Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Disclosure an Effective Cleansing Mechanism? The Dynamics of Compensation Peer Benchmarking

Firms routinely justify CEO compensation by benchmarking against companies with highly paid CEOs. We examine whether the 2006 regulatory requirement of disclosing compensation peers mitigated firms' opportunistic peer selection activities. We find that strategic peer benchmarking did not disappear after enhanced disclosure. In fact, it intensified at firms with low institutional ownership, low director ownership, low CEO ownership, busy boards, large boards, and non-intensive monitoring boards, and at firms with shareholders complaining about compensation practices. The effect is also stronger at firms with new CEOs. These findings call into question whether disclosure regulation can remedy potential problems in compensation practices. The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com. , Oxford University Press.
NF1 Inactivation in Adult Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify novel genes with importance to the biology of adult acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Experimental Design: We analyzed DNA from highly purified AML blasts and paired buccal cells from 95 patients for recurrent genomic microdeletions using ultra-high density Affymetrix single nucleotide polymorphism 6.0 array–based genomic profiling. Results: Through fine mapping of microdeletions on 17q, we derived a minimal deleted region of ∼0.9-Mb length that harbors 11 known genes; this region includes Neurofibromin 1 (NF1). Sequence analysis of all NF1 coding exons in the 11 AML cases with NF1 copy number changes identified acquired truncating frameshift mutations in two patients. These NF1 mutations were already present in the hematopoetic stem cell compartment. Subsequent expression analysis of NF1 mRNA in the entire AML cohort using fluorescence-activated cell sorting sorted blasts as a source of RNA identified six patients (one with a NF1 mutation) with absent NF1 expression. The NF1 null states were associated with increased Ras-bound GTP, and short hairpin RNA–mediated NF1 suppression in primary AML blasts with wild-type NF1 facilitated colony formation in methylcellulose. Primary AML blasts without functional NF1, unlike blasts with functional NF1, displayed sensitivity to rapamycin-induced apoptosis, thus identifying a dependence on mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling for survival. Finally, colony formation in methylcellulose ex vivo of NF1 null CD34+/CD38− cells sorted from AML bone marrow samples was inhibited by low-dose rapamycin. Conclusions: NF1 null states are present in 7 of 95 (7%) of adult AML and delineate a disease subset that could be preferentially targeted by Ras or mammalian target of rapamycin–directed therapeutics. Clin Cancer Res; 16(16); 4135–47. ©2010 AACR.
To buy or not to buy: mining airfare data to minimize ticket purchase price

As product prices become increasingly available on the World Wide Web, consumers attempt to understand how corporations vary these prices over time. However, corporations change prices based on proprietary algorithms and hidden variables (e.g., the number of unsold seats on a flight). Is it possible to develop data mining techniques that will enable consumers to predict price changes under these conditions? This paper reports on a pilot study in the domain of airline ticket prices where we recorded over 12,000 price observations over a 41 day period. When trained on this data, Hamlet --- our multi-strategy data mining algorithm --- generated a predictive model that saved 341 simulated passengers $198,074 by advising them when to buy and when to postpone ticket purchases. Remarkably, a clairvoyant algorithm with complete knowledge of future prices could save at most $320,572 in our simulation, thus HAMLET's savings were 61.8% of optimal. The algorithm's savings of $198,074 represents an average savings of 23.8% for the 341 passengers for whom savings are possible. Overall, HAMLET saved 4.4% of the ticket price averaged over the entire set of 4,488 simulated passengers. Our pilot study suggests that mining of price data available over the web has the potential to save consumers substantial sums of money per annum.
The Effect of Emotional Labor on Emotional Exhaustion in Banking Services: The Role of Iranian Emotional Intelligence

