Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does corporate governance reform necessarily boost firm performance? A Quasi-Experimental Analysis

While the existing literature suggests that CG reforms tend to boost firm performance, in the context of Russia the present paper argues that the beneficial effect of any CG reform may be outweighed by the possible adverse effects arising from the conflict between the state (as tax collector) and the controlling owner and/or that between the central and local governments in a decentralized set-up. Using introduction of the CG reform as a natural experiment, we compare the estimates of market (e.g., Tobin’s Q) and accounting (e.g., EBIT share) based measures of performance to identify the causal effect of the reform on firm performance in a sample of firm-level panel data from Russia. We argue that the negative effect of the reform is likely to be more pronounced in the accounting based measure of performance which can be subject to manipulation. First, greater Transparency and Disclosure is associated with significantly higher Tobin’s Q, but not EBIT share. Further analysis exploits the variation in both measures of firm performance between domestic and foreign listed Russian firms before and after the introduction of CG reform and suggests that the reforms failed to spur any significant improvement in the market based performance measure, while it is associated with significantly lower EBIT-share among domestic listed Russian firms. We argue that the differential impact of the reform on EBIT share provides support to our central hypothesis.
Influence of the Movement Parameter to Be Controlled on Manual RT Asymmetries in Right-Handers

In this experiment we test whether the effects of manual asymmetries on movement preparation depend on the parameter (amplitude or direction) to be programmed. In two experiments, only the amplitude, or the direction, of aiming movements was constrained. Reaction and movement times were measured. Results show that RTs are always shorter for left-hand than for right-hand movements. There is an effect of target extent in the amplitude condition, but not in the direction one. RTs for ipsilateral movements are shorter than RTs for contralateral movements. These results are discussed in the light of the processes involved in setting the amplitude or direction of the movement and with regard to the competency of the two hemispheres regarding these processes.
Prescribing chlormethiazole reducing regimes in an emergency clinic.

Summary A series of 26 patients who presented to an emergency clinic complaining of drinking problems were studied during a 1 month period. Despite 10 different doctors assessing and prescribing for these patients, both a clinical assessment of severity of dependence and the dose of medication prescribed correlated highly with an independent rating scale (SADQ). Only five patients, however, completed treatment in the emergency clinic and subsequently attended an outpatient appointment. There were no predictors of outcome.
Foreign Investment In China

List of Figures List of Tables Preface Acknowledgements Introduction: Foreign Investment in China Under the Open Door Policy The Main Attractions of China to Foreign Investors Under the Contemporary World Economic Climate Opening the Door to FDI: The Evolution of Relevant Policies in China The Foreign Investment Environment in China: The Hard Environment The Foreign Investment Environment in China: The Soft Environment (I) The Foreign Investment Environment in China: The Soft Environment (II) Distribution, Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in China The Economic and Social Influences of FDI in China Conclusions: Foreign Investment Environment in China Under the Open Door Policy Bibliography Index
Dynamic changes in EEG spectra during obstructive apnea in children

Children are less likely to demonstrate EEG arousal during obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) than adults. We hypothesized that changes in spectral EEG characteristics occur during REM‐associated OSA in the absence of arousal. Eight snoring children underwent overnight polysomnography. OSA events during REM periods not associated with EEG or behavioral arousal were identified. EEG signals from C3A2 and C4A1 leads corresponding to 1) ≤10‐sec epochs preceding OSA (PRE), 2) the obstructed period (OSA), and 3) ≤10‐sec epochs following airflow resumption (POST) were subjected to fast Fourier transform (FFT) routines. Seventy‐two isolated OSA, and 14 clusters of > 4 OSA events were analyzed.
School Start Time and Adolescent Sleep Patterns: Results From the U.S. National Comorbidity Survey--Adolescent Supplement.

OBJECTIVES We estimated associations between school start time and adolescent weeknight bedtime, weeknight sleep duration, and weekend compensatory sleep and assessed whether associations differ by age, sex, or urbanicity. METHODS We used a subsample of a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of 7308 students aged 13 to 18 years attending 245 schools to estimate associations of school start time, reported by school principals, with weeknight bedtime and sleep duration and weekend compensatory sleep, reported during adolescent face-to-face interviews. RESULTS Start time was positively associated with weeknight bedtime. Associations between start time and weeknight sleep duration were nonlinear and were strongest for start times of 8:00 am and earlier. Associations differed by sex and urbanicity, with the strongest association among boys in major metropolitan counties. Start time was negatively associated with sleep duration among boys in nonurban counties. Start time was not associated with weekend compensatory sleep. CONCLUSIONS Positive overall associations between school start time and adolescent sleep duration at the national level support recent policy recommendations for delaying school start times. However, the impact of start time delays may differ by sex and urbanicity.
Low Risk Anomaly Everywhere - Evidence from Equity Sectors

