Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survival and new-onset morbidity after critical care admission for acute pancreatitis in Scotland: a national electronic healthcare record linkage cohort study

Introduction Severe acute pancreatitis (AP) requiring critical care admission (ccAP) impacts negatively on long-term survival. Objective To document organ-specific new morbidity and identify risk factors associated with premature mortality after an episode of ccAP. Design Cohort study. Setting Electronic healthcare registries in Scotland. Participants The ccAP cohort included 1471 patients admitted to critical care with AP between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2010 followed up until 31 December 2014. The population cohort included 3450 individuals from the general population of Scotland frequency-matched for age, sex and social deprivation. Methods Record linkage of routinely collected electronic health data with population matching. Primary and secondary outcome measures Patient demographics, comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index), acute physiology, organ support and other critical care data were linked to records of mortality (death certificate data) and new-onset morbidity. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with mortality. Results 310 patients with AP died during the index admission. Outcomes were not ascertained for five patients, and the deprivation quintile was not known for six patients. 340 of 1150 patients in the resulting postdischarge ccAP cohort died during the follow-up period. Greater comorbidity measured by the Charlson score, prior to ccAP, negatively influenced survival in the hospital and after discharge. The odds of developing new-onset diabetes mellitus after ccAP compared with the general population were 10.70 (95% CI 5.74 to 19.94). A new diagnosis of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, liver disease, peptic ulcer, renal failure, cancer, peripheral vascular disease and lung disease was more frequent in the ccAP cohort than in the general population. Conclusions The persistent deleterious impact of severe AP on long-term outcome and survival is multifactorial in origin, influenced by pre-existing patient characteristics and acute episode features. Further mechanistic and epidemiological investigation is warranted.
Study of Doxicycline Efficacy in Broilers’ Colibacilosis

The aim of study is a therapeutic assessment of doxicycline’s hyclate efficacy, a wide spectrum antibiotic (efficient in majority of bacterial Gram-positive and Gram-negative infections and mycoplasmas, frequently isolated in poultry) in a colisepticemia outbreak in a 3,000 chicken farm. Disease started at the broiler’s age of 20 days and mortality rate reached 32.5%. The behaviour to antibiotics of isolated bacterial strains was tested and antibiogram (Sanofi) was used, doxicycline revealing a very good antibiotic activity. The treatments (with the dose of 10 mg x kg.b.w. -1 ) were done individually for five days, clinical evolution being observed until day ten of the experiment. Analyzing evolutions after treatments it was observed that the mortality diminished progressively from 14.2% in the first day, to 8.3% - 5.9% - 2.5% - 1.7% and respectively 0.8% in the sixth treatments day, in days seven, eight, nine, and ten of the study not being registered any mortality cases. In our opinion the favorable clinical evolution was recorded after the third treatment day, at the end of experiment from 120 remaining live 80 chickens (representing 66.7%) proving the fact that doxicycline was efficient, confirmed also by the average daily weight gain for the remaining live chickens.
Productivity and performance of public sector organisations

Public sector activity accounts for about 40% of a developed economy's total production. Whilst attention has been focused upon manufacturing productivity and performance, until recently virtually nothing was known about the public sector's productivity. The article reviews a number of the conceptual issues, which lie at the heart of public sector productivity and performance measurement. It then critically considers those measures that have been provided and looks to how developments in this area might progress.
The Effects of Variable Capital Utilization on the Measurement and Properties of Sectoral Productivity: Some International Evidence

This paper explores how accounting for variations in factor utilization rates alters the empirical characteristics of productivity residuals in the United States and Canada. Using data on 19 manufacturing industries, we study the behavior of productivity using three proxies for capital services. We find that adjusting for cyclical movements in capital utilization alters many of the empirical characteristics of productivity, both within and across countries.
Why Grades Engender Performance Avoidance Goals: The Mediating Role of Autonomous Motivation

Evaluation is an inescapable feature of academic life with regular grading and performance appraisals at school and at university. Although previous research has indicated that evaluation and grading in particular are likely to have a substantial impact on motivational processes, little attention has been paid to the relationship between grading and approach versus avoidance achievement goals, 2 fundamental concerns whenever evaluation is at stake. Three experiments, carried out in professional schools, revealed that expectation of a grade for a task, compared with no grade, consistently induced greater adoption of performance-avoidance, but not performance-approach, goals. Experiments 2 and 3 revealed that expectation of a grade, compared with no grade, consistently induced greater adoption of performance-avoidance goals even when grading was accompanied by a formative comment. Furthermore, Experiment 3 showed that reduced autonomous motivation measured after having completed a task for a grade versus no grade mediated the relationship between grading and adoption of performance-avoidance goals in a subsequent task. Results are discussed in the light of achievement goal and self-determination theory
The Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance The Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance

