Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of ivermectin mass distribution for onchocerciasis control on Ascaris lumbricoides among schoolchildren in Rungwe and Kyela Districts, southwest Tanzania

Across-sectional survey on the impact of ivermectin treatment for onchocerciasis control, on Ascaris lumbricoides infections was conducted in 1994, before the first treatment cycle was implemented in the Tukuyu focus in Tanzania. A total of 560 pupils were randomly selected for stool samples before, 7 days and 3 months after treatment. Modified Kato Katz technique was used to prepare slides, and a dissection microscope for examination. Results showed pre-treatment A. lumbricoides prevalence ranging from 4.2% (Lutete) to 34.0% (Lufilyo). At day seven post-treatment, samples were devoid of Ascaris eggs, except at Lufilyo with 2.9% prevalence. Three months post treatment showed 34 (8.2%) out of 213 pupils had patent infections and 24 (5.8%) re-infections. Mean infection intensities were significantly higher at pretreatment than three months post-treatment. A. lumbricoides adult worm expulsion was self-reported in the first week of treatment, especially 2-3 days after, by 21.9% participants. Ivermectin treatment was effective against adult A. lumbricoides and cleared egg excretion by day seven, but re-infection occurred within three months. Visible worm excretion was appreciated as potency of treatment. Long term mass treatment with ivermectin proposed for onchocerciasis control can be used to reduce A. lumbircoides infections. To benefit optimally from this programme, additional inputs should be availed to reduce re-infection between consecutive annual cycles. Appreciation of visible worm expulsion enhanced acceptance and compliance of onchocerciasis control campaign using ivermectin. Follow-up surveys are recommended. Keywords : Ivermectin, onchocerciasis, Ascaris lumbricoides , schoolchildren, Tanzania Tanzania Health Research Bulletin Vol. 8 (2) 2006: pp. 70-74
Improving Multidisciplinary Teamwork in Preoperative Scheduling

The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of introducing crossfunctional teams on various aspects of collaboration in preoperative scheduling. Based on socio-technical systems (STS) principles, an intervention was designed to address non-routine tasks, variety, disturbances and errors related to operating room (OR) scheduling, with the aim of increasing both staff productivity and patient safety. This concept was investigated at Radboud University Medical Centre (Radboudumc) in the Netherlands. Based on the literature on socio-technical systems, self-managing teams and group dynamics, we investigated the team’s control options as well as five aspects of collaboration (setting common goals, cohesion, openness, single-loop and double-loop learning, and feedback). The effects of implementing preoperative cross-functional teams in the OR were compared. The first author observed twelve team meetings, available data and documentation, and thirteen semi-structured interviews were performed with team members for collecting additional data. Our qualitative findings revealed that high-performing teams were able to identify bottlenecks in order to improve continuity of care. The concept of this field study was presented on the occasion of the 16th International Workshop on Teamwork (IWOT) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway, September 6-7, 2012. This chapter 2 is based on Bitter, J., van Veen-Berkx, E. , Gooszen, H. G. , & van Amelsvoort, P. (2013). Multidisciplinary teamwork is an important issue to healthcare professionals. Team Performance Management: An International Journal, 19(5/6), 263-278. 62 Our qualitative findings revealed that high-performing teams were able to identify bottlenecks in order to improve continuity of care. The cross-functional teams used several performance indicators to gain insight into their own performance. Consequently, through collaboration, these teams were able to minimise disturbance and therefore learn. Crossfunctional teams learned how to address disturbances and improve their quality of service through improved collaboration and the improved use of control mechanisms. This research highlights the importance of team-based approaches and the need to improve collaboration between healthcare professionals. The paper confirms the value of cross-functional teams to improve collaboration between healthcare professionals. This field study is a valuable contribution, as it focuses on team-based organisation in preparing an OR schedule.
Numerical study of wind effect on green island wake

Wind effect on Kuroshio-induced island wake downstream the Green Island, Taiwan is studied using a depth-averaged shallow-water model. Seasonal monsoon effect on spatial-temporal scales, such as aspect ratio, dimensionless width, and Strouhal number as well as propagation speed of the vortices of Reynolds number 50 is studied. It is found that northeast monsoon has more pronounced effect in wake characteristics than southwest monsoon does, in terms of flow speed and recirculation zone, the aspect ratio, and dimensionless width. Vortices are pushed back close to the island with a smaller size of recirculation when Kuroshio flows against the northeast monsoon; Vortices are pushed farther downstream with a larger size of recirculation when Kuroshio flows in favor of the southwest monsoon. However, wind effect on temporal variation of island wake seems insignificant. The Strouhal number is between 0.116 and 0.125 from numerical simulations. This value is close to result of previous reports.
The Earnings Game in Family Firms

