Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Haematological and serum biochemical parameters of rabbits fed varyingdietary levels of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatic) leaf meal

Twenty four rabbits of mixed breeds aged between 10-12 weeks, weighing between 900 – 1000g were used in an experiment to determine the effect of feeding varying dietary levels of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) leaf meal on haematological and serum biochemical parameters of rabbits. The rabbits were randomly allocated into four treatments, T1, T2, T3 and T4 containing 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% of water spinach leaf meal respectively (Table 1). Feed and water were served ad libitum throughout the 8 weeks experimental period. At the end of the feeding trial 3 rabbits per treatment were sacrificed and analysis done on blood samples. The result indicated there was no significant (P> 0.05) influence of diet on all the haematological parameters studied. There was also no significant (P>0.05) effect of diet was observed on serum biochemical parameters except serum glucose that was significantly reduced in the control diet. This result shows that water spinach meal can be included up to 15% in rabbit diets without adverse effect on haematology and serum biochemistry of rabbits.
Incentive Effect of Piece-Rate Contracts: Evidence from Two Small Field Experiments

Abstract We conducted two field experiments in a tree-thinning setting. In one experiment, we switched the pay of a randomly chosen half (the treatment group) from hourly wages to piece-rate pay. Workers in the control group were paid hourly wages throughout. In the second experiment, workers were switched from hourly to piece-rate pay all at once. The difference-in-difference and before-after estimates suggest that the productivity increase was on the order of 20-23 percent. Although the sample size is small, the estimates are statistically significant and robust. While the quality did not drop, the study highlights the measurement costs in setting up the right level of piece rates. We also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of using randomized control (and treatment) groups or not in conducting field experiments within firms.
The Information Content of Dividend Surprises: Evidence from Germany

This paper reconsiders the issue of share price reactions to dividend announcements. We use the difference between the actual dividend and the analyst consensus forecast as obtained from I/B/E/S as a proxy for the surprise in the dividend announcement. Using data from Germany, we find significant share price reactions after dividend announcements. We use panel methods to analyze the determinants of the share price reactions and find evidence in favour of the cash flow signaling hypothesis and dividend clientele effects. We further find that the price reaction to dividend surprises is related to the ownership structure of the firm. The results do not support the free cash flow hypothesis. An additional result of our analysis is that dividend changes are not an appropriate measure to capture the information content of dividend announcements.
Undisturbed Stance Control in Healthy Adults Is Achieved Differently Along Anteroposterior and Mediolateral Axes: Evidence From Visual Feedback of Various Signals From Center of Pressure Trajectories

Provided through the screen of a monitor, the participant's resultant center of pressure (CPRes) movements from a force platform device, modified the postural performance of a healthy individual. However, these effects could largely vary with the axis that researchers consider (mediolateral [ML] or anteroposterior [AP]), because they know these controls are involved in 2 distinct ankle and hip mechanisms. To demonstrate this organization, the author tested a group of healthy adults in several conditions that gave the whole or some part of the information in the CPRes displacements. Compared with the CPRes feedback, left and right plantar CP or body weight distribution feedback deteriorated the control of the vertically projected center of gravity (CGv) along the ML and AP axes, whose amplitudes increased, respectively. These data highlight the primary role of loading or unloading and pressure variations in the achievement of postural control along each ML or AP axis, respectively. It is interesting that merging these 2 pieces of information (CPRes displacements) helped participants optimize their postural performance.
Effectiveness comparison of the residential property mass appraisal methodologies in the USA

Purpose - Quite a few statistical and artificial neural network (ANN) models have been developed for the mass appraisal of the real estate by the municipalities. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a research conducted to compare the prediction accuracy of the three most used models: multiple regression model, additive nonparametric regression, and ANN. Design/methodology/approach - The three models were developed using the housing database of a town with 33,342 residential houses. In this database, the cutoff point for higher priced homes was $88 per square foot of living area. Findings - The research confirmed that using statistical and ANN models are reliable and cost-effective methods for mass appraisal of residential housing. Originality/value - It was found that any of the three models can be used, with similar accuracy, for lower and medium-priced houses, but the ANN is considerably more accurate for higher priced houses.
Biphasic response of the rat lateral prostate to increasing levels of serum prolactin.

