Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sources of Earnings Variability and Their Effect on Earnings Forecasts

Previous research shows that analysts’ forecasts of earnings do not fully incorporate information contained in reported earnings variability. This study investigates whether the inefficient forecast is because of a failure to incorporate observable information on two components of earnings variability: variability in operating performance and income smoothing. Our results show that analysts’ forecasts fully incorporate information contained in earnings variability for firms with high income smoothing and for firms with low operating variability. A smaller serial correlation of forecast errors is observed for firms with low operating variability, which suggests that analysts recognize the permanence in earnings for such firms.
The Composition of Consideration and Choice Sets in Undergraduate University Choice: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT We examine university choice as a case of consumer decision making and adopt a brand elimination framework. This approach is predicated on the grounds that a large amount of research in consumer behavior has shown that in markets where there are many alternative brands, consumers use phased-decision strategies. In these research studies, the consumer is conceptualized as first filtering the alternative brands using relatively simple criteria and then undertaking a more detailed analysis of the reduced sets of brands. Drawing on this research in consumer behaviour and the relevant college choice literature in the fields of education and sociology, we develop a process model of individual brand choice. The composition of the consideration and choice sets was defined in terms of the proportion of “old” and “new” universities. In order to test our model, we used a sample of undergraduate UK students who had just gone through the process of choosing a university. Overall, the results for both consideration and choice sets tend to support the view that the brands (i.e., type of university) contained in these two sets are dissimilar, i.e., independent. In order of importance, we found that the three variables of ethnic group, age, and university proximity were the most important in predicting the composition of both the consideration and choice sets.
Imaging Appearance of Dextranomer/Hyaluronic Acid Copolymer Implant Injections for Treatment of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants are used in treating velopharyngeal insufficiency. These posterior nasopharyngeal implants can be mistaken for pathologic conditions such as retropharyngeal abscess on imaging. We studied the imaging appearance of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants in patients treated for velopharyngeal insufficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency treated with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer were included in this study. Data on patient characteristics and volume of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injected were obtained. Postoperative imaging characteristics on plain radiography, CT, and MR imaging were assessed. The imaging appearance of postoperative complications was determined. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included in this study. Seven patients underwent postoperative plain radiographs, 5 patients underwent CT, and 9 patients underwent MR imaging. Plain radiographs demonstrated soft-tissue swelling in the retropharyngeal space, which resolved at 1 month. On CT, dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants appeared as bilateral nasopharyngeal soft-tissue masses isoattenuated to hypoattenuated relative to muscle in 80% (4/5) of patients. On MR imaging, dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants appeared as bilateral nasopharyngeal soft-tissue masses that were isointense to muscle on T1 (8/9, 88.9%) and hyperintense to muscle on T2 (8/9, 88.9%) and demonstrated no restricted diffusion (4/4, 100.0%) or peripheral enhancement (7/7, 100.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The normal postoperative findings of posterior nasopharyngeal dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer injection on MR imaging is characterized by the presence of bilateral nasopharyngeal soft-tissue masses that are isointense to muscle on T1 and hyperintense on T2, with no restricted diffusion or peripheral enhancement. Velopharyngeal dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants are iso- to hypoattenuated to muscle on CT and are not visible radiographically once associated implantation-related swelling has resolved.
Computerized Clinical Pathways (Care Plans): Piloting a Strategy to Enhance Quality Patient Care

Background/Rationale: Having paper and electronic documentation can interfere with staff communication and workflow. In this 950-bed multicampus acute healthcare network in the southeastern United States, paper pathways did not clearly demonstrate multidisciplinary documentation and involvement in the plan of care. The majority of documentation was computerized, but clinical pathways remained in the paper chart. Limited literature findings, incomplete pathway documentation, and nurse dissatisfaction with cumbersome documentation processes created the impetus for this practice change. Description of the Project/Innovation: To provide a sound basis for transitioning the pathways into the electronic medical record, a pilot was conducted on 1 medical-surgical department using 1 computerized pathway. Outcomes were measured utilizing pathway documentation audits and staff perception surveys. Project Outcomes: Pilot results revealed improvements in pathway documentation and staff satisfaction with use of the computerized pathway. There was a 69% increase in the documentation of barriers to patient progression/utilization of the problem list, 10% increase in documentation of patient medication teaching, and 31% increase in documentation by ancillary staff using the computerized pathway. According to the survey results, staff perceived that the computerized pathway was a more useful tool in (1) prompting them to educate the patient (36% increase compared with paper); (2) communicating pertinent patient information during shift report (34% increase compared with paper); and (3) documenting barriers to patient progression (30% increase in comparison to paper). Based on these results, approval was obtained from health network administrators to move forward with system-wide implementation. Interpretation/Conclusion: In order for clinical pathways to be effective, patient-centered communication tools, they must be easily accessible, be utilized by all health team members, and complement day-to-day workflow. Piloting innovative practice changes helps to garnish buy-in and support from all levels of the healthcare team. Implications: Automation provides a first step to easier accessibility and linkage of pathways to other pertinent information and multidisciplinary patient care processes. Computerized pathways may be an impetus for healthcare providers to view automation as a key step to improving multidisciplinary care delivery and patient care quality.
Sonographic evaluation of cerebral cortical mantle thickness in the fetus and neonate with hydrocephalus.

