remaining 106 were non-Hong Kong-Born. Housing type and presence/absence of physical illnesses were discovered to be significant predictors of good SRH in both logistic regression models for all respondents and the non-HK-Born. Gender was also a predictor of SRH in the non-HK-Born model despite its statistical insignificance.
Financial Contagion through the Repo ∗

One of the important roles of the banking system is to undertake borrowing similar to demand deposits. Modern banks undertake such debts by pledging their holding assets in a secured short-term borrowing known as repurchase agreements (repos). We show that repos expose a bank to a risk that does not directly affect its fundamental value. We also show that a future liquidity crisis instigated by the bankruptcy of banks induces a bank to sell its holding asset at a fire sale price, even though that crisis does not necessarily affect the fundamental value of the asset. Our results provide theoretical explanations for, and shed new light on, the observations and findings of the 2007–2009 financial crisis. We also analyze the policies employed during the crisis.
HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGING CYTOMETER HOLOMONITOR M4® MOTILITY APPLICATIONS

FE ATURED SCIENTIST “Both HoloMonitor Track Cell module and the Wound Healing Assay were found to be wellcorrelated with established standards, yielded reproducible results, and at the same time offered distinct advantages over the transwell assays, including the use of standard culture conditions, cell densities and vessels and the ability to use the assayed cells for other purposes upon completion”
Evaluation of medial olivocochlear efferent system and hearing loss in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Background/aim Autoimmune diseases are a remarkable issue for researchers due to their adverse effects on the auditory system, but for primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) there is little research on the comprehensive audiological findings in literature. The main objective of this study was to investigate the medial olivocochlear efferent functions of subjects with pSS and to examine the audiological findings. Materials and methods The study included 36 subjects with pSS and 36 healthy subjects. All the subjects underwent testing including pure tone, speech, and high frequency audiometry; tympanometry and acoustic reflexes; distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE); and suppression of DPOAE. Results The hearing thresholds of the pSS group were higher than those of the control at all frequencies (P < 0.001). Minimal to mild sensorineural hearing loss was observed in 52.77% of all the subjects with pSS. Additionally, all of the subjects had type A curve tympanograms, but the static compliances of the pSS group were lower and the acoustic reflex thresholds were higher than in the control (P < 0.001). In suppression levels of DPOAE, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion The study indicates that because of obtaining normal suppression levels in DPOAE, the medial olivocochlear efferent system is functional in pSS. However, there is a need for more tests, including auditory brainstem response, to evaluate the afferent auditory system in pSS.
Competition , Collective Bargaining , and Immigrant Wage Gaps Within German Establishments

We study the effects of competitive pressure and collective bargaining on establishmentspecific wage gaps between immigrants and natives. Using linked employer-employee panel data for the period from 2000 to 2010, we adjust total wage gaps within establishments for differences in human capital. Controlling for establishment fixed effects, we find that nonGerman workers face significantly lower wage gaps in establishments covered by collective bargaining agreements, but that no effect from works councils is evident. Using Herfindahlindices, as well as a subjective assessment of establishments’ competitive pressure, we observe that competitive pressure on both product and labour markets reduces unexplained wage gaps by nationality.
Delayed Capital Reallocation

Why is capital reallocation across firms procyclical and more volatile than investment? To answer the question, this paper develops and estimates a tractable dynamic general equilibrium model. In the model, firms face idiosyncratic productivity risks and are subject to partial capital irreversibility and financing constraints. Partial capital irreversibility generates selling delays. I show that financing constraints interact with irreversibility and prolong the delays. As a result, reallocation activity is slowed down during recessions when financing constraints are tighter. ∗I am indebted to Nobu Kiyotaki, Markus Brunnermeier, and Ben Moll. Special thanks go to Tom Sargent for encouragement and support. I am also very grateful for the insightful discussions with Mark Aguiar, Marco Bassetto, Mariacristina De Nardi, Jonas Fisher, Mike Golosov, Francois Gourio, Ji Huang, Jakub Jurek, Richard Rogerson, Esteban Rossi-Hansberg, Hyun Shin, Chris Sims, Gabriel Tenorio, and Mark Wright, as well as seminar participants at the 2012 and 2013 SED Conference, Princeton University, Humboldt University, Chicago Fed, New York Fed, Duke University (Fuqua), St. Louis Fed, University of Michigan (Ross), UCLA Anderson, University of Iowa, UCL, LSE, IHS Vienna, EIEF, University of Maryland (Smith), Kansas City Fed, HKU, HKUST for helpful comments. All remaining errors are my own. Address: Department of Economics, University College London, 30 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AX, UK. Email: w.cui@ucl.ac. uk.