Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of attention on social functioning in survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia and brain tumors

The cognitive late effects experienced by many survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and brain tumors are well‐established. The most commonly reported deficit is difficulty with attention. Problems with social functioning have also been identified, but their relationship with cognitive functioning is not well understood. This multi‐site, cross‐sectional study aimed to examine the impact of attention on social functioning.
Attribution Errors in Federalist Systems: When Voters Punish the President for Local Tax Increases

How do voters attribute blame when policy responsibility is shared? While central to accountability, this question is difficult to answer because “who does what” is often ambiguous. This article exploits a case where policy responsibility is unambiguous: local tax referendums. Although presidents have no control over property taxes or the decision to raise local rates, I find that voters punish the president’s party for tax increases enacted via direct democracy. This effect is robust to adjusting for population-based measures of the local economy, as well as panel and discontinuity designs to account for unobserved factors. The effect varies with the magnitude of the tax increase but not with local economic performance, suggesting that voters react to the change in spending money, as opposed to being “primed” to consider national issues. Thus, voters punish officials not only for events that no one controls but also for policies that voters themselves enact.
Measuring the Competitiveness of Islamic Banking in Indonesian Dual Banking System

Islamic banks in many countries have emerged as important component of financial system that contributes to the growth and development of the country’s economy. They have proven to be a viable and competitive component of the overall financial system. In the dual banking system, Islamic banks have to be competitive to survive. One of the key to competitiveness is efficiency. This study will measure and compare the efficiency of Islamic and conventional banks in Indonesia using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology. DEA is a non-parametric, deterministic methodology for determining the relative efficiency and managerial performance, based on the empirical data on chosen inputs and outputs of a number of decision making units. DEA allows us to compare the relative efficiency of banks by determining the efficient banks as benchmarks and by measuring the inefficiencies in input combinations (slack variables) in other banks relative to the benchmark. Intermediation approach will be applied. This study will identify the sources and level of inefficiency for each of the inputs and outputs of Islamic banks and conventional banks in Indonesia. The result shows that in overall, Islamic banking is relatively more efficient than conventional banking. This means that Islamic banks are competitive enough to compete with conventional banks. Islamic banking is technically more efficient, but less scale efficient than conventional banking. Internal inefficiency is the main source of disintermediation of conventional banking in Indonesia. Furthermore, accelerated expansion, organically and inorganically, is needed to improve scale and overall efficiencies of Islamic banking in Indonesia. Keywords: Banking, Islamic Banking, Efficiency, Data Envelopment Analysis
The impact of government debt on the long-run natural real interest rate – a quantitative evaluation

