Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of mitomycin C on Molteno implant surgery: a 1-year randomized, masked, prospective study.

PURPOSE The authors assess whether adjunctive mitomycin C improves Molteno tube shunt surgery in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, and complication rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-five eyes of twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing double-plate Molteno implant surgery were randomized to receive either mitomycin C (MMC) 0.4 mg/mL for 2 minutes or a control balanced salt solution in a masked, prospective study. Intraocular pressure, visual acuity, and complications were recorded 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used to test the overall effect of the drug on IOP and percent change from preoperative IOP. RESULTS Thirteen eyes received balanced salt solution and 12 eyes received MMC. There was no difference between the groups with respect to age, preoperative IOP, log mean angle of resolution (LogMar) visual acuity, or number of preoperative medications. Except for week 1, there were no differences between the groups at any of the clinic visits with respect to IOP and percent change from baseline IOP. Analysis of the visual acuity (LogMar) showed reduction in vision for both groups. Complications were similar in each group, as were number of postoperative hypotensive agents required. CONCLUSIONS Adjunct MMC does not demonstrate a significant difference in outcomes compared with placebo in pressure-ridged Molteno implant surgery. Results of this study are limited by a small number of patients in each group and a fixed dose of MMC.
The Permanent Income Hypothesis: Estimation and Testing by Instrumental Variables

The permanent income hypothesis with rational expectation is restated, estimated, and tested by an instrumental variables technique on the postwar U.S. aggregate time-series data. The hypothesis is accepted on a consumption series which includes service flows from consumer durables. If the consumption series is the one in the National Income and Product Accounts, the hypothesis is decisively rejected. An explanation is suggested to reconcile the conflicting test results.
Is performance driven by industry- or firm-specific factors? A reply to McNamara, Aime, and Vaaler

We revisit the questions of identification of outlying firms within industries and their impact on the relative importance of firm- and industry-specific factors for firm performance. In response to McNamara, Aime and Valler (2005), we argue that the key results in Hawawini, Subramnian and Verdin (2003) are insensitive to the varying methods used to identify firm outliers. Further, we argue that conducting tests on industry outliers are inconsistent to what is indicated by theory and past empirical results on the relative importance of firm and industry effects to firm performance. Firm effects may matter most for outperforming and underpeforming firms, while industry effects may be at least as important to firms ‘stuck in the middle’. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender-specific association between night-work exposure and type-2 diabetes: results from longitudinal study of adult health, ELSA-Brasil.

OBJECTIVES Diabetes is a multifactorial disease of increasing prevalence. The literature suggests an impact of night work on metabolic components, though the relationship with diabetes is unclear. Our aim was to investigate gender-specific associations between night work and type-2 diabetes (DM2) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) using baseline data of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). METHODS The cohort comprised 15 105 civil servants, aged 35-74 years. Baseline assessments (2008-2010) included clinical and laboratory measurements and interviews on sociodemographic, occupational, and health characteristics. RESULTS In the baseline sample (N=14 427), 19.6% were classified as having DM2 and 20.5% as having IGT. Mean age was 52.1 (SD 9.1) years. A total of 2041 participants worked at night for 1-20 years and 687 for >20 years. Among women exposed to night work for >20 years compared with no night work after adjustments for potential confounders, including obesity, the odds ratios (OR) derived from multinomial logistic regression for DM2 and IGT were 1.42 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.39-1.45] and 0.96 (95% CI 0.94-0.99), respectively. Among men exposed to night work for >20 years compared with no night work, the OR for DM2 and IGT were 1.06 (95% CI 1.04-1.08) and 0.99 (95% CI 0.98-1.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The association between years of night work and diabetes is stronger among women than men. Longitudinal studies from ELSA-Brasil will be able to corroborate or refute these findings.
The crystal chemistry of hexavalent uranium; polyhedron geometries, bond-valence parameters, and polymerization of polyhedra