We model the optimal liquidation behavior of a venture capital or non-diversified asset management firm faced with a sale of concentrated security holdings. As the firm‟s stake is large, its sales can lead to permanent and temporary price depressions. At the optimum, the institution chooses the liquidation interval to balance the exposure to the market return variance against the impact of its own sales on the realized return. We obtain closed-form solutions for power impact functions uncorrelated with returns. We also consider market impact correlated with the return process, i
BIASES FOR ACQUIRING INFORMATION INDIVIDUALLY RATHER THAN SOCIALLY

Abstract We discuss theoretical and empirical arguments for a human bias to acquire information individually rather than socially. In particular, we argue that when other people can be observed, information collection is a public good and hence some of the individual variation in the choice between individual and social learning can be explained by variation in social value orientation. We conducted two experimental studies, based on the game Explore & Collect, to test the predictions that (1) socially and individually acquired information of equal objective value are treated differently, and (2) prosocial subjects tend to spend more effort than selfish subjects on individual acquiring of information. Both predictions were supported.
Articulated palaeoscolecid sclerite arrays from the Lower Cambrian of eastern Siberia

Phosphatized palaeoscolecid cuticle fragments of Palaeoscolex lubovae sp. nov., P. spinosus sp. nov., Palaeoscolex sp. and Sahascolex labyrinthus gen. et sp. nov., as well as disarticulated sclerites, are described from the Early Cambrian Sinsk Formation (Siberian Platform) at the Achchagyy Tuoydakh fossil-Lagerstatte. These remarkably well preserved arrays of plates and platelets display ornamentation identical to widely reported isolated sclerites assigned to Hadimopanella, Kaimenella, Milaculum, and Utahphospha. The precise relationship of the Palaeoscolecida to the priapulids or alternatively with the nematomorphs remains under discussion, but suggested is their systematic position within the superphylum Ecdysozoa, comprising moulting animals. some of the described cuticular trunks exhibit distinction between the dorsal and ventral sides: nodular sclerites occur on the dorsal and spiny sclerites on the ventral sides of the worm body. Such a pattern of ornamentation may suggest adaptation for a level-bottom, vagile benthic and probably epifaunal mode of life. The Siberian palaeoscolecids are compared with the type species of Palaeoscolex , P. piscatorum Whittard, 1953, and with palaeoscolecid worms from Australia, Bohemia and China. Sclerites recorded with microplates accreted into the basal brim may support a hypothesis that the more complex sclerite structure bearing a series of nodes was derived from simple small sclerites with single node. The biostratigraphic utility of isolated sclerites remains low, because of the same morphology occur in different sclerites may occur in one scleritome.
Whittaker models, nilpotent orbits and the asymptotics of Harish-Chandra modules

We study the existence of Whittaker models for Harish-Chandra modules. In a real rank two setting, we prove Matumoto’s conjecture, establishing the equivalence of a nilpotent orbit condition, the existence of a Whittaker model and an asymptotic condition; the equivalence of these three conditions fails in higher rank.
Cultivating Environmental Consciousness during Early Childhood – Kindergarten Teachers’ Views on the Role of Social Values

This study examines issues of the modern sociological and environmental research which in order to decode environmental behavior has turned its focus towards the study of social values, among others. This study focuses specifically on the educational group of kindergarten teachers as they are the first persons, after family, to get involved with the process of education and socialization of children. This study is based on empirical research so as to examine kindergarten teachers’ views on the values which they themselves think are related to environmental consciousness as well as to what extent these values are cultivated within the educational system. The main conclusion of this study is that, according to kindergarten teachers, the education provided in kindergarten cultivates to a very limited extent those social values which they think necessary for developing the environmental consciousness of children.
Brand Trust in Hotel Industry: Influence of Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction

The objective of current study is to understand the influence of service quality and customer satisfaction on brand trust for hotel services in Dubai. In order to achieve this goal, a total of 100 local and international hotel customers have been investigated. The self-employed questionnaire survey was employed to collect data from respondents. The relationship among the variables was studied by applying Pearson Correlation analysis. The results reflect the fact that both service quality and customer satisfaction have positive influence on brand trust. In addition, based on the data analysis, service quality has higher impact on brand trust in compare with customer satisfaction.
Assessing the Functioning of Land Rental Markets in Ethiopia

Although a large theoretical literature discusses the possible inefficiency of sharecropping contracts, empirical evidence on this phenomenon has been ambiguous at best. Household‐level fixed‐effect estimates from about 8,500 plots operated by households that own and sharecrop land in the Ethiopian highlands provide support for the hypothesis of Marshallian inefficiency. At the same time, a factor adjustment model suggests that the extent to which rental markets allow households to attain their desired operational holding size is limited. Our analysis points toward factor market imperfections (no rental for oxen), lack of alternative employment opportunities, and tenure insecurity as possible reasons underlying such an outcome. They suggest that, rather than worrying only about Marshallian inefficiency, attention to the broader environment and policy framework within which producers can adjust to their optimum operational area will be warranted.
Draft 1 Fatty acid composition and concentration of alternative food of Semipalmated Sandpipers 1 ( Calidris pusilla ) in the upper Bay of Fundy , Canada 2

