Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Preoperative Imaging in the Management of Nonsyndromic Lambdoid Craniosynostosis

Background: The necessity of imaging for patients with craniosynostosis is controversial. Lambdoid synostosis is known to be associated with additional anomalies, but the role of imaging in this setting has not been established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative imaging on intraoperative and postoperative management among patients undergoing operative intervention for lambdoid craniosynostosis. Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing cranial vault remodeling for lambdoid craniosynostosis between January 2006 and 2014 was conducted. Patient demographics, age at computed tomography scan, age at surgery, results of the radiologic evaluation, operative technique, and modification of the diagnosis following the radiologic studies were analyzed. A pediatric neuroradiology and the surgical team interpreted the radiographs. The primary outcome was change in intraoperative or postoperative management based on imaging results. Results: A total of 11 patients were diagnosed with lambdoid synostosis. Of these patients, 81.8% had abnormalities on imaging relevant to operative planning. The most common anomalies were Chiari I malformation (45%) and venous anomalies of the posterior fossa (36%). Preoperative imaging altered the management of 9 (81.8%) patients. Closer follow-up was required for 6 patients (54%). Suboccipital decompression was performed in 4 patients (36%). Venous anomalies were found in 4 patients (36%). The diagnosis was changed from positional plagiocephaly to lambdoid synostosis in 2 patients (18%). Conclusions: Given the frequency and significance of radiographic abnormalities in the setting of lamboid synostosis, preoperative imaging should be considered during the operative planning phase as it can affect postoperative and intraoperative management.
Modelling food consumption patterns in Greece

Modelling consumption patterns is of interest for both theoretical and policy reasons. This paper presents a methodology for modelling consumption patterns combining a theory-based with a data-based approach and it continues with an application to Greek data. The adopted AIDS-ECM quantitative methodology aims to estimate the expected trends in consumption patterns in Greece following an increase in available income over the 2001–2010 period. Three scenarios are examined: the first scenario considers the EU projections for private consumption expenditure, 3% per annum, the second scenario assumes a higher growth of 5% per annum and the third scenario a 1% increase. The results of the first stage expenditure aggregation show a decrease in the budget share for the food group in all scenarios under consideration while the opposite is true for ‘transportation and communication’ and ‘others’. Finally, the second stage expenditure aggregation estimates show an increase in the budget share for meat, fruits and vegetables and oils and fats, while the opposite is true for bread and cereals and other food.
Entrepreneurship and the consequences of healthcare policy

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to examine the long-run impact of federal government healthcare subsidies on the level of entrepreneurship as measured by self-employment. Design/methodology/approach - – Using annual healthcare and employment data from 1948 through 1999, the paper empirically examines the relationship between the growth in employer-provided healthcare and the rate of self-employment as a share of the non-agriculture, civilian labor force. Findings - – The regression results imply that there is a consistent effect that has appeared over time – where federal healthcare subsidies have disproportionately benefitted larger firms, contributing to the decline in the rate of self-employment, within-firm innovation, and factor mobility over time. Research limitations/implications - – The research in this study is limited by the examination of self-employment only and a constant institutional structure across all states, only varying across time for the entire USA. In addition, an empirical study looking at how the value of healthcare benefits have changed over time – vs the sole question in this study that depends upon whether or not an individual is covered or not would be very useful in determining the true effect on an entrepreneur. Social implications - – Reducing or removing the layers of healthcare subsidies would bring about an increase in the transparency of the wage-productivity relationship and a more efficient allocation of labor and entrepreneurial ability across firm sizes. Originality/value - – This paper presents empirical evidence supporting specific improvements to national healthcare policy at a time when such policy is undergoing significant change with consequences for entrepreneurial decision making.
Tunisian Dealer Behaviour in FX Market

This study attempts to model the pricing decision of a Tunisian FX dealer for the Dollar (USD/TND) and the Euro (EUR/TND) based on the daily exchange rates. Using GMM estimation, we find evidence to support for the information and inventory effects for the USD/TND, but not for the EUR/TND. For different types of order, the dealer’s domestic order, interbank order is informative for the USD/TND and also for the foreign interbank orders. Our results indicate that with the inclusion of Central Bank of Tunisia (TCB), intervention seems to be significant only on the dealer’s pricing decision for USD/TND.
Mutational Analysis of VIM-2 Reveals an Essential Determinant for Metallo-β-Lactamase Stability and Folding

