Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The objectives of financial reporting: a historical survey and analysis

This article is a survey and analysis of the succession of writings on the objectives of financial reporting during the past 90 years. Its aim is to contribute towards an understanding of the origins, significance, and limitations of conceptual frameworks. The article begins with a review of the extensive literature, including the series of recommended and approved conceptual frameworks, in the USA and then proceeds to examine the corresponding literatures in Great Britain, Canada, and Australia, followed by a discussion of the framework issued by the International Accounting Standards Committee in 1989 and Chapters 1 and 3 of the framework issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and Financial Accounting Standards Board in 2010. Summary remarks about Continental Europe conclude the survey. Attention is drawn to the criticisms of the objectives approach as well as to its possible perverse consequences for the remainder of the framework. In the course of the survey, there is an attempt to trace the evolution of stewardship and conservatism, or prudence, in the series of frameworks.
Magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI)

We report our theoretical and experimental investigations on a new imaging modality, magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI). In MAT-MI, the sample is located in a static magnetic field and a time-varying (µs) magnetic field. The time-varying magnetic field induces an eddy current in the sample. Consequently, the sample will emit ultrasonic waves by the Lorentz force. The ultrasonic signals are collected around the object to reconstruct images related to the electrical impedance distribution in the sample. MAT-MI combines the good contrast of electrical impedance tomography with the good spatial resolution of sonography. MAT-MI has two unique features due to the solenoid nature of the induced electrical field. Firstly, MAT-MI could provide an explicit or simple quantitative reconstruction algorithm for the electrical impedance distribution. Secondly, it promises to eliminate the shielding effects of other imaging modalities in which the current is applied directly with electrodes. In the theoretical part, we provide formulae for both the forward and inverse problems of MAT-MI and estimate the signal amplitude in biological tissues. In the experimental part, the experimental setup and methods are introduced and the signals and the image of a metal object by means of MAT-MI are presented. The promising pilot experimental results suggest the feasibility of the proposed MAT-MI approach.
Quantification of the effectiveness of laboratory diagnostics of rabies using classical and molecular-genetic methods

In comparative experiments the diagnostic effectiveness of four methods of laboratory diagnostics of rabies – the mouse intracerebral inoculation test (MICIT, MIT), the rabies tissue culture infection test (RTCIT), the rapid rabies enzyme immune diagnosis test (RREID) and a molecular-genetic method, the nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nRT-PCR) – was quantified by the titration of serial dilutions of brain viral suspensions. The threshold value of the tests, i.e., the highest dilution of a specimen, which the method used is able to detect as a positive one, was determined. Further advantages and disadvantages of the tested methods were compared as well. Experimental optimization of procedures for RNA extraction was carried out and the optimum primer for RNA transcription to cDNA was selected. The RREID method was carried out in two variants: detection of the rabies antigen in a clarified (centrifugated) as well as in a non-clarified (noncentrifugated) brain suspension. In the experiments three autochthonous street isolates of rabies virus (in the form of primary isolates) were used; they had been isolated from naturally infected red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and a lynx (Lynx lynx). The results of comparative experiments revealed a relative correlation of the diagnostic effectiveness of standard methods (MICIT and RTCIT), with standard MICIT being the more sensitive one, RTCIT however having several other advantages (among others the speed of performance) and thus being preferred. For quantitative comparison of diagnostic effectiveness two other methods (RREID and nRT-PCR) were examined in that street isolates of rabies virus, which revealed the highest titer a�er titration by MICIT and RTCIT. The sensitivity of the RREID method proved to be rather low. If used with noncentrifugated brain suspensions this method may yield nonspecific reactions. If compared particularly with RREID the nRT-PCR is characterized by a considerably higher diagnostic effectiveness. The sensitivity of nRT-PCR is not affected by preliminary clarification of the brain suspension. The reverse primer N12 seems to be more suitable for transcription of the extracted RNA to cDNA than random hexamers.
Lopinavir/Ritonavir Plus Nevirapine as a Nucleoside-Sparing Approach in Antiretroviral-Experienced Patients (NEKA Study)

