bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Board Oversight of Corporate Ethics Programs and Disclosure Transparency
Authors: Felo Andrew J. 
Published: October 2007

For a number of years, groups such as the Jenkins Committee and the SEC have taken steps to make corporate activities more transparent to investors. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires publicly traded firms to disclose whether they have adopted codes of ethics for their senior financial officers. An implicit assumption is that ethics codes will help firms develop more transparent disclosure policies by enhancing their internal control environments. However, past research (Felo 2000) provides evidence that board involvement in the development, implementation, and maintenance of codes is an important factor in whether ethics codes are related to stronger internal control environments.
Using results from Standard and Poor's survey of transparency and disclosure (Patel and Dallas 2002), I find that firms having ethics programs overseen by their boards disclose more overall information, financial information, and board and management information than do other firms. Additionally, they are more likely to disclose information recommended by the Jenkins Committee and to voluntarily provide information recently mandated by the SEC. Although my evidence only demonstrates an association between board oversight of ethics programs and disclosure transparency, it does support mandating greater board involvement in corporate ethics programs as a way to enhance corporate disclosure transparency.
The Impact of Roles of the Board on Auditors' Risk Assessments and Program Planning Decisions
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey R. , Krishnamoorthy Ganesh , Wright Arnold M. 
Published: October 2007

Given governance breakdowns, an important issue is whether auditors are sensitive to a client's governance structure. The purpose of the study is to examine how the roles played by the board affect auditors' risk assessments and program planning decisions. An agency role of the board emphasizes monitoring corporate management while a resource dependence role focuses on helping a firm cope with environmental uncertainty, gain access to external resources, and establish sound business strategies.
Sixty-eight audit partners and managers evaluated a case where the roles of the board were manipulated: agency role (stronger or weaker) and resource dependence role (stronger or weaker). Results indicate that auditors' inherent risk assessments were not significantly affected by the resource dependence role, but control risk assessments were higher when the board played either a weak agency or weak resource dependence role than for the parallel strong condition. Further, audit program planning judgments were significantly affected by both the agency and the resource dependence variables. Finally, exploratory analysis indicates that when the board was stronger on both the agency and resource dependence dimensions, control risk assessments were the lowest and auditors decreased planned audit effort, while audit effort was increased for all other conditions.
Ethical Reasoning and Equitable Relief
Authors: Fleischman Gary M. , Valentine Sean , Finn Don W. 
Published: October 2007

Professional manager perceptions were investigated in this study using a survey containing two equitable relief situational vignettes to investigate empirically two of the four steps from Rest's (1986) ethical reasoning process. Business societal perceptions of the equitable relief subset of the innocent spouse rules were also investigated, focusing on the knowledge of evasion and abuse factors.The results indicated that the ethical reasoning process was significantly related to ethical decision making and Rest's (1986) model. Furthermore, decision makers were more likely to judge that relief be granted in an equitable relief scenario involving abuse than to one not involving abuse. The knowledge of evasion factor contained in both scenarios appeared to influence indirectly respondents' judgments to deny equitable relief, while the presence of emotional abuse strengthened relief judgments. Finally, the study presents a general framework involving the interrelationship of Congressional intent with societal perceptions regarding subjective equitable relief tax-law provisions that are associated within a societal context.
The Impact of Financial Information and Voluntary Disclosures on Contributions to Not-For-Profit Organizations
Authors: Parsons Linda M. 
Published: October 2007

This study uses a field-based experiment combined with a follow-up laboratory experiment to investigate whether accounting information reduces perceived uncertainty about nonprofit operations. Potential donors were sent, via a direct mail campaign, fundraising appeals containing varying amounts of financial and nonfinancial information in order to determine whether individual donors are more likely to contribute when accounting information or voluntary disclosures are provided. Participants in a lab experiment were asked to assess the usefulness of the different versions of the fundraising appeals.
A logistic regression provides evidence that some donors who have previously donated use financial accounting information when making a donation decision. The results are inconclusive regarding whether donors use nonfinancial service efforts and accomplishments disclosures to determine whether and how much to give, but participants in the lab experiment judged the nonfinancial disclosures to be useful for making a giving decision.
Long Series of Information and Nonprofessional Investors' Belief Revision
Authors: Pinsker Robert 
Published: October 2007

