Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dividend payment and ownership structure in the Chinese stock market

Abstract This study examines the relationship between dividend payment and ownership structure in the Chinese stock market. The findings show the following. First, government-controlled firms are not only more likely to pay dividends than corporate-controlled firms, but they also pay more dividends than corporate-controlled firms. Second, firms without multiple large shareholders pay more dividends than those firms with multiple large shareholders. Finally, dividend payout ratios are positively related to the ownership of the controlling shareholder. These findings are consistent with the “substitute model”, in which dividends are the substitute for legal protection of outsiders, and are paid to establish a reputation for the good treatment of outside shareholders. © City University of Hong Kong.
ElastiCL: Elastic Quantization for Communication Efficient Collaborative Learning in IoT

Transmitting updates of high-dimensional models between client IoT devices and the central aggregating server has always been a bottleneck in collaborative learning - especially in uncertain real-world IoT networks where congestion, latency, bandwidth issues are common. In this scenario, gradient quantization is an effective way to reduce bits count when transmitting each model update, but with a trade-off of having an elevated error floor due to higher variance of the stochastic gradients. In this paper, we propose ElastiCL, an elastic quantization strategy that achieves transmission efficiency plus a low error floor by dynamically altering the number of quantization levels during training on distributed IoT devices. Experiments on training ResNet-18, Vanilla CNN shows that ElastiCL can converge in much fewer transmitted bits than fixed quantization level, with little or no compromise on training and test accuracy.
CRYOPRESERVATION OF BOAR SPERMATOZOA: THE CURIOUS FUNCTIONS OF SEMINALPLASMA DURING FREEZING OR THAWING

There are various advantages, such as the preservation of genetic resources, an improvement of the reproduction performance in summer, long-distance transportation of semen and the possibility of progeny test, in the cryopreservation technique of boar semen. However, cryopreserved boar spermatozoa have not been routinely available to swine artificial insemination (AI) due to the lower conception and farrowing rates than those of fresh semen. To improve the reproductive performance after AI, many researchers have approached technical modification of temperature program during freezing, freezing extender, thawing solution and AI method (e.g. deep intra uterine insemination). In this study, we focused and analyzed on the role of the seminal plasma of ejaculated semen, and succeed to develop novel freezing and thawing method as following. In the freezing process from semen collection: 1. Ejaculated seminal plasma is immediately removed by centrifugation after semen collection because the fraction contains negative factors, such as bacteria or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). 2. The sperm pellet is resuspended in a semen extender that contains both common antibiotics and polymyxin B (an inactivator of LPS). 3. Hyperosmotic pressure (400 mOsm/ kg) and low concentration glycerol (2%) solution are used for freezing extender (conventional extender; 300 mOsm/ kg, 3% glycerol). Next step, in thawing process, the frozen straws picked out from the liquid nitrogen tank are melted in 38oC for 1 min, and the content injects into 10% (v/v) seminal plasma-containing thawing solution. When the frozen-thawed spermatozoa treated with seminal plasma were artificially inseminated to sows, the reproductive performance (conception rate; 80.2% and litter size; 10.1 piglets) was comparable to that of liquid semen (73.9%, 10.3 piglets). These results indicated that seminal plasma has positive roles on the AI using cryopreserved boar semen. However, because boar seminal plasma is contaminated with various kinds of bacteria and/or viruses, the development of thawing solution without animal derived materials is required for more sanitary AI. Cryo-capacitation just after thawing which arises from increasing of intercellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in sperm, decreases the motility and fertilization ability of frozen-thawed sperm. To suppress this induction, EGTA was added to diluent to chelate the transient increment of the ion. The addition of EGTA significantly suppressed both the increase [Ca2+]i level and the induction of cryo-capacitation. To yield a high pregnancy rate, not only improvement of sperm function mentioned above but remodeling of the uterine environment after AI is also a key step. We found that cortisol, which is a known immunosuppressive agent, existed in boar seminal plasma and regulated intrauterine environment to enhance implantation in sows. In this symposium, we will also introduce the reproductive performances obtained by AI using the novel diluent.
Sustaining quality management implementation in small organisations ? experiences from quality award recipients