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of emotional labor on emotional exhaustion by considering the role of emotional intelligence. With increasing development of economy and competition among service providers, management of employees, feelings is considered as a vital aspect in providing services to customers and influences organizational out comes. Thus service organization, based on the results of the present study, would be able to identify and manage feeling and emotions of their employees in providing high quality and superior services to target customers and in addition to promote the spirit of service providing and effectiveness of employees, create some competitive advantages for themselves. Totally, 133 questionnaires were distributed to employees of Bank Saderat which the results from analysis of them based on simple linear regression and multiple hierarchical regression show that emotional labor influences emotional exhaustion and in addition to it, variable of emotional intelligence moderates these influences too.
The Hypoxic Synovial Environment Regulates Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Osteopontin in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Objective. Synovial angiogenesis, a critical determinant of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) pathogenesis, is sustained by various mediators, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and osteopontin (OPN). We characterized the contribution of the local hypoxic environment to VEGF and OPN production by monocytic cells recruited to the synovium in JIA. Methods. Paired synovial fluid (SF) and peripheral blood (PB) samples were collected from 20 patients with JIA. Mononuclear cells (MC) were isolated, and monocytic cells were purified by adherence, maintained in a hypoxic environment, or subjected to reoxygenation. VEGF and OPN protein concentrations were tested in SF, plasma, and culture supernatants by ELISA, and mRNA expression was assessed in freshly purified and cultured cells by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Synovial tissue was obtained at synovectomy from 4 patients with JIA, and analyzed by immunohistochemistry for VEGF, OPN, CD68, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Results. VEGF mRNA expression was increased in SFMC and SF monocytic cells compared to matched PBMC and PB monocytic cells or SF lymphocytes, correlating with significantly higher protein levels in SF relative to plasma samples. Accordingly, OPN mRNA expression in SF monocytic cells was associated with significant increase of SF protein. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of both factors in synovial tissues at the level of the lining and sublining layers, which colocalized with intense CD68 and HIF-1α staining, suggesting production by hypoxic synovial monocytic cells. VEGF and OPN expression was abrogated upon SF monocytic cell reoxygenation and maintained by exposure to prolonged hypoxia. Conclusion. Hypoxic synovial monocytic cells are a likely source of VEGF and OPN in JIA. These data point to a role for hypoxia in the perpetuation of synovitis in JIA.
Exploring determinants of consumer preferences and willingness to pay for insecticides treated bednets before intervention in a poor rural Tanzania

The objective was to explore commodity and human factors associated with willingness to pay (WTP) and consumer preferences for insecticides treated bed nets (ITNs) prior an intervention The design used was a two-week-interval test re-test cross-sectional contingent valuation study The study was conducted in Kisarawe District between September and November 2001 Multivariate analyses showed nuisance of mosquito bites age of the respondent knowledge of malaria transmission self rated health status prior possession of a bed net and self rated ability to pay to be significantly associated with maximum open-ended WTP (p<0.005). While a recent experience with a malaria episode nuisance of mosquito bites and the price of an ITN were associated with the probability of giving an affirmative response for the discrete choice question (p<0.005). ITNs characteristics have different relative importance in determining consumers preferences of and procurement decisions for an ITN. Respondents were willingto pay lower average prices compared to prices presented to them suggesting inability to pay for the market ITN prices. WTP studies conducted in communities before the interventions are implemented could be useful in providing local information for understanding the local market structure designing behavioural change messages and establishing affordable local prices and levels of subsidies for promoting potential demand for ITNS. (authors)
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AND TRACEABILITY IN PORK CHAINS: THE BELGIAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN CASE

Consumer concerns about meat safety have led to an increased demand for information and transparency in food chains, and have acted as the major drivers for the development of traceability systems. This note focuses on the current and future role of supply chain management and traceability in Belgian and South African pork chains. The state of the art related to traceability is briefly reviewed and illustrated with the specific situation and recent developments in Belgium and South Africa. The background and evolution in both countries are similar, though occurring with some time lag. It is found that organisational and operational aspects of traceability are clearly dealt with. However, questions remain with respect to the management of information flows and the pro-active, instead of defensive use of traceability. Key attention points for future success in livestock production chains pertain to market orientation, claimed benefit substantiation and effective management of information flows.
British Academy of Management 2000 University of Edinburgh Management School 13-15 September On some cracks in the “ engine ” of knowledge-creation : a conceptual critique of Nonaka & Takeuchi ’ s ( 1995 ) model

The core of Nonaka and Takeuchi’s (1995) model of knowledge-creation is flawed because of ambiguities in the conceptualization of knowledge, and tacit knowledge, and their failure to specify clearly the nature of ‘explicit’ knowledge. It is argued that tacit knowledge must be viewed as irreducibly tacit, not specifiable in words, while ‘explicit knowledge’ is more accurately named ‘knowledge representations’. On this basis a new framework is proposed in which socialization, ‘externalization’ (renamed ‘representing’) and internalization are confirmed. Nonaka and Takeuchi’s discussion of these modes, however, fails to recognize the complex cognitive and social processes involved. ‘Combination’ is revealed as untenable, being either the iterative linking of representing and internalization, or an entirely separable process information management. A new model is presented which indicates knowledge management has two important foci managing cognitive processes, and managing information. 1
Influence of Psychological Stress on Headache in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective. To compare the prevalence and disability of headache in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with the general population and to assess the role of chronic psychological stress (CPS) in headache development. Methods. One hundred seventy patients with SLE and 102 control subjects matched for age, sex, and level of education were included in this multicenter, cross-sectional study. CPS, headache-related disability, and chronic analgesic intake (CAI) were evaluated in all participants. Results. No statistical differences in the prevalence of headache between both groups were observed but headache disability was significantly higher in patients with SLE. In addition, a higher average score in the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS) and a higher prevalence of patients with CAI were observed in patients with SLE. In multivariate analysis, CPSS score was positively (OR 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03–1.14; p = 0.001) and CAI negatively (OR 0.43; 95% CI: 0.19–0.99; p = 0.049) associated with headache in patients with SLE. Conclusion. Despite the prevalence of headache in patients with SLE and the general population being similar, headache-related disability may be higher in patients with SLE. Moreover, CPS might play a role in the pathogenesis of SLE headache, whereas CAI might have a protective effect against it.
Contribution of denitrification to nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen cycling in tidal creek sediments of a New England salt marsh

