Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Otologic Outcomes After Blast Injury: The Boston Marathon Experience

Objective Otologic trauma was the most common physical injury sustained after the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon bombings. The goal of this study is to describe the resultant otologic morbidity and to report on early outcomes. Study Design Multi-institutional prospective cohort study. Methods Children and adults seen for otologic complaints related to the Boston Marathon bombings comprised the study population. Participants completed symptom assessments, quality-of-life questionnaires, and audiograms at initial and 6-month visits. Otologic evaluation and treatment, including tympanoplasty results, were reviewed. Results More than 100 patients from eight medical campuses have been evaluated for blast-related otologic injuries; 94 have enrolled. Only 7% had any otologic symptoms before the blasts. Ninety percent of hospitalized patients sustained tympanic membrane perforation. Proximity to blast (RR = 2.7, p < 0.01) and significant nonotologic injury (RR = 2.7, p < 0.01) were positive predictors of perforation. Spontaneous healing occurred in 38% of patients, and tympanoplasty success was 86%. After oral steroid therapy in eight patients, improvement in hearing at 2 and 4 kHz was seen, although changes did not reach statistical significance. Hearing loss, tinnitus, hyperacusis, and difficulty hearing in noise remain persistent and, in some cases, progressive complaints for patients. Otologic-specific quality of life was impaired in this population. Conclusion Blast-related otologic injuries constitute a major source of ongoing morbidity after the Boston Marathon bombings. Continued follow-up and care of this patient population are warranted.
Levels of interleukins 2, 6, 8, and 10 in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was previously considered as a psychosomatic disorder. But recent studies indicate that inflammation plays a significant role. The present study was undertaken to evaluate role of pro-inflammatory (IL 2, IL 6 and IL 8) and anti-inflammatory (IL 10) cytokines in clinically diagnosed patients of IBS. 51 patients and 29 controls were included in this study. On the basis of history of gastrointestinal infection, patients were divided into Post Infectious (PIIBS) and Non Post Infectious (NPIIBS) groups. All subsequently underwent colonoscopy and a rectosigmoid biopsy as well as measurement of levels of IL 2, 6, 8 and 10. The levels of IL 2 and IL 8 were significantly raised in IBS patients compared to controls with the mean level of IL 2,6 and 8 higher in PIIBS group than NPIIBS group but statistically significant for IL 8 only. The mean level IL-10 was reduced in patients compared to controls but statistically insignificant. Present study shows that Interleukin levels are altered in patients suffering from IBS and may have a key role in its pathogenesis.
The role of consumer knowledge in consumer evaluations of brand extension

vii 1 CHAPTER I – INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 PROBLEM ORIENTATION 1 1.2 BACKGROUND 1 1.2. 1 The importance of fit perceptions in brand extension evaluations 2 1.2. 2 The importance of consumer knowledge in brand extension evaluations 3 1.3 PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH AND RESEARCH PROBLEM 4 1.3. 1 Research problem and research questions 4 1.4 JUSTIFICATION FOR THE RESEARCH 5 1.5 METHODOLOGY 6 1.6 OUTLINE OF THE THESIS 6 1.7 DEFINITIONS 7 1.8 DELIMITATIONS 8 1.9 CONCLUSION 9 2 CHAPTER II – LITERATURE REVIEW 10 2.
Chromosomal analysis of mouse spermatozoa following physical and chemical treatments that are effective in inactivating HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be inactivated by heating at 56 °C for 30 min, treating with 50% ethanol at room temperature for 10 min, or treating with 2% sodium hypochlorite solution (NaClO) at room temperature for 60 min. Using a mouse model, we evaluated the risk of generating chromosome damage in spermatozoa following these treatments. The spermatozoa were all dead after the treatments. Although 41.3% of oocytes injected with ethanol-treated spermatozoa successfully activated, none of the oocytes injected with heated or NaClO-treated spermatozoa activated. When artificial stimulation with strontium was used, the fertilization of oocytes with heated or ethanol-treated spermatozoa was completely rescued. Sperm nuclei treated with NaClO neither decondensed nor developed to a male pronucleus. The incidences of structural chromosome aberrations in 1-cell zygotes derived from the heated spermatozoa (45.6%) and ethanol-treated spermatozoa (91.2%) were significantly higher than those in the matched controls (5.5% and 10.5%, respectively). Further study is needed to develop a methodology for the protection of spermatozoa against chromosome damage or the separation of damaged spermatozoa before intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
Internet Gambling: Prevalence, Patterns, Problems, and Policy Options

