Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Not Badly Paid But Paid Badly

There seems to be an increasing disconnection between the expectations of directors and those of investors as to appropriate levels of executive remuneration. This article seeks to understand why this may be occurring. It starts from the basic principles that drive executive pay, tax, time-scales and trust, and then explores how those factors play out in the imperfect market for talent. As US pay structures are increasingly leading the pay schemes of global companies, it asks whether those structures truly act to enhance shareholder value. It is not at all clear that this is the case, and the article points out that it is unfortunate for US tax and accounting structures to be driving pay elsewhere in the world in directions that are not conducive to shareholder value. The article proposes alternative ways forward.
Agent-Based Learning in 'Islands' with 'Sticky Information': An Explanation for the Persistence of Real Effects

This paper outlines a model where a household forms subjective expectations about his income by 'anchoring' on a professional's forecasts of the aggregate economy. Hence, the household is able to form relative (or real) income expectations. However, he observes the professional's forecasts imperfectly and only adjusts his expectations partially. Using the 'Lucas- Phelps Island' scenario, set in the context of households, we show how persistence of real effects could arise in such a scenario.
Quality, Participation, and Competitiveness

American managers have been slow to embrace employee involvement, because the American tradition of employee involvement has not convincingly linked participation with business results. In contrast, the Japanese have incorporated extensive participation into the modern quality paradigm. Their approach, which focuses participation on the improvement of production processes, can attract managerial support for participation by framing it as an avenue to increased competitiveness. The modern quality paradigm's principle of "market-in" de-emphasizes buffering in favor of exposing organization members to market information and pressures. Market-in builds widespread support for participation by highlighting important connections with organizational performance. Combining participation with quality can thus overcome major weaknesses of the participation tradition by linking participation to business results.
The Interaction between Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Human Papillomaviruses in Heterosexuals in Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer in the world, which is further aggravated by the burden of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) disease with invasive cervical cancer being an AIDS-defining cancer. The prevalence of HPV infection and associated disease is very high in HIV-infected people and continues to be a problem even after anti-retroviral therapy. In the genital tract, the interaction between HPV and HIV is complex, with infection with multiple HPV types reported to make both women and men more susceptible to HIV infection. Besides the national programmes to vaccinate girls against HPV and screen women for cervical cancer, there should be targeted cervical cancer screening, treatment and prevention programmes introduced into HIV treatment centres. There is evidence that in high HIV prevalence areas, HIV-positive women could cause increases in the prevalence of genital HPV infection in HIV-negative men and so increase the HPV circulating in the community. Condom use and circumcision reduce the acquisition of HIV-1, and also to some extent of HPV. This review will highlight what is known about the interaction of HIV and HPV, with an emphasis on research in Africa.
Estimation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor by the Hydroxyapatite Method in Human Breast Cancer

Results of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in human breast tumours show large variations, mainly due to the lack of standardization of the assays. Our EGF receptor values are higher than those reported previously which may be due to the use of the hydroxyapatite to separate bound and non-bound ligand in a radioligand assay. We found EGF receptors in 58% (103/178) of the tumours (EGF receptor levels: 3 to 625 fmol/mg of membrane protein, mean = 33.3, median = 17.4), with a median Kd of 0.642 nmol/l. There was an inverse correlation between EGF receptors and estrogen receptors (r = -0.215, p = 0.00002, Kendall correlation). There was a difference between EGF receptor content in grade II (mean = 16.9) and grade III tumours (mean = 59.3) (p = 0.027), but not between histopathological types and lymph node status. The relevance of EGF receptor largely depends on the reliability of its determination. The standardized EORTC methodology is a reproducible alternative which will expand EGF receptor determination and permit comparability of data between laboratories.
Diversity and tension in knowledge production and dissemination: a closer look at the activities of 10 civil society organizations in Ghana

This paper presents the results of a multiple case study research on the activities of 10 civil society organizations (CSOs) engaged in knowledge production and dissemination. The conceptual framework utilized to guide this study included concepts related to contextualized research and research dissemination and utilization models. The findings revealed the diversity of approaches to knowledge production and dissemination, a great source of both richness and tensions related to differences in the quality of the knowledge produced and in the level of effectiveness of the dissemination strategies adopted. The study also highlighted the limited space given to the same CSOs to engage in policy discussions. These findings have implications for the participation of CSOs in evidence-based policy debates. First, the processes through which stakeholders determine what is relevant knowledge are rarely exempt from power issues. In such a context, the temptation to disqualify the evidence produced by CSOs on the basis of quality could become irresistible for those who have the most influence on determining what is an acceptable source of evidence. Second, these findings can help CSOs and other development partners develop dissemination strategies to make the most of the knowledge produced.
Identification of Cancer Related Genes Using a Comprehensive Map of Human Gene Expression