The contribution of denitrification to sediment metabolism was studied at 2 sites (muddy and sandy) in unvegetated tidal creek sediments from a small Cape Cod, USA, salt marsh receiving nitrate-enriched groundwater flows (32 mmol m -2 d -1 ). Simultaneous measurements of sediment N2, CO2, O2, and dissolved inorganic N fluxes were made over annual cycles. A total of 46% of the ammonium remineralized within the sediments was transformed to N2 by coupled nitrification- denitrification (Dn). Denitrifying and nitrifying bacteria contributed 15 and 18% to total sediment C and O cycling, respectively. C, N, and O2 cycling rates were limited by both temperature and the availability of labile organic matter. Muddy sediment C content was twice that of sandy sediments, but was half as labile, resulting in similar mean metabolic rates between sediment types (mean muddy and sandy O2 consumption rates were 62 and 58 mmol m -2 d -1 , respectively; CO2 production was 58 and 46 mmol m -2 d -1 ; and Dn was 5.4 and 4.9 mmol N m -2 d -1 ). Sediment δ 13 C (-18.5 and -20.8‰) and the molar CO2:N flux ratio (6.1) at both sites are consistent with a sediment metabolism based on algal rather than macrophytic biomass, and groundwater nitrate was the dominant source of N supporting algal growth. Annually, Dn accounted for 72% of total denitrification, with the remainder accounted for by water column-supported denitrification. Since all the denitrified N orig- inated from groundwater nitrate, algal uptake must have initially out-competed denitrification for water column nitrate, but nearly half of this algal N was subsequently remineralized and denitrified.
Eclipsing binaries in the All Sky Automated Survey catalogue

The All Sky Automated Survey (ASAS) is a long-term project to monitor bright variable stars over the whole sky. It has discovered 50 099 variables brighter than V < 14 mag south of declination +28 ◦ , and among them 11 076 eclipsing binaries. We present a preliminary analysis of 5384 contact, 2949 semi-detached, and 2743 detached systems. The statistics of the distribution provides a qualitative confirmation of decades old idea of Flannery and Lucy that the W UMa-type binaries evolve through a series of relaxation oscillations: the ASAS finds comparable number of contact and semi-detached systems. The most surprising result is a very small number of detached eclipsing binaries with periods P < 1 d, the systems believed to be the progenitors of the W UMa stars. As many (perhaps all) contact binaries have companions, there is a possibility that some were formed in a Kozai cycle, as suggested by Eggleton and his associates.
Technology, Prices, and the Derived Demand for Energy

Industrial demand for energy is essentially a derived demand: the firm's demand for energy is an input is derived from demand for the firm's output. Inputs other than energy typically also enter the firm's production process. Since firms tend to choose that bundle of inputs which minimized the total cost of producing a giving level of output, the derived demand for inputs, including energy, depends on the level of output, the submitions possibilies among inputs allow by production technology, and the relative prices of all inputs.
Has education had a growth payoff in the MENA region

The countries in the Middle East and the North Africa (MENA) have seen an enormous expansion in the educational status of their labor force in the last thirty years. Unquestionably, improved educational levels have had many benefits. But examining the economic data, one sees little evidence that the rapid expansion of educational attainment has provided benefits in increased output. In the MENA countries more rapid expansion of education has not necessarily led to more rapid growth. This micro-macro puzzle raises two important points about education that are relevant for future policies in the region. First, the growth pay-off to education depends critically on the economic environment in which the more educated labor is employed. There were a number of ways in which the strategy did not lead to economic pay-offs from education for the society at large. The strategy of continually expanding public sector employment to accommodate the increased supply of educated workers was neither sustainable nor desirable. Second, the economic pay-off to growth depends on the adaptation of education to the changing demands of the economy. The quality of education must be continually improved if MENA countries are to enjoy dynamic gains in productivity.
Regularization effects of a noise propagating through a chain of differential equations: An almost sharp result

We investigate the effects of the propagation of a non-degenerate Brownian noise through a chain of deterministic differential equations whose coefficients are rough and satisfy a weak like H{\"o}rmander structure (i.e. a non-degeneracy condition w.r.t. the components which transmit the noise). In particular we characterize, through suitable counterexamples , almost sharp regularity exponents that ensure that weak well posedness holds for the associated SDE. As a by-product of our approach, we also derive some density estimates of Krylov type for the weak solutions of the considered SDEs.
Is Antidepressant Treatment Associated with Reduced Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease?

