Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Board configuration: are diverse boards better boards?

Purpose – The purpose of this research paper is to explore the proposition that diversifying the board in terms of gender, ethnicity or skill base may require consideration of the specific strategic environment of the organisation. The proposition arises from the question as to whether or not greater diversity in board configuration is desirable in certain circumstances and considers the group dynamics, skill mix and capabilities that are required by boards under different conditions of change and strategic complexity.Design/methodology/approach – The study examines the financial performance of New Zealand publicly listed companies over a five‐year period and focuses on changes in board composition, strategic activity and implications for corporate performance.Findings – The study finds limited support for the idea that board configuration, strategic context and corporate decision quality may be linked.Originality/value – This paper will be of particular value to those involved in the appointment of direc.
Engineered plant phosphorylase showing extraordinarily high affinity for various α‐glucan molecules

α‐Glucan phosphorylases are characterized by considerable difference in substrate specificities, even though the primary structures are well conserved among the enzymes from microorganisms, plants, and animals. The higher plant phosphorylase isozyme designated as type L exhibits low affinity for a large, highly branched glucan (glycogen), presumably due to steric hindrance caused by a unique 78‐residue insertion located beside the mouth of the active‐site cleft, whereas another isozyme without the insertion (designated as type H) shows very high affinity for both linear and branched glucans. Using the recombinant type L isozyme from potato tuber as a starting framework and aiming at altering its substrate specificity, we have genetically engineered the 78‐residue insertion and its flanking regions. Firstly, removal of the insertion and connection of the newly formed C‐ and N‐terminals yielded a totally inactive enzyme, although the protein was produced in Escherichia coli cells in a soluble form. Secondly, a chimeric phosphorylase, in which the 78‐residue insertion and its flanking regions are replaced by the corresponding region of the type H isozyme, has been shown to exhibit high affinity for branched glucans (Mori, H., Tanizawa, K., & Fukui, T., 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268, 5574–5581), but when two and four unconserved residues in the N‐terminal flanking region of the chimeric phosphorylase were mutated back to those of the type L isozyme, the resulting mutants showed significantly lowered affinity for substrates. Finally, a chimeric phosphorylase, in which a 112‐residue sequence of the rabbit muscle enzyme involving the glycogen‐storage site was substituted for the 78‐residue insertion and its flanking regions of the type L isozyme, showed extraordinarily high affinity for a variety of substrates including not only large, branched glucans but also small, linear ones.
Empirical analysis of monetary policy: croatia vs. Slovenia

This paper tries to explain empirical causation between the exports and the real exchange rate. The paper develops a simple model, the model is based on the relationship of exports to: real interest rates differential, foreign demand for domestic goods and real exchange rate. The paper then tests the model with the empirical data from Croatia and Slovenia. The empirical analysis in the paper finds: there is very limited relationship between real interest rates differentials, foreign demand and exports. However there is a strong relationship between exports and the real exchange rate. When empirically tested the model confirms the monetary policy of sliding exchange rate in Slovenia was vastly superior to the monetary policy of fixed exchange rate in Croatia .
Memory for emotional words in sentences: The importance of emotional contrast

Numerous researchers have demonstrated that emotional words are remembered better than neutral words. However, the effect has been attributed to factors other than emotion because it is somewhat fragile and influenced by variables such as the experimental designs employed. To investigate the role of emotion per se in memory for emotional words, negative-affect but low arousal emotional words were placed in sentence contexts that either activated high emotional meanings of the words (Shane died in his car last night.), or low emotional meanings of the words (Shane's old car died last night). The high-emotional contexts led to better memory than the low-emotional contexts, but only in mixed lists of emotional and neutral words. Additionally, the traditional emotional memory effect was also limited to mixed lists. The results are consistent with the idea that an emotional contrast is responsible for the emotional memory effect with low arousal emotional words.
Occupational Electromagnetic Fields and Leukemia and Brain Cancer: An Update to Two Meta-Analyses

Objective:To update past meta-analyses on occupational electromagnetic fields (EMF) and adult brain cancer and leukemia. Methods:We collected and evaluated all relevant 1993 to 2007 publications. Summary estimates were obtained using various weighting schemes. To explore sources of heterogeneity, study characteristics were examined using regression analysis. Results:Overall, for new studies, both brain cancer and leukemia showed small increases in risk estimates, 10% and 13%, respectively. Notably, pooled risk estimates were lower than in past meta-analyses, and leukemia subtypes showed no consistent pattern when past and present meta-analyses were compared. Conclusions:The lack of a clear pattern of EMF exposure and outcome risk does not support a hypothesis that these exposures are responsible for the observed excess risk. Findings were not sensitive to assumptions, influential studies, weighting schemes, publication bias, study characteristics, or funding source.
Secondary Structure and Tertiary Fold of the Birch Pollen Allergen Bet v 1 in Solution*

