Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How insiders traded before rules

UK company insiders, such as directors, were legally allowed to trade in the shares of their own companies up until the Companies Act of 1980. This article investigates the trading behaviour of directors over the period 1890 to 1909 in the UK. It finds relatively few instances of directors who exploited their informational advantage. However when they did sell their own shares, it tended to be before a period of poor profitability and poor stock market performance.
Peripheral endothelial dysfunction in normal pressure glaucoma.

PURPOSE To assess vascular endothelial function in patients with normal pressure glaucoma using forearm blood flow responses to intra-arterial infusions of endothelial-dependent and -independent vasoactive agents. METHODS Eight patients with newly diagnosed and untreated normal pressure glaucoma and eight healthy age- and sex-matched control volunteers underwent measurement of forearm blood flow using venous occlusion plethysmography. Blood flow was assessed in response to incremental doses of sodium nitroprusside (an endothelial-independent vasodilator), acetylcholine (an endothelial-dependent vasodilator) and the vasoconstrictor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase). RESULTS Sodium nitroprusside caused a dose-related increase in forearm blood flow in patients and controls. Glaucoma patients appeared to have an increased vasodilatory response, but this was not significant (P = 0.23). Acetylcholine also induced vasodilatation in both groups, but the response was significantly reduced in the glaucoma group (P = 0.04). N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine induced a similar degree of vasoconstriction in both groups (P = 0.76). CONCLUSIONS This study has shown an impairment of peripheral endothelium-mediated vasodilatation in normal pressure glaucoma. These findings would support the concept of a generalized vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with this condition.
Identifying the factors affecting automobile type preferences in Turkey

The objective of this study was to identify the factors affecting automobile type preferences. To meet the objectives, a survey was conducted in April-May period of 2011 with 715 participants in Istanbul, Ankara, Gaziantep, Kayseri and Konya, which are some of the major cities located in different parts of Turkey. Multinomial logit model was used to estimate the empirical models. The results showed that the model year of a car, gender, age, income and the education level of the participants, and the number of children in the family affected automobile body type preference. The results of the second empirical model showed that the number of cars in the family, the importance attached to dependability, comfort and design, age, education level and income of the participants, and the number of children had explanatory power on automobile segment preference.
[Akt involved in diazoxide preconditioning against rat hippocampal neuronal apoptosis induced by anoxia-reoxygenation injury].

OBJECTIVE Investigate whether preconditioning with diazoxide (DZ), a mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, could enhance Akt protein to up-regulate Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio against apoptosis. METHODS Cultured for 9 - 10 d in vitro, the hippocampal neurons of Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to the following 5 groups randomly: Control (Group A), Anoxia (Group B), Anoxia + DZ100 micromol/L (Group C), Anoxia + DZ100 micromol/L + 5-hydroxydecanoate (Group D), Anoxia + DZ100 micromol/L + LY294002 50 micromol/L (Group E). Prior to oxygen deprivation, the hippocampal neurons were treated with DZ for 1 h per day and this treatment was persisted for 3 d. Each experiment was repeated for three times and each group contained 16 wells or 2 dishes of neurons for each time. Thereafter, neurons were derived of oxygen for 4 h. At 48 h of reoxygenation the neuronal optical density (A) were measured by MTT method, while the apoptotic rates were assayed by annexin V-FITC staining. The expressions of Akt, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were detected and evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS Compared with other pretreatment, DZ 100 micromol/L led to the elevation of A, whereas promoted the decrease of apoptotic rate (P < 0.05). Compared with those in other anoxic groups, the expressions of Akt protein and Bcl-2 protein in Group C were increased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas the Bax density were reduced significantly (P < 0.05). Preceding administration of 100 micromol/L DZ took protective effects on the neurons induced by anoxia-reoxygenation. CONCLUSIONS DZ 100 micromol/L increased Akt protein to up-regulate Bcl-2/Bax protein ratio against apoptosis induced by anoxia-reoxygenation.
Challenges faced by facilities managers in the Australasian universities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to: identify the current and future challenges faced by university facilities managers; analyse their associated risk levels; and establish practical ways to address the identified key challenges.Design/methodology/approach – Personal interviews were conducted with 25 members of the Australasian university facilities managers (UFMs). The constructs generated at the pilot interviews were used to design a structured but open‐ended questionnaire with which the Tertiary Education Facilities Managers Association (TEFMA) members were surveyed. The multi‐attribute method was used in the data analysis.Findings – Results showed that the critical challenges currently facing the UFMs comprised issues relating to the following (in diminishing order of significance): inadequate funding, emergency management and business continuity planning, statutory compliance, sustainability and environmental stewardship, keeping up with rapid changes in technology, operational efficiency, iden.
A national two year follow up study of extremely low birthweight infants born in 1996–1997