Rapid accumulation and availability of gene expression datasets in public repositories have enabled large-scale meta-analyses of combined data. The richness of cross-experiment data has provided new biological insights, including identification of new cancer genes. In this study, we compiled a human gene expression dataset from ∼40,000 publicly available Affymetrix HG-U133Plus2 arrays. After strict quality control and data normalisation the data was quantified in an expression matrix of ∼20,000 genes and ∼28,000 samples. To enable different ways of sample grouping, existing annotations where subjected to systematic ontology assisted categorisation and manual curation. Groups like normal tissues, neoplasmic tissues, cell lines, homoeotic cells and incompletely differentiated cells were created. Unsupervised analysis of the data confirmed global structure of expression consistent with earlier analysis but with more details revealed due to increased resolution. A suitable mixed-effects linear model was used to further investigate gene expression in solid tissue tumours, and to compare these with the respective healthy solid tissues. The analysis identified 1,285 genes with systematic expression change in cancer. The list is significantly enriched with known cancer genes from large, public, peer-reviewed databases, whereas the remaining ones are proposed as new cancer gene candidates. The compiled dataset is publicly available in the ArrayExpress Archive. It contains the most diverse collection of biological samples, making it the largest systematically annotated gene expression dataset of its kind in the public domain.
Breaking up is hard to do – membrane traffic in cytokinesis

Throughout normal development, and in aberrant conditions such as cancer, cells divide by a process called cytokinesis. Most textbooks suggest that animal cells execute cytokinesis using an actomyosin-containing contractile ring, whereas plant cells generate a new cell wall by the assembly of a novel membrane compartment using vesicle-trafficking machinery in an apparently distinct manner. Recent studies have shown that cytokinesis in animal and plant cells may not be as distinct as these models imply – both have an absolute requirement for vesicle traffic. Moreover, some of the key molecular components of cytokinesis have been identified, many of which are proteins that function to control membrane traffic. Here, we review recent advances in this area.
Utilização conjunta de modelagem econométrica e otimização em decisões de concessão de crédito

We use a Logit Model such as the one developed by Scarpel & Milioni (2001), designed to forecast corporations bankruptcy, together with an Integer Programming Model developed by Gehrlein & Wagner (1997). We aim at supporting decisions of credit concession considering the corporation's solvency probability estimate and minimizing the sum of opportunity and failure to pay costs. As we show, the conjoint utilization of both models eliminates limitations found in each of them, when used in isolation.
Structural and Functional Characteristics of the Class Ib Molecule, Qa‐1

Class I genes/molecules are operationally divided into two types, IA and IB. The former are represented by 1-3 genes/species which encode polymorphic molecules that present pathogenic peptides to CD8 T cells. Class IB molecules are encoded by a large family of class I related genes. In general these genes are much less polymorphic than 1A and their cell membrane expression is reduced relative to IA molecules. Since the structure of these molecules differs from class IA antigens to varying extents, the function that each class IB molecule plays in the immune system, if any. is largely unknown. Many different laboratories are studying various IB molecules including M3, Qa-2. CD-I, and TL (see articles in this issue) while our laboratories have focused on the structure and function of Qa-1. Why Qa-1? There are several features about this antigen that make it attractive to analyze. This includes the fact that it is ubiquitously expressed (Transy et al. 1987, Aldrich et al. 1988, Cochet et al. 1989), appears to have no null allele (Nakayama et al, 1990), binds ligands recognized by both a/? (Lowen et al. 1993) as well as yd T cells (Vidovic et al. 1989, Imani & Soloski 1991) and serves as a target antigen for both peptide-specific alloreactive (Aldrich et al. 1994) as well as self restricted CD8* T cells (Jiang et al. 1995). Thus, examining the structure and function of this antigen in these responses may provide insight into understanding T-ceU recognition in general and perhaps shed light on whether this molecule plays a unique role in the immune system.
A Repetitive, Steady Mouth Opening Induced an Osteoarthritis-like Lesion in the Rabbit Temporomandibular Joint