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of a nucleoside-sparing approach with a conventional highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen in antiretroviral-experienced patients with prolonged viral suppression. Methods: Pilot study including 31 antiretroviral-experienced patients with HIV RNA <80 copies/mL. Subjects were randomly assigned to lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/rtv) 400/100 mg BID plus nevirapine (NVP) 200 mg BID (NVP group, n = 16) or LPV/rtv plus the 2 previous NRTIs (NRTI group, n = 15). The primary endpoint was the percentage of subjects who maintained viral suppression at week 48. Changes in lipid metabolism, mitochondrial parameters, and LPV trough levels were also assessed. Results: All patients maintained viral suppression after 48 weeks. No subject discontinued therapy because of adverse events. HDL cholesterol increased by 28% at week 24 (P < 0.0001) and 10% after 48 weeks of follow-up (P = 0.319) in the NVP group. In the NRTI group, LDL cholesterol increased by 14% at week 48 (P = 0.076). Mitochondrial DNA/nuclear DNA ratio and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV activity showed a trend toward increasing in the NVP group. Mean (SD) LPV trough levels were 6340 (2129) ng/mL in the NRTI group and 5161 (2703) ng/mL in the NVP group (P = 0.140). Conclusions: In antiretroviral-experienced subjects with sustained viral suppression, dual therapy with NVP plus LPV/rtv at standard dosage was as potent and safe as standard-of-care HAART at 48 weeks of follow-up. This approach may reduce mitochondrial toxicity and improve LPV/rtv-associated lipid abnormalities. The results of this pilot study support the study of this approach in a larger, randomized trial.
Design of digital PID controller with gain planning based on CMAC

Presents the development of a proportional integral derivative (PID) digital controller with gain planning based on the (CMAC) cerebellar model articulation controller. This digital controller operates in closed loop and has a dynamic gain adjustment. The control strategy uses an algorithm that calculates the proportional, integral and derivative parcels. This algorithm provides the soft start requirements. Both, the gain planning and the soft start requirements, uses auxiliary variables to determine an appropriate and dynamic setup of the digital controller. These auxiliary variables impose several restrictions on the digital controller and this one must have adaptive characteristics. The artificial neural network is used to estimate these auxiliary variables. The learning process depends on the data acquisition or the mathematical model simulations. The digital controller can operate in real-time conditions and the sample frequency can reach 10 kHz.
Economic Geography & Deportation∗

I study the long-run economic effects of a policy of deporting undocumented immigrants. To evaluate such a policy, I develop a dynamic spatial growth model featuring migration, endogenous innovation, and economic geography. Using this framework, I simulate various deportation policy scenarios for the United States and quantify gains and losses in welfare and real wages, both in the aggregate and across states. From these results, I conclude that a policy of deporting undocumented immigrants leads to small increases in welfare and real wages of US workers but that these gains do not persist into the long run.
The Economics of Minimum Wage Legislation Revisited

In his seminal article “The Economics of Minimum Wage Legislation” (1946) George Stigler used what are now standard resource misallocationand loss ofemployment arguments to criticize the minimum wage. He wrote (1946: 358): The minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 have been repealed by inflation. Many voices are now taking up the cry for a higher minimum. The popular objective of minimum wage legislation—the elimination of extreme poverty— is not seriously debatable. The important questions are rather: (1) Does such legislation diminish poverty? (2) Are there efficient alternatives? Some readers will probably know my answers already (“no” and “yes,” respectively); it is distressing how often one can guess the answer given to an economic question merely by knowing who asks it.
Capitalized Intangibles and Financial Analysts

We examine whether firms that capitalize a higher proportion of their underlying intangible assets have higher analyst following, lower dispersion of analysts’ earnings forecasts and more accurate earnings forecasts relative to firms that capitalize a lower proportion. Under Australian generally accepted accounting principles, capitalization of intangible assets has become increasingly ‘routine’ since the late 1980s. It is predicted that this experience leads Australian analysts to expect firms with relatively more certain intangible investments to signal this fact by capitalizing intangible assets. Our results are consistent with this. We find that capitalization of intangible assets is associated with higher analyst following and lower absolute earnings forecast error for firms with a stock of underlying intangible assets. Our tests suggest a weaker association between capitalization and lower earnings forecast dispersion. We conclude that there are benefits for analysts, for management to have the option to capitalize intangible assets. These findings suggest that IAS 38 Intangible Assets and AASB 138 Intangible Assets reduce the usefulness of financial statements.
Beta-aescin: A potent natural inhibitor of proliferation and inducer of apoptosis in human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells in vitro

Beta-aescin, a natural triterpenoid saponin isolated from the seed of Chinese horse chestnut (Aesculus chinensis), is known to generate a wide variety of biochemical and pharmacological effects. In the present study, the authors investigated the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of beta-aescin in human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cell line in vitro. The anti-proliferative effects were detected by CFU-K562 colony formation and cell viability assay. The apoptotic effects were analysed by morphological analysis, annexin V assay, DNA fragmentation assay and flow cytometry DNA content analysis. The results showed that beta-aescin exhibited potent dose- and time-dependent anti-proliferative effects in K562 cells. Morphological evidence of apoptosis, a significant increase of annexin V+ and PI− cells (early apoptotic) and apoptotic DNA fragmentation, were observed in cells treated with beta-aescin. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that beta-aescin could lead to an accumulation of sub G1 population in K562 cells, and suggesting a potential G1 phase accumulation in cell cycle profile of K562 cells. Our findings revealed that beta-aescin is a potent natural inhibitor of proliferation and inducer of apoptosis in K562 cells, and beta-aescin may be a candidate lead compound to explore potential antileukemia drugs.
Fundamental Analysis of Receivables and Bad Debt Reserves

