Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
WHEN BROKERS BETRAY: Clientelism, Social Networks, and Electoral Politics in Indonesia

ABSTRACT Research in many countries shows that where voters and campaign workers are motivated by material rewards, the brokerage networks delivering those rewards can be highly unstable. Brokers often exercise considerable autonomy, shifting between candidates, disobeying their directives, or stealing the cash or goods they are supposed to pass on to voters. What determines whether brokers betray their ca ndidates in such ways? This article answers this question by focusing on elections in Indonesia, where candidates construct ad-hoc “success teams” to organize brokers and mobilize voters. In proposing a model to explain broker behavior, the author proposes the division of team members into three categories: activist brokers, who support a candidate based on a political, ethnic, religious, or other commitment; clientelist brokers, who desire long-term relations with the candidate or with more senior brokers, with the goal of receiving future rewards; and opportunist brokers, who seek short-term material gains during the course of a campaign. Two problems of broker loyalty are then discussed, specifically: predation, where brokers misappropriate resources intended for voters or lower-level team members, and defection, where they desert one candidate in favor of another. Explaining the incidence of these phenomena, the author examines two key factors: the material endowments of candidates and broker evaluations of their prospects of electoral victory. Well-resourced candidates with poor prospects are most likely to experience predation, whereas less materially endowed candidates will experience defection. The article concludes by addressing the implications for studies of clientelism and brokerage.
Bank Consolidation, Internationalization, and Conglomeration: Trends and Implications for Financial Risk

This paper documents global trends in bank activity, consolidation, internationalization, and financial firm conglomeration, and explores the extent to which financial firm risk and systemic risk potential in banking are related to consolidation and conglomeration. We find that while there is a substantial upward trend in conglomeration globally, consolidation and internationalization exhibit uneven patterns across world regions. Trends in consolidation and conglomeration indicate increased risk profiles for large, conglomerate financial firms, and higher levels of systemic risk potential for more concentrated banking systems, We outline research directions aimed at explaining why bank consolidation and conglomeration do not necessarily yield either safer financial firms or more resilient banking systems.
Accounting Regulation and Management Discretion - A Case Note

This article explores the manipulation of published financial reports in order to counter the potentially unfavourable impact of newly introduced regulation. In this case the reported capital ratio of a major British building society was enhanced using a sale and leaseback transaction with a related party and a change in depreciation policy, methods which reflected limited alternatives. Analysis of the case is set in the context of the sector and addresses the questions of whether these manipulations were within then-prevailing generally accepted accounting principles and why, despite disclosure in the society's financial statements, they failed to attract public comment or concern, regulatory action or an audit qualification. In examining a major British mutual financial organization we depart from traditional analyses of managerial discretion in accounting choices in British companies.
The effect of audit committee shareholding, financial expertise and size on interim financial disclosures

Abstract In recent years, corporate failures and accounting irregularities have led to concerns about the effectiveness of audit committees in the financial reporting process. In response, corporate governance committees in different countries have made specific recommendations designed to enhance the role of the audit committee in executing its financial reporting oversight duties. We investigate in this study, the effect of some of these recommendations by empirically examining the relationship between selected audit committee characteristics and the level of disclosure in interim reports of a sample of 262 UK listed companies. Specifically, the audit committee characteristics examined are shareholding of audit committee members (as a proxy for audit committee independence), audit committee size and audit committee financial expertise. Employing both a weighted and unweighted index to measure interim disclosure, the results indicate a significant negative association between shareholding of audit committee members and interim disclosure. Our results provide evidence of a significant positive association between interim disclosure and audit committee financial expertise. We find no significant relationship between audit committee size and the extent of disclosure in interim reports. Overall, however, our results suggest that audit committee characteristics have an impact on its monitoring effectiveness of the financial reporting process. These results have important implications for corporate governance policy-makers who have a responsibility to prescribe appropriate corporate governance structures to ensure that shareholders are protected.
Atypical fibroxanthoma: DNA ploidy analysis of 14 cases with possible histogenetic implications

