Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Tide of Cash: Corporate Governance and the Management of Large Cash Windfalls

In this paper we revisit the contentious issue of whether corporate governance arrangements influence corporate cash holdings. We use the exogenous cash windfalls in the oil industry during the 2000s to test the power of three governance dimensions (managerial entrenchment, board independence and ownership) in explaining differences in cash management policies. Between 2000 and 2008 the oil price successively reached new record levels, and by 2008 its yearly average had increased by more than 200% compared to the 2000-2003 period, resulting in substantial cash windfalls in oil firms. We document that firms with a classified board have higher cash holdings. They also return less money to shareholders through share repurchases and have lower investment rates. Importantly, the tendencies to underinvest and withhold share repurchases got stronger over time as the cash windfalls materialized in the industry. In the years 2007-2008, when oil prices and share repurchases peaked, firms with a classified board engaged less in repurchases and increased cash holdings compared to other firms. Classifiedboard firms also exhibit a higher cash-sensitivity to lagged windfalls. Overall, the analysis in this paper provides strong support for the managerial risk aversion-theory of excess cash holdings, and suggests that a classified board is the key governance-characteristic associated with a conservative cash management policy.
Capital Regulation for Position Risk in Banks, Securities Firms and Insurance Companies

We examine why these regulatory differences exist and what they imply for differences in minimum capital requirements for position risk. We consider differences in the definition and measurement of regulatory capital and we quantify differences in the capital charges for position risk by reference to a model portfolio that contains a variety of financial instruments including equity, fixed income instruments, swaps, foreign exchange positions, and options - instruments that may appear in the portfolios of securities firms, banks or insurance companies. For most leading firms in the financial services industry, however, market forces, not minimum regulatory capital requirements, appear to play the dominant role in firms' capital decisions. Thus we conclude by considering measures to enhance market discipline.
Diagnosis of Speed Sensor Failure in Induction Motor Drive

A large number of adjustable - speed drives in industry and emerging applications such as automotive (EV or HEV) require high dynamic performances, robustness against parameter variation and also reliability, parameter detuning and mechanical speed sensor faults lead to a deterioration of the performances and even to instability, therefore condition monitoring is becoming mandatory in those sensitive applications. the objective of this contribution is to study the feasibility of detection and diagnosis of the mechanical speed sensor faults in an induction motor drive, using knowledge of the motor condition, the proposed technique based on fuzzy logic is applied to discriminate load and parameter variations from the speed sensor faults, both simulation and experimental results are presented in terms of accuracy in the detection of speed sensor faults and knowledge extraction feasibility.
Theoretical and practical aspects of multiple samples correlation power analysis

There is more than one sample in a power trace, corresponding to the process of the target intermediate value, which are known as interesting points. One can exploit the power leakages at multiple samples to recover the secret key used by the crypto device, and that is the idea of multiple samples correlation power analysis (MSCPA). Considering that the leakage exploitation of MSCPA is more efficient than that of correlation power analysis (CPA), the power of MSCPA should be stronger than that of CPA. We theoretically prove and practically verify this fact. Theoretically, we show the advantage of MSCPA over CPA in terms of the correct key distinguishing level. We show that compared with CPA, MSCPA enlarges the gap between the correlation coefficient computed under the correct key and the correlation coefficients computed under wrong key guesses, which makes the correct key easier to be distinguished. Practically, we evaluate the performance of MSCPA in real scenarios. Using power traces provided by DPA Contest v2 and v4.1, we compare the key-recovery efficiency of MSCPA with that of CPA. Experimental results show that compared with CPA, MSCPA can reach a higher key-recovery efficiency in the same scenario. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk Classification in Insurance Contracting

Risk classification refers to the use of observable characteristics by insurers to group individuals with similar expected claims, compute the corresponding premiums, and thereby reduce asymmetric information. An efficient risk classification system generates premiums that fully reflect the expected cost associated with each class of risk characteristics. This is known as financial equity. In the health sector, risk classification is also subject to concerns about social equity and potential discrimination. We present different theoretical frameworks that illustrate the potential trade-off between efficient insurance provision and social equity. We also review empirical studies on risk classification and residual asymmetric information.
A framework for the study of access to medical care.

