Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Contributing to Organizational Change Success or Failure

Change, and changing, exercise the minds of most managers most of the time. In consequence, leadership development and change management tend to be top priorities for many human resource development (HRD) professionals today. Despite this, much academic and practitioner literature suggests that 70% of all change programs fail. Through analyzing 200 organizational change case studies, this chapter examines this high failure rate, investigates leadership styles and their relationship to change, and explores the key factors that either enable or hinder successful change. The key findings of this examination were that the majority of the 200 studied change initiatives were considered successful and that using Kotter's change model, which has been long established, does not necessarily mean success; nor does the use of a democratic/participative leadership style. The most significant hindering factors and the key critical success factors are also acknowledged.
Long‐term follow‐up of a febrile convulsion cohort

ABSTRACT Determining the clinical prognosis a 16‐year follow‐up study of a clinic‐based FC cohort was made. The cohort comprises 528 FC children under 5 years of age at first clinic visit. Thirty‐nine patients (7.4%) were found to have developing non‐febrile seizures (FCC). Discrimination formula was applied; differences in actual cumulative FCC rates differed: a) whether the discriminant score was plus or minus (15%, 31/208 and 2.5% 8/320, respectively; p<0.001); b) whether the discriminant score was plus or minus in the group with no medication (47%, 22/47 and 3%, 6/229; p<0.001); and c) whether the treatment was applied or not in the group with plus value (6%, 9/161 and 47%, 22/47; p<0.001). No difference was detected whether the treatment was introduced or not in the group with a minus discriminant score (2%, 2/91 and 3%, 6/229, ns). The effective prediction and prevention for the FCC development were thus proved. Correlation between the number of predictive eight‐risk factors and rates of FCC development are analyzed.
Simultaneous bilateral stapes surgery

Conclusions. The patients recovered from the surgery as after unilateral surgery. The success rate for hearing improvement was good both subjectively and objectively, and this was also displayed in the quality of life. According to our study, simultaneous bilateral stapes surgery can be performed safely in selected patients with bilateral conductive hearing loss. Objectives. Otosclerosis is bilateral in the majority of patients. In this study we evaluated the outcome of simultaneous bilateral stapes surgery. Subjects and methods. Eighteen patients suffering from bilateral otosclerosis or osteogenesis imperfecta were prospectively included. After operation, hearing and vestibular function were followed by audiometry and visual feedback posturography (VFP). Patients estimated their hearing gain, the intensity of vestibular symptoms and quality of life score with a questionnaire during the follow-up period of 1 year. Results. The mean improvement in pure-tone average (PTA) air conduction (PTA-AC) was 18 dB (range 1–41 dB). The mean air–bone gap (AB-GAP) diminished from 22 dB (range 10–41 dB) to 7 dB on both sides (range 0–18 dB). The mean preoperative score of 2.3 for hearing improved significantly to 4.1 (p<0.001). Vestibular symptoms were mild and temporary. The VFP was not permanently impaired in any of the patients. The quality of life score improved significantly from 3.4 to 1.3 postoperatively (p<0.001).
The mTOR Inhibitor Everolimus Attenuates the Time Course of Chronic Anti-Thy1 Nephritis in the Rat

Background: The antiproliferative immunosuppressant everolimus adversely affects the acute reversible anti-Thy1 nephritis model. We hypothesized that everolimus treatment started after the acute proliferative phase could even be beneficial in the chronic anti-Thy1 nephritis model in the rat. Methods: Chronic anti-Thy1 nephritis was induced by injection of the monoclonal antibody 1-22-3 in 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats 7 days after uninephrectomy. Two weeks after disease induction, rats were randomly treated with either everolimus or vehicle for 14 weeks. Changes in progression of renal disease were investigated by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR 16 weeks after disease induction. Results: During chronic anti-Thy1 nephritis, the formation of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis lesions, the degree of interstitial fibrosis as well as the increase in proteinuria over 14 weeks was ameliorated by everolimus treatment. Increased glomerular hypertrophy observed in the vehicle-treated rats was completely prevented in the everolimus-treated nephritic rats. Increased glomerular fibronectin mRNA and protein as well as the renal influx of monocytes/macrophages was significantly reduced in the everolimus group. Everolimus reduced the pro-angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF mRNA in glomeruli, while the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway was not affected. Conclusion: ‘Late’ start of everolimus treatment demonstrates beneficial effects on the time course of chronic anti-Thy1 nephritis.
Estimating the impact of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Japanese adolescent girls: a causal analysis of sports role models