Sonographic measurement of the occipital, parietal, and frontal cerebral cortical mantle in ten neonates and ten fetuses with moderate to marked hydrocephalus was performed. In 11 of 14 (78.5 per cent) of the neonatal scans and in 10 of 12 (83 per cent) of the fetal scans, the occipital cortical mantle was less than that of the frontal cortical mantle. This difference varied from 1 to 16 mm. While prognostic data regarding compression of the cerebral mantle from ventricular dilatation exist, they are based upon measurements of the frontal‐parietal and not the occipital mantle. Because of the difference observed, if these data are to be used in management, the comparable cerebral cortical mantle should be measured.
Towards the Establishment of a Green Infrastructure in the Region of Montreal (Quebec, Canada)

Through the analysis of semi-structured interviews held with key actors involved in the planning of the Greater Montreal region, we seek to understand the conditions that could lead to the establishment of a green infrastructure for the city. This article first describes the region's environmental and political context and then analyzes the opportunities, constraints, advantages and disadvantages in the implementation of this type of project. We conclude that experts favor an approach leading to ecological connectivity, but they underline several obstacles that could hinder its implementation.
Collateral brain damage, a potential source of cognitive impairment after selective surgery for control of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

Background: Highly selective epilepsy surgery in temporal lobe epilepsy is intended to achieve seizure freedom at a lower cognitive risk than standard en bloc resections, but bears the risk of collateral cortical damage resulting from the surgical approach. Objective: To investigate cortical damage associated with selective amygdalo-hippocampectomy (SAH). Methods: 34 epileptic patients were evaluated. They were randomly assigned to SAH using either a sylvian (9 left/10 right) or a transcortical surgical approach (5 left/10 right). Postoperative MRI signal intensity changes adjacent to the approach were correlated with performance changes in serial word and design list learning. Results: Losses in verbal learning and recognition memory were positively related to signal intensity changes, independent of the side of the resection, the surgical approach, or the extent of the mesial resection. Losses in consolidation/retrieval (memory) were greater after left sided surgery. Losses in design learning were related to right sided surgery and signal intensity changes. Seizure outcome (85% seizure-free) did not differ depending on the side or type of surgery. Conclusions: Collateral damage to cortical tissues adjacent to the surgical approach contributes to postoperative verbal and figural memory outcome after SAH. Controlling for collateral damage may clarify the controversial memory outcomes after SAH reported by different surgical centres.
Business Sustainability Embeddedness as a Strategic Imperative

This article examines the dynamic process through which business sustainability becomes embedded as a strategic imperative of the firm. Using inductive theory building on 15 case studies of companies operating in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Egypt, the author traces an eight-phase process that tracks how firms develop lucrative operational capabilities in response to pervasive contextual issues, how the role of convergent contradiction across the firm and its stakeholders precipitates a shift in thinking, and how firms and their stakeholders collectively theorize to develop complementary capabilities, the product of which enables significant economic and social value creation and firm strategic differentiation.
Liver Toxicity of Initial Antiretroviral Drug Regimens Including Two Nucleoside Analogs Plus One Non-Nucleoside Analog or One Ritonavir-Boosted Protease Inhibitor in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors for grade 3 or 4 ALT or AST elevations (TE) and grade 4 total bilirubin elevations (TBE) among HIV/HCV- coinfected treatment-naïve patients with an initial regimen including 2 nucleoside analogs plus efavirenz (EFV), nevirapine (NVP), or a ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor (PI/r). Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter observational cohort study that recruited 745 HIV-infected drug-naïve patients with detectable plasma HCV RNA who started a regimen including EFV, NVP, or PI/r.Results: EFV was prescribed in 323 (43%), NVP in 126 (17%), and a PI/r in 296 (40%) patients. Grade 3 or 4 TE were observed in 19 (5.9%) individuals receiving EFV compared with 14 (11%) on NVP (P = .056) and 31 (10.5%) on PI/r (P = .036). Grade 4 TBE were identified in 7 (2.2%) patients on EFV, 1 (0.8%) on NVP, and 11 (3.7%) on PI/r (P = .19). Therapy was discontinued due to liver toxicity in 13 (4%) patients on EFV, 16 (13%) on NVP, and 17 (6%) on PI/r (P = .003). Conclusions: Regimens including EFV, NVP, or PI/r are generally safe in treatment-naïve HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. Grade 3-4 TE are less commonly seen with EFV than with PI/r. Discontinuations due to hepatotoxicity were less frequent for patients receiving EFV than for those treated with NVP.
Determinants of private investment: a cross-regional empirical investigation

