Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Should Children Who Use Cochlear Implants Wear Hearing Aids in the Opposite Ear?

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate 1) whether a hearing aid needs to be adjusted differently depending on whether a child wears a cochlear implant or another hearing aid in the contralateral ear; 2) whether the use of a hearing aid and a cochlear implant in opposite ears leads to binaural interference; and 3) whether the use of a hearing aid and a cochlear implant in opposite ears leads to binaural benefits in speech perception, localization, and communicative functioning in real life. Design Sixteen children participated in this study. All children used a Nucleus 22 or Nucleus 24 cochlear implant system programmed with the SPEAK strategy in one ear. The hearing aid amplification requirements in the nonimplanted ear of these children were determined using two procedures. A paired comparison technique was used to identify the frequency response that was best for speech intelligibility in quiet, and a loudness balancing technique was used to match the loudness of speech in the ear with a hearing aid to that with a cochlear implant. Eleven of the 16 children participated in the investigation of binaural effects. Performance in speech perception, localization, and communicative functioning was assessed under four aided conditions: cochlear implant with hearing aid as worn, cochlear implant alone, hearing aid alone, and cochlear implant with hearing aid adjusted according to individual requirements. Results Fifteen of the 16 children whose amplification requirements were determined preferred a hearing aid frequency response that was within ±6 dB/octave of the NAL-RP prescription. On average, the children required 6 dB more gain than prescribed to balance the loudness of the implanted ear for a speech signal presented at 65 dB SPL. For all 11 children whose performance was evaluated for investigating binaural effects, there was no indication of significantly poorer performance under bilaterally aided conditions compared with unilaterally aided conditions. On average, there were significant benefits in speech perception, localization, and aural/oral function when the children used cochlear implants with adjusted hearing aids than when they used cochlear implants alone. All individuals showed benefits in at least one of the measures. Conclusions Hearing aids for children who also use cochlear implants can be selected using the NAL-RP prescription. Adjustment of hearing aid gain to match loudness in the implanted ear can facilitate integration of signals from both ears, leading to better speech perception. Given that there are binaural advantages from using cochlear implants with hearing aids in opposite ears, clinicians should advise parents and other professionals about these potential advantages, and facilitate bilateral amplification by adjusting hearing aids after stable cochlear implant MAPs are established.
Influence of fitness and gender on blood pressure responses during active or passive stress.

We examined hemodynamic and autonomic components of blood pressure responses during active and passive stressor tasks in a sample of young, normotensive men and women who were physically active but differed on fitness (i.e., VO2peak). During the hand cold pressor, increases in systolic blood pressure were inversely related to fitness among women but not men. Regardless of gender, fitter participants had a greater increase in cardiac pace during mental arithmetic, coherent with a decreased cardiac-vagal component of heart rate variability, and a greater compensatory reduction in stroke volume. Fitness was otherwise unrelated to changes in cardiac output and vascular resistance during the stressor tasks. Our findings suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness augments the cardiac-vagal withdrawal that is characteristic of mental arithmetic. The blunted systolic blood pressure response to the hand cold pressor among fitter women suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness should be considered as a covariate in studies that examine the hand cold pressor as a predictor of future hypertension among women.
Factors Affecting Investment Bank Initial Public Offering Market Share

This paper examines the effect of several factors on the market share of investment banks that act as book managers in initial public offerings (IPOs) between 1984 and 1993. For established banks, IPO underpricing has a negative impact on market share, suggesting future issuers avoid banks that leave too much "money on the table". While average abnormal long-run performance has a positive impact on established bank's market share, association with extremely positive long-run performance damages market share. Abnormal underwriter compensation (cash spread plus expenses) has a positive impact on the market share of established banks. Since these banks expect increased future market share they place more at risk in current offerings and, therefore, charge higher compensation. Investment banks concentrating their activities in fewer industries lose market share. Banks marketing IPOs in January or on Mondays also lose market share. Finally, association with withdrawn IPOs has a significantly negative effect on an investment bank's ability to compete for future offerings. These factors have a less significant effect, statistically and economically, on the market share of less established banks, consistent with the notion that less reputation is placed at risk.
Environmental Responsibility and Firm Performance: The Application of an Environmental, Social and Governance Model

