Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does information asymmetry lead to higher debt financing? Evidence from China during the NTS Reform period

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test an implication of the pecking order theory to explain capital structure decisions among Chinese listed companies during the 2005-2007 NTS Reform transition period. Design/methodology/approach The authors utilize direct proxies for information asymmetry based on microstructure models including Probability of the arrival of informed trades (PIN), Adverse selection component of the bid-ask spread (λ), Illiquidity ratio (ILLIQ) and liquidity ratio, and Information asymmetry index (InfoAsy) to examine their relation with firms’ debt financing. Findings Consistent with the prediction of Pecking Order Theory, the authors find that companies for which stock investors are challenged with more severe informational disadvantages are associated with higher degree of leverage use. Originality/value The study provides a more direct test on the positive relation between information asymmetry and financial leverage of Chinese firms. In contrast to previous findings by Chen (2004), the results suggest that capital structure choices among Chinese firms progressively conform to conventional finance theories (e.g. Pecking Order Theory) with the decline of non-tradable shares.
Calling Injury Timeouts for the Medical Evaluation of Concussion: Determinants of Collegiate Football Officials' Behavior.

CONTEXT Sports officials can play an important role in concussion safety by calling injury timeouts so that athletic trainers can evaluate athletes with possible concussions. Understanding the determinants of whether officials call an injury timeout when they suspect a concussion has important implications for the design of interventions that better support officials in this role. OBJECTIVE To assess the knowledge of US collegiate football officials about concussion symptoms and to determine the associations between knowledge, perceived injunctive norms, and self-efficacy and calling injury timeouts for suspected concussions in athletes. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Electronic survey. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Of the 3074 US collegiate football officials contacted, 1324 (43% response rate) participated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Concussion knowledge, injunctive norms (belief about what others would want them to do), and behavioral self-efficacy (confidence in their ability to call injury timeouts for suspected concussions in athletes during challenging game-day conditions). RESULTS Officials reported calling approximately 1 injury timeout for a suspected concussion every 4 games during the 2015 season. Structural equation modeling indicated that officials with more concussion-symptom knowledge had greater behavioral self-efficacy. Independent of an official's symptom knowledge, injunctive norms that were more supportive of calling an injury timeout were associated with greater self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Concussion education for officials is important because when officials are aware of concussion symptoms, they are more confident in calling injury timeouts. Beyond increasing symptom knowledge, fostering sports environments that encourage concussion safety in all stakeholder groups can support officials in calling injury timeouts. Athletic trainers can help create sports environments that support proactive concussion identification by educating stakeholders, including officials, about the importance of concussion safety. When officials believe that other stakeholders support concussion safety, they are more likely to call injury timeouts if they suspect a concussion has occurred.
EphB1 null mice exhibit neuronal loss in substantia nigra pars reticulata and spontaneous locomotor hyperactivity

The molecular mechanisms that regulate basal ganglia development are largely unknown. Eph receptor tyrosine kinases are potential participants in this process as they regulate development of other CNS regions and are expressed in basal ganglia nuclei, such as the substantia nigra (SN) and striatum. To address the role of Eph receptors in the development of these nuclei, we analysed anatomical changes in the SN and striatum of mice with null mutations for EphB1. These mice express β‐galactosidase as a marker for cells normally expressing EphB1. In situ hybridization data and a direct comparison of SN neurons expressing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and/or the β‐gal marker for EphB1 revealed that EphB1 is not expressed in TH+ neurons of pars compacta (SNc), but is restricted to neurons in pars reticulata (SNr). Consistent with this, we find that EphB1 null mice exhibit a significant decrease in the volume and number of neurons (40% decrease) in SNr, whereas the volume and number of TH+ neurons in SNc is not significantly affected nor are there changes in the distribution of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons. Although EphB1 is expressed in the striatum, EphB1–/– mice exhibit no significant changes in striatal volume and TH fiber density, and have no obvious alterations in striatal patch/matrix organization. Behavioral evaluation of EphB1 null mice in an open‐field environment revealed that these mice exhibited spontaneous locomotor hyperactivity. These results suggest that EphB1 is necessary for the proper formation of SNr, and that neuronal loss in SNr is associated with altered locomotor functions.
Doing democracy and governance in the fast lane? Towards a ‘politics of time’ in an accelerated polity