Abstract Definitions and aspects of the concept of access to medical care are reviewed and integrated into a framework that views health policy as designed to affect characteristics of the health care delivery system and of the population at risk in order to bring about changes in the utilization of health care services and in the satisfaction of consumers with those services. Indicators are suggested for the measurement of the various relevant aspects of access, with the system and population descriptors seen as process indicators and utilization and satisfaction as outcome indicators in a theoretical model of the access concept.
Molecular cloning of the outJ gene involved in pectate lyase secretion by Erwinia chrysanthemi

The phytopathogenic enterobacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi secretes a number of enzymes involved in plant‐tissue degradation, notably the five isoenzymes of pectate lyase. We have cloned a region involved in pectate lyase and cellulase secretion by complementation of non‐secretory outJ mutants of E. chrysanthemi strain 3937 using the RP4::miniMu plasmid pULB110. The cloned region maps near the ade‐22 marker on the E. chrysanthemi 3937 chromosome. An R‐prime containing a chromosomal DNA insert of about 30 kb was first obtained; subcloning into pBR325 permitted the isolation of a 4 kb Cial/Sspl fragment able to complement outJ mutations in E. chrysanthemi. The isolation of phoA fusions in this fragment allowed us to determine the direction of transcription of the encoding region, which extends over about 2.5 kb, and demonstrate that this region encodes exported protein(s). When the TnphoA insertions were transferred back into E. chrysanthemi chromosome, the recombined strains no longer secreted pectate lyases or cellulases. Identification of the products encoded by the Cial/Sspl fragment demonstrated that oufJ encodes an 83 kD polypeptide which is processed to an 81 kD polypeptide by cleavage of a signal sequence. The cloned DNA fragment did not endow Escherichia coli with the ability to secrete pectate lyases.
New Oscillation Circuit Discovered in Switching-Mode Power Supplies

A new oscillation circuit has been discovered in switching-mode power supply (SMPS) circuits and is presented for the first time. The new oscillation circuit naturally exists in various SMPS, generates electric oscillation, and, as a result, causes high radiation noise. Small-signal analysis of the new oscillation circuit model was executed and analytical solutions of the oscillation criterion have been derived. Experimental measurements of the oscillation frequency in various circuits showed good agreement with the analytical solutions and proved the applicability of the new oscillation circuit model to SMPS circuits. Guideline for designing high-efficiency and low-noise SMPS is demonstrated together with guideline for designing low-loss and low-noise power MOSFET.
Phase diagram for a class of spin- 1 2 Heisenberg models interpolating between the square-lattice, the triangular-lattice, and the linear-chain limits

We study the spin-1/2 Heisenberg models on an anisotropic two-dimensional lattice which interpolates between the square lattice at one end, a set of decoupled spin chains on the other end, and the triangular-lattice Heisenberg model in between. By series expansions around two different dimer ground states and around various commensurate and incommensurate magnetically ordered states, we establish the phase diagram for this model of a frustrated antiferromagnet. We find a particularly rich phase diagram due to the interplay of magnetic frustration, quantum fluctuations, and varying dimensionality. There is a large region of the usual two-sublattice Neel phase, a three-sublattice phase for the triangular-lattice model, a region of incommensurate magnetic order around the triangular-lattice model, and regions in parameter space where there is no magnetic order. We find that the incommensurate ordering wave vector is in general altered from its classical value by quantum fluctuations. The regime of weakly coupled chains is particularly interesting and appears to be nearly critical. [S0163-1829(99)10421-1].
The Rise and Fall of the Copy Point

The extent to which advertisers choose to make more or less use of “informative copy”, or “copy points”, as a communicative and persuasive technique, represents a model of how an advertisement will work. With changing media technology, changing popular culture, and changing advertising fashions, it might be expected that models of effective advertising would change over time. Such changes would be reflected in the use of “copy points” in advertisements. Using a variant on the methodology developed by Resnik and Stern, extends research on the information content of advertising copy through a study of magazine advertisements over a period of 40 years. The number of copy points contained in an advertisement rose steadily from 1953 until the late 1970s. In the 1980s this trend was reversed, with the number of copy points falling sharply to below the 1953 level. While the observed fall in copy point level in the 1980s was expected, the long prior period of increase was not and may go some way to explain why th.
Piezotronics and piezo-phototronics based on a-axis nano/microwires: fundamentals and applications

One-dimensional semiconductors with wurtzite structure, such as GaN, ZnO and CdS nano/microwires, exhibit superior semiconductor, piezoelectric and mechanical properties, making them excellent candidates for novel electronic, opto-electronic devices and integrated systems. More importantly, the coupling between piezoelectric polarization and semiconductor properties (including electric transport and photoexcitation) gives rise to unique and unprecedented physical characteristics and has led to emerging fields of piezotronics and piezo-phototronics. On the basis of the extensive studies in c-axis semiconductor nano/microwires, piezotronics and piezo-phototronics based on a-axis nano/microwires have further been explored and demonstrated recently. We review both the fundamental progresses and developed applications of piezotronics and piezo-phototronics based on a-axis nano/microwires, which further improve the theoretical framework and expand the practical applications of piezotronics and piezo-phototronics in functional nanodevices and nanosystems.
HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis.