This paper (1) identifies factors that influence changes in accounts receivable and bad debt reserves and (2) measures the relation between unexpected changes in the ratio of total accounts receivable-to-sales and the ratio of bad debt reserves-to-sales, and (3) estimates the relation between changes in the accounts receivable-to-sales ratio and the bad debt reserve-to-receivables ratio and changes in future earnings. The results show that extreme changes in both ratios are signals of declining future performance when the firm is currently profitable and are signals of better future performance when the firm is currently unprofitable. Relatively large changes in these ratios signify changes in a company’s receivable credit policy, which in turn signal changes in a company’s economic outlook. These findings are important because previous studies examining the impact of current unexpected changes in accounts receivable or bad debt reserves on future earnings and stock returns sometimes report contradictory or inconsistent results. Data Availability: Publicly available.
What Determines the Legal Quality of Bank Regulation and Supervision?

"This article has two contributions. First, using the methodology of Neyapti and Dincer, it provides measures of legal quality of bank regulation and supervision (RS) for a new set of developed and less-developed countries. Second, it investigates the determinants of RS in view of the hypothesis that the existing institutional environment matters for the quality of formal institutions such as banking laws. The empirical evidence in this article demonstrates that past financial crises and prevailing levels of both financial market development and foreign direct investment inflows affect RS beyond and above the effects of other potential factors, such as macroeconomic performance and good governance. Evidence from transition economies also supports these findings. "("JEL "E44, G2, K29, O1) Copyright (c) 2008 Western Economic Association International.
Classification of Trabecular Bone Texture from RMI and CT Scan Images by Multi Resolution Analysis

Although bone mineral density measurements constitute one of the main clinical indicators of osteoporosis, we know that bone fragility risk is also related to deteriorations of osseous architecture. Medical imagery constitutes one means to appreciate in vivo bone screen, what is particularly important in tracking of the osteoporosis. This paper presents a method of bone textural RMI and CT scanner classification, based on the use of mulfifractal analysis by the WTMM-2d method, we propose the choice of three features to realize these images classification: the Holder exponents average at the peaks of Legendre spectrums, the wavelet transform skeleton density by pixel, and gradients directions variance. The preliminary results of 40 images directly resulting from two medical imaging (RMI and CT scan), prove to be interesting since 90% of cases are well estimated, and two classes instantaneous clustering of the results (one healthy patient class and one osteoporotic patient class) quite separate.
IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIC MISSIONS: EFFECTIVE STRATEGIC, STRUCTURAL AND TACTICAL CHOICES

This article describes a study of the impact of strategic mission on the relationships between firm performance and selected strategic, structural, and tactical variables. Moderated regression analysis and subgroup analysis were used to analyse data collected from 91 advanced technology manufacturing companies. Results indicate that firms with build-oriented strategic missions, relative to those with more hold- and harvest-oriented strategic missions, performed better when they: (1) adopted entrepreneurial strategic postures; (2) had organic organization structures; (3) offered relatively low product prices; (4) employed relatively large sales forces; (5) offered relatively generous customer credit; and (6) offered relatively broad product lines. On the other hand, firms with hold- and harvest-oriented strategic missions, relative to those with more build-oriented strategic missions, performed better when they emphasized R&D activity geared toward the development and refinement of existing products. Strategic mission did not moderate the effectiveness of the firms’advertising expenditures or their new product development activity.
Compact Rat-Race Hybrid Coupler Implemented Through Artificial Left Handed and Right Handed Lines

In this work, a rat-race hybrid coupler based on left handed (LH) and right handed (RH) lines implemented by means of complementary split rings resonators (CSRRs) is designed and fabricated for the first time. The three 90deg transmission lines of the conventional device are replaced by RH artificial lines consisting on the combination of a CSRR and a shunt connected stub; the 270deg line is substituted by a -90deg LH line, where a CSRR is combined with a series gap. The resulting device is three times smaller than the conventional rat-race, the artificial lines do not include lumped elements, and device performance is good. Since dispersion in the artificial lines forming the device can be tailored, excellent characteristics in terms of phase-balance are obtained. These artificial lines can be applied to other microwave components. Size reduction and performance improvement are the key issues.
A Study of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone for the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Preliminary Report