ABSTRACT Persistently low natural real interest rates are a problem for monetary policy and financial stability. I analyse to what extent a permanent increase in government debt that is financed by higher taxes could raise the long-run natural real interest rate. As a measurement tool, I use an incomplete markets model with capital and government bonds. Increasing the public debt/GDP ratio by one percentage point raises the real interest rate by between 0.4 and 1.5 basis points, depending on the degree of inequality generated by the model and the tax instrument used to balance the government’s budget constraint. I also show that the interest rate effect of a change in public debt/GDP predicted by the model is significantly smaller than its empirical counterpart for the US, due to the fact that the model understates the empirical fraction of households that are constrained in their consumption decision.
Prevalence of Earlobe Creases and Their Association With History of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Earlobe creases are surrogate markers for high risk of cardiovascular disease. There is no data concerning earlobe creases among hemodialysis patients, who have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. A cross‐sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of earlobe creases and their association with prevalent cardiovascular disease among hemodialysis patients. Patients undergoing hemodialysis were recruited from five outpatient hemodialysis centers. Both earlobes were photographed during a dialysis session with the patient in a supine position and the photos evaluated independently by two experienced nephrologists blinded to the participants' clinical characteristics. Prevalent cardiovascular diseases were defined as a history of myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, or peripheral vascular disease. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for detection of prevalent cardiovascular disease were calculated. Logistic analysis was used to examine the association between earlobe creases and prevalent cardiovascular disease. Earlobe creases were identified in 24.5% of 330 hemodialysis patients (200 men; mean age, 67.8 years). The prevalence of earlobe creases increased with age for men (P for trend <0.0001), but not for women (P for trend = 0.07). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 30.9% (95% confidence interval, 21.9–41.6), 77.5% (71.9–82.3), 30.9% (21.9–41.6), and 77.5% (71.9–82.3), respectively. Multivariate logistic analyses indicated the prevalence of earlobe crease was not associated with prevalent cardiovascular diseases. The prevalence is similar to that previously reported for Japanese individuals not undergoing dialysis. No association between earlobe creases and prevalent cardiovascular diseases was identified.
Frequency and prognosis of new bundle branch block induced by surgical aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVES Recently, transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been introduced, but one of its complications is left bundle branch block (LBBB), a conduction disturbance that has been associated with increased mortality. We investigated the incidence and fate of both right bundle branch block (RBBB) and LBBB after aortic valve replacement (AVR) using a retrospective analysis. We also studied the predictive value of both disorders for all-cause mortality. METHODS All patients who underwent AVR, with or without concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, between 2002 and 2010 in our centre were included. All-cause mortality was compared between patients who did and those who did not develop persistent new bundle branch block (BBB) within 7 days postoperatively. Patients were not eligible if one of their electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings prior to AVR showed a BBB or pacemaker activity. A postoperative period of 3-12 months was used to collect follow-up ECGs. RESULTS Of the 2279 AVR patients, 2033 patients were eligible for analysis. After excluding patients lacking baseline or follow-up ECG (n = 269), 1764 patients remained for analysis. Early LBBB and RBBB occurred in 71 (4.0%) and 92 (5.2%) patients, respectively. At follow-up, LBBB was persistent in 29 patients (1.6%) and RBBB in 74 patients (4.2%). During a median follow-up of 4.5 (2.4-6.5) years, the mortality rate was 16.3% (n = 271) in patients without BBB, 24.1% (n = 7) in patients with persistent LBBB and 18.9% (n = 14) in patients with persistent RBBB (log-rank P = 0.49). Though, in univariate analysis, the hazard ratio for mortality was 1.54 and 1.10 for LBBB and RBBB, respectively, the small numbers precluded identifying AVR-induced LBBB and RBBB as a predictor of mortality. CONCLUSIONS In the current practice of AVR, persistent postoperative LBBB and RBBB occur infrequently (∼ 5% of cases), a percentage less than half of that in current transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures. Given the adverse effects of LBBB, the lower prevalence of procedure-induced LBBB in AVR should be taken into account while deciding which valve replacement procedure is chosen for a patient.
Costs and complications of equine castration: a UK practice-based study comparing 'standing nonsutured' and 'recumbent sutured' techniques.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Clinicians are often asked to guide owners and trainers over the relative advantages and disadvantages of equine castration performed in either the standing horse with an open unsutured scrotal wound with healing by second intention, or a recumbent horse under general anaesthesia in aseptic conditions, with sutured scrotal skin allowing primary wound closure. OBJECTIVES To identify types and frequency of complications following the 2 differing approaches, and to compare the financial cost associated with each procedure, based on practice charges. METHODS Veterinary expenses of 217 horses castrated by a Newmarket equine veterinary practice over an 18-month period were analysed. Of these, Group 1 (n = 121) were castrated standing and nonsutured by one of 2 ambulatory clinicians and Group 2 (n = 96) castrated in recumbency, in aseptic equine hospital conditions. RESULTS Group 1 had a complication prevalence of 22% with no mortalities, and Group 2 a significantly lower complication prevalence of 6% (P = 0.001) with a mortality rate of 1%. The financial cost of Group 1, without complications, was approximately one-third of the cost of uncomplicated Group 2. However, the cost of Group 1 with complications increased to approximately two-thirds of the cost of an uncomplicated Group 2 castration. CONCLUSIONS Even though the complication prevalence for Group 1 castrations leaving an open scrotal wound was significantly higher than for a recumbent horse with a sutured scrotal wound in a hospital, the average cost of Group 1 was still less, even taking into account the additional follow-up costs associated with treating such complications. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE This report provides a benchmark for the outcome of 2 methods of castration based on a database obtained from particular circumstances within the practice involved. Further studies are required to corroborate and take into account future development in surgical and anaesthetic techniques.
Handedness effects of imagined fine motor movements