Although excessive mechanical stress is assumed to be one of the factors contributing to pathogenesis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA), no pure mechanical-stress-induced OA model has been developed without surgical manipulation or puncture of the joint cavity. The purpose of this study was to establish a genuine mechanical-stress-induced OA model of the rabbit TMJ. In the experimental rabbits, repetitive, forced jaw-opening, 3 hrs/day for 5 days, was applied with the use of a general anesthesia protocol. By histological assessment of the TMJ articular tissues, partial eburnation of the articular cartilage, reactive marginal proliferation of the articular cartilage chondrocytes, and nested proliferation of chondrocytes in the subchondral bone area were observed at 7 days after the repetitive, forced-jaw-opening period. These results suggest that the repetitive, forced-jaw-opening protocol without surgical intervention can induce evident OA-like lesions in the rabbit TMJ, and this OA model may greatly contribute to the elucidation of the cartilage degradation mechanism in TMJ OA.
Fundamental Principles of Managing Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

This essay examines the following working hypothesis: Multi-stakeholder engagement plays a critical role in value creation when an agri-food business faces strategic decisions in response to a wicked problem. Three issues are addressed: (1) what is multi-stakeholder engagement (MSE); (2) why is MSE particularly useful in the context of wicked problems; and, (3) what are some fundamental principles for managing MSE? The first two issues have been addressed by other authors and are covered quickly by laying a sparse logic for their importance and interdependence. The third issue has not been as widely dealt with, yet needs to be more completely fleshed out if MSE is to be a fully intentional vertical coordination strategy in supply chain management. Case-based research into the 30 practical projects in sustainable development carried out by TransForum will provide the motivation for a list of five fundamental principles for managing MSE: (1) focus on system and process performance, (2) manage initiating conditions, (3) engage the multiple stakeholders throughout the process, (4) practice innovation management, and (5) practice monitoring and reflection.
Motivations of Australian Listed companies Effecting share Buy-Backs

The bulk of prior research on share buy-backs has been undertaken in the U.S. As the legislative environment and capital market perception of buy-backs in Australia are different to the U.S., it is both desirable and necessary to examine the motivations of Australian share buy-backs. Contemporary Australian financial press reports, the U.S. financial management literature and anecdotal evidence provide numerous feasible motivations for a company to undertake a buy-back. In an Australian context, this article considers the following: (a) the development of the legislative framework relating to share buy-backs and why some forms of buy-back are preferred over others; (b) a set of potential motivations (reasons) for Australian companies undertaking a buy-back; and (c) the actual motivations as provided in ASX announcements by forty-four listed companies effecting sixty-seven share buy-backs over the period 1990 to 1995. Results reveal that motivations differ depending on the type of buy-back and are reasonably consistent across time. The two prime motivations for on-market buy-backs are: (a) signalling of future expectations (underpricing), and (b) an attempt to increase financial performance (EPS) and/or position (NAB/share). For selective buy-backs, the main purpose is to remove specific shareholders from the share register. Employee buy-backs are generally seen as an off-market means of providing a market for the company’s shares. Finally, the overriding motivation for equal access buy-backs is as an alternative to dividends.
Role of an Archaeal PitA Transporter in the Copper and Arsenic Resistance of Metallosphaera sedula, an Extreme Thermoacidophile

ABSTRACT Thermoacidophilic archaea, such as Metallosphaera sedula, are lithoautotrophs that occupy metal-rich environments. In previous studies, an M. sedula mutant lacking the primary copper efflux transporter, CopA, became copper sensitive. In contrast, the basis for supranormal copper resistance remained unclear in the spontaneous M. sedula mutant, CuR1. Here, transcriptomic analysis of copper-shocked cultures indicated that CuR1 had a unique regulatory response to metal challenge corresponding to the upregulation of 55 genes. Genome resequencing identified 17 confirmed mutations unique to CuR1 that were likely to change gene function. Of these, 12 mapped to genes with annotated function associated with transcription, metabolism, or transport. These mutations included 7 nonsynonymous substitutions, 4 insertions, and 1 deletion. One of the insertion mutations mapped to pseudogene Msed_1517 and extended its reading frame an additional 209 amino acids. The extended mutant allele was identified as a homolog of Pho4, a family of phosphate symporters that includes the bacterial PitA proteins. Orthologs of this allele were apparent in related extremely thermoacidophilic species, suggesting M. sedula naturally lacked this gene. Phosphate transport studies combined with physiologic analysis demonstrated M. sedula PitA was a low-affinity, high-velocity secondary transporter implicated in copper resistance and arsenate sensitivity. Genetic analysis demonstrated that spontaneous arsenate-resistant mutants derived from CuR1 all underwent mutation in pitA and nonselectively became copper sensitive. Taken together, these results point to archaeal PitA as a key requirement for the increased metal resistance of strain CuR1 and its accelerated capacity for copper bioleaching.
Effects of monetary rebates, feedback, and information on residential electricity conservation.