ABSTRACT The performance or successes of elite athletes have been assumed to affect ordinary people by encouraging them to play sport. This plausible effect is referred to as the trickle-down or role-modelling effect. Previous studies of this subject have examined the correlation between indicators associated with the hypothesis or compared indicators before and after an event. Causal issues, therefore, remain unexplored, regardless of whether or not they support the view that elite athletes influence the general public. The main contribution of this paper is to identify the causal effect of elite athletes’ success on teenagers’ sports participation based on a case study of Japan. The hypothesis tested in this study was that Japanese women’s victory in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup increased Japanese junior high school girls’ participation in extracurricular sports activity, especially soccer. We found no quantitative evidence supporting the role-modelling effect. This implies that the increase in their participation following the 2011 World Cup would have been observed regardless of whether the Japanese national team won. We discuss the implications of this finding, and suggest further research directions, paying special attention to the Japanese situations.
Conventional slow freezing cryopreserves mouflon spermatozoa better than vitrification

This work examines the effectiveness of a TCG (Tris, citric acid, glucose, 6% egg yolk and 5% glycerol) and a TEST (TES, Tris, glucose, 6% egg yolk and 5% glycerol) sperm extender in the freezing of mouflon spermatozoa at slow cooling rates, using different pre‐freezing equilibration times (2–3 hr). It also examines the tolerance of mouflon spermatozoa to different concentrations of cryoprotectants (5, 10, 20% glycerol; 5%, 10%, 20% dimethyl sulfoxide; 6% polyvinylpyrrolidone) and/or sucrose (100, 300, 500 mm). The highest quality (p < .01) thawed spermatozoa were obtained when using the TEST extender and an equilibration time of 3 hr. Sperm motility and membrane integrity were strongly reduced when using rapid freezing rates (60–85°C min−1), independent of the concentration of cryoprotectants. The lowest sucrose concentration (100 mm) provided the highest (p < .05) percentage of motile spermatozoa and live spermatozoa with an intact acrosome. Vitrified–warmed sperm variables were at their best when the spermatozoa was diluted in TCG–6% egg yolk + 100 mm sucrose and warmed at 60°C. Slow warming at 37°C strongly reduced (p < .05) sperm motility and viability. However, sperm vitrification returned lower fertility, sperm motility and sperm viability values than conventional sperm freezing.
Power changes, alliance credibility, and extended deterrence

A primary motivation for forming military alliances is to deter adversaries. However, some alliances are more effective at deterrence than others. Deterrence theory suggests that an alliance may fail to deter if the commitment is not considered credible by adversaries. Building on alliance reliability research, we contend that alliances whose members have experienced significant changes in power since formation are vulnerable to violation. Moreover, we argue that these changes are observable to adversaries, making them more likely to target the alliance. We test this argument using a sample of countries with membership in defensive alliances between 1816 and 2000. Our results indicate that states whose allies have experienced significant changes in power are more likely to be the target of militarized disputes than states whose allies have not experienced significant changes in power. These findings connect alliance reliability research to deterrence theory, illustrating the need to take into account changes over time in understanding the deterrence potential of military alliances. Our findings also suggest that future research should take these processes into account in studying dispute escalation and intra-alliance relations.
A case for ancestral transfer of symbionts between cockroaches and termites

