Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid Recovery of Fat Mass in Small for Gestational Age Preterm Infants after Term

Background Preterm small for gestational age (SGA) infants may be at risk for increased adiposity, especially when experiencing rapid postnatal weight gain. Data on the dynamic features of body weight and fat mass (FM) gain that occurs early in life is scarce. We investigated the postnatal weight and FM gain during the first five months after term in a cohort of preterm infants. Methodology/Principal Findings Changes in growth parameters and FM were prospectively monitored in 195 infants with birth weight ≤1500 g. The infants were categorized as born adequate for gestational age (AGA) without growth retardation at term (GR−), born AGA with growth retardation at term (GR+), born SGA. Weight and FM were assessed by an air displacement plethysmography system. At five months, weight z-score was comparable between the AGA (GR+) and the AGA (GR−), whereas the SGA showed a significantly lower weight.The mean weight (g) differences (95% CI) between SGA and AGA (GR−) and between SGA and AGA (GR+) infants at 5 months were −613 (−1215; −12) and −573 (−1227; −79), respectively. At term, the AGA (GR+) and the SGA groups showed a significantly lower FM than the AGA (GR−) group. In the first three months, change in FM was comparable between the AGA (GR+) and the SGA groups and significantly higher than that of the AGA (GR−) group.The mean difference (95% CI) in FM change between SGA and AGA (GR−) and between AGA (GR+) and AGA (GR−) from term to 3 months were 38.6 (12; 65); and 37.7 (10; 65). At three months, the FM was similar in all groups. Conclusions Our data suggests that fetal growth pattern influences the potential to rapidly correct anthropometry whereas the restoration of fat stores takes place irrespective of birth weight. The metabolic consequences of these findings need to be elucidated.
Does Selling Non-Audit Services Impair Auditor Independence? New Research Says, 'Yes'

SUMMARY: A recently published academic study by Causholli, Chambers, and Payne (2014) brings new evidence to a long-standing debate about whether the provision of non-audit services (NAS) can impair auditor independence. Prior research on this question has largely found no evidence of lower financial reporting quality when auditors provide high levels of NAS. By considering the potential that future NAS, rather than current NAS levels, could impair auditor independence, Causholli et al. (2014) bring a fresh perspective on the question. They argue that it is the potential for new NAS revenue that would most likely cause auditors to have impaired independence. They find strong evidence that audit quality suffers when clients are willing to purchase future NAS from their auditor.
Cultural-historical basis of literacy practices in TshiVenda-speaking South Africa’s primary classrooms

The study examines literacy practices within TshiVenda-speaking Grade One classroom in rural South African primary schooling to uncover the evolving cultural-historical processes of classroom teaching and learning that regulate children’s learning and development, including reading acquisition.An experienced TshiVenda Grade One teacher was observed and subsequently interviewed on her approach to teaching reading.The analysis reveals complex multi-layered instructional practices which the teacher embodies and enacts in the ‘here and now’ of her schooling and literacy instruction; oscillating between two contradictory, historically-embedded approaches to literacy instruction.
Valuation Effects of Rights Issues of Convertible Debt

This paper examines the impact of the use of rights issues of convertible debt in the Australian market. The Australian market is of interest as it has dissimilar features to the US market but similar features to many European markets. That is, the primary mode of issuing securities is through rights issues rather than public issues, a listed debt market does not exist for Australian firms and many stocks are severely thinly traded. The effect of the use of rights to raise capital in the form of convertible debt has not been examined in any market. This paper has two aims, to examine the impact of the announcement of convertible debt on stock prices and to consolidate and test the numerous theories of price reaction that have been established in the literature. The results find that the announcement of convertible debt tends to be preceded by positive abnormal stock price performance, and followed by a negative drift in stock prices, similar to US markets. However the event specific results are in contrast to US studies which show a two day significant negative market reaction to public issues of convertible debt. Rights issues of convertible debt have an insignificant positive share market response. From the many explanatory variables tested, the cross sectional results do support signalling models which suggest that issue size is negatively associated with firm value. In addition, the results suggest a negative relationship between growth options, major shareholder takeup and abnormal returns, and industrial issues are found to have less positive/more negative abnormal returns.
The XMM Newton/2dF Survey - IV. The X-ray spectral properties of the hard sources

