Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate Governance Post-Enron: Effective Reforms, or Closing the Stable Door?

We examine Enron's collapse to provide insights as to the efficacy of recent governance reforms. In doing so, we explore two main issues. First, if recently mandated governance changes had been in place earlier, would they have constrained actions by Enron's management? Second, and more generally, which of the recent governance changes might act to constrain governance failures going forward? Although many aspects of corporate governance failed at Enron, the firm's viability ultimately rested on an inherently risky business strategy, a strategy that the board and others apparently failed to understand. However, it is not apparent that increasing board independence would have changed Enron's strategic direction, or prevented the firm's collapse. From this perspective, many recent reforms, including those mandating specific board structures likely move firms away from their optimal governance structure and are tantamount to closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. We assert that, ceteris paribus, stronger internal controls coupled with reduced potential for conflicts of interest on the part of the external auditor might have constrained management's ability to hide the firm's true financial condition and are likely to constrain aspects of fraudulent behavior going forward.
Predictive Communication Quality Control in Haptic Teleoperation With Time Delay and Packet Loss

Teleoperation in extreme environments may suffer from communication delay and packet loss during the transmission of command signals and sensory feedback. This study investigates whether online control of communication time delay by using quality of service (QoS) techniques can improve operator task performance in a virtual teleoperated collision avoidance task. We first introduce the framework of predictive communication quality control based on a dynamic performance model of a human handling the teleoperation system. We then apply the framework to a virtual collision avoidance scenario and evaluate it with two behavioral studies. Study 1 identifies that prolonging time delay significantly increases the frequency of collisions and completion time. We develop a model for predicting the probability of the operator causing collisions with the wall and fit its parameters with the experimental data. In Study 2, we compare the completion time and the number of collisions with and without the predictive QoS control. It is shown that the predictive QoS control is capable of reducing the number of collisions, but it does not affect task completion time. The prediction model and empirical validation provide a successful proof of concept for a human-centered system design, in which the dynamic model of the operator is the center of the control architecture.
Inter-operator infrastructure sharing: Trade-offs and market

We model the problem of infrastructure sharing among mobile network operators (MNOs) as a multiple-seller single-buyer market where the MNOs are able to share their own base stations (BSs) with each other. First, we use techniques from stochastic geometry to find the coverage probability of the infrastructure sharing system and analyze the trade-off between increasing the transmit power of a BS and the BS intensity of a buyer MNO required to achieve a given quality-of-service (QoS) in terms of the coverage probability. We show that when the transmit power of the BSs and/or the BS intensity of a network increases, the system becomes interference limited and the coverage probability tends to saturate at a certain value. As such, when the required QoS is set above this bound, an MNO can improve its coverage by buying infrastructure from other MNOs. Subsequently, we analyze the strategy of a buyer MNO on choosing how many MNOs and which MNOs to buy the infrastructure from. The optimal strategy of the buyer is given by greedy fractional knapsack algorithm. On the sellers' side, the pricing problem and the problem of determining the fraction of infrastructure to be sold are formulated using a Cournot oligopoly game.
Studies of serum C-reactive protein in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels to other indicators of disease activity during the course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS In 124 patients serum CRP was measured retrospectively by ELISA and in some instances by radial immunodiffusion. Serum CRP levels were compared to laboratory, clinical, and radiographic assessments of disease activity. In many patients, serial CRP levels were measured over months or years to determine whether elevations of serum CRP reflected apparent changes in other disease activity variables. CRP was also measured in lyophilized aliquots of 24 h urine samples from SLE patients and controls with other renal disorders. Parallel determinations of interleukin 6 (IL-6) were made by ELISA in healthy controls and SLE patients. RESULTS Of the 124 SLE patients studied, most showed elevations in serum CRP levels in the course of their disease. No inverse or direct correlation was noted between serum CRP and levels of nucleosome antigen or serum IgM or IgG anti-DNA antibody. In patients with renal involvement and proteinuria, CRP was often detected in 24-h urine samples. A strong correlation (p < 0.001) was noted between CRP and IL-6 levels in healthy subjects, but no correlation was recorded between serum CRP and IL-6 in SLE. CONCLUSION Contrary to previous reports, most patients with SLE in our study showed elevations of serum CRP during the course of their illness, and extremely high serum CRP was recorded in some patients. CRP was also found in concentrated urine samples from patients with renal involvement and often paralleled elevated serum levels. In patients, no correlation was seen between CRP serum levels and serum IL-6, whereas a strong correlation between CRP level and IL-6 was recorded in healthy subjects.
Blood glucose and schizophrenia: a systematic review of prospective randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE Most of the data evaluating the potential relationship between diabetes, schizophrenia, and anti-psychotics currently derive from retrospective analysis. Relevant confounders of such data include screening and selection bias. Prospective data collected from randomized controlled trials may reduce such biases. As no single trial has glucose comparisons as a primary endpoint, we undertook a systematic review of available data. DATA SOURCES Embase, HealthStar, MEDLINE, Pre-MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases were searched online for relevant articles. Abstracts from major congresses held between January 2000 and April 2006 were included. Search terms included all currently available antipsychotics: olanzapine, risperidone, clozapine, quetiapine, ziprasidone, aripiprazole, haloperidol, chlorpromazine, and zotepine. STUDY SELECTION Prospective clinical trials involving schizophrenia patients with no stated previous glucose abnormalities randomly assigned to cohorts receiving active or placebo comparator antipsychotic medications were included with no restrictions on study length. 16 studies were from peer-reviewed publications, 4 were from posters at major congresses, and 2 were available only on Internet-based sites. DATA EXTRACTION Glucose parameters reported included fasting and random glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin. Data reported included mean changes and categorical reports of abnormal levels. DATA SYNTHESIS Data were available in 6329 patients from 22 trials. The most common comparator agents were aripiprazole and olanzapine in 4 studies including 1432 patients. 14 studies reported fasting and 9 studies reported nonfasting data. 15 studies were a minimum of 5 months, with 8 studies of at least 1 year's duration. No consistent significant glucose differences were found between any comparator antipsychotics or placebo in any trial. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to some of the retrospective data, an analysis of prospective data from randomized clinical trials showed no consistent significant differences in the incidence of treatment-emergent glucose abnormalities in patients treated with antipsychotics. The reduction in both screening and selection biases may be relevant. Although one third of the studies had at least 1 year's duration, the data are not sufficient to reach conclusions regarding patients receiving longer-term treatment with atypical antipsychotics.
Endoscopic characterization of sessile serrated adenomas/polyps with and without dysplasia

