Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Corporate Governance - Performance Puzzle: New Insights

This paper provides newer insights on governance – performance relationship using recent data (2007 to 2015) on anti-takeover provisions' incidence in the sample firms. Looking beyond the equally weighted methodology employed in related literature for constructing G-Index, E-Index, and Gov-Score, we present an alternate unequally weighted "new Governance (nG) Index" as governance proxy. We show that our proposed nG-Index traces governance – performance relationship more persistently than the equal-weighted measure. Firms with better governance structures are found to show higher firm values and superior operating performances in our sample period. Our analysis further reveals that a zero-investment hedge going long on poor governance stock portfolio and shorting the good governance one would have generated an abnormal return of over 1.33% per month or about 16% per year. This hedge is completely opposite to the long good governance – short poor governance strategy suggested in prior literature. We posit that such hedge reversal is an indication that, in recent years, investors seek compensation for high riskiness associated with poorly governed firms.
Ownership, evergreening and crisis: an analysis of bank–firm relationships in India

ABSTRACT Employing data on publicly listed firms for 1995–2012, the article examines the behaviour of bank lending and interest cost and how it evolved during the crisis. The evidence suggests that high-Non-performing Loans (NPL) main banks raised their lending and lowered lending rates during the crisis, especially to risky, low-profit firms, indicative of a flight from quality. A disaggregation of the possible reasons for the flight from quality provides evidence in favour of short-termism behaviour by banks. The analysis also provides evidence in support of tunnelling by risky firms, which became amplified during the crisis. The net effect of these developments was a perceptible reduction in overall employment.
'Bootstraps' or 'Helping Hand:' An Exploration of the Relationship between Economic Stratification among Black Americans and Their Racial Attitudes toward Merit-Based Opportunities and Affirmative Action

‘Bootstraps’ or ‘Helping Hand:’ An Exploration of the Relationship between Economic Stratification among Black Americans and Their Racial Attitudes toward Merit-Based Opportunities and Affirmative Action Sherman Ernest Lee Jr. Advisor: Professor Joe Rollins Over the last thirty years, much has been written about the increasing disparity between Black Americans who have achieved upward mobility and those at the lower end of the economic spectrum. This dissertation utilizes the General Social Survey (GSS) to contribute to this dialogue on stratification within the Black American community. More specifically, it asks the questions: from 1994-2006 – during the Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations – how did socioeconomic status affect Blacks’ racial attitudes about themselves? To answer this question, the racial attitudes of a sample of Black Americans of low socioeconomic status will be compared to the racial attitudes of their higher socioeconomic status counterparts across several demographic, attitudinal, and economic variables. The theoretic framework for this investigation includes stratification theory (Weber), group interest theory (Dawson, Shelton & Wilson), and the theory of opportunities and group consciousness (Chong & Kim).
Improving sanitation in informal settlements of East African cities: hybrid of market and state-led approaches

Abstract This paper analyzes how sanitation can be improved in the informal settlements of East African cities through a hybrid model. Qualitative research was carried out in eight settlements in three cities. Findings show that all cities apply a hybrid model (with some variation) when providing improved sanitation to their residents. Sanitation services were available in all cities, but there was no evidence of the state actively organizing a functioning sanitation market in Kampala or Kisumu. This implies that a hybrid model with a strong and committed developmental state is the right choice in the context of the informal settlements of East African cities.
Subepithelial Amyloid Deposits in Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy: A Histopathologic Study of Five Cases

Purpose. To report the clinical, histologic, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical features of congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) associated with subepithelial amyloid deposits. Methods. The clinical features of seven patients and histologic characteristics of eight corneal buttons were evaluated. The corneal specimens included five cases with histologic features of CHED associated with subepithelial amyloid. The remaining three corneal buttons of CHED without amyloid were obtained from the fellow eye of an affected patient and from siblings of two affected patients. Light microscopic studies were performed on sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff stain, and Congo red stain with and without permanganate bleach. Immunohistochemistry with an antibody to the amyloid AA protein and lambda and kappa light chains was done on all specimens. Electron microscopy was performed on three corneal specimens. The cases were followed for 1–9 years. Results. The notable clinical findings included decreased vision, history of parental consanguinity (4/7 cases), and affected siblings (5/7 cases). Examination revealed nystagmus (5/7 cases) and bilateral ground-glass corneas in all patients. In addition, central subepithelial whitish opacities were noted in patients with CHED and amyloid. Three patients had associated congenital glaucoma. The patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty at a mean age of 10 years. Histologically, five corneal buttons of CHED revealed varying degrees of subepithelial amyloid deposits associated with a subepithelial fibrous pannus. Immunohistochemically, the deposits were nonreactive to anti-amyloid A antibody but were immunoreactive with an antibody to lambda light chains in two cases. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of subepithelial amyloid. Thickening of Descemet's membrane and attenuation of corneal endothelial cells, noted in all cases, was consistent with features of CHED. The corneal buttons from the fellow eye and the siblings showed histologic features of CHED, with a subepithelial fibrous pannus without amyloid deposits. Spheroidal degeneration was noted in two corneal specimens. To date, no recurrence of the amyloid deposits has been seen in the grafts. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that subepithelial amyloidosis may be rarely associated with a recessive form of congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy. The clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features suggest a secondary form of amyloidosis.
Planar Multiple-Antiparallel Square Transmitter for Position-Insensitive Wireless Power Transfer

