Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative assessment of shockwave lithotripsy accuracy and the effect of respiratory motion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Effective stone comminution during shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is dependent on precise three-dimensional targeting of the shockwave. Respiratory motion, imprecise targeting or shockwave alignment, and stone movement may compromise treatment efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of shockwave targeting during SWL treatment and the effect of motion from respiration. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ten patients underwent SWL for the treatment of 13 renal stones. Stones were targeted fluoroscopically using a Healthtronics Lithotron (five cases) or Dornier Compact Delta II (five cases) shockwave lithotripter. Shocks were delivered at a rate of 1 to 2 Hz with ramping shockwave energy settings of 14 to 26 kV or level 1 to 5. After the low energy pretreatment and protective pause, a commercial diagnostic ultrasound (US) imaging system was used to record images of the stone during active SWL treatment. Shockwave accuracy, defined as the proportion of shockwaves that resulted in stone motion with shockwave delivery, and respiratory stone motion were determined by two independent observers who reviewed the ultrasonographic videos. RESULTS Mean age was 51 ± 15 years with 60% men, and mean stone size was 10.5 ± 3.7 mm (range 5-18 mm). A mean of 2675 ± 303 shocks was delivered. Shockwave-induced stone motion was observed with every stone. Accurate targeting of the stone occurred in 60% ± 15% of shockwaves. CONCLUSIONS US imaging during SWL revealed that 40% of shockwaves miss the stone and contribute solely to tissue injury, primarily from movement with respiration. These data support the need for a device to deliver shockwaves only when the stone is in target. US imaging provides real-time assessment of stone targeting and accuracy of shockwave delivery.
Determinants of Executive Compensation in Private Family Firms

We study patterns of CEO compensation in private family firms. We find that private family firms pay their CEO less than other private firms, and that the tendency of low CEO pay is stronger in family firms that have a family member as CEO. More than in other firms CEO pay in private family firms is positively associated with performance, which is contrary to some findings regarding public firms. Private family firms more than other private firms shield the CEO from business risk, in particular when the CEO is a member of the controlling family. We find that private family firms compensate their CEO for systematic risk, whereas non-family firms rather compensate for unsystematic risk.
Recent diuretic use and the risk of recurrent gout attacks: the online case-crossover gout study.

OBJECTIVE To assess several putative risk factors, including thiazide and loop diuretics use, thought to trigger recurrent gout attacks. METHODS We conducted an internet-based case-crossover study involving subjects who had a gout attack within the past year. Patients were recruited online and asked to provide access to medical records. Data were obtained on specific diuretic use on each day over the 2-day period prior to an acute gout attack (hazard period) and on each day of 2 days during the intercritical period (control period). We examined the relation of all diuretic use and use of specific diuretics, i.e., thiazide and loop, to the risk of recurrent gout attacks using a conditional logistic regression model adjusting for alcohol consumption and purine intake. RESULTS One hundred ninety-seven subjects completed both control and hazard period questionnaires. Participants were predominantly male (80%) and over half had a college education. The median time between onset of gout attack and logging on to the website was 2 days. Adjusting for alcohol consumption and purine intake, the odds ratio (OR) for recurrent gout attacks from all diuretic use over the last 48 h was 3.6 (95% confidence interval 1.4-9.7). OR of recurrent gout attacks were 3.2 and 3.8 for use of thiazide and loop, respectively. CONCLUSION Recent use of diuretics is associated with a significantly increased risk for recurrent gouty arthritis. The increased risk of gout attacks from either thiazide or possibly loop diuretic therapies represents an important modifiable risk factor in patients with gout.
How firms respond to financial restatement : CEO successors and external reactions

Although past studies have paid considerable attention to firms' reputations, few have investigated the actions that firms take following a reputation-damaging event. We identify firms involved in financial earnings restatements and examine whether naming a successor CEO with specific qualities serves to signal the seriousness of a firm's efforts to restore its reputation. Using theories of market signaling, we argue that attributes of successor CEOs significantly influence the reactions of key external constituencies. In particular, firms with more severe restatement tend to name successors who have prior CEO or turnaround experience and a more elite education. The naming of such successors results in more positive reactions from the stock market, financial analysts, and mass media. We argue that these attributes send messages to stakeholders and the broader public about the CEO's credibility and the firm's efforts.
Lipoxin A4 attenuates zymosan‐induced arthritis by modulating endothelin‐1 and its effects

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) is a lipid mediator involved in the resolution of inflammation. Increased levels of LXA4 in synovial fluid and enhanced expression of the formyl peptide receptor 2/lipoxin A4 receptor (FPR2/ALX) in the synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis patients have been reported. Endothelins (ETs) play a pivotal pro‐inflammatory role in acute articular inflammatory responses. Here, we evaluated the anti‐inflammatory role of LXA4, during the acute phase of zymosan‐induced arthritis, focusing on the modulation of ET‐1 expression and its effects.
Just what are tomorrow's SME employees looking for?

