Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate Governance Reforms and Cross-Border Acquisitions

We investigate how investor protection (IP) affects target selection when a firm decides to enter a foreign market through an acquisition. A law and finance model shows the acquirer prefers better-performing firms when the target country has weaker IP than its home country. This cherry picking tendency becomes stronger when the gap in IP increases and becomes weaker when the gap decreases. Data on acquisition bids from 13 strong-IP countries for firms located in 20 weak-IP countries reveal that cherry picking intensifies after an acquirer’s home country enacts a corporate governance reform (CGR), enlarging the IP gap between the acquirer and target countries. Conversely, cherry picking moderates after a target country undertakes a CGR, narrowing the IP gap. These results imply that the IP gap between acquirer and target countries distorts firm-level allocation of foreign capital inflows and reduces the benefits of globalization.
Quantitative biomechanical analysis of the influence of the cortical bone and implant length on primary stability.

AIM The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of cortical bone and increasing implant fixture length on primary stability. Further investigation considered the correlation between the presence of cortical bone at the marginal bone and implant stability measured by insertion torque (IT) and resonance frequency analysis (RFA), as well as implant length, were determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two different types of polyurethane bone models were compared. (Group 1: with cortical and cancellous bone; Group 2: with cancellous bone only). A total of 60 external type implants (∅ 4.1, OSSTEM(®), US II(®)) with different lengths (7, 10, and 13 mm) were used. IT was recorded automatically by a computer which was connected to the Implant fixture installation device during the placement. RFA was conducted to quantify the primary implant stability quotient (ISQ). All two measurements were repeated 10 times for each group. RESULTS All these differences were statistically significant between the two groups (P < 0.001) and intragroups (P < 0.001). Upon comparing the IT, cortical bone appears to have a greater influence on implant stability than implant lengths, whereas the RFA value strongly affects implant length rather than the presence of the crestal cortical bone. CONCLUSIONS The quantitative biomechanical evaluations clearly demonstrated that primary implant stability seems to be influenced by the presence of a cortical plate and total surface area of the implant fixture appears to be the decisive determinant for ISQ value.
Intellectual Capital Reporting in Knowledge Economy: Evidence from Egypt

PurposeThis study examines voluntary intellectual capital reporting (ICR) in Egyptian companies' annual reports with a view to understand ing ICR practice as well as eliciting the barriers that might impact the development and impl e entation of IC indicators in Egyptian setting. Design/methodology/approachThis is an exploratory study based on analysing sec ondary data to examine the extent to which the CASE 30 Egyptian listed companies are adopting methodologies for reporting intellectual capital (I C) in their annual reports as of December 31, 2007. Furthermore, an empirical survey was carried out to test the usefulness of IC indicators in decisions and shed light on possible barriers that might impact IC indicators development and implementation. The reason for choosing this approa ch in this stage of research is the lack of research that deals with this particular issue in t he Egyptian context. FindingsThe results indicate that significant differences in market and book values of the CASE 30 Egyptian companies were found. Levels of volunta ry disclosure of IC items are relatively low while disclosures are dominated by customer relatio ns tems. Additionally, the disclosures are in qualitative rather than quantitative style. The mos t important barriers that might impact the development and implementation of IC are cost and t ime associated with developing IC indicators. Research limitationsLimitations include the small sample size of Egypti an companies used in conducting the content analysis to examine IC repor ting level. Practical implicationsThe results suggest the need for further developmen ts in Egyptian accounting standards to take into account IC disclo sure in annual reports of companies. Originality/valueThis paper makes an original contribution to the growing body of empirical studies on IC reporting in Western studies in devel op d countries and describes the usefulness of IC reporting in Egypt. The study contributes to the body of research done in this area, as most of research has been conducted in developed countries such as the UK, Scandinavia, Austria, Canada, and the USA. There is a lack of empirical r esearch at organizational level in the field of intellectual capital in Egypt, which is, socially, economically and culturally different from developed countries. The results of the study provi de directions towards building a strong knowledge base for future intellectual capital deve lopment. KeywordsIntellectual capital, Intellectual capital report ing, Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchange, Annual reports, the CASE 30 companies, Eg yptian Accounting Standards Research typeResearch paper.
Increased Levels of Albumin in Bronchial Washing Fluid of Patients with Bronchial Carcinoma. Could Albumin be Considered as a Tumor Marker?