While the use of Total Quality Management (TQM) continues to be high among large organisations, small organisations are still behind in considering such systematic and comprehensive quality efforts. One reason for this might be that many advocates of TQM consider the concept as a fixed entity to be utilised by any organisation independent of size. However, the specific characteristics of small organisations imply a need for a more tailored approach when initiating such considerable organisational changes as TQM. Therefore, further knowledge regarding quality management in the context of small organisations is needed. This paper is based on a multiple-case study and describes quality-related work in a number of small organisations, which have received a quality award for their successful work with TQM. The focus is on how successful small organisations organise their TQM-related activities and components. The TQM implementations were sustained by approaches focusing on external and internal customers, where measurements of external customer satisfaction and employee development, involvement and satisfaction comprised common TQM components. The empirical findings also indicate that small organisations can reach, and sustain, a successful TQM implementation without a thorough and formal organisational structure for quality.
Supply chain performance issues in an automobile company: a SAP‐LAP analysis

Purpose – Supply chain performance is concerned with managing dependencies between various supply chain members and the joint efforts of all supply chain members to achieve mutually defined goals. There are various performance initiatives reported in the literature but these are often discussed in isolation. Information sharing, information technology, collaborative partnerships, and vendor management that help in improving the supply chain performance are some of the noteworthy initiatives. But there is a need to consider the supply chain in a holistic sense. The purpose of this paper is to analyze a case study of A1, a leading original equipment manufacturer in India, to throw light on the status of supply chain performance initiatives taken in its supply chain.Design/methodology/approach – A situation‐actor‐process (SAP)‐learning‐action‐performance (LAP) model has been applied for the case study of A1. The situation represents the present scenario of the organization. Actors are the participants, influ.
A vacuolar phosphate transporter essential for phosphate homeostasis in Arabidopsis

Significance Phosphate is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and inorganic phosphate (Pi) is stored largely in the vacuole of plant cells. Thus, vacuolar Pi maintains homeostasis of cytosolic Pi to ensure an optimal Pi supply for plants under variable Pi status in the soil. This study uncovered in Arabidopsis a vacuolar phosphate transporter, VPT1, that mediates vacuolar Pi sequestration. Lack of VPT1 caused growth defects under both low-Pi and high-Pi conditions, implicating VPT1 in plant adaptation to constantly changing Pi levels in the environment. This finding not only supplies a missing link in our understanding of vacuolar Pi storage and homeostasis, but also provides a new path for engineering crops that can better adapt to variable Pi availability in the soil. Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is stored in the vacuole, allowing plants to adapt to variable Pi availability in the soil. The transporters that mediate Pi sequestration into vacuole remain unknown, however. Here we report the functional characterization of Vacuolar Phosphate Transporter 1 (VPT1), an SPX domain protein that transports Pi into the vacuole in Arabidopsis. The vpt1 mutant plants were stunted and consistently retained less Pi than wild type plants, especially when grown in medium containing high levels of Pi. In seedlings, VPT1 was expressed primarily in younger tissues under normal conditions, but was strongly induced by high-Pi conditions in older tissues, suggesting that VPT1 functions in Pi storage in young tissues and in detoxification of high Pi in older tissues. As a result, disruption of VPT1 rendered plants hypersensitive to both low-Pi and high-Pi conditions, reducing the adaptability of plants to changing Pi availability. Patch-clamp analysis of isolated vacuoles showed that the Pi influx current was severely reduced in vpt1 compared with wild type plants. When ectopically expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana mesophyll cells, VPT1 mediates vacuolar influx of anions, including Pi, SO42−, NO3−, Cl−, and malate with Pi as that preferred anion. The VPT1-mediated Pi current amplitude was dependent on cytosolic phosphate concentration. Single-channel analysis showed that the open probability of VPT1 was increased with the increase in transtonoplast potential. We conclude that VPT1 is a transporter responsible for vacuolar Pi storage and is essential for Pi adaptation in Arabidopsis.
Evaluation of Datacasting in the Mobile Environment

Datacasting employs the excess bandwidth from digital television signals for use in one-way data transmission, and it is being used successfully for high-speed downloads at fixed locations. There is considerable interest in extending datacast usage to mobile users, although there are reception challenges in the mobile environment that can significantly impact system performance. To explore the feasibility of using datacasting in this environment, datacasting receivers and data logging equipment have been installed in 10 emergency vehicles to record performance characteristics over a wide range of operational conditions. Summary conclusions from that study are described in this paper along with details about the equipment used to make the test and the environmental factors that were found to have the greatest impact on system performance. The use of the low-speed (9600 baud) VHF, emergency-band data channel in conjunction with the datacast channel to provide two- way data transmission is also evaluated and discussed for the mobile environment.
When Market Information Constitutes Fields: Sensemaking of Markets in the Commercial Music Industry