Bet v 1 is the major birch pollen allergen and therefore the main cause of type I allergies observed in early spring. It is composed of 159 amino acid residues adding up to a molecular mass of 17 kDa. We determined the secondary structure and tertiary fold of full-length Bet v 1 by NMR spectroscopy. Two- and three-dimensional NMR measurements suggest that Bet v 1 is a globular monomer in solution with a high content of well defined secondary structure. Of the total of 159 residues, 135 could be sequentially assigned, using an improved assignment strategy based mainly on heteronuclear experiments. An improved strategy for structure calculation revealed three helices and two β-sheets as major elements of secondary structure. The globular tertiary structure is mainly stabilized by two antiparallel β-sheets. The two helices at the C terminus are in accordance with the results from the solution structure of the chemically synthesized peptide Bet v 1-(125-154). This peptide is composed of two helices connected by a hinge. The structural features of Bet v 1 are highly similar to those found in the Ambrosia allergen Amb t V.
Unequivocal evidence supporting the segregated flow intestinal model that discriminates intestine versus liver first-pass removal with PBPK modeling.

Merits of the segregated flow model (SFM), highlighting the intestine as inert serosa and active enterocyte regions, with a smaller fractional (fQ < 0.3) intestinal flow (QI ) perfusing the enterocyte region, are described. Less drug in the circulation reaches the enterocytes due to the lower flow (fQ QI ) in comparison with drug administered into the gut lumen, fostering the idea of route-dependent intestinal removal. The SFM has been found superior to the traditional model (TM), which views the serosa and enterocytes totally as a well-mixed tissue perfused by 100% of the intestinal flow, QI . The SFM model is able to explain the lower extents of intestinal metabolism of enalapril, morphine and midazolam with i.v. vs. p.o. dosing. For morphine, the urine/bile ratio of the metabolite, morphine glucuronide MGurineMGbile for p.o. was 2.6× that of i.v. This was due to the higher proportion of intestinally formed morphine glucuronide, appearing more in urine than in bile due to its low permeability and greater extent of intestinal formation with p.o. administration. By contrast, the TM predicted the same MGurineMGbile for p.o. vs. i.v. The TM predicted that the contributions of the intestine:liver to first-pass removal were 46%:54% for both p.o. and i.v. The SFM predicted same 46%:54% (intestine:liver) for p.o. , but 9%:91% for i.v. By contrast, the kinetics of codeine, the precursor of morphine, was described equally well by the SFM- and TM-PBPK models, a trend suggesting that intestinal metabolism of codeine is negligible. Fits to these PBPK models further provide insightful information towards metabolite formation: available fractions and the fractions of hepatic and total clearances that form the metabolite in question. The SFM-PBPK model is useful to identify not only the presence of intestinal metabolism but the contributions of the intestine and liver for metabolite formation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A model to create high-tech start-ups from the academic environment: The case of Peking University (PKU) and Tsinghua University (THU)

The aim of this paper is to propose a feasible high-technology start-up model for Chinese universities through “university-industry linkages” by conducting analysis of Peking University (PKU) and Tsinghua University (THU). PKU and THU have created numerous high-tech start-ups based on knowledge transfer and intellectual patents’ application, thereby researching viable ways to drive the links between universities (academic results) and high-tech market (commercialization). At the micro-level, studying high-tech start-ups from academic environments, which expedite industrial application of newly developed knowledge, and at the regional level, high-tech start-ups from academic environments, which boost economic vitality, and establish regional innovation systems. And at the national level learning about high-tech start-ups from academic environments which improve technical contents thereby upgrading industrial structure. Key words: Peking University (PKU), Tsinghua University (THU), high-tech start-ups, China.
Age‐related changes in Brain T1 are correlated with iron concentration

Age‐related changes in brain T1 from 115 healthy subjects (range, 4.5–71.9 yr) were analyzed in relation to published regional brain iron concentration in cortex, caudate, putamen, and frontal white matter. The relaxation rate in these struc tures was linear with respect to iron concentration (P < 0.001). The iron relaxivity, k1 (s−1/mg iron/g wet weight), was much higher in cortex (5.5) and white matter (6.1) than in caudate (1.7) and putamen (1.0). These results are consistent with evidence that iron is an important factor in determining the relaxation properties of brain tissue. Iron relaxivity may reflect regional differences in the physical state of brain iron or in the interaction of brain iron with tissue water.
A new crosslayer architecture for service differentiation in Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper describes a new cross-layer architecture that supports service differentiation in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). In WSNs, sensor nodes are supposed to communicate using a random access method. We propose a mathematical model that combines parameters form network and MAC layers. We aim to estimate and to enhance the throughput of multi-hop WSNs and the stability of the forwarding queues used for real-time and best-effort traffic. We suppose in this paper that we have one single sink in the WSN and we study the impact of the probability of transmitting (real-time and best-effort traffic), density of sensor and hop count on the end-to-end throughput.
Modeling Expected Return on Defaultable Bonds