Background: Although antidepressant drugs (ATD) are frequently prescribed to patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), their effect on cognitive status has been only rarely assessed. Methods: The impact of depressive symptoms and ATD on cognitive status was retrospectively assessed in 72 older AD outpatients with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment, treated with cholinesterase inhibitors, over a 9-month follow-up. Results: Compared to subjects without baseline depressive symptoms, those with symptoms who were continuously treated with ATD had less cognitive decline; those never treated, or not continuously treated despite baseline symptoms, had an intermediate trend. Such a protective action of ATD was, at least in part, independent of their action on depressive symptoms. Conclusion: These observations suggest that ATD may reduce cognitive decline in depressed older AD patients.
Work-family enrichment amongst manufacturing workers in South Africa

This study examines work-family enrichment among manufacturing workers within the South Afi"ica. It further investigates whether family-thendly supervis01y support and family-supportive benefits and services positively influence work-family enrichment. Self-rep01t questionnaires were distributed by the researcher to human-resource practitioners at seven manufacturing sites. An online survey was also developed and the link to this questionnaire was disseminated to four additional organisations via e·-mail. A total of 314 employees (N = 314) complete the questionnaire. The results indicate that work-family enrichment is bi-directional and that supervismy support explains significant variance in work to family enrichment. Implications for future research are also discussed.
Assessment of the Impact of Climate Change on Daily Extreme Peak and Low Flows of Zenne Basin in Belgium

Integrating hydrology with climate is essential for a better understanding of the impact of present and future climate on hydrological extremes, which may cause frequent flooding, drought, and shortage of water supply. This study assessed the impact of future climate change on the hydrological extremes (peak and low flows) of the Zenne river basin (Belgium). The objectives were to assess how climate change impacts basin-wide extreme flows and to provide a detailed overview of the impacts of four future climate change scenarios compared to the control (baseline) values. The scenarios are high (wet) summer (projects a future with high storm rain in summer), high (wet) winter (predicts a future with high rainfall in winter), mean (considers a future with intermediate climate conditions), and low (dry) (projects a future with low rainfall during winter and summer). These scenarios were projected by using the Climate Change Impact on HYDRological extremes perturbation tool (CCI-HYDR), which was (primarily) developed for Belgium to study climate change. We used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model to predict the impact of climate change on hydrological extremes by the 2050s (2036–2065) and the 2080s (2066–2095) by perturbing the historical daily data of 1961–1990. We found that the four climate change scenarios show quite different impacts on extreme peak and low flows. The extreme peak flows are expected to increase by as much as 109% under the wet summer scenario, which could increase adverse effects, such as flooding and disturbance of the riverine ecosystem functioning of the river. On the other hand, the low (dry) scenario is projected to cause a significant decrease in both daily extreme peak and low flows, by as much as 169% when compared to the control values, which would cause problems, such as droughts, reduction in agricultural crop productivity, and increase in drinking water and other water use demands. More importantly, larger negative changes in low flows are predicted in the downstream part of the basin where a higher groundwater contribution is expected, indicating the sensitivity of a basin to the impact of climate change may vary spatially and depend on basin characteristic. Overall, an amplified, as well as an earlier, occurrence of hydrological droughts is expected towards the end of this century, suggesting that water resources managers, planners, and decision makers should prepare appropriate mitigation measures for climate change for the Zenne and similar basins.
Marketing of grapes and raisins and post-harvest losses of fresh grapes in Maharashtra

Price spread and losses in grapes and marketing economics of raisins in Maharashtra were studied. Major marketing channels were: 1) Grower - commission agent - retailer - consumer for local and distant markets and 2) Grower - C.A. - trader - retailer - consumer for distant upcountry markets. Marketing efficiency was 1.27 when produce was sold by producer directly to retailer. When produce was sold to trader in vineyard, efficiency was 0.50 with share of producer 33.65% in consumer's rupee. In longer channels, effiency was 0.48, with producer's share 32.50% in consumer’ rupee. Raisin making was profitable and earned Rs. 50,500/additional than marketing grapes. Marketing of raisins was through commission agents. Losses in grapes were 1–1.25% at farm, 5.5–8.65% at wholesale and 12.25–16% at retail level. Negative correlation co-efficient was recorded in monthly prices and arrivals at national level and major markets in Maharashtra.