Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A method of inoculating barley seedlings with Ramularia collo‐cygni

A method of inoculating seedlings with the fungus Ramularia collo-cygni, the causal agent of ramularia leaf spot (RLS), an increasingly important problem in barley in Europe and elsewhere, is described. Symptoms of RLS similar to those found in the field were reproduced on seedlings and the fungus was re-isolated from them, fulfilling the third and fourth of Koch's postulates. The method was similar to one used for the related fungus, Mycosphaerella graminicola (anamorph Septoria tritici), a pathogen of wheat. Briefly, plants were sprayed with a suspension of R. collo-cygni mycelium fragments, incubated at 15°C, first in darkness for 48 h then in a 16-h-light/8-h-dark cycle. Disease levels reached saturation when plants were sprayed to runoff with a suspension of 480 cm2 of mycelium, scraped from the entire surface of 7·5 Petri dishes (9 cm diameter) and sieved, in 50 mL water. Growth of seedlings in high light intensity (900 µmol m−2 s−1, 16-h daylength) before inoculation increased disease symptoms, but reduced disease when applied after inoculation. In contrast to M. graminicola, near-ultraviolet light after inoculation reduced symptom development. It is proposed that for the full development of RLS, plants should be grown in a stressful environment before inoculation. Nine barley lines were assessed for their resistance to RLS as seedlings and a subset were tested in field trials with natural infection by R. collo-cygni. There was cultivar-by-isolate interaction in the amount of RLS symptoms on seedlings. RLS levels on adult plants in field plots were correlated with RLS scores on seedlings formed by one isolate but not the other.
Paying by Donating: Corporate Donations Affiliated with Independent Directors

Corporate donations to charities affiliated with the board’s independent directors (affiliated donations) are large and mostly undetected due to lack of formal disclosure. Affiliated donations may impair independent directors’ monitoring incentives. CEO compensation is on average 9.4% higher at firms making affiliated donations than at other firms, and it is much higher when the compensation committee chair or a large fraction of compensation committee members are involved. We find suggestive evidence that CEOs are unlikely to be replaced for poor performance when firms donate to charities affiliated with a large fraction of the board or when they donate large amounts.
β3- and α1-Adrenergic Erk1/2 Activation Is Src- but Not Gi-mediated in Brown Adipocytes*

A novel signaling pathway for mediation of β3-adrenergic activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases Erk1/2 (associated with proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis) has recently been proposed, which implies mediation via constitutively coupled Gi-proteins and Gβγ-subunits, distinct from the classical cAMP pathway of β-adrenergic stimulation. To verify the significance of this pathway in cells in primary cultures that entopically express β3-adrenoreceptors, we examined the functionality of this pathway in cultured brown adipocytes. Norepinephrine activated Erk1/2 via both β3 receptors and α1 receptors but not via α2 receptors. Forskolin induced Erk1/2 activation similarly to β3activation, indicating cAMP-mediation; this induction could be inhibited with H89, implying protein kinase A mediation. The Gi-pathway was functional in these cells, as pertussis toxin increased agonist-induced cAMP accumulation. However, pertussis toxin was unable to affect adrenergically induced Erk1/2 activation. Also, wortmannin was without effect, implying that Gβγ activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway was not involved. PP1/2, which inhibits Src, abolished both β3- and α1-induced Erk1/2 activation. Thus, the proposed novel Gi pathway for β3 mediation is not universal, because it is not functional in the untransformed primary cell culture system with entopically expressed β3 receptors examined here. Here, the β3 signal is mediated classically via cAMP/protein kinase A. β3 and α1 signals converge at Src, which thus mediates Erk1/2 activation in both pathways.
Why are Firms Rigid? A General Framework and Empirical Tests.

We present a general framework for understanding why firms are slow to make major strategic changes in a wide-range of organizational settings. We then apply this framework to investigate, more specifically, the relationship between firm age and scope in hedge funds. Our empirical analyses demonstrate that younger hedge funds outperform older hedge funds both prior to and after the launch of a new fund. Based on our framework, these results suggest that age-based rigidity in hedge funds is more attributable to internal political frictions that influence project selection than to constraints associated with exchange partners or implementation costs. We conclude by discussing how our framework can be used to identify the dominant source of rigidity in other contexts.
Lender of Last Resort, Buyer of Last Resort, and a Fear of Fire Sales in the Sovereign Bond Market

