Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bad News is Good News: Propping and Tunnelling Evidence from China

When there is competition for the control over a listed firm, the contestants have to bid for it by committing their own resources to prop up the firm, which benefits ordinary outside shareholders. The existing literature has not provided clear evidence of propping and the conditions under which propping prevails. The evidence for the benefits of having a market for corporate control is also lacking. This paper fills the aforementioned void by presenting a case study of China’s emerging corporate control market. We examine why a typical piece of bad news - a listed firm gets into financial trouble and is designated a special treatment (ST) firm by the regulatory authorities could have generated overwhelmingly favorable market reactions. Our analysis shows that the firms’ 31.8 percentage points of abnormal stock market performance over the two years after being designated ST reflects the price paid by their controlling shareholder (incumbent or entrant) in resources commitment in order to gain control over and save the firms. We find that the controlling shareholders’ propping is more conspicuous in firms where the competition for the control rights is tougher and the size of control benefits is larger. We also suggest an innovative way to estimate the private benefits of control and find that they are on average 33.5% of firm value in China.
The Relationship between Loneliness and High-risk Behaviors among Adolescents of Bojnourd

Background: High-risk behaviors are increasing among adolescents, and consequently, risk and preventive factors have been highlighted and investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between loneliness as a risk factor and high-risk behaviors among adolescents of Bojnourd, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 455 adolescents (aged 15-19 years) were selected based on the age and gender by using quota sampling method. Data were collected by using demographics checklist, high-risk behaviors checklist, and the SELSA-S loneliness Questionnaire. Finally, data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics like t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The results show that there was a significant and direct relationship between the feeling of loneliness and high-risk behaviors (r=0.147, P=0.002). In addition, there was a significant and direct relationship between the feeling of loneliness and violence (r= 0.148, P= 0.002), suicide (r=0.278, P< 0.001), and drug abuse (r= 0.124, P= 0.008). High-risk behaviors was more common among male rather than female (P= 0.005). Conclusion: This study show that there is a relationship between the feeling of loneliness especially loneliness in families and high-risk behaviors. Therefore, prevention programs for improving the relationships and interactions in families, can be very effective in preventing high-risk behaviors among adolescents.
Combined Action of Influenza Virus and Staphylococcus aureus Panton–Valentine Leukocidin Provokes Severe Lung Epithelium Damage

Staphylococcus aureus necrotizing pneumonia is a life-threatening disease that is frequently preceded by influenza infection. The S. aureus toxin Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is most likely causative for necrotizing diseases, but the precise pathogenic mechanisms of PVL and a possible contribution of influenza virus remain to be elucidated. In this study, we present a model that explains how influenza virus and PVL act together to cause necrotizing pneumonia: an influenza infection activates the lung epithelium to produce chemoattractants for neutrophils. Upon superinfection with PVL-expressing S. aureus, the recruited neutrophils are rapidly killed by PVL, resulting in uncontrolled release of neutrophil proteases that damage the airway epithelium. The host counteracts this pathogen strategy by generating PVL-neutralizing antibodies and by neutralizing the released proteases via protease inhibitors present in the serum. These findings explain why necrotizing infections mainly develop in serum-free spaces (eg, pulmonary alveoli) and open options for new therapeutic approaches.
ras Oncogene p21 expression is increased in premalignant lesions and high grade bladder carcinoma

ras Oncogene p21 antigen is present in the most superficial cells of the normal bladder urothelium, as demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining. The pattern and intensity of p21 staining of cells in epithelial hyperplasia and low grade bladder carcinoma were similar to that seen in the normal urothelium. In contrast, epithelial cells in "premalignant" (dysplastic) lesions and high grade carcinomas exhibited an intense staining reaction for p21 antigen. ras p21 may be a useful marker for the malignant potential of both premalignant lesions and carcinomas of the bladder.
A Study of the Mastery of Complex Sentences of Pre-Service English Teachers

This study reported a research conducted to find out the mastery of complex sentences of students of Writing 5 of an English Education Program in Indonesia. The participants of the research were 24 pre-service English teachers in a Writing 5 class at an English Education program in Indonesia. It used document analysis as the main method of data collection. The study obtained some important findings. First, complex sentences containing multiple clause structures became the most frequently written of all, and among the four types of complex sentences, ones containing multiple clause structures became the most frequently written of all complex sentences. Secondly, students’ mastery of complex sentences containing noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverb clauses was good. Their mastery of complex sentence containing multiple clause structures, however, was surprisingly very low despite that the students had obtained relatively good results on the three above-mentioned basic types of complex sentence. Keywords: Mastery, complex sentences, noun clauses, adjective clauses, adverb clauses, multiple clause structures
Pure and Mixed Tubular Carcinoma of the Breast: Mammographic and Sonographic Differential Features