Capital markets trade securities on the basis of information. Consequently, informational advantages imply superior gains. The earnings game describes the extraction of these private gains by means of earnings management or analyst guidance, at the cost of financial integrity. With a hand-collected SP i.e., they play the earnings game less than counterpart firms.
Myxedema neuropathy and myopathy

NEUROLOGIC FEATURES play an important role in the clinical picture of myxedema. Psychomotor retardation and psychotic behavior have been known for many years to be associated with myxedema, but recently more profound neurologic disturbances including convulsions and coma have been In addition, lancinating extremity pain and paresthesias have been noted by Crevasse and Loguez in patients with myxedema and are ascribed on clinical grounds to related peripheral neuropathy. However, these authors did not find objective sensory or motor loss in their patients, and peripheral nerve biopsies were not available to support this supposition. In a previous review1 of case records by two of the authors, evidence was found that peripheral neuropathy does occur with myxedema, with subjective sensory complaints out of proportion to objective sensory deficits, a situation often observed with diabetic neuropathy. However, there was little evidence of the objective motor weakness or reflex changes characteristically seen with peripheral neuropathy. The classic myxedema reflex with the prolonged relaxation phase is not that found with degenerative or inflammatory diseases of the peripheral nerves. The present investigation was initiated in an attempt to gain additional evidence of the presence of peripheral neuropathy with myxedema and to correlate pathologic changes in peripheral nerves, muscles, and spinal fluid and serum proteins, especially gamma globulin, with neurologic signs and symptoms of the disease.
The Impact of Tropical Atlantic Freshwater Fluxes on the North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

Abstract The influence of ENSO-related changes in the Atlantic-to-Pacific freshwater budget on the North Atlantic meridional overturning is examined using the University of Victoria (UVic) Earth System Climate Model. The initial analysis of freshwater fluxes in the 50-yr NCEP–NCAR (NCEP50) reanalysis product and Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) dataset reveals that the transport of water vapor out of the tropical Atlantic drainage basin is enhanced during El Nino phases and reduced during La Nina phases; a one standard deviation in the Southern Oscillation index alters the tropical Atlantic freshwater balance by about 0.09 Sv (Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1). A weaker link with ENSO is found in the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40), although its usefulness is severely limited by a strong and spurious trend in tropical precipitation. Model results suggest that tropical Atlantic salinity anomalies generated with the frequency and amplitude of ENSO tend not to impact deep-water formation as they are diluted e.
Grading Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) in Indias Capital Markets A Globally Unique Concept

IPO grading assesses the fundamentals of the Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and is reflected on a five-point point scale (1-5) with a higher score indicating stronger fundamentals of the IPO issuing firm. SEBI (India capital market regulator) introduced the IPO grading as a mandatory requirement for all IPOs, and the requirement seems to have been borne by the fact that, in India, where institutions are less developed and retail participation in IPOs is significant, quality signal represented by an IPO grade yields discernible benefits to the market. We note that while SEBI and the rating agencies advocate the benefit of the IPO grade, not everyone in the industry and academia is convinced of the grades merits. To analyze the efficacy of IPO grading, we conducted regression analysis study of a total of 63 IPOs that have been graded. Through this study, we find that securities with higher IPO grades tend to exhibit under-pricing to a lesser extent. We also find that, with higher IPO grades, the subscription rate of the IPOs improves across all class of investors, including retail investors. We also find that IPO grades are inversely related to the short-term liquidity of the IPOs, i.e. at least in the short term, higher graded IPOs dont exhibit high turnover ratio. We further find that the IPO grade fails to explain with any significance the subsequent market performance of the issues in terms of capital gains.
Two Essays on Mutual Fund Herding