The geomeffy, bond valences, and polymerization ofhexavalent uranium polyhedra from 105 well-refined structures are analyzed. The Utu cation is almost always present in crystal stnrctures as part of a nearly linear (UOr)z* uranyl ion that is coordinated by four, five or six equatorial anions in an approximately planar arangement perpendicular to the uranyl ion, giving square, pentagonal and hexagonal bipyramids, respectively. The Utu-O7" bond length (Oy,: uranyl-ion O atom) is independent of the equatorial anions of the polyhedra;-averages of all polyhedra tlat contain uranyl ions ffs; I6lIJ6f-Or. = 1.79(3), mg0. -. 9 a,= 1.79(4), and t8lu6+-Our = 1.78(3) A. Not a[ r6lu6+ polyhedra contain uranyl ions; there is a continuous series of coordiaation polyhedr4 from square bipyramidal polyhedra with uranyl ions to holosymmehic octahedral geometry. The mUo* and t8lu6+ polyhedra invariably contaitl a uranyl ion. The equatorial U6. -0 (0: O,-, OH-) bond-lengths of uranyl polyhedra depend upon coordhation number; averages for all polyhedra are t6lu6+-dq = 2,28(5), rlUot-$* = 2.37(9), afi t8tlJ6+-$q2.47 (12) A. Cunently available bond-valence parameters for U& are unsatisfactory for determining bond-valence sums. Coordination-specific bond-valence paxameters have been derived for U6|, together with parameters applicable to all coordination geometries. The parameters give bond-valence sums for Ue of -6 vlr and reasonable bond-valences for Uc,-Ou, bonds. The bond-valence paraneters facilitate the recognition of Ua, U5+ and U6| catiotrs in refined crystal structures. The crystal-chemical consfraints ofpolyhedral polymerization in uranyl phases are discussed.
Institutions and Growth Volatility

Recently some studies provided evidence that democratic political institutions generate less volatile growth. These studies, however, do not provide any link between democracy and investment volatility. Here, we focus on the specific channel that links individualistic societies and low growth volatility. We test whether investment volatility and consequently growth volatility are lower in individualistic societies. We construct a two-equation system of investment and income growth volatility, allowing various measures of individualism to influence growth volatility both directly and indirectly. We find that individualism significantly directly and indirectly influences growth volatility negatively.
Technical efficiency and its determinants in microfinance institutions in India: a firm level analysis

The study employs data envelopment analysis to investigate the technical efficiency and the components of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in India using data of selected 41 microfinance institutions of India covering a period of five years (2005-2009). The study also investigates the factors determining efficiency level of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in India. Using both input oriented and output oriented methods of assessing constant returns to scale and variable returns to scale technologies, the mean technical efficiency worked out to be 40.6 per cent which indicates that 59.4 per cent inputs (output) can be reduced (increased) without sacrificing the output (with the same level of inputs). The findings pinpoint that 24 and 10 sampled MFIs in India are realizing economies of scale under input oriented measure and under output oriented measure, respectively. The Tobit regression analysis concludes that total assets, location and borrowers per staff turned out to be significant determinants of technical efficiency in the microfinance institutions of India. The study suggests that new firms can achieve higher level of efficiency with strong fundamentals, rational policy and management. Further, the MFIs should concentrate on their efforts on ground level by increasing the customer base, rather than size in terms of staffing. There is a huge scope and potential for MFIs to amplify their operations in Northern India.JEL Codes: D24, D21, C23
The Effect Of Institutional Interest On The Information Content Of Dividend-Change Announcements

We test the hypothesis that the information content of dividend change announcements, as reflected in stock prices, is directly related to the degree of pre-announcement information asymmetry in the stock. The dividend change announcements include initiations, large increases, large decreases, and omissions. Information asymmetry is proxied by the proportion of stock held by institutions. Consistent with the hypothesis, we document a significantly positive relation between the absolute values of the announcement-period excess returns and the degree of pre-announcement information asymmetry in the stock. This finding appears to hold for all types of dividend changes except dividend omissions.
A Structural Decomposition of the US Yield Curve

By expanding the macro part of macro-finance models, historical fluctuations in US bond yields turn out to be largely consistent with the rational expectations hypothesis. We estimate a medium-scale macro-finance DSGE model of the term structure to establish this. Our finding contrasts with existing macro-finance models and suggests that their--small-scale or non-structural--perspective on the macroeconomy mutes expectations, thereby underestimating the expectations hypothesis' potential. Out-of-sample forecasts are competitive with more flexible term structure models. Given the empirical validation, we interpret various episodes through the lens of the model and investigate which structural shocks cause the yield curve to contain information about future growth.
‘Deprival value’ vs. ‘fair value’ measurement for contract liabilities: how to resolve the ‘revenue recognition’ conundrum?