Living species of the cockroach family Cryptocercidae have intestinal symbionts that are congeneric with some of the gut protozoa found in Isoptera. Presence of such closely related symbionts in cryptocercids and in termites has been frequently interpreted as a uniquely derived homologous character shared between the two xylophagous groups. This may not be the most parsimonious interpretation. Cryptocercus nymphs placed into Zootermopsis (dampwood termite) colonies were killed and eaten by the termites. Termites placed into a Cryptocercus nest box were also fully consumed. Modern Cryptocercus punctulatus and Zootermopsis are often found in the same decaying logs in the Pacific Northwest of the U. S. A. , and it is likely that their ancestors also cohabited in at least a portion of their ranges. By occasionally killing and consuming an intruder from the other group, gut protozoa could have been acquired and exchanged between termites and Cryptocercus or their ancestors, under natural conditions and before the life histories of the protozoa became specialized within the host orders. Implications for assessing the phylogeny of the two dictyopteroid groups are also discussed.
Dilatation of the initially non-aneurysmal ascending aorta after replacement of a bicuspid versus tricuspid aortic valve

Objective To compare the aortic diameter after isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with a bicuspid (BAV) or tricuspid aortic valve (TAV) and an initially normal ascending aorta. Methods Patients with an ascending aortic diameter of < 45 mm who had undergone isolated AVR were studied. Ultrasonic cardiographic measurements of the ascending aortic diameter made pre- and postoperatively and follow-up data concerning adverse aortic events and death were analyzed. Results A total of 613 patients were included in this retrospective study; of these, 211 had a BAV and 402 had a TAV. In both groups, the ascending aorta significantly expanded but was non-aneurysmal during follow-up; however, the difference between the two groups was not significant. Cox regression analysis showed no significant effect associated with the presence of a BAV on adverse aortic events or death. Conclusion Dilatation of the ascending aorta was observed after AVR in both groups, but was not more pronounced in patients with a BAV. Long-term follow-up for ascending aortic aneurysm is necessary after AVR in both patients with a BAV and those with a TAV.
Global Measures of Impairment in Children and Adolescents: Results from a Swiss Community Survey

Objective: Based on data from a Swiss epidemiological survey, both the parent and the child versions of two global measures of impairment, the Columbia Impairment Scale (CIS) and the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) were analysed with regard to validity and the effects of gender. Method: Concurrent and discriminant validity were evaluated by examining the associations with other indicators of impairment. Gender effects on impairment were considered in each type of analysis. Results: Based on the total sample and on the girls' data, concurrent validity of the various impairment scores as computed by correlations with other indicators of psychological dysfunction was good. When based on the boys' data it was less convincing. Discriminant validity was estimated by comparing impairment scores between those using and not using services and was proven for all impairment scores. There were significant gender effects for almost all scores, indicating that girls in contrast to boys were more impaired and functioned less well when professional contacts and psychiatric diagnosis were considered. Conclusions: The two impairment measures are well suited to community studies. Gender and informant differences have to be considered when defining thresholds for caseness. The two scales could also be used clinically, for example for training and evaluation purposes and for the decision whether or not a child or adolescent requires treatment.
Complex utrasound study of the atherosclerotic plaque.

UNLABELLED Carotid surgery concept is wining ground both among neurologists who recommend and vascular surgeons who perform an increased number of interventions. Regardless of the technique, we are interested in the tendency of the plaque to grow and determine stenosis. Ultrasound (US) is 91-94% sensitive and 85-99% specific in detecting a significant stenosis of the internal carotid artery. AIM To establish a correlation between the preoperative US and intraoperative plaque characteristics in order to determine the restenosis rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS From January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012, 70 consecutive patients were included in this study. Two groups were formed: 35 patients with stenotic ICA and 35 patients presenting stenosis at the femoral artery bifurcation (control group). The comparison between these two groups started from the premise of a similar pattern for internal carotid artery--deep femoral artery and external carotid artery- superficial femoral artery. US scans were performed on admission in all patients. All images were normalized and Gray Scale Median (GSM) was calculated. RESULTS Femoral plaque GSM values were higher in relation with hyperechogenicity highlighting the intensely calcified structure. Unstable plaques were more heterogenic, with higher transparency and lower GSM than stable plaques. This was the case of carotid plaques. During follow-up US revealed no restenosis. CONCLUSIONS Femoral bifurcation plaques are calcified and determine chronic ischemic symptoms, while carotid bifurcation plaques are unstable and determine cerebral symptoms. US remain the gold standard non-invasive technique both for screening and diagnosis and set the therapeutic coordinates.
Early steps of the hepatitis C virus life cycle