We document the mechanism through which the risk of fire sales in the sovereign bond market contributed to the effectiveness of two major central bank interventions designed to restore financial stability during the European sovereign debt crisis. As a lender of last resort via the long-term refinancing operations (LTROs), the European Central Bank (ECB) improved the collateral value of sovereign bonds of peripheral countries. This resulted in an elevated concentration of these bonds in the portfolios of domestic banks, increasing fire-sale risk and making both banks and sovereign bonds riskier. In contrast, the ECB’s announcement of being a potential buyer of last resort via the Outright Monetary Transaction (OMT) program attracted new investors and reduced fire-sale risk in the sovereign bond market.
Life history traits related to resource partitioning between synhospitalic species of Colocasiomyia (Diptera, Drosophilidae) breeding in inflorescences of Alocasia odora (Araceae)

Abstract. 1 Two closely related species of Colocasiomyia alocasiae (Okada) and C.xenalocasiae (Okada) (Diptera, Drosophilidae) breed in inflorescences of Alocasia odora C. Koch (Araceae), a hermaphroditic understorey clonal herb. 2 The two drosophilid species form a synhospitalic pair in Okinawa with alocasiae breeding in the upper half of the inflorescence and xenalocasiae breeding in the lower half. 3 C.alocasiae also has the following combination of life history traits: small body size, many eggs, and early reproductive maturity. In contrast, xenalocasiae can be described as having larger body size, fewer eggs, and delayed reproductive maturity. 4 Resource partitioning between the two species on the same host may be affected by these life history traits which are associated with their larval habitats.
Self-Determination in Romantic Relationships: Findings from the Russian Adaptation of the Couple Motivation Questionnaire

This study tests the psychometrics of a Russian version of the Couple Motivation Questionnaire (CMQ), and analyzes the possible distinctions between the Russian and English versions of the instrument. We hypothesize that the adopted version of CMQ repeats the original structure, and a continuum of motivation in romantic relationships will be found as a result of the correlation analysis. We conducted a correlation study on an online sample of (N = 497) using CMQ, the Test of Existential Motivations in Interpersonal Relationships, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Codependency Scale. The theoretical model, which was proposed in the original study (Blais et al., 1990), linked self-determination theory's motivational styles to adaptive relationship behaviors and the general quality of romantic relationships. The model was successfully confirmed for the Russian sample using a reverse translation and the psychometric testing of CMQ. The model revealed resistance to cultural influences, and the new instrument is suggested for studies of the motivational aspects of relationships using Russian samples.
What Matters in Venture Capital - Evidence from Entrepreneurs’ Stated Preferences

We study how entrepreneurs evaluate the ability of different U.S. venture capitalists (VCs) to add value to start-up companies. Analyzing a large dataset on entrepreneurs’ stated preferences on VCs, we show that entrepreneurs view independent partnership VCs more favorably than other VC types (e.g. corporate, financial, and government-sponsored VCs). Although entrepreneurs are able to correctly identify the VCs with better track record, they do not believe that such VCs have a higher ability to add value. We also find that an entrepreneur’s rankings are affected by his or her overall exposure to VCs, emphasizing the role of experiential learning in the venture capital market.
US Monetary Policy Surprises and Currency Futures Markets: A New Look

Intraday currency futures prices react to both surprises in the federal funds target rate (the target factor) and surprises in the anticipated future direction of Federal Reserve monetary policy (the path factor) by a similar magnitude, and the reaction is short-lived. Dollar-denominated currency futures prices drop significantly in response to positive surprises (i.e., unexpected increases) in the target and path factors, but have generally little response to negative surprises. A monetary policy tightening during expansionary periods leads to an appreciation of the domestic currency, while a monetary policy loosening during recessionary periods tends to have no significant impact.
Fertilization of a pole-sized maple stand: 10-year results

A 48-year-old stand of Acersaccharum Marsh. and A. rubrum L. in northeastern Wisconsin, U.S.A. , was fertilized with 168 kg/ha (150 lb/acre) of elemental N, P, N + P, or N + P + K in May 1966. Trees were stratified by crown class and initial diameter. Ten-year diameter and basal area growth were evaluated by analysis of covariance with initial plot basal area (IBA) as the covariate and by stepwise multiple regression in hierarchal models. Both diameter and basal area growth were influenced greatly by initial diameter and stand density. IBA accounted for 65% of the variation in diameter growth and 49% of the variation in basal area growth.Fertilization decreased diameter growth and increased mortality of suppressed trees. Pole-sized maples in intermediate and codominant crown positions tended to respond to fertilization with N and N + P but the differences were not statistically significant. Dominant trees grew more than did intermediates or codominants, but fertilization response could not be evaluated. Tr.
China's One Child Policy and International Trade: The Effect of Distorted Sex Ratios on Comparative Advantage

