Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Which Skills Matter in the Market for CEOs? Evidence from Pay for CEO Credentials

Market-based theories predict that differences in CEO skills lead to potentially large differences in pay, but it is challenging to quantify the CEO skill premium in pay. In a first step toward overcoming this empirical challenge, we code detailed biographical information for a large sample of CEOs for a panel of S&P 1500 firms between 1993 and 2005 to identify specific reputational, career, and educational credentials that are indicative of skills. Newly appointed CEOs earn up to a 5% or $280,000 total pay premium per credential decile, which is concentrated among CEOs with better reputational and career credentials, those with the very best credentials, and those who run large firms. Consistent with the unique economic mechanism of market-based theories, CEO credentials have a positive impact on firm performance. The performance differential for newly appointed CEOs is up to 0.5% per credential decile and is also concentrated among CEOs with better reputational and career credentials and those at large firms. Credentials are positively correlated with unobserved CEO heterogeneity in pay and performance, which further validates our hypothesis that boards use them as publicly observable signals of otherwise hard-to-gauge CEO skills. In all, our results offer direct evidence in support of market-based explanations of the overall rise in CEO pay. This paper was accepted by Itay Goldstein, finance .
Output electric power increase of a DC-AC converter utilizing magnetic oscillation

This paper describes basic characteristics of a direct current/alternating current (dc-ac) converter utilizing magnetic oscillation. The converter is constructed with power MOSFETs and a non-linear magnetic core. An ac-voltage source such as a line electric power source is connected in series to an excitation winding of the magnetic circuit. The converter can supply electric power to the ac-voltage source, and its electric power can be controlled by a small signal-current that flows through a control winding. The waveform of output current of the converter is almost sinusoidal. The output electric power of the converter increases by adding fast recovery diodes outside of the MOSFETs to cancel, and to replace, the body-diode of the MOSFETs.
Genetic diversity of native populations of Croton tetradenius Baill. using ISSR markers.

Brazil has about 300 Croton species in different types of vegetation. Croton tetradenius Baill. , which is endemic to the Northeast region and predominant in the Caatinga vegetation, stands out among the several species of this genus. Considering the importance of knowing the genetic variability of a species, the objective of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity of the genotypes of natural populations of C. tetradenius in the State of Sergipe, using ISSR molecular markers. Forty individuals were sampled in four natural populations of the State of Sergipe, Brazil. Thirteen primers were used for DNA amplification using ISSR-PCR, totaling 77 amplified fragments, of which 94.8% were polymorphic. Results of the cluster analysis obtained by the Jaccard's similarity index, using the UPGMA method, resulted in the formation of six distinct clusters. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), used to estimate the genetic variability among populations, revealed significant genetic variance (P < 0.01) between and within the studied populations, and most of the genetic diversity was found (87%) within populations. According to the Jaccard's similarity index, none of the studied plants was genetically identical. CTE210 and CTE305 presented high similarity index (0.76), while CTE105 presented low similarity index (<0.16) with all related individuals. ISSR markers were efficient and allowed the formation of a molecular profile, and had sufficient polymorphism to estimate the genetic variability between the accessions of the studied populations.
Relationship between an increase in thermostability and amino acid substitutions in N-carbamyl-D-amino acid amidohydrolase.

For the production of D-amino acids using stable N-carbamyl-D-amino acid amidohydrolase (DCase) in an immobilized form, the DCase gene of Agrobacterium sp. KNK712 was mutagenized to increase its enzymatic thermostability. In a search for thermostability-related amino acid sites besides the two known sites of DCase, i.e., the 57th and 203rd amino acids, the new mutant enzyme found, in which the 236th amino acid, valine, had been changed to alanine, showed a 10 degrees C increase in thermostability. These known three thermostability-related amino acids were changed to other amino acids by the PCR technique, and it was proved that the thermostability of the DCase increased when the 57th amino acid of DCase, histidine, was changed to leucine, the 203rd amino acid, proline, to asparagine, glutamate, alanine, isoleucine, histidine, or threonine, and the 236th amino acid, valine, to threonine or serine, in addition to the known mutations.
Alcohol Abuse During Pregnancy: Changes in Frequency in a Large Urban Hospital

