Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE SHOULDER JOINT IN COMPETITIVE SWIMMERS *

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the shoulders of symptomatic or asymptomatic competitive swimmers, quantifying the incidence of rotator cuff lesions in these athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven (eight male and three female) symptomatic and asymptomatic, competitive swimmers (master category) in the age range between 28 and 52 years, had both shoulders prospectively evaluated by ultrasonography for determining the prevalence of injuries in correlation with clinical findings. The studies included at least two orthogonal planes of rotator cuff tendons, as well as non-tendinous components of the shoulder joint. Tendinous findings were classified into tendinosis, probable full-thickness tears and partial-thickness tears. Non-tendinous findings were classified into present or absent. Additionally to the sonographic studies results, the analysis has taken the presence or absence of symptoms and the patients’ age into consideration. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of symptomatic patients was higher (63.6%; seven athletes), with 75% of patients with bursitis, and 100% of those with partial-thickness tendon tears. Among isolated tendinous findings, the supraspinatus tendon was the most frequently involved, showing echographic pattern alteration in 36.36% of cases. Tendinosis was the most prevalent finding, present in at least one tendon in 50% of the studied shoulders. The incidence of partial-thickness tendon tears was similar to the incidence reported for nonathlete individuals (13%), always present in individuals above 40 years of age. CONCLUSION: Swimmers do not seem to present a higher incidence of tendon tears or degeneration when compared with the general population. Individuals’ age is the most relevant determining factor, as far as rotator cuff lesions are concerned, no matter these individuals practice or not activities involving an overload of the shoulder joint.
Globalisation and technological convergence in the EU

We employ a two-step approach in investigating the dynamic transmission channels under which globalization factors foster technical efficiency by combining a dynamic efficiency analysis in the stochastic frontier framework, and a time series approach based on VAR and spectral analysis. Using the dataset of the 18 EU countries over 1970–2004, we find that both import and FDI are significant factors in spreading efficiency externalities and thus accelerating technology catch-up in the EU. In particular, the impacts of the import are more prominent in the short-run while those of FDI play a more important role over the longer-run. Furthermore, the impacts of the import are pro-cyclical only in the short-run whereas those of FDI are pro-cyclical mostly over the medium- to the long-run. This evidence is broadly consistent with the sample observation that the recent slowdown of the EU productivity has been closely related to the corresponding FDI decline especially after 2000. Hence, any protection-oriented policy will be likely to be more detrimental for the EU.
K99 surface antigen of Escherichia coli: purification and partial characterization

K99, a presumed colonizing factor of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli of calf origin, has been purified. K99 was removed from K99+ bacteria by salt extraction and subsequently purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and column chromatography on diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex. The purified material was homogenous in size, having an s20,w of 13 to 15 S. It was composed of two subunits: a major component with a molecular weight of 22,500 and a minor component of 29,500. When observed in the electron microscope, K99 appeared to be rod-shaped, with a strong tendency for self-aggregation. At concentrations where aggregation was minimized, individual rods were observed with diameters of 8.4 nm and mean lengths of 130 nm. Based on the subunit structure, exterior location, and rod-like shape of K99, it is concluded that K99 is a pilus or pilus-like structure. Chemically, K99 is composed primarily of protein and has an isoelectric point of greater than 10. Purified K99 did not hemagglutinate guinea pig erythrocytes.
The Relationship between Microbiota and Polyamine Concentration in the Human Intestine: A Pilot Study

The fecal microbiota of 10 hospitalized elderly subjects and 14 healthy adults were analyzed by terminal‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) analysis using HhaI, MspI, HaeIII, and AluI, as well as fecal polyamine (PA) concentration. The T‐RFLP profiles of the fecal microbiota of the subjects were roughly divided into 2 clusters—I (9 out of 11 were derived from hospitalized elderly subjects) and II (12 out of 13 were derived from healthy adults). The average concentration of putrescine in Cluster II was 5.8 times higher than that of putrescine in Cluster I (P=0.0015). Using a phylogenetic assignment database for T‐RFLP analysis of human colonic microbiota, the terminal‐restriction fragments (T‐RFs) characteristically detected in the case of subjects with high fecal PA concentration were predicted to be derived from bacterial species and phylotypes belonging to Clostridium subcluster XIVa, particularly including Clostridium xylanolyticum, Clostridium saccharolyticum, the uncultured human intestinal bacterium clone JW1H4 (a relative of Desulfotomaculum guttoideum), Roseburia intestinalis, the uncultured bacterium clone 41F10 (a relative of Eubacterium ramulus), Roseburia cecicola, Ruminococcus obeum and its relatives. From these results, we concluded that fecal microbiota may be linked with fecal PA concentration and that some bacterial species belonging to Clostridium subcluster XIVa may play a major role in the control of intestinal PA concentration in humans.
Contract Bargaining with a Risk-Averse Agent