This study investigates the determinants of private investment in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and Latin America with panel data for the period 1975-1992. Econometric tests indicated a preference for the random effects estimation procedure over other alternatives. The results, with pooled data for all the 31 countries in the sample, confirm some results found elsewhere in the empirical literature. Namely, private investment in developing countries is stimulated by real GDP growth, increases in government investment, improvements in financial intermediation, reductions in credit to the government, and declines in world interest rates. Another interesting result relates to the important role played by educational development in stimulating private investment. Nevertheless, statistically significant adverse effects of external debt on private investment found by other studies could not be confirmed by this study. In addition, the results for the full sample of countries are by no means common across the regions. While real GDP growth stimulated private investment in Asia and Latin America, its effect was not significant in SSA. Also, while government investment stimulated private investment in SSA, it had the opposite effect in Asia and Latin America. In addition, private investment was stimulated by increases in private sector credit in Asia and SSA, but not in Latin America. Also, increases in credit to the government had significant adverse effects on private investment in SSA and Latin America. Further, the adverse effects of external shocks were statistically significant only in SSA, a result that confirms the view that the region is vulnerable to these shocks.
A survey of national sustainable development indicators

We surveyed sustainable development indicators (SDIs) adopted by 28 national governments, regions, and international organisations and compiled them into a database. The aims of this study were to understand the elements of sustainable development (SD), examine SDIs developed in certain fields and countries, and determine future tasks to improve SDI development. A total of 1,790 indicators were surveyed and classified into 77 subcategories in four categories. Most of the indicators measured various SD elements, and the indicators reflected each country's developmental stage and specific concerns. Several advanced or unique indicators were also identified. Five major tasks in the future development of SDIs were identified: 1) creating time-conscious indicators; 2) measuring interactions between elements of a system; 3) dealing with transboundary issues in a national SDI system; 4) measuring SD quality (including subjective elements); 5) including ordinary citizens by showing the relationships between SDI and everyday life.
Enhanced axon outgrowth and improved long‐distance axon regeneration in sprouty2 deficient mice

Sprouty (Spry) proteins are negative feedback inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. Downregulation of Spry2 has been demonstrated to promote elongative axon growth of cultured peripheral and central neurons. Here, we analyzed Spry2 global knockout mice with respect to axon outgrowth in vitro and peripheral axon regeneration in vivo. Neurons dissociated from adult Spry2 deficient sensory ganglia revealed stronger extracellular signal‐regulated kinase activation and enhanced axon outgrowth. Prominent axon elongation was observed in heterozygous Spry2+/− neuron cultures, whereas homozygous Spry2−/− neurons predominantly exhibited a branching phenotype. Following sciatic nerve crush, Spry2+/− mice recovered faster in motor but not sensory testing paradigms (Spry2−/− mice did not tolerate anesthesia required for nerve surgery). We attribute the improvement in the rotarod test to higher numbers of myelinated fibers in the regenerating sciatic nerve, higher densities of motor endplates in hind limb muscles and increased levels of GAP‐43 mRNA, a downstream target of extracellular regulated kinase signaling. Conversely, homozygous Spry2−/− mice revealed enhanced mechanosensory function (von Frey's test) that was accompanied by an increased innervation of the epidermis, elevated numbers of nonmyelinated axons and more IB4‐positive neurons in dorsal root ganglia. The present results corroborate the functional significance of receptor tyrosine kinase signaling inhibitors for axon outgrowth during development and nerve regeneration and propose Spry2 as a novel potential target for pharmacological inhibition to accelerate long‐distance axon regeneration in injured peripheral nerves. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 217–231, 2015
Treatment of FIGO stage IV ovarian carcinoma: results of primary surgery or interval surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy a retrospective study