We present an analysis of the X-ray spectral properties of 61 hard X-ray-selected (2-8 keV) sources from the bright (f 2-8keV > 10 -14 erg cm -2 s -1 ) XMM-Newton/2dF survey. This comprises nine XMM-Newton pointings in the North Galactic Pole region (∼1.6 deg 2 ) and overlaps with the SDSS, 2QZ and 2dFGRS surveys. Our sources contribute about 50 per cent of the 2-10 keV X-ray background down to the flux limit of 10 -14 erg cm -2 s -1 . The hardness ratio distribution of the sample suggests a deficit of heavily absorbed sources. A spectral fit to the coadded total source spectrum yields a steep photon index, r = 1.83 +0.04 -0.05. All but eight sources have optical counterparts down to the SDSS photometric limit of r 22.5. Spectroscopic identifications exist for 34 sources. The vast majority (24 sources) are associated with broad-line (BL) active galactic nuclei (AGN), while only seven present narrow or no emission lines. Five sources are probably associated with Galactic stars. Finally, we present photometric redshifts for another 17 probable AGN. The combined spectrum of the 24 spectroscopically identified BL AGN is steep (r = 2.02 +0.04 -0.05), while that of the seven AGN that do not present broad lines is flatter, with r = 1 64 +0.11 -0.11. The spectrum of the eight optically unidentified sources is flat with r 1.1. Spectral fits to the individual BL AGN reveal large absorption (rest-frame column density >10 22 cm -2 ) in only two cases. The individual spectra of the narrow-line AGN present significant evidence for even a moderate absorption (3 × 10 21 cm -2 ) in only one case.
The SECI model of knowledge creation: some empirical shortcomings

This paper presents a critique of key empirical aspects of Nonaka’s model of knowledge creation. If, as is now widely accepted, it is important to manage knowledge for a variety of reasons, then it is equally important that we have good models to assist this process. Nonaka and his colleagues’ model, in particular the SECI matrix of knowledge conversion, is increasingly being cited by authors in a widening set of disciplines, and has evidently achieved something like a paradigmatic status. However, as I shall argue below, it is not supported by empirical evidence, and some of the conversion modes are not coherent. The paradigmatic status of this theory may thus be unwarranted.
SASSIFI : Evaluating Resilience of GPU Applications

As GPUs become more pervasive in both scalable high-performance computing systems and safety-critical embedded systems, evaluating and analyzing their resilience will grow increasingly important. As soft errors, such as those caused by high-energy particle strikes, form an important fraction of in-field hardware errors, GPU designers must develop tools and techniques to understand the effect of these soft errors on applications. This paper presents an error injection-based methodology to study the soft-error resilience of massively parallel applications running on state-of-the-art NVIDIA GPUs. Our approach uses a low-level assembly-language instrumentation tool called SASSI to profile and inject errors. SASSI provides efficiency by allowing instrumentation code to execute entirely on the GPU and provides the ability to inject into condition code and predicate registers, in addition to general-purpose registers and GPU memory. This paper describes our error injection tool and presents some experiments to illustrate some possible lines of analysis. We injected errors into Rodinia benchmark applications and provide results from those experiments showing average detected and silent error probabilities for applications, static kernels, and dynamic kernel invocations. For applications with multiple invocations of the same static kernel, we also show how our tool can be used to study error propagation as a function of the injection time. We also study the effect of errors on condition code and predicate registers.
Early Markers of Atherosclerotic Disease in Individuals with Excess Weight and Dyslipidemia

Background Excessive weight is a cardiovascular risk factor since it generates a chronic inflammatory process that aggravates the endothelial function. Objective To evaluate the endothelial function in individuals with excess weight and mild dyslipidemia using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD), and the association of endothelial function with anthropometric and biochemical variables. Methods Cross-sectional study that included 74 individuals and evaluated anthropometric variables (body mass index [BMI], waist-hip ratio [WHR], waist circumference [AC], and percentage of body fat [PBF]), biochemical (blood glucose, insulinemia, ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol) and endothelial function (BAFMD, evaluated by ultrasound). The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS, version 16.0. To study the association between the variables, we used chi-square, Student's t and Mann-Whitney tests, and Pearson's correlation. Logistic regression analyzed the independent influence of the factors. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant. Results The participants had a mean age of 50.8 years, and 57% were female. BMI, WC, WHR, and PBF showed no significant association with BAFMD. The male gender (p = 0.02) and higher serum levels of fibrinogen (p = 0.02) were significantly and independently associated with a BAFMD below 8%. Conclusions In individuals with excess weight and mild untreated dyslipidemia, male gender and higher levels of fibrinogen were independently associated with worse BAFMD.
Investor reaction to regulated monopolies announcing going concern opinions: What explains contagion among electric services companies?