Abstract This article is the first to study a bargaining model in a moral hazard framework where the principal is risk neutral and the agent is risk averse. We show that the power of incentives increases with the agent’s bargaining power if the contracts induce a high effort. However, under reasonable assumptions about the agent’s utility function, the contracts induce a high effort less often as the agent’s bargaining power increases. As for the social welfare, we are surprised to find that a utilitarian, who cares about the sum of the two parties’ certainty equivalents, is worse off as the agent’s bargaining power increases. These results are in sharp contrast to the literature, which features risk-neutral agents protected by limited liability.
Risk factors for severe Meibomian gland atrophy in a young adult population: A cross-sectional study

Purpose Assess potential risk factors for severe Meibomian gland atrophy (SMGA) in a young adult population. Methods Cross-sectional study using medical history and ocular surface examination to evaluate relationships with study outcomes: SMGA, tear lipid layer (TLL) thickness, non-invasive (NITBUT) and fluorescein (FTBUT) tear breakup times, and symptoms using the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire. Results One hundred one participants (101; 202 eyes; Age: mean±SD = 22.3±4.0 years) completed the study. Hormonal birth control (HBC) use was the only significant risk factor for SMGA (p = 0.028). Female HBC users had 4.8 times greater odds of having SMGA compared to female HBC non-users (p = 0.028), but the odds of having SMGA was similar between female HBC non-users and males (p = 0.885). Multivariable analysis suggested that the relationship between SMGA and TLL thickness was dependent on HBC use. Compared to female HBC non-users without SMGA, TLL thickness for HBC users was estimated to be 10 nm thinner if SMGA was absent (p = 0.007) and 21 nm thinner if SMGA was present (p<0.001). SMGA status had no significant impact on TLL thickness among female HBC non-users (p = 0.552). The effect of TLL thickness on FTBUT was small but significant (p = 0.026). TLL thickness was not significantly associated with NITBUT (p = 0.349). Neither FTBUT nor NITBUT was significantly associated with the SPEED score. Conclusion HBC use may be associated with SMGA, supporting the hypothesis that SMGA could lead to thinner TLL. However, less evidence was present to support that thin TLL could lead to clinically detectable tear film instability and subsequently to increased ocular dryness symptoms. Further investigation with a larger sample size is warranted to confirm these findings.
Introduction: Transitional economies and changing notions of accounting and accountability

It is just over 10 years since the European Accounting Review published its special issue on accounting in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), guest edited by Derek Bailey. This special section on accounting in the CEE is dedicated to Derek who died on 23 September 2002. Derek Bailey did much to encourage academics in and outside of the CEE to write about their countries’ experiences as they make the transition from socialist state controlled economies to market economies. Here accounting was sometimes a bystander as the economic changes unfolded, sometimes it was seen as a key part of the economic changes. Derek Bailey had much to say about the changes in an informed, reflective and challenging manner (Bailey, 1995, 1998). He brought to his research a depth of knowledge concerning the socialist economies that provided a sound basis for comprehending the likely impact of the economic changes and the changes in accounting. It therefore seems appropriate to reflect on what he wrote in the special issue in 1995 in his introductory article concerning accounting in transition in the transitional economy.
Perceived Match of Wine and Cheese and the Impact of Additional Food Elements: A Preliminary Study

Very little empirical work has been done on the assessment of the impact of additional food items on match perception. The addition of specific food items to wine and cheese pairings added an increase in the overall sensation of match. This finding highlights the value of layering flavors, fruit, acid, sweet contrasts, and spice to improve wine and cheese relationships. This study found substantial differences in perceptions across the participants, supporting current arguments on individual differences in sensory perception. Limited statistical differences were found for the separation in match levels based on flavor intensity and body-to-body relationships. The descriptive statistic differences, however, may have practical significance based on consumer sensory perceptions.
Cost-effectiveness of aripiprazole once-monthly compared with paliperidone palmitate once-monthly injectable for the treatment of schizophrenia in the United States