Acknowledgements There are three organizations that contributed to the success of this study. We thank the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre for their continuing support of our research efforts and their generous funding of this project. We thank the Curriculum Development Centre and the Info Tech – Web Team at the University of Lethbridge, and particularly Trevor Flexhaug for his technical skill in developing the International Online Survey. Lastly, we thank the Institute for Social Research at York University for conducting the Canadian Telephone Survey.
The power of DNA double‐strand break (DSB) repair testing to predict breast cancer susceptibility

Most presently known breast cancer susceptibility genes have been linked to DSB repair. To identify novel markers that may serve as indicators for breast cancer risk, we performed DSB repair analyses using a case‐control design. Thus, we examined 35 women with defined familial history of breast and/or ovarian cancer (first case group), 175 patients with breast cancer (second case group), and 245 healthy women without previous cancer or family history of breast cancer (control group). We analyzed DSB repair in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) by a GFP‐based test system using 3 pathway‐specific substrates. We found increases of microhomology‐mediated nonhomologous end joining (mmNHEJ) and nonconservative single‐strand annealing (SSA) in women with familial risk vs. controls (P=0.0001‐0.0022) and patients with breast cancer vs. controls (P=0.0004‐0.0042). Young age (<50) at initial diagnosis of breast cancer, which could be indicative of genetic predisposition, was associated with elevated SSA using two different substrates, amounting to similar odds ratios (ORs=2.54‐4.46, P= 0.0059‐0.0095) as for familial risk (ORs=2.61‐4.05, P=0.0007‐0.0045). These findings and supporting validation data underscore the great potential of detecting distinct DSB repair activities in PBLs as method to estimate breast cancer susceptibility beyond limitations of genotyping and to predict responsiveness to therapeutics targeting DSB repair‐dysfunctional tumors. —Keimling, M. , Deniz, M. , Varga, D. , Stahl, A. , Schrezenmeier, H. , Kreienberg, R. , Hoffmann, I. , König, J., Wiesmüller, L. The power of DNA double‐strand break (DSB) repair testing to predict breast cancer susceptibility. FASEB J. 26, 2094‐2104 (2012). www.fasebj. org
The Value of CEOs' Supply Chain Experience: Evidence from Mergers and Acquisitions

Acquirer CEOs with experience in the target’s industry supply chain (‘supply chain CEOs’) are associated with wealth effects of first-order importance: they earn 1% higher merger announcement returns. Conversely, their targets get a lower share of the merger gains. Acquisitions by supply chain CEOs also exhibit higher synergies, better post-deal accounting performance, less goodwill written off, and a lower probability of target-payable termination fees. These findings withstand checks for endogeneity, selection, unobserved heterogeneity, anticipation bias, and numerous robustness tests. In takeovers by supply chain CEOs, superior acquirer performance stems from both value creation and rents bargained away from target shareholders.
How Does Block Ownership by Institutions Affect Corporate Governance

We investigate the role of institutional block holdings on the quality of a firm’s governance structure by using marginal cash valuation and future profitability as measures of a firm’s agency costs. We find that block holdings are negatively related to marginal cash valuations and future profitability. The negative relation is strongest for investment companies and advisors who hold large blocks in the second half of our sample period. We also find that the presence of such block holders is associated with lower profitability from capital investments, as well as higher CEO pay and lower CEO turnover following poor performance. Overall our evidence is consistent with the private benefits hypothesis that asset management companies owning large blocks impair governance to obtain lucrative investment business from management.
Small business in small economies: constraints and opportunities for growth