Revenue recognition and measurement principles can conflict with liability recognition and measurement principles. We explore here under different market conditions when the two measurement approaches coincide and when they conflict. We show that where entities expect to earn ‘super profits’ (residual income) the conceptual conflict is exacerbated by the adoption of ‘fair value’ (FV) as the measurement basis for assets and liabilities rather than the more theoretically grounded approach of ‘deprival value/relief value’ (DV/RV) which better reflects the impact of, and rational management response to, varying market conditions. However, while the problems of balance sheet liability and revenue recognition, and the related problems of income statement presentation, can be resolved by the application of DV/RV reasoning, this is not sufficient fully to resolve issues of the appropriate timing of profit recognition. Performance measurement issues still need to be addressed directly. The standard setters' current projects on ‘revenue recognition’, ‘insurance contracts’ and ‘measurement’ therefore need broadening to consider the pervasive issue of accounting for internally generated intangibles.
Alternative paradigms for manufacturing strategy

Over the past 20 years, the field of manufacturing strategy has developed many different approaches. Argues that there are three distinct paradigms in manufacturing strategy: competing through manufacturing; strategic choices in manufacturing; and best practice. Each is reviewed and its strengths and weaknesses discussed. Finally, the relationship between them is discussed and a cycle of manufacturing strategy is proposed.
Predicting Outcomes of Cash Tender Offers

this question. Recent research suggests that the cash tender offer is an important element in the marketplace for corporate control and that tender offers promote the efficient utilization of corporate resources (Kummer and Hoffmeister [9] and Bradley [5]). That is, successful takeovers using cash tender offers have generally led to increased wealth for shareholders of both the bidding firm and the target firm. Much of the published research to date is written
PHYSICIANS AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN HOSPITALS: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION

Recent concern has been expressed over the reluctance of physicians in hospitals to take ‘resource management to their hearts’ (Pollitt et al. 1988, p. 232). This is important as physicians are increasingly becoming organization members with considerable economic and managerial involvement in hospitals. This paper provides some empirical evidence of differences which occur in physician behaviour once they become integrated into hospital management structures. Differences in physician managers' orientations to goals which focus on the organization as a system are compared to senior physicians in the same setting. In addition, a comparison is made between the attitudes and use of budgeting systems, a resource management strategy. The results indicate that changes in physician managers' orientation to management-related goals and organization obligations are reflected in their budgeting behaviour.
A Confucian perspective on conflict resolution

Chinese business managers, in general, have been portrayed as valuing harmony and peace and having a tendency to avoid confrontation for fear of disturbing relationships involving mutual dependence. This is held to be a reflection of traditional Confucian cultural values. This paper is an exploratory study which attempts to establish the relationship between the traditional, Confucian cultural values and the modes of conflict resolution preferred by Chinese business managers. The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument was employed in this study to describe the preferred conflict resolution modes of Chinese business managers. The results show that compromising tend to be the most preferred conflict resolution mode of Chinese business managers because of the latter's predominantly humanistic, Confucian self-concept. However, other modes, that is, collaborating, competing, avoiding and accommodating, are also being employed by Chinese business managers as a strategic and political variation of that Confucia.
Cellular Therapeutics for Heart Failure: Focus on Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Resulting from a various etiologies, the most notable remains ischemia; heart failure (HF) manifests as the common end pathway of many cardiovascular processes and remains among the top causes for hospitalization and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current pharmacologic treatment for HF utilizes pharmacologic agents to control symptoms and slow further deterioration; however, on a cellular level, in a patient with progressive disease, fibrosis and cardiac remodeling can continue leading to end-stage heart failure. Cellular therapeutics have risen as the new hope for an improvement in the treatment of HF. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained popularity given their propensity of promoting endogenous cellular repair of a myriad of disease processes via paracrine signaling through expression of various cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules resulting in activation of signal transduction pathways. While the exact mechanism remains to be completely elucidated, this remains the primary mechanism identified to date. Recently, MSCs have been incorporated as the central focus in clinical trials investigating the role how MSCs can play in the treatment of HF. In this review, we focus on the characteristics of MSCs that give them a distinct edge as cellular therapeutics and present results of clinical trials investigating MSCs in the setting of ischemic HF.
Drone detection by Ku-band battlefield radar

The intensive research and development efforts in the area of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) detection for security applications is observed in the last decade. The published research results are focused on applications in particular domains (e.g. acoustic, ultrasonic, optical, infrared, radiofrequency…) whereas the probability characteristics for each assumed application evaluation are needed. This paper includes the theoretical analysis of battlefield pulse radar detection probability and range for small UAV. The interdependence between Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and small UAV Radar Cross Section (RCS) is derived. The results of dynamic flight test series conducted to evaluate the detection performance of three drone size categories by pulse Ku-band short range battlefield radar are presented. Some dependences of the SNR and probability of detection on the drone sizes are determined.
Technology Transfer Offices as Institutional Entrepreneurs: The Case of Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and Human Embryonic Stem Cells

