Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Risk Factors in Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans with Health-Related Disabilities

Objectives: This study investigates posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its associated risk factors in a random, national, Canadian sample of United Nations peacekeeping veterans with service-related disabilities. Methods: Participants included 1016 male veterans (age < 65 years) who served in the Canadian Forces from 1990 to 1999 and were selected from a larger random sample of 1968 veterans who voluntarily and anonymously completed a general health survey conducted by Veterans Affairs Canada in 1999. Survey instruments included the PTSD Checklist-Military Version (PCL-M), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), and questionnaires regarding life events during the past year, current stressors, sociodemographic characteristics, and military history. Results: We found that rates of probable PTSD (PCL-M score > 50) among veterans were 10.92% for veterans deployed once and 14.84% for those deployed more than once. The rates of probable clinical depression (CES-D score > 16) were 30.35% for veterans deployed once and 32.62% for those deployed more than once. We found that, in multivariate analyses, probable PTSD rates and PTSD severity were associated with younger age, single marital status, and deployment frequency. Conclusions: PTSD is an important health concern in the veteran population. Understanding such risk factors as younger age and unmarried status can help predict morbidity among trauma-exposed veterans.
OTA Highlight Paper Predicting Future Displacement of Nonoperatively Managed Lateral Compression Sacral Fractures: Can It Be Done?

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the rate of displacement in nondisplaced sacral fractures and to determine if certain fracture patterns are more prone to future displacement. Design: Retrospective. Setting: Two Level I trauma centers. Patients: Patients consisted of those sustaining a lateral compression pelvic fracture whose age was 17 years or older, had less than 5 mm of initial sacral displacement, were the result of a high-energy mechanism, and had radiographs documenting bony union. Intervention: By protocol, patients meeting these criteria were mobilized and maintenance of alignment was documented by serial radiographs. Results: All fractures were classified according to the Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification system, the Young and Burgess mechanistic classification system, and to the location of the sacral fracture as described by Denis. In addition, sacral fractures were classified as complete or incomplete. Additionally, the number and location of rami fractures were recorded. Of the initial 117 fractures, 23 were determined to displace and largely consisted of a single fracture pattern. Fractures consisting of a complete sacral fracture combined with bilateral rami fractures displaced at a rate of 68% (15 of 22). In contrast, incomplete sacral fractures with an ipsilateral rami injury had no displaced unions. Conclusion: Incomplete lateral compression sacral fractures that are associated with ipsilateral rami fractures can be treated nonoperatively and are unlikely to displace. In contrast, those with a complete sacral fracture and bilateral rami fractures displace at a significantly greater rate.
Antenatal Hydronephrosis as a Predictor of Postnatal Outcome: A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE.Antenatal hydronephrosis is diagnosed in 1% to 5% of all pregnancies; however, the antenatal and postnatal management of hydronephrosis varies widely. No previous studies define the risk of postnatal pathology in infants with antenatal hydronephrosis. Our objective was to review the current literature to determine whether the degree of antenatal hydronephrosis and related antenatal ultrasound findings are associated with postnatal outcome. METHODS. We searched Medline (1966–2005), Embase (1991–2004), and the Cochrane Library databases for articles on antenatal hydronephrosis. We required studies to have subjects selected on the basis of documented measurements of antenatal hydronephrosis and followed to a postnatal diagnosis. We excluded case reports, review articles, and editorials. Two independent investigators extracted data. RESULTS. We screened 1645 citations, of which 17 studies met inclusion criteria. We created a data set of 1308 subjects. The risk of any postnatal pathology per degree of antenatal hydronephrosis was 11.9% for mild, 45.1% for moderate, and 88.3% for severe. There was a significant increase in risk per increasing degree of hydronephrosis. The risk of vesicoureteral reflux was similar for all degrees of antenatal hydronephrosis. CONCLUSIONS. The findings of this meta-analysis can potentially be used for prenatal counseling and may alter current postnatal management of children with antenatal hydronephrosis. Overall, children with any degree of antenatal hydronephrosis are at greater risk of postnatal pathology as compared with the normal population. Moderate and severe antenatal hydronephrosis have a significant risk of postnatal pathology, indicating that comprehensive postnatal diagnostic management should be performed. Mild antenatal hydronephrosis may carry a risk for postnatal pathology, but additional prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal management of these children. A well-defined prospective analysis is needed to further define the risk of pathology and the appropriate management protocols.
Dividend policy determinants of Sri Lankan firms: a triangulation approach