Objective: To study neurodevelopmental outcome in a two year cohort of extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants at 18 months corrected age, to compare the development of the ELBW infant subcohort with that of control children, and to find risk factors associated with unfavourable outcome. Study design: All 211 surviving ELBW infants (birth weight < 1000 g) born in Finland in 1996–1997 were included in a national survey. The ELBW infants (n = 78) who were born and followed in Helsinki University Hospital belonged to a regional subcohort and were compared with a control group of 75 full term infants. A national follow up programme included neurological, speech, vision, and hearing assessments at 18 months of corrected age. Bayley infant scale assessment was performed on the subcohort and their controls at 24 months of age. Risk factors for unfavourable outcome were estimated using logistic and linear regression models. Results: The prevalence of cerebral palsy was 11%, of all motor impairments 24%, of ophthalmic abnormalities 23%, and of speech delay 42%. No impairment was found in 42% of children, and 18% were classified as severely impaired. The prevalence of ophthalmic abnormalities decreased with increasing birth weight and gestational age, but the prevalence of other impairments did not. In the subcohort, a positive correlation was found between the date of birth and Bayley scores. Conclusion: Ophthalmic abnormalities decreased with increasing birth weight and gestational age, but no other outcome differences were found between birthweight groups or in surviving ELBW infants born at 22–26 weeks gestation. The prognosis in the regional subcohort seemed to improve during the short study period, but this needs to be confirmed.
A robust portfolio selection problem based on a confidence interval with investor's subjectiviety

This paper considers a robust portfolio selection problem considering a confidence interval with subjectivity to the weight for the standard deviation. Since the proposed model is formulated as an ill-defined problem due to fuzziness and bi object derived from maximizing both robustness and investor's satisfaction level to the total profit, it is hard to solve it directly. Therefore, introducing fuzzy goals for the bi-objective functions, the proposed model is transformed into the deterministic equivalent problem. Furthermore, in order to obtain the exact optimal portfolio analytically, the solution method is developed introducing a parameter and doing the equivalent transformations.
Preventive antibiotics in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comes with a significant risk of life‐threatening infection during periods of prolonged severe neutropenia. We studied the impact of preventive intravenous (IV) antibiotic administration at onset of absolute neutropenia on the incidence and outcome of life‐threatening infections during treatment of childhood AML.
THE REACTION OF SINGLET OXYGEN WITH PROTEINS, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO CRYSTALLINS

Abstract— –Photosensitized oxidation of the eye lens proteins, the crystallins, is thought to lead to protein crosslinks and high molecular weight aggregates. Such protein modifications may be important factors in the formation of lens opacities or cataracts. We focus attention here on type 2 photo‐oxidation involving the reaction of singlet oxygen (1O2) with crystallins and some “control” proteins. We find that: (1) trp residues are oxidized to N‐formyl kynurenine and related products, but this in itself does not lead to the production of high molecular weight protein aggregates of the protein; (2) tyr residues react with 1O2 but we do not detect dihydroxyphenylalanine or bityrosine nor are protein crosslinks formed as a result; (3) oxidation of his residues appears necessary for high molecular weight protein covalent aggregates to form. Proteins devoid of his, e.g. melittin or bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, do not form high molecular weight products upon reaction with 1O2. Prior reaction and blocking of his inhibits the crosslinking reactions. (4) The oxidized protein is seen to be more acidic than the parent and has an altered tertiary structure. (5) Among the crystallins, reactivity towards 1O2 varies in the order γ > β > α and also γ A/E > γ D > γ B crystallin.
Measures of Fiscal Risk in Hydrocarbon-Exporting Countries

The recent relatively high levels of global oil prices have led to a significant improvement in the public finances of several hydrocarbon-exporting countries. However, despite the increase in fiscal buffers, medium-term risks remain high. Fiscal vulnerabilities have increased as a consequence of the substantial spending packages that have been implemented in recent years. This has raised break-even prices -that is, the price levels that ensure that fiscal accounts are in balance at a given level of spending-in these countries. This study analyses such risks and develops measures of fiscal risk stemming from oil price fluctuations. An empirical application to hydrocarbon-exporting countries from the Middle East and North Africa region is included. Additionally, it is noted that countries with large net assets and proven oil reserves are much less vulnerable to fiscal risk than is indicated by standard measures based on break-even prices.
General Equilibrium Dynamics with Naïve and Sophisticated Hyperbolic Consumers in an Overlapping Generations Economy

