Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outside Director Equity Compensation and the Quality of Analyst Earnings Forecasts

Purpose : This article investigates how outside directors’ equity compensation affects the quality of analyst earnings forecasts. Design/methodology/approach: The authors implement firm clustered OLS regression with year, quarter, and industry dummies since there may exist biases from firm, year, quarter, and industry specific characteristics. Findings: Using 7,159 firm-year compensation data from ExecuComp, the authors find that the quality of analyst earnings forecasts improves when the proportion of equity compensation awarded to outside directors increases. They also separate equity compensation into stock and option. Their results show consistent improvement: more accurate and less dispersed analyst earnings forecasts. Overall, the findings suggest that the quality of analyst earnings forecasts is better when outside directors are compensated with equity compensation. Research limitations/implications: This study provides empirical evidence of benefit from equity compensation of outside directors in line with existing compensation studies in accounting and finance literature. Unlike a majority of the extant studies, this study examines how the composition of director compensation affects the quality of information which financial analysts produce. Consistent with an argument that equity compensation aligns the interests, outside directors with more equity compensation tend to provide financial information with better quality, the authors document that analysts are likely to provide more accurate and less disperse information. Practi cal implications: For and board members, this study offers an implication that equity compensation could contribute to enhancing their firms’ information environment. In addition, analysts could improve their forecasting performance by following firm monitored by outside directors remunerated with equity compensation. For investors who put much emphasize on the quality of firms’ financial information, the use of equity compensation can be a useful criterion in their investment decision. Originality/value: This study provides empirical evidence of benefit from equity compensation in line with compensation studies in accounting and finance literature. Therefore, equity compensation can be a useful criterion in their decision makings for various parties, including analysts, regulators, and individual investors.
Using Focus Groups to Explore Sources of Self-Efficacy in Puerto Rican Preservice Teachers

This article used focus groups to explore Puerto Rican preservice teachers' perceptions of sources of self-efficacy. The present study allowed, through a qualitative design, examination of the experiences of preservice teachers at the end of their student teaching practicum. The qualitative design and the use of the focus group technique provided insight into the main sources of their perceived self-efficacy through the self-assessment of their field experience. The beginning of the student teaching practicum provoked an intense process of emotions in which the preservice teachers needed support and guidance, particularly in aspects of planning, differentiation, and classroom management. The participants agreed that substantial feedback and guidance from cooperating teachers and university supervisors helped them being confident and increased their perceived self-efficacy by reducing the feelings of anxiety generated by the practicum.
Population Genetics and Dynamics of Spotted Seatrout in the Estuarine Waters of Texas

A geospatial database of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) abundance along the Texas shoreline was generated, using 33 years of intensive gill net sampling data by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The resulting landscape demographic data was used to identify areas of low individual abundance, which were evaluated as putative subpopulation boundaries. Quantitative population genetic analysis was conducted using a recently published genetic data set of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, and a new data set of nuclear microsatellites. A significant mtDNA AMOVA result was obtained when samples were pooled into northern, mid-coast and southern spatial partitions based upon geospatial data (Fct = 0.030, P = 0.003). This three-partition model captured more genetic divergence at the group level than any other model examined. Similarly, the three-partition model resulted in a small but significant group association in the microsatellite AMOVA (Fct = 0.003, P = 0.009). Multivariate cluster analyses of both data sets indicated that at least three distinctive subpopulations of spotted seatrout exist within Texas waters. The genetic data are consistent with previous studies that indicate the presence of distinctive subpopulations of spotted seatrout in Texas coastal waters, and with geospatial abundance data indicating areas of low abundance, between adjacent subpopulations along the northern and southern Texas coastline.
Effects of the herbicide linuron on somatic chromosomes of Helianthus annuusL. (Sunflower)

Abstract In this study the effects of the herbicide linuron on somatic chromosomes of Helianthus annuus L were investigated. The roots were treated with 30, 120, 240 and 500 ppm concentration of linuron for 3, 6 and 12 hours. The mitotic and phase indexes were determined and chromosomal abnormalities were investigated in both control and test groups. It was found that linuron had a marked mitodepressive action on mitosis. The types of chromosomal abnormalities observed included: fragments, disturbed metaphase, c-mitosis, lagging chromosome, and chromatid bridge. A pronounced toxic effect is observed in concentrations 120 ppm and above its. It is considered that linuron may have genotoxic effects in higher plants.
An Analysis of the Determinants of Tipping Behavior: A Laboratory Experiment and Evidence from Restaurant Tipping