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the dividend policy determinants of Sri Lankan firms and why they pay dividends.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses several quantitative approaches to investigate dividend determinants using market (secondary) data of 190 Sri Lankan firms and 1,330 firm-year observations. Dividend determinants are also identified using survey (primary) data from 141 of the 190 firms. Triangulation is then used to facilitate validation of the data through cross-verification from two data sources.FindingsAnalysis of the market data reveals that firm size, industry impact, corporate governance, free cash flow, earnings, past dividends, profitability, investment opportunities, net working capital, concentrated ownership structure and investor preference represent the most important dividend determinants. Survey data confirm these findings. The evidence supports the pecking order, signaling, free cash flow, catering and outcome theories using both secondary and primary data and the bird-in-the-hand theory using survey data.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are useful not only for corporate decision makers in establishing an appropriate dividend policy but also for shareholders in making investment decisions. Because the current study is limited to Sri Lanka, future researchers should study the same phenomenon in other countries using the triangulation approach.Originality/valueThis study provides a hybrid approach to dividend policy research by using both primary and secondary data in a single study. It is the first dividend study in Sri Lanka to use a triangulation approach.
Adjuvant treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid may reduce the incidence of acute cardiac allograft rejection.

BACKGROUND The nontoxic bile acid, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), is an effective drug for the treatment of different cholestatic conditions. Furthermore, an immunomodulatory capacity of UDCA has been reported in vitro, as well as in vivo, in different immune-mediated liver diseases and after liver transplantation. METHODS In this retrospective study, the influence of UDCA on heart transplant rejection was investigated in 21 cardiac allograft recipients receiving UDCA for cyclosporine-induced cholestasis (500 mg administered twice daily, start of therapy within the first postoperative month, duration >8 weeks). Thirty-one patients not receiving UDCA served as control subjects. All patients received triple-maintenance immunosuppression (cyclosporine, azathioprine, prednisolone). For quantitative comparison of rejection severity, the following score was applied: 0, no specific therapy; 1, temporary increase in oral steroids; 2, intravenous steroids; 3, ATG or OKT3 therapy. RESULTS During the first 6 postoperative months, the number of acute rejection episodes requiring specific anti-rejection therapy was significantly lower in the UDCA group as compared with control subjects (1.38 +/- 1.36 vs 2.74 +/- 1.83 rejection episodes per patient, p = 0.005). The cumulative score was significantly lower in the UDCA group as compared with control subjects (2.38 +/- 2.29 vs 5.06 +/- 3.61, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS These initial data indicate a beneficial effect of adjuvant UDCA treatment in the early phase after heart transplantation probably related to immunomodulating properties of UDCA, which may be used therapeutically after organ transplantation.
Research and Development Expense and Analyst Forecast Errors: An Underestimation of Sales or Overestimation of Expenses?

We test whether analysts adequately incorporate the implications of research and development (R&D) activities into their forecasts by observing the relation between R&D expense and future forecast errors for earnings, sales, and expenses. We find that analysts systematically underestimate the future earnings implications of R&D, and that this underestimation of earnings is attributable to an overestimation of future expenses rather than an underestimation of future sales. We further find that our results are driven by firms with high fixed costs and high sales growth, which suggests that analysts, on average, assume that costs vary proportionally with sales in high R&D firms perhaps due to the difficulties in separating fixed and variable costs in most financial statements.
Evolutionary and comparative anatomical investigations of the autonomic cardiac nervous system in the African cercopithecidae

The purpose of this study was to clarify the general architecture and morphological variations of the autonomic cardiac nervous system (ACNS) in the African Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys), and to discuss the evolutionary changes between this system in African/Asian Cercopithecidae and humans. A detailed macroscopic comparative morphological investigation of the ACNS was performed by examining the left and right sides of 11 African cercopithecid specimens, including some previously unreported species (Abyssinian colobus, Angola pied colobus, Savanna monkey, and lesser white‐nosed guenon). The common characteristics of the ACNS in the African Cercopithecidae are described in detail. Consequently, homologies of the ACNS between Asian (macaques) and African Cercopithecidae, and differences between the Asian/African Cercopithecidae and humans, were found. In particular, differences in the sympathetic (cardiac) systems of the Cercopithecidae and humans were recognized, despite the similar morphology of the parasympathetic vagal (cardiac) system. These differences include the composition of the cervicothoracic ganglion, the lower positions of the middle cervical and cervicothoracic ganglia, and the narrow range for the origin of the cardiac nerves in the Cercopithecidae, compared with that in humans. In conclusion, these findings are considered with regard to the morphology of the last common ancestors of the Cercopithecidae. J. Morphol. , 2007 © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characteristics and Trends of Research on New Energy Vehicle Reliability Based on the Web of Science