ABSTRACT Metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing bacteria are emerging worldwide and represent a formidable threat to the efficacy of relevant β-lactams, including carbapenems, expanded-spectrum cephalosporins, and β-lactamase inactivator/β-lactam combinations. VIM-2 is currently the most widespread MBL and represents a primary target for MBL inhibitor research, the clinical need for which is expected to further increase in the future. Using a saturation mutagenesis approach, we probed the importance of four residues (Phe-61, Ala-64, Tyr-67, and Trp-87) located close to the VIM-2 active site and putatively relevant to the enzyme activity based on structural knowledge of the enzyme and on structure-activity relationships of the subclass B1 MBLs. The ampicillin MIC values shown by the various mutants were affected very differently depending on the randomized amino acid position. Position 64 appeared to be rather tolerant to substitution, and kinetic studies showed that the A64W mutation did not significantly affect substrate hydrolysis or binding, representing an important difference from IMP-type enzymes. Phe-61 and Tyr-67 could be replaced with several amino acids without the ampicillin MIC being significantly affected, but in contrast, Trp-87 was found to be critical for ampicillin resistance. Further kinetic and biochemical analyses of W87A and W87F variants showed that this residue is apparently important for the structure and proper folding of the enzyme but, surprisingly, not for its catalytic activity. These data support the critical role of residue 87 in the stability and folding of VIM-2 and might have strong implications for MBL inhibitor design, as this residue would represent an ideal target for interaction with small molecules.
NONMEMBER BANKS AND EMPIRICAL MEASURES OF THE VARIABILITY OF RESERVES AND MONEY: A THEORETICAL APPRAISAL

EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP between nonmember banks and the variability in the money stock has been based on a comparison of the variability (measured in terms of mean absolute second differences) of two reserve/money ratios: r*, the ratio of total banking system reserves to total demand deposits and r*N, the ratio of total member bank reserves to total demand deposits at member banks. (See, for example, Starleaf [1975].) The results of these empirical investigations suggest that the Federal Reserve would not acquire more precise control over the money stock by imposing uniform reserve requirements on nonmember banks. This paper does not dispute the empirical measures of r* and r* N; rather it questions one of the implicit assumptions which has been used in drawing inferences about the issue of monetary control from the empirical observations on r* and r* N. Two important assumptions underlie such inferences: 1. The issue of Federal Reserve monetary control is related to the variability of r*. 2. If uniform reserve requirements (URR) were imposed on nonmember banks, r* variability would approach r* N variability. Since empirically r* N exhibits greater variability than r*, it follows immediately from assumption 2 that URR would not improve monetary control. (Needless to say, given assumption 2, a reverse observation on the r ratios would imply the opposite conclusion.) With respect to the above two assumptions, assumption 1 is clearly appropriate in discussing Federal Reserve monetary control since r* relates total banking system claims against the Federal Reserve to total public demand deposits. The purpose of this paper is to determine the validity of assumption 2 in the context of a simple model of the banking system. Assuming random variability in member bank holdings of excess reserves relative to demand deposit liabilities, it is first shown theoretically that r* N exhibits more variability than r*. The current observations on r* and r* N are therefore consistent with the present-day institutional structure of the banking system. Secondly, and most importantly, the model predicts that, when nonmember bank reserve assets take the form solely of claims
The Skills they want: Aspirations of Students in Emerging India

This report investigates student awareness, interests and aspirations around general and vocational education. Using a survey administered to class 12 students in one district each in Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, and Karnataka, we attempt to gain a better understanding of student aspirations, awareness levels, sources of information, key stakeholders and factors that influence their education and career choices. We then map student interests against sectors that are slated to experience the highest growth in terms of job creation. Our results indicate aspirations of students are largely misaligned with the needs of the Indian economy. It is important to create opportunities, generate awareness about various career options and the respective pathways available to realise career goals. Our findings have implications for policies aiming to improve participation in vocational education and training.
Stock Prices and Financial Analysts' Recommendations