Purpose – The paper seeks to determine what tomorrow's employees (i.e. graduates) are seeking from SMEs in terms of organizational satisfaction and value characteristics.Design/methodology/approach – A survey of 55 university students who identified SMEs as their best opportunity for their career goals is shown. The survey utilized tested measures of organizational satisfaction and values.Findings – The paper finds that Generations X and Y are seeking equivalent values and satisfaction outcomes from SMEs. It is seeking very caring, environmentally concerned, and sensitive SMEs. Tangible and intangible benefits, empowerment and respect, workplace involvement, concern for employee welfare and supportive management are critical.Research limitations/implications – The paper shows that when researching one can differentiate between what graduates are looking for from their SMEs as opposed to organizations in general. Future research could analyze SME versus MNC or other organizational forms.Practical implicati.
Flexibility: The Next Competitive Battle: The Manufacturing Futures Survey

Over the past 4 years research teams from INSEAD (Fontainebleau), Boston University and Waseda University (Tokyo) have administered a yearly survey on the manufacturing strategy of the large manufacturers of the three industrialized regions of the world. In this paper the results for the 1986 survey are compared. One of the most striking results of that year's survey is the emphasis some of the more advanced manufacturers put on their efforts to overcome the trade-off between flexibility and cost efficiency. In particular for the Japanese respondents these attempts become clear. Europeans and North Americans are not yet seizing the opportunity to cut costs through rapid production and design changes, and are focusing more on traditional cost reduction programmes and the improvement of quality. This might mean that they are preparing the basis on which they can built to obtain added value from flexible automation. If this is the case then the Japanese are clearly ahead.
Actor Positions on Primary and Secondary International Forest-related Issues Relevant in Indonesia

Over the last 20 years a considerable number of international forest-related policies has evolved, collectively referred to as the international forest regime complex. The objectives of this study are to identify the most relevant international forest-related issues discussed in Indonesia as well as the most active actors and their positions on these issues. The empirical methods used include content analysis of Indonesian newspapers, national expert journals, expert mailing lists, and international organizations’ position papers. In addition, experts were interviewed to verify and complement the data. As a result, three primary forest-related international issues in Indonesia are identified, namely: timber legality; climate change including REDD initiative; and oil palm plantation and its environmental aspects; and the other four considered as secondary issues, namely: harmonization of wood and forest certification schemes; land use change; forest and species conservation; and deforestation and decentralized forest governance. Public and expert deliberations are found to differ regarding the depth of information as well as their immediate importance for the people and their long-term objectives. The Ministry of Forestry and, surprisingly, the Ministry of Trade are the most active actors in these issues. The main lines of conflict lie between forest utilization interests which are supported by the Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of Trade, oil palm and wood industry associations face-to-face with forest conservation interests powered by WWF and Greenpeace.
Capital Structure, Unleveraged Equity Beta, Profitability and other Corporate Characteristics: Evidence from Australia

This paper examines debt ratio and firm characteristic relationship in Australia where debt financing has little tax benefit under the imputation tax system. We use unleveraged beta of equity to measure firm risk and use.Fama-Macbeth (1973) procedure to analyze annual data of up to 342 leveraged firms over the period 1992 to 2006. The results show that larger firms with more tangible assets use more debt and risky firms having better growth opportunities use less debt. Moreover, debt ratio is negatively related to firm profitability although unleveraged firms are in general less profitable than leveraged firms. We also find increasing economic significances of size, asset tangibility and risk factors but diminishing economic significance of the growth factor in recent years. In general, our findings are consistent the most with predictions of the signaling theory. Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank Professor Ben Jacobsen, Professor Rand D. Martin, Professor Dan Rogers, Dr. Yafeng Qin, Dr. Martin Berka and the other participants at the AFS 2007 annual meeting and a Massey University Commerce Department seminar for their helpful comments.
Factor structure and psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of a questionnaire to assess quality of life in HIV-infected adults: The WHOQOL-HIV-Bref

