Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chief Executive Officer Compensation and Financial Performance: Evidence from the Alternative Investment Market in the UK

Abstract Purpose: This article investigates the relationship between executive compensation and financial performance for Alternative Investment Market (AIM)-listed firms in the UK. While most studies have looked at the impact of executive compensation on financial performance, this study argues that the issue of reverse causality cannot be ignored even if it is controlled and therefore investigates the extent to which financial performance can also impact on executive remuneration. Design/methodology/approach: The study relies on a sample of 201 AIM-listed firms in the UK from 2011 to 2016 to examine the relationship between executive compensation and financial performance. It draws on agency and tournament theories to model the relationships between executive compensation and financial performance using various panel regression models. Findings: The findings from the study revealed that the chief executive officer (CEO) remuneration impact on both accounting- and market-based measures of financial performance. It also showed that while performance-based incentives like bonus and other long-term incentives linked to performance significantly impact on financial performance, salary, a cash-based non-performance-related compensation rather negatively affects performance. It was also discovered that financial performance can also influence the level of executive compensation and not always vice versa. Value/originality: The study adds novelties to the existing literature by introducing tournament theory to the studies on the relationship between executive compensation and financial performance. Most of the existing studies have been one sided and emphasise only on the influence of executive remuneration on financial performance. However, based on the tournament theory, the study argued that the issue of reverse causality between the two should not be overemphasised even if it is controlled.
Analysis of financial and non-financial factors affecting bond ratings

The decision to invest in the bond market is in high demand by investors because of their fixed income. Investment in the bond market is slower than investment in stocks. One obstacle to this slow development is that the existing bond market conditions have not been optimized by market participants and the general public’s understanding of the instruments in bonds is still limited. This research was conducted to analyze the financial factors as measured by financial ratios (profitability ratios, growth ratios, leverage ratios, and liquidity ratios) and non-financial factors were measured by the age of bonds and bond guarantees that Affect the rating of the bonds of manufacturing companies in the period 2013-2017. The uniqueness of this research is the use of a balanced variable between internal variables and external variables. Another uniqueness is that this study uses a quick ratio to measure liquidity while many other variables use the current ratio. Selection and population used in this study using all manufacturing companies see that manufacturing companies are dominant companies in Indonesia and manufacturing companies need alternative Reviews their funds for operational activities so that the issuance of bonds is quite large. The research approach used is quantitative. The population in this study was 156 companies and was taken by 13 companies to be used as samples with purposive sampling method. The method of data analysis used in this study is logistic regression. This logistic regression analysis is used to analyze the relationship between Several independent variables with the dependent variable is categorical variables roomates type. The results of this study state that profitability and liquidity variables variables have a positive effect on the bond ratings of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2013-2017. While in the growth variables, the variables of leverage, the Age of bonds and bond guarantees have no effect on the bond ratings of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2013-2017.
Temporal Changes in Prevalence of Escherichia coli Pathotypes in Remote Communities of Ecuador

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the most prevalent Escherichia coli (E. coli) pathotype associated with infectious diarrhea in developing countries. However, a previous study found that enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) was the more prevalent pathotype in 22 remote communities in the northern coastal Ecuador between 2003 and 2005. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the prominence of this pathotype continued after 2005 and to capture prevalence trends of four diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes between August 2003 and December 2010. The analysis included 4,196 fecal samples collected from 16 remote communities. PCR was used to detect virulence genes of ETEC, EIEC, EPEC, and E. coli Shigellae. Our findings suggest that the high prevalence of EIEC between 2005 and 2006 is the result of an outbreak in the 16 communities. In all other years, ETEC was the most prevalent pathotype in the region.
miR‐744‐5p inhibits cellular proliferation and invasion via targeting ARF1 in epithelial ovarian cancer

miR‐744‐5p has been demonstrated to play an important role in cancer progression. However, the functions of miR‐744‐5p in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are not well clarified. In this study, our aim was to investigate the role of miR‐744‐5p and its underlying molecular mechanism in cell progression of EOC. EOC clinical tissues and matched adjacent ovarian epithelial tissues were collected from 18 patients. Tissues and cell lines were analyzed by qPCR or Western blot to investigate the expression of miR‐744‐5p and ARF1 in EOC. Cell proliferative capacity was assessed by CCK8 and colony formation assays. Wound healing and transwell assays were performed to evaluate cell migration and invasion. The potential binding relation between miR‐744‐5p and IRF1 was demonstrated by dual luciferase report assay. The results showed that expression of miR‐744‐5p was low in EOC clinical tissues and cells. Overexpression of miR‐744‐5p inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of EOC cells. Further mechanistic study identified that ARF1 is a target of miR‐744‐5p, which is negatively correlated with the expression of miR‐744‐5p, and overexpression of ARF1 could reverse the inhibition of miR‐744‐5p on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of EOC cells. Taken together, our results indicated that miR‐744‐5p attenuated EOC progression via targeting IRF1, providing potential guidance for the clinical treatment of ovarian cancer.
Compassionate use of hydroxychloroquine in clinical practice for patients with mild to severe Covid-19 in a French university hospital