ObjectiveTo determine whether thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) can increase muscle strength in children with spinal muscular atrophy types 2 and 3. DesignA randomized, double-blinded, controlled, 5-wk drug trial of six subjects and three controls. Subjects and controls ranged from 4 to 8 yr of age and were randomly assigned to treatment and placebo groups in a ratio of 2:1. TRH (protirelin) or placebo was delivered intravenously through percutaneous intravenous catheters at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg (in 50 ml of normal saline) for a total of 29 days. Patients were evaluated using electromyography and handheld dynamometry of the deltoids, biceps, triceps, wrist extensors, hip flexors, quadriceps, hamstrings, and grip strength before and immediately after 5 wk of treatment. A unidirectional t test was used to compare mean values. ResultsDynamometry improved significantly only for the six treated subjects (P < 0.02). Peroneal nerve conduction velocities were significantly faster in the treatment group (paired t test, P = 0.036). The parents of the treated children also provided anecdotal evidence of improvements in function. Improvements lasted 6–12 mo. ConclusionsTRH may be a useful treatment for spinal muscular atrophy. A larger, crossover design group comparison study is warranted.
Towards Best or Better Practice in Corporate Leadership Development: Operational Issues in Mode 2 and Design Science Research

The research reported here was part of a UK government initiative to improve management and leadership capability. Corporate leadership development was one element of this initiative. The researchers, also the authors of this paper, were tasked with developing a best practice guide in leadership development. The aim was to establish current best UK corporate practice in order to inform similar organizations striving to improve their approach to leadership development. The aim of this paper is to present the findings of this inquiry as an example of Mode 2 research, i.e. that which is co-produced with practitioners in a rigorous yet actionable way. The paper addresses operational issues by exploring the tensions inherent in Mode 2 research and makes some additions to previous literature on conducting Mode 2 research. It introduces the notion of technological rules derived from the concept of management research as design science, which enables the authors to articulate the way in which output can be developed in a form readily acceptable to end users of Mode 2 research. Actionable research products and accompanying dissemination issues are proposed as central operational concerns for Mode 2 research.
Craniofacial Surgery and Adverse Outcomes

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate factors contributing to medical negligence relevant to craniofacial surgery. Methods: Retrospective analysis of verdict and settlement reports on the Westlaw legal database for outcome, awards, physician defendants, and other specific factors raised in malpractice litigation. Results: Of 42 verdicts and settlement reports included, 52.4% were resolved with either an out-of-court settlement or plaintiff verdict, with aggregate payments totaling $50.1M (in 2013 dollars). Median settlements and jury-awarded damages were $988 000 and $555 000, respectively. Payments in pediatric cases ($1.2M) were significantly higher. Plastic surgeons, oral surgeons, and otolaryngologists were the most commonly named defendants. The most common alleged factors included intraoperative negligence (69.0%), permanent deficits (54.8%), requiring additional surgery (52.4%), missed/delayed diagnosis of a complication (42.9%), disfigurement/scarring (28.6%), postoperative negligence (28.6%), and inadequate informed consent (20.6% of surgical cases). Failure to diagnose a fracture (19.0%) and cleft-reparative procedures (14.3%) were the most frequently litigated entities. Conclusion: Medical negligence related to craniofacial surgery involves plaintiffs in a wide age range as well as physician defendants in numerous specialties, and proceedings resolved with settlement and plaintiff verdict involve substantial payments. Cases with death, allegedly permanent injuries, and pediatric plaintiffs had significantly higher payments.
The sensitivity of DSGE models’ results to data detrending

This paper aims to shed light on potential pitfalls of different data filtering and detrending procedures for the estimation of stationary DSGE models. For this purpose, a medium-sized New Keynesian model as the one developed by Smets and Wouters (2003) is used to assess the sensitivity of the structural estimates to preliminary data transformations. To examine the question, we focus on two widely used detrending and filtering methods, the HP filter and linear detrending. After comparing the properties of business cycle components, we estimate the model through Bayesian techniques using in turn the two different sets of transformed data. Empirical findings show that posterior distributions of structural parameters are rather sensitive to the choice of detrending. As a consequence, both the magnitude and the persistence of theoretical responses to shocks depend upon preliminary filtering.
Long‐Term Market Overreaction or Biases in Computed Returns?

The authors show that the returns to the typical long-term contrarian strategy implemented in previous studies are upwardly biased because they are calculated by cumulating single-per iod (monthly) returns over long intervals. The cumulation process not on ly cumulates "true" returns but also the upward bias in single-period reutrns induced by measurement errors. The authors also show that the remaining "true" returns to loser or winner firms have no relation to overreaction. This study has important implicati ons for event studies that use cumulative returns to assess the impact o f information events. Copyright 1993 by American Finance Association.