Our previous work has shown that an increase in serum prolactin (Prl) levels produced by two pituitary grafts specifically enhances testosterone-stimulated growth of the rat lateral prostate. Since Prl has been shown in several mammalian systems to have biphasic effects, i.e., stimulatory at low doses and inhibitory or without effect at high levels, the present study was undertaken to determine whether the prostate gland would respond differentially to increasing Prl levels. Adult male rats were castrated, given s.c. testosterone implants and grafted with 0, 1, 2, 4 or 6 pituitaries under the renal capsule. Three weeks later all animals were sacrificed. The three prostate lobes were removed for analysis and blood was collected for Prl and testosterone radioimmunoassay. There were no significant differences in ventral and dorsal lobe parameters among the 5 groups whereas the lateral lobe showed a marked tropic response. As serum Prl levels increased, the weight of the lateral prostate first increased and then diminished. Mean weights (mg +/- SEM) were: 40 +/- 3, 65 +/- 3, 76 +/- 6, 70 +/- 4 and 59 +/- 3 for animals with 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 grafts, respectively. Protein and DNA levels showed the same response pattern. To ensure that this response was a result of elevated Prl, the study was repeated with daily injections of bromoergocriptine (CB-154). The mean weights after 3 weeks in the control and CB-154-treated animals, respectively were: 0 graft, 44 +/- 3 and 43 +/- 2; 2 grafts, 81 +/- 4 and 41 +/- 3; 6 grafts, 56 +/- 3 and 44 +/- 3. Again, a biphasic response occurred in control animals. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Systematic review of quality of care in Saudi Arabia. A forecast of a high quality health care.

OBJECTIVES To explore the current structure of the Saudi health care system, and assess the quality of health care in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) based on the indicators provided by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), and to provide recommendations for improvements. METHODS This study explores the current structure of the Saudi health care system using a systematic review of studies published between 2009 and 2013. The IOM indicators of quality health care (safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable) are used to determine the current quality of healthcare in KSA. Studies that examined the quality of health care were evaluated for methodological soundness by giving a quality score based on Russell and Gregory's criteria. RESULTS The quality of healthcare in KSA has progressed significantly over the recent years at all levels of health services. Like many countries, KSA is investing money and efforts to improve quality of healthcare in the Kingdom. Although significant progress has been made, barriers affecting this quality are still apparent as the general population increases, patients' health care needs, and demands are also rising. Factors affecting the quality of healthcare can be categorized into patient factors (such as health literacy, access to care, and culture), and providers' factors (including medical care, workload, culture, and job satisfaction). CONCLUSION As a result of these unaddressed issues, the quality of healthcare in the Kingdom may be degenerating. Additionally, as the population of KSA has increased and medical technology has become more sophisticated and costly, and patients' demands and expectations have also increased. Providing quality healthcare to all patients is a fundamental human right. Poor quality healthcare causes patient suffering, institutional waste, and misuse of community resources.
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis: A Review of the Current Recommendations of the Histiocyte Society

Abstract: Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare proliferative disorder where pathologic Langerhans cells accumulate in a variety of organs. Historically, the nomenclature regarding this entity has been confusing because the disease had been subcategorized simply based upon the different clinical manifestations. In the following article, we summarize the current recommendation of the Histiocyte Society regarding the classification, evaluation, prognosis, and treatment of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
Financial institution default frequencies and takeover defenses

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between estimated default frequencies (EDFs) and a government index that proxies for takeover defense provisions for publicly-traded financial institutions from 2002 to 2004. Design/methodology/approach - Using a sample of publicly-traded financial institutions, the effect of anti-takeover provisions on EDFs was analyzed. Findings - It was found that financial institutions with multiple takeover defenses tend to have lower EDFs compared with those with fewer takeover defenses. This result is robust to a variety of specifications and is supportive of the wealth distribution hypothesis. Further, it appears that the result is primarily driven by non-depository institutions. This may imply that regulation of depository institutions mitigates takeover defense effects on managerial behavior. Originality/value - This paper adds to the corporate finance literature, which reports mixed findings on the relationships between takeover defenses and firm value.
Influence of month of birth on the serum hormone concentrations and weights of the accessory sex organs and testes during maturation of the male laboratory rat.

The serum hormone concentrations of testosterone, LH and prolactin were studied in cohorts of male rats born one group/month over 20 consecutive months to determine the influence of month of birth on serum hormone concentrations observed at given ages during maturation. There was a significant effect of both age and month of birth on the concentrations of the three hor mones studied. Serum levels of testosterone increased with age and reached maximal levels at 50â€”70 days of age in rats born in the spring and at 80â€”90 days of age in rats born in the fall. Serum LH levels were generally elevated at 30â€”40 days of age and then declined to adult levels by 60 days of age. However, secondary rises in serum LH levels were noted in 70â€”90-day-old rats born in the spring. Serum prolactin levels increased with age from 30 to 80 days of age. There was a further elevation of serum levels of prolactin in mature animals (120 or 150 day old) in all months of birth except in those born during the spring and early summer. The changes in weights of testes and accessory sex organs (ventral prostate, seminal vesicle, coagulating gland) of maturing male rats were studied in cohorts of animals born during different consecutive months for the last 14 months of the above study. The weights of the accessory sex organs were significantly affected by the month in which the animals were born, with rats born in the spring (March-May) exhibiting accelerated growth during maturation as compared to rats born at other times of the year. Changes in the weights of the testes during maturation were not influenced by month of birth. These results indicate that serum hormone concentrations and weights of accessory sex organs of sexually maturing male rats are influenced by the month of birth, even though the animals are maintained under controlled environmental conditions.
Do Brazilian REITs Depend on Real Estate Sector Companies or Overall Market?