The literature on credit risk focuses on fitting bond prices and explaining yield spreads, while largely skirting the issue of expected return. The unique feature of credit risk, however, implies that the expected return on defaultable bonds is not synonymous with the (pre-default) price process as in the case of default-free bonds. The author examines the expected return on defaultable bonds using intensity-based credit risk models. It is shown that a defaultable bond's instantaneous expected return can be decomposed into three parts: a default-free component, a compensation for variations in default risk, and a compensation for investors' risk aversion toward the default event. The methodology for estimating these components and the practical difficulties one might encounter in this estimation are discussed. Easily extended to include a non-default component, this decomposition can enrich our understanding of many empirical observations concerning credit risk.
Exploring air travellers’ voluntary carbon-offsetting behaviour

This paper advances understanding of consumers who purchase voluntary carbon offsets (VCOs) for flights by profiling the socio-demographic characteristics of VCO purchasers in Australia and the UK and investigating their environmental attitudes and beliefs. Earlier research shows that there is confusion and lack of clarity around VCO schemes, yet small numbers of consumers continue to purchase them. Using an online panel survey of 502 respondents, this research considers whether those who purchase VCOs can be considered to be ecocentric, and whether they share a similar socio-demographic profile with those engaging in other forms of pro-environmental behaviour. The results suggest three groups: “Ecocentrics” (36%), “Middle of the Road” (31%) and “Anthropocentrics” (33%). While VCO purchasers appear to be ecocentric, not all ecocentric respondents purchased VCOs and, additionally, those who did purchase, appear to have a different socio-demographic profile from others engaging in pro-environmental behaviour. The study suggests that this segment of the flying public, already willing to contribute towards climate change mitigation, may be the best segment to target with behavioural change messages intended to encourage the structural changes in travel choices required to mitigate climate change. Earlier suggestions that older females are more likely to purchase VCOs are not supported.
An Expectation-Based Model of Web Search Behaviour

An important issue when evaluating a search tool is the satisfaction that is expressed by its users. While there are many factors that affect satisfaction, we believe that users' expectations affect their evaluation of a query's response, and in turn, their satisfaction. We validate this perspective by measuring individuals' expectation, judgement of response quality, and overall satisfaction for a set of queries. Our experiment indicates that, when responses are grouped according to whether they confirm or disconfirm users' expectations, expectation significantly correlates with both query response quality and user satisfaction. However, response quality better correlates with satisfaction than does expectation, suggesting that expectation is not the only factor that influences the determination of response quality.
The use of service channels by citizens in the Netherlands: implications for multi-channel management

Many governmental organizations are changing their service channel management strategies to multi-channel management. However, very few empirical studies exist that explore how these multi-channel strategies should be shaped. In this article we test a number of hypotheses on citizens' channel use behaviour and the determinants of this behaviour. Further, we take into account the differences between citizens with and without a personal computer. In our conclusions we call for multi-channel strategies that do not only incorporate the features of service channels and the front—back office integration, but also deal with personal characteristics and task characteristics. Further, digital divide issues still influence channel usage by citizens, so it is necessary to keep all channels open for citizens. Finally, our study reveals that multi-channelling is a very complex subject on which research is still in its infancy. Points for practitioners • Multi-channel management may benefit most from channel integration. • Channels have different characteristics that render them suitable for different (parts of) services. • Computer `have-nots' still rely on traditional service channels, so these should remain accessible.
Forecasting Tala-AUD and Tala-USD Exchange Rates with ANN

The focus of this paper is to construct daily time series exchange rate forecast models of Samoan Tala/USD and Tala/AUD during the year 2008 to 2012 with neural network The performance of the models was measured by using varies error functions such as Root Square mean error (RSME), Mean absolute error (MAE), and Mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Our empirical findings suggest that AR (1) model is an effective tool to forecast the Tala/USD and Tala/AUD.
Internationalisation of technological innovative capabilities: levels, types and speed (learning rates) in the electronics industry in Malaysia