This paper investigates the way in which environmental responsibility impacts on corporate financial performance, measured by return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA). Using a sample of Korean firms covering the period 2011–2012, and employing two different test methods, namely the OLS and 2SLS methods, we show that the relationships between environmental responsibility performance and firms’ ROE and ROA are positive and statistically significant. However, we show that research and development (R&D) intensity (expenditure) does not affect either environmental responsibility or corporate financial performance. The results of this analysis encourage further empirical analysis of the industries, as well as the use of more than one estimation method to determine environmental responsibility and corporate financial performance within firms. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Insider Trading, Equity Issues, and CEO Turnover in Firms Subject to Securities Class Action

This study finds that the managers of firms that have been the target of class action lawsuits alleging securities fraud did not, on average, have an unusual incentive to conceal negative information. Nevertheless, CEO turnover is higher in those cases where the suites have merit, indicating that securities class action lawsuits do have a disciplining effect.
Economic consequences of accounting for stock-based compensation

The Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) project on employee stock-based compensation was one of the most controversial in the Board's 20-year history. In particular, the Board's 1993 Exposure Draft proposing the recognition of an expense for employee stock options generated predictions of dire economic consequences and prompted the threat of regulatory intervention from Congress and the White House. This study employs three complementary research approaches to evaluate the nature and extent of the predicted economic consequences. First, we examine the characteristics of firms lobbying against the 1993 Exposure Draft (FASB [1993]). Second, we examine the characteristics of firms using employee stock options under the original financial reporting rules. Finally, we examine stock price reactions to announcements concerning the new financial reporting rules.
What the FOMC Says and Does When the Stock Market Booms

Central bankers and monetary economists continue to debate the wisdom of adjusting policy in reaction to asset price misalignments or bubbles. Experts on both sides have marshaled theoretical and practical arguments, but failed to achieve consensus. In this paper, I first summarize the argument in favor of interest rate reactions to equity price misalignments, and then provide evidence that Federal Reserve words and actions were influenced by the Internet bubble as it was in progress. That is, I show that as equity prices boomed, members of the Fed's policymaking body, the FOMC, spoke more intensively about the stock market, and adjusted interest rates accordingly. The debate should not be about whether they should have reacted, but whether they did enough.
Improved rat steatotic and nonsteatotic liver preservation by the addition of epidermal growth factor and insulin‐like growth factor‐I to University of Wisconsin solution

This study examined the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) supplementation to University of Wisconsin solution (UW) in steatotic and nonsteatotic livers during cold storage. Hepatic injury and function were evaluated in livers preserved for 24 hours at 4°C in UW and in UW with EGF and IGF‐I (separately or in combination) and then perfused ex vivo for 2 hours at 37°C. AKT was inhibited pharmacologically. In addition, hepatic injury and survival were evaluated in recipients who underwent transplantation with steatotic and nonsteatotic livers preserved for 6 hours in UW and UW with EGF and IGF‐I (separately or in combination). The results, based on isolated perfused liver, indicated that the addition of EGF and IGF‐I (separately or in combination) to UW reduced hepatic injury and improved function in both liver types. A combination of EGF and IGF‐I resulted in hepatic injury and function parameters in both liver types similar to those obtained by EGF and IGF‐I separately. EGF increased IGF‐I, and both additives up‐regulated AKT in both liver types. This was associated with glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK3β) inhibition in nonsteatotic livers and PPARγ overexpression in steatotic livers. When AKT was inhibited, the effects of EGF and IGF‐I on GSK3β, PPARγ, hepatic injury and function disappeared. The benefits of EGF and IGF‐I as additives in UW solution were also clearly seen in the liver transplantation model, because the presence of EGF and IGF‐I (separately or in combination) in UW solution reduced hepatic injury and improved survival in recipients who underwent transplantation with steatotic and nonsteatotic liver grafts. In conclusion, EGF and IGF‐I may constitute new additives to UW solution in steatotic and nonsteatotic liver preservation, whereas a combination of both seems unnecessary. Liver Transpl 16:1098–1111, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Effect of HIV diagnosis disclosure on psychosocial outcomes in Thai children with perinatal HIV infection