In this paper we outline a key mechanism through which organizational fields are constituted. We suggest that in competitive fields, the market serves as a magnet around which groups of actors consolidate, and that cognition of markets occurs through the creation, distribution, and interpretation of a web of information about the "market. " To illustrate our theory, we present a case study of theBillboard music chart from the commercial music industry to show that changes in either scope, methodology, or political tone with which market information is presented can provide a major jolt to the participants' understanding of their field.
Exploring Algorithm Comprehension: Linking Proof and Program Code

An algorithm consists of the description of a process solving a well-defined problem and a chain of reasoning regarding one or more properties of this process, such as efficiency or correctness. Often, this chain of reasoning is presented as a formal proof. Understanding the links between this reasoning and the process is a critical task for understanding algorithm comprehension. In this article, we present results from a qualitative study in which we explored how and where links between parts of the process and parts of the chain of reasoning are established by a reader attempting to comprehend an algorithm. We relate our findings to research in program and proof comprehension and observe that the connection between process and reasoning introduces another dimension of comprehension not covered by previous work. We identify potential mechanisms in this comprehension process and derive suggestions for how to support comprehension when teaching algorithms.
Recommended minimal standards for description of new taxa of the genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related genera.

Minimal standards for the description of new cultivable strains that represent novel genera and species belonging to the genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related genera are proposed in accordance with Recommendation 30b of the Bacteriological Code (1990 Revision): the description of novel species should be based on phenotypic, genotypic and ecological characteristics to ensure a rich polyphasic characterization. Concerning genotypic characterization, in addition to DNA G+C content (mol%) data, the description should be based on DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH), 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and at least two housekeeping gene (e.g. hsp60 and recA) sequence similarities. DDH might not be needed if the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the closest known species is lower than 97 %. This proposal has been endorsed by members of the Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms of the International Committee on the Systematics of Prokaryotes.
Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptor targeted agents for prostate cancer

Introduction: Receptors for luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) are expressed on a variety of human cancer cells with relatively limited expression in normal tissues. The selective and persistent expression of these receptors in prostate cancer cells is the rationale for LHRH receptor targeted agents. With many agents in development and one entering early clinical study, it is important to be familiar with the concept of LHRH receptor targeting and the evidence supporting its use. Areas covered: This manuscript reviews the expression of LHRH receptors and the rationale for LHRH receptor targeted therapy in prostate cancer. Several different classes of agents targeting the LHRH receptor are discussed. The preclinical evidence supporting these agents is also reviewed and the clinical trial testing one of these agents is detailed. Expert opinion: LHRH receptor expression on prostate cancer cells has led to the rational design of many new compounds. The preclinical evidence is encouraging for these agents, which are in varying phases of development. AN-152 combines a modified LHRH agonist carrier with doxorubicin and is entering a Phase I–II clinical study.
An Analysis of the Journal Article Output of Irish-Based Economists, 1970 to 2001

This paper provides, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis of the journal article output of Irish-based economists over a thirty-year period. Using EconLit data, and supplementing where necessary, we provide details of the journals wherein Irish-based economists have published, provide details of the publishing histories of high volume publishers and discuss the evolving productivity profile of Irish-based economists. Our evidence shows that in general Irish-based economists have greatly increased the levels of output in the 1990s, but that this may have been at the expense of quality.
Details of human middle ear morphology based on micro‐CT imaging of phosphotungstic acid stained samples

A multitude of morphological aspects of the human middle ear (ME) were studied qualitatively and/or quantitatively through the postprocessing and interpretation of micro‐CT (micro X‐ray computed tomography) data of six human temporal bones. The samples were scanned after phosphotungstic acid staining to enhance soft‐tissue contrast. The influence of this staining on ME ossicle configuration was shown to be insignificant. Through postprocessing, the image data were converted into surface models, after which the approaches diverged depending on the topics of interest. The studied topics were: the ME ligaments; morphometric and mechanical parameters of the ossicles relating to inertia and the ossicular lever arm ratio; the morphology of the distal incus; the contact surface areas of the tympanic membrane (TM) and of the stapes footplate; and the thickness of the TM, round window of the cochlea, ossicle joint spaces, and stapedial annular ligament. Some of the resulting insights are relevant in ongoing discussions concerning ME morphology and mechanical functions, while other results provide quantitative data to add to existing data. All findings are discussed in the light of other published data and many are relevant for the construction of mechanical finite element simulations of the ME. J. Morphol. 276:1025–1046, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient mobile sensor authentication in smart home and WPAN

Currently, it is rapidly increasing convergence services based on various mobile devices with sensors like Smart Home. Specifically the mobility of the sensors in Smart Home merged with wireless sensor networks (WSN) brings security issues such as re-authentication and tracing the node movement. We extend our novel and efficient node authentication and key exchange protocol that support Irregular distribution. Compared with previous protocols, our protocol has only a third of communication and computational overhead. We expect our protocol to be the efficient solution that increases the lifetime of sensor network.
The direct torque control of the PMSG based windturbine with two level voltage source converter