This paper explores several determinants of tipping behavior. First, I consider two social norms explanations—reciprocity and letdown (guilt) aversion—of why consumers tip in restaurants. Second, I examine three aspects of the tipping situation that influence how much consumers tip in restaurants: table size, sex, and method of bill payment. I address these issues using two data sources: a field survey and laboratory experiments. Customers were surveyed individually as they left a set of restaurants in Richmond, Virginia. The laboratory experiments vary service quality, table size, and information about others' tips in a controlled setting. Results from both data sets show support for reciprocity and letdown aversion, and that tip size decreases with table size. Sex differences, which exist only in the experimental data, show that men tip more than women. Finally, the size of the tip does not depend on the method of bill payment.
On the Fe abundance peak formation in cool-core clusters of galaxies: hints from cluster WARPJ1415.1+3612 at z = 1.03

We present a detailed study of the iron content of the core of the high-redshift cluster WARPJ1415.1+3612 (z = 1.03). By comparing the central Fe mass excess observed in this system, M exc = (1.67 ± 0.40) × 10 9 M� , with those measured in local cool-core systems, we infer that the bulk of the mass excess was already in place at z = 1, when the age of the Universe was about half of what it is today. Our measures point to an early and intense period of star formation most likely associated with the formation of the BCG. Indeed, in the case of the power-law delay time distribution with slope −1, which reproduces the data of WARPJ1415.1+3612 best, half of the supernovae explode within 0.4 Gyr of the formation of the BCG. Finally, while for local cool-core clusters the Fe distribution is broader than the near-infrared light distribution of the BCG, in WARPJ1415.1+3612 the two distributions are consistent, indicating that the process responsible for broadening the Fe distribution in local systems has not yet started in this distant cluster.
Critical thinking and self-directed learning as an outcome of problem-based learning among nursing students in Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Professional nurses need to develop critical thinking skills that will provide them with expertise in situation- speciﬁc problem solving. Objectives: Describe the critical thinking and self directed learning abilities of the nursing students following Problem- based learning approach in two countries; Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia KSA. Method: A descriptive analytic research design was conducted. The study sample was consists of 60 students from first year in faculty of nursing divided by Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Instruments: The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale for Nursing Education (SDLRSNE) and Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory were used. Results: This study revealed that the mean and standard deviation of total critical thinking was (102± 14.45 and 101±16.44) in KSA and Egypt respectively without significant difference between both countries. Moreover, the mean of total score of self direct learning was (162±27.04 and 157±23.64) in KSA and Egypt respectively. Conclusion: This study concluded that teaching with problem solving approach increase levels of critical thinking and self-directed learning in both countries without variation.
Psychological correlates of wellbeing in mothers of intellectual disability

Children are the perfect extension and expression of a marital relationship. shaped by an ego ideal image of a baby, discrepancy between the perfect child of their fantasy and the realisation of an child may bring about dramatic changes in social life, expectations, plans, work life, subsided from mainstream, financial status as well as psychological health and well-being of parents specially mothers. Present and level of intellectual disability on self-esteem, self non-intellectually disabled children. Results revealed gender impact and and self-esteem of mothers. The study also identified certain group of mothers who are more in need of psychological support and guidance and suggests the necessity to realize supportive actions on the whole family by co children and their caregivers.
Nontraded Goods and Deflationary Bias in a New Keynesian Open Economy Model

This paper develops a New Keynesian open economy model that embeds nontraded goods and produces multiple discretionary equilibria arising in the form of expectations traps. In contrast to the results in previous studies, we find the presence of nontraded goods narrows the region for a deflationary monetary surprise, suggesting that it is critically important for central banks to control inflation expectations in open economies.
Employment Dynamics and Redistributive Policies Under Workers' Social Norms

We study employment dynamics using an OLG model with unemployment benefits and universal old-age survival pensions, both financed by taxing employed workers. The novelty is that we explicitly introduce workers' social norms that shape both the individual participation decision of workers and wage bargaining. We find that social norms increase the likelihood of multiplicity of equilibria and somewhat facilitate the emergence of indeterminacy and flip bifurcations, constituting therefore a source of business cycles driven by self-fulfilling volatile expectations, i.e. sunspots. We also find that, in the presence of strong social norms, standard policy recommendations that advocate a decrease in unemployment benefits in order to boost employment are no longer valid. Indeed, our simulation results show that the opposite will happen for empirically plausible levels of the unemployment rate.
Tectonic and Glaciotectonic Deformations in the Areas of Polish Lignite Deposits