ABSTRACT This article examines the relationship between time, governance and political participation through a critical engagement with the ‘acceleration thesis’. Whilst the acceleration thesis argues that the ‘shrinking of the present’ is a condition of contemporary governance, others have viewed it as dysfunctional to the democratic process and effective policymaking. By drawing on a wide range of literature and through the use of illustrative examples, this article argues that slow and fast politics have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the practice of governance and democratic participation. In turn, questions are raised about how public organisations and others might manage temporality and change in an ‘accelerated polity’. The article concludes by calling for further research into the ‘politics of time’ and its effects on public policymaking and political participation.
A Peroxidase-Dependent Apoplastic Oxidative Burst in Cultured Arabidopsis Cells Functions in MAMP-Elicited Defense1[W][OA]

Perception by plants of so-called microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) such as bacterial flagellin, referred to as pattern-triggered immunity, triggers a rapid transient accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We previously identified two cell wall peroxidases, PRX33 and PRX34, involved in apoplastic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Here, we describe the generation of Arabidopsis tissue culture lines in which the expression of PRX33 and PRX34 is knocked down by antisense expression of a heterologous French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) peroxidase cDNA construct. Using these tissue culture lines and two inhibitors of ROS generation, azide and diphenylene iodonium, we found that perxoxidases generate about half of the H2O2 that accumulated in response to MAMP treatment and that NADPH oxidases and other sources such as mitochondria account for the remainder of the ROS. Knockdown of PRX33/PRX34 resulted in decreased expression of several MAMP-elicited genes, including MYB51, CYP79B2, and CYP81F2. Similarly, proteomic analysis showed that knockdown of PRX33/PRX34 led to the depletion of various MAMP-elicited defense-related proteins, including the two cysteine-rich peptides PDF2.2 and PDF2.3. Knockdown of PRX33/PRX34 also led to changes in the cell wall proteome, including increases in enzymes involved in cell wall remodeling, which may reflect enhanced cell wall expansion as a consequence of reduced H2O2-mediated cell wall cross-linking. Comparative metabolite profiling of a CaCl2 extract of the PRX33/PRX34 knockdown lines showed significant changes in amino acids, aldehydes, and keto acids but not fatty acids and sugars. Overall, these data suggest that PRX33/PRX34-generated ROS production is involved in the orchestration of pattern-triggered immunity in tissue culture cells.
Measuring the welfare cost of air pollution in Shanghai: evidence from the housing market

The purpose of this study is to quantify the marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) for clean air in China. We provide the first estimate of MWTP for clean air by implementing a hedonic method using housing price and air quality data from Shanghai. Our estimates imply that air pollution has a significant and negative impact on housing price. We also find that the willingness to pay for better air quality varies significantly across different income groups. This paper helps to deepen our understanding of the economic impacts of air pollution in emerging Asian metropolises where residents are suffering from the most severe respiratory health problems.
Ultraviolet‐radiation‐resistant isolates revealed cellulose‐degrading species of Cellulosimicrobium cellulans (UVP1) and Bacillus pumilus (UVP4)

Among extremophiles, microorganisms resistant to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) have been known to produce a variety of metabolites (i.e., extremolytes). We hypothesized that natural microbial flora on elevated land (hills) would reveal a variety of UVR‐resistant extremophiles and polyextremophiles with modulated proteins and enzymes that had biotechnological implications. Microorganisms Cellulosimicrobium cellulans UVP1 and Bacillus pumilus UVP4 were isolated and identified using 16S rRNA sequencing, and showed extreme UV resistance (1.03 × 106 and 1.71 × 105 J/m2, respectively) from elevated land soil samples along with unique patterns of protein expression under UVR and non‐UVR. A broad range of cellulolytic activity on carboxymethyl cellulose agar plates in C. cellulans UVP1 and B. pumilus UVP4 was revealed at varying pH, temperature, and inorganic salt concentration. Further, the microbial strain B. pumilus UVP4 showed the basic characteristics of a novel group: polyextremophiles with significance in bioenergy.
CC130 pilot fatigue during re-supply missions to former Yugoslavia.