Abstract Objective: To develop a decision-analytic model to estimate the cost-effectiveness of initiating maintenance treatment with aripiprazole once-monthly (AOM) vs paliperidone long-acting injectable (PLAI) once-monthly among patients with schizophrenia in the US. Methods: A decision-analytic model was developed to evaluate a hypothetical cohort of patients initiating maintenance treatment with AOM or PLAI. Rates of relapse, adverse events (AEs), and direct medical costs were estimated for 1 year. Patients either remained on initial treatment or discontinued treatment due to lack of efficacy, AEs, or other reasons, including non-adherence. Data from placebo-controlled pivotal trials and product prescribing information (PI) were used to estimate treatment efficacy and AEs. Analyses were performed assuming dosing of clinical trials, real-world practice, PIs, and highest therapeutic dose available, because of variation in practice settings. The main outcome of interest was incremental cost per schizophrenia hospitalization averted with AOM vs PLAI. Results: Based on placebo-controlled pivotal trials’ dosing, AOM improved clinical outcomes by reducing schizophrenia relapses vs PLAI (0.181 vs 0.277 per person per year [pppy]) at an additional cost of US$1276 pppy, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of US$13,280/relapse averted. When PI dosing was assumed, this ICER increased to US$19,968/relapse averted. When real-world dosing and highest available dosing were assumed, AOM was associated with fewer relapses and lower overall treatment costs vs PLAI. Conclusions: AOM consistently provided favorable clinical benefits. Under various dosing scenarios, AOM results indicated fewer relapses at lower overall costs or a reasonable cost-effectiveness threshold (i.e., less than the cost of a hospitalization relapse) vs PLAI. Given the heterogeneous nature of schizophrenia and variability in treatment response, health plans may consider open access for treatments like AOM. Since model inputs were based on data from separate placebo-controlled trials, generalization of results to the real-world setting is limited.
A high risk of hospitalization following release from correctional facilities in Medicare beneficiaries: a retrospective matched cohort study, 2002 to 2010.

IMPORTANCE Little is known about the risk of individuals who are released from correctional facilities, a time when there may be discontinuity in care. OBJECTIVE To study the risk for hospitalizations among former inmates soon after their release from correctional facilities. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Data from Medicare administrative claims for 110,419 fee-for-service beneficiaries who were released from a correctional facility from 2002 through 2010 and controls matched by age, sex, race, Medicare status, and residential zip code. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Hospitalization rates and specifically those for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions 7, 30, and 90 days after release. RESULTS Of 110,419 released inmates, 1559 individuals (1.4%) were hospitalized within 7 days after release; 4285 individuals (3.9%) within 30 days; and 9196 (8.3%) within 90 days. The odds of hospitalization was higher for released inmates compared with those of matched controls (within 7 days: odds ratio [OR], 2.5 [95% CI, 2.3-2.8]; within 30 days: OR, 2.1 [95% CI, 2.0-2.2]; and within 90 days: OR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.7-1.9]). Compared with matched controls, former inmates were more likely to be hospitalized for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (within 7 days: OR, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.4-2.1]; within 30 days: OR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.5-1.8]; and within 90 days: OR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.5-1.7]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE About 1 in 70 former inmates are hospitalized for an acute condition within 7 days of release, and 1 in 12 by 90 days, a rate much higher than in the general population.
Reporting human resources in annual reports: An empirical evidence from top Indian companies

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent of corporate disclosure on human resources (HR) in the annual reports of top performing Indian companies. Design/methodology/approach - – The paper explores the extent to which top 82 companies from India present information about HR in their annual reports. This study examines the annual reports of each of the top Indian firms listed on the Bombay stock exchange, using the “content analysis” method. Statistical tests have been performed to analyse the difference between the HR disclosure score across public and private sectors and disclosure variations among various industrial sectors. Findings - – In-house training programmes has been noticed to be the favourite item of disclosure followed by safety awards/certifications and statements regarding cordial relations with the employees/unions. A majority of the Indian firms have ignored significant HR issues such as employee welfare fund, maternity/paternity leaves, holiday benefits, employee loans and adopting old age homes, etc. Overall, the study reflects low HR related disclosures. No statistically significant difference has been found between the mean HR disclosure from one industry to another and disclosure practices of the private and the public sector companies. Practical implications - – The disclosure pattern of the Indian companies suggests that they only a few companies are concerned about employees’ welfare than the rest. This may motivate a change of the disclosure policy of the rest of the firms who may follow the reporting pattern of the most disclosing ones. Originality/value - – This is first study on the disclosure of HR by the Indian corporate sector in the CSR domain with a disclosure analysis for a period of nine years . This research provides new directions for the literature in this area and may promote comparative studies on HR-based studies from different perspectives.
A Penny for Your Quotes : Patent Citations and the Value of Innovations

