Shareholder Voting and Directors’ Remuneration Report Legislation: Say on Pay in the U.K. (CRI 2009-004)

This paper investigates shareholder voting in the UK. The Directors’ Remuneration Report (DRR) Regulations of 2002 gave shareholders a mandatory non-binding vote on boardroom pay. First, using data on about 50,000 resolutions over the period 2002 to 2007 we find that less than 10% of shareholders abstain or vote against the mandated Directors’ Remuneration Report (DRR) resolution. Second, investors are more likely to vote against DRR resolutions compared to non-pay resolutions. Third, shareholders are more likely to vote against general executive pay resolutions, such as stock options, long term incentive plans and bonus resolutions compared to non-pay resolutions. Forth, firms with higher CEO pay attract greater voting dissent. Fifth, there is little evidence that CEO pay is lower in firms that previously experienced high levels of shareholder dissent. In addition, there is little evidence that the equity pay-mix, representing better owner-manager alignment, is greater in such firms. Currently, we find limited evidence that, on average, ‘say on pay’ materially alters the subsequent level and design of CEO compensation

Integral Field spectroscopy of two HI rich E+A galaxies

Approximately half of the nearby E+A galaxies followed up with 21-cm observations have detectable HI emission. The optical spectra of these galaxies show strong post-starburst stellar populations but no optical emission lines implying star-formation is not ongoing despite the presence of significant gas reservoirs. We have obtained integral field spectroscopic follow up observations of the two brightest, and nearest, of the six E+A galaxies with HI 21-cm emission in the recent sample of Zwaan et al. (2013). In the central regions of both galaxies the observations are consistent with a post-starburst population with little emission. However, outside the central regions both galaxies have strong optical emission lines, with a clumpy or knot-like distribution, indicating ongoing star-formation. We conclude that in these two cases the presence of optical spectra lacking evidence for star-formation while a large gas mass is present can be explained by an aperture effect in selecting the nearby E+A galaxies using single-fibre spectroscopy that probes only the galaxy core.Comment: Accepted to MNRAS, 7 pages, 2 figure

Influence of substrate miscut angle on surface morphology and luminescence properties of AlGaN

The influence of substrate miscut on Al0.5Ga0.5 N layers was investigated using cathodoluminescence (CL) hyperspectral imaging and secondary electron imaging in an environmental scanning electron microscope. The samples were also characterized using atomic force microscopy and high resolution X-ray diffraction. It was found that small changes in substrate miscut have a strong influence on the morphology and luminescence properties of the AlGaN layers. Two different types are resolved. For low miscut angle, a crack-free morphology consisting of randomly sized domains is observed, between which there are notable shifts in the AlGaN near band edge emission energy. For high miscut angle, a morphology with step bunches and compositional inhomogeneities along the step bunches, evidenced by an additional CL peak along the step bunches, are observed

Allosteric modulation of zinc speciation by fatty acids

Background: Serum albumin is the major protein component of blood plasma and is responsible for the circulatory transport of a range of small molecules that include fatty acids, hormones, metal ions and drugs. Studies examining the ligand-binding properties of albumin make up a large proportion of the literature. However, many of these studies do not address the fact that albumin carries multiple ligands (including metal ions) simultaneously in vivo. Thus the binding of a particular ligand may influence both the affinity and dynamics of albumin interactions with another. Scope of review: Here we review the Zn2 + and fatty acid transport properties of albumin and highlight an important interplay that exists between them. Also the impact of this dynamic interaction upon the distribution of plasma Zn2 +, its effect upon cellular Zn2 + uptake and its importance in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia are considered. Major conclusions: We previously identified the major binding site for Zn2 + on albumin. Furthermore, we revealed that Zn2 +-binding at this site and fatty acid-binding at the FA2 site are interdependent. This suggests that the binding of fatty acids to albumin may serve as an allosteric switch to modulate Zn2 +-binding to albumin in blood plasma. General significance: Fatty acid levels in the blood are dynamic and chronic elevation of plasma fatty acid levels is associated with some metabolic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Since the binding of Zn2 + to albumin is important for the control of circulatory/cellular Zn2 + dynamics, this relationship is likely to have important physiological and pathological implications. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Serum Albumin

Graphical Engine for Android Application Development

Import 05/08/2014Bakalářská práce je zaměřena na problematiku vývoje knihovny určené k tvorbě graficky náročných aplikací pro Android platformu. Dále řeší využití hardwarové akcelerace při vykreslování scény. Animace a transformace mesh objektů. Práci s audio soubory, texturami a shadery. Nastavení a ovládání kamery, či možnost využití fyzikálního enginu. Hlavním cílem práce je tedy vytvoření komplexní knihovny poskytující prostředí pro rychlý a snadný vývoj aplikací.Bachelor thesis is focused on issue of development a library to creating high graphical applications for Android platform. Then solves usage of hardware accelelaration. Animation and transformation of mesh objects. Work with audio files, textures and shaders. Configuration and camera controls or the possibility of using physics engine. The main purpose of this thesis is creation of comprehensive library that provides interface for fast and easy development of aplications.460 - Katedra informatikyvýborn

Biomechanical and musculoskeletal measurements as risk factors for running-related injury in non-elite runners : a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies

Background: Running-related injury (RRI) is highly prevalent among recreational runners and is a key barrier to participation. Atypical lower limb alignment and mechanical function have been proposed to play a role in development of lower extremity injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between incidence of running related injury (RRI) in non-elite runners with biomechanical and musculoskeletal variables. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Published research indexed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, AMED, and The Cochrane library until 13th January 2021, grey literature, and reference lists of included studies were screened to identify prospective studies of non-elite adult runners that measured a relationship between biomechanical or musculoskeletal measures and incidence of RRI. Results: Thirty studies (3404 runners), testing over 100 discrete biomechanical and musculoskeletal risk factors for RRI, were included. Nineteen studies were pooled in twenty-fve separate meta-analyses. Meta-analysis of four studies detected signifcantly less knee extension strength among runners who developed a RRI (SMD−0.19, 95% CI−0.36 to−0.02, p=0.03), though this may not be clinically important. A meta-analysis of two studies detected signifcantly lower hip adduction velocity among runners who developed a RRI (MD−12.80, 95% CI−25.22 to−0.38, p=0.04). Remaining meta-analyses found no signifcant relationship between biomechanical or musculoskeletal variables and RRI. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis found the currently available literature does not generally support biomechanical or musculoskeletal measures as risk factors for RRI in non-elite runners. While meta-analysis fndings for knee extension strength and hip adduction velocity as risk factors for RRI were statistically signifcant, the associated trivial to small efects sizes suggest these fndings should be treated with caution. Until further evidence emerges, recommendations for injury prevention in non-elite runners cannot be made based on biomechanical and musculoskeletal measurements alon

Easy to synthesize, robust organo-osmium asymmetric transfer hydrogenation catalysts

Asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) is an important process in organic synthesis for which the Noyori-type RuII catalysts [(arene)Ru(Tsdiamine)] are now well established and widely used. We now demonstrate for the first time the catalytic activity of the osmium analogues. X-ray crystal structures of the 16-electron OsII catalysts are almost identical to those of RuII. Intriguingly the precursor complex was isolated as a dichlorido complex with a monodentate amine ligand. The OsII catalysts are readily synthesised (within 1 h) and exhibit excellent enantioselectivity in ATH reactions of ketones