To replicate its genome, a virus needs to cross the plasma membrane of a host cell and get access to cytosolic and/or nuclear components. For an enveloped virus, this involves binding to the plasma membrane, followed by migration of the virion to a microdomain or an endosomal vesicle where fusion between the virion envelope and a host cell membrane occurs. Increasing evidences indicate that virus entry is a tightly regulated process. Although we are still far from understanding the details of hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry, recent data show that this virus enters into target cells in a slow and complex multistep process involving the presence of several entry factors. Initial attachment of the virion may involve glycosaminoglycans and the low‐density lipoprotein receptor, and it is followed by the sequential interaction with the scavenger receptor class B type I, the tetraspanin CD81 and tight junction protein Claudin‐1, ‐6 or ‐9. Furthermore, the identification of EWI‐2wint as a new partner of CD81 which blocks E2–CD81 interaction provides additional evidence of the complexity of the HCV entry process. The current knowledge accumulated on HCV entry is summarized in this review.
Rhetoric, Reality, and Reputation: Do CSR and Political Lobbying Protect Shareholder Wealth against Environmental Lawsuits?

We investigate whether firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) reputations and environmental lobbying efforts protect shareholder wealth in the event of environmental lawsuits. Using a sample of lawsuits filed in United States Federal Courts, we find that firms with superior CSR reputations suffer worse market reactions to environmental allegations. In contrast, lobbying cushions filing-date valuation losses, providing insurance-like protection against lawsuits. Our results are robust to subsample analyses, a falsification test, propensity score matching, and alternative empirical proxies and model specifications.
The Influence of Cultural Values on Knowledge Sharing across Organizational Boundaries

In order to fully derive business value from the knowledge of employees, companies introduced various knowledge management initiatives to overcome boundaries. However, knowledge sharing is still a delicate process because the willingness to share knowledge might be hindered by the lack of favorable cultural antecedents or functional and geographic distances between the persons involved. Existing studies concerning knowledge cultures have discovered isolated cultural values favorable for individual knowledge sharing. However, studies taking cultural elements and boundary spanning knowledge sharing into consideration are still missing. To close this gap, a qualitative and inductive study has been conducted in an Austrian engineering company. We researched cultural antecedents for knowledge sharing between project teams. The results provided by the analysis technique of GABEK indicate that there are several cultural elements that foster knowledge sharing across boundaries as well as starting points for managers and employees to develop a knowledge culture.
P‐Value Adjustment in Sequential Clinical Trials

Summary. Many randomized clinical trials utilize a group sequential monitoring procedure for assessing treatment efficacy during the course of the trial. For a group sequential trial in which the null hypothesis is ultimately rejected, the nominal p‐value generally overstates the statistical significance of the result and some adjustment is required. Several orderings of the sample space have been proposed for performing this adjustment, each with unique operating characteristics. In this article, we compare four proposed methods with respect to the degree to which each captures the strength of evidence against the null hypothesis implied by the data. We conclude that the ordering of the sample space induced by the observed z‐score has the most desirable operating characteristics.
Use of Differential Display Reverse Transcription-PCR To Reveal Cellular Changes during Stimuli That Result in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Reactivation from Latency: Upregulation of Immediate-Early Cellular Response Genes TIS7, Interferon, and Interferon Regulatory Factor-1