This paper reports the results of an experiment designed to examine the effect of disclosure pattern (sequential versus simultaneous) and direction of information (positive/negative versus negative/positive) on nonprofessional investors' belief revisions. An important feature of the experiment is that long series of information are used. Prior research has largely examined individuals' belief revisions using short series of information.
Results indicate that individuals revise beliefs to a larger extent when the disclosure pattern is sequential rather than simultaneous. The findings extend the prior belief revision literature by providing evidence that results hold using long series of information: the current experiment uses 20 pieces of information, whereas most accounting studies only use four pieces of information. Results also contribute to the extant financial accounting literature on nonprofessional investors that is particularly relevant given the larger number of inexperienced investors entering the marketplace and recent legislation that requires more detailed firm disclosures (e.g., the Sarbanes-Oxley Act [SOX] of 2002).
Understanding Accounting for Business Combinations: An Instructional Resource
Authors: Nurnberg Hugo , Sweeney Jan 
Published: October 2007

In explaining Statement No. 141, Business Combinations (SFAS No. 141, FASB 2001b) and Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (SFAS No. 142, FASB 2001c), accounting textbooks do not adequately describe the theoretical choices the FASB considered or the economic and political context in which the FASB developed these statements.
This instructional resource fills that gap. It compares purchase, pooling of interests (hereafter, pooling), and fresh start accounting, as well as various methods of accounting for goodwill under purchase and fresh start accounting; it also discusses the economic and political context in which the FASB deliberated. A simple example (and a separate more complicated homework problem) compares the effects of these methods on post-combination financial statements. The Teaching Notes discuss how to use this instructional resource to introduce these subjects and integrate them with other subjects covered in advanced financial accounting and merger and acquisition courses.
Automatic Classification of Financial Accounting Concepts
Authors: Garnsey Margaret R. 
Published: October 2007

Information and standards overload are part of the current business environment. In accounting, this is exacerbated due to the variety of users and the evolving nature of accounting language. This article describes a research project that determines the feasibility of using statistical methods to automatically group related accounting concepts together. Starting with the frequencies of words in documents and modifying them for local and global weighting, Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) and agglomerative clustering were used to derive clusters of related accounting concepts. Resultant clusters were compared to terms generated randomly and terms identified by individuals to determine if related terms are identified. A recognition test was used to determine if providing individuals with lists of terms generated automatically allowed them to identify additional relevant terms.Results found that both clusters obtained from the weighted term-document matrix and clusters from a LSI matrix based on 50 dimensions contained significant numbers of related terms. There was no statistical difference in the number of related terms found by the methods. However, the LSI clusters contained terms that were of a lower frequency in the corpus. This finding may have significance in using cluster terms to assist in retrieval. When given a specific term and asked for related terms, providing individuals with a list of potential terms significantly increased the number of related terms they were able to identify when compared to their free-recall.
Ethylene
Authors: Resnick Josephine S , Chang Caren 
Published: October 2007