The recommendations of a Canadian brokerage house are evaluated by a number of techniques. The results reveal that an investor following the recommendations would have achieved significantly positive abnormal returns, even after allowing for transactions cost. DURING THE RECENT DECADE, considerable evidence has been produced in support of the hypothesis that stock prices reflect all publicly available information. The apparent difficulty of "picking winners" has generated a certain skepticism about the economic value of professional investment advice. In 1933 Cowles [8] concluded that several types of investment advice were not of value to investors. Similar conclusions were reached by Colker [5], Diefenback [9], and Logue and Tuttle [15]. Other studies by Cheney [4] and the more recent ones by Lloyd-Davies and Canes [14], Groth, et al., [11], Black [2], Copeland and Mayers [6], and Givoly and Lakonishok [10] provide evidence that brokerage houses and investment advisory services do provide valuable investment advice to their customers. It is interesting that the more recent studies which report positive abnormal performance are more careful in adjusting for risk, and concentrate on returns achieved by customers of the brokerage house/investment adviser, rather than by readers of a more widely disseminated publication (such as the Wall Street Journal). The purpose of this paper is to add to the existing performance measurement literature by evaluating the investment advice of a leading Canadian brokerage house. Although similar in scope, this study differs in several ways from previous studies in this area. First, the brokerage house recommendations involve both Canadian and U.S. stocks; this permits analysis of comparative advantage in information acquisition. Second, the investment recommendations utilized are disseminated to fewer market participants than is the case in previous studies. Finally, the firm produces several types of investment advice, reflecting different expectations about possible abnormal returns.
Temporal dynamics of visual-evoked neuromagnetic sources: effects of stimulus parameters and selective attention.

Results are reviewed from several neuromagnetic studies which characterize the temporal dynamics of neural sources contributing to the visual evoked response and effects of attention on these sources. Different types of pattern-onset stimuli (< or = 2 degrees) were presented sequentially to a number of field locations in the right visual field. Multiple dipole models were applied to a sequence of instantaneous field distributions constructed at 10 ms intervals. Best-fitting source parameters were superimposed on Magnetic Resonance images (MRI) of each subject to identify the anatomical structure(s) giving rise to the surface patterns. At least three sources, presumably corresponding to different visual areas, were routinely identified from 80-150 ms following the onset of visual stimulation. This observation was consistent across subjects and studies. The temporal sequence and strength of activation of these sources, however, were dependent upon the specific stimulus parameters used to evoke the response (e.g., eccentricity) and on the relevance of the stimulus to the subject. In addition, our results provide evidence for the recurrence of activity in striate and extrastriate regions, following the initial cycle of responses.
Three-dimensional visualization of the face and skull using computerized tomography and laser scanning techniques.

This paper describes the use of a specially designed no contact laser scanning system and Computerized Tomography (CT) for studying changes in the facial form and its relationship to changes in the supporting bone structure after facial surgery. It is shown that realistic images may be produced from these data sets using computer graphics techniques to give the images a solid 3-D appearance. The images may then be used for planning surgery and to provide the patient with a prediction of facial appearance after surgery. A number of such images are presented.
Urban planning process and discourses in the refusal of Islamic Schools in Sydney, Australia

The shift in Australia's religious demography since the 1970s has led to an increased need for places of worship, schools, and cultural facilities. However, the establishment of religious facilities by Australia's Islamic communities has not been without resistance. This article explores the way in which current local government planning processes mediate resistance to Islamic school development applications with reference to two case study proposals for Islamic schools in Sydney's southwest. Utilising the research technique of discourse analysis, three overarching discourses of concern are found to emerge: (1) incompatibility of the Islamic schools with the local government areas; (2) the absence of a sufficient local population of Muslims to sustain a local Islamic school; and (3) apprehensions about potential social impacts of the Islamic schools, particularly with regard to local youth violence. These discourses are conceptualised and situated in specific socio-cultural contexts, with specific effects. Discourse analysis provides a way of revealing latent and hidden value systems and their influence on seemingly technical/rational planning decision processes; in this case, exposing the ways in which particular constructions of incompatibility, absence, and social impact reflect underlying and specific beliefs and interpretation.
How Issue Size, Risk, and Complexity are Influencing External Financing Costs: German IPOs Analyzed from an Economies of Scale Perspective

This paper is focused on the cost of raising capital in Germany. A cross-sectional analysis of flotation cost data for 117 IPOs over the years 1993-1998 is presented. We find average flotation costs to be 7.77 percent of gross proceeds, while underwriting fees average 5.01 percent. Our results extend the literature in two important directions. First, contrary to the conventional economies of scale view we find marginal spreads to be rather constant in gross proceeds and to be higher for more risky and more complex offerings. Fixed costs amount to 5 to 9 percent of underwriting fees. Second, by applying a principal component analysis we find issue size, an issuer risk factor, and an offering method complexity factor to have an economicaly meaningful impact on underwriting fees. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 2002.
Hot topics in stem cells and self‐renewal: 2010