The objective of the study is to determine whether surgery influences the outcome of stage IV ovarian cancer. The study design is as follows: From May 1995 to December 2000, 129 patients with FIGO stage IV ovarian cancer, recruited in 42 centers, were prospectively included in GINECO first-line randomized studies of platinum-based regimens with paclitaxel administered simultaneously or sequentially. In all, 109 were eligible for this study. Standard peritoneal cytoreductive surgery was defined as a procedure including at least total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and peritoneal debulking. Surgery was considered optimal if residual lesions were smaller than 1 cm. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to compare survival. Initial abdominopelvic cytoreductive surgery was considered standard in 55 (54%) patients. Abdominopelvic surgery was optimal in 29 patients and nonoptimal in 26. Twenty-two (22%) patients had a simple biopsy, and 25 (24%) patients underwent substandard surgery. Twenty-two of these 47 patients without initial standard surgery underwent a second surgical procedure, and 17 of the 22 patients completed standard surgery. The median overall survival time in the entire population was 24.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.5–29.1 months). Patients treated without a cytoreductive surgical procedure had significantly worse median survival (15.1 months; 95% CI, 5.4–24.9 months) than patients who had optimal primary surgery (22.9 months; 95% CI, 15.6–30.1 months), nonoptimal primary surgery (27.1 months; 95% CI, 21.2–32.9 months), or neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (45.5 months; 95% CI, 23.5–67.5 months) (P= .001). In conclusion, this study shows a significant benefit of debulking surgery in stage IV ovarian cancer patients who responded to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy can help to select patients for surgery.
Social entrepreneurship: What are we talking about? A framework for future research

This paper introduces a framework to guide research and systematically enhance our understanding of social entrepreneurship. Drawing from traditional entrepreneurship literature, the paper presents social entrepreneurial "opportunities" as an important concept to differentiate social entrepreneurship from other social initiatives as well as from business entrepreneurship. It also addresses important issues -level of analysis, methods, and performance measures- that the field will have to attend to if it is to develop into an independent field of research. Finally, the paper argues that a dual approach -combining analytic and systemic thinking- is required to capture the complexity of the phenomenon.
Building organisational culture that stimulates creativity and innovation

The purpose of this article is to present, by means of a model, the determinants of organisational culture which influence creativity and innovation. A literature study showed that a model, based on the open systems theory and the work of Schein, can offer a holistic approach in describing organisational culture. The relationship between creativity, innovation and culture is discussed in this context. Against the background of this model, the determinants of organisational culture were identified. The determinants are strategy, structure, support mechanisms, behaviour that encourages innovation, and open communication. The influence of each determinant on creativity and innovation is discussed. Values, norms and beliefs that play a role in creativity and innovation can either support or inhibit creativity and innovation depending on how they influence individual and group behaviour. This is also explained in the article.
Refractive outcomes after primary intraocular lens implantation in infants

Background: Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is becoming increasingly accepted as a primary procedure in infants. Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of IOL power calculation, the rate of myopic shift and the refractive outcome after primary IOL implantation in infants aged <12 months at the time of cataract surgery. Method: A retrospective case review of 25 patients (8 with bilateral cataracts and 17 with unilateral cataracts) who underwent cataract surgery with primary IOL implantation at <12 months of age. Outcomes measured were actual early postoperative refraction, lens power calculation error, myopic shift and refractive outcome. Results: In 83% of cases, actual postoperative refraction was within 2 dioptres (D) of the target refraction. Lens power calculation error did not depend on axial length, age at surgery or target refraction. Mean (SD) myopic shift was 5.43 (3.7) D in the first 12 months after surgery, but was significantly greater when surgery was performed at <10 weeks of age. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that IOL power can be calculated with reasonable accuracy in infants using current formulas. Factors such as age at the time of surgery, axial length, whether surgery is unilateral or bilateral, and the presence of systemic pathologies do not seem to influence the accuracy of lens power calculation or myopic shift up to 36 months of age.
Foreign Technology and Customs Unions: Trade Creation and Trade Diversion

This article analyses the welfare implications of the customs unions in the presence of multinational corporations for a less than fully employed small open economy. The traditional two-sector model, with a specific factor for the multinational corporation, is employed for this purpose. This article suggests that both trade creations I and II improve the social welfare and employment of the small open economy if the multinational sector is relatively capital-intensive. However, the welfare and the employment effects of trade diversion I are ambiguous whereas trade diversion II affects employment level negatively. These results are in contrast with the previous studies on the theory of customs unions.