The histogenesis of atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and its relationship to malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) arc a subject of controversy. Many investigators have proposed that AFX may represent a reactive process, while others contend that it is a true fibrohistiocytic neoplasm, closely related to MFH. In an attempt to determine whether biologic differences between AFX and MFH may be accounted for at the cellular DNA level, we performed ploidy analysis on 14 cases of AFX by flow cytometry and compared our results with previously reported DNA analyses of MFH. Thirteen of the 14 lesions demonstrated diploid distribution of nuclear DNA, and only 1 case had an aneuploid population. This contrasts with prior data on MFH, the vast majority of which are aneuploid. Our results suggest that, despite histologic similarities, AFX may be distinguished from MFH on the basis of DNA content. These findings may be significant in understanding the biologic behavior of AFX.
Learning to Read in a Second Language: Research, Implications, and Recommendations for Services

Introduction and Subject It is important for educators, mental health practitioners, and policy-makers in immigration countries like Canada that promote multiculturalism and bilingualism to consider normal and problematic language and literacy development of young children who develop their reading skills in a second language (L2) context. The studies of L2 literacy development that informed this overview were conducted in various contexts such as (a) learning to speak and read in the societal language, which is often different from the language spoken at home, as is the case with English as a Second Language (ESL) children; (b) children who attend heritage programs in addition to attending schools in the societal language (English or French in the case of Canada); or (c) programs that promote biliteracy, as is the case with French immersion or various bilingual day-schools. This chapter offers a distilled overview of key findings and the practical and policy implications drawn from this research for the provision of services to young L2 children who may have a reading disability.
Acquisition Premiums, Subsequent Workforce Reductions and Post-Acquisition Performance

This study suggests that paying acquisition premiums leads to workforce reductions in the merged firm, which in turn results in poorer post-acquisition performance. This issue is important to scholars and practising managers given the pervasiveness and importance of knowledge and human capital to competitive advantage. In a sample of 174 major related acquisitions completed in the period 1992-98, results show a positive relationship between the premium paid for an acquisition and subsequent workforce reductions, controlling for a number of alternative explanations. Additionally, workforce reduction mediates the negative relationship between premiums and post-acquisition performance. The results suggest that the effects of workforce reductions following large premiums paid for the acquired firm can be detrimental to the interests of the organization. Copyright Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2007.
The Effect of Managerial Ownership on the Short‐ and Long‐run Response to Cash Distributions

We examine both the short-run and long-run responses to the following corporate cash flow transactions: dividend increases and decreases, dividend initiations, and tender offer repurchases. Our focus is the short-run and long-run effects of managerial ownership. We hypothesize that ownership plays an important role in explaining the announcement effects for these events, owing to signaling effects and the reduction of agency problems. Our short-run results accord well with the earlier work on announcement effects for these events and show that firms with high insider ownership exhibit higher excess returns. Our long-term results indicate a drift over a three-year period following the announcement, with the excess returns for the high insider-ownership group becoming more pronounced.
The effect of protein and carbohydrate supplementation on strength training outcome of rehabilitation in ACL patients

Patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury experience atrophy and weakening of the extensor as well as the hamstrings muscles at the injured leg. Especially, the weakness of the quadriceps muscle has been ascribed to hamper daily physical tasks. The purpose of the present study was therefore to investigate if nutrient supplementation during 12 weeks of conservative rehabilitation strength training could enhance hypertrophy and strength of the quadriceps muscle in ACL‐injured patients. Twenty‐six ACL‐injured men and women were included and randomly distributed into three supplementation groups: Protein + Carbohydrate (PC), Isocaloric–Carbohydrate (IC), or Placebo (PL), ingesting the supplementation immediately after each of 36 training sessions. Determined from images of thigh cross‐sections (magnetic resonance imaging) the hypertrophy of the quadriceps muscle differed significantly between groups at the distal part, with the PC group demonstrating the largest hypertrophy. Peak torque of the quadriceps muscle at constant velocity 60° · s−1 was significantly elevated in the PC group only, and the time to reach peak torque tended to decrease as well only in the PC group. The results from this study demonstrate that restoration of the distal vasti muscle mass and knee extension muscle strength with resistance training is promoted further by protein‐containing nutrient supplementation immediately after single exercise sessions. Thus, exercise‐related protein supplementation may seem important for surgery‐related rehabilitation of skeletal muscle. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 24:2114–2123, 2006
Exome Sequencing Can Improve Diagnosis and Alter Patient Management