Real Estate investments have been considered a good tool to provide diversification without increasing risk in a portfolio. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are a well-known investment alternative to many investors who want to invest in real estate minimizing the liquidity problem, since they have traded shares. However, the fact that REITs have traded shares brings the following question: are these shares driven by a “real estate factor” or they simply follow the overall market variation? This paper aims to discover whether Brazilian REITs return depend on the real estate companies return, on if they follow the overall market, or even any of the alternatives. The correlation between Ifix (Brazilian REITs proxy) and Imob (a Brazilian real estate sector index), as well as the correlation between Ifix and Ibovespa index, which represents the overall Brazilian market, were estimated by the Dynamic Conditional Correlation (DCC) model of Engle (2002). Our results show that both correlations were not significant, although the correlation between REITs and Ibovespa appear to be slightly higher than the one between REITs and Imob. These results, combined with the fact that Ifix index presents higher average return and smaller standard deviation, indicate that it may be interesting for the investor to include a Brazilian REIT share in his portfolio, since it would contribute to increase portfolio return without assuming more risk.
The Kaizen approach within process innovation: findings from a multiple case study in Ibero-American countries

Processes and process innovation remains important in the management of today's organisations. In management and academic circles in Europe, Asia and the USA, the subject of processes and their innovation continue to be the basis of discussions regarding organisations' operations. The relevance of process innovation has gained weight as a result of various well-publicised failures by some major firms to operate new processes, leading to clients receiving low-quality goods and services. However, regarding the Iberian countries, academic references are few and far between regarding process innovation and Kaizen. Thus, it seems that previous studies represented in the literature show Kaizen from the angle of implementation of process innovation methods, and so the aim of this paper is to understand how these methods of process innovation are applied in the context of Kaizen in organisations operating in Ibero-American countries. This research has reported the results of a multiple case study, showing and providing empirical evidence grounded in the application of process innovation and the impact this has on the management of the organisation. In our study, we found that the application of process innovation basically can begin to help Ibero-American companies to understand (wake-up or become aware of) the deeper meaning of the term ‘process’ (theme of understanding); also, to begin to inspire (theme of synchronisation) the sense of managing from the point of view of process innovation and the philosophy of Kaizen in continuous improvement.
Histological Characteristics of the Tracheobronchial Tree of the Least Shrew (Cryptotis Parva)

The least shrew (Cryptotis parva) is a small vomit‐competent insectivorous species which has recently been introduced as an emesis animal model in the laboratory. In this study, the respiratory system of the least shrew was examined and compared with the well‐established larger species routinely used in the laboratory. Five least shrews (4–5 g body weight, 45–60 days old) were used. Standard histological procedures were followed for light microscopic examination. The lining epithelium of the trachea was found to be pseudostratified ciliated columnar (PSCC). Three types of cells were easily identified, basal and ciliated as well as few goblet cells interspersed among the ciliated cells and they were not clearly recognizable. A few tracheal seromucous glands were located at the free end of the C‐shaped cartilaginous rings. The cartilaginous rings are replaced by smooth muscle cells before the bronchi enter into the lung. The lining epithelium of tracheobronchial tree gradually changes into simple cuboidal epithelium that lacks goblet cells. However, the division of the tracheobronchial tree is similar to other mammalian species. On the other hand, the principal bronchus lacks cartilaginous plaques as it becomes intrapulmonary bronchus. The wall of the bronchi is supported by thick layers of spirally arranged smooth muscles. Two types of cells were readily recognizable: basal and ciliated cells, with rarely observed goblet cells. In addition, the PSCC epithelium changes into simple cuboidal much earlier in the bronchial division relative to other species.
Can children catch up in growth after living donor liver transplantation?