Abstract This study addresses the complex geology caused mainly by tectonic and glaciotectonic processes in lignite-bearing areas of Poland. Tectonics played a dominant role in the deformation of peat/lignite seams during their deposition. This is especially true for deep grabens where the thickest lignite seams were deposited (e.g., Bełchatów). Conversely, glaciotectonics led to the post-depositional deformation of other deposits (e.g., Sieniawa). The effects of tectonic and glaciotectonic processes in this region are investigated using both simplified geological cross-sections and photography. The size, depth and architecture of the glaciotectonic structures verified in this study demonstrate the importance of their consideration during the exploration and exploitation stages of such lignite deposits, as well as the planning of construction projects in areas strongly transformed by glaciotectonics.
Decentralization and Redistribution: Irrigation Reform in Pakistan's Indus Basin

Does decentralizing the allocation of public resources reduce rent-seeking and improve equity? This paper studies a governance reform in Pakistan's vast Indus Basin irrigation system. Using canal discharge measurements across all of Punjab province, the analysis finds that water theft increased on channels taken over by local farmer organizations compared with channels that remained bureaucratically managed, leading to substantial wealth redistribution. The increase in water theft was greater along channels with larger landowners situated upstream. These findings are consistent with a model in which decentralization accentuates the political power of local elites by shifting the arena in which water rights are contested.
Φ-PSEUDOCONTRACTIVE MAPPINGS IN THE INTERMEDIATE SENSE

In this study, we introduce the class of asymptotically generalized Φpseudocontractive mappings in the intermediate sense and prove the convergence of Mann type iterative scheme to their fixed points. Our results improves and generalizes the results of Kim et al. [J. K. Kim, D. R. Sahu, Y. M. Nam, Convergence theorem for fixed points of nearly L-Lipschitzian mappings, Nonlinear Analysis 71 (2009) 2833-2838] and several others.
For hearing aid noise reduction, babble is not just babble

Most modern hearing aids provide single-microphone noise reduction without specifying how they work. The current study investigates how noise reduction is applied to babble noise in current premium hearing aids. Coupler gain measurements were performed in an acoustic test chamber. The signals used were standardized test signals, as well as babble noises compiled with different numbers of speakers (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 speakers). The output of the hearing aid was measured with the noise reduction off and the strongest setting available. The gain reduction was calculated as the difference between the two settings. The results showed that, for an unmodulated test signal, the noise reduction algorithms applied quite different amounts of gain reduction across frequency. For the babble noise, some of the algorithms reduced gain very little, even for the 10-person babble. Other algorithms applied a graduated response, i.e., most gain reduction for 10-person babble, and the least amount of noise reduction for 2-person babble. Along with previous studies, this study highlights the need to have a standardized benchmarking procedure to define not only how noise reduction works in hearing aids but also which listening situations in which the noise reduction is active.
Focus forecasting in supply chain: The Case study of fast moving consumer goods company in Serbia

This paper presents an application of focus forecasting in a fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) supply chain. Focus forecasting is tested in a real business case in a Serbian enterprise. The data used in the simulation refers to the historical sales of two types of FMCG with several different products. The data were collected and summarized across the whole distribution channel in the Serbian market from January 2012 to December 2013. We applied several well-known time series forecasting models using the focus forecasting approach, where for the future time period we used the method which had the best performances in the past. The focus forecasting approach mixes different standard forecasting methods on the data sets in order to find the one that was the most accurate during the past period. The accuracy of forecasting methods is defined through different measures of errors. In this paper we implemented the following forecasting models in Microsoft Excel: last period, all average, moving average, exponential smoothing with constant and variable parameter α, exponential smoothing with trend, exponential smoothing with trend and seasonality. The main purpose was not to evaluate different forecasting methods but to show a practical application of the focus forecasting approach in a real business case.
Are the firm owners really worse off with a works council

As they are employee associations, it is typically presumed that works councils redistribute economic rents from firm owners to workers. And indeed, empirical literature suggests that works councils reduce profits although, at the same time, they increase productivity. Studies on the profitability effect of works councils, however, mainly use self-reported subjective profit evaluations of managers as the dependent variable. I additionally use objective measures to check the validity of these results. While negative effects are reproduced with the subjective measure, non-negative effects for the objective measures contradict previous results. With the objective measures, the works council effect on profit further increases if attempts are made to control for self-selection, and it is generally positive if the establishment is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Further results indicate that the subjective profit measure is a poor measure of actual profits and that it is hardly appropriate as a dependent variable in a profit regression.
Exploring Effective Academic Governance at a Canadian University