Using an overlapping generations model, this paper describes interactions between naive and sophisticated hyperbolic discounters in general equilibrium. The naifs, who overestimate their future propensity to save and hence over-forecast the future equilibrium asset prices, are exploited through capital transactions by sophisticates, who correctly forecast the future asset prices by incorporating the naifs' mis-forecasts. Due to the capital losses, the naifs fall into bankruptcy when they are highly present-biased, highly patient, and having a low population density. Under generous conditions, the equilibrium is shown to be globally stable and Pareto inefficient in the ex-post sense.
Study on Nonspecific Immunity in Pregnant Women: II. Effect of Hormones on Chemiluminescence Response of Peripheral Blood Phagocytes

ABSTRACT: To analyze the mechanisms of increased nonspecific immunity in pregnant women, the effect of various hormones on the phagocytic activity was estimated by a luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence (CL) response during phagocytosing opsonized zymosan. The CL response of whole blood supplemented with exogenous human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) increased significantly in all the male and female subjects and pregnant women. An approximate two‐ to fourfold increase was observed in comparison with the unsupplemented control in each subject at concentrations ranging from 1 to 1,000 IU/ml after 48 h of incubation (P < 0.05). Progesterone slightly stimulated the CL response in female subjects only, but had no effect on male and pregnant women. Estradiol (E2) did not stimulate the CL response in any subject.
Patterns of change in manufacturing strategy configurations

Purpose – The paper aims to address the question of how and how often companies change their manufacturing strategy in the medium and long run, thus addressing a lack of evidence in the literature.Design/methodology/approach – This paper explores the movements made by companies among four manufacturing strategy configurations drawn from the literature (market‐based, product‐based, capability‐based and price‐based configuration). Analyses are based on three longitudinal samples from the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) database.Findings – Results show that while strategic configurations are rather stable, many companies do indeed change strategy and identifies which patterns of change prevail. Product‐based strategy is the most‐widely spread and most stable strategy. Capability‐based competition is the rising star. The market‐based strategy is struggling and price‐based competition is on its way out.Research limitations/implications – The main limitation is the small size of longitudinal .
Forgoing the Flexibility of Real Options: When and Why Firms Commit to Investment Decisions

Real option investments benefit from the flexibility associated with the possibility of abandonment should investment returns prove insufficient. But a firm also benefits from making commitments that engender reciprocal commitments on the part of employees and partner firms, and that allow the firm to address markets that exhibit increasing returns with the speed and scale required for success. I investigate the conditions under which large firms commit to investments in small firm equity alliances and acquisitions, and find that large firms commit to relationships that they initiate and that are subject to a high degree of rivalry. Uncertainty was not a significant predictor of the choice to commit. My findings point to the discretionary nature of the choice to commit and to firms' willingness to commit to investment decisions, despite high uncertainty, during periods of strong growth.
The Non-Convexity Issues in a Limited-Commitment Economy

After reviewing some basic self-enforcing labour contracts models, we expose how self-enforcing labour market theory can help explain some important dynamic properties of key macroeconomic variables. Calmes (1999, 2003) detail how self-enforcing labour contracts improve the way macroeconomic models account for the response of the economy to external shocks. The introduction of a state-dependent outside opportunity for the manager is the first step in generalizing the theory (Calmes 2007, Thomas and Worrall 2007). In this paper, we discuss the next step, the endogenization of capital. Although desirable, this task is not straightforward as the contract set might no longer be compact in this case. Relatedly, we also discuss the introduction of a third agent (the financial intermediary) in the model. We also analyse the link between stationarity and set convexity when incorporating growth in the model. A stochastic trend may be considered but then the non-convexity issue arises again. The aggregation of heterogeneous individual contracts can also lead to the same problem.
Unpowered wireless corrosion sensor for steel reinforced concrete

Prototype sensors have been developed to detect the onset of corrosion in steel reinforced concrete using non-invasive techniques. These sensors are designed to be extremely simple and low cost. The sensors are embedded in the concrete and are powered and interrogated through the use of inductively coupled magnetic fields. New analysis and data processing techniques show that the sensor can provide useful information about the current extent of corrosion
Glial strategy for metabolic shuttling and neuronal function.

Glial cells serve a variety of functions in nervous systems, some of which are activated by neurotransmitters released from neurons. Glial cells respond to these neurotransmitters via receptors, but also take up some of the transmitters to help terminate the synaptic process. Among these, glutamate uptake by glial cells is pivotal to avoid transmitter-mediated excitotoxicity. Here, a new model is proposed in which glutamate uptake via the excitatory amino acid transporter (EAAT) is functionally coupled to other glial transporters, in particular the sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter (NBC) and the monocarboxylate transporter (MCT), as well as other glial functions, such as calcium signalling, a high potassium conductance and CO(2) consumption. The central issue of this hypothesis is that the shuttling of sodium ions and acid/base equivalents, which drive the metabolite transport across the glial membrane, co-operate with each other, and hence save energy. As a result, glutamate removal from synaptic domains and lactate secretion serving the energy supply to neurons would be facilitated and could operate with greater capacity.
Single-locus heterotic effects and dominance by dominance interactions can adequately explain the genetic basis of heterosis in an elite rice hybrid

