Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The nutritional status of hospitalized children: Has this subject been overlooked?

BACKGROUND/AIMS To determine the nutritional status of hospitalized children at the time of admission and to investigate the relationship between diagnosis and nutritional status. MATERIALS AND METHODS Body weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, and mid-arm circumference were measured on admission and percentages of weight-for-age, weight-for-height, body mass index, mid-arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were calculated. The nutritional status was evaluated using the Waterlow, Gomez, and other anthropometric assessments. RESULTS A total of 511 patients were included in the study with a mean age of 5.8±4.9 years. Malnutrition was determined in 52.7% of patients according to the Waterlow classification. Mild malnutrition was determined in 39%, moderate in 12%, and severe in 1.7%, with the characteristics of acute malnutrition in 23.9%, acute-chronic in 7.3%, and chronic in 21.5%. The highest rate of malnutrition was in the 0-2 years age group (62.3%). According to the Gomez classification, malnutrition rate was determined as 46.8%. The rates of malnutrition in malignant, gastrointestinal, and infectious diseases were 60%, 59.8%, and 54.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION The prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized children was noticeably high. The nutritional evaluation of all patients and an early start to nutritional support could provide a significant positive contribution.
London Business School

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Naïve T-Cell Dynamics in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection: Effects of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Provide Insights into the Mechanisms of Naïve T-Cell Depletion

ABSTRACT Both naïve CD4+ and naïve CD8+ T cells are depleted in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection by unknown mechanisms. Analysis of their dynamics prior to and after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) could reveal possible mechanisms of depletion. Twenty patients were evaluated with immunophenotyping, intracellular Ki67 staining, T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC) quantitation in sorted CD4 and CD8 cells, and thymic computed tomography scans prior to and ∼6 and ∼18 months after initiation of HAART. Naïve T-cell proliferation decreased significantly during the first 6 months of therapy (P < 0.01) followed by a slower decline. Thymic indices did not change significantly over time. At baseline, naïve CD4+ T-cell numbers were lower than naive CD8+ T-cell numbers; after HAART, a greater increase in naïve CD4+ T cells than naïve CD8+ T cells was observed. A greater relative change (n-fold) in the number of TREC+ T cells/μl than in naïve T-cell counts was observed at 6 months for both CD4+ (median relative change [n-fold] of 2.2 and 1.7, respectively; P < 0.01) and CD8+ T cell pools (1.4 and 1.2; P < 0.01). A more pronounced decrease in the proliferation than the disappearance rate of naïve T cells after HAART was observed in a second group of six HIV-1-infected patients studied by in vivo pulse labeling with bromodeoxyuridine. These observations are consistent with a mathematical model where the HIV-1-induced increase in proliferation of naïve T cells is mostly explained by a faster recruitment into memory cells.
Directors’ remuneration, governance and performance: the case of Malaysian banks

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between directors’ remuneration and performance and corporate governance in the Malaysian banking sector, using panel data for 21 banks over the period 2003-2011. Design/methodology/approach - – The authors use multivariate regression analysis to examine the relationship between directors’ remuneration and performance and corporate governance. The authors also run Granger causality test to determine the existence of causality between directors’ remuneration and performance. Findings - – The authors find clear evidence of a positive association between directors’ remuneration and performance. Further, the causality test reveals that directors’ remuneration tends to Granger-cause performance. In terms of governance variables, the authors find that directors’ remuneration is positively related to the percentage of independent directors, and negatively related to board size, but unrelated to duality and percentage of director share ownership. The authors also find that remuneration is positively related to bank size and negatively related to capital ratio. The evidence also shows that foreign banks perform better than domestic banks despite the relatively lower pay received by their directors. Practical implications - – The findings imply that high-quality directors, as implied by their remuneration packages, are a significant determinant of performance. Originality/value - – The results of this study provide new evidence concerning the relationship between directors’ remuneration and performance in the banking sector in Malaysia.
Mongolian Spots in Chinese Children

ABSTRACT: Ninety‐two Chinese Canadian newborn infants (49 boys and 43 girls J and 1633 Chinese Canadian children (819 boys and 814 girls J in Calgary, Alberta, Canada were examined for the presence of Mongolian spots. Mongolian spots were present in all newborns and disappeared slowly until 6 years of age when the rate of disappearance increased. At 10 years of age, none were found. The overall incidence regardless of age was 58% in boys and 53.3% in girls. The most frequent site of involvement was the sacrococcygeal area, followed by the gluteal and lumbar areas. Both sides were equally affected. In only 7.8% of boys and 3.3% of girls was the involved area greater than 15% of the body surface area. Most (63.8% of boys and 67.4% of girls J had less than 5% involved. The color of the Mongolian spots varied from gray to grayish blue to grayish black. In general, younger children had darker Mongolian spots.
Conventional and Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration: Complementary Procedures