In Canada, only 44% of members of academic governance bodies at universities feel that their boards are effective decision-making bodies (Jones, Shanahan, & Goyan, 2004). In this study, we examined the views of senators at a British Columbia university regarding their senate’s effectiveness in decision-making, including structures, processes, and leadership, and their suggestions for potential changes. Eight interviews were conducted with current or recent former senators in May 2012; each interview lasted 30 to 60 minutes. At the time of the interviews, fewer than half of the senators stated that the senate was effective, with concerns concentrated in the areas of committees, participation of faculty and students, and level of debate. This research has implications for enhancing the effectiveness, legitimacy, and credibility of institutional academic governance structures and processes, particularly in the Canadian context.
Interface conditions for a metamaterial with strong spatial dispersion

Local constitutive relations, i.e. a weak spatial dispersion, are usually considered in the effective description of metamaterials. However, they are often insufficient and effects due to a nonlocality, i.e. a strong spatial dispersion, are encountered. Recently (K. Mnasri et al., arXiv:1705.10969), a generic form for a nonlocal constitutive relation has been introduced that could accurately describe the bulk properties of a metamaterial in terms of a dispersion relation. However, the description of functional devices made from such nonlocal metamaterials also requires the identification of suitable interface conditions. In this contribution, we derive the interface conditions for such nonlocal metamaterials.
A coupled physical-biological model of the Northern Gulf of Mexico shelf: model description, validation and analysis of phytoplankton variability

Abstract. The Texas-Louisiana shelf in the Northern Gulf of Mexico receives large inputs of nutrients and freshwater from the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River system. The nutrients stimulate high rates of primary production in the river plume, which contributes to the development of a large and recurring hypoxic area in summer, but the mechanistic links between hypoxia and river discharge of freshwater and nutrients are complex as the accumulation and vertical export of organic matter, the establishment and maintenance of vertical stratification, and the microbial degradation of organic matter are controlled by a non-linear interplay of factors. Unraveling these interactions will have to rely on a combination of observations and models. Here we present results from a realistic, 3-dimensional, physical-biological model with focus on a quantification of nutrient-stimulated phytoplankton growth, its variability and the fate of this organic matter. We demonstrate that the model realistically reproduces many features of observed nitrate and phytoplankton dynamics including observed property distributions and rates. We then contrast the environmental factors and phytoplankton source and sink terms characteristic of three model subregions that represent an ecological gradient from eutrophic to oligotrophic conditions. We analyze specifically the reasons behind the counterintuitive observation that primary production in the light-limited plume region near the Mississippi River delta is positively correlated with river nutrient input, and find that, while primary production and phytoplankton biomass are positively correlated with nutrient load, phytoplankton growth rate is not. This suggests that accumulation of biomass in this region is not primarily controlled bottom up by nutrient-stimulation, but top down by systematic differences in the loss processes.
High Performance Work Systems in Small Firms: A British-French Comparative Analysis

Analysis M. W. Gilman and S. O. Raby, Kent Business School, University of Kent ABSTRACT Analysis of a comparative dataset of growth factors within Brit ish and French sm all firm s highlights clear differences in the adoption level and type of HPWPs and their association with performance. These findings have consequences for international HRM and the further study of different institutional settings.
Investigation of the mechanical behavior of rim/blister structure hydride phases in Zircaloy-4 by utilizing high energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction

Zircaloy-4 is one of the most common fuel cladding materials used in light water reactors due to excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and low thermal neutron absorption cross-section. However, in service absorption of hydrogen by Zircaloy-4 (Zry-4) cladding is potentially problematic. One issue is the delayed hydride cracking (DHC) phenomenon which occurs during storage of used nuclear fuel (UNF). DHC is a time-dependent subcritical crack growth mechanism that can be induced by tensile stress hoop stress within the fuel cladding, even when this hoop stress is lower than the yield stress of the cladding materials. DHC eventually leads to the failure of the cladding, potentially resulting in the release of radioactive fission gas inside the storage casks. This naturally increases the difficulty of transportation of UNF to a permanent storage site. The root-cause of the DHC is hydride re-orientation, where, under sufficient stress, plate-like hydrides dissolve and reprecipitate with plate normal axis parallel to the stress axis. Hydride reorientation provides a brittle pathway for crack propagation and may potentially decrease the lifetime of UNF in storage. The concern of DHC have engendered studies of the microstructure and mechanical response of the hydride phase to externally applied tensile stress in order to understand hydride reorientation behavior. In this thesis, the mechanical response of the δ zirconium hydride phase in Zry-4 material under an applied load at the temperature similar to the dry cask storage was investigated. More specifically, the stress-strain behavior of the zirconium and zirconium hydride phases were studied at 200 ◦C with different hydrogen concentrations. The hydride phase was intentionally created with a rim/blister (a region with high density of hydride) within the sample, similar to the hydride rim/blister observed in UNF cladding material. High energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction at the APS 1-ID was utilized to study the