PURPOSE Deployment of troops in foreign theaters requires a massive airlift capability. The fatigue encountered in such operations can be severe enough to pose a flight safety hazard. The current study documents sleep and the effect of fatigue on aircrew performance during re-supply missions in support of Canadian troops in Bosnia in 1996. METHODS Ten routine re-supply missions from Trenton, Canada, to Zagreb, Croatia, were studied and involved 9 pilots and 9 co-pilots. To document their sleep hygiene, all pilots wore wrist actigraphs from approximately 5 d prior to the mission, until the mission was completed. Psychomotor performance was tested during the actual flights. Three psychomotor trials during the outbound transatlantic leg (Trenton to Lyneham, UK) were employed, one trial on the Lyneham-Zagreb-Lyneham leg, and three trials on the return transatlantic leg from Lyneham to Trenton. RESULTS The amount of daily sleep during the 3-d period prior to the mission steadily decreased from an average of 8 h 40 min per day to 6 h 30 min (p < 0.001). During the missions, the worst night of sleep occurred during the second night overseas. During both transatlantic legs, there were significant decrements in the subjective ratings of alertness (p < 0.001), and increases in physical (p < 0.001) and mental fatigue (p < 0.001). Performance on the logical reasoning task as well as the multitask showed probable fatigue effects during the outbound leg of the missions. CONCLUSIONS Our transport pilots showed a pattern of progressively decreasing sleep. Self-rated scores for alertness, mental and physical fatigue, indicate a deterioration of alertness, and an increase in fatigue throughout the long transatlantic flights.
Situations and strategies for cultural learning in a short exchange programme

The European Nursing Module was designed to enable nursing students to benefit from a short-term exchange, offering the opportunity to experience different societies, their culture and nursing culture. Cultural learning is essential in preparing students to co-work with patients and relatives who come from other cultural backgrounds. This descriptive study aimed to identify the situations and strategies valued by students and that contribute to professional and cultural learning during a short-term exchange programme. A online survey questionnaire was answered by 329 students attending a cross-European module. From their experience students valued highest: time to observe and understand, awareness of their own culture, a positive attitude, opportunities to compare differences and similarities, sharing and communicating. Valued stepping-stones were, to realise and respect differences and a chance to reflect. More studies are needed on the role of the observer and the impact of reflection on a short-term programme.
The Small Heat-shock Protein IbpB from Escherichia coli Stabilizes Stress-denatured Proteins for Subsequent Refolding by a Multichaperone Network*

The role of small heat-shock proteins inEscherichia coli is still enigmatic. We show here that the small heat-shock protein IbpB is a molecular chaperone that assists the refolding of denatured proteins in the presence of other chaperones. IbpB oligomers bind and stabilize heat-denatured malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and urea-denatured lactate dehydrogenase and thus prevent the irreversible aggregation of these proteins during stress. While IbpB-stabilized proteins alone do not refold spontaneously, they are specifically delivered to the DnaK/DnaJ/GrpE (KJE) chaperone system where they refold in a strict ATPase-dependent manner. Although GroEL/GroES (LS) chaperonins do not interact directly with IbpB-released proteins, LS accelerate the rate of KJE-mediated refolding of IbpB-released MDH, and to a lesser extent lactate dehydrogenase, by rapidly processing KJE-released early intermediates. Kinetic and gel-filtration analysis showed that denatured MDH preferentially transfers from IbpB to KJE, then from KJE to LS, and then forms a active enzyme. IbpB thus stabilizes aggregation-prone folding intermediates during stress and, as an integral part of a cooperative multichaperone network, is involved in the active refolding of stress-denatured proteins.
Land fragmentation, climate change adaptation, and food security in the Gamo Highlands of Ethiopia

Household food security among smallholder farmers is sensitive to a variable and changing climate, requiring farmers in the Gamo Highlands of Ethiopia to adopt new land management practices to improve food security. Agricultural land in the Gamo Highlands is highly fragmented. The extent to which land fragmentation (LF) moderates the food security effects of sustainable land management (SLM) practices is unknown. This study used probit and Poisson models to explain this relationship. The study found that food insecurity was severe during the food shortfall season. LF provides more potential opportunities for improving food security than challenges. Furthermore, SLM practices had both positive and negative effects on food security and their effects were conditioned by the magnitude of LF. Reducing severe LF through the assembly of small parcels into larger heterogeneous plot clusters could enhance food security by exploiting synergies between adaptation practices and LF.
Beyond budgeting: review and research agenda