Small businesses are now increasingly being perceived as an important contributor to economic growth and development. They make significant contribution towards job creation and the provision of low cost goods and services. The role of small business is more critical in small states where size, technology, capital and other resource constraints limit the establishment of large business. In such states, small businesses have the leading role in providing goods and services for the society. Fiji, for instance, has a large proportion of its population engaged in small and micro-enterprise. Most of these small businesses, however, face a number of problems that inhibit their entry into the industry or make their survival difficult. How are these SMEs performing and what are are the problems, if any, that they are encountering? This study is conducted to examine how small businesses have contributed towards rising household income and, to identify the various problems that are plaguing these establishments. The results from the study reveal that poor law and order/security, lack of finance and appropriate skills are major impediments to small business growth and development.
Liquid chromatography / mass spectrometry analysis of exhaled leukotriene B 4 in asthmatic children

Background: The role of leukotriene (LT) B4, a potent inflammatory mediator, in atopic asthmatic and atopic nonasthmatic children is largely unknown. The lack of a gold standard technique for measuring LTB4 in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) has hampered its quantitative assessment in this biological fluid. We sought to measure LTB4 in EBC in atopic asthmatic children and atopic nonasthmatic children. Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) was measured as an independent marker of airway inflammation. Methods: Fifteen healthy children, 20 atopic nonasthmatic children, 25 steroid-naïve atopic asthmatic children, and 22 atopic asthmatic children receiving inhaled corticosteroids were studied. The study design was of crosssectional type. Exhaled LTB4 concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometrymass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Exhaled NO was measured by chemiluminescence with a single breath on-line method. LTB4 values were expressed as the total amount (in pg) of eicosanoid expired in the 15-minute breath test. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare groups. Results: Compared with healthy children [87.5 (82.5–102.5) pg, median and interquartile range], exhaled LTB4 was increased in steroid-naïve atopic asthmatic [255.1 (175.0–314.7) pg, p < 0.001], but not in atopic nonasthmatic children [96.5 (87.3–102.5) pg, p = 0.59)]. Asthmatic children who were receiving inhaled corticosteroids had lower concentrations of exhaled LTB4 than steroid-naïve asthmatics [125.0 (25.0–245.0) pg vs 255.1 (175.0–314.7) pg, p < 0.01, respectively]. Exhaled NO was higher in atopic nonasthmatic children [16.2 (13.5–22.4) ppb, p < 0.05] and, to a greater extent, in atopic steroid-naïve asthmatic children [37.0 (31.7–57.6) ppb, p < 0.001] than in healthy children [8.3 (6.1–9.9) ppb]. Compared with steroid-naïve asthmatic children, exhaled NO levels were reduced in asthmatic children who were receiving inhaled corticosteroids [15.9 (11.5–31.7) ppb, p < 0.01]. Conclusion: In contrast to exhaled NO concentrations, exhaled LTB4 values are selectively elevated in steroidnaïve atopic asthmatic children, but not in atopic nonasthmatic children. Although placebo control studies are warranted, inhaled corticosteroids seem to reduce exhaled LTB4 in asthmatic children. LC/MS/MS analysis of exhaled LTB4 might provide a non-invasive, sensitive, and quantitative method for airway inflammation assessment in asthmatic children. Published: 19 October 2005 Respiratory Research 2005, 6:119 doi:10.1186/1465-9921-6-119 Received: 16 September 2005 Accepted: 19 October 2005 This article is available from: http://respiratory-research.com/content/6/1/119 © 2005 Montuschi et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
EVALUATION OF INDOPHENOL DERIVATIVES AS REAGENTS FOR DEMONSTRATING CYTOCHROME OXIDASE IN TISSUE SECTIONS

Seven redox dyes were investigated as possible histochemical indicators of cytochrome oxidase activity. All failed to meet one prime requisite, namely, that the oxidized product remain at the site of enzymatic action. The "color fading" phenomenon was studied. This effect was one in which sections and homogenates became colored as a result of oxidase activity and then faded during further incubation. Evidence was provided that this reaction occurred as a result of endogenous dehydrogenase activity, mainly succinic dehydrogenase. The decoloration in solution could be prevented by N-ethyl maleimide, without inhibiting cytochrome oxidase.
Triggers of Contract Breach: Contract Design, Shocks, or Institutions?