A provider-assisted, counselling-based, paediatric HIV disclosure model was developed and implemented at two tertiary-care hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand. All undisclosed perinatally acquired HIV-infected children, aged 7–18 years, and their caretakers were offered the four-step disclosure service, including: screening, readiness assessments and preparation, disclosure sessions, and follow-up evaluations. To assess psychosocial outcomes of disclosure, we compared the scores of the Children Depression Inventory and the PedsQL 4.0™ at baseline and at two-month and six-month follow-up visits, and compared the scores of the Child Behavioral Checklist at baseline and at six-month follow-up. Disclosure was made to 186 children, 160 of whom completed post-disclosure assessments. The median Children’s Depression Inventory score in 135 children decreased significantly from 11 at baseline to 8 at two-month and six-month follow-up (p < 0.01). The median PedsQL 4.0™ scores in 126 children increased significantly from 78 at baseline to 80 at two-month and 84 at six-month follow-up (p = 0.04). The median Child Behavioral Checklist scores were not significantly changed. In conclusion, paediatric HIV diagnosis disclosure using this model was found to have positive effect on the children’s mood and quality of life, and no negative effect on children’s behaviours. This disclosure programme should be expanded to improve the psychosocial health of HIV-infected children.
Isolates of Salmonella enterica Enteritidis PT4 with enhanced heat and acid tolerance are more virulent in mice and more invasive in chickens

Summary Two Enteritidis PT4 isolates which differed in inherent tolerance to heat, acid, H2O2 and the ability to survive on surfaces were used to infect mice, day-old chicks or laying hens. The acid-, heat-, H2O2- and surface-tolerant isolate was more virulent in mice and more invasive in laying hens, particularly in reproductive tissue. However, no significant differences were observed in behaviour in chicks. Both PT4 isolates were able to infect chicks housed in the same room as infected birds, although the heat-tolerant isolate survived significantly better than the heat-sensitive one in aerosols.
Analyzing the Impact of a Data Analysis Process to Improve Instruction Using a Collaborative Model.

ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF A DATA ANALYSIS PROCESS TO IMPROVE INSTRUCTION USING A COLLABORATIVE MODEL Rebecca B. Good, EdD Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2006 Adviser: Sherion Jackson, EdD The Data Collaborative Model (DCM) assembles assessment literacy, reflective practices, and professional development into a four-component process. The subcomponents include assessing students, reflecting over data, professional dialogue, professional development for the teachers, interventions for students based on data results, and re-assessing to measure the impact of the changes made in both teacher practice and student interventions. The need to study the impact of the DCM initiative necessitated this study. The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to examine the relationship between using the Data Collaborative Model (DCM) and student achievement through TAKS passing rates in math and reading. The rationale was campuses that have attempted to create and implement a culture of data-driven decision
Infrastructures and economic performance: a critical comparison across four approaches

The paper reviews studies analysing the relationship between infrastructures and economic performance. Four different approaches are separately considered along an ideal path from theory-based to data-oriented models: the production function approach, the cost function approach, growth-models, and vector autoregression models. The review shows that, even with different shades and points of caution, the general idea that infrastructure has an economic enhancing effect appears to be quite robust across studies belonging to different methodological approaches.
Cost-Effectiveness of Immediate Compared With Delayed Postpartum Etonogestrel Implant Insertion