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of albumin in bronchial washing fluid (BWF) and its relationship to three tumor markers (CEA, CA 19–9 and NSE). Methods Serum and BWF samples were collected in a group of 60 patients. Albumin and tumor markers in the BWF and serum of three groups: a control group (CG), a chronic bronchitis group (CBG) and a lung cancer group (CaG), were analyzed in a prospective cross-sectional study. The diagnostic yields of the tests in each environment (serum and BWF) were evaluated by using as cutoff points the values of the corresponding 90th percentile of CG and CBG taken together. Results A significant difference in albumin level (p<0.001) was noted in the BWF of patients with cancer compared with the other two groups. In addition, a significant difference in CEA level (p<0.001) was observed in the serum of cancer patients compared with the other two groups. The cutoff values for CEA in serum and albumin in BWF were 2.20 ng/mL and 2.00 g/dL, respectively. The areas under the corresponding ROC curves were 93% and 97%. Combination of CEA-serum and albumin-BWF by logistic regression analysis increased their diagnostic value. Conclusion Measurement of albumin levels in BWF could be a useful additional diagnostic tool to differentiate malignant from non-malignant lung diseases. Moreover, the combined measurement of CEA in serum and albumin in BWF could be of aid in the follow-up of lung cancer patients.
Limited water infusion decreases pain during minimally sedated colonoscopy.

AIM To investigate a limited water infusion method in colonoscopy. METHODS Consecutive patients undergoing minimally sedated colonoscopy were randomized to receive air insufflation (n = 89) or water infusion limited to the rectum, sigmoid colon and descending colon (n = 90). Completion rates, cecal intubation times, procedure times, need for abdominal compression, turning of patients and levels of discomfort were evaluated. RESULTS Completion rates, total procedure times, need for abdominal compression, and turning of patients were similar between groups. Less pain was experienced in the water group than in the air group (2.5 ± 2.5 vs 3.4 ± 2.8, mean ± SD, P = 0.021). The cecal intubation time was significantly longer in the water group than in the air group (6.4 ± 3.1 min vs 4.5 ± 2.4 min, P < 0.001). More water was infused in the water group (322 ± 80.9 mL vs 26.2 ± 39.4 mL, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Limited airless water infusion in the distal colon reduces patients' pain during colonoscopy.
Dyslexia

Since libraries have considerable experience in catering for users with a wide range of disabilities, it is only natural to expect that they can find ways of coping with users suffering from dyslexia. This would fit well with the public libraries’ mission: to facilitate access to information and resources in a variety of media and should therefore place them at the forefront of assisting people with the disability of dyslexia. A PhD research project: Public library provision of resources for dyslexic individuals’; was undertaken at the Department of Information Science, Loughborough University, from December 1992 to 2000. The main focus of the investigation was primary research to establish what libraries are doing to ensure effective resource provision for dyslexic individuals. An extensive literature review is followed by the results of a questionnaire survey of 114 library authorities in England and Wales (75 per cent response rate) to determine the extent to which public libraries are providing for dyslexic users. Although the very high response rate indicated considerable interest in the subject of dyslexia resource provision, the survey data revealed that the level of activity in support of people with dyslexia was very modest, with only 16.7 per cent of the authorities claiming to have policy statements on special needs in general and even fewer (7 per cent) claiming that their policies directly covered dyslexia. A study of the policy documents revealed that many of the policies only covered dyslexia by inference and in no case was dyslexia specifically mentioned. Reluctance to use the term was almost universal amongst library authorities and, with a few notable exceptions, little was being done to address the needs of dyslexic users. The study concluded that: public libraries are not organizing and promoting resources for dyslexic individuals in a way that helps them to overcome the obstacles limiting library use; information about dyslexia is commonly held in public libraries, but few library authorities are doing much to address specifically the wider resource needs of dyslexic individuals; some library authorities are doing more than others; and the library profession and major bodies dealing with dyslexia are not providing proactive leadership in the area of resource provision for people with dyslexia. Some of the ways in which public libraries can work to remedy this situation are presented.
The Transcriptome of Equine Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Complete transcriptomic data at high resolution are available only for a few model organisms with medical importance. The gene structures of non-model organisms are mostly computationally predicted based on comparative genomics with other species. As a result, more than half of the horse gene models are known only by projection. Experimental data supporting these gene models are scarce. Moreover, most of the annotated equine genes are single-transcript genes. Utilizing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) the experimental validation of predicted transcriptomes has become accessible at reasonable costs. To improve the horse genome annotation we performed RNA-seq on 561 samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from 85 Warmblood horses. The mapped sequencing reads were used to build a new transcriptome assembly. The new assembly revealed many alternative isoforms associated to known genes or to those predicted by the Ensembl and/or Gnomon pipelines. We also identified 7,531 transcripts not associated with any horse gene annotated in public databases. Of these, 3,280 transcripts did not have a homologous match to any sequence deposited in the NCBI EST database suggesting horse specificity. The unknown transcripts were categorized as coding and noncoding based on predicted coding potential scores. Among them 230 transcripts had high coding potential score, at least 2 exons, and an open reading frame of at least 300 nt. We experimentally validated 9 new equine coding transcripts using RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. Our results provide valuable detailed information on many transcripts yet to be annotated in the horse genome.
This item is the archived peer-reviewed author-version of: Phylogenetic analysis of the Trypanosoma genus based on the heat-shock protein 70 gene