In order to satisfy the increasing energy demand and deal with the environmental problem caused by the conventional energy vehicle; the new energy vehicle (NEV), especially the electric vehicle (EV), has attracted increasing attention and the corresponding research has developed rapidly in recent years. The electric vehicle requires a battery with high energy density and frequent charging. In order to ensure high performance of the electric vehicle; the reliability of its charging system is extremely important. In this paper; an overview of the research on electric vehicle charging system reliability from 1998 to 2017 is presented from a bibliometric perspective. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current research climate and the emerging trends from the following four aspects: basic characteristics of publication outputs; including annual publication outputs and document types; collaboration analysis of countries/territories; institutions and authors; co-citation analysis of cited authors and cited references; co-occurrence analysis of subjects and keywords. By using CiteSpace; the collaboration relationship; co-citation and co-occurrence networks are shown clearly. According to the analysis results; studies in this research field will keep developing rapidly in the near future and several future research directions are proposed in the conclusions.
Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 and IGF‐binding protein‐1 concentrations in serum of normal subjects after alcohol ingestion: evidence for decreased IGF‐1 bioavailability

Both insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 and insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein (IGFBP)‐1 are synthesized by the liver. It is well known that chronic alcohol abuse impairs liver function, but less is known about how an acute intake of moderate quantities of alcohol affects hepatic production of IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1. The objective of the present investigation was to study this issue by measuring serum levels of IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 in normal subjects before, during and after ingestion of a moderate dose of ethanol.
Determinant Factors of the Adoption of Improved Maize Seeds in Southern Mexico: A Survival Analysis Approach

Maize is the most important and strategic crop in Mexico, however, this sector suffers from low productivity. Among the various strategies to improve yield by hectare, improved maize seeds play an important role. In this context, adoption studies in Mexico of these types of seeds are scarce and in general do not jointly account for the timing of adoption factors affecting the adoption decision. This study analysed the determinants of the adoption rates of improved seeds using the survival analysis method. Farm-level data were collected in 2015 through a questionnaire administered to 200 maize farmers in Chiapas, Mexico. Our results showed that 60% of the farmers who adopted the improved seeds reached the decision within a 10 years’ period. Specifically, young farmers with a low number of family members from several generations of agricultural work, who exhibited positive attitudes towards innovation and with low risk perception were likely to adopt the new varieties. Furthermore, results showed that the NAFTA Mexican reform of agricultural policy in 1994 negatively affected the adoption rate of improved seeds. Improving the maize yield requires adequate extension information systems that allow farmers to receive more information on the importance of adoption innovation as well as help them market their products.
TNF receptor superfamily‐induced cell death: redox‐dependent execution

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily is a group of cytokines with important functions in immunity, inflammation, differentiation, control of cell proliferation, and apoptosis. TNFα is the founding member of the 19 different proteins that have so far been identified within this family. TNF family members exert their biological effects through the TNF receptor (TNFR) superfamily of cell surface receptors that share a stretch of ∼ 80 amino acids within their cytoplasmic region, the death domain (DD), critical for recruiting the death machinery. Work over the last decade has unraveled critical signaling networks involved in TNFR‐induced cell death, specifically using the constitutively expressed TNFR1 as a prototype. Of particular interest is the intermediary role of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in signal transduction after ligation of the TNFR1. With the increasing understanding of the of death receptor signaling pathways, the exact role of ROS in TNFα‐induced execution is now believed to be far more complicated than originally thought. Recently, some important discoveries have underscored the critical role of ROS in TNFα signaling, notably in TNFα‐mediated activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase, JNK), as well as in cell death (apoptotic and necrotic) pathways. Here we attempt to reviewthe existing knowledge on the involvement of ROS in death receptor signaling using TNFα‐TNFR1 as the model system, specifically addressing the involvement of intracellular ROS in TNFα‐induced cell death and in TNFα‐induced activation of NF‐κB and JNK and their crosstalk. —Shen, H‐M. , Pervaiz, S. TNF receptor superfamily‐induced cell death: redox‐dependent execution. FASEB J. 20, 1589–1598 (2006)
The Portfolio-Driven Disposition Effect

In simple univariate tests, the disposition effect for a stock nearly disappears if the portfolio is at a gain. We find a large disposition effect when the portfolio is at a loss. The portfolio-driven disposition effect that we document is not explained by extreme returns, portfolio rebalancing, simultaneous transactions, or investor sophistication/skill. We consider hedonic mental accounting and preferences over both paper and realized gains/losses as potential explanations for our findings.
Synchronous increase of four acute phase proteins synthesized by the same hepatocytes during the inflammatory reaction: a combined biochemical and morphologic kinetics study in the rat.