Purpose – This study aims to examine the industry reaction as determined by stock returns when firms in the electric services industry announced receipt of Going concern audit opinions from 1984 through 1991. Design/methodology/approach – The study utilizes standard event study methodology to test for significant excess performance. Findings – From 1984 to 1991, going concern opinion (GCO) announcements produce a contagion response in the industry on the announcement date more than half the time. Also, over the event window of the announcement date plus the five days following, six of the seven announcements were accompanied by significant negative industry reaction. Regression analysis suggests non-announcing a firm's leverage and earnings correlation with the announcing firm significantly impact abnormal returns, as does the exchange on which the announcer's equity is traded, the size of the announcing firm and whether nuclear plant problems were mentioned in the announcement. Research limitations/implications – The findings suggest that audit opinions provide new information for investors in the electric services industry. Also, GCO announcements in this industry normally result in contagion among rival firms. Originality/value – This paper provides insights into investor reactions to news contained in Going concern audit opinions in the electric services industry.
International R&D Spillovers, Trade and Productivity in Major OECD Countries

In this paper we: (1) estimate the effects of international RD (2) analyze the effect of spillovers on the structure of production, i.e., the effects on factor demand such as labor and investment and output supply; (3) examine the effect of technological transfers on the pattern of trade, i.e., on imports and exports and; (4) calculate the private rates of return on physical capital and R&D investment as well as the social rates of return of foreign R&D spillovers. To achieve the objectives of this study, we have developed a framework that integrates several strands of the available approaches in the literature: the GNP function approach suggested by Burgess (1974) and Kohli (1978), the spillover models proposed by Bernstein and Nadiri (1988), Bernstein and Mohnen (1994), Coe and Helpman (1995) and Park (1995), and the familiar interrelated factor demand and cost models.
Implant periapical lesion: Diagnosis and treatment

The implant periapical lesion is the infectious-inflammatory process of the tissues surrounding the implant apex. It may be caused by different factors: contamination of the implant surface, overheating of bone during drilling, preparation of a longer implant bed than the implant itself, and pre-existing bone disease. Diagnosis is achieved by studying the presence of symptoms and signs such us pain, swelling, suppuration or fistula; in the radiograph an implant periapical radiolucency may appear. A diagnostic classification is proposed to establish the stage of the lesion, and determine the best treatment option accordingly. The following stages are distinguished: acute apical periimplantitis (non-suppurated and suppurated) and subcacute (or suppurated-fistulized) apical periimplantitis. The most adequate treatment of this pathology in the acute stage and in the subacute stage if there is no loss of implant stability is apical surgery. In the subacute stage, if there is implant mobility, the extraction of the implant is necessary. Key words:Implant periapical lesion, apical periimplantitis, retrograde periimplantitis.
Understanding the study abroad experience of university students

vii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 1 Introduction and Problem 1 Purpose 4 Research Questions 4 Overview of the Study 4 Content Theory 4 Theoretical Perspective of the Methodology 5 Methodology 6 Methods 7 Significance of the Research 8 Limitations 10 Delimitations 10 Definitions 11 Summary of the Introduction 13 CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 15 The State of Evaluation and Assessment in Study Abroad 16 Large-Scale Assessment Research in Study Abroad 19 Small-Scale Assessment Research in Study Abroad 27 Discipline-Specific Studies 29 Methodological Issues in the Study Abroad Research Literature 32 The Position of This Study 41
Fiscal Policy, Institutional Quality and Central Bank Transparency

This paper examines the issues of institutional quality and central bank transparency through the interaction of monetary and fiscal policies. We have found that the effects of transparency and corruption on macroeconomic performance and volatility depend on the relative importance of the marginal supply-side effects of distortionary tax and corruption, the degree of central bank conservativeness and/or the initial degree of opacity about central bank preferences. If the marginal effect of tax is relatively important, more opacity might induce higher level and volatility of inflation when the central bank is sufficiently conservative. Furthermore, opacity and tolerated corruption can mutually reinforce or weaken each other’s effects on the level and volatility of inflation. Transparency is generally a better strategy when the central bank is conservative. However, there could be a case for opacity in order to compensate for the undesirable macroeconomic effects of corruption when the central bank is liberal.
The Emperor’s Dilemma: A Computational Model of Self‐Enforcing Norms1

The authors demonstrate the uses of agent‐based computational models in an application to a social enigma they call the “emperor’s dilemma,” based on the Hans Christian Andersen fable. In this model, agents must decide whether to comply with and enforce a norm that is supported by a few fanatics and opposed by the vast majority. They find that cascades of self‐reinforcing support for a highly unpopular norm cannot occur in a fully connected social network. However, if agents’ horizons are limited to immediate neighbors, highly unpopular norms can emerge locally and then spread. One might expect these cascades to be more likely as the number of “true believers” increases, and bridge ties are created between otherwise distant actors. Surprisingly, the authors observed quite the opposite effects.
Independent Central Banks: Low Inflation at No Cost?