This dissertation consists of two chapters. First chapter examines whether herding by actively managed equity funds affects their performance. For this purpose, first the effect of herding on stock returns is reexamined and evidence is found that, during the herding quarter, stocks bought intensely by herds outperform stocks sold intensely by herds. Controlling for subsequent quarter herding, this performance difference reverses, an indication that herding drives prices away from their fundamental values. It is also shown that herding funds benefit from this activity during the quarter in which they herd. The evidence is provided that herded stocks positively contribute to the herding funds’ trade portfolio returns in the following quarter, but no association is found between the extent to which funds herd and their holding-based and subsequent quarter net returns. Introducing the concept of leader and follower funds this study shows that the subsequent quarter performance of funds that lead the herd is superior to that of follower funds. However, because leader and follower funds do not strongly retain their status overtime, they exhibit similar long-run performances. Second chapter examines whether mutual funds herd in industries and the extent to which such herding impacts industry valuations and fund performance. Using two herding measures proposed by Lakonishok, Shleifer, and Vishny (1992) and Sias (2004) it is documented that mutual funds herd in industries beyond what would be expected by chance. It is shown that industry herding is not driven by investor flows and that it is not a manifestation of individual stock herding. The evidence suggests that, during the herding quarter(s), industries that experience strong buy herding by mutual funds outperform industries that experience strong sell herding. Industries that are subjected to strong herding by mutual funds exhibit no return reversals indicating that this activity does not destabilize industry values. Using a modified Grinblatt, Titman and Wermers’ (1995) fund herding measure that quantifies the degree to which a fund joins the herd during a given quarter, no compelling evidence is found that industry herding affects the subsequent performance of herding funds.
Derivatives Supply and Corporate Hedging: Evidence from the Safe Harbor Reform of 2005

This article analyzes the importance of supply-side fluctuations for corporate hedging. To establish a causal link, we exploit a regulatory change that allows derivatives counterparties to circumvent the Bankruptcy Code’s automatic stay: the Safe Harbor Reform of 2005. Following the reform-induced expansion in the availability of derivatives, fuel hedging by airlines nearing financial distress (those that benefited most from the reform) significantly increased in comparison with financially sound airlines. We find that the hedging propensity similarly increased in a general sample of nonfinancial firms. In line with theory, we also find that operating performance increased for the affected firms.
Zika virus tropism during early infection of the testicular interstitium and its role in viral pathogenesis in the testes

Sexual transmission and persistence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the testes pose new challenges for controlling virus outbreaks and developing live-attenuated vaccines. It has been shown that testicular infection of ZIKV is initiated in the testicular interstitium, followed by spread of the virus in the seminiferous tubules. This leads to testicular damage and/or viral dissemination into the epididymis and eventually into semen. However, it remains unknown which cell types are targeted by ZIKV in the testicular interstitium, and what is the specific order of infectious events leading to ZIKV invasion of the seminiferous tubules. Here, we demonstrate that interstitial leukocytes expressing mir-511-3p microRNA are the initial targets of ZIKV in the testes, and infection of mir-511-3p-expressing cells in the testicular interstitium is necessary for downstream infection of the seminiferous tubules. Mir-511-3p is expressed concurrently with CD206, a marker of lineage 2 (M2) macrophages and monocyte derived dendritic cells (moDCs). Selective restriction of ZIKV infection of CD206-expressing M2 macrophages/moDCs results in the attenuation of macrophage–associated inflammatory responses in vivo and prevents the disruption of the Sertoli cell barrier in vitro. Finally, we show that targeting of viral genome for mir-511-3p significantly attenuates early ZIKV replication not only in the testes, but also in many peripheral organs, including spleen, epididymis, and pancreas. This incriminates M2 macrophages/moDCs as important targets for visceral ZIKV replication following hematogenous dissemination of the virus from the site of infection.
Performance Audits : A study of the factors affecting audit impact in Sweden

There have been uncertainties to what a performance audit generates, as audit impact have an inherent causality problem. Prior studies present several factors that affect perceived audit impact, but the generalizability is low and not applicable in a Swedish context, thus this thesis contributes to the development of the existing knowledge by investigating audit impact. This thesis consists of a sample of three performance audits which are investigated through a mix methods approach with a total 23 interviews and multiple public documents, analyzed with earlier studies and theories as a benchmark. The findings indicate that audit impact is complex where several factors affect audit impact, this thesis indicated that usefulness and quality of the performance audit are the main factors that affects perceived audit impact. There are also additional effects by the performance audit that fall outside of the audit impact definition. Due to the small sample size and the fact that performance audits often are regulated by local laws one must be careful in what context these findings are solely applied in another context.
Intensive Early Physiotherapy Combined with Dexamphetamine Treatment in Severe Stroke: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study