Background and study aims: Sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps) are precursors of colorectal cancer (CRC), but their endoscopic detection can be difficult. We therefore examined the endoscopic characteristics of SSA/Ps with and without dysplasia in a cross-sectional study. Patients and methods: We reviewed clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic data from patients undergoing colonoscopy between February 2008 and February 2012. We categorized colorectal polyps according to anatomic site, size, and shape, and classified serrated polyps using the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Multiple logistic regression analyses examined potential differences regarding site, size, and shape between SSA/Ps and colorectal adenomas (overall and advanced only). Results: We examined 7433 patients (mean age 59 years, 45.9 % men) with 5968 colorectal polyps. In total, we found 170 SSA/Ps (170/5968, 2.9 %), including 63 SSA/Ps with dysplasia (1.1 %) and 107 SSA/Ps without dysplasia (1.8 %). Compared with SSA/Ps with dysplasia, SSA/Ps without dysplasia were more often proximally located (odds ratio [OR] 3.3, 95 % confidence interval [95 %CI] 1.7 – 6.4), but less often < 6 mm in size (OR 0.6, 95 %CI 0.3 – 1.1). No significant differences were found regarding location between SSA/Ps with dysplasia and advanced adenomas (proximal colon, 47.6 % vs. 40.1 %). However, SSA/Ps with dysplasia were more often < 6 mm in size than advanced adenomas (OR 0.3, 95 %CI 0.2 – 0.5). Of the 63 dysplastic SSA/Ps, 6 (9.5 %) contained high grade dysplasia, but none invasive carcinoma. Conclusions: SSA/Ps with dysplasia are frequently < 6 mm in size, located throughout the colon and 9.5 % of them contain high grade dysplasia. These findings underscore the importance of high quality colonoscopic examination to maximize protection against CRC.
Galectin-1 Mediates Radiation-Related Lymphopenia and Attenuates NSCLC Radiation Response