Objective We wanted to evaluate the mammographic and sonographic differential features between pure (PT) and mixed tubular carcinoma (MT) of the breast. Materials and Methods Between January 1998 and May 2004, 17 PTs and 14 MTs were pathologically confirmed at our institution. The preoperative mammography (n = 26) and sonography (n = 28) were analyzed by three radiologists according to BI-RADS. Results On mammography, a mass was not detected in eight patients with PT and in one patient with MT (57% vs. 8%, respectively, p = 0.021), which was statistically different. The other findings on mammography and sonography showed no statistical differences between the PT and MT, although the numerical values were different. When the lesions were detected mammographically, an irregularly shaped mass with a spiculated margin was more frequently found in the MT than in the PT (100% vs. 83%, respectively, p = 0.353). On sonography, all 28 patients presented with a mass and most lesions showed as not being circumscribed, hypoechoic masses with an echogenic halo. Surrounding tissue changes and posterior shadowing were more frequently found in the MT than in the PT (75% vs. 50%, respectively, p = 0.253, 58% vs. 19%, respectively, p = 1.000). An oval shaped mass was more frequently found in the PT than in the MT (44% vs. 25%, respectively; p = 0.434). Conclusion PT and MT cannot be precisely differentiated on mammography and sonography. However, the absence of a mass on mammography or the presence of an oval shaped mass would favor the diagnosis of PT. An irregularly shaped mass with surrounding tissue change and posterior shadowing on sonography would favor the diagnosis of MT and also a less favorable prognosis.
The More the Merrier? Sibling Composition and Early Manifestations of Theory of Mind in Toddlers

ABSTRACT Sibling relationships are argued to offer a rich social context for the development of young children’s theory of mind (ToM). There is evidence that the presence of siblings, particularly older siblings, may promote preschoolers’ ToM, but it has not been investigated among toddlers. This study evaluated differences in early manifestations of ToM between toddlers in different sibling compositions: 1) without a sibling, 2) with younger siblings only, and 3) with older siblings only. The sample included 227 toddlers who completed 2 tasks assessing their understanding of discrepant desires and visual perspectives. Results indicated that only children and those who had older siblings did not differ from each other on either task. However, on both tasks, toddlers with younger siblings performed significantly more poorly compared with those with older siblings. Moreover, children with younger siblings demonstrated poorer visual-perspective understanding compared with only children. It may be critical to take siblings’ birth order into account when investigating their respective effects on each other’s ToM, especially in toddlerhood.
Detection of JC polyomavirus DNA sequences and cellular localization of T-antigen and agnoprotein in oligodendrogliomas.

PURPOSE Productive infection of the human neurotropic polyomavirus JCPyV in oligodendrocytes leads to the development of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a fatal demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. In addition to its role in viral infection, JCPyV T-antigen can transform cells in vitro and induce tumors in experimental animals in the absence of viral DNA replication and late gene expression. The goal of this study is to examine the presence of JCPyV DNA sequences and viral antigens in a series of human oligodendrogliomas. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN A total of 20 well-characterized oligodendrogliomas were examined for detection of the JCPyV genome by PCR and immunohistochemistry for expression of viral proteins. RESULTS Gene amplification has revealed the presence of JCPyV DNA sequences corresponding to the NH2-terminal of T-antigen in 15 of 20 samples. DNA sequences corresponding to late regions, which are responsible for production of the capsid protein, VP1, were detected in 14 of 20 samples. Sequencing of the viral control region determined the presence of JCPyV Mad-4 or JCPyV(CY) in these tumors. By immunohistochemistry, T-antigen expression was detected in the nuclei of tumor cells from 10 samples that also contained corresponding DNA sequences by PCR. Eleven of 20 tumors exhibited immunoreactivity for the late auxiliary gene product, agnoprotein. None of the samples showed immunoreactivity for the capsid proteins, ruling out productive infection of neoplastic cells by JCPyV. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these observations provide new evidence in support of the association of the oncogenic human neurotropic JCPyV and oligodendrogliomas.
EFIKASI DIRI SEBAGAI MODERATOR HUBUNGAN ANTARA HARAPAN AKADEMIK, PROKRASTINASI, DAN STRES AKADEMIK

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalahmengujipengaruh harapan akademik dan prokrastinasi pada stress akademik dan peran efikasi diri sebagai moderator dalam hubungan antara harapan akademik, prokrastinasi, dan stres akademik. Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah mahasiswa angkatan 2014 Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam Universitas Neegeri Semarang sebanyak 169 responden dari 200 kuesioner yang disebarkan. Analisis data menguji hipotesis menggunakan analisis regresi linear berganda dan uji residual untuk menguji peran moderasi. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data, menunjukkan bahwa harapan akademik secara simultan berpengaruh terhadap stress. Selain itu prokrastinasi juga berpengaruh secara simultan pada stres akademik. Selanjutnya efikasi diri dalam penelitian ini ditemukan tidak dapat memoderasi hubungan antara harapan akademik, prokrastinasi, dan stress akademik. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa harapan akademik dan prokrastinasi secara simultan memiliki pengaruh terhadap stres akademik. Dalam penelitian ini juga dapat diambil kesimpulan bahwa efikasi diri tidak memoderasi hubungan antara harapan akademik, prokrastinasi, dan stress akademik.
Psychological complaints among children in joint physical custody and other family types: Considering parental factors