Background: The most severely disabled stroke patients are often excluded from studies evaluating effects of physiotherapy. This study intended to investigate the effect of an increased intensity of physiotherapy in combination with dexamphetamine the first week after ischemic stroke in patients with an impaired level of consciousness and severe motor dysfunction. Methods: Thirty patients were enrolled within 96 h after onset of symptoms. Patients were randomized to 30–45 min of physiotherapy twice daily or to maximally 15 min per day for 5 days. All patients received dexamphetamine to achieve alertness. Functional outcome measures were assessed at baseline, the day after treatment discontinuation, and 3 and 12 months after stroke onset. Residence of living was registered at long-term follow-ups. Results: No statistically significant differences were seen between groups in the outcomes measured at any time point. However, both groups improved over time in all outcomes at 3 and 12 months (p < 0.05), except for sensory functions at 3 months and motor functions at 12 months. The number of patients needed to treat (NNT) to achieve the desired improvement in Lindmark motor score was 8, with the 95% CI being NNT(harm) 10 to NNT(beneficial) 3. The fraction of patients who died was the same in both treatment groups, 47% (95% CI 28–65%). Conclusions: An increased intensity of physiotherapy in combination with dexamphetamine during the first week after stroke onset did not affect short- or long-term outcome in this limited sample of patients with severe stroke.
Convergence of Technology in the E-Commerce World and Venture Capital Landscape in South East Asia

Every time technology changes, it creates threats to established ways of doing business and opportunities for new ways to offer services. This is being shown in the E-payment E-commerce world with the convergence of the technologies. In this chapter, we will discuss the recent economic surge of Southeast Asia and analyze the E-commerce payment systems with the latest development of the convergence of the technologies. We present an empirical study of E-payment systems and implications of our findings on E-payment systems in Southeast Asia. Finally, we present an overview of recent research on business angel investing in Southeast Asia focusing on investor’s high-tech investment strategies. We propose that management can tap the opportunities of the electronic payment technologies for E-commerce by providing electronic payment solutions that meet the consumers’ intention to use.
Risk Perception and Risk-Taking Behaviour during Adolescence: The Influence of Personality and Gender

This study investigated the influence of personality characteristics and gender on adolescents’ perception of risk and their risk-taking behaviour. Male and female participants (157 females: 116 males, aged 13–20) completed self-report measures on risk perception, risk-taking and personality. Male participants perceived behaviours as less risky, reportedly took more risks, were less sensitive to negative outcomes and less socially anxious than female participants. Path analysis identified a model in which age, behavioural inhibition and impulsiveness directly influenced risk perception, while age, social anxiety, impulsiveness, sensitivity to reward, behavioural inhibition and risk perception itself were directly or indirectly associated with risk-taking behaviour. Age and behavioural inhibition had direct relationships with social anxiety, and reward sensitivity was associated with impulsiveness. The model was representative for the whole sample and male and female groups separately. The observed relationship between age and social anxiety and the influence this may have on risk-taking behaviour could be key for reducing adolescent risk-taking behaviour. Even though adolescents may understand the riskiness of their behaviour and estimate their vulnerability to risk at a similar level to adults, factors such as anxiety regarding social situations, sensitivity to reward and impulsiveness may exert their influence and make these individuals prone to taking risks. If these associations are proven causal, these factors are, and will continue to be, important targets in prevention and intervention efforts.
Home country institutions and the internationalisation of emerging market multinationals : an ethnographic study of the organisational control in a Chinese MNC

The internationalisation of emerging market multinationals (EMNCs) has been one of the most notable dynamics in international business in recent years. Despite the fact that there has been a growing literature over the last few years, we know very little about how these firms actually organise their work and manage their employees globally. Studies of these infant firms are believed to yield insights about how firms become internationalised and provide us with a unique opportunity to challenge and extend existing international business theory. Drawing on an ethnographic study of a major Chinese firm, this study offers detailed accounts on how the company manages its European subsidiaries and employees. Focussing on the organisational control system, it reveals that Teleman's control system is a highly centralised system with expatriates being placed at the centre, who are motivated by strong corporate culture and a well-designed reward system. This study investigates how such a control system has been developed in a Chinese context. It argues for a dynamic relationship between institutions and corporate actors, and suggests that the control system is the outcome of the company's interactions with the institutional environment in China. An Actor/Institution Interaction Process Model has been developed to capture such a process. This study contribute to the study of MNCs in a number of ways. First, it enhances our understanding of the internationalisation process and behaviours of EMNCs and MNCs in general. Second, with the Actor/Institution Interaction Process Model describing the steps and process by which the interactions between institutions and actors take place, this study opens the mysterious black box of how exactly institutions affect the behaviours of firms. In doing this, the study also demonstrates how studies of EMNCs can contribute to the extension of existing theories in IB.