The reported frequency of alcohol abuse during pregnancy was studied in a large urban public hospital in Dallas, Texas. During 1977–1980, 5602 pregnant women were surveyed and 0.7% (95% confidence interval 0.6–0.8%) reported abusing alcohol during pregnancy. In 1987, 1.4% (95% confidence interval 1.3–1.5%) of 1032 pregnant women, who were surveyed before delivery, reported alcohol abuse according to the same definition used 10 years earlier. The increase in the frequency of reported alcohol abuse during pregnancy between 1977–1980 and 1987 is statistically significant (P < .05).
Alterations in the plantar pressure patterns of overweight and obese schoolchildren due to backpack carriage.

BACKGROUND Among other adverse consequences, childhood obesity is known to influence foot structure and functionality. Yet little information is available regarding how the physiologic foot-ground interaction is altered when a localized load is carried, as occurs in the case of schoolbags. We investigated plantar contact area and pressure modifications induced by backpack carriage under actual conditions. We hypothesized that a localized load acting on the body would further increase the already excessive plantar pressure that exists with overweight and obese status. METHODS Seventy overweight and obese schoolchildren aged 6 to 11 years underwent two 30-sec trials on a pressure platform during a regular school day, with and without a backpack. Total and subregion contact areas along with peak plantar pressures were obtained, and results were compared with those of an equal-numbered group of normal-weight schoolchildren. RESULTS Overweight and obese children generally had larger contact areas and higher peak plantar pressures compared with their normal-weight peers. In overweight and normal-weight participants, the backpack induced a similar generalized increase in contact area and pressures. However, the largest changes were observed in the forefoot, suggesting that load action tends to modify the physiologic pressure patterns. CONCLUSIONS Backpack carriage raises the already elevated peak plantar pressures in overweight children during upright stance and modifies the physiologic pressure patterns. Further investigations are needed to clarify the features of such phenomenon when dynamic activities are performed and to verify the existence of fatigue and overexertion on the foot as well as other possible negative long-term effects.
Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 20 Targets TRAF6 and Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Tax To Negatively Regulate NF-κB Signaling

ABSTRACT NF-κB plays a key role in innate and acquired immunity. Its activity is regulated through intricate signaling networks. Persistent or excessive activation of NF-κB induces diseases, such as autoimmune disorders and malignant neoplasms. Infection by human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) causes a fatal hematopoietic malignancy termed adult T cell leukemia (ATL). The HTLV-1 viral oncoprotein Tax functions pivotally in leukemogenesis through its potent activation of NF-κB. Recent findings suggest that protein ubiquitination is crucial for proper regulation of NF-κB signaling and for Tax activity. Here, we report that ubiquitin-specific peptidase USP20 deubiquitinates TRAF6 and Tax and suppresses interleukin 1β (IL-1β)- and Tax-induced NF-κB activation. Our results point to USP20 as a key negative regulator of Tax-induced NF-κB signaling.
Improved detection of Malassezia species in lipid-supplemented Peds Plus blood culture bottles

The growth of Malassezia species in BACTEC Peds Plus blood culture bottles was optimized by using various lipid supplements. Palmitic acid (3%, wt/vol) was superior and overcame the inhibitory effect of blood in mock clinical specimens. Palmitic acid (3%) supplementation of Peds Plus bottles may improve recovery of Malassezia species in the BACTEC NR 660.
Ecological Responsibility in Anesthesia Practice