We give strong empirical evidence of a risk anomaly in equity sectors in a number of regions and countries of developed and emerging markets, with the lowest risk stocks in each activity sector generating higher returns than would be expected given their levels of risk, and the converse outcome for the riskier stocks. We believe this evidence is a likely consequence of the fact that equity analyst and active fund managers tend to specialize in particular sectors and to mainly select stocks from those sectors. Additionally, constraints restricting the deviation of sector weights in active portfolios against their market capitalization benchmarks are often used by active fund managers, in particular by quantitative managers which tend to go as far as being sector neutral. As a consequence, we find that sector-neutral, low-risk approaches appear more efficient at generating alpha than non-sector neutral approaches, with the latter showing strong sector allocation towards financials, utilities and consumer staples than sector neutral, at least when applied to developed countries in a global universe. We also discuss some properties of low-risk investing such as tail risk, turnover and liquidity.
acid digestibilities with special emphasis on threonine Effect of common anti-nutritive factors and fibrous feedstuffs in pig diets on amino

Most feedstuffs contain antinutritive factors (ANF) such as insoluble fibers, lignins, tannins, and lectins. Intake of these ANF has the ability to reduce nutrient digestibility and to increase endogenous protein losses, such as through increased intestinal mucus secretion. The objective of this experiment was to determine the apparent ileal digestibilities (AID) of AA of 6 ANF-enriched diets to estimate endogenous protein loss associated with these ingredients in diets for young pigs. Forty-two 10-kg BW pigs fitted with a simple Tcannula at the distal ileum were randomly assigned to 1 of 7 casein-based diets with: no supplement (control), 100 g/kg of canola meal (CM), 100 g/kg of wheat bran (WB), 150 g/kg of barley (BR), 22.5 g/kg of lignin (LG), 15 g/kg of kidney beans [as a lectin (LE) source], and 15 g/kg of tannins (TN). All diets were formulated to be similar in N, indispensable AA, and caloric contents.
The Tax Protein of Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Mediates the Transactivation of the c-sis/Platelet-derived Growth Factor-B Promoter through Interactions with the Zinc Finger Transcription Factors Sp1 and NGFI-A/Egr-1*

Transcriptional up-regulation of the c-sis/platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) proto-oncogene by the Tax protein of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 has been implicated as one possible mechanism of cellular transformation by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1. In previous work, we identified an essential site in the c-sis/PDGF-B promoter, Tax-responsive element 1 (TRE1), necessary for transactivation by Tax. We also identified Sp1, Sp3, and NGFI-A/Egr-1 as the primary nuclear transcription factors binding to TRE1 which mediate Tax responsiveness. In the present work, we have investigated the mechanism(s) whereby Tax transactivates the c-sis/PDGF-B proto-oncogene. In vitrotranscription assays showed that Tax was able to significantly increase the transcriptional activity of a template containing the −257 to +74 region of the c-sis/PDGF-B promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay analysis showed that Tax increased the DNA binding activity of both Sp1 and NGFI-A/Egr-1 using a TRE1 probe. Analysis of Tax mutants showed that two mutants, IEXC29S and IEXL320G, were unable to significantly transactivate the c-sis/PDGF-B promoter. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that Tax is able to stably bind to both Sp1 and NGFI-A/Egr-1. Interestingly, co-immunoprecipitation analysis also revealed that Tax mutant IEXC29S is unable to interact with NGFI-A/Egr-1, whereas Tax mutant IEXL320G is able to interact with NGFI-A/Egr-1.
Appendicectomy and childhood hygiene: different sides of the same coin?

See article on page494 The aetiology of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease remains an enigma. There is, however, a growing consensus that early events/exposure are of importance and constitute a “window of opportunity”. Both analytical and observational studies as well as animal models give credence to this hypothesis. Smoking has, until recently, been the only factor that has been consistently associated with an increased risk of Crohn’s disease and a decreased risk of ulcerative colitis. Appendicectomy has now been added to this very short list as there has been a consistent finding in several studies that this operation is associated with a decreased risk of ulcerative colitis.1 2 Duggan et al ’s study (see page 494) confirms these results. Their findings for childhood hygiene are in accordance with previous studies where the availability of hot running water is associated …
Caffeine in the Treatment of Apnea Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Neonates and Infants