ABSTRACT Previous studies of movement imagery have found inter-individual differences in the ability to imagine whole-body movements. The majority of these studies have used subjective scales to measure imagery ability, which may be confounded by other factors related to effort. Madan and Singhal [2013. Introducing TAMI: An objective test of ability in movement imagery. Journal of Motor Behavior, 45(2), 153–166. doi:10.1080/00222895.2013. 763764] developed the Test of Ability in Movement Imagery (TAMI) to address these confounds by using a multiple-choice format with objectively correct responses. Here we developed a novel movement imagery questionnaire targeted at assessing movement imagery of fine-motor hand movements. This questionnaire included two subscales: Functionally-involved Movement (i.e., tool-related) and Isolated Movement (i.e., hand-only). Hand-dominance effects were observed, such that right-handed participants were significantly better at responding to right-hand questions compared to left-hand questions for both imagery types. A stronger handedness effect was observed for Functionally-involved Movement imagery, and it did not correlate with the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. We propose that the Functionally-involved Movement imagery subscale provides an objective hand imagery test that induces egocentric spatial processing and a greater involvement of memory processes, potentially providing a better skill-based measure of handedness.
Managing entrepreneurial growth: timing the IPO

Asda Chintakananda Managing Entrepreneurial Growth: Timing the IPO (Under the direction of Dr. Hugh M. O’Neill) This dissertation examines how young private firms manage their entrepreneurial growth through the timing of their initial public offering (IPO). While previous research on IPOs has predominantly assumed that the process of “going public” should be timed to maximize financial benefits, anecdotal evidence has shown that the timing of IPOs also has competitive implications for firms’ strategic growth. Specifically, this study examines whether firms determine the timing of their IPO launch in accordance with what the theory of entrepreneurial action or real options reasoning would suggest, and how strategic considerations such as competition in both the product market and stock market influences such timing decisions. Integrating the theory of entrepreneurial action and real options reasoning, competing hypothesis are developed in which strategic considerations such as product market and stock market uncertainty will induce firms to either accelerate or defer the timing of their IPO launch depending on the influence of the venture capitalists. The timing of the IPO launch is also influenced by the level of competition in the product and stock market, as well as the irreversibility of the IPO decision. The analyses showed clear support for the direct relationship between uncertainty and the timing of IPO: when faced with uncertainty in the product market, firms act in accordance with what the theory of entrepreneurial action would suggest, however, when faced with uncertainty in the stock market, firms act in accordance with what the theory of real options reasoning would suggest. Compared with firms with lower levels of involvement from venture capitalists, firms with higher levels of involvement of venture capitalists are likely to have an early IPO timing. The analysis also supported the assumption that the timing of IPO is also influenced by the existence of competition in the product market and stock market.
Long-term efficacy and safety of pimobendan in moderate heart failure. A double-blind parallel 6-month comparison with enalapril. The Pimobendan-Enalapril Study Group.

In view of growing scepticism as to the efficacy and safety of agents with predominant phosphodiesterase inhibiting properties in heart failure, the clinical efficacy and safety of pimobendan, a calcium-sensitizing and partially phosphodiesterase-inhibiting compound, was compared with enalapril in 242 patients with mild to moderate heart failure (NYHA classification II-III) despite diuretics and digitalis, and abnormal haemodynamics at baseline. Patients were randomly assigned to either pimobendan (average 10.3 mg.day-1, n = 119), or enalapril (average 10.7 mg.day-1, n = 123) in a double-blind fashion for 6 months. Forty-two pimobendan and 37 enalapril patients stopped the treatment, five pimobendan and six enalapril due to worsening of failure without death, whereas 13 and eight patients, respectively, died from cardiac disorders (ns). Other reasons for discontinuation and adverse events not leading to discontinuation were also comparable. Although Holter analysis at 14 days, but not at 6 months, indicated increased ventricular extrasystoles in pimobendan patients, these did not lead to serious clinical events. NYHA classification improved similarly in both groups, from 2.51 to 2.16 (pimobendan) and from 2.40 to 2.06 (enalapril). The number of patients needing a change in background therapy or hospitalization did not differ between the two groups. Haemodynamic variables at rest were improved by both compounds after 6 months. In contrast, only enalapril improved haemodynamics during exercise, and reduced the cardiothoracic ratio. The primary endpoint, exercise capacity, increased significantly during the first 3 months by 45 and 53 s, under pimobendan and enalapril, respectively, but, although unchanged thereafter, the improvement was no longer statistically significant at 6 months in either group. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Meta-analyses of the effectiveness of intravenous immune globulin for prevention and treatment of neonatal sepsis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness of intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) in the prevention and treatment of neonatal sepsis. DESIGN All published studies of IVIG for the prevention or treatment of neonatal sepsis were reviewed. Peer-reviewed, prospective, randomized trials with high merit were analyzed by two meta-analyses. The effect of prophylactic IVIG was evaluated by comparison of the numbers of cases of sepsis (bacteremia in the presence of systemic manifestations of sepsis), and of therapeutic IVIG by comparison of the numbers of deaths resulting from early-onset sepsis. RESULTS Meta-analysis of 4933 evaluable newborns in 12 studies of IVIG prophylaxis showed a statistically significant negative association with the incidence of sepsis in premature low birth weight newborns given IVIG shortly after birth (P = .0193, two-sided). The heterogeneity across these studies precluded estimation of a common odds ratio. Meta-analysis of 110 evaluable cases of neonatal sepsis in three studies of IVIG treatment of neonatal sepsis showed a significant decrease in the mortality rate for neonates with sepsis given IVIG (P = .007, two-sided). The common odds ratio was . 173 (95% confidence interval = .031 to .735). CONCLUSIONS Using conservative and objective outcome rating criteria, the addition of IVIG to standard therapies is of minimal but demonstrable benefit in preventing sepsis when administered prophylactically to premature low birth weight newborns, and of unequivocal benefit in preventing death when administered therapeutically for early-onset neonatal sepsis. The likelihood of newborns with sepsis living past the neonatal period was improved nearly sixfold when IVIG was administered in addition to standard therapies.
Diagnostic yield of stool culture and predictive factors for positive culture in patients with diarrheal illness