In this letter, a new kind of transmitter for uniform magnetic field distribution over relatively long-distance wireless charging plane is proposed. The transmitting coil is composed of multiple series square windings. Each winding consists of a set of concentric square loops. The spiral directions of two adjacent windings are opposite. The theoretical analysis shows, compared with conventional unidirectional square spiral coil, the proposed multiple-antiparallel square spiral coil can effectively enhance the height of the charging plane with uniform magnetic field. Furthermore, two planar wireless power transfer (WPT) systems adopting the proposed and conventional square transmitters are set up. The charging height is 5 cm. The ratio between the charging height and the transmitter's side length is 0.25. The experimental results show that, owing to the better uniform magnetic field produced by the proposed transmitter, the maximum transfer efficiency without coil misalignment is 91.4%. The reduced efficiency is less than 3% regardless of the location of the receiver. Additionally, the load power significantly maintains stability compared with the case of the conventional coil. As a result, the proposed coil can be a good candidate for practical planar WPT applications.
Negative Self-Perceptions and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Heterosexual Methamphetamine Users

This research examined the relationship between negative self-perceptions and sexual risk behavior in a sample of 156 heterosexually identified, methamphetamine users from San Diego, California. The Beck Depression Inventory and the Self Esteem Rating Scale, respectively, were used to assess depression and negative self-perceptions. Measures of sexual risk behavior and methamphetamine use were developed specifically for this research. Data were gathered in 2001–2002. Participants were primarily male (76%), Caucasian (56%), never married (51%), and unemployed (73%), with a mean age of 39.1 years. Participants with high levels of negative self-perceptions evidenced the greatest degree of sexual risk behavior, including significantly more unprotected vaginal sex and a larger number of sexual partners as compared to individuals with low levels of negative self-perceptions. In cross-sectional analyses, negative self-perceptions predicted intensity of methamphetamine use and depressive symptoms. However, neither of these variables were found to mediate the relationship between negative self-perceptions and sexual risk behavior. Findings are discussed in relation to the need for further research into the role of negative self-perceptions as a determinant of sexual risk behavior among methamphetamine users.
Serotonin Transporter Gene Polymorphism and Personality Traits in a Korean Population

Recently, there has been growing enthusiasm for exploring biological approaches to personality, especially in the area of genetic research into the identification of those genes responsible for particular personality traits. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the serotonin transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism and personality traits. We recruited 211 unrelated, normal subjects. The Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was used to assess certain personality traits. From blood samples taken from the subjects, DNA was isolated using standard techniques and the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism was genotyped by means of polymerase chain reaction and electrophoresis. We classified the subject into the s/s, s/l, and l/l groups according to their genotype. The differences in the temperament factors of the TCI between group S (s/s genotype) and group L (s/l + l/l genotype) were assessed, after the inclusion of gender and age as covariates in the analysis of variance. After controlling for gender and age, there were no associations between the harm avoidance, novelty seeking, and reward dependence scores and the genotypes. However, the persistence score of group S was significantly higher than that of group L. Our results suggest that the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism may be associated with the persistence score of the TCI in a normal Korean population.
Transient bacteremia associated with percutaneous liver biopsy.