Trypanosome evolution was so far essentially studied on the basis of phylogenetic analyses of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) and glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) genes. We used for the first time the 70 kDa heat-shock protein gene ( hsp 70) to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among 11 Trypanosoma species on the basis of 1380 nucleotides from 76 sequences corresponding to 65 strains. We also constructed a phylogeny based on combined datasets of SSU-rDNA, gGADPH and hsp 70 sequences. The obtained clusters can be correlated with the sections and subgenus classifications of mammal-infecting trypanosomes except for T. theileri and T. rangeli . Our analysis supports the classification of Trypanosoma species into clades rather than in sections and subgenera, some of which being polyphyletic. Nine clades were recognized: T. carassi, T. congolense, T. cruzi, T. grayi, T. lewisi, T. rangeli, T. theileri, T. vivax and Trypanozoon . These results are consistent with existing knowledge of the genus’ phylogeny. Within the T. cruzi clade, three groups of T. cruzi discrete typing units could be clearly distinguished, corresponding to TcI, TcIII, and TcII+V+VI, while support for TcIV was lacking. Phylogenetic analyses based on hsp 70 demonstrated that this molecular marker can be applied for discriminating most of the Trypanosoma species and clades.
Cytotoxicity, pro‐oxidant effects and antioxidant depletion in rat lung alveolar macrophages exposed to ultrafine titanium dioxide

In order to understand the pulmonary toxicity of ultrafine titanium dioxide (UF‐TiO2) particles, various biochemical and chemical parameters were assayed in rat alveolar macrophages (AMs) and cell‐free lavage fluid. Single intratracheal exposure of UF‐TiO2 (2 mg per rat) caused cytotoxicity to pulmonary AMs. An increase in the population of AMs could be observed, followed by increased activities of lactate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase in cell‐free lavage fluid. In addition, AMs showed an adaptive response because the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione S‐transferase were increased in these cells. However, this enhancement of antioxidant enzymes could not diminish the enhanced lipid peroxidation and increased rate of hydrogen peroxide generation. The level of glutathione remained decreased in UF‐TiO2‐exposed rat AMs. The data suggest that the induction of antioxidant enzymes by these cells for self‐protection is not sufficient to cope against the toxic action of UF‐TiO2, which may lead to oxidative stress. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mitochondrial functions on oocytes and preimplantation embryos

Oocyte quality has long been considered as a main limiting factor for in vitro fertilization (IVF). In the past decade, extensive observations demonstrated that the mitochondrion plays a vital role in the oocyte cytoplasm, for it can provide adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for fertilization and preimplantation embryo development and also act as stores of intracellular calcium and proapoptotic factors. During the oocyte maturation, mitochondria are characterized by distinct changes of their distribution pattern from being homogeneous to heterogeneous, which is correlated with the cumulus apoptosis. Oocyte quality decreases with the increasing maternal age. Recent studies have shown that low quality oocytes have some age-related dysfunctions, which include the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, increase of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damages, chromosomal aneuploidies, the incidence of apoptosis, and changes in mitochondrial gene expression. All these dysfunctions may cause a high level of developmental retardation and arrest of preimplantation embryos. It has been suggested that these mitochondrial changes may arise from excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) that is closely associated with the oxidative energy production or calcium overload, which may trigger permeability transition pore opening and subsequent apoptosis. Therefore, mitochondria can be seen as signs for oocyte quality evaluation, and it is possible that the oocyte quality can be improved by enhancing the physical function of mitochondria. Here we reviewed recent advances in mitochondrial functions on oocytes.
The Phenolic Substances and Antioxidant Activity of White Saffron (Curcuma mangga Val.) as Affected by Blanching Methods

— Background and objectives: Most of the agricultural products are processed by blanching. Blanching can increase antioxidant activity in white saffron products. The objective of this research were to determine antioxidant activity, to identify, and to measure changes in phenolic substances of fresh and blanched white saffron rhizomes ( Curcuma mangga Val.). Methods: White saffron rhizomes were peeled, washed and blanched in boiling water containing 0% or 0.05% citric acid solution for 5 and 10 minutes. Samples were extracted using methanol, rotaevaporated, and freezedried. Dried extract was determined antioxidant activity by DPPH method, identified and quantified for the phenolic substances by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) equipped with coloumn C 18 and Photodiode-array detector (PAD). Result: This research showed that the quantity of the 6 phenolic substances identified in blanched white saffron in citric acid solution increased significantly compared to that of the non-blanched. Blanching white saffron in 0.05% citric acid media for 5 minutes increased its antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content. Conclusions: The identified phenolic substances of white saffron were Gallic Acid (GA), Catechin (C), Epicatechin (EC), Epigallocatechin (EGC), Epigallocatechingallat (EGCG) and Gallocatechingallat (GCG). The blanched white saffron contained C and EGCG significantly higher than that of fresh rhizomes.
A Statistical Exploration of the Relationships of Soil Moisture Characteristics to the Physical Properties of Soils