The use of patents in economic research has been seriously hindered by the fact that patents vary enormously in their importance or value, and hence, simple patent counts cannot be informative about innovative output. The purpose of this article is to put forward patent counts weighted by citations as indicators of the value of innovations, thereby overcoming the limitations of simple counts. The empirical analysis of a particular innovation (Computed Tomography scanners) indeed shows a close association between citation-based patent indices and independent measures of the social value of innovations in that field. Moreover, the weighting scheme appears to be nonlinear (increasing) in the number of citations, implying that the informational content of citations rises at the margin. As in previous studies, simple patent counts are found to be highly correlated with contemporaneous RD however, here the association is within a field over time rather than cross-sectional.
Scarred from the past or afraid of the future? Unemployment and job satisfaction across European labour markets

Previous research has shown that both past unemployment and anticipated future unemployment have a detrimental impact on employees' attitudes and behaviours, which may affect organisational performance. Surprisingly, however, very little is known about the relative impact of past unemployment compared with current job insecurity. Although it is possible that both effects operate simultaneously, this paper – focused on employees' job satisfaction and utilising a set of cross-sectional data derived from the European Social Survey 2006–2007 – reports on a strongly pronounced insecurity effect: anticipated unemployment substantially reduces employees' job satisfaction. Interestingly, inclusion of the perceived risk of future unemployment as a separate predictor variable in ordered probit regressions relegates the experience of past unemployment to a statistically insignificant coefficient and thus weakens the ‘scarring’ hypothesis. These results hold true even when several socio-demographic characteristics and proxies for individual personality traits are controlled. Implications for organisations and human resource practitioners and scope for future research endeavours conclude the analysis of the paper.
Transforming Industrial Districts: Large Firms and Small Business Networks in the Italian Eyewear Industry

This study is an evolutionary comparative analysis of how large, vertically integrated firms and networks of small firms perform, in response to the challenges posed by globalization. It focuses on the Italian eyewear industry which represents an ideal laboratory for studying the establishment and transformation of such diverse production models under ceteris paribus conditions (same industry, same challenges, same product, and same geographical location). Looking at longitudinal statistical data for the Belluno eyewear district and case studies of the four leading companies in the industry, this study demonstrates that, locally embedded networks of small firms no longer represent an organizational structure as robust and stable as in the past. Globalization challenges such networks and demands adjustments that transform the nature of the Belluno eyewear district, away from the traditional stereotype so widespread in the literature, towards a configuration characterized by the presence of leading firms and moderate hierarchy.
Organizational Preparedness for Coping With a Major Crisis or Disaster

This research presents the results of an exploratory empirical study that assessed perceived organizational preparedness for coping with a major crisis or disaster. A scale was developed and tested to measure perceptions of organizational preparedness. Hypotheses were tested to examine variations in perception of crisis preparedness. Potential for occurrence of crises was also examined and demographics collected. Findings indicate that top-level and middle-level managers have a higher level of perceived preparedness than employees, no differences in perceived preparedness based on size of the city where organizations operate, government organizations expressed a higher perception of crisis preparedness than for-profit organizations, and the highest perception of preparedness was exhibited by organizations employing more than 500 employees.
AC133+ umbilical cord blood progenitors demonstrate rapid self‐renewal and low apoptosis

Summary. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) provides immediate access to haemopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) but low cell number restricts use in full adult bone marrow reconstitution. This study investigated early ex vivo expansion kinetics of UCB AC133+ cells (2–4 × 104/ml), mononuclear cells (MNC, 1–2 × 106/ml) and AC133negative cells (AC133neg, 2–4 × 104/ml) in stroma‐free 8 d liquid culture (fetal bovine serum‐supplemented Iscove's‐modified Dulbecco's medium (IMDM) with either ‘K36EG’[c‐Kit ligand, interleukin 3 (IL‐3), IL‐6, erythropoietin, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor] or ‘TPOFL’ (thrombopoietin, Flt‐3 ligand). Cell enumeration, apoptosis assay and AC133/CD34/CD38 antigen immunophenotyping were performed at d 0, 3, 5 and 8. All three cell populations went through a proliferation lag phase between d 3 and d 5. AC133+ cells recovered better from lag phase with significantly higher fold increase (FI) when compared with MNC and AC133neg populations (K36EG FI: 15·04 ± 5·46; TPOFL FI: 8·59 ± 2·92, P < 0·05). After 8 d, populations lacking AC133+ cells were significantly more inclined to undergo apoptosis under proliferative conditions (P < 0·01). Also, when compared with K36EG, 8 d TPOFL‐expanded AC133+ cells encompassed a significantly higher percentage of AC133+ and CD34+ early HSPC (K36EG: 20·50 ± 2·36; TPOFL: 47·00 ± 7·69; P < 0·05). In conclusion, TPOFL synergism demonstrated the potential for AC133+ HSPC ex vivo expansion inducing self‐renewal, early HSPC maintenance and promoting cell survival status.