The genetic basis of heterosis of an elite rice hybrid was investigated by using an “immortalized F2” population produced by randomly permutated intermating of 240 recombinant inbred lines from a cross between the parents of Shanyou 63, the most widely cultivated hybrid in China. Measurements of heterosis for crosses in the immortalized F2 population were obtained from replicated field trials over 2 years by inter-planting the hybrids with the parental recombinant inbred lines. The analyses were conducted making use of a linkage map comprising 231 segregating molecular marker loci covering the entire rice genome. Heterotic effects were detected at 33 loci for the four traits with modified composite interval mapping. The heterotic loci showed little overlap with quantitative trait loci for trait performance, suggesting that heterosis and trait performance may be conditioned by different sets of loci. Large numbers of digenic interactions were resolved by using two-way ANOVA and confirmed by randomization tests. All kinds of genetic effects, including partial-, full-, and overdominance at single-locus level and all three forms of digenic interactions (additive by additive, additive by dominance, and dominance by dominance), contributed to heterosis in the immortalized F2 population, indicating that these genetic components were not mutually exclusive in the genetic basis of heterosis. Heterotic effects at the single-locus level, in combination with the marginal advantages of double heterozygotes caused by dominance by dominance interaction at the two-locus level could adequately explain the genetic basis of heterosis in Shanyou 63. These results may help reconcile the century-long debate concerning the genetic basis of heterosis.
Intervening from outside: the role of EU finance ministers in the constitutional politics

ABSTRACT The Convention paid particular attention to the review of the institutional framework of European economic governance and created a separate working group for this policy area. Despite strong lobbying by the Commission and backing from a large number of members of the Convention, the Draft Treaty did not contain any significant increase of the Commission's competences in this area. This article explains the outcome of the Convention's review of economic governance by looking at the particular role that European Union finance ministers played in the process. It traces the interventions by the ministers, which remained largely hidden from public attention, and discusses the implications for the Convention's functioning as a particular model for treaty reform. However, the article cautions against seeing the interventions by finance ministers simply as another indication of the strong role of national governments in the constitutional politics.
International Student Collaboration and Experiential Exercise Projects as a Professional, Inter-Personal and Inter-Institutional Networking Platform

This paper has the aim to analyze and to reflect on the experiential exercise from the point of views of instructor and students attending University Center of Economic and Managerial Sciences at University of Guadalajara and participating in the “X-Culture International Student Collaboration Project” as a professional, inter-personal and inter-institutional networking platform. Keywords - Experiential exercise projects, international student collaboration program, inter-institutional, networking, professional development, interpersonal.
Dividend smoothing and optimal re‐investment

Lintner’s (1956) survey revealed that managers are concerned about dividend signalling over time, and adopt a smoothing policy. In addition to signalling, dividend policy may affect a firm’s re‐investment opportunities, particularly if it is capital constrained. In this paper, we examine the interaction between dividend smoothing/signalling and optimal re‐investment. We develop a dividend policy model that considers both an optimal level of dividends (and re‐investment) at each point in time, and optimal smoothing over time. Our model provides both theoretical insights, and provides a practical management tool for dividend policy.
The Responsive Public

One little-noted requirement for the proper functioning of democratic institutions is public responsiveness to policy. A responsive public would adjust its preference for `more' or `less' policy in reaction to what policy-makers do. In this article we set out a theoretical model of how the salience of the issue domain conditions the feedback of policy outputs on public preferences, and we then show how this model can be applied in the European case. In assessing the model we employ data from all Eurobarometer surveys conducted in the 24-year period between 1971 and 1994 together with policy data from the Official Journal of the EC/EU. Our findings suggest that public preferences regarding European unification do reflect policy, though only as the salience of the domain has increased over time.
Determinants of Information Technology Outsourcing

Abstract Financial reporting is a key outputs of Information Technology (IT). Thus to assure the reliability of financial reporting, the IT audit has to be evaluated. The evaluation of IT Audit is necessary also when the IT is outsourced. This paper aims to identify the determinants of the Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO) decision in Italy and to test empirically the ITO framework developed theoretically by Lacity et al. (2011), using the variable construction based on Lacity et al. (2010). We use a questionnaire addressed to Italian companies which are today obliged to comply with Law 262/2005. The aim is to test the reliability of financial reporting through the evaluation of internal control, such as IT audit. We control for the non-response bias. We build a panel data for our regression model. We find that client firm characteristics, Task Complexity and ITO outcomes are significant for Italian listed companies in the ITO decision. The findings are original in that they concern a country which has specific characteristics and where very little empirical research exists on the topic.