Aims: Increasing proportions of Scandinavian children and children in other Western countries live in joint physical custody, moving between parents’ homes when parents live apart. Children and parents in non-intact families are at risk of worse mental health. The potential influence of parental ill-health on child well-being in the context of differing living arrangements has not been studied thoroughly. This study investigates the psychological complaints of children in joint physical custody in comparison to children in sole parental care and nuclear families, while controlling for socioeconomic differences and parental ill-health. Methods: Data were obtained from Statistics Sweden’s yearly Survey of Living Conditions 2007–2011 and child supplements with children 10–18 years, living in households of adult participants. Children in joint physical custody (n=391) were compared with children in sole parental care (n=654) and children in nuclear families (n=3,639), using a scale of psychological complaints as the outcome measure. Results: Multiple regression modelling showed that children in joint physical custody did not report higher levels of psychological complaints than those in nuclear families, while children in sole parental care reported elevated levels of complaints compared with those in joint physical custody. Adding socioeconomic variables and parental ill-health only marginally attenuated the coefficients for the living arrangement groups. Low parental education and parental worry/anxiety were however associated with higher levels of psychological complaints. Conclusions: Psychological complaints were lower among adolescents in joint physical custody than in adolescents in sole parental care. The difference was not explained by parental ill-health or socioeconomic variables.
How Close is too Close? The Effect of a Non-Lethal Electric Shark Deterrent on White Shark Behaviour

Sharks play a vital role in the health of marine ecosystems, but the potential threat that sharks pose to humans is a reminder of our vulnerability when entering the ocean. Personal shark deterrents are being marketed as the solution to mitigate the threat that sharks pose. However, the effectiveness claims of many personal deterrents are based on our knowledge of shark sensory biology rather than robust testing of the devices themselves, as most have not been subjected to independent scientific studies. Therefore, there is a clear need for thorough testing of commercially available shark deterrents to provide the public with recommendations of their effectiveness. Using a modified stereo-camera system, we quantified behavioural interactions between white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and a baited target in the presence of a commercially available, personal electric shark deterrent (Shark Shield Freedom7™). The stereo-camera system enabled an accurate assessment of the behavioural responses of C. carcharias when encountering a non-lethal electric field many times stronger than what they would naturally experience. Upon their first observed encounter, all C. carcharias were repelled at a mean (± std. error) proximity of 131 (± 10.3) cm, which corresponded to a mean voltage gradient of 9.7 (± 0.9) V/m. With each subsequent encounter, their proximity decreased by an average of 11.6 cm, which corresponded to an increase in tolerance to the electric field by an average of 2.6 (± 0.5) V/m per encounter. Despite the increase in tolerance, sharks continued to be deterred from interacting for the duration of each trial when in the presence of an active Shark Shield™. Furthermore, the findings provide no support to the theory that electric deterrents attract sharks. The results of this study provide quantitative evidence of the effectiveness of a non-lethal electric shark deterrent, its influence on the behaviour of C. carcharias, and an accurate method for testing other shark deterrent technologies.
Role of activin-A in cigarette smoke-induced inflammation and COPD

Activin-A is a pleiotropic cytokine belonging to the transforming growth factor-&bgr; superfamily and has been implicated in asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. However, the role of activin-A and its endogenous inhibitor, follistatin, in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown. We first quantified activin-A and follistatin in the lungs of air- or cigarette smoke-exposed mice and in the lungs of patients with COPD by immunohistochemistry, ELISA and quantitative real-time PCR. We subsequently studied the effect of cigarette smoke on primary human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro. Next, activin-A signalling was antagonised in vivo by administration of follistatin in mice exposed to air or cigarette smoke for 4 weeks. Protein levels of activin-A were increased in the airway epithelium of patients with COPD compared with never-smokers and smokers. Cigarette smoke-exposed human bronchial epithelial cells expressed higher levels of activin-A and lower levels of follistatin. Both mRNA and protein levels of activin-A were increased in the lungs of cigarette smoke-exposed mice, whereas follistatin levels were reduced upon cigarette smoke exposure. Importantly, administration of follistatin attenuated the cigarette smoke-induced increase of inflammatory cells and mediators in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in mice. These results suggest that an imbalance between activin-A and follistatin contributes to the pathogenesis of cigarette smoke-induced inflammation and COPD. Imbalance of activin-A and FST in favour of activin-A signalling in COPD patients cigarette smoke-exposed mice http://ow.ly/qMqVN
Oral Mucositis, Pain and Xerostomia in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer who Received Chemoradiotherapy with or without Cetuximab