Objective The diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy and staging lung cancer with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) are on the rise. Most reports have demonstrated high yields with EBUS-TBNA and superiority of this procedure over conventional TBNA (cTBNA), but the relative roles of these procedures remain undefined. We present a comprehensive comparison of EBUS-TBNA to cTBNA. Methods We reviewed all of the bronchoscopies performed at our medical center from January 2009 through December 2010. We collected data on 82 EBUS-TBNAs and 209 cTBNAs performed. A cost analysis was subsequently performed. Results EBUS-TBNA was performed more often in patients with known prior cancer and suspicion of recurrence or staging compared with cTBNA (42% vs 18%, P < 0.001). cTBNA was more likely to be performed in patients suspected of having malignancy and needing diagnostic specimens (70% vs 46%, P = 0.009). The overall yield in which a diagnostic specimen or lymphoid tissue was obtained was not different in each group: EBUS 84% vs cTBNA 86% (P = 0.75). The cancer yield was 57% in cTBNAs compared with 44% in EBUS-TBNAs (P < 0.0001), with EBUS-TBNA more often targeting smaller nodes (mean 15 ± 7 mm vs 21 ± 11 mm; P < 0.0001) and paratracheal sites (67% vs 49%, P = 0.003). Per-procedure cost using a Medicare scale was higher for EBUS than it was for cTBNA ($1195 vs $808; P < 0.001). Conclusions EBUS-TBNA and cTBNA are complementary bronchoscopic procedures, and the appropriate diagnostic modality can be selected in a cost-effective manner based upon the primary indication for TBNA, lymph node size, and lymph node location.
Changes in lip, cheek, and tongue pressures after rapid maxillary expansion using a diaphragm pressure transducer.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in pressures that are exerted to maxilla by the tongue, lip, and cheek before and after expansion and during the retention period. Twelve patients (five males, seven females) with maxillary transverse deficiencies were randomly selected. The first pressure measurements were made before expansion using a diaphragm pressure transducer. The second measurements were made right after the maxillary expansion procedure, which lasted about 20 days. The expansion devices were replaced with retention devices, and measurements were made at the end of the first, second, and third months of retention. Pressure values on the buccal side of upper first molar and incisor increased significantly right after expansion but started decreasing during retention. The values at the end of the third month of retention were similar to the preexpansion values (P < .05). Tongue pressures on the lingual side of the upper first molar and upper incisor decreased significantly with expansion but started increasing after the expansion procedure. Even at the end of the third month of the retention period, the values were not similar to the preexpansion values (P < .05). These values show that the cheeks and lips almost adapt to the new position of dental arches at the end of the third month, whereas tongue adaptation took comparatively longer.
Motivations and Aspirations of Business Founders

R.T. Hamilton is currently senior lecture and director of the MBA programme at the university of Cantebury, christchurch, New Zeland, and was previously at the London Business school and stirling university, in the UK. The main purpose of theis paper is to present a retrospectiv analysis which assesss the extent to which the characteristics of business founders are stable over timie. it finds that ther is an apparent stability over time but theevidence does show that with unemployment rising over time tis is beoming a push factor in an increasing propertion of new business formatlitions. on firm size the evidence is that business which have been pushed into existence and survived are not significantly different from those which are not subject to this particular pressure.
Early aggressive intervention with tocilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis increases remission rate defined using a Boolean approach in clinical practice

The goal of treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be remission, for which a new definition was proposed in 2011. To determine which patients can achieve the new Boolean-based definition of remission in clinical practice, we analyzed factors associated with remission in 123 patients who received tocilizumab for 52 weeks. We found that patients with short disease duration (<4.8 years) had a significantly higher rate of remission (31.7%) than those with longer disease duration, and patient global assessment was the most important factor for achieving remission. Multivariate analysis revealed the following predictors of remission: short disease duration [<4.8 years; odds ratio (OR) 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4–4.7] and lower disease activity [28-joint disease activity score–erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) <5.23; OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2–5.1). In this study, we showed that remission, as newly defined using a Boolean approach, is a realistic goal for patients treated with tocilizumab with short disease duration in real-world clinical practice.
The Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Locus Confers Protection against Aerogenic Challenge of Both Clinical and Laboratory Strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mice