Abstract Background Data from non-randomized studies have suggested that hydroxychloroquine could be an effective therapeutic agent against Covid-19. Methods We conducted an observational, retrospective cohort study involving hospitalized adult patients with confirmed, mild to severe Covid-19 in a French university hospital. Patients who received hydroxychloroquine (200mg tid dosage for 10 days) on a compassionate basis in addition to SOCwere compared to patients without contraindications to hydroxychloroquine who received SOCalone. A propensity score-weighted analysis was performed to control for confounders: age, sex, time between symptom onset and admission ≤ 7 days, Charlson comorbidity index, medical history of arterial hypertension, and obesity, NEWS2 score at admission, and pneumonia severity. The primary endpoint was time to unfavorable outcome, defined as: death, admission to an intensive care unit, or decision to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatments, whichever came first. Results Data from 89 patients with laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 were analyzed, 84 of whom were considered in the primary analysis; 38 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine and 46 patients treated with SOCalone. At admission, the mean age of patients was 66 years, the median Charlson comorbidity index was 3, and the median NEWS2 severity score was 3. After propensity score weighting, treatment with hydroxycholoroquine was not associated with a significantly reduced risk of unfavorable outcome (HR 0.90 [0.38; 2.1], p = 0.81). Overall survival was not significantly different between the two groups (HR 0.89 [0.23; 3.47], p = 1) Conclusion In hospitalized adults with Covid-19, no significant reduction of the risk of unfavorable outcomes was observed with hydroxychloroquine in comparison to standard of care. Unmeasured confounders may however have persisted despite careful propensity-weighted analysis and the study might be underpowered. Ongoing controlled trials in patients with varying degrees of initial severity on a larger scale will help determine whether there is a place for hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of Covid-19.
Addendum to the revised catalogue of cetaceans (Cetacea) in collections in the Czech Republic Doplněk k revidovanému katalogu kytovců (Cetacea) ve sbírkách v České republice

An addendum to the previously published list of cetacean specimens in several Czech collections (ROBOVSKÝ & BENDA 2006) is given, based on a detailed survey across a large number of institutions (mu- seums, castles, churches, etc.). In the collection of National Museum Praha (NMP), we found additional skulls of Delphinapterus leucas, Globicephala melas, Monodon monoceros and Orcinus orca; we also identified taxonomic status of two NMP specimens inaccurately mentioned in the previous paper, Inia ge- offrensis geoffrensis (skull) and Platanista gangetica s. str. (skeleton). Additional cetacean specimens were found and documented in some smaller collections. The most significant identified items include a skull of Platanista gangetica s. str. and two isolated teeth of Physeter catodon from the Municipal Museum in Caslav, a skull of Pontoporia blainvillei from the Zoological Museum in Protivin, two isolated auditory bullae of a large whale from the Museum of Eastern Bohemia, Hradec Kralove, and two hemimandibles of Balaena mysticetus from the Lednice State Castle, Lednice na Moravě.
Research article SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF APHID, UROLEUCON COMPOSITAE THEOBALD ON SAFFLOWER

A Field experiment was carried out during 2011-12 rabi to study the spatial distribution of aphid, Uroleucon compositae (Theobald) on safflower. Various indices of dispersion, i.e. variance-mean ratio, dispersion parameter, David and Moore’s index, Charlier coefficient, Index of Lexis and Llyods index of patchiness revealed that safflower aphid followed aggregated distribution throughout the crop growth.
Persistence and Movement of Sethoxydim Residues in Three Minnesota Soils