ABSTRACT The detailed mechanism which governs the choice between herpes simplex virus (HSV) latency and reactivation remains to be elucidated. It is probable that altered expression of cellular factors in sensory neurons leads to induction of HSV gene expression resulting in reactivation. As an approach to identify novel cellular genes which are activated or repressed by stimuli that reactivate HSV from latency and hence may play a role in viral reactivation, RNA from explanted trigeminal ganglia (TG) was analyzed by differential display reverse transcription-PCR (DDRT-PCR). Nearly 50 cDNAs whose mRNA level was modified by the stress of explantation were isolated and sequenced. We present a listing of a spectrum of altered RNAs, including both known and unknown sequences. Five of those differentially displayed transcripts were identified as interferon-related murine TIS7 mRNA. These results were confirmed in both infected and uninfected ganglia by quantitative RNase protection assay and immunostaining. Alpha and beta interferons and interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) were also induced by explantation. In addition, we have identified sequences that correspond to IRF-1 consensus binding sites in both HSV type 1 origins of replication. Our findings suggest that physiological pathways that include these cellular factors may be involved in modulating HSV reactivation.
Monocrotaline pyrrole interacts with actin and increases thrombin-mediated permeability in pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

One of the earliest morphologic changes evident in the monocrotaline (MCT) model of pulmonary hypertension in rats is microvascular leak. Whether this represents a direct effect of MCT metabolites or is secondary to inflammatory and thrombotic changes remains uncertain. To determine whether MCT directly affects endothelial cell permeability barrier function, we characterized the interaction of the reactive pyrrole intermediate of MCT (MCTP) with endothelial cell actin and characterized its effects on thrombin-mediated signal transduction and monolayer permeability. Bovine pulmonary endothelial cells (BPAEC) treated with MCTP had altered distribution of filamentous actin evident by fluorescence microscopy. Correlative Western blots and autoradiography of actin isolated from BPAEC treated with 14C-MCTP showed comigration of actin and MCTP-derived 14C. MCTP treatment did not alter cellular free Ca2+ concentrations nor did it interfere with thrombin-mediated intracellular Ca2+ signal. Pretreatment with MCTP significantly augmented the thrombin-mediated transudation of Evan's blue albumin in BPAEC monolayers apparently by increasing the size of intercellular gaps. We conclude that MCTP directly interacts with actin to alter its polymerization state but does not significantly affect endothelial cell response to contractile stimulus. Our results suggest that MCTP may affect endothelial cell barrier function through alterations in intracellular junctions.
Comparison of the type and severity of early attentional network decline after total intravenous or epidural anesthesia in middle-aged women after gynecological surgery

Compared with regional anesthesia, general anesthesia may increase the risk of postoperative cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate the type and severity of attentional network decline and the recovery of attentional networks in middle-aged women after gynecological surgery. A total of 140 consenting women undergoing elective gynecological surgery were enrolled in the study. Patients were assigned randomly to receive either total intravenous anesthesia or epidural anesthesia. To determine the efficacy of the attentional networks, patients were examined for alerting, orienting, and executive networks on the preoperative day and on the first and fifth postoperative days using the attentional network test. Significant differences were observed in the effect scores of the three attentional networks at all time points. These effect scores differed significantly between groups and between 1 and 5 days postoperation (DPO). Participants showed significantly lower effect scores for the alerting and orienting network tasks and had more difficulties in resolving conflict at 1 DPO compared with the baseline. On comparing effect scores between baseline and 5 DPO, no significant differences on the alerting and orienting network tasks were observed in the epidural anesthesia group, a significant difference on the orienting network task was observed in the general anesthesia group, and significant differences on the executive control network were observed in both the groups. Compared with epidural anesthesia, total intravenous anesthesia is more likely to impair and delay the recovery of attentional networks in middle-aged women undergoing elective hysterectomy. The executive control function showed marked damage and there were difficulties in recovery from either type of anesthesia.