The Molecular Basis of Cancer

After cardiovascular diseases, cancer is the second leading cause of death in America. Since 1990 over half a million Americans have died each year of some form of cance1; and the number and rate is still increasing. In 1970 approximately 17 percent of all deaths were attributed to cancer, while by 1995 the figure had risen to 24 percent. In her chilling book on the meaning of illness in America, Illness as Metaphor, Susan Sontag described cancer as the sickness of the American 20th century. Learning about cancer has become more than a useful chore for those who suffer from the disease or wish to cope with the diseases of family members and loved ones. It is increasingly a matter of cultural literacy to come to understand the workings of a disease whose consequences seem to spare none of us. In the following essay, Frank Gorga, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, summarizes some of the most recent scientific thinking on the basic nature of cancer

The tax morale of individual taxpayers in Indonesia

This research investigates the tax morale of individual taxpayers in Indonesia, employing a mixed methodology approach, utilising survey and interviews as the methods in obtaining the data. The results show individual taxpayers in Indonesia have a high level of tax morale, where perceptions of the legal system and sentiment towards tax are statistically significant factors in influencing the level of tax morale. Age, education level, and financial condition are also found to affect tax morale

Ecology of the American Mink & the Potential Impact on Species of Concern in Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina

Species reintroduction projects are becoming more common as a conservation tool to reestablish populations following extirpation. The implementation of these projects can be controversial due to the potential impact the reintroduced animal could have on endangered, threatened, or at risk prey species. In 1999, South Carolina\u27s Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) reintroduced the American mink (Neovison vison), a SCDNR designated species of high conservation priority, to the northern coastal marshes of the state, including Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge (CRNWR). In order to estimate the impact of this opportunistic predator on other species, especially those of special concern to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) at CRNWR, a literature-based bioenergetics model was constructed using diet analysis data from 45 mink stomach/gastrointestinal tracts collected from CRNWR. Diet was predominately crustacean (51.9% of prey occurrences) and fish (40.7%) with occasional avian occurrence (7.4%). The bioenergetics model estimated, on average, that a single mink could consume 158 crustacean, 38 fish, and 8.5 avian prey items per month. Additionally, 7 female mink were captured, implanted with an intraperitoneal transmitter, and monitored from March through August (2010 and 2011) to determine home range size and activity pattern. Average lactating female mink home range and core area measured 2.12 ha and 0.26 ha, respectively, and average linear home range (i.e., marsh edge utilization within home range) measured 1.0 km. Lactating female mink activity was negatively related to tide height. Although activity was not significantly influenced by temperature and light, lactating female mink appeared to be less active during the day, especially at mid-day when temperatures were high. Based on the findings of this study and others that have monitored avian species of concern in CRNWR, predation (e.g., mink, raccoon, great horned owl, black vulture, rat, and ghost crab) has been demonstrated to contribute to lost shorebird and seabird productivity (i.e., nest loss or chick loss). Since mink, American oystercatcher, least tern, and black skimmer have high conservation value in South Carolina, further monitoring and research of the interaction of these species is necessary to restore the historical ecological integrity of the system. A joint mink culling-relocation program between SCDNR and USFWS at CRNWR could benefit both mink and beach-nesting bird conservation

Changing the Paradigm of Stock Ownership from Concentrated towards Dispersed Ownership? Evidence from Brazil and Consequences for Emerging Countries

This paper analyzes micro-level dynamics of changes in ownership structures. It investigates a unique event: changes in ownership patterns currently taking place in Brazil. It builds upon empirical evidence to advance theoretical understanding of how and why concentrated ownership structures can change towards dispersed ownership. Commentators argue that the Brazilian capital markets are finally taking off. The number of listed companies and IPOs in the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa) has greatly increased. Firms are migrating to Bovespa’s special listing segments, which require higher standards of corporate governance. Companies have sold control in the market, and the stock market has recently seen an attempted hostile takeover. This paper discusses these current developments and analyzes ownership structures of companies listed on Bovespa’s listing segments based on data from 2006 and 2007. It provides the first evidence of the decline of ownership concentration in Brazilian corporations. There is, however, an important caveat: dispersed ownership is mainly found in Novo Mercado, the listing segment that requires the one-share-one-vote rule. This paper, then, investigates firms’ migration patterns, and finds that 85% of Novo Mercado’s are “new entrant” firms. Traditional firms have mostly migrated to Level 1, the least stringent corporate governance segment. Thus, there are two corporate worlds in Brazilian capital markets: new corporations that adopt proactive corporate governance patterns, and established corporations that retain their main patterns of corporate governance or ownership structure. This paper additionally explores the consequences of increased dispersion of ownership through private contracting, such as shareholders’ agreements and bylaws. The evidence suggests an increasing reliance on shareholders’ agreements to coordinate joint control and to bind directors’ votes. I also find a growing adoption of anti-takeover devices in bylaws. Finally, this paper sheds light on the incentives that may alter preferences of controlling shareholders. This discussion also explains why controlling shareholders opt to create greater diversity of ownership structures. This analysis advances our knowledge of corporate structures in other emerging countries