Exome sequencing of 118 patients with neurodevelopmental disorders shows that this technique is useful for identifying new pathogenic mutations and for correcting diagnosis in ~10% of cases. A Needle in a Haystack Exome sequencing enables evaluation of all protein-coding variants in an individual genome and promises to revolutionize the practice of clinical genetics as it moves from the lab into the clinic. Bringing this technology to the clinic affords the opportunity not just to identify new disease-causing mutations but also to clarify disease presentation and diagnosis. There are many challenges to implementing this technology, however, including which patients to select for analysis, how to rank and prioritize the genetic variants, and how to align the data with the clinical record. In new work, Dixon-Salazar et al. studied a cohort of 118 probands with genetic forms of neurodevelopmental disease, all derived from consanguineous unions, using exome sequencing. All patients were previously excluded for genes most likely to cause their disease. The authors analyzed the exome sequences with a standardized bioinformatic pipeline. They found mutations in known disease-causing genes that in about 10% of cases led to a change in the underlying diagnosis. In 19% of cases, they identified mutations in genes not previously linked to disease. In the remaining cases, the genetic causes remained elusive. Thus, exome sequencing may both improve diagnosis and lead to alterations in patient management in some patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. However, analysis of more than one individual will be required to increase the success rate of identifying the causative mutation in most cases. The translation of “next-generation” sequencing directly to the clinic is still being assessed but has the potential for genetic diseases to reduce costs, advance accuracy, and point to unsuspected yet treatable conditions. To study its capability in the clinic, we performed whole-exome sequencing in 118 probands with a diagnosis of a pediatric-onset neurodevelopmental disease in which most known causes had been excluded. Twenty-two genes not previously identified as disease-causing were identified in this study (19% of cohort), further establishing exome sequencing as a useful tool for gene discovery. New genes identified included EXOC8 in Joubert syndrome and GFM2 in a patient with microcephaly, simplified gyral pattern, and insulin-dependent diabetes. Exome sequencing uncovered 10 probands (8% of cohort) with mutations in genes known to cause a disease different from the initial diagnosis. Upon further medical evaluation, these mutations were found to account for each proband’s disease, leading to a change in diagnosis, some of which led to changes in patient management. Our data provide proof of principle that genomic strategies are useful in clarifying diagnosis in a proportion of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Endogenous Price Stickiness, Trend Inflation, and the New Keynesian Phillips Curve

For standard calibration, this paper shows that the optimal price, in a model with Calvo form of price stickiness and strategic complementarities, is only defined for annualised trend inflation rates of under 5.5%. This critical inflation rate is below the average inflation rate over recent decades. Furthermore, over the range for which the optimal price is defined, the slope of the New Keynesian Phillips curve generated by this model is decreasing in trend inflation. That contradicts the stylised fact that Phillips curves are flatter in low-inflation environments. Substituting endogenous price stickiness for the Calvo form of time-dependent pricing can help avoid these implications.
Study of Morphological Variations of Fissures and Lobes of Lung

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Y. Mamatha, Associate professor, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences, Madikeri, Karnataka State, India. E-Mail: drmamthay@gamil.com Background: The lungs are the essential organs of respiration. Fissures are an integral part of human lung. The fissures in lung enhance uniform expansion. These fissures may be complete, incomplete or absent. A detailed knowledge of variations of classical and accessory fissures is necessary for proper radiological interpretation. It is a guide to cardiothoracic surgeons performing segmental lung resections, lobectomies to have an uncomplicated perioperative outcome. Considering the clinical and anatomical importance of this topic, the present study is undertaken. Aim of the study: The cadaveric study was done to note the morphological variation of the fissures of lung and compared it with previous studies. Results: In the present study among 40 adult human cadaveric lungs, the following observation was made; right sided lungs had incomplete oblique fissure in3 lungs, incomplete horizontal fissure in 10 lungs. Left sided adult lungs had incomplete oblique fissure in 7, absent oblique fissure-1, accessory fissure-3 lungs. Conclusion: Knowledge of normal and abnormal morphological variation is very important for the clinicians, radiologist and surgeons in order to avoid misinterpretation and misdiagnosing and preventing the untoward incidents.
Explaining European Union Citizens’ Trust in the European Central Bank in Normal and Crisis Times

We study the determinants of trust in the European Central Bank (ECB) as measured by the European Commission's Eurobarometer survey, in particular during the global financial crisis and the European sovereign debt crisis. We find that the fall in trust in the ECB in crisis times can be rather well explained based on the pre‐crisis determinants. We also show that the fall in trust reflected the macroeconomic deterioration, a more generalized fall in the trust in European institutions in the wake of the crisis, and the severity of the banking sector's problems, to which the ECB was associated in the public opinion.
Peripheral astigmatic asymmetry and angle alpha