We highlight the emerging role of technology transfer offices as institutional entrepreneurs involved in building legitimacy for novel technologies. To illustrate this role, we carry out an in-depth study of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation's (WARF) initiatives to support the emergence of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) technology. Our narrative account reveals that WARF took on three sub-roles; that of protector, propagator and influencer of the nascent technology. We highlight how the dual missions of technology transfer offices (TTOs), i.e., their private and societal interests, can influence how they engage in these roles, which in turn can impact the trajectory of the technology. The implications of these findings for the literature on technology transfer, institutional entrepreneurship, and the emergence and evolution of novel technologies are discussed. Copyright 2007 , Oxford University Press.
A Test of the Relative Pricing Effects of Dividends and Earnings: Evidence from Simultaneous Announcements in Japan

We study the pricing effects of dividend and earnings announcements by taking advantage of the unique setting in Japan where managers simultaneously announce the current year's dividends and earnings as well as forecasts of next year's dividends and earnings. Defining surprises as deviations from analysts' forecasts, we find that share price reactions are significantly affected by earnings surprises, especially management forecasts of next year's earnings. The information content of dividends is marginal and is restricted to announcements of next year's dividends. Consistent with Modigliani and Miller's dividend irrelevance proposition, current dividend surprises have no material impact on stock prices in Japan. Copyright The American Finance Association 2000.
Sensory discrimination and dynamic activity in the anorectum: Evidence using a new ambulatory technique

The anal canal in health is extremely sensitive to thermal stimuli. If temperature sensation plays a part in sensory discrimination two conditions must be fulfilled: there must be a temperature gradient along the anorectum and rectal contents must be able to come into contact with the sensitive anal mucosa. In a study of 53 normal subjects we demonstrated this temperature gradient with a median temperature difference between the rectum and lower, mid and upper anal canal of 0.4, 0.2 and 0.1°C respectively. The second condition was examined in 15 normal ambulatory subjects by measuring mid‐anal sphincter (SP) and rectal pressures (RP) with a microtransducer catheter. The signals were digitalized and recorded in a portable electronic memory for later computer display, and analysis. Marked spontaneous sphincter relaxation resulting in equalization of RP and SP occurred 7 times per hour (1–4). The conscious sensation of the presence of flatus was associated with an SP reduction of 30 mmHg (20–50 mmHg) and an RP increase of 7 mmHg (0–15 mmHg), such that RP ⩽ SP in 80 per cent of 144 recorded events. Using this new technique we have demonstrated the highly dynamic nature of the anal sphincter. Several times an hour the sphincter relaxes with subsequent equalization of rectal and anal pressures, allowing entry of rectal contents into the anal canal so that its presence and nature can be determined.
Firm-Specific Factors and the Openness Degree: a Survey of Italian Firms

Purpose – Many companies claim they are adopting an open approach to innovation, but each of them with its own way. This paper aims to explore the different models for opening up the innovation process adopted in practice.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs an extended survey among Italian manufacturing companies; cluster analysis; and ANOVA.Findings – The study distinguishes four different open innovation models with respect to two variables, representing the degree of openness: the number and type of partners with whom the company collaborates (partner variety) and the number and type of phases of the innovation process actually open to external collaborations (innovation phase variety). They are: open innovators, closed innovators, integrated collaborators and specialised collaborators. The paper describes each cluster in terms of firm‐specific variables that characterize and support open innovation choices; finally, it tries to draw some tentative explanation of the influence of openness o.
The Fed's Reaction to the Stock Market During the Great Depression: Fact or Artefact?

A notable feature of the 1920s and 1930s is the volatility in several key macroeconomic aggregates, and this feature used to econometrically identify the reaction of the Fed to stock market developments. The volatility of economic activity may have contributed to deepening the divisions among policy-makers about how the Fed ought to respond to stock price developments. Relying on the technique of [Rigobon, R. 2003. Identification through heteroskedasticity. Review of Economics and Statistics 85, 777-792], volatility is used as an instrument to estimate the Fed's response to the stock market. Other identification assumptions based on structural VARs produce compatible results. Fed behavior appeared to have changed following the stock market crash of 1929. Consistent with the Riefler-Burgess doctrine, interest rates and stock returns are negatively related. I conclude that, prior to the stock market crash of 1929, a form of benign neglect explains Fed behavior. Thereafter, the Fed reacts only slightly more aggressively to stock market developments.