In many tissues, mammalian aging is associated with a decline in the replicative and functional capacity of somatic stem cells and other self‐renewing compartments. Understanding the basis of this decline is a major goal of aging research. In particular, therapeutic approaches to ameliorate or reverse the age‐associated loss of stem function could be of use in clinical geriatrics. Such approaches include attempts to protect stem cells from age‐promoting damage, to ‘rejuvenate’ stem cells through the use of pharmacologic agents that mitigate aging‐induced alterations in signaling, and to replace lost stem cells through regenerative medicine approaches. Some headway has been made in each of these arenas over the last 18 months including advances in the production of donor‐specific totipotent stem cells through induced pluripotency (iPS), gains in our understanding of how tumor suppressor signaling is controlled in self‐renewing compartments to regulate aging, and further demonstration of extracellular ‘milieu’ factors that perturb stem cell function with age. This period has also been marked by the recent award of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for elucidation of telomeres and telomerase, a topic of critical importance to stem cell aging.
Life Satisfaction and Perceived Meaningfulness of Learning Experience Among First-Year Traditional Graduate Social Work Students

Knowledge about life satisfaction and learning experience among first-year graduate students is sparse, despite its relevance to instructional decisions, academic support, and success of students. Adequate knowledge is crucial, as it may help graduate students manage personal and professional life changes associated with graduate education. Using a convenience sample of 118 first-year traditional social work graduate students in a northeastern U.S. university the study examined associations of life satisfaction and peer support with perception of meaningfulness of learning experience, as well as associations of gender, marital status, family support and perceived stress with life satisfaction. Results suggest that receiving higher peer support was associated with perceived meaningfulness of learning experience, whereas being female, being married, having lower perceived stress, and receiving higher family support were associated with life satisfaction. Reciprocal predictive relationship between life satisfaction and perceived meaningfulness of learning experience was found. In general, findings suggest that stress and support are important variables to consider in understanding life satisfaction and learning experience of first-year traditional social work graduate students and highlight the importance of peer and family support to navigating challenges of graduate education. Most importantly, findings have implications for social work education, highlighting how instructor’s utilization of instructional approaches that facilitate peer support may help ease transition into graduate education or help prevent drop out during the first year graduate students are most vulnerable to dropping out. Altogether, findings highlight why exploring perceived meaningfulness of learning experience and life satisfaction is crucial for identifying
A conceptual framework for the measurement of innovation capability and its effects

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to clarify the concept of innovation capability and to show how the linkage between innovation capability and performance measurement can be formed.Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on current literature of innovation capability and performance measurement and matching these two to find out how the measurement of innovation capability should be organized.Findings – The paper describes the concept of innovation capability and presents a performance measurement framework for the measurement of innovation capability and its effects. As a result, a conceptual framework with five perspectives for measuring the relationship between innovation capability and business performance is presented. Also, the link between innovation capability and an organization's business performance is disclosed.Originality/value – The paper shows a way forward of how to define measures of business performance in such a way that they are led from the development of innovation cap.
Marketing Destination Zimbabwe During and Post the 2000-2008 Political and Economic Crises

Consequences of political and economic crises on tourist destinations are profound and inescapable. This paper discusses the 2000-2008 political and economic crisis issue in Zimbabwe in relation to the tourism industry. The 2000-2008 political and economic environment was characterised by political stand- off among the three major political parties, heightened negative publicity, shortages of basic commodities, hyperinflation and isolation of Zimbabwe by the international community. During the height of this crisis, international visitors declined sharply and hotels reported a one digit occupancy figure triggering a tourism crisis. This paper has some significance, as the tourism industry was greatly affected by the political and economic instability. Yet the overall marketing and promotional strategies adopted by stakeholders during and post the crisis to put the tourism industry on the recovery path have been rather minimal. The study used secondary sources of data and netnography to collect data. The article argues that tourist destinations that are prone to political and economic instabilities should be pro-active and device novel marketing strategies to reassure prospective tourists of the safety of the destination. The study revealed that destination Zimbabwe re-engaged with the western markets, courted the Asian market, bid to host high profile events and sought destination endorsement as a cocktail of practical marketing strategies to revive the tourism sector. Recommendations include collaborative marketing campaigns fronted by political leaders, activation of tourism police service and partnering with embassies to ensure visitor`s safety. Future research is suggested at micro level and industry sub-sector level like hotels and tour operators on how they individually market their products during a crisis period.