Transient bacteremia associated with percutaneous liver biopsy was studied by pour-plate blood cultures, which were obtained immediately before and after the procedure and 5, 10, 15, and 30 min later in 89 patients. Part of the liver tissue was also cultured in all patients. Histological diagnoses included hepatitis, cirrhosis, cholangitis, fatty liver, granulomata, metastatic liver disease, lymphoma, and miscellaneous disorders. All blood cultures obtained before liver biopsy were sterile. Bacteremia was demonstrable in 12 patients (13.48%). In most of these patients, blood cultures were positive for as long as 15 min after liver biopsy; all cultures were negative at 30 min. Among the bacteria associated with 12 episodes of bacteremia were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Bacteroides, enterococci, diphtheroids, Staphylococcus aureus, alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The patients with positive liver biopsies had a higher incidence of bacteremia (83.3%) than did the patients whose liver biopsies were sterile (8.r%); this difference is stastically significant (P smaller than 0.01). Thus, liver biopsy can be associated with transient bactermia.
Risk factors for incident dementia after stroke. Role of hypoxic and ischemic disorders.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Stroke significantly increases the risk of dementia in the elderly, yet the risk factors for incident dementia after ischemic stroke are not well understood. We attempted to determine whether hypoxic-ischemic (HI) disorders, which may result from comorbid medical conditions (eg. seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, pneumonia), would be an independent risk factor for the development of new dementia after stroke. METHODS We prospectively followed 185 initially nondemented patients with ischemic stroke (age, 70.3 +/- 7.7 years) for a maximum of 52.8 months. We diagnosed the presence of dementia at annual examinations based on neuropsychological testing and modified DSM-III-R criteria. HI disorders were identified by record review or examination during hospitalization. We used Kaplan-Meier analysis to determine the cumulative proportion of patients with and without HI disorders who survived free of dementia and used Cox models to estimate the relative risk of dementia associated with HI disorders. RESULTS The cumulative proportion (+/- SE) surviving without dementia was 51.7 +/- 10.9% in the HI group versus 78.2 +/- 4.3% in the non-HI group after 52.8 months of observation. The relative risk of incident dementia associated with HI events was 4.3 (95% confidence interval = 1.9 to 9.6) after we adjusted for demographic factors, recurrent stroke, and baseline cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that HI disorders may be a significant independent risk factor for incident dementia after stroke, even after adjustment for other recognized predictors of cognitive decline. Recognition of HI cerebral damage as a possible pathogenic mechanism for dementia after stroke may allow targeted therapeutic interventions to prevent subsequent cognitive deterioration.
Shocks versus Structure: Explaining Differences in Exchange Rate Pass-Through across Countries and Time

We show that exchange rate pass-through to consumer prices varies not only across countries, but also over time. Previous literature has highlighted the role of an economy’s ‘structure’ — such as its inflation volatility, inflation rate, use of foreign currency invoicing, and openness — in explaining these variations in pass-through. We use a sample of 26 advanced and emerging economies to show which of these structural variables are significant in explaining not only differences in pass-through across countries, but also over time. The ‘shocks’ leading to exchange rate movements can also explain variations in pass‑through over time. For example, exchange rate movements caused by monetary policy shocks consistently correspond to significantly higher estimates of pass-through than those caused by demand shocks. The role of ‘shocks’ in driving pass-through over time can be as large as that of structural variables, and even larger for some countries. As a result, forecasts predicting how a given exchange rate movement will impact inflation at a specific point in time should take into account not just an economy’s ‘structure’, but also the ‘shocks’.
Length of residence and risk of developing hyperemesis gravidarum among first generation immigrants to Norway.

BACKGROUND To estimate the risk of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) among first generation immigrants to Norway by length of residence. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. METHODS The sample consisted of first generation immigrants with a prevalence of HG exceeding ethnic Norwegians by 50%, registered in the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN). The women were born in Turkey, Middle East, North Africa, Other Africa, Iran, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka and Central and South America, the total sample size is 50,904. MBRN data on HG, age, parity, plurality and sex of the baby were linked to information on country of birth, maternal education and duration of stay obtained from Statistics Norway. Independent associations were studied for each immigrant group and adjusted for potential confounders. To account for dependencies in the sample, a generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach was used. RESULTS For women from Central and South America, adjusted analysis showed a decrease in the risk of HG by longer residency (P for trend = 0.026). A similar but not significant trend was observed for women born in the Middle East (P for trend = 0.097). Women born in Turkey who had been living in Norway for 6-8 years had a higher risk of HG than newcomers, though no trend was observed (P for trend = 0.127). Women born in Iran and North Africa who lived longer in Norway tended to have a higher risk of developing HG than newcomers (P for trend = 0.083 and 0.118, respectively) CONCLUSION Associations between HG and duration of residence in Norway did not show a universal pattern across immigrant groups. Women born in Central and South America had a lower risk of HG with increasing length of residence. Some evidence to the contrary was found for women born in Iran, North Africa and Turkey.
Oceanic, Latitudinal, and Sex-Specific Variation in Demography of a Tropical Deepwater Snapper across the Indo-Pacific Region