The hepatic synthesis of four "acute phase reactants" (APR), i.e., fibrinogen, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 2-macroglobulin, and haptoglobin has been investigated in rats suffering from turpentine-induced inflammation. To follow the change in the rates of synthesis of the four APR, their concentrations were measured by immunonephelemetry in both the plasma and the hepatic microsomal fraction at various times after injury. A synchronous increase in the concentrations of these four proteins was observed in the liver (maximum 24 hours) as well as in the plasma (maximum 40 hours) of the same animals. In parallel, the site of their synthesis was localized in liver sections by light and electron microscopy using direct immunoperoxidase labeling. Of the liver cells, only the hepatocytes were labeled. In the early period of the inflammatory reaction (10 to 16 hours), synthesizing cells were detected principally in the periportal zone, but later (24 hours), the labeled area was extended to nearly the entire hepatic lobule. When serial sections of liver were examined at that time, the same cells were found to contain simultaneously the four APR. Within the cells examined by electron microscopy, the four proteins were localized in the secretory pathway, i.e., rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and secretory vacuoles. Therefore, we conclude that: (1) the experimental inflammatory reaction induces a synchronous increase in the synthesis of four APR by the liver; (2) this increased synthesis apparently results from an increased number of synthesizing hepatocytes; (3) these cells have a preferential periportal localization; and (4) individual hepatocytes are not specialized in the synthesis of a single plasma protein.
Arginine oscillation explains Na+ independence in the substrate/product antiporter CaiT

Significance Many secondary-active transporters use a sodium gradient to translocate their substrate along with a sodium ion or ions across the membrane. In contrast to other, closely related transporters, the carnitine transporter CaiT does not depend on an ion gradient. We show here that the positively charged amino acid sidechain arginine 262 (R262) in CaiT replaces the sodium ion required by other transporters. Mutating R262 in CaiT makes substrate binding and transport sodium dependent. Modeling studies reveal that R262 adopts various orientations in different conformational states of the CaiT transport cycle. We propose that this oscillation of R262 mimics sodium binding and dissociation that is crucial for triggering conformational changes resulting in substrate translocation. Most secondary-active transporters transport their substrates using an electrochemical ion gradient. In contrast, the carnitine transporter (CaiT) is an ion-independent, l-carnitine/γ-butyrobetaine antiporter belonging to the betaine/carnitine/choline transporter family of secondary transporters. Recently determined crystal structures of CaiT from Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis revealed an inverted five-transmembrane-helix repeat similar to that in the amino acid/Na+ symporter LeuT. The ion independence of CaiT makes it unique in this family. Here we show that mutations of arginine 262 (R262) make CaiT Na+-dependent. The transport activity of R262 mutants increased by 30–40% in the presence of a membrane potential, indicating substrate/Na+ cotransport. Structural and biochemical characterization revealed that R262 plays a crucial role in substrate binding by stabilizing the partly unwound TM1′ helix. Modeling CaiT from P. mirabilis in the outward-open and closed states on the corresponding structures of the related symporter BetP reveals alternating orientations of the buried R262 sidechain, which mimic sodium binding and unbinding in the Na+-coupled substrate symporters. We propose that a similar mechanism is operative in other Na+/H+-independent transporters, in which a positively charged amino acid replaces the cotransported cation. The oscillation of the R262 sidechain in CaiT indicates how a positive charge triggers the change between outward-open and inward-open conformations as a unifying critical step in LeuT-type transporters.
A guided tour: small RNA function in Archaea

In eukaryotes, the C/D box family of small nucleolar (sno)RNAs contain complementary guide regions that are used to direct 2′‐O‐ribose methylation to specific nucleotide positions within rRNA during the early stages of ribosome biogenesis. Direct cDNA cloning and computational genome searches have revealed homologues of C/D box snoRNAs (called sRNAs) in prokaryotic Archaea that grow at high temperature. The guide sequences within the sRNAs indicate that they are used to direct methylation to nucleotides in both rRNAs and tRNAs. The number of sRNA genes that are detectable within currently sequenced genomes correlates with the optimal growth temperature. We suggest that archaeal sRNAs may have two functions: to guide the deposition of methyl groups at the 2′‐O position of ribose, which is an important determinant in RNA structural stability, and to serve as a molecular chaperones to help orchestrate the folding of rRNAs and tRNAs at high temperature.
Firm-State Dependencies, Threat Activation, and Corporate Political Activity

ix 1. OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH STUDY . 1 Statement of Problem . 1 Contributions/Implications of the Research . 6 Method of Study . 9 Organization of Subsequent Chapters . 10 2. LITERATURE REVIEW . 11 Defining Corporate Political Activity . 11 Disciplinary Pluralism . 12 Antecedents of CPA . 14 Behavioral Theory of the Firm . 14 Firm Effectiveness Perspectives . 15 Resource Dependence Theory . 16 Summary . 19 3. DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL AND HYPOTHESES . 21 Background . 21 Re-conceptualizing Firm Dependence on Government . 23 Threat Activation . 26 State-Level Activation Factors . 28 Regulatory Environment . 28 State-on-Firm Dependence . 32 Institutional Competition . 33 Politician Turnover . 36 Firm-Level Activation Factors . 37 Firm Legitimacy.37 Top Management Team Turnover . 38 4. METHODOLOGY . 40 Sample and Data Sources.40 Measures . 43