The persistence and movement of sethoxydim residues were determined in the top 45 cm of an Estherville sandy loam (sl), Port Byron silt loam (sil), and Webster clay loam (cl) in the field. Analysis of sethoxydim residues simultaneously quantified parent and eight metabolites by conversion to a common volatile end product, 3-[2(ethylsulfonyl)propyl]-pentanedioic acid dimethyl ester, followed by analysis using gas chromatography (GC) and a flame photometric detector. Recovery of residues from soil spiked with 100 μg kg-1 was 86 ± 21%. Residues remaining in soil 21 days after treatment (DAT) in 1989 were 37, 51, and 29% of the applied sethoxydim in the sl, sil, and cl, respectively, while in 1990, 86, 52, and 24% remained in the sl, sil, and cl, respectively. Alachlor remaining 21 DAT in 1989 was 66, 52, and 65% of that applied in the sl, sil, and cl, respectively, while in 1990, it was 16, 13, and 100% in the sl, sil, and cl, respectively. Atrazine had the greatest % of applied chemical remaining 21 DAT in 1989: 100, 71, and 73% in the sl, sil, and cl, respectively. of the atrazine applied in 1990, atrazine remaining 21 DAT was 87% in the sl, 42% in the sil, and 100% in the cl. Over all soils and years, the amount of total sethoxydim residues remaining 137 DAT was the least of the three herbicides. In terms of leaching, sethoxydim residues showed least movement, with minimal detections below 0 to 15 cm. Although sethoxydim appears to be advantageous over alachlor and atrazine in terms of potential impact on ground water quality, additional information regarding composition of the detected residues is needed to better assess its environmental impact.
Examining Students’ Responses to Teacher Translation Feedback: Insights From the Perspective of Student Engagement

This case study investigated students’ response to feedback in the lens of student engagement with teacher feedback on their translation work. Drawing upon data from multiple sources, including students’ translation assignments, classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, stimulated recalls, and other documents, it explored how three Chinese undergraduates engaged with the feedback affectively, behaviorally, and cognitively. The findings reveal that (a) the students went through varying mood swings, and their expectations and teacher-related beliefs impacted their judgments of the feedback; (b) their failure to undertake self-editing upon receiving feedback was attributable to both student individual factors and teacher practices; and (c) extensive cognitive and behavioral operations could contribute to students’ deeper understanding of the feedback. These indicate the complex and interrelated relationship among the three dimensions of student engagement and contribute to our limited knowledge on the interplay between teacher translation feedback and student responses. Pedagogical implications are put forward for translation teachers to provide feedback and improve translation students’ engagement.
Angiogenesis During Multi-tissue Regeneration Following Tail Loss in the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

ANGIOGENESIS DURING MULTI-TISSUE REGENERATION FOLLOWING TAIL LOSS IN THE LEOPARD GECKO (EUBLEPHARIS MACULARIUS) Samantha Louise Payne Advisor: University of Guelph, 2012 Professor M.K. Vickaryous Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, is important in post-injury scar formation but its role in scar-free regeneration remains relatively unexplored. This study investigates vascular regeneration during tail regeneration in the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius). It is hypothesized that blood vessel regeneration follows a conserved sequence of events similar to physiological angiogenesis. To test this hypothesis the onset and pattern of expression of common vascular and angiogenic proteins (von Willebrand factor, α-smooth muscle actin, vascular endothelial growth factor, thrombospondin-1 and cluster differentiation 36) was investigated. The effect of the anti-angiogenic peptide ABT-510 on tail regeneration was also explored by documenting changes in vascular morphology and histology of regenerate tails. Results show that the proteins of interest are expressed in a conserved sequence consistent with physiological angiogenesis. ABT-510 did not consistently prevent tail regeneration, but did have some small-scale effects. These results provide the basis for further investigations into the importance of angiogenesis during multitissue regeneration.
Fine Particulate Matter and Poor Cognitive Function among Chinese Older Adults: Evidence from a Community-Based, 12-Year Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Research on the relationship between long-term exposure to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2. 5μm (PM2.5) and poor cognitive function is lacking in developing countries, especially in highly polluted areas. Objectives: We evaluated associations of long-term exposure to PM2.5 with poor cognitive function in a diverse, national sample of older adults in China. Methods: This analysis included data on 13,324 older adults (5,879 who were 65–79 years of age, 3,052 who were 80–89 years of age, 2,634 who were 90–99 years of age, and 1,759 who were ≥100 years of age) with normal cognitive function at baseline from March 2002 to September 2014, with 64,648 person-years of follow-up. We used a geographic information system analysis to estimate the annual average satellite-derived PM2.5 concentration for the geocoded location of the participants’ baseline residences. Poor cognitive function was defined as a score of less than 18 on the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Competing risk models were performed to explore the association of PM2.5 with poor cognitive function. Results: Each 10-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with a 5.1% increased risk of poor cognitive function [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.051; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.023, 1.079]. Compared to the lowest quartile of PM2.5 (<41.4 μg/m3), adjusted HR values were 1.20 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.33), 1.27 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.41), and 1.21 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.34) for the second (≥41.4–50.3 ug/m3), third (≥50.3–60.7μg/m3), and fourth (≥60.7 μg/m3) quartiles of PM2.5, respectively (p for trend <0.001). Subgroup analyses suggested stronger associations between PM2.5 and poor cognitive impairment in men than women. The association was positive in the 65- to 79- and ≥100-y age group but not significant and positive in the other two age groups with similar results. Conclusion: PM2.5 was identified as a risk factor for poor cognitive function in Chinese older adults. Improving air quality may reduce the future population burden of poor cognitive function, especially in areas with high air pollution. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5304
Mindfulness Meditation as a Complementary Health Therapy: A Useful Import into Africa?