In this study, conducted during the summer months in Texas, 129 volunteer participant households were assigned to one of five experimental conditions: a high monetary rebate condition in which participants received conservation information, weekly written feedback on their electricity use, and monetary rebates amounting to a 240% price change in electricity; a low monetary rebate condition with the same structure as the high rebates except payments amounted to a 50% price change; a weekly feedback condition in which participants also received information but no rebates; an information condition; and a control condition. The dependent measure was percentage reduction in electricity use based on actual weekly meter readings by the research staff. Only the high rebate condition significantly curtailed electricity use by about 12% over the course of the study. Elasticity estimates suggested limited responsiveness in electricity consumption to price changes. Questionnaire data showed a pattern in which actual reduction in electricity was associated with planning a conservation program, attending to feedback, and modifying air conditioning use. 16 references, 3 tables.
The Effects of Guided Inquiry Approach in a Web-based Learning Environment on the Achievement of Students with Different Cognitive Style

Many educationists advocate the use of Web-based learning (WBL) as a platform to deliver information. Although thousands of WBL environments have been developed, most of them are tutorial-based. A guided inquiry approach offers an alternative as it allows the users to explore the environment based on a given problem. This study investigated the effectiveness of two learning approaches in a WBL environment (guided inquiry, GIA and tutorial, TuA) on the achievement of students with different cognitive styles (field independent, FI and field dependent, FD). The findings revealed that: (1) the GIA group performed significantly better than the TuA group, (2) the FI students performed significantly better than the FD students, and (3) the FI students in the GIA group performed significantly better than the FI students in the TuA group. These findings suggest that guided inquiry has the potential to be an effective learning approach in a Web environment
Rent-Seeking Activities and the ‘Brain Gain’ Effects of Migration

This paper studies migration and rent-seeking activities in a framework of heterogeneous ability. It is shown that, despite the depletion of productive resources known as the `brain drain,' the possibility of migration could sufficiently reduce participation in rent-seeking activities and increase participation in productive activities such that the net effect of migration is a `brain gain. ' Moreover, the possibility of migration that sufficiently enlarges the relative reward to ability in the productive sector could result in qualitative improvements in the allocation of talent.
Measures of potential output: an application to Israel

This paper estimates measures of potential output for Israel, with the aim of providing evidence on whether the recent growth slowdown is principally a cyclical slowdown or a structural shift towards a slower growth path after the dramatic developments associated with the years of heavy immigration. Israel poses a challenge because traditional methods of measuring potential output assume relatively stable conditions over an extended period of time. Five methodologies are employed to derive estimates and it is found that four of the measures imply the slowdown stems largely from reduced growth of potential output rather than a cyclical slowdown.
Sentiment analysis for the Japanese stock market

This study analyses the sentiment towards the Japanese economy that might appear in daily news articles between 1 January 2007 and 30 September 2012. To quantify such a sentiment, we created an index that accounts for the frequency of occurrence of words that affirmatively or negatively describe the current economic situation. Articles were taken from the Nikkei, a popular newspaper in Japan comparable with the Wall Street Journal in the USA. Using a cutting-edge text mining technique, we counted the numbers of 'positive' as well as 'negative' words in the newspaper articles. Constructing a daily summary index, we then performed statistical analysis to examine correlations between the sentiment index and Tokyo Stock Exchange prices. One interesting finding is that the index significantly predicts stock prices of three days in advance.
Endogenous Growth Cycles

Current explanations why a growing economy necessarily goes through periods of high and low growth predict countercyclical R&D investment. As this is very controversial from an empirical perspective, a stochastic Poisson model of endogenous growth cycles is presented where the determinants of the cyclical behaviour of R&D investment are analytically studied. Providing an explicit expression for the expected length of a cycle shows that high frequency fluctuations can indeed be understood by this approach. It is also shown how small technological improvements translate into large aggregate fluctuations.
Family Businesses: Can the Family and the Business Finances Be Separated? Preliminary Results

Small businesses had nearly $1.25 trillion in loans outstanding from commercial lenders, business finance companies, other businesses in the form of trade credit, and friends and relatives in the early 1990s (Ou, 1991). Based on recent information derived from the National Survey on Small Business Finance (NSSBF), loans held by commercial banks and family members or owners of the firm were significant sources of credit, comprising 54 and 18 percent of all loans, respectively (Haynes, 1996). The relative importance of these types of loans suggests that the finances of the business and the family are often intertwined. This study utilizes the recently released Survey of Consumer Finances to examine the impact of small business ownership on the household’s debt structure.