This paper focuses on the internationalisation of innovative capability; not R&D and patenting capabilities or on production capabilities alone. It examines whether internationalisation of innovative activity has spread to firms in the electronics industry in Malaysia where Malaysia is among the world's largest exporters of semiconductor devices and 96.3% are foreign-owned. Conventional literature states that it has not occurred, as production outpost in countries like Malaysia are not technologically advanced and do not have the conditions in terms of skills and internal capabilities for this to occur. If there is evidence to the contrary, how long did this take? To operationalise key concepts, the paper has developed a comprehensive classification to measure technological capabilities of firms in the electronics industry and learning rates (speed) using the historical timeline of firms. The analysis of TNC subsidiaries and local firms shows that internationalisation of innovative capabilities has occurred to some extent.
Endotoxin-induced acute lung injury is dependent upon oxidative response

The aim of the present study was to investigate the involvement of oxidative stress in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its effects upon cell structure, function and inflammation. In total, 108 male C57BL/6 mice were divided into seven groups: CTR Group (50 µL of saline) administered intratracheally (i.t.), LPS 6 h (10 µg of LPS − i.t.), LPS 12 h (10 µg of LPS − i.t.), LPS 24 h (10 µg of LPS − i.t.), LPS 48 h (10 µg of LPS − i.t.), LPS 24 h (10 µg − i.t.) + NAC 40 mg/kg (gavage) and 24 h LPS (10 µg − i.t.) + NAC 100 mg/kg (gavage). The antioxidant treatment protected the lungs from stress in the first 12 h, but significant oxidative stress induction was observed at the 24-hour time point, and, after 48 h, there was no protection exerted by the antioxidant treatment. NAC (N-acetylcysteine) reversed the elastance parameters, and ΔP1 and ΔP2 compared with 24 h LPS alone. NAC reduced the number of inflammatory cells in histology analysis when compared with the 24 h LPS alone-treated group. NAC also inhibited the transcription of NFκB, IL-6, TNF-α and COX2 usually induced by LPS. Our results suggest that oxidative stress plays an important role in structural, functional and inflammatory responses in the ALI model.
The Cytological Identification of the Chromosome Associated with the R-G Linkage Group in ZEA MAYS.

This article, co-authored by McClintock, expanded on her 1929 paper in the "Journal of Heredity. " In it, she noted some of her observations of trisomics (the presence of an extra chromosome) that would evolve into her oft-cited 1931 paper with Harriet Creighton.
The regulation of competence transcription factor synthesis constitutes a critical control point in the regulation of competence in Bacillus subtilis

comK, which encodes the competence transcription factor, is itself transcriptionally activated at the transition from exponential growth to stationary phase in Bacillus subtilis. MecA, a negative regulator of competence, also inhibits comK transcription when overexpressed, and a mecA null mutation results in comK overexpression. Although null mutations in mecA, as well as in another gene, mecB, are known to bypass the requirements for nearly all of the competence regulatory genes, the comK requirement is not suppressed by mecA inactivation. Various competence regulatory genes (comA, srfA, degU, abrB, sin, and spo0A) are shown to be required for the expression of comK. srfA transcription is shown to occur equally in cells destined for competence and those destined not to become competent. In contrast, comK transcription is restricted to the presumptive competent cells. These and other results are combined to describe a regulatory pathway for competence.
Comparing the Distribution of Top Incomes Across Countries

Comparing the distribution of top incomes across countries raises many methodological problems, including differences in tax legislation and in tax avoidance, the definition of the income unit, and the definition of a control total for income. The paper considers the significance of these problems in three applications: comparing top income shares at a point in time, analysing the extent of convergence or divergence over time, and setting national changes in the context of the world distribution of income. (JEL: D31) Copyright (c) 2005 The European Economic Association.
Using revenue from an energy tax to finance social security: a dynamic general equilibrium model for Switzerland

A substantial increase in the dependency ratio due to both population ageing and low economic growth will put pressure on social security systems. This paper analyses an ecological tax reform that uses revenues from an energy tax to finance reductions in either the wage or the value added tax. The simulation results based on a dynamic general equilibrium model for Switzerland show that increasing energy prices by 50% or 100% will substantially lower energy use, while decreasing the efficiency of the fiscal system only slightly. Furthermore, it turns out that the effects do not differ when an increase in the VAT substitutes part of the social security payroll tax.
Soil Biodiversity and the Environment

Soils represent a significant reservoir of biological diversity that underpins a broad range of key processes and moderate ecosystem service provision. Our understanding of the role that soil organisms play in ecosystems is still developing, but the increased investigation into biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in soils over the past couple of decades has provided insights that have greatly enhanced our ability to sustainably manage soil biodiversity. In this review, we synthesize emerging knowledge of soil biodiversity as a natural resource that supports the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems and their delivery of ecosystem services. We explore how environmental changes alter soil biodiversity and how this in turn can affect ecosystem processes as well as resistance and resilience to environmental changes. We then discuss ways to include soil biodiversity in management strategies for sustainable production and biodiversity conservation. We conclude by highlighting key research challenge.