This paper constructs a large contract-level data set to examine factors that trigger breach of foreign investment contracts. Similar to the case of outright expropriation, political regime type is an important determinant of breach of contract. Furthermore, although investors' bargaining power becomes obsolete as contracts mature, contracts can be designed to mitigate the risk of breach of contract by involving multilateral organizations and creating buffers to absorb commodity price shocks. The paper examines the type of countries prone to contract breaches. After controlling for regional and sector fixed effects, less-democratic and resource-dependent governments are more likely to breach contracts, especially after large global shocks, notably natural disasters.
The Role of Relative Availability of Bond and Bank Financing: A Measure of Debt Inflexibility

We study how the relative availability of bond and bank financing supply affects the firm’s ability to borrow and to use its leverage to buffer shocks. We define a measure that proxies for the regional borrowing inflexibility in the availability of bank and bond financing: “debt inflexibility”. Debt inflexibility tilts the financial structure towards equity, increasing SEOs, reducing debt issuances and lowering leverage. It proxies for a particular type of financial constraint that is more related to the local capital market to which the firm belongs, than to the characteristics of the firm itself. Debt inflexibility increases the sensitivity of cash holdings and investment to cash flows, reduces dividend payment andmakes the firm more likely to pay equity in mergers and acquisitions.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Almost since the beginnings of psychiatric practice, there has been a recognition that negative life experiences and stressful happenings may serve to precipitate mental disorders (Garmezy & Rutter, 1985). Nearly 200 years ago, Pinel wrote about the psychiatric risks associated with unexpected reverses or adverse circumstances, and it is reported that his initial question to newly admitted psychiatric patients was: “Have you suffered vexation, grief or reverse of fortune? ” Nevertheless, although an appreciation that a variety of stressors may play a role in the genesis of psychiatric disorder has a long history, the systematic study of such effects is much more recent.
Investor Sentiment and Conditional Accounting Conservatism

Prior research presents mixed results on how managers alter their voluntary disclosures in response to investor sentiment, with evidence indicating that managers both attempt to correct and attempt to exacerbate optimistic market expectations during these critical periods. We examine a mandatory disclosure (GAAP earnings) and predict that career and litigation concerns should be sufficient to encourage the reporting of bad news more timely fashion when investor sentiment is high. We find that GAAP earnings are more (less) conservative in periods of high (low) investor sentiment, especially for companies where incentives encourage conservative reporting. Specifically, the sentiment-conservatism relationship is stronger for firms with greater sentiment-price sensitivity, higher litigation risk, Big Four auditors and stronger corporate governance.
Internet Blues Revisited: Replication and Extension of an Internet Paradox Study

This study is a replication of the Kraut et al. Internet paradox study designed to set guidelines for harmless Internet usage, without any potential for personal damage. The present study produced two main results: The first is a partial confirmation of the general response pattern found by Kraut et al. (i.e., that younger individuals tend to use the Internet to a higher degree and that they experience a lesser degree of psychological well-being). The second main result, however, contradicts the interpretation by Kraut et al. of the causal relationship between Internet usage and psychological well-being.
Does Mining FDI Crowd in or Crowd Out Other Investments? A Cross-Country Investigation of FDI Intersectoral Linkages