13 Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla L., 1766) that migrate through the upper Bay of 14 Fundy, Canada, depend on a rich food supply to fuel their continued migration. Although past 15 studies have reported a diet dominated by the amphipod Corophium volutator (Pallas, 1766), an 16 animal rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), recent evidence suggests that sandpiper 17 diets are broad. This is beneficial in that it allows Semipalmated Sandpipers to respond to a 18 changing food base, but quality of food is also important. PUFAs are important in providing the 19 energy required by migrating birds and may play a role in migratory preparation. We assessed 20 fatty acid concentrations and proportions in three common food items. We found that 21 polychaetes should adequately meet the needs of migrating sandpipers in terms of fatty acid 22 composition. Concentrations of fatty acids in biofilm were low, but proportionally, n-3 PUFAs 23 were well represented, particularly in biofilm collected in Shepody Bay, where it forms a 24 substantial part of the sandpiper diet. Therefore, provided that birds can consume a sufficient 25 volume of biofilm, it is also probably a suitable source of essential fatty acids. Our results 26 suggest that Semipalmated Sandpipers in the Bay of Fundy can meet their fatty acid needs with a 27 variety of dietary options. 28
Relationship between lucid dreaming, creativity and dream charakteristics

Lucid dreaming is the ability of a dreamer to become aware that he is dreaming and to possibly change some aspects of his current dream. This ability is associated with higher creativity and a proclivity for divergent thinking. Between subjects, dreams have different characteristics, such as the incorporation of daytime events, aversive dream content, or dream recall frequency (DRF). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between lucid dreaming, creativity and dream characteristics (dream structure). A total of 334 participants took part in an online study. The results show that lucid dreamers scored higher on the creative personality scale of the Adjective Checklist and reported a higher DRF than non-lucid dreamers. As to the dream structure, lucid dreamers were more likely to incorporate daytime events into their dreams, and their dreams had a higher personal significance than those of non-lucid dreamers. Furthermore, substantial gender differences were found in DRF and other dream characteristics. The results confirm the relationship between lucid dreaming and creativity and indicate that lucid dreamers differ from non-lucid dreamers in their general dream structure.
Capital Structure with Asymmetric Information About Value and Risk: Theory and Empirical Analysis

The paper presents a simple model arguing that the pecking order theory is an extreme when there is only asymmetric information about value. We show how asymmetric information about both, value and risk, transforms the adverse selection logic underlying the pecking order into a general theory of capital structure that accounts for both debt and equity issues. The model predicts that firms issue more equity and less debt if there is more asymmetric information about risk relative to value. We find robust empirical support for the prediction and document a strong link between risk and capital structure in a large unbalanced panel of publicly traded US firms from 1971 to 2001.
Exact Bayesian Inference and Model Selection for Stochastic Models of Epidemics Among a Community of Households

Abstract. Much recent methodological progress in the analysis of infectious disease data has been due to Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methodology. In this paper, it is illustrated that rejection sampling can also be applied to a family of inference problems in the context of epidemic models, avoiding the issues of convergence associated with MCMC methods. Specifically, we consider models for epidemic data arising from a population divided into households. The models allow individuals to be potentially infected both from outside and from within the household. We develop methodology for selection between competing models via the computation of Bayes factors. We also demonstrate how an initial sample can be used to adjust the algorithm and improve efficiency. The data are assumed to consist of the final numbers ultimately infected within a sample of households in some community. The methods are applied to data taken from outbreaks of influenza.
Functional Movement Disorders and Placebo: A Brief Review of the Placebo Effect in Movement Disorders and Ethical Considerations for Placebo Therapy

Functional movement disorders are common and disabling neurologic conditions. Patients with functional neurologic disorders represent a large proportion of neurology clinic referrals, and limited availability of subspecialty care creates a considerable burden for the healthcare system. These conditions are currently treated with a combination of physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, with variable success.
Using the UKCP09 probabilistic scenarios to model the amplified impact of climate change on drainage basin sediment yield