Several studies have shown improved growth after liver transplantation, but long‐term follow‐up data have been lacking. This study was aimed at evaluating the ability of children to catch up in height after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and at clarifying factors affecting growth. Growth was assessed by serial height measurements performed during follow‐up. Standardized height scores (z scores) were calculated for each patient preoperatively (at the baseline) and at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, and 15 years after LDLT. The risk potential of several preoperative and postoperative variables was evaluated. A total of 237 patients, including 159 females (67.1%), met the inclusion criteria. The mean age at the time of transplant was 3.89 ± 0.28 years. The mean z score was −1.70 ± 0.09, whereas the baseline height deficit was −6.50 ± 0.39 cm. After LDLT, the z score improved significantly and reached −0.64 ± 0.14 by the end of the first year. The best height improvement was seen after 10 years (−0.33 ± 0.16). However, significant growth retardation remained at 15 years (−0.47 ± 0.17). Height showed 3 distinct phases after transplantation: a growth spurt, a plateau phase, and a late declining phase. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that children under 2 years and those with the most growth retardation at the time of LDLT achieved the best height gain in the first year. Late growth retardation was related to the baseline z score, ABO‐incompatible grafts, and graft dysfunction. In conclusion, children have the potential ability to catch up in growth to normal levels after LDLT; they can show impressive height gains in the first year followed by protracted improvement over 10 years and then late growth retardation. Young age is a determinant for early height gain, whereas ABO‐incompatible grafts and graft dysfunction are determinants for late growth retardation. In contrast, the baseline z score is a determinant for both. Liver Transpl , 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
The Stable Paretian Distribution, Subordinated Stochastic Processes, and Asymptotic Lognormality: An Empirical Investigation

LOGNORMALITY OF ASSET RETURNS is a popular assumption in investigations of investor behavior. Empirical observation, however, has disclosed that daily returns are consistently more leptokurtic (are more peaked and have fatter tails) than lognormality indicates. Two responses to these empirical findings have evolved. The first was that the stable paretian' (SP) class of distribution, with a-characteristic <2, is better suited to the description of asset returns [7, 9, 18, 20, 23]. More recently the description of asset returns as a subordinated stochastic process (SSP) has developed [4, 6, 19, 21, 22, 24]. The use of a daily period in investigations of the nature of the return distribution contrasts sharply with the use of monthly [3], quarterly [5], and annual
High Speed Architectures for Finding the First two Maximum/Minimum Values

High speed architectures for finding the first two maximum/minimum values are of paramount importance in several applications, including iterative (e.g., turbo and low-density-parity-check) decoders. In this brief, stemming from a previous work, based on radix-2 solutions, we propose higher and mixed radix implementations that improve the architecture latency. Post place and route results on a 180-nm CMOS standard cell technology show that the proposed architectures achieve lower latency than radix-2 solutions with a moderate area increase.
Residential Patterns and Housing Choices of Ghanaian Immigrants in Toronto, Canada

This study examines the spatial distribution, intra-urban mobility, and housing choices of Ghanaians in Toronto, to illustrate the residential behaviour of a recent group of African immigrants to Canada. The study finds that the majority of Ghanaian immigrants live in the older and newer suburban districts of the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), with relatively few in the central cities. This finding is consistent with those of recent studies which indicate that the suburbs have become the primary reception areas for new immigrants to Canada. Within the suburbs, Ghanaians exhibit a high degree of concentration in specific areas and even in individual multi-family buildings. Analysis shows that this suburban emphasis as well as the intense local concentration is largely due to their need for affordable housing, the channelling effects of chain migration, the desire for proximity to fellow Ghanaians, and a housing search process that relies heavily on information and help from friends and relatives.
The Decision to List Abroad: The Case of ADRs and Foreign IPOs by Chinese Companies

This paper examines the decision to list abroad by Chinese companies in the form of ADRs and foreign IPOs from 1993 to 2005. Our sample consists of 33 ADRs, 218 foreign IPOs, and a sample of 1418 domestic listings. We find evidence to support that issuers are motivated to cross-list due to the legal and accounting standards of the foreign markets, more stringent listing requirements and closer regulatory monitoring, significant demands for external capital due to rapid growth, an expanded shareholder base, and foreign expertise. The motives and firm factors differ by the type of issue (ADR versus foreign IPO) and by the market in which the foreign exchange is located (Hong Kong versus Singapore). Subsequent to the listing events, issuers experience a significant drop in profitability, tangible assets ratio, and asset turnover. There is no significant change in capital expenditure. Stock returns after the listing events are generally negative for ADR and foreign IPO stocks. More significantly, these stocks under-perform the market in the post-event window ranging from 3 days to 3 years.
Is the 52-week high momentum strategy profitable outside the US?

This paper uses Australian stock data to provide the first out-of-sample test of the 52-week high momentum strategy. The robustness of price and industry momentum strategies is also considered. We find the 52-week high momentum strategy is highly profitable on Australian stocks that have been approved for short-selling. The average return is 2.14% per month, which is considerably larger than the equivalent return for this strategy in the US and the return to other momentum strategies in Australia. The profitability of the 52-week high momentum strategy is robust to stocks of different size and liquidity and persists after risk-adjustment.