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in extractive industries (mining and quarrying) is expected to increase dramatically in many developing countries, due to the rising global demand for commodities. One key question for policymakers is whether this form of FDI could help spur investments in other sectors, in order to help boost their countries’ long term growth prospects. Countries with large extractive industries seek to promote economic diversification, so other types of FDI would also be critical in this regard. This paper analyzes whether mining FDI "crowds out" or "crowds in" FDI in other sectors via intersectoral linkages. It utilizes a novel data set covering sector-disaggregated FDI flows in 70 countries from 1985 to 2010. Results show differential effects of mining FDI on FDI in other sectors (manufacturing, services, financial services, non-financial services) and across country groups. Some of the interesting results are seen in the high income countries group, where mining FDI is observed to have crowding out effect on total services and more specifically, financial services FDI and in the lower middle income countries group, where mining FDI is observed to crowd in both manufacturing and financial services FDI.
International Management: Cross-Cultural Dimensions

Introduction.Part I: National Culture:1. International Management and Culture.2. Comparing Cultures.3. Shifts in the Culture.4. Doing your own Analysis.Cases.Part II: How Culture Influences the Internal Arrangements:5. Organizational Culture.6. Culture and Ethics.7. Cross-Cultural Management Communication.8. Culture and Structure.9. Motivating Across Cultures.10. Culture and Dispute Resolution.11. Negotiations.12. Culture and Patronage.Cases.Part III: How the International Arrangements Influence Strategy:13. Planning Change.14. Strategic Planning.15. International Joint Ventures.16. Headquarters and Subsidiary.17. Family Companies. Cases.Part IV: Making the Strategy Work: HRM Issues:18. International Staffing Policy.19. Training for an Expatriate Assignment.Cases. Bibliography.
Depression, Witchcraft Beliefs and Super-Ego Development in Pre-Literate Societies

When guilt feelings and self-accusations made their first appearance as symptoms of depression in Europe and Africa, as noted in a previous paper, this followed a period of heightened witchcraft beliefs in both locations and was sometimes first noticed in the form of voluntary witchcraft confessions, raising the question of a possible connection between the two types of change. Using the concepts of “group ego” and “group super-ego” to which Eric Wittkower has contributed, it is suggested that the heightened witchcraft beliefs were a defence against an individualizing change which would eventually lead to the inward turning of aggression and reproach and hence to the symptoms mentioned.
A-REIT seasoned equity offerings : determinants and market reaction

The paper examines the decision by Australian Real Estate Trusts (A-REITs) to issue seasoned equity offerings from 2000 - 2008 and stock market reaction to the offerings using panel data and event study methodologies, respectively. The global financial crisis has resulted in freezing of the Australian bond markets, with several A-REITs left with seasoned equity issuance and asset sales as the only viable modes of raising additional capital. The findings review that leverage and operating risk are negative significant determinants of seasoned equity offerings; profitability and growth opportunities are positive significant determinants. Of the structure and type of properties held by the A-REIT, only stapled management structure and international operations are significant determinants. Type of properties held by A-REITs show inconsistent results. Similar to previous studies of seasoned equity offerings, we find a significant negative abnormal return associated with their announcement and no evidence of excessive leakage of information. Cross-sectional regressions show that the issued amount raised and leverage are significant factors affecting abnormal returns.
KONSTRUKSI SOSIAL INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL: STUDI INTERPRETIF ATAS KEBERADAAN INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL DAN PENGUNGKAPANNYA PADA BANK JATENG

The aim of this research is to understand and analyze how Bank Jateng socially constructed intellectual capital, why the company do that, and what the aim of constructing Intellectual Capital as well as how the Bank disclose Intellectual Capital. This study is case study research conducted within qualitative method. Data were gathered from interview and document analysis. The obtained data were analyzed using three main steps: data reduction, data display and interpretation. Analysis was conducted by employing institutional theory and social construction theory as lens of understanding the phenomenon being studied. The research findings show that the intellectual capital of Bank Jateng is seen as an important aspect that drives performance of the bank. The construction of intellectual capital was carried out through the improvement of the labour competence, improvement of customer service, improvement core values, and use technology in Bank Jateng. The disclosure of Intellectual Capital was conducted by Bank Jateng through social mass media to show how performance and achievement of Bank Jateng gained through intellectual capital. Such disclosure is perceived as an appropriate way to sign the Bank with good reputation that is finally intended to gain legitimacy.