Abstract

Ethylene is a simple hydrocarbon gas that has profound effects on plant growth and development. As an important growth regulator, ethylene plays a role in many processes, including fruit ripening, abscission, senescence and stress responses. Recent advances, particularly from studies in
Arabidopsis thaliana
, have deepened our understanding of ethylene biosynthesis and signalling at the molecular level, and are beginning to address ethylene's interactions with other signalling pathways.
The market potential for gift baskets of Hawaiian food products in China
Authors: Hu Wuyang , Cox Linda J. , Edwards Quincy A. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractChina is an emerging market for U.S. agricultural products. However, producers in Hawaii face challenges in entering this market due to their small volume and lack of expertise. A marketing strategy involving packaging food products in handmade containers as Hawaiian gift baskets may hold some potential for these producers. This paper analyzes the results of a survey done in China involving gift baskets with various attributes using conditional (CL), rank‐ordered (RL), and mixed rank‐ordered (MRL) logit models. The MRL model identified heterogeneity among the preferences of survey respondents. Some respondents are willing to pay a large positive amount for a gift basket in a handmade container. Moreover, if a basket is labeled as containing Hawaii‐grown food products, an additional large positive value can be added to the basket. This methodology can be used to investigate heterogeneous preferences and identify the value of attributes to various market segments. [JEL Code: M310, D12]. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 23: 553–565, 2007.
Food consumption and demographics in Japan: Implications for an aging population
Authors: Bittencourt Mauricio V.L. , Teratanavat Ratapol P. , Chern Wen S. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis study estimates a cross‐sectional model based on the Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) to examine the determinants of food consumption patterns in Japan over life‐cycle periods. The test of structural changes, the analysis of the effects of demographic characteristics, and the estimation of expenditure and price elasticities are conducted from a random sample of 1,281 households from a Japanese household survey in 1997. Results show that each economic or noneconomic factor has a different impact on food consumption over a lifetime. Changes in consumption of some food groups can be explained by price and income effects where others can be explained by demographic characteristics. Financial constraint is not binding and residential location is likely to have little or no impact on predicting consumers' food choices at different periods of their lives. Other key factors that affect consumption pattern include family size, number of children, lifestyle, and health concern. [EconLit citations: C310, D120, D910.] © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 23: 529–551, 2007.
A developmental classification of malformations of the brainstem
Authors: Barkovich A. James , Millen Kathleen J. , Dobyns William B. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjectiveWith advances in imaging and genetics, malformations of the brainstem are being more commonly identified. We describe and classify brainstem anomalies in 138 patients ascertained over a period of 10 yearsMethodsMagnetic resonance imaging studies and, where available, clinical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. Malformations were segregated according to magnetic resonance findings and classified when possible by embryological mechanismsResultsThe most common location for anomalies was the pons, which was involved in 114 patients. The midbrain was involved in 45 patients, whereas the medulla was involved in 14. In 53 patients, more than 1 region was affected (all 3 regions in 6 patients, midbrain and pons in 39, and medulla and pons in 8). The malformations were divided into four groups: (1) malformations with abnormal brainstem segmentation, (2) malformations with segmental hypoplasia, (3) postsegmentation malformations, and (4) malformations associated with abnormal cortical organizationInterpretationThe malformations of the brainstem identified in this study were diverse and complex. This proposed classification organizes them into groupings based on known genetics and embryological events. Use of this system will help clinicians and scientists to better understand these disorders and, ultimately, to better counsel families of affected patients. Ann Neurol 2007
Reinforcing effect of organoclay in rubbery and glassy epoxy resins, part 1: Dispersion and properties
Authors: Ngo T.‐D. , Ton‐That M.‐T. , Hoa S. V. , Cole K. C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe reinforcing effect of organoclay in two epoxy matrices, one rubbery and one glassy, was studied. The rubbery and glassy epoxy matrices were chosen to have a very similar chemistry to minimize its impact on the comparison of properties. The epoxy resin was EPON™ 828, and the two hardeners were amine‐terminated polyoxypropylene diols, having different average molecular weights (MW) of 2000 and 230 g/mol, namely Jeffamine® D‐2000 and Jeffamine® D‐230, respectively. The nanocomposites were prepared with the organoclay Cloisite® 30B from Southern Clay Products. The quality of dispersion and intercalation/exfoliation was analyzed by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEGSEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to study the curing reactivity and the thermal stability of the epoxy resin systems, respectively. Tensile properties and hardness of epoxy resin and epoxy nanocomposites were measured according to ASTM standards D638‐02 and D2240‐00, respectively. Fracture surfaces were also analyzed by FEGSEM. These two epoxy systems as well as their nanocomposites display totally different physical and mechanical behavior. It is found that the quality of clay dispersion and intercalation/exfoliation, and the mechanical behavior of the glassy and rubbery epoxy nanocomposites are distinct. The results also indicate that the presence of the clay does not significantly affect the Tg of either the rubbery or the glassy epoxy; however, the fracture surface and mechanical properties were found to be influenced by the presence of nanoclay. Finally, several different reinforcing mechanisms are proposed and discussed for the rubbery and glassy epoxy nanocomposites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Preparation of a nanosilica‐modified negative‐type acrylate photoresist
Authors: Lin Dar‐Jong , Don Trong‐Ming , Chen Chin‐Chung , Lin Bing‐Yi , Lee Chih‐Kang , Cheng Liao‐Ping 
Published: October 2007