Purpose Beyond budgeting has received an increased amount of scholarly attention in recent years. However, because most of the published research is discrete and unconnected, an overall picture of what is known about beyond budgeting has not evolved. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the available research on beyond budgeting. In particular, the authors compare conceptual papers that mostly stress the benefits of beyond budgeting with empirical evidence on beyond budgeting implementation and offer ideas for future research on beyond budgeting. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses systematic literature review methods. After an extensive database search and examination of references/citations, 32 papers were analysed with regard to bibliographical information, research design and findings. Findings Although proponents of beyond budgeting have put substantial effort into developing and promoting this concept, numerous empirical studies demonstrate that many organizations being investigated would still rather improve traditional budgeting than abandon it completely. This review also highlights the main criticisms of traditional budgeting, development of management control systems under beyond budgeting and factors hindering the implementation of beyond budgeting. Research limitations/implication This paper suggests that further research is needed on the scaling of beyond budgeting, organizational changes under beyond budgeting and challenges resulting from the implementation of beyond budgeting. Originality/value The paper is the first comprehensive literature review on beyond budgeting.
Towards Process Variation-Aware Power Gating

This paper presents a power gating design that considers process variation for proper wakeup control. First, the surge current constraint is examined and refined for a simpler and more realistic view of inter-module reliability. Following that, several circuits are proposed on top of a delay chain to adapt the timing control of power switches to process variations. Experimental results show that the proposed design is able to track process variation such that the surge current and the wakeup time are both kept to expectation in all process corners.
Analysis of frequent episodes in sequences of incidents collected in power distribution systems

Power distribution incidents collected by the electric utility through their customer service centers and incident management systems are analyzed systematically in this work. An incident is defined by the actions carried out by the utility to return the system to its normal operation when a failure occurrs. A sequence of incidents is a set of dated incidents recorded in a region or a network during a period of time, but only some subsets of them are of interest, either because they present similar features or because they are related in a way that allows them to be considered together (timing, periodicity, etc.). These subsets of significant incidents in a sequence are called episodes and are instances of possible patterns that define the behaviour of the system. The analysis is oriented to extract useful information from sequences of historical data to recognize relevant episodes that show a pattern of behaviour which could be useful to forecast future incidents or assist planning and operation. With this goal, the authors evaluate the use of a pattern discovery algorithm in sequences of incidents gathered in a network as part of the case study. Since the incidents can occur by random factors not all the frequent episodes that can be found are relevant. Then, it is proposed a methodology based on set theory to choose the relevant episodes which are especially useful to recognize outstanding episodes in sequences that have high randomness, which is the case of sequences of incidents in electrical networks.
Flood Risk, Local Hazard Mitigation, and the Community Rating System of the National Flood Insurance Program

Using panel data for North Carolina communities, we estimate dynamic regression models of flood mitigation projects as recognized by the Community Rating System (CRS) of the National Flood Insurance Program. We find serial correlation in CRS points, which we interpret as incremental persistence that reflects physical and human capital accumulation. We find greater levels of mitigation in communities with larger tax revenues and lower levels of crime and unemployment, and a weak, but significant, effect due to recent flood experience. Socioeconomic factors also affect hazard mitigation; CRS points are greater in communities with greater median household income and higher population density. (JEL H44, Q54)
The Global Health Network on Alcohol Control: Successes and Limits of Evidence-Based Advocacy

Global efforts to address alcohol harm have significantly increased since the mid-1990 s. By 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) had adopted the non-binding Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol. This study investigates the role of a global health network, anchored by the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA), which has used scientific evidence on harm and effective interventions to advocate for greater global public health efforts to reduce alcohol harm. The study uses process-tracing methodology and expert interviews to evaluate the accomplishments and limitations of this network. The study documents how network members have not only contributed to greater global awareness about alcohol harm, but also advanced a public health approach to addressing this issue at the global level. Although the current network represents an expanding global coalition of like-minded individuals, it faces considerable challenges in advancing its cause towards successful implementation of effective alcohol control policies across many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The analysis reveals a need to transform the network into a formal coalition of regional and national organizations that represent a broader variety of constituents, including the medical community, consumer groups and development-focused non-governmental organizations. Considering the growing harm of alcohol abuse in LMICs and the availability of proven and cost-effective public health interventions, alcohol control represents an excellent 'buy' for donors interested in addressing non-communicable diseases. Alcohol control has broad beneficial effects for human development, including promoting road safety and reducing domestic violence and health care costs across a wide variety of illnesses caused by alcohol consumption.