Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nano-CeO₂) have been reported to cause damage and apoptosis in human primary hepatocytes. Here, we compared the toxicity of three types of nano-CeO₂ with different nanocrystal morphologies (cube-, octahedron-, and rod-like crystals) in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2). The cells were treated with the nano-CeO₂ at various concentrations (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50...

Density functional theory was used to study the CO oxidation catalytic activity of CeO(2)-supported Au nanoparticles (NPs). Experimental observations on CeO(2) show that the surface of CeO(2) is enriched with oxygen vacancies. We compare CO oxidation by a Au(13) NP supported on stoichiometric CeO(2) (Au(13)@CeO(2)-STO) and partially reduced CeO(2) with three vacancies (Au(13)@CeO(2)-3VAC). The ...

Do CEO values matter? Most researchers say yes, but few have been able to empirically prove that. Using the Q-sort method to measure CEO values and HLM to test the effects of CEO values played on middle manager responses in 42 Chinese companies, we found that CEO values affect the manager’s attitudinal responses, but not their job performance as rated by their superiors. Our results also show t...

This paper shows that an employer’s two roles of supporting employees as well as assessing their abilities and making appropriate replacement decisions are inextricably intertwined. Offering support in the form of advice, resources, time, or freedom not only helps the worker to succeed in his job but either impedes or facilitates the assessment of his ability. This interaction has broad implica...

Eukaryotic cells rapidly adjust the levels of mRNAs in response to environmental stress primarily by controlling transcription and mRNA turnover. How different stress conditions influence the fate of stress-responsive mRNAs, however, is relatively poorly understood. This is largely due to the fact that mRNA half-life assays are traditionally based on interventions (e.g., temperature-shifts usin...

Using 1998-2005 EXECUCOMP data on Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) CEOs, this study addresses some of the issues that arise when modeling CEO incentive-based compensation. The purpose is to investigate how profit efficiencies are impacted by CEO compensation and their composition of pay packages. Since a disproportionate amount of a REITs expenses are executive compensation related, this iss...

We examine the relationship between the optimal incentive contract and the firm’s decision to fire a manager for poor performance. We first derive some theoretical results using a simple principal-agent model, and then examine the empirical evidence on the incidence of forced turnover among CEOs with different compensation contracts. We find that CEOs with steeper compensation contracts (i.e., ...

This letter is a first attempt to investigate the relationship between frequent leadership changes during year and firm performance. We analyze how CEO frequency one-year period impact performance indicators of Chinese listed firms. The results panel fixed-effect regression reveal that turnover leads decline in corporate measured by ROA ROE. Moreover, with an increase annual frequency, degree g...

We analyze the interactions between internal and external control mechanisms in a framework in which the board selects the CEO and then decides whether to retain or dismiss him after observing a signal on his ability. The novel aspect of our paper is that we consider both the hiring and the firing of the CEO by the board. The type of the board is defined by its ability to select a good CEO so t...

We examine whether CEO power can explain the vast amount defined benefit pensions received by them. Analyzing a sample of UK firms from 2003 to 2006, we find that pensions constitutes of almost 15% of the average CEO compensation. Statistical analysis shows that the variables representing increased CEO power have a positive influence on pension pay. We also find that the presence of defined ben...