AbstractA new type of negative photoresist, which incorporated nanosized silica into a photosensitive acrylic resin, was developed. First, free‐radical polymerization was employed to synthesize the acrylic resin, poly[methyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid/3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate], and then a silica precursor, prepared by hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethoxysilane in a sol–gel process, was introduced into the as‐formed resin solution. After the addition of photosensitive monomers and photoinitiators, a negative‐type organic–inorganic photoresist was produced. The morphology of the UV‐cured photoresist, as observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, indicated that the size of the silica domain in the material could be reduced from 300 to about 50 nm by appropriate dosage of 3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate. Thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal mechanical analysis were used to evaluate the thermal and dimensional stabilities of the cured photoresists. It was found that the thermal decomposition temperature and glass‐transition temperature increased, whereas the thermal expansion coefficients before and after the glass transition decreased, with increasing silica content. The incorporation of 3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate also enhanced the thermal and dimensional stabilities; however, the level of enhancement was moderate for the thermal decomposition temperature and thermal expansion coefficient and low for the glass‐transition temperature. In addition, a photoresist coated on a copper substrate demonstrated high hardness (5H) and strong adhesion (100%) with a resolution of 30 μm. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Properties of surface‐modified multiwalled carbon nanotube filled poly(ethylene terephthalate) composite films
Authors: Jin Sang Hyun , Yoon Kwan Han , Park Young‐Bin , Bang Dae Suk 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPoly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites were prepared by in situ polymerization. To improve the dispersion of MWCNTs in the PET matrix, functionalized MWCNTs having acid groups (acid‐MWCNTs) and acetic groups (acetic‐MWCNTs) on their surfaces were used. The functional groups were confirmed by infrared spectrometry. Scanning electron microscopy showed that acetic‐MWCNTs had a better dispersion in the PET matrix than pristine MWCNTs and acid‐MWCNTs. A reaction between PET and acetic‐MWCNTs was confirmed by a shift of the Raman G band to a higher frequency and an increase of the complex viscosity in the rheological properties. The composites containing functionalized MWCNTs showed a large increase in their tensile strengths and moduli. The values of the strengths and moduli of the PET/acetic‐MWCNT composites were higher than those of the PET/acid‐MWCNT composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Experimental results for the rheological and rheo‐optical behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/liquid‐crystalline polymer blends
Authors: Cidade M. T. , Menon A. R. , Leal C. R. , Pillai C. K. S. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe use of thermoplastic/liquid‐crystalline polymer (LCP) blends is recognized as a good strategy for reducing viscosity and improving mechanical properties relative to pure thermoplastics. This improvement, however, is only noticeable if the LCP fibrillates, in situ, during processing and the fibrils are kept in the solid state. In this article, we report a morphological, rheological, and rheo‐optics study performed with two blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with a LCP, Rodrun LC3000 (10 and 25 wt % LCP content), and we show that the obtained droplet‐shape relaxation time (the time the deformed droplet took to regain its spherical form after the cessation of flow) allowed for the explanation of the morphological observations. In fact, the droplet‐shape relaxation time was higher for the blend with higher LCP content, for the higher experimentally accessible shear rates, and still increased at the highest shear rate, which explained the fibrils of the LCP dispersed phase observed in this blend, whereas for the lower LCP content blend, the droplet‐shape relaxation time reached a low‐value plateau for higher shear rates, which explained the absence of fibrillation in this blend. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Pricing VIX futures: Evidence from integrated physical and risk‐neutral probability measures
Authors: Lin Yueh‐Neng 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThis study derives closed‐form solutions to the fair value of VIX (volatility index) futures under alternate stochastic variance models with simultaneous jumps both in the asset price and variance processes. Model parameters are estimated using an integrated analysis of integrated volatility and VIX time series from April 21, 2004 to April 18, 2006. The stochastic volatility model with price jumps outperforms for the short‐dated futures, whereas additionally including a state‐dependent volatility jump can further reduce out‐of‐sample pricing errors for other futures maturities. Finally, adding volatility jumps enhances hedging performance except for the short‐dated futures on a daily‐rebalanced basis. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 27:1175–1217, 2007
Neural correlates of noncanonical syntactic processing revealed by a picture‐sentence matching task
Authors: Kinno Ryuta , Kawamura Mitsuru , Shioda Seiji , Sakai Kuniyoshi L. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIt remains controversial whether the left inferior frontal gyrus subserves syntactic processing or short‐term memory demands. Here we devised a novel picture‐sentence matching task involving Japanese sentences with different structures to clearly contrast syntactic reanalysis processes. Using event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), activations under three main conditions were directly compared: a canonical/subject‐initial active sentence (AS), a noncanonical/subject‐initial passive sentence (PS), and a noncanonical/object‐initial scrambled sentence (SS). We found that activation in the dorsal region of the left inferior frontal gyrus (dF3t) was enhanced more by the noncanonical processing under the PS and SS conditions than by the canonical processing under the AS condition, and this enhancement was independent of domain‐general factors, such as general memory demands and task difficulty. Moreover, the left posterior superior/middle temporal gyrus (pSTG/MTG) showed more enhanced responses to object‐initial sentences under the SS condition than to subject‐initial sentences under the AS and PS conditions, which were not significantly affected by task difficulty. Furthermore, activation in the left lateral premotor cortex (LPMC) increased under the AS, PS, and SS conditions, in that order. It is possible that task difficulty affects the left LPMC, but the three distinct activations patterns suggest that these frontal and temporal regions work in concert to process syntactic structures, with their respective contributions dynamically regulated by linguistic requirements. Hum Brain Mapp 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.