Precipitation intensities and the frequency of extreme events are projected to increase under climate change. These rainfall changes will lead to increases in the magnitude and frequency of flood events that will, in turn, affect patterns of erosion and deposition within river basins. These geomorphic changes to river systems may affect flood conveyance, infrastructure resilience, channel pattern, and habitat status as well as sediment, nutrient and carbon fluxes. Previous research modelling climatic influences on geomorphic changes has been limited by how climate variability and change are represented by downscaling from global or regional climate models. Furthermore, the non-linearity of the climatic, hydrological and geomorphic systems involved generate large uncertainties at each stage of the modelling process creating an uncertainty "cascade". This study integrates state-of-the-art approaches from the climate change and geomorphic communities to address these issues in a probabilistic modelling study of the Swale catchment, UK. The UKCP09 weather generator is used to simulate hourly rainfall for the baseline and climate change scenarios up to 2099, and used to drive the CAESAR landscape evolution model to simulate geomorphic change. Results show that winter rainfall is projected to increase, with larger increases at the extremes. The impact of the increasing rainfall is amplified through the translation into catchment runoff and in turn sediment yield with a 100% increase in catchment mean sediment yield predicted between the baseline and the 2070–2099 High emissions scenario. Significant increases are shown between all climate change scenarios and baseline values. Analysis of extreme events also shows the amplification effect from rainfall to sediment delivery with even greater amplification associated with higher return period events. Furthermore, for the 2070–2099 High emissions scenario, sediment discharges from 50-yr return period events are predicted to be 5 times larger than baseline values.
ADEQUATE SCREENING OF YOUNGSTERS FOR DEPRESSIVE CHARACTERISTICS

In order to set up an effective early-detection of depressive symptoms in youngsters, the current study aims to investigate whether two measure moments of the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) improve screening and whether a multi-informant procedure is superior compared to a single-informant procedure thereby controlling for comorbid symptoms. Method.Youngsters (10-15 years) filled in the CDI and an Anxiety Scale at Time 1 and the CDI and Youth Self Report one week later. Next, a structured clinical interview was administered. The Child Behaviour CheckList was filled in by the parents. Results. Two measure moments of the CDI are not more accurate in capturing disordered mood changes. Furthermore, parent reports were no significant contributor to the variance over and above the CDI. Discussion. A second moment does not increase screening accuracy. Further research on setting up an effective multistage screening procedure for depressive symptoms for youngsters is however necessary.
Exclusive Representation of Employee Shareholders in the Board: Issues and Economic Consequences

This research proposes to study the consequences of “exclusive” representation of employee shareholders in the board of directors or trustees regarding the company’s performance. The literature is controversial on the efficiency of management by directors representing employee shareholders. However, the work does not distinguish between representing employee shareholders only (outcome from an association of employee shareholders or a FCPE (company investment fund) of those elected by all employee or derived form of a labour organization. Our empirical study based on a sample of companies in the SBF 250, highlights the negative influence of the presence of directors representing employee shareholders on the economic performance of the firm.
Evidence for a Sub-Chandrasekhar-mass Type Ia Supernova in the Ursa Minor Dwarf Galaxy

A long-standing problem is identifying the elusive progenitors of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), which can roughly be split into Chandraksekhar and sub-Chandrasekhar-mass events. An important difference between these two cases is the nucleosynthetic yield, which is altered by the increased neutron excess in Chandrasekhar progenitors due to their pre-explosion simmering and high central density. Based on these arguments, we show that the chemical composition of the most metal-rich star in the Ursa Minor dwarf galaxy, COS 171, is dominated by nucleosynthesis from a low-metallicity, low-mass, sub-Chandrasekhar-mass SN Ia. Key diagnostic abundance ratios include Mn/Fe and Ni/Fe, which could not have been produced by a Chandrasekhar-mass SN Ia. Large deficiencies of Ni/Fe, Cu/Fe and Zn/Fe also suggest the absence of alpha-rich freeze-out nucleosynthesis, favoring low-mass white dwarf progenitors of SNe Ia, near 0.95 M⊙, from comparisons to numerical detonation models. We also compare Mn/Fe and Ni/Fe ratios to the recent yields predicted by Shen et al., finding consistent results. To explain the [Fe/H] at −1.35 dex for COS 171 would require dilution of the SN Ia ejecta with ∼104 M⊙ of material, which is expected for an SN remnant expanding into a warm interstellar medium with n ∼ 1 cm−3. In the future, finding more stars with the unique chemical signatures we highlight here will be important for constraining the rate and environments of sub-Chandrasekhar SNe Ia.
Shared Learning in Ensemble Deep Q-Networks

The exploration-exploitation dilemma in Reinforcement Learning problems, although well-studied, is still a major challenge as existing techniques do not scale well to environments with large state spaces. Most deep RL algorithms use a naive extension of conventional exploration techniques like -greedy. However, recent work such as Bootstrapped DQN and A3C have introduced novel exploration strategies based on ensembles of value estimates that address these scalability issues to a large extent. In this work, we present an algorithm that takes advantage of the ensemble architecture of Bootstrapped DQN to further speed up learning by sharing useful learning progress amongst the bootstrapped value estimates.