ABSTRACT Murine macrophages effect potent antimycobacterial function via the production of nitric oxide by the inducible isoform of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS2). The protective role of reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) against Mycobacterium tuberculosisinfection has been well established in various murine experimental tuberculosis models using laboratory strains of the tubercle bacillus to establish infection by the intravenous route. However, important questions remain about the in vivo importance of RNI in host defense against M. tuberculosis. There is some evidence that RNI play a lesser role following aerogenic, rather than intravenous,M. tuberculosis infection of mice. Furthermore, in vitro studies have demonstrated that different strains of M. tuberculosis, including clinical isolates, vary widely in their susceptibility to the antimycobacterial effects of RNI. Thus, we sought to test rigorously the protective role of RNI against infection with recent clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis following both aerogenic and intravenous challenges. Three recently isolated and unique M. tuberculosis strains were used to infect both wild-type (wt) C57BL/6 and NOS2 gene-disrupted mice. Regardless of the route of infection, NOS2−/− mice were much more susceptible than wt mice to any of the clinical isolates or to either the Erdman or H37Rv laboratory strain of M. tuberculosis. Mycobacteria replicated to much higher levels in the organs of NOS2−/− mice than in those of wt mice. Although the clinical isolates all exhibited enhanced virulence in NOS2−/− mice, they displayed distinct growth rates in vivo. The present study has provided results indicating that RNI are required for the control of murine tuberculous infection caused by both laboratory and clinical strains of M. tuberculosis. This protective role of RNI is essential for the control of infection established by either intravenous or aerogenic challenge.
The Decision Usefulness of Fair Value Accounting – A Theoretical Perspective

ABSTRACT Regulators such as the SEC and standard setting bodies such as the FASB and the IASB argue the case for the conceptual desirability of fair value measurement, notably on the relevance dimension. Recent standards on financial instruments and certain non-financial items adopt the new measurement paradigm. This paper takes issue with the notion of decision usefulness of a fair-value-based reporting system from a theoretical perspective. Emphasis is put on the evaluation of the theoretical soundness of the arguments put forward by regulators and standard setting bodies. The analysis is conducted as economic (a priori) analysis. Two approaches to decision usefulness are adopted, the measurement or valuation perspective and the information perspective. Findings indicate that the decision relevance of fair value measurement can be justified from both perspectives, yet the conceptual case is not strong. The information aggregation notion that underlies standard setters' endorsement of fair value measurement turns out to be theoretically restricted in its validity and applicability. Also, comparative analysis of fair value accounting vs. historical cost accounting yields mixed results. One immediate implication of the research – a condition for the further implementation of fair value accounting – is the need to clarify standard setters' notion of accounting income, its presumed contribution to decision relevance and its disaggregation.
An empirical study of the impact of skewness and kurtosis on hedging decisions

This study uses real price data rather than a simulation approach to investigate how hedging behaviours may change when hedgers consider skewness and excess kurtosis of hedging returns in their decision models. The study involves modelling the time-varying skewness and excess kurtosis of returns. The empirical results show that adding a preference for positively skewed returns to traditional mean-variance models may not lead to more speculative hedging/investment behaviours. Post-hedged return distributions suggest that the third moments of hedged portfolios have probably been well adjusted by mean-variance strategies, rendering three-moment decision models on a par with traditional mean-variance models. Additionally, considering the aversion to excess kurtosis will cause investors to hedge more. The research also provides empirical support for traditional minimum-variance strategies.
Value in the values: pasture-raised livestock products offer opportunities for reconnecting producers and consumers

Abstract Pasture-based livestock production holds promise in helping to reinvigorate small and mid-scale farming, as well as farm communities, across the United States. In this study, in-depth interviews of pasture-based livestock producers, meat processors and buyers were conducted to determine behaviors, attitudes and expectations with regard to pasture-based livestock production. In addition, consumers were polled to determine their attitudes with respect to how food animals are raised and treated. Results revealed many shared values between those involved in raising, processing and distributing animal products, as well as consumers, indicating an opportunity for a ‘re-embedding’ of livestock production based on these shared values. The concurrent development of both direct and extended markets, e.g. values-based value chains, is suggested as one way of addressing the difficulties faced by individual farmers in processing and distributing animal products with their provenance and underlying values intact.
The Role of Blood Tumor Marker Measurement (Using a Biochemical Index Score and C-Erbb2) in Directing Chemotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer

The role of blood tumor markers in monitoring response in advanced breast cancer is established in endocrine therapy and standard chemotherapy. This study examines marker levels in patients receiving new chemotherapy regimens. Thirty patients were recruited into two multicenter trials in which docetaxel-based regimens were used in 15 patients. The other 15 received doxorubicin-based regimens. Biochemical response calculated from a score using CA15.3, CEA and ESR was compared with UICC response. Marker changes at 2, 4 and 5 months correlated with UICC response at 3, 41/2 and 6 months, respectively (p < 0.03). Eleven patients achieved both clinical/radiological and biochemical response at the end of treatment; markers had not yet returned to below cutoffs in seven, suggesting a possible advantage to continue chemotherapy. No patient showed a biochemical response whilst judged clinically/radiologically progressive. Nineteen patients had progressed either clinically/radiologically or biochemically at six months; of these, eight showed progression assessed earlier by markers so that a median of four cycles of chemotherapy could have been saved. Measurements of serum c-erbB2 showed a correlation with tissue c-erbB2 staining in the primary tumor (p < 0.003). Among the patients with positive tissue staining, sequential changes in serum c-erbB2 completely paralleled initial response.
Gender and entrepreneurial capital: implications for firm performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the interplay between gender, entrepreneurial capital and firm performance. Using matched sample data, the paper considers how gender shapes the possession of entrepreneurial capital and discusses the implications of capital variance for business performance.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology was designed to collect data about the entrepreneurial capital of small firm owners and the performance of their firms. A sample of 30 matched pairs of business owners (30 male, 30 female) was created. Data were collected in two stages involving a telephone survey followed by face to face semi‐structured interviews.Findings – The findings reveal an interplay between economic, human, social and symbolic capital and suggest that our understanding of the possession and impact of entrepreneurial capital on firm performance can be advanced by recognising the convertible nature of entrepreneurial capitals. The paper also draws attention to the impact which human .
Gender and Promotion in the Economics Profession

The authors use unique panel data on American Economic Association members to test for gender differences in promotion in a profession with a well-defined promotion and job hierarchy and in which men and women exhibit similar labor-market attachment. The results suggest that over the period from the 1960s through the early 1980s, female economists had lower levels of professional attainment and career advancement than did their male colleagues with similar attributes. These gender differences remain in evidence despite controls for unobserved heterogeneity and self-selection between academic and non-academic jobs. There is evidence, however, that promotion prospects for female economists significantly improved during the 1980s, not only at all ranks, but also within both Ph.D.-granting institutions and non-Ph.D.-granting institutions. In fact, the results reveal no unexplained gender-specific differences in promotion by the end of the 1980s.
Do unorganised retail outlets feel threatened due to entry of organised retail outlets? Empirical evidence from an emerging market

A significant part of the Indian population is working in the unorganised services sectors, both in the rural and the urban areas, in particular in the trade, hotels and transport business services; and the community, social and personal services sectors. The retail sector in India is a sunrise sector of the Indian economy and share of unorganised retail sector is to the tune of ~95%. Indian retailing has evolved over the past decade, from largely an informal and unorganised marketplace to an increasingly corporatised industry, at least in the urban India. However, there is no clarity about the impact of entry of corporates into the retail sector upon the small retailers and mom-and-pop stores existing into unorganised retail sector. This study aimed at exploring the perceptions of unorganised retail outlets towards organised retail outlets in a city of India. Respondents consider 'number of products under one roof' and 'product variety' as important reasons for shift in customers from unorganised retail outlets to organised retail outlets. Also, this study highlighted 'strong relationship', 'proximity' and 'longer operating hours' as major advantages of unorganised retail outlets over organised retail outlets.
An efficient algorithm for solving Fillomino

Fillomino is a logical puzzle game invented by Nikoli Company in Japan. Fillomino is played on a rectangular cell with no standard size; the internal cell lines are often dotted. Some cells of the cell start containing numbers, referred to as "givens". In this paper, we propose a puzzle solving algorithm to treat these problems. Based on the fact the Fillomino are compact and contiguous, some logical rules are deduced to paint some cells. Experimental results show that our algorithm can solve Fillominos successfully and efficient, and the processing speed is significantly faster than that of depth first search algorithm.