The association between peripheral astigmatic asymmetry and angle alpha was tested in the present study. Measurements were made in 34 eyes. Peripheral astigmatism was measured over the horizontal meridian using a Zeiss (Jena) Hartinger coincidence optometer and a Canon R‐1 autorefractometer. Curves were fitted to the measured data of each eye and the minima determined by differentiation. Angle alpha was estimated by alignment of Purkinje images 1 (anterior cornea) and IV (posterior crystalline lens). Peripheral astigmatism was found to be symmetrical about a point on the nasal retina. This point departed from the visual axis by 8.8 ± 7.0° (Hartinger) and 9.4 ± 9.8° (Canon). Both values were found to he significantly higher than angle alpha 5.0 ± 1.2°. The results indicate that either peripheral astigmatic asymmetry is due to additional factors such as lack of symmetry in the peripheral curvature of individual optical surfaces, or that there is further misalignment of optical surfaces away from an optical axis.
AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION ARCHIVES AS SOURCES FOR BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC HISTORY

The administration and control of immigration to Australian during the twentieth century produced a huge archive of records of individual migrants that have potential for innovative approaches to the business and economic history of ethnic minority groups. This article describes some of these records, which have mostly been used by amateur family historians, focused on those related to Chinese immigrants before the World War II and Southern Europeans immigrants after 1945. The article gives examples of how these records can be used, suggests potential research projects, and discusses briefly some of the guides available. Several images of these archival documents are reproduced.
Takin’ It to the Streets: A Collaborative Self-Study into Social Studies Field Instruction

This paper reports on the processes and outcomes of a collaborative self-study conducted by three beginning teacher educators who sought to examine the efficacy of their teaching practices while working with student teachers in the field. By systematically embracing opportunities to explore mutually pressing issues and concerns manifest across the student teaching semester, the authors found that collaborative self-study provided a useful framework for considering their pedagogical reasoning and decision making as they encouraged student teachers to engage in rationale-based practice. The understandings gleaned from this study provided the authors with a basis upon which to reexamine their developing teacher educator pedagogies, as well as to critique the nature and structure of their teacher education program.
Augmented Reality in Architecture and Design: Potentials and Challenges for Application

Recent advances in computer interface and hardware power have fostered Augmented Reality (AR) prototypes for various architecture and design applications. More intuitive visualization platforms are necessary for efficient use of digital information nowadays in the architecture and design industries. As a promising visualization platform to address this need, this paper introduces the concept and associated enabling technologies of AR and also presents a survey of its existing applications in the area of architecture and design. Another focus of the paper is to discuss how the identified key technical issues could potentially be addressed in the context of architecture and design applications.
Over-education and assortative matching in partnerships: a theoretical analysis

This paper argues that assortative matching may explain over-education. Education determines individuals’ income and, due to the presence of assortative matching, the quality of partners in personal, social and working life. Thus, an individual acquires education to improve the expected partners’ quality. However, since every individual of the same level of ability acquires the same level of education, the relative levels of education among individuals do not change, the expected partners’ quality does not increase and over-education emerges.
Insulinoma: Diagnosis and surgical treatment. Retrospective analysis of 31 cases.

BACKGROUND Insulinomas are rare tumors that are usually benign, single and curable by simple surgical excision. They can present problems in diagnosis and localization. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective analysis of patients with insulinoma managed during a 13-year period (1992-2005) at a tertiary-level institution. RESULTS 31 patients (mean age 38.4 [SD 13.3] years; 16 men) presented with hypoglycemic symptoms for 4.6 (5.5) years. In 22 (71%) patients, the lesion was successfully localized pre-operatively. Of various pre-operative localization techniques, CT angiography (5/6; 83%), intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (11/17; 65%), dual-phase CT (8/14; 57%) and conventional MRI (4/13; 31%) had high rates of successful tumor localization. Intra-operative palpation and ultrasonography also had localization success rates (22/30 [76%] and 11/12 [92%], respectively); each identified one lesion that the other procedure did not localize. Of the 30 patients who underwent surgery, 28 had solitary tumor. CONCLUSION Pre-operative investigations to localize insulinoma are helpful despite the availability of intra-operative ultrasound. Dual-phase CT should be the non-invasive investigation of first choice.