Since the one-child policy (OCP) was introduced in China in 1979, many more boys than girls have been born, changing the relative female labor supply. We study the effect of this change on China's international trade. Differences in sex ratios across cities, caused by differences in OCP enforcement, affect availability of gender-dependent skills. These regional differences interact with sector-specific differences in intensities in gender-dependent skills. Other things equal, cities with higher female population share specialize in industries which use female labor intensively. We empirically confirm this insight for the sample of 212 Chinese cities, using spatial variation in OCP stringency as an exogenous female labor supply shifter. We interpret our results as highlighting the importance of labor force gender composition for industry's productivity. Our results imply that the effect of gender imbalances in labor supply on labor market outcomes, observed in many parts of the world, can be mitigated through international trade by utilizing relatively abundant type of labor in export-oriented industries.
Using High, Low, Open and Closing Prices to Estimate the Effects of Cash Settlement on Futures Prices

Prior to 1986, any opening position on feeder cattle futures contract must be settled with physical delivery after the last trading day. Due to dwindling commercial interests, Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) subsequently replaced the system with the cash settlement method. It was argued that cash settlement would help reduces the futures price's volatility. In this paper, we adopted stochastic volatility models to investigate this conjecture. The models allow for time varying volatility. Using 4 estimators based on mixtures of high, low, open and close prices, we found all estimators conclude that the volatility of the feeder cattle futures price decreased after switching from physical delivery to cash settlement. The change in the contract specification therefore enhances price discovery and risk management functions of the futures market. Concerning the higher moments of the volatility, different conclusions were derived. Range data, the Parkinson and the Rogers-Satchell estimators all indicate that cash settlement led to a reduction in the volatility of volatility.
How Distribution and Abundance Influence Fertilization Success in the Sea Urchin Strongylocentotus Franciscanus

Many organisms reproduce by releasing gametes into the environment. How- ever, very little is known about what proportion of released eggs become fertilized. We examined the influence of spawning group size, degree of aggregation, position within an aggregation, and water flow, on in situ fertilization in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus. This study was conducted at a depth of 9 m on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Males were simulated by syringes filled with sperm; females were simulated by sperm-permeable containers filled with eggs. Individuals were placed 0.5 or 2.0 m apart within a 2 x 2 or 4 x 4 (group size of 4 or 16 individuals) experimental array. The results indicate that group size, degree of aggregation, position within a spawning group, and water flow all affect fertilization success. Fertilization success ranged from 0 to 82%. Increases in group size and aggregation, decreases in flow velocity, and central and downstream positions within an aggregation all lead to increases in fertil- ization success. Thus, individual reproductive performance is dependent on, and highly sensitive to, population parameters and environmental conditions.
The Optimal Use of Management

We analyze the management input from the perspective of a shadow cost minimizing firm. With the help of Bloom and Van Reenen (2007)'s management measure we estimate management's shadow price, dual Morishima elasticities of substitution, and relative price eyIˆciencies vis-a-vis labor and capital. We find that the shadow price of management is about 1.3 million US dollars per survey scale point. Management is a weak complement for labor but a strong complement for capital. Increases in management reduce the relative income share of labor but not capital. Most firms use too little management relative to both labor and capital, but relative use of management improves over time, with the combination of ownership and control, and competition. Our results suggest that management behaves similar to other inputs.
The richness and abundance of epigaeic mountain beetles in north‐western Patagonia, Argentina: assessment of patterns and environmental correlates

Our aims were: (1) to study the shape of the species richness–elevation and abundance–elevation relationships (SRER and AER, respectively) in epigaeic mountain beetles; and (2) to analyse how richness and abundance of the beetles vary across the full gradient and within the forests and steppes in association with environmental variables representing productivity, thermal limitation, water–energy dynamics, environmental heterogeneity and soil characteristics.
Existence of Alternate Defense Mechanisms for Combating Moisture Stress in Horse Gram [ Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.]

Screening of horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) core collection was carried out under moisture stress conditions in glass house and in poly ethylene glycol 8000 solutions with an osmotic potential of -0.15 MPa to -1.76 MPa after germination. However, selected 50 accessions from the above study were raised under controlled moisture stress conditions to analyze variations in the magnitude of different enzyme activities among the surviving accessions. RWC remained unaltered during moisture stress condition but alteration in the plant structure was observed. Catalase activity and superoxide dismutase increased during moisture stress condition, which varied among the contrasting accessions. However, reduction in polyphenol oxidase and ascorbic acid oxidase activity was observed. The observed difference in anatomy confirms the presence of mechanisms other than antioxidant enzymes. Based on the performance in varying moisture stress conditions, the contrasting D9 and D14 were selected for breeding programme while D13 is recommended as a suitable cultivar under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. Differential enzyme activity, reduction in total sugar production and structural compaction were observed as mechanisms of energy conservation in horse gram to resist moisture stress conditions.
Is Accruals Quality a Priced Risk Factor?