Concern for optimizing individual patient care has driven the development of novel technologies and safe practices in medicine. Ironically, modern industrialized health care unintentionally contributes to environmental factors that threaten human health on individual, community, and worldwide scales. Physicians give very little consideration to the ecological impact of designing, manufacturing, transporting, and disposing of substances employed in their practices. Hospitals— especially perioperative care—are the leading energy-consuming and waste-producing elements of the health care system. Only through understanding the connectivity and contribution of modern health care practice to ecological issues can physicians work toward aligning commitment to individual care with public and planetary health. Anesthesiology has always been a discipline recognized for its foresight and leadership. It may be appropriate for anesthesiologists to take the lead in focusing health care systems on environmentally sustainable practices.
Adult height in children with growth hormone deficiency who are treated with biosynthetic growth hormone: the National Cooperative Growth Study experience.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the height gain during puberty in children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) who are treated with biosynthetic growth hormone (GH) is similar to that in otherwise healthy children with delayed bone ages and whether the height standard deviation score (SDS), which began to increase before puberty, continues to increase during puberty. METHODS The inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of idiopathic GHD, prepubertal on enrollment in the National Cooperative Growth Study, and spontaneous onset of puberty, as defined by Tanner stage 2 breast development in girls and a testicular volume of at least 3 mL in boys. Near-adult height was judged to have been attained in the subjects who had reached a chronologic age of at least 18 years (females) or 20 years (males) or had reached at least pubertal stage 4 and a chronologic age of at least 14 years (females) or 16 years (males). These subjects constituted group 1. Group 2 was a subgroup of these subjects who met a more stringent criterion for near-adult height; in addition to meeting the above criteria, they had to have attained a bone age of at least 14 years (females) or 16 years (males). RESULTS Group 1 consisted of 480 males and 194 females. Group 2 consisted of 153 males and 105 females. In the subjects in group 1, the Tanner pubertal stage 2 was 14.1 +/- 1.5 years in males and 12.6 +/- 1.6 years in females; the bone age at this stage was 11. 9 +/- 1.5 years in males and 10.6 +/- 1.5 years in females; and the height SDS was -2.1 +/- 0.9 in males and -2.4 +/- 0.9 in females. The total height gained during puberty was 22.4 +/- 7.9 cm in males and 17.4 +/- 6.3 cm in females; the percentage of adult height gained during puberty was 13.3% +/- 4.6% in males and 11.3% +/- 4.0% in females; the near-adult height SDS was -1.3 +/- 1.0 in males and -1.6 +/- 0.9 in females; and the target adult height SDS was -0.4 +/- 0.8 in males and -0.5 +/- 0.7 in females. The growth characteristics in the subjects in group 2 were of similar magnitude. In both groups, there was a significant negative correlation between age at the onset of Tanner stage 2 and both the total height gained during puberty and the percentage of adult height gained. CONCLUSIONS The growth characteristics of these subjects were similar to those reported in normal children and in previous reports of the pubertal growth in smaller populations of children with GHD. The height SDS increased in these subjects during puberty, but the target adult height SDS was not attained. This is a strong argument for early diagnosis and treatment in children with GHD to optimize prepubertal growth.
The role of metformin and resveratrol in the prevention of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α accumulation and fibrosis in hypoxic adipose tissue

Hypoxic activation of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) and fibrosis in adipose tissue contribute to adipose dysfunction. This study was designed to investigate the effects of metformin and resveratrol on the regulation of HIF‐1α and fibrosis in hypoxic adipose tissue.
Sexual Function in Women on Estradiol or Venlafaxine for Hot Flushes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sexual function in midlife women taking low-dose oral estradiol or venlafaxine for hot flushes. METHODS: In an 8-week randomized controlled trial among women aged 40–62 years, sexual function was compared between 0.5 mg oral estradiol per day or 75 mg venlafaxine per day (both compared with a placebo). Measures included composite and six domain scores from the Female Sexual Function Index and sexually related personal distress. RESULTS: Participants were aged 54.6 years (standard deviation [SD] 3.8) years, 59% white, with 8.1 (SD 5.3) daily hot flushes. Median composite baseline Female Sexual Function Index score was 16.3 (SD 11.9, n=256) for all women and 21.7 (SD 9.3, n=198) among sexually active women. Composite mean Female Sexual Function Index change from baseline to week 8 was 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.4 to 3.2) for estradiol, 1.1 (95% CI −0.5 to 2.7) for venlafaxine, and −0.3 (95% CI −1.6 to 1.0) for placebo. Composite Female Sexual Function Index and sexually related distress change from baseline did not differ between estradiol and placebo (P=.38, P=.30) or venlafaxine and placebo (P=.79, P=.48). Among sexually active women, Female Sexual Function Index domain score change from baseline differences (active compared with placebo) in desire was 0.3 (95% CI 0.0–0.6) for estradiol, −0.6 (95% CI −1.2 to 0.0) in orgasm for venlafaxine, and 0.9 (95% CI 0.2–1.6) in penetration pain for venlafaxine. No women reported adverse events related to sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Overall sexual function among nondepressed midlife women experiencing hot flushes did not change over 8 weeks with low-dose oral estradiol or venlafaxine (compared with placebo), although a subtle increase in desire (estradiol) and decreases in orgasm and pain (venlafaxine) may exist. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials. gov, NCT01418209. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I
Development of a Mobile Phone Addiction Craving Scale and Its Validation in a Spanish Adult Population