Deepwater tropical fisheries provide an important source of income and protein to Pacific and Indian Ocean coastal communities who are highly dependent on fish for food security. The development of quantitative assessments and management strategies for these deepwater fisheries has been hindered by insufficient biological and fisheries data. We examine the age-specific demography of the pygmy ruby snapper Etelis carbunculus, an important target species in tropical deepwater fisheries, across 90° of longitude and 20° of latitude in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Our results show that growth of E. carbunculus varies significantly between oceans and sexes and across latitudes in both oceans. Estimates of natural and fishing mortality were similar between oceans, but higher for females than males in both oceans. Evidence of greater fishing pressure on females than males is likely due to the larger size-at-age of females compared to males, assuming that selectivity of the fishing gear is related directly to fish size. Sex ratios were significantly female biased in both oceans despite this species being gonochoristic, and maturity schedules were similar between sexes in the Pacific Ocean. This species exhibits a protracted spawning season from mid-spring to autumn (i.e., October to May) in the Pacific Ocean. These results represent the first estimates of age-specific demographic parameters for E. carbunculus, and provide the foundation for the development of the first species-specific assessment models and harvest strategies for the species. Future stock assessment models for E. carbunculus should consider sex-specific demographic parameters and spatial variation in demography. Our results reveal substantial differences in biology between E. carbunculus and the giant ruby snapper E. sp. , a cryptic congeneric species, and thus contribute to greater clarity in managing fisheries that are dependent on these two species. Furthermore, the improved information on the life history of E. carbunculus contributes to the broader sustainable management and improved food security for deepwater snapper fisheries in the Indo-Pacific region.
[Intake of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, zinc) originating from colored paints and their incorporation into organs and tissues of heifers].

In a feeding trial the effect of heavy metals as lead, cadmium and zinc originating from colour paints was investigated. The study included 30 early pregnant heifers subdivided in five groups with six animals each with an average body weight of 419 kgs. During the testing period the trial was carried out in a three factorial fashion with two time sections: section one--mineral supplementation and lead preexposure; section two--Exposure to heavy metal containing colour paint pigments. The investigation led to the following results: A short time uptake of daily 10 g lead containing colour paint (i.e. 22-24 mg Pb/per animal and day) did not cause any change of general health and normal behavior of the respective animals. A storage of lead in the body tissue could be observed by way of a hint. An additional prestress with lead (145-158 mg Pb/animal/day over a period of 84 days did not influence the general health of the animals significantly. Both the fodder uptake and the body weight gain was inconspecious. A storage of lead could be traced in the skeleton, kidney and liver and--on a reduced level--also in the muscle. Only the content of lead in the kidney exceeded the maxmium tolerated value (> 1.0 mg/kg) of the German Meat Hygiene regulation. A mineral deficient feeding regimen (especially lack of calcium) enhance an increased storage of lead in the tissues (skeleton).
Platinum Derivatives During Pregnancy in Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE: Cervical cancer is the most common solid carcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy; obviously, pregnancy adds complexity to treatment recommendations. We synthesized all available data and evaluated the efficacy and safety of the administration of platinum derivatives during pregnancy in cervical cancer. DATA SOURCES: Eligible articles were identified by a search of MEDLINE and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for the period up to September 7, 2012; the algorithm comprised a predefined combination of the terms “cervical,” “cancer,” “cisplatin,” carboplatin,” and “pregnancy. ” METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Two investigators, working independently, searched the literature and extracted data from all studies that examined the efficacy and safety of platinum derivatives administered during pregnancy in cervical cancer. All cases in which therapeutic abortion was scheduled were excluded. Moreover, quantitative synthesis of the published articles was performed. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Overall, 24 studies (48 pregnancies, 48 newborns [one twin pregnancy and one miscarriage]) were eligible. In relation to cisplatin, 47 pregnancies were identified, whereas regarding carboplatin administration, only one pregnancy was retrieved. Cisplatin was administered either as monotherapy or combined with bleomycin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, vincristine, and bleomycin, whereas carboplatin was given in combination with paclitaxel. In most cases (67.4%), a completely healthy neonate was born; all children were healthy with a median follow-up of 12.5 months. The mean delivery weight of newborns was 2,213 g. Complete and partial response was achieved in 10% and 63.4% of patients with cervical cancer, respectively, whereas stabilization and progression of the disease occurred in 23.3% and 3.3% of women in the case group. In the majority of women in the case group, chemotherapy was well tolerated. The median progression-free survival was 48.5 months. CONCLUSION: Cisplatin may play a significant role in the management of patients with cervical cancer during the second and third trimesters.