A widely held view suggests that politically independent central banks bring about relatively low and stable inflation rates. ' A more debated question is whether one has to "pay" for this good outcome with more "real" instability. In his seminal contribution, Kenneth Rogoff (1985) suggests that an independent and inflation-averse central bank reduces average inflation but, as a result, increases output variability; the "conservative" central banker reduces the inflation bias, due to the time-inconsistency problem, but stabilizes less. However, Alesina and Summers (1993) do not find that, at least within the OECD countries, more independent central banks are associated with more variability of growth or unemployment. Thus, they conclude that independent central banks bring about low inflation at no apparent "real" costs. The point of this paper is to provide theoretical underpinnings to this finding, which is in contrast to Rogoff (1985). 2 The basic idea is that one can isolate two sources of output variability. One is the "economic" variability induced by "standard" exogenous shocks that monetary policy is supposed to stabilize, for instance, money demand shocks or supply shocks. The second source of variability is "political" or, more generally, policy-induced. This is the variability introduced in the system by the uncertainty about the future course of policy. For instance, Alesina (1987) studies the effect of uncertain electoral outcomes in a model where the two contending parties have different preferences over inflation and unemployment. An inflation-averse, independent central banker does not stabilize as much the "economic" variability, in order to keep inflation low and stable. This is Rogoff's point. However, by insulating monetary policy from political pressures, an independent central bank can reduce the "political" variability. The overall effect of independence on output variability is, thus, ambiguous. This result is consistent, at least prima facie, with the evidence in Alesina and Summers (1993) on the lack of correlation between centralbank independence and output variability. In fact, it is possible that when the politically induced output variability is predominant, a more independent central bank reduces average inflation and the variance of output.
Label-free Quantitative Proteomics Using Large Peptide Data Sets Generated by Nanoflow Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry*

We developed an integrated platform consisting of machinery and software modules that can apply vast amounts of data generated by nanoflow LC-MS to differential protein expression analyses. Unlabeled protein samples were completely digested with modified trypsin and separated by low speed (200 nl/min) one-dimensional HPLC. Mass spectra were obtained every 1 s by using the survey mode of a hybrid Q-TOF mass spectrometer and displayed in a two-dimensional plane with m/z values along the x axis, and retention time was displayed along the y axis. The time jitter of nano-LC was adjusted using newly developed software based on a dynamic programming algorithm. The comprehensiveness (60,000–160,000 peaks above the predetermined threshold detectable in 60-μg cell protein samples), reproducibility (average coefficient of variance of 0.35–0.39 and correlation coefficient of over 0.92 between duplicates), and accurate quantification with a wide dynamic range (over 103) of our platform warrant its application to various types of experimental and translational proteomics.
The S&P 500 Index Effect in Continuous Time: Evidence from Overnight, Intraday and Tick-By-Tick Stock Price Performance

The advent of index tracking early in the 1970s and the continuous growth of assets tied to the S&P 500 index have enforced perceptions of the importance of becoming an index-member, due to increased demand by index fund participants for the stocks involved in index composition changes. This study focuses on S&P 500 inclusions and examines the impact of potential overnight price adjustment after the announcement of an S&P 500 index change. We find evidence of a significant overnight price change that diminishes the profits available to speculators although there are still profits available from the first day after announcement until a few days after the actual event. More importantly observing the tick-by-tick stock price performance of the key days of the event window for the first time, we find evidence of consistent trading patterns during trading hours over inclusion event. A separate analysis of two different sub-periods as well as of NASDAQ and NYSE listed stocks allows for a detailed examination of the price and volume effect in continuous time.
Data Probes, Vertical Trajectories and Classification: A Tentative Study

Data Probes, Vertical Trajectories and Classification: A Tentative Study In this paper we introduce a method of classification based on data probes. Data points are considered as point masses in space and a probe is simply a particle that is launched into the space. As the probe passes by data clusters, its trajectory will be influenced by the point masses. We use this information to help us to find vertical trajectories. These are trajectories in the input space that are mapped onto the same value in the output space and correspond to the data classes.