Purpose: Radiotherapy can result in lymphopenia, which has been linked to poorer survival. Here, we test the hypothesis that radiotherapy-induced lymphopenia is mediated by a tumor-secreted factor, Galectin-1 (Gal-1), which possesses T-cell proapoptotic activities. Experimental Design: Matched Gal-1 wild-type (WT) or null mice were implanted with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC-1) that either expressed Gal-1 or had Gal-1 stably downregulated. Tumors were irradiated locally and circulating Gal-1 and T cells were measured. Tumor growth, lung metastasis, intratumoral T-cell apoptosis, and microvessel density count were quantified. Thiodigalactoside (TDG), a Gal-1 inhibitor, was used to inhibit Gal-1 function in another group of mice to validate the observations noted with Gal-1 downregulation. Lymphocyte counts, survival, and plasma Gal-1 were analyzed in cohorts of radiotherapy-treated lung [non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)] and head and neck cancer patients. Results: LLC irradiation increased Gal-1 secretion and decreased circulating T cells in mice, regardless of host Gal-1 expression. Inhibition of tumor Gal-1 with either shRNA or thiodigalactoside ablated radiotherapy-induced lymphopenia. Irradiated shGal-1 tumors showed significantly less intratumoral CD8+ T-cell apoptosis and microvessel density, which led to marked tumor growth delay and reduced lung metastasis compared with controls. Similar observations were made after thiodigalactoside treatment. Radiotherapy-induced lymphopenia was associated with poorer overall survival in patients with NSCLC treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy. Plasma Gal-1 increased whereas T-cell decreased after radiation in another group of patients. Conclusions: Radiotherapy-related systemic lymphopenia appeared to be mediated by radiotherapy-induced tumor Gal-1 secretion that could lead to tumor progression through intratumoral immune suppression and enhanced angiogenesis. Clin Cancer Res; 20(21); 5558–69. ©2014 AACR.
Effects of pretreatment and thermocycling on bond strength of resin core materials to various fiber-reinforced composite posts.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of pretreatment (silanization) and thermocycling on bond strengths of 2 core materials to 3 different types of fiber posts. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bond strengths of prefabricated glass (group 1), quartz (group 2), and individually formed glass fiber posts (group 3) to either a flowable or a highly viscous composite resin core material were measured using a push-out design. All posts were investigated with or without the application of a silane. Half of the specimens were stored in distilled water for 28 days, and were subsequently subjected to thermocycling (5000 cycles, 5 to 55 degrees C), whereas the other half was investigated after 24-h water storage. RESULTS Bond strengths were significantly affected by thermocycling (p < 0.0005), post type (p < 0.0005), and pretreatment (p < 0.0005), but not by the core material (p = 0.149; four-way ANOVA). Posts of group 3 demonstrated significantly higher bond strengths than all other posts, even after thermocycling (p < 0.05; Tukey-B). CONCLUSION While silanization had negligible effects, thermocycling drastically reduced bond strengths regardless of pretreatment, post type, or core material. The higher bond strengths between the group 3 posts and the flowable composite resin core material might result in improved stability of the core for postendodontic restorations.
Community college athletes: The influence of the chance to compete on college choice

Intercollegiate athletes are an important and viable group of students for many colleges, including community colleges. These students can add to the student life experience, increase exposure of institution to the community, and enhance enrollment. Despite the large number of community college athletes, there is little literature on the experiences, recruitment, and college choice patterns of community college athletes. Currently, there are a few studies on college choice of college athletes; however, most of this literature focuses on athletes in powerhouse programs. There are also studies on college choice of community college students; however, this literature generally does not focus on particular segments of traditional aged students. Thus, there is a paucity of literature on the college choice patterns of community college athletes. Given the trend for smaller four-year colleges to use athletics for enrollment management and the declining population in some areas where community colleges are struggling to diversify enrollment, it seems prudent to understand the factors influencing community college athletes' college choice. This study developed a survey and identified factors that influenced college choice of community college athletes. It also examined the relationship between college choice factors and affirmation of choice of college. The study was conducted at eight community colleges and descriptive statistics were used to determine the background of participants. Factor analysis was conducted to reduce the 47 items into fewer, related variables and logistic regression was used to examine the relationship of college choice factors to affirmation of choice.
Factor utilization and margins for adjusting output: evidence from manufacturing plants

This paper describes patterns of factor utilization and output adjustment at the plant level for a wide range of manufacturing industries. We explain why manufacturing plants may differ quite a bit in how they accomplish output adjustments, depending on shutdown cost aspects of technology. Assembly-type operations with low shutdown costs would primarily vary the work period of the plant, whereas continuous processing plants with large shutdown costs would adjust instantaneous flow rates of production. For larger output increases, a lengthening of the work period by assemblers would entail employment changes, whereas continuous processors would be more apt to relax physical capital constraints. We use micro survey data on the organization of actual and capacity plant operations to describe the observed patterns of adjustment in individual manufacturing industries and find substantial heterogeneity across industries. For manufacturing as a whole, the work-week appears to be a significant margin of adjustment.
Implementing a Mobile Wireless Environment in a Hospital Ward: Encouraging Adoption by Nursing

Sophisticated technology is commonplace in most hospitals and increasingly mobile devices are being used in hospitals by clinical staff. Although the growth in mobile device usage in hospitals has the potential to contribute to better health and medical services delivery, nurses and doctors are still very reliant on paper-based information. Much of the research reported to date has focused on technical and design issues around mobile devices. Research that has focused on mobile device use in practice has tended to be from the perspective of doctors. This paper describes research which investigated key issues that arose as a result of the implementation of mobile wireless (MW) devices in a hospital ward from the perspective of the nursing staff. Although some of the nurses’ concerns related to technological aspects the main concerns focussed on access to, and security of the devices and organisational implementation problems they experienced. From the findings we have identified the factors that need to be addressed in the implementation environment for successful adoption of the technologies. Further, we propose a holistic approach to the introduction of MW technologies in hospital ward settings.
Student support and academic performance: experiences at private universities in Mexico