In some people, problematic cell phone use can lead to situations in which they lose control, similar to those observed in other cases of addiction. Although different scales have been developed to assess its severity, we lack an instrument that is able to determine the desire or craving associated with it. Thus, with the objective of evaluating craving for cell phone use, in this study, we develop and present the Mobile Phone Addiction Craving Scale (MPACS). It consists of eight Likert-style items, with 10 response options, referring to possible situations in which the interviewee is asked to evaluate the degree of restlessness that he or she feels if the cell phone is unavailable at the moment. It can be self-administered or integrated in an interview when abuse or problems are suspected. With the existence of a single dimension, reflected in the exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the scale presents adequate reliability and internal consistency (α = 0.919). Simultaneously, we are able to show significantly increased correlations (r = 0.785, p = 0.000) with the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale (MPPUS) and state anxiety (r = 0.330, p = 0.000). We are also able to find associations with impulsivity, measured using the urgency, premeditation, perseverance, and sensation seeking scale, particularly in the dimensions of negative urgency (r = 0.303, p = 0.000) and positive urgency (r = 0.290, p = 0.000), which confirms its construct validity. The analysis of these results conveys important discriminant validity among the MPPUS user categories that are obtained using the criteria by Chow et al. (1). The MPACS demonstrates higher levels of craving in persons up to 35 years of age, reversing with age. In contrast, we do not find significant differences among the sexes. Finally, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis allows us to establish the scores from which we are able to determine the different levels of craving, from the absence of craving to that referred to as addiction. Based on these results, we can conclude that this scale is a reliable tool that complements ongoing studies on problematic cell phone use.
Evaluation of 5 types of fishing material, 2 sterilization methods, and a crimp-clamp system for extra-articular stabilization of the canine stifle joint.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the mechanical properties of 5 types of fishing material, 2 sterilization methods, and a commercially designed crimp-clamp system for the extra-articular repair of the canine stifle joint. STUDY DESIGN Experimental study. SAMPLE POPULATION Animals were not used in this study. METHODS Two brands of monofilament nylon fishing line and 3 brands of monofilament nylon leader line were used to determine the effect of steam and ethylene oxide sterilization on strength and elongation of the material. A strand of 36-kg test monofilament nylon fishing material was wrapped around 2 rods or knotted to form a loop around 2 rods on a materials-testing machine. Ten trials of each brand of unsterilized, steam-sterilized, and ethylene oxide-sterilized fishing material were tested. A strand of each material was elongated to failure at a constant displacement of 1,000 mm/min to determine strength. A strand of each material was cycled 10 times to a load of 50 N to determine percent elongation. The brand of fishing material with the greatest strength and least elongation was crimped to form a loop around 2 rods on a materials-testing machine and tested as described above. ANOVA was used to determine the effect of sterilization method, brand of material, knot, wrap, and crimp on strength and elongation of the material, and a post-hoc t test was used when significant differences were found. A Student t test was used to compare fixation techniques (wrap, knot, and crimp). RESULTS Sterilization by steam or ethylene oxide had no significant effect on the strength of the nylon fishing material. Steam sterilization resulted in significant increases (2- to 4-fold) in elongation of most nylon fishing material when compared with unsterilized material. Ethylene oxide sterilization had minimal effect on elongation of the fishing material. Mason leader line showed no significant change in strength or elongation regardless of sterilization method. Significantly less strength and significantly less elongation were demonstrated in Mason leader line that was crimped as compared with Mason leader line that was knotted. CONCLUSION Ethlylene oxide was the preferred method of sterilization to preserve strength and minimize elongation of the fishing material. Of the materials tested, Mason leader line had the least elongation and the greatest preservation of strength when ethylene oxide was used as the sterilization method. Mason leader line and Sufix fishing line were comparable choices when steam was used as the sterilization method. Significantly less elongation was demonstrated in crimped Mason leader line as compared with knotted Mason leader line. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Of the materials tested, Mason leader line and Sufix fishing line had the best mechanical properties for extracapsular stabilization of the canine stifle joint. Crimping is an attractive alternative to knotting and results in a reduction in elongation of the nylon fishing material.
Divergent Effect of Dezocine, Morphine and Sufentanil on Intestinal Motor Function in Rats