Goal of work: To compare the severity of oral mucositis, pain and xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients, who received radiotherapy with cisplatin and cetuximab to that of patients who received radiotherapy with cisplatin alone. Patients: Forty-nine head and neck cancer patients entered the study. Twenty-five patients (Group A) received radiotherapy and cisplatin. Twenty-four patients (Group B) received radiotherapy, cisplatin, and cetuximab. Methods: Oral mucositis was recorded weekly, according to EORTC/RTOG criteria. Pain and xerostomia were assessed using a 10cm visual analogue scale. Antifungal and antiviral treatment and prophylaxis were administered during RT to both groups. Results: During chemoradiotherapy, severe mucositis, pain and xerostomia were observed in 60%, 64% and 52% respectively in Group A, while the same symptoms were observed in 79%, 58% and 29% respectively in Group B. The differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. At the end of chemoradiotherapy, severe mucositis, pain and xerostomia were recorded in 24%, 32% and 32% in Group A and 37%, 21% and 17% respectively in Group B. The differences between the two groups were, again, statistically not significant. Neither significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to the use of antifungal and antiviral treatment, radiotherapy interruptions and weight loss. In both groups, oral mucositis, pain and xerostomia were significantly reduced at the end of radiotherapy as compared to those during RT, following the anti-infectious treatment and prophylaxis. Conclusion: Cetuximab, added to cisplatin/radiotherapy, did not increase the severity of oral mucositis, pain and xerostomia, in head and neck cancer patients, with limitations of the study design and its limited number of patients.
Science-Technology-Industry Links and the ”European Paradox”: Some Notes on the Dynamics of Scientific and Technological Research in Europe

This paper discusses, first, the properties of scientific and technological knowledge and the institutions supporting its generation and its economic applications. The evidence continues to support the broad interpretation which we call the ”Stanford-Yale-Sussex” synthesis. Second, such patterns bear important implications with respect to the so-called ”European Paradox”, i.e. the conjecture that EU countries play a leading global role in terms of top-level scientific output, but lag behind in the ability of converting this strength into wealth-generating innovations. Some descriptive evidence shows that, contrary to the ”paradox” conjecture, European weaknesses reside both in its system of scientific research and in a relatively weak industry. The final part of the work suggests a few normative implications: much less emphasis should be put on various types of ”networking” and much more on policy measures aimed to both strengthen ”frontier” research and strengthen European corporate actors.
Application of a projective method for the assessment of children’s dental fear

Aim : The aim of this study was to assess children’s dental fear by using the Children’s Dental Fear Picture Test (cdfp) projective technique. Material and Methods: Forty patients from a pediatric dental clinic, between 5 and 9 years old, took part in this study. At first, the cdfp was applied to the children. This method has three subtests and its overall assessment classifies children as fearful, non-fearful and uncertain. Results: The children answered the Children Fear Survey Schedule– Dental Subscale (cfss-ds). The results showed that cdfp has inter-examiner reliability and a significant correlation with the cfss-ds. Conclusion: According to the Children’s Dental Fear Picture test (cdfp), the majority of children in this study did not present fear of dental treatment. The cdfp was valid, according to its significant correlation with the CFSS-DS.
Immunological Basis of Bone Marrow Failure after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Bone marrow failure (BMF) syndromes are severe complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). In this paper, we distinguish two different entities, the graft failure (GF) and the poor graft function (PGF), and we review the current understanding of the interactions between the immune and hematopoietic compartments in these conditions. We first discuss how GF occurs as the result of classical alloreactive immune responses mediated by residual host cellular and humoral immunity persisting after conditioning and prevented by host and donor regulatory T cells. We next summarize the current knowledge about the contribution of inflammatory mediators to the development of PGF. In situations of chronic inflammation complicating allo-HSCT, such as graft-versus-host disease or infections, PGF seems to be essentially the result of a sustained impairment of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) self-renewal and proliferation caused by inflammatory mediators, such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α, and of induction of apoptosis through the Fas/Fas ligand pathway. Interestingly, the production of inflammatory molecules leads to a non-MHC restricted, bystander inhibition of hematopoiesis, therefore, representing a promising target for immunological interventions. Finally, we discuss immune-mediated impairment of bone marrow microenvironment as a potential mechanism hampering hematopoietic recovery. Better understanding of immunological mechanisms responsible for BMF syndromes after allo-HSCT may lead to the development of more efficient immunotherapeutic interventions.