Financial aid to students in tertiary education can contribute to human capital accumulation through two channels: increased enrollment and improved student performance. We pay particular attention to the latter channel, and study its quantitative importance in the context of a student support program from the Sociedad de Fomento a la Educación Superior (Society for the Promotion of Higher Education) (SOFES) implemented at private universities in Mexico. Administrative data provided by SOFES are analyzed using a regression‐discontinuity design. The advantage of the regression‐discontinuity method is that it represents a natural experiment with randomly assigned treatment so that selection issues are minimized. The empirical results suggest that this financial aid package (loans and scholarships) contributes to better academic performance.
Does the Market Value Financial Expertise on Audit Committees of Boards of Directors?

We examine three‐day cumulative abnormal returns around the announcement of 702 newly appointed outside directors assigned to audit committees during a period before implementation of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOX). Motivated by the SOX requirement that public companies disclose whether they have a financial expert on their audit committee, we test whether the market reacts favorably to the appointment of directors with financial expertise to the audit committee. In addition, because it is controversial whether SOX should define financial experts narrowly to include primarily accounting financial experts (as initially proposed) or more broadly to include nonaccounting financial experts (as ultimately passed), we separately examine appointments of each type of expert. We find a positive market reaction to the appointment of accounting financial experts assigned to audit committees but no reaction to nonaccounting financial experts assigned to audit committees, consistent with accounting‐based financial skills, but not broader financial skills, improving the audit committee's ability to ensure high‐quality financial reporting. In addition, we find that this positive reaction is concentrated among firms with relatively strong corporate governance, consistent with accounting financial expertise complementing strong governance, possibly because strong governance helps channel the expertise toward enhancing shareholder value. Together, these findings are consistent with financial expertise on audit committees improving corporate governance but only when both the expert and the appointing firm possess characteristics that facilitate the effective use of the expertise.
The effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policy responses to twin crises

We study how effective fiscal and monetary policy responses are during a twin crisis. Using the dataset provided by Laeven and Valencia (2008), we identify 57 episodes of twin crises. Following the methods proposed in Baldacci et al. (2009) and Hutchison et al. (2010), we construct the variables measuring the duration and output cost of a twin crisis. We find that fiscal policy does not seem to be associated with the shortening of a twin crisis. Regarding monetary policy, we find that monetary tightening is associated with the lengthening of a twin crisis duration, consistent with the result in Hutchison et al. (2010) dealing with a sudden stop crisis. In addition, our results show that while a mild monetary expansion is effective in reducing a twin crisis duration, over-expansionary monetary policy loses its effectiveness.
Insight into neonatal septicaemic Escherichia coli from India with respect to phylogroups, serotypes, virulence, extended-spectrum-β-lactamases and association of ST131 clonal group

SUMMARY The study characterizes a collection of 67 neonatal septicaemic Escherichia coli isolates on the basis of phylogroup, serotype, virulence, antibiotic resistance and also the association of CTX-M-producing E. coli and the ST131 clone in a developing country. Phylogroups B2 and D were predominant (33% and 19%, respectively). The most prevalent virulence factors (VFs) were traT (69%) and iucC (68%) and most VFs were concentrated in the B2 isolates. High levels of resistance (⩾70%) to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was recorded but meropenem remained the most active antimicrobial. Six (9%) of the study isolates belonged to the ST131 clone, five of which were from the same hospital, and were either indistinguishable or closely related by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Although the prevalence of CTX-M-15-producing isolates was high (81%), the ST131 clone was relatively infrequent (11%) in extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producers. The ST131 clone was characterized by the presence of bla CTX-M-15, qnrS, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, IncF plasmids and virulence determinants such as iucC, papC, traT, usp, hlyA, iroN E.coli , cnf, and sat. We conclude that clonal spread of ST131 did not contribute directly to the high prevalence of CTX-M-15 in our settings.
Livestock predation, household adaptation and compensation policy: a case study of Shorobe Village in northern Botswana

ABSTRACT Human-wildlife conflict is a worldwide phenomenon. Through a household survey supplemented by informal interviews, this study attempts to understand the dynamics of livestock predation by carnivores at village level in Botswana. The study reveals that farmers perceive hyenas and lions to cause more livestock losses than other predators. In order to reduce predation, attempts should be made to put livestock in enclosures at night and also to herd them during the day. These practices comply with the conditions of the new government compensation policy for livestock losses caused by carnivores. The study recommends a review of the compensation rates and suggests that they should be closer to the market value. Such changes, accompanied by strict animal husbandry practices, may bring about the increased willingness of households to co-exist with predators.