Background. The xanthines have been shown to be effective in the treatment of apnea of prematurity. Limited reports are available in the literature concerning the use of these agents with apnea related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. Methods. A retrospective review was done to identify infants who received caffeine therapy for RSV-associated apnea. The number of apneic episodes during the 2 hours before the use of caffeine and the number of apneic episodes after the administration of caffeine were compared using a Wilcoxon nonparametric test. Results. The 7 infants ranged in age from 14 to 64 days and in weight from 2.8 to 4.4 kg. The number of apneic episodes per hour for the 2 to 3 hours before the administration of caffeine ranged from 7 to 12, and the number of episodes during the 3 hours after the administration of the first dose of caffeine ranged from 0 to 2. The apneic episodes after caffeine responded to external stimulation. Apnea recurred in 3 infants, 18 to 24 hours after the first dose of caffeine. These infants received a second dose of caffeine (5 mg/kg). Conclusions. Caffeine should be considered in the treatment of apnea related to RSV infections in neonates and infants.
Relative clause attachment in Dutch: On-line comprehension corresponds to corpus frequencies when lexical variables are taken into account

Desmet, Brysbaert, and De Baecke (2002a) showed that the production of relative clauses following two potential attachment hosts (e.g., ‘Someone shot the servant of the actress who was on the balcony’) was influenced by the animacy of the first host. These results were important because they refuted evidence from Dutch against experience-based accounts of syntactic ambiguity resolution, such as the tuning hypothesis. However, Desmet et al. did not provide direct evidence in favour of tuning, because their study focused on production and did not include reading experiments. In the present paper this line of research was extended. A corpus analysis and an eye-tracking experiment revealed that when taking into account lexical properties of the NP host sites (i.e., animacy and concreteness) the frequency pattern and the on-line comprehension of the relative clause attachment ambiguity do correspond. The implications for exposure-based accounts of sentence processing are discussed.
Influence of histamine H3 receptors on pressor effect of leptin administered centrally in haemorrhage-shocked rats

IN T R O D U C T IO N : Leptin administered intracerebroventricularly (icv) evokes the resuscitating effect in haemorrhage-shocked rats, and the action is associated with activation of the histaminergic system. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible role of the histamine H3 receptor in leptin-evoked cardiovascular effects. M A T E R IA L S A ND M E T H O DS : Studies were performed in male Wistar rats subjected to irreversible haemorrhagic shock (0% survival at 2 h) with a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 20–25 mmHg that were anaesthetized with ketamine/xylazine (100 mg/kg + 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). At 5 minutes of critical hypotension the animals were injected icv with leptin (20 μg) or 0.9% NaCl (5 μl). R E S U L TS : Haemorrhage resulted in a decrease in pulse pressure (PP) and heart rate (HR). Leptin evoked long-lasting rises in MAP, PP and HR with 100% survival at 2 h. Pre-treatment with histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist/H4 partial agonist clobenpropit (42.5 nmol, icv), but not with H3 receptor neutral antagonist VUF 5681 (50 nmol, icv), inhibited MAP and PP changes evoked by leptin, however, without an influence on HR or survival rate at 2 h. C O N C L U S IO N S : The histamine H3 receptor can influence the centrally-acting leptin-induced resuscitating effect in haemorrhagic shock in rats.
The Effects of Mandating Benefits Packages

This paper identifies and, where possible, quantifies potential labor market consequences of government mandating of employee benefits. The author argues that mandating benefits could increase benefit coverage and generosity for numerous workers and their families. However, even when mandating benefits does improve benefit provision, there will be offsetting effects including wage and other benefit cuts, reduced work hours, reduced employment, and possibly output reductions in covered sectors. Employer bias against "expensive to insure" workers may also result, producing labor market sorting and segmentation. In addition, many workers currently without benefit coverage are employees of small firms, women, pan-time and minimum wage workers. Frequently, mandated benefit proposals exclude or reduce coverage for these workers to alleviate the financial burden on small firms. As a result, many uninsured people will not be helped by the type of mandated employee benefit program currently under review. A separate approach would probably be needed to meet the needs of those not covered by mandated benefit programs.
Nutritional Status and Work Fatigue (Study at Night Bus Drivers in South and West Sulawesi)