Mindfulness meditation, a very common contemplative practice used to attain a conscious state of awareness, acceptance, openness and non-reactivity, was first modified in 1979 into a complementary health therapeutic practice. This practice has, since, gained the attention of scholars globally, with the greatest surge in interest seen in the last two decades. However, in Africa, research output on the psychological construct is very limited and certified trainers of the practice are almost non-existent despite the fact that the practice has been shown to relieve stress, a factor whose level is high in the continent, and has been associated with many common disease, illnesses and other negative outcomes. There is, therefore, an overwhelming need to draw public attention towards the practice and what it can offer African healthcare systems. However, this paper takes a neutral tone while creating this needed awareness, acting just as a guide towards unravelling the complexities of the practice and not as an advocacy piece promoting its implementation in healthcare systems across Africa. It achieves this aim by discussing the major reported positive and negative physiological effects of the practice; its application in the therapy of some common physical and mental disease/illness conditions; its benefits to healthcare workers and students, and informal caregivers; its limitations; the popular criticisms levelled against it; and factors in support and against its incorporation into African healthcare systems. The discourse is concluded with recommendation of strategies for refining the practice to suit the African healthcare scene.
Pregnancy per artificial insemination and pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows of a single herd following timed artificial insemination or insemination at detected estrus

Thangavelu, G. , Gobikrushanth, M. , Colazo, M. G. and Ambrose, D. J. 2015. Pregnancy per artificial insemination and pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows of a single herd following timed artificial insemination or insemination at detected estrus. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 383-388. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the factors affecting pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) and pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cattle. Breeding records (n=1466) for 5 consecutive years were evaluated from one dairy herd. The effects of type of breeding [timed artificial insemination (TAI; n=1246) vs. insemination at detected estrus (IDE; n=220)], parity (primiparous vs. multiparous), body condition score (BCS; low =2.5 vs. high >2.5), year, season (summer vs. other seasons) and fertility group (high fertile <3 vs. low fertile ≥3 inseminations), on P/AI and pregnancy loss (i.e., late embryonic/early fetal loss, abortion and stillbirth) were determined using the GLIMMIX procedures of SAS software. Pregnancy per AI was influenced by type of breeding and season. Pregnancy per AI was lower (P<0.05) in cows that were TAI (28.7%) than IDE (37.1%) and during summer (30.3%) than other seasons of the year (35.5%). Pregnancy loss was higher (P<0.05) in low BCS (9.1%) than in high BCS (1.9%) cows. However, parity, year, and fertility group affected neither P/AI nor pregnancy loss.
Dynamic Analysis of an Improved MPPT based on Model Predictive Control applied to a Single-Ended Primary-Inductor Converter

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are playing a major role in the energy transition towards renewables, and low power units are certainly key components in the smart city concept. Indeed, in urban environments it is mandatory to apply a suitable Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) in order to maximize the efficiency and reduce the space occupancy. In this paper an improved MPPT-Predictive Control is proposed, to be applied to a PV panel connected by a Single-Ended Primary-Inductor Converter (SEPIC). The goal of this new technique is to reduce the hardware complexity (sensors number) of the classical Predictive Control technique and at the same time to keep its performance when the system works in buck or boost mode. The behavior of such a system is analyzed in all mode operations by means of a simulation model implemented in the Matlab/Simulink software environment, showing very good results.
Reproductive Investment of Female Green Toads (Bufo viridis)

Abstract Females of iteroparous species may compromise between contrasting reproductive strategies. They should balance the amount of energy devoted to reproduction against the energy saved for growth and survival, and they should compromise between the quantity versus the quality of offspring. In the present paper, we analyze these trade-offs in European Green Toads (Bufo viridis). We define reproductive investment in terms of clutch dry mass, number of eggs, and mean ovum dry mass, whereas we describe the amount of resources saved for growth and survival (somatic investment) with a fat index derived from the total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) of postspawning females. Our results indicate that larger individuals produce larger clutches, both in the number and size of eggs. Females with higher reproductive effort, however, also show a larger somatic investment regardless of size. We show that females of similar size invest similar proportions of resources in reproduction, so that those in good condition not only show larger reproductive effort than lower-quality females but also store larger amounts of resources for growth, survival, and future reproduction.