This paper mainly focuses on the direct torque control (DTC) of the non-salient pole permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). In the article, the PMSG model is developed clearly in the detail mathematical equation. Most of the three-phase electrical system would be analyzed in the complex plane by Clarke direct transformation. Because of this transformation, the calculation become much easier and all the physical quantities, include the voltage, current, and flux are transformed into the space vector. By using the space vector, the conception of the DTC can easily be used to control the PMSG.
Open NLP based Refinement of Software Requirements

Software requirements are usually written in natural language (NL) or speech language which is asymmetric and irregular. This paper presents a suitable method for transforming user software requirement specifications (SRS) and business designs written in natural language into useful object oriented models. Here a neoteric approach is proposed to generate object oriented items from SRS. For NL processes like sentence detection, tokenization, parts of speech tagging and parsing of requirement specifications we incorporate an open natural language processing (OpenNLP) tool. It provides very relevant parts of speech (POS) tags. This parts of speech tagging of the SRS is quite useful for further identification of object oriented elements like classes, objects, attributes, relationships etc. After obtaining the required and relative information, Semantic Business Vocabulary and Rules (SBVR) are applied to identify and to extract the object oriented elements from the NL processed requirement specifications.
Eyewitnessing: The Uses of Images as Historical Evidence

Eyewitnessing evaluates the place of images among other kinds of historical evidence. By reviewing the many varieties of images by region, period and medium, and looking at the pragmatic uses of images (e.g. the Bayeux Tapestry, an engraving of a printing press, a reconstruction of a building), Peter Burke sheds light on our assumption that these practical uses are 'reflections' of specific historical meanings and influences. He also shows how this assumption can be problematic. Traditional art historians have depended on two types of analysis when dealing with visual imagery, iconography and iconology. Burke describes and evaluates these approaches, concluding that they are insufficient. Focusing instead on the medium as message and on the social contexts and uses of images, he discusses both religious images and political ones, also looking at images in advertising and as commodities. Ultimately, Burke's purpose is to show how iconographic and post-iconographic methods - psychoanalysis, semiotics, viewer response, deconstruction - are both useful and problematic to contemporary historians.
Stimulation of DNA Replication from the Polyomavirus Origin by PCAF and GCN5 Acetyltransferases: Acetylation of Large T Antigen

ABSTRACT The PCAF and GCN5 acetyltransferases, but not p300 or CBP, stimulate DNA replication when tethered near the polyomavirus origin. Replication stimulation by PCAF and GCN5 is blocked by mutational inactivation of their acetyltransferase domains but not by deletion of sequences that bind p300 or CBP. Acetylation of histones near the polyomavirus origin assembled into chromatin in vivo is not detectably altered by expression of these acetyltransferases. PCAF and GCN5 interact with polyomavirus large T antigen in vivo, PCAF acetylates large T antigen in vitro, and large T-antigen acetylation in vivo is dependent upon the integrity of the PCAF acetyltransferase domain. These data suggest replication stimulation occurs through recruitment of large T antigen to the origin and acetylation by PCAF or GCN5.
Ecopharmacovigilance: Current state, challenges, and opportunities in China

In a context of severe pharmaceutical pollution, “ecopharmacovigilance” (EPV) has been an area of novel interest. It aims to ensure that significant environmental issues associated with pharmaceuticals in the environment are identified in a timely way, and managed appropriately. EPV has become a research hotspot as a comprehensive and boundary science in Europe and North America, and regulatory requirements governing the comprehensive environmental risk assessment (ERA) of pharmaceuticals exist in these regions. A speedy Chinese pharmaceutical industry development and drug consumption, China should shoulder more international responsibility and contribute to the worldwide EPV. Compared to the west, EPV in China is in its infancy. We analyzed the current state of EPV-related practice in China and found that many efforts have been made by the Chinese government and specialists to control the ever-worsening environmental pharmaceutical pollution problems, including consummating related policies and regulations, revealing the occurrence and behavior of pharmaceutical residues in environment and developing new technologies to improve their removal performance. Besides, we posed some recommendations on appropriate EPV implementation that can be taken with China in future. These include, building perfect laws and regulation system on EPV, defining the evaluation index for EPV, continuing the clinical rational medication and the pharmaceutical take-back programs in China, popularizing the concept of EPV in China, and strengthening the policy-guided and scientific researches of EPV in pharmaceutical firms and academia.