Changing the Paradigm of Stock Ownership from Concentrated Towards Dispersed Ownership? Evidence from Brazil and Consequences for Emerging Countries

This paper analyzes micro-level dynamics of changes in ownership structures. It investigates a unique event: changes in ownership patterns currently taking place in Brazil. It builds upon empirical evidence to advance the theoretical understanding of how and why concentrated ownership structures can change towards dispersed ownership. Commentators argue that the Brazilian capital markets are finally taking off. The number of listed companies and Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in the São Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa) has greatly increased. Firms are migrating to Bovespa\u27s special listing segments, which require higher standards of corporate governance. Companies have sold control in the market, and the stock market has recently seen an attempted hostile takeover. This paper discusses these current developments and analyzes ownership structures of companies listed on Bovespa\u27s listing segments based on data from 2006 and 2007. It provides the first evidence of the decline of ownership concentration in Brazilian corporations. There is, however, an important caveat: dispersed ownership is mainly found in Novo Mercado, the listing segment that requires the one-share-one-vote rule. This paper, then, investigates firms\u27 migration patterns, and finds that eighty-five percent of Novo Mercado\u27s firms are new entrant firms. Traditional firms have mostly migrated to Level 1, the least stringent corporate governance segment. Thus, there are two corporate worlds in Brazilian capital markets: new corporations that adopt proactive corporate governance patterns, and established corporations that retain their main patterns of corporate governance or ownership structure. This paper additionally explores the consequences of increased dispersion of ownership through private contracting, such as shareholders\u27 agreements and bylaws. The evidence suggests an increasing reliance on shareholders\u27 agreements to coordinate joint control and to bind directors\u27 votes. Research also shows a growing adoption of anti-takeover devices in bylaws. Finally, this paper sheds light on the incentives that may alter preferences of controlling shareholders. This discussion also explains why controlling shareholders opt to create greater diversity of ownership structures. This analysis advances our knowledge of corporate structures in other emerging countries

Changing the Paradigm of Stock Ownership from Concentrated Towards Dispersed Ownership? Evidence from Brazil and Consequences for Emerging Countries

This paper analyzes micro-level dynamics of changes in ownership structures. It investigates a unique event: changes in ownership patterns currently taking place in Brazil. It builds upon empirical evidence to advance the theoretical understanding of how and why concentrated ownership structures can change towards dispersed ownership. Commentators argue that the Brazilian capital markets are finally taking off. The number of listed companies and Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in the São Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa) has greatly increased. Firms are migrating to Bovespa\u27s special listing segments, which require higher standards of corporate governance. Companies have sold control in the market, and the stock market has recently seen an attempted hostile takeover. This paper discusses these current developments and analyzes ownership structures of companies listed on Bovespa\u27s listing segments based on data from 2006 and 2007. It provides the first evidence of the decline of ownership concentration in Brazilian corporations. There is, however, an important caveat: dispersed ownership is mainly found in Novo Mercado, the listing segment that requires the one-share-one-vote rule. This paper, then, investigates firms\u27 migration patterns, and finds that eighty-five percent of Novo Mercado\u27s firms are new entrant firms. Traditional firms have mostly migrated to Level 1, the least stringent corporate governance segment. Thus, there are two corporate worlds in Brazilian capital markets: new corporations that adopt proactive corporate governance patterns, and established corporations that retain their main patterns of corporate governance or ownership structure. This paper additionally explores the consequences of increased dispersion of ownership through private contracting, such as shareholders\u27 agreements and bylaws. The evidence suggests an increasing reliance on shareholders\u27 agreements to coordinate joint control and to bind directors\u27 votes. Research also shows a growing adoption of anti-takeover devices in bylaws. Finally, this paper sheds light on the incentives that may alter preferences of controlling shareholders. This discussion also explains why controlling shareholders opt to create greater diversity of ownership structures. This analysis advances our knowledge of corporate structures in other emerging countries