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of immediate compared with delayed (6 weeks) postpartum etonogestrel implant insertion in preventing future unintended pregnancy. METHODS: We constructed a decision-analytic model to examine a hypothetical population of women who request a contraceptive implant after giving birth. The timeframe for analysis was from the time of childbirth to 1 year postpartum. Model inputs were derived from a comprehensive literature review. We compared immediate (before discharge from the childbirth hospital stay) compared with delayed (at first postpartum office visit) postpartum placement of the contraceptive implant from a health care system's perspective. Implant insertion and removal, loss to follow-up at the postpartum visit, use of alternative contraceptive methods, and contraceptive failure were incorporated into the model. We calculated the incremental cost of immediate insertion for each pregnancy prevented during the first postpartum year and cost savings associated with pregnancies prevented. One-way sensitivity analyses were also performed. Cost estimates are reported in 2014 U.S. dollars. RESULTS: Immediate postpartum implant insertion is associated with higher expected cost than delayed insertion ($1,091/patient compared with $650/patient) but is more effective in preventing pregnancies (expected pregnancy rate: 2.4% and 21.6%, respectively). This results in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $2,304 per pregnancy prevented. When taking into consideration medical costs of the resulting unintended pregnancies that could be avoided, immediate implant insertion is expected to save $1,263 per patient. CONCLUSION: Immediate postpartum provision of the contraceptive implant is cost-effective in preventing unintended pregnancies and should be provided to women requesting this form of contraception.
Clearance of Postprandial Lipids Is Delayed in Subjects with Cardiovascular Disease

P ag e3 5 CLEARANCE OF POSTPRANDIAL LIPIDS IS DELAYED IN SUBJECTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Rathore S, Sarkar P, Varma M & Bidwai A 1, 3 Department of Biochemistry, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, MP 1, 2 & 3 Department of Biochemistry, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore, MP 1, 4 Department of Biochemistry, Index Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Indore, MP *Corresponding Author Email: savi_gmcbpl@rediffmail.com
Control of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) by predators on potted plants

Three predators Scolothrips sexmaculatus Pergande, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias - Henriot and Stethorus punctillum Weise were used to control two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch on potted bean plants. Mite population increased exponentially on the untreated plants, but on the predator treated plants, increase of mite population was checked and remained within minimum number. Early release of predator checked the mite population earlier and kept it lower than on late released plants. All the three predators may be used as bio-control agents against two-spotted spider mite. Key words: Control, Tetranychus urticae, Scolothrips sexmaculatus, Phytoseiulus persimilis , Stethorus punctillum and bio-control agents. Â doi:10.3329/ujzru.v27i0. 1954 Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 27, 2008 pp. 51-54
Liberalization, Moral Hazard in Banking and Prudential Regulation: Are Capital Requirements Enough?

In a dynamic model of moral hazard, competition can undermine prudent bank behavior. While capital-requirement regulation can induce prudent behavior, the policy yields Pareto-inefficient outcomes. Capital requirements reduce gambling incentives by putting bank equity at risk. However, they also have a perverse effect of harming banks' franchise values, thus encouraging gambling. Pareto-efficient outcomes can be achieved by adding deposit-rate controls as a regulatory instrument, since they facilitate prudent investment by increasing franchise values. Even if deposit-rate ceilings are not binding on the equilibrium path, they may be useful in deterring gambling off the equilibrium path.
In Vitro and In Vivo Interactions between the HDAC6 Inhibitor Ricolinostat (ACY1215) and the Irreversible Proteasome Inhibitor Carfilzomib in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Cells