Background: Opioid induced bowel dysfunction is the most common side effect of preoperatively administrated morphine, fentanyl and its derivative. However, the influence of dezocine on intestinal mobility is rarely reported. This study was designed to investigate the effects of dezocine, morphine and sufentanil on both intestinal smooth muscle contraction and propulsion in rats. Methods: Contractile tension and frequency of isolated rat small intestine smooth muscle were measured using tension transducer after incubation with different concentrations of dezocine, morphine and sufentanil. The propulsive rate of methylene blue in rat intestinal tract was measured 30 minutes after intraperitoneal injection of morphine, sufentanil and dezocine. Percent of change in contractile tension and contraction frequency compared to baseline level were calculated to evaluate muscle contraction. Propulsive rate of methylene blue was calculated as the percentage of methylene blue moving distance in intestinal tract compared to the length of the small intestine. Results: Morphine and sufentanil significantly increased the contractile tension of isolated small intestine smooth muscle at high doses. The contraction frequency did not change significantly among the 3 tested doses. Increasing the dose of dezocine from 1.7 mg.L-1 to 10.2 mg.L-1 did not change either the contractile tension or the contraction frequency. The propulsive rate of methylene blue in intestinal tract was significantly decreased after the treatment with morphine, sufentanil and dezocine (45.6%, 43.7%, and 42.1% respectively) compared to control group(57.1%), while the difference among the 3 drug groups were not significant. Conclusion: Morphine and sufentanil may dose dependently increase the contractile tension and contraction ability of isolated rat small intestine smooth muscle, while dezocine has no significant effect on intestine smooth muscle contraction. However, all these opioids might impair small intestinal propulsion.
Serum citrulline and rejection in small bowel transplantation: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND There is no known serum marker for intestinal rejection. Serum concentrations of the amino acid citrulline arise almost exclusively from the intestinal mucosa. We examined the impact of acute cellular rejection (ACR) of intestinal allografts on serum citrulline levels. METHODS Citrulline concentrations were assayed in serum samples of healthy volunteers (n=6) and seven patients who underwent small bowel transplants (SBTx). Trends in mean citrulline concentrations versus degree of ACR were assessed by matching posttransplantation citrulline concentrations with patients' grade of ACR at time of serum collection. Rejection was confirmed by biopsy and graded by following standardized criteria. An additional patient had citrulline concentrations determined for 31 sequential specimens 3-60 days posttransplant. RESULTS Mean citrulline concentrations in controls were significantly higher than posttransplantation samples at any rejection grade. Mean concentrations declined significantly as rejection severity increased. The overall downward trend was statistically significant (P<0.05). In sequential measurements, citrulline levels increased significantly over time with declining severity of rejection. The increase in mean citrulline concentration between posttransplant days 3-16 and 52-60 was significant (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Serum citrulline levels decline with increasing grade of ACR and may be a useful serum marker for intestinal rejection.