Abstract We aimed to investigate the diagnostic yield of stool cultures and identify predictive factors for positive cultures in patients with diarrheal illness. A total of 13,327 patients who underwent stool cultures due to diarrheal illness were reviewed. Stool cultures were performed for enteric pathogens, including Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Yersinia. The culture-positive group was compared with the culture-negative group who were randomly selected from culture negative patients. A total of 196 patients (1.47%) were diagnosed with positive stool culture. In 196 culture positive patients, Salmonella spp. (75.0%) was detected most commonly, followed by Vibrio (19.4%). Univariate analyses showed fever (>37.8°C), vomiting, duration and frequency of diarrhea, and high C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly associated with positive stool culture. Multivariate analysis showed fever (odds ratio [OR], 2.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25–4.35; P = .008), ≥5/day of diarrhea (OR, 3.52; 95% CI, 1.93–6.44; P < .001) and >50 mg/L of CRP (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.18–4.36; P = .014) were independent predictors for positive stool culture. OR in patients with all 3 factors was 6.55 (95% CI, 2.56–16.75; P < .001). Vomiting (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.17–0.57; P < .001) was a negative predictive factor. Diagnostic yield of stool culture in patients with diarrheal illness is very low. Fever, frequency of diarrhea, and high CRP are predictors for positive stool cultures. These findings may lead to more discerning and cost-effective utilization of stool culture by clinicians.
Kinetics of fusion and lipid transfer between virus receptor containing liposomes and influenza viruses as measured with the octadecylrhodamine B chloride assay.

Octadecylrhodamine B chloride (R18) and ganglioside GD1a (virus receptor) were incorporated into small unilamellar liposomes [Hoekstra et al. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 5675-5681]. Upon interaction of these liposomes with PR8 influenza viruses without prebinding, two types of dequenching were observed at 37 degrees C, both second-order processes: a fast reaction at pH 5.3, 2k = 17.53 x 10(-3) (Q.s)-1, and a slow reaction at pH 7.4, 2k = 0.335 x 10(-3) (Q.s)-1. The maximal level of dequenching was the same for both. Upon prebinding of liposomes to PR8 viruses (30 min, 0 degrees C, pH 7.4) at high concentrations, a very fast dequenching occurred when the prebinding mixture was diluted into prewarmed (37 degrees C) 10 mM PBS, pH 5.3. For the initial phase, a first-order rate constant of 0.5 s-1 could be extrapolated. After a quick drop in velocity during the first 30 s, the reaction was kinetically indistinguishable from the one found without prebinding. A second-order process with 2k = 16.52 x 10(-3) (Q.s)-1 became rate-limiting. The fast reactions at pH 5.3 can be abolished by inactivation or removal of the virus hemagglutinin. We conclude that the reaction at pH 5.3 reflects the hemagglutinin-dependent fusion process known to occur between influenza viruses and partner membranes at low pH; however, second-order kinetics indicate that specific binding rather than fusion is the rate-limiting step. For the slow dequenching, which is not affected by prebinding, the rate constant is 20 times lower than for the fast reaction, and the process is independent of viral hemagglutinin. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)