In a recent and influential empirical paper, Francis, LaFond, Olsson, and Schipper (2005) conclude that accruals quality (AQ) is a priced risk factor. We explain that FLOS' regressions examining a contemporaneous relation between excess returns and factor returns do not test the hypothesis that AQ is a priced risk factor. We conduct appropriate asset-pricing tests for determining whether a potential risk factor explains expected returns, and find no evidence that AQ is a priced risk factor.
Information Technology, Marketing Database and the Process of Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC): A Resource-Capability Nexus

This study aims at identifying and conceptually linking Information Technology, Marketing Database and the IMC process in a resource paradigm. It also conceptually posits the mediated role of Marketing Database to further transmit the absorbed effect to the IMC process. Review of the past studies has been done to conceptually connect these resources and/or capabilities. This paper establishes different relationships to be further tested empirically for both the academia and industry professionals. The main contribution is to conceptually theorize all the three concept and linking them conceivably that were either missing or vague in the marketing communication literature. Further, it also provides a research avenue to seek the complementarity of such resources by utilizing the extended RBV theory. The theoretical framework proposed is based on past literature from the RBV and marketing communications literature positing some new structural paths beside certain previous linkage (s) if any.
Target Firm Advertising and Firm Value

We examine the hypothesis that advertising allows a takeover target’s management to increase the firm’s profile and their own negotiating power, leading to higher subsequent takeover premiums. Our evidence from 7,095 merger bids supports this hypothesis. Moreover, we find an economically significant decrease in the acquirer’s market capitalization during the announcement period. To consider the possibility of codetermination of target advertising and takeover premiums, we employ instrumental variable tests as well as propensity matching methods and our results hold. Further, we find targets that advertise are more likely to be pursued by multiple bidders and receive revised increased bids.
Disciplining Entrenched Managers Through Corporate Governance Reform: Implications for Risk-Taking Behavior

Research Question/Issue: This paper examines how enhanced monitoring by corporate boards following the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and concurrent reforms to stock exchange rules (SOX) mitigated risk-related agency conflicts prevalent in entrenched firms. <br><br>Research Findings/Insights: Post SOX, entrenched firms increased risky and value-enhancing investments. These investments were financed by reductions in financial slack and dividend payouts, and by lower cost of debt. The specific mechanism driving the positive changes in corporate policies of entrenched firms is the SOX requirement of an independent compensation committee. Managers of entrenched firms previously non-compliant with this requirement are rewarded with more equity-based pay after SOX, which strengthened their incentives to pursue value-creating riskier investments. Only firms with low information asymmetry benefit from this requirement. <br><br>Theoretical/Academic Implications: The paper provides evidence of a disciplining effect of the critically important governance legislation on firms with entrenched management. The findings suggest that, by imposing an additional layer of discipline on managers, SOX increased managers' willingness to take on riskier, but more value-enhancing projects that were previously stifled in entrenched firms. The paper underscores the roles of an independent compensation committee and information cost in alleviating managerial risk avoidance. <br><br>Practitioner/Policy Implications: The paper has implications for the ongoing debate among policy-makers and legislators on the costs and benefits of SOX and for future governance reforms. Legal enforcement of stricter board requirements can realign investment policies with shareholders' interests even in the presence of value-reducing firm-specific arrangements that entrench managers. However, majority independent board and fully independent audit and compensation committees do not rein in CEO's risk aversion. It is a fully independent compensation committee that is instrumental in incentivizing CEOs to pursue risky projects that also add value. Firms and policy-makers need to be aware that the effectiveness of the independent compensation committee in designing optimal pay policies depends on the access to timely and accurate information. Other mechanisms need to be considered to enhance risk-taking in entrenched firms operating in high cost information environment. <br><br>
Normality of Stock Returns with Event Time Clocks

We introduce a different way to measure time using event clocks, with which we can observe a normal distribution of intraday stock returns. Most finance studies employ a &#8216;default&#8217; time measurement that uses a calendar clock. Cumulative evidence from prior literature shows that returns with a calendar clock follow a distribution with an excess kurtosis and a heavier tail, relative to a normal distribution. We examine the distribution of intraday stock returns using different clocks. We find that returns do not follow a normal distribution with a traditional calendar clock, but do follow a normal distribution when event clocks are applied.