The aim of the current study was to examine the factor structure and the psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Instrument in HIV Infection (WHOQOL-HIV-Bref). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factors analysis (CFA) were conducted on self-reported WHOQOL-HIV-Bref data from 1196 HIV-positive patients, frequenting the main departments of infectious diseases in Portugal. An EFA with a randomly chosen subsample suggested a five-domain structure for the WHOQOL-HIV-Bref. CFA validated this five-domain structure in a separate subsample, but also revealed that the original six-domain model fit the data. Accordingly, it was decided to use the original factor structure. Based on the original six domain structure, the European Portuguese version of WHOQOL-HIV-Bref showed acceptable internal consistency (alpha range: 0.61–0.80 across domains). All domains (with exception of Spirituality) clearly discriminated subjects considering the CD4+ T cell count subgroups. These findings revealed additional insights about the factor structure of the WHOQOL-HIV-Bref and provided evidence in support of the original six-domain structure. This instrument showed to be a cross-culturally valid measure of quality of life, particularly useful when addressing the impact of HIV not only on physical and psychological well-being but also on several domains beyond health.
The use of the Internet for business: the experience of early adopters in Singapore

Focuses on business firms in Singapore, identifying the industries in which the Internet is being used for business. These firms are early adopters in the local environment where use of the Internet for business is a new phenomenon still, and they provide information about their Internet experience in terms of their use, perceptions, and the problems encountered. Finds that companies in seven major industries lead in the business use of the Internet in Singapore: computer and information technology; hospitality; manufacturing; travel; retail; publications; and banking and finance. Most of the survey respondents use the Internet for marketing and advertising, customer service and support, information gathering, and, to a lesser degree, electronic transactions. The respondents’ perception of the attributes of the Internet are largely positive. The problems encountered by the respondents include difficulty in locating information, rising costs of Internet use, and security.
Correlating MRI Findings with Disability in Syndesmotic Sprains of NFL Players

Background: Syndesmotic sprains may be a significant source of missed playing time, especially in football players. Advanced imaging is frequently used to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Our purpose was to evaluate the prognostic ability of MRI in predicting time of disability. Methods: Training room records from 1993 to 2007 for three National Football League teams were reviewed. Forty-three players were diagnosed with syndesmotic ankle injuries and underwent radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. A blinded musculoskeletal radiologist interpreted all images. Players with fractures were excluded. Results: Thirty-six professional football players were included in the final analysis. Twenty-three players had a positive squeeze test which was correlated with increased missed practices (p = 0.012) and increased missed games (p ≤ 0.01). The average number of games missed was 3.3 (range, 0 to 20) and the average number of practices missed was 16.7 (range, 0 to 114). Four players had isolated injury to the anterior tibio-fibular ligament (AITFL) (MRI Grade I). Five players had injury to the AITFL and interosseous ligament (MRI Grade II). Twenty-four players sustained injury to the AITFL, interosseous ligament, and posterior inferior tibio-fibular ligament (MRI Grade III). Three players had Grade III injuries with additional injury to the deltoid ligament (MRI Grade IV). Increasing grade of injury was positively correlated with increased number of missed games (p = 0.033) and missed practices (p = 0.002). Conclusion: MRI can be useful to help delineate the injury pattern and associated injuries, and may be useful in predicting time of disability using a grading system. Positive squeeze test can also be useful to determine prognosis. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series
Distributed Knowledge and Economic Organization

This paper develops an explanation for why some activities are organized through firms and others through markets. It studies the problem of coordination in an idealized firm and an idealized market. Both the firm and the market face the problem of using knowledge that is widely dispersed among individuals. They solve the problem in different ways. In the market, decision-making rights are vested in the individuals who possess knowledge. Coordination happens through a process of decentralized interactions and the prices that emerge from these interactions. The market has to incur the cost of discovering prices. The firm does not have to incur the cost of discovering prices because coordination happens through managerial direction. However, this means that widely dispersed knowledge has to be transferred to the manager. Knowledge that changes with time is difficult to centralize, so is knowledge that is difficult to communicate. The firm has to incur the cost of collecting knowledge. The relative cost of the market and the firm depends on the relation between the cost of discovering prices and the cost of collecting knowledge.
Pulmonary histiocytosis simulating desquamative interstitial pneumonia in rats receiving oral iprindole

This compound was passed by the Dunlop Committee on the Safety ofDrugs after exhaustive toxicity studies in which various species of experimental animals were used. Abnormalities were detected only in rats, which showed an accumulation of large mononuclear cells in the pulmonary alveoli. Professor G. J. Cunningham, serving on the Dunlop Committee, noted that this lesion resembled desquamative interstitial pneumonia in man (Liebow, Steer and Billingsley, 1965). In this disease the free cells are believed to be derived from the alveolar epithelium.
The influence of executive cognition on competitive dynamics