Stochastic modeling of soil water fluxes in the absence of measured hydraulic parameters requires a knowledge of the expected distribution of the hydraulic parameters in different soil types. Predictive relationships describing the hydraulic parameter distributions must be developed based on the common descriptors of the physical properties of soils (e.g., texture, structure, particle size distribution). Covariation among the hydraulic parameters within these relationships must be identified. Data for 1448 soil samples were examined in an evaluation of the usefulness of qualitative descriptors as predictors of soil hydraulic behavior. Analysis of variance and multiple linear regression techniques were used to derive quantitative expressions for the moments of the hydraulic parameters as functions of the particle size distributions (percent sand, silt, and clay content) of soils. Discriminant analysis suggests that the covariation of the hydraulic parameters can be used to construct a classification scheme based on the hydraulic behavior of soils that is analogous to the textural classification scheme based on the sand, silt, and clay content of soils.
Comparing Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis with Multilocus Sequence Typing, spa Typing, Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec (SCCmec) Typing, and PCR for Panton-Valentine Leukocidin, arcA, and opp3 in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates at a U.S. Medical Center

ABSTRACT Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a common cause of skin infections and invasive infections in community dwellers in the United States since the late 1990s. Isolates characterized as USA300 by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) are the predominant strain type in these infections. USA100 and USA500 strains commonly cause health care-associated infections. We compared PFGE with a number of other methods of genotyping in a sample of 149 clinical MRSA isolates from the University of Chicago Medical Center. The 5 USA500 isolates yielded 3 spa types and 2 multilocus sequence types (MLSTs). Among the 24 USA100 isolates, 21 (88%) were of spa type t002, 19 (79%) were of ST5, 2 carried arcA and opp3, and 1 was Panton-Valentine leukocidin positive (PVL+). Among the 102 USA300 isolates, 96 (94%) were of ST8 and 94 (92%) were of spa type t008. The combination of traits that provided the best sensitivity (98%), specificity (97%), positive predictive value (PPV) (99%), and negative predictive value (NPV) (95%) for identifying USA300 isolates were the presence of the arcA gene and the presence of the PVL genes (area under the curve, 0.980; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.955 to 1.0). PFGE did not delineate a homogeneous group of MRSA genetic backgrounds, as documented for other typing methods, particularly for USA500 and USA100 pulsotypes. Documenting the presence of arcA and PVL genes by PCR was an efficient and accurate means of identifying USA300 in a collection of MRSA isolates in which USA300 is common. None of the tested genotyping methods provided an accurate means of identifying the next most common PFGE-based backgrounds, USA100 and USA500.
Five-Year Antimicrobial Susceptibility Trends Among Bacterial Isolates from a Tertiary Health-Care Facility in Kigali, Rwanda.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health threat. There is limited information from Rwanda on AMR trends. This longitudinal study aimed to describe temporal trends of antibiotic susceptibility among common bacteria. We collated the antimicrobial susceptibility results of bacteria cultured from clinical specimens collected from inpatients and outpatients and submitted to the microbiology laboratory at King Faisal Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda, from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2013. Differences in antimicrobial susceptibility between the first and fifth year of the study for each bacterial species was assessed using χ2 test. Of 5,296 isolates collected, 46.7% were Escherichia coli, 18.4% were Klebsiella spp. , 5.9% were Acinetobacter spp. , 7.1% were Pseudomonas spp. , 11.7% were Staphylococcus aureus, and 10.3% were Enterococcus spp. Colistin and imipenem had greatest activity against gram-negative bacteria. Acinetobacter spp. showed the greatest resistance profile to antimicrobials tested, relative to other gram-negative bacteria. Vancomycin retained excellent activity against S. aureus and Enterococcus species (average susceptibility was 100% and 99.4%, respectively). Trend analysis determined that resistance to imipenem increased significantly among Klebsiella, E. coli, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter isolates; there was also rising resistance to colistin among E. coli and Pseudomonas species. Only E. coli demonstrated increased resistance to gentamicin. For gram-positive pathogens, vancomycin susceptibility increased over time for Enterococcus species, but was unchanged for S. aureus Our data suggest that resistance to imipenem and colistin are rising among gram-negative bacteria in Rwanda. Proper infection control practices and antimicrobial stewardship will be important to address this emerging threat.