While the incidence of cryptococccal meningitis in thedeveloped world has declined with widespread, earlyantiretroviraltherapy(ART),cryptococcaldiseaseremainsa major opportunistic infection and leading cause ofmortality in patients infected with HIV in much of thedeveloping world. Most HIV-related cases are caused byCryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (serotype A), while var.neoformans (serotype D) is responsible for a proportion,especially in Europe, and there are a small number ofCryptococcus gatti infections (formerly C. neoformansserotypes B and C) [1,2]. The last includes a small numberof cases in HIV-infected individuals forming part of anunprecedented outbreak of C. gattii infections, predomi-nantly in apparently immunocompetent patients, onVancouver Island, Canada [3,4]. C. neoformans is distributed worldwide. An ubiquitousenvironmental saphrophyte, it is found in soil contami-nated with pigeon droppings and has also been isolatedfrom the heartwood of several tree species in SouthAmerica [5] and India [6], and from the homes of AfricanHIV-seropositivepatients[7,8]. Exposuremaybecommon[9], although the exact circumstances are usually unclear.Inhalation of small, thinly encapsulated yeasts, orbasidiospores [10], may lead to an initial pulmonaryinfection,which,dependingonhostimmuneresponseandthe number and virulence of the organisms, is cleared,contained within granulomata as a latent infection ordisseminates. The minority in whom disease disseminatestypically have defects in T cell function, throughmalignancy,immunosuppressivemedication,autoimmunedisease or sarcoidosis [11,12] or HIV infection, indicatingthe role of T cell-mediated immunity in host defence.In HIV-seropositive patients, most episodes of crypto-coccalmeningitisprobablyrepresentreactivationoflatentinfection, which may have been acquired many yearsearlier. There is compelling evidence for latent infectionin a rat model [13] and humans [14]. Dromer andcolleagues [15] typed C. neoformans isolates from HIV-seropositive patients diagnosed with cryptococcosis inFrance, some of whom were from Africa but had lived inFrance for a median of over 9 years. There was asigniﬁcant clustering of isolates from African comparedwith European patients, suggesting that the patients hadacquired their isolates long before the development ofclinical disease. A proportion of HIV-related cases,however, may result from dissemination of new orprimary infection [16], as has been observed in the recentoutbreak of C. gattii infection in British Columbia [17]. HIV-associatedcryptococcalmeningitisusuallypresentsasa subacute meningo-encephalitis in profoundly immuno-suppressedpatients(CD4cellcounts<100cells/ml), withmalaise, headache, fever and, later, visual disturbance andaltered mental status. Signs, if present, may includemeningism, papilloedema, cranial nerve palsies [particu-larly sixth nerve palsies reﬂective of raised pressure incerebrospinal ﬂuid (CSF)] and reduced conscious level.The diagnosis is usually straightforward. The highorganism load in this setting means the sensitivity of Indiaink staining of CSF is high. Those who have a negative
Does High Leverage Impact Earnings Management? Evidence from Non-Cash Mergers and Acquisitions

Using a sample of US noncash acquirers, we find significant evidence of upward earnings management prior to announcing merger and acquisition deals. In this event study, we adopt an industry adjusted leverage proxy. No evidence of premerger earnings management is found in highly leveraged firms. The results indicate significant evidence of a negative relationship between earnings management and leverage. The evidence remains robust after replacing the leverage proxy with a high/low leverage binary variable, as well as after controlling for the relative size of the deal and profitability of acquirers. No evidence on earnings management by cash acquirers is reported. These findings are consistent with Jensen’s Control Hypothesis as well as advocate the view that creditors play crucial roles in monitoring the firm, which would increase the credibility of corporate reports and restrict the use of management’s discretionary power to manipulate earnings prior to special business events such as mergers and acquisitions.
Wellness programming: nephrology social work expands its role in renal disease management.

Nephrology social work has come a long way since it was regulated into the Medicare Conditions for Coverage in 1976. These early regulations identified the important areas nephrology social work could focus on to improve the lives of the end-stage renal disease patient. CMS offered no strategy, however, for working with the types of psychosocial barriers that would surface in the chronic kidney disease patient population at the turn of the 21st century. Now, after nearly three decades of seeking the best way to provide social work treatment to this diverse group of patients, nephrology social work has developed one of the most important movements in renal disease management: wellness programming.
Consumers’ attitude towards social media advertising and their behavioural response: The moderating role of corporate reputation

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between consumers’ attitude toward social media advertising and their behavioural response and the moderating effect of corporate reputation in this relationship. Social media advertising is gradually gaining grounds among practitioners and researchers. Design/methodology/approach – Survey design was used and the respondents totaled 441. They were selected using convenience sampling technique. Questionnaires were used to collect the data and analyzed using hierarchical regression. Findings – Findings indicate that there is a significant relationship between consumers’ attitude toward social media advertising and their behavioural responses. Again, it was noted that corporate reputation moderates this relationship. Research limitations/implications – This study relied on convenience sampling and a cross-sectional survey design, which makes it difficult to generalize the findings and account for changes that occurred in the attitude of consu.
Replacement of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1b by Genotype 2 Over a 10-year Period in Venezuela