Prior competitive dynamics research has drawn on theories of information processing to model the subjective antecedents of executives' retaliation choices. This prior work has made great progress in developing our understanding of the retaliation choices most firms will make to a given type of attack. What the information processing perspective has not been able to do is explain firm-specific behavior to predict which competitive moves individual firms will challenge, or explain why individual firms differ in the types of actions that they are most likely to challenge. The goal of this paper is to sharpen the theoretical and empirical focus on predicting firm-level retaliation proclivities. We leverage managerial cognition research to examine the relationship between firm-level differences in the cognitive frameworks that executives possess, and firm-level differences in whether and how quickly firms challenge a market move. Results from a longitudinal study of the airline industry suggest that the addition of a cognitive perspective provides important insights into competitive retaliation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does Age Predict Outcome in Stroke Rehabilitation? A Study of 878 Chinese Subjects

Background: The predicting value of age on stroke rehabilitation has been controversial. There is a lack of large-scale studies in the Chinese population to examine the effect of age on stroke rehabilitation outcomes. This study examines the predictors of a good outcome after rehabilitation in Chinese stroke patients with special attention to age as a factor. Patients andMethods: This retrospective cohort study includes stroke patients receiving a standard inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation program in a neuro-rehabilitation ward of a convalescence hospital in Hong Kong from January 2000 to December 2003. Functional independence measure (FIM) ≧90 was used to define a good outcome. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the independent predictors of a good outcome. Results: There were important differences in clinical characteristics and complications of stroke among patients of three age groups: <65, ≧65 and <80, and ≧80 years. The total FIM scores both upon admission and at discharge were lower in the older age groups. No significant difference was observed in the changes in FIM scores across these age groups. Age was not an independent predictor for a good outcome. FIM upon admission was an independent predictor for a good outcome (discharge FIM ≧90) in all patients and in individual age groups. Having employment before stroke was a predictor for good outcome in all patients. Living at home prior to stroke was a predictor for the total population and the ≧65 and <80 years group. The length of stay predicted a good outcome in the group ≧80 years. Conclusions: Admission functional status, employment and living at home before stroke but not age per se are predictors of a good outcome following stroke rehabilitation. As older patients show comparable improvement during rehabilitation, intensive rehabilitation should not be withheld in stroke patients simply because of advanced age.
Association of Fear of Terror With Low-Grade Inflammation Among Apparently Healthy Employed Adults

Objective: Based on evidence that psychological stress may induce a chronic inflammatory process, we hypothesized that the stress caused by chronic fear of terror may be associated with low-grade inflammation. This hypothesis was examined in employed men and women with the presence of low-grade inflammation measured by high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods: Apparently healthy employed adults (N = 1153) undergoing periodic health check-ups in a tertiary hospital in Israel completed a questionnaire. Fear of terror (scored 1–5) was assessed by three items measuring the extent to which respondents have deep concern for personal safety, elevated tension in crowded places, and fear of terror strikes causing harm to one's self or one's family members. The main outcome measure was the presence or absence of an elevated CRP level (>3.0 mg/L). Results: Women scored significantly higher on fear of terror compared with men (M = 2.16 vs. M = 1.68, respectively; p < .0001). Most of the study participants who scored high (4 or 5) on fear of terror, reported having experienced this feeling for 1 year or more. In women only, there was a positive association between fear of terror and risk of elevated CRP level (adjusted OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4) in a multivariate model adjusting for generalized anxiety, depressive symptoms, and potentially confounding demographic and biomedical variables. Conclusions: Chronic fear of terror in women, but not in men, is associated with elevated CRP levels, which suggests the presence of low-grade inflammation and a potential risk of cardiovascular disease.
Efficient Boundary Conditions for Bidirectional Propagation Algorithm Based on Fourier Series

Recently, we described a very simple but efficient bidirectional eigenmode expansion propagation algorithm based on Fourier series expansion for modeling optical field distribution in waveguide devices. In this communication, we report on the implementation of complex coordinate transformation into this algorithm as absorbing boundary conditions that greatly enhance the suppression of unwanted reflections from the boundaries of the computational window.
The long‐term performance of horizontal acquisitions

This paper examines how value is created in horizontal mergers and acquisitions. More specifically, it examines the impact of post-acquisition asset divestiture and resource redeployment on the long-term performance of horizontal acquisitions. The data come from a detailed survey of acquiring firm managers and cover 253 horizontal mergers and acquisitions that were initiated by European and U.S. firms in manufacturing industries for the period 1988–1992. This study incorporates insights from the cost efficiency and resource-based theories to propose a model of the effects of asset divestiture and resource redeployment on long-term acquisition performance. Overall, our results show that both asset divestiture and resource redeployment can contribute to acquisition performance, with, however, a significant risk of damaging acquisition performance when the divested assets and redeployed resources are those of the target. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.