Interactions between the HDAC6 inhibitor ricolinostat (ACY1215) and the irreversible proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib were examined in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) models, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), and double-hit lymphoma cells. Marked in vitro synergism was observed in multiple cell types associated with activation of cellular stress pathways (e.g., JNK1/2, ERK1/2, and p38) accompanied by increases in DNA damage (γH2A.X), G2–M arrest, and the pronounced induction of mitochondrial injury and apoptosis. Combination treatment with carfilzomib and ricolinostat increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), whereas the antioxidant TBAP attenuated DNA damage, JNK activation, and cell death. Similar interactions occurred in bortezomib-resistant and double-hit DLBCL, MCL, and primary DLBCL cells, but not in normal CD34+ cells. However, ricolinostat did not potentiate inhibition of chymotryptic activity by carfilzomib. shRNA knockdown of JNK1 (but not MEK1/2), or pharmacologic inhibition of p38, significantly reduced carfilzomib–ricolinostat lethality, indicating a functional contribution of these stress pathways to apoptosis. Combined exposure to carfilzomib and ricolinostat also markedly downregulated the cargo-loading protein HR23B. Moreover, HR23B knockdown significantly increased carfilzomib- and ricolinostat-mediated lethality, suggesting a role for this event in cell death. Finally, combined in vivo treatment with carfilzomib and ricolinostat was well tolerated and significantly suppressed tumor growth and increased survival in an MCL xenograft model. Collectively, these findings indicate that carfilzomib and ricolinostat interact synergistically in NHL cells through multiple stress-related mechanisms, and suggest that this strategy warrants further consideration in NHL. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(12); 2886–97. ©2014 AACR.
Bilateral Most-Favored-Customer Pricing and Collusion

In a two-period differentiated products duopoly model, most-favored-customer (MFC) pricing policies allow firms to commit to prices above the Bertrand prices. It is shown here, however, that unless a restrictive and unappealing assumption is made about demand, there is no equilibrium in which both firms adopt MFC policies. The restrictive assumption is that at least one firm's demand is more responsive to changes in its opponent's price than to changes in its own price; otherwise, firms have an incentive to deviate from a greater-than-Bertrand price in the first period.
Strategy and Financial Policy in UK Small Firms

There is growing evidence that capital structure and firm strategy are linked but most studies to date have focused on large, publicly quoted firms, with little attention given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A major proposition of the study is that both strategic and financial factors are necessary to explain chosen debt levels. The empirical question adopted for this work, given the best financial model of capital structure, is – does strategy provide any additional explanatory power? Hence strategy and financial variables are seen as complementary rather than competing determinants of capital structure. There appears to be strong evidence supporting the proposition that competitive strategy affects the capital structure of SMEs, but there is little evidence of any impact from corporate strategic factors. The study also supports the notion that there is a ‘pecking order’ in SME financing and that variability in profits results in ‘distress’ borrowing. This study provides important empirical evidence to support work on the capital structure puzzle and the funding problems of SMEs.
Prevalence of high-grade cervical lesion in women with LSIL and HSIL cytology and prevalence of invasive cancer in women cytologically positive for malignancy.

AIM To determine the prevalence of high-grade cervical lesion (CIN 2 or worse, CIN 2+) and the prevalence of invasive cancers in women with LSIL, HSIL and positive for malignancy on cytology, respectively. METHODS A retrospective study of patients undergoing colposcopy in Rajavithi hospital between 2003-2004 was performed. The final diagnosis was based on colposcopy and histology. RESULTS Among 250 women with LSIL and 152 women with HSIL, 28 (11.2%) and 112 (75.7%), respectively, had histology-confirmed high-grade cervical lesions. Invasive cancer was diagnosed in 12 (7.9%) of women with HSIL but in none of the LSIL cases. Among 19 women with positive smears for malignancy, only 7 ( 36.8 %) had histology-confirmed invasive cancer. CONCLUSION The present study confirms that women with HSIL have high prevalence of high-grade cervical lesions and malignancy. Women with LSIL may be managed less aggressively because of the negligible risk of more advanced lesions. Smears positive for malignancy are inconsistent predictors of invasive cancer.