Background Changes in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype distribution with time have been reported in several countries. Goals To explore eventual changes in HCV genotype distribution in Venezuela over a 10 years period. Study HCV genotype was determined by direct sequencing of the 5′ noncoding region, in 236 isolates circulating in patients treated during years 2005 to 2006. Genotype distribution was compared with the one observed in 43 patients followed during years 1994 to 1996. Results The prevalence HCV genotype 1 and 2 was 70% and 26%, respectively, in patients followed during years 1994 to 1996. The frequency of genotype 2 was significantly increased to 41% (P=0.04) in patients treated during years 2005 to 2006. A significant reduction in HCV genotype 1b prevalence (48% to 27%, P=0.01) was also observed after this 10 years period, whereas the prevalence of HCV genotype 1a did not change over time (22% vs. 27%, NS). Transfusion was more significantly associated with infection with HCV genotype 1b than with other genotypes (52% vs. 20%, P=0.002). Conclusions HCV subtype 1b seems to have been displaced by HCV genotype 2 in a relatively short period, without increase in the frequency of genotype 3. The low frequency of HCV genotype 3 in Venezuela might be due to the fact that intravenous drug use in Venezuela is less common than in other countries. The implementation of anti-HCV testing in blood banks since 1994 in Venezuela, might have contributed to the reduction in the frequency HCV genotype 1b infection.
Validation of the Empathy Quotient in Mainland China

ABSTRACT This research aimed to validate a simplified Chinese version of the Empathy Quotient (EQ; 60 items) for use with Mainland Chinese people. The original English version of the EQ was translated into simplified Chinese. Through an online survey, 588 Mainland Chinese participants completed the EQ and 3 other questionnaires: the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS–20). Thirty-five participants completed retesting of the EQ 3 to 4 weeks later. Sex differences on the EQ scores and psychometric properties of the EQ items were examined. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested that an EQ 15-item structural model fitted the data quite well. Self-report empathy, as assessed by the current simplified Chinese version of the EQ, appeared to relate to participants' autistic and alexithymic traits but not sex.
Association of Patient Recognition of Inpatient Physicians with Knowledge and Satisfaction

Abstract: Patient recognition of hospital providers is low and may affect patient knowledge and satisfaction with care. Our study aimed to determine the association between patient knowledge of their inpatient providers' face, name, or role with knowledge of their diagnosis, satisfaction with care, and 30‐day readmission rate. We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of inpatients discharged from medicine housestaff teams from 2008 to 2009. Patients identified providers by face, name, and role and stated their reason for hospitalization. The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey assessed patient satisfaction with care. Eighty‐nine of 95 patients (94%) participated. Seventy‐five percent of patients recognized one provider face, 28% knew at least one provider name, and 21% correctly stated provider roles. Fifty‐seven percent of patients knew their diagnosis. Satisfaction with care via HCAHPS varied: 78% always felt treated with courtesy and respect; 75% felt doctors always listened; and 67% felt complete involvement in care decisions. In bivariate and multivariate analyses, knowledge of providers by face, name, or role was not associated with knowledge of diagnosis, satisfaction, or 30‐day readmission rates (all p>.05). Thus, patient recognition of providers was not associated with their knowledge, satisfaction, or readmission.
Concomitant Idiopathic Orbital Inflammatory Pseudotumor and Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

Purpose: Coexistence of idiopathic orbital inflammatory pseudotumor (IOIP) and thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is extremely rare. The purpose of this article is to analyze the clinical features, image findings, and therapeutic outcomes of concomitant IOIP and TAO in China. Materials and Methods: Detailed clinical records of 3 Chinese patients with concomitant IOIP and TAO were reviewed, including their clinical history, symptoms and signs, ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and steroid therapy. Results: Among the 3 patients, were 2 men and 1 woman, aged 42, 49, and 48 years, respectively. The right orbit was involved in 1 patient and both orbits in 2 patients. In addition to showing the typical features of TAO, such as hyperthyroidism, upper eyelid retraction, and enlarged extraocular muscles with tendon sparing, all 3 patients showed ambiguous soft tissue masses in one or both orbits. Pathologic examination after biopsy of the mass in 1 patient confirmed the diagnosis of lymphatic IOIP. All the patients responded extremely well to steroid treatment. Conclusions: Although rare, a simultaneous coexistence of IOIP and TAO can occur. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to be aware of the potential for concomitant IOIP and TAO.