This research aimed to evaluate the risk of traffic accidents factors related to the working fatigue of the night-shifted bus drivers. The Type of the research was analytic observation and exploration events during the drivers working with "hybrid design study" that is the combination between the research cohort cross-sectional elements and elements in which the cross-sectional elements were clustered to a cohort of research that output was unknown. The samples were 46 drivers who were selected in the inclusive criteria. Respondents were examined on their health condition (blood pressure, pulses, reaction hemoglobin, hematocrit, ferritin, BMI, blood sugar in time, lungs car and they were monitored along the ways to Reviews their destinations, and results were recorded in a log book. Data is used univariate analysis technique by describing; characteristics of the respondents, the bivariate technique by using cross tabulation and multivariate technique by using logistic regression. The result shows that the hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin contents, BMI (Body Mass Index) nutrition intake, and lungs capacity do not have significant relationships with reaction time. Hemoglobin, hematocrit content, BMI and nutrition intakes do have significant relationships with the symptoms of drossiness. Together with hematocrit, hemoglobin, BMI and nutrition intakes give a significant contribution to the occurrence of drowsiness on the night-shifted bus drivers. The drivers are suggested to have regular eating patterns, sleeping patterns and fulfill necessities to maintain sufficient liquid Reviews their stamina during driving.
The validation of cardiovascular risk scores for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective Various cardiovascular prediction models have been developed for patients with type 2 diabetes. Their predictive performance in new patients is mostly not investigated. This study aims to quantify the predictive performance of all cardiovascular prediction models developed specifically for diabetes patients. Design and methods Follow-up data of 453, 1174 and 584 type 2 diabetes patients without pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the EPIC-NL, EPIC-Potsdam and Secondary Manifestations of ARTerial disease cohorts, respectively, were used to validate 10 prediction models to estimate risk of CVD or coronary heart disease (CHD). Discrimination was assessed by the c-statistic for time-to-event data. Calibration was assessed by calibration plots, the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic and expected to observed ratios. Results There was a large variation in performance of CVD and CHD scores between different cohorts. Discrimination was moderate for all 10 prediction models, with c-statistics ranging from 0.54 (95% CI 0.46 to 0.63) to 0.76 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.84). Calibration of the original models was poor. After simple recalibration to the disease incidence of the target populations, predicted and observed risks were close. Expected to observed ratios of the recalibrated models ranged from 1.06 (95% CI 0.81 to 1.40) to 1.55 (95% CI 0.95 to 2.54), mainly driven by an overestimation of risk in high-risk patients. Conclusions All 10 evaluated models had a comparable and moderate discriminative ability. The recalibrated, but not the original, prediction models provided accurate risk estimates. These models can assist clinicians in identifying type 2 diabetes patients who are at low or high risk of developing CVD.
Age benefits in everyday prospective memory: The influence of personal task importance, use of reminders and everyday stress

ABSTRACT The present diary study examined everyday prospective memory tasks in younger and old adults and explored the role of personal task importance, use of reminders and everyday stress as possible correlates of age-related prospective memory performance in everyday life. Results revealed an age benefit in everyday prospective memory tasks. In addition, task importance was identified as a critical moderator of age-related prospective memory performance. More frequent use of reminders and lower levels of stress, however, were associated with better prospective memory performance in general but did not contribute to age-related prospective memory performance. Exploring further possible correlates of prospective memory revealed that the strategy to reprioritize initially planned intentions was associated with age benefits in everyday prospective memory. Results suggest that the age-related benefit observed in experimenter-given tasks transfers to everyday prospective memory and varies in dependence of motivational and cognitive factors. Implications for theoretical models of prospective memory and aging are discussed.
Novel Multiple Mutations in the Topoisomerase Gene of Haitian Variant Vibrio cholerae O1

Cholera has reinstated its deadly grip on the planet with recent epidemics in Zimbabwe and Haiti ([1][1], [2][2]), along with the emergence of Vibrio cholerae having reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. India also experiences frequent outbreaks caused by multidrug-resistant V. cholerae ([3][3
Socio-economic factors influencing the spread of malaria in Likoni Division, Mombasa District, Kenya

A study to identify socio-economic factors that are important in the spread of malaria was conducted in Likoni Division of Coast Province, Kenya, between April and July 2004. The study focused on knowledge about malaria, preventive measures, health seeking behaviour and the economic factors influencing the community treatment seeking behaviour for malaria. A sample of 400 household heads was studied. An average of 69.75% of the respondents knew the signs and symptoms of the disease. Chi-square test of independence was used to establish the relationship between the level of education and level of knowledge on the cause of malaria and it was significant (p < 0.001). The respondents were knowledgeable on the cause of malaria. Out 380 (95%) respondents who mentioned 'mosquito bite' as the cause for malaria, 293 respondents (73.3%) attributed it to other causes as well. Although public health facilities were within easy reach, (1 5km) from the respondents' households, selftreatment was very common: of the 400 respondents interviewed, 73.8% treated themselves at home with herbal remedies and/or medicine purchased from local shops, chemists and control programs; 7.8% treated themselves through traditional healers; and 18.5% received treatment at the health facilities. Chi-square test of independence was used to establish the relationship between the level of income and the community seeking health behaviour and it was significant (p < 0.001). The most commonly bought drug was Malaratab® a proprietary form of chloroquine, while a small percentage (3%) administered analgesics alone thought to be full doses of treatment. Chi-square test of independence was used to establish the relationship between the level of knowledge on the cause of malaria and knowledge on the breeding sites of mosquitoes and it was significant (p<0.001) and the same test was used to establish the relationship between the level of knowledge on the cause of