Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ownership Structure, Corporate Governance, and Bilateral Political Relations: Evidence from Chinese Cross-Border Mergers

This paper examines the relation between firm ownership structure, bilateral political relations and firm performance using a sample of 219 cross-border mergers conducted by Chinese listed companies from 2000 to 2013. First, we find that government-affiliated bidder abnormal returns do not differ from non-affiliated bidders in the announcement period after controlling for deal characteristics. However, longer-term post-merger bidder abnormal returns are lower for government-affiliated bidders, consistent with the general inefficiency associated with government-affiliation. Second, our results indicate that improving bilateral political relations between China and target nations are positively associated with both short and long-term bidder performance, indicating a role for political institutions in firm outcomes. Third, we find that the interaction between government-affiliation and change in political relations is generally unrelated to bidder performance. However, in target nations with relatively low political risk, the interaction between government-affiliation and change in political relations is positively related to longer-term bidder performance. Thus, government-affiliation can be value enhancing in certain cases. Finally, our results indicate that government-affiliated bidders do not differ in target selection criteria relative to non-affiliated bidders. Collectively, our results suggest an important role for bidder ownership type as well as national political relations in cross-border M&A.
Pre- and postnatal ontogeny of aromatase cytochrome P450 messenger ribonucleic acid expression in the male rat brain studied by in situ hybridization.

A central step in the development and sexual differentiation of the brain is the intraneuronal conversion of testosterone to estrogen. This conversion is catalyzed by an enzyme complex comprised of cytochrome P450 aromatase and the ubiquitous NADPH-dependent cytochrome P450 reductase. Brain aromatase activity is developmentally regulated and expressed only in specific hypothalamic and limbic structures. To determine whether developmental change in aromatase activity are the result of differential regulation of aromatase gene expression, we designed two specific oligonucleotides complementary to a 5'-region or to the heme-binding region of the rat aromatase complementary DNA. Relative amounts of messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding aromatase cytochrome P450 were examined on cryostat sections from male fetuses and offspring of time-pregnant Long-Evans rats using the in situ hybridization technique. On gestational day (GD) 16 (GD 1 = 24 h after mating), aromatase-specific mRNA was detected in the preoptic/hypothalamic area. On GD18 and GD20, aromatase mRNA expression was more abundant and more widespread. High levels of mRNA were detected in the medical preoptic nucleus, the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area, the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, and the medial amygdala. Lower levels were found in the periventricular preoptic nucleus and the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. On postnatal day (PN) 2 and throughout further development (PN6, PN15, and adult), aromatase mRNA decreased to much lower levels in the preoptic area, but remained high in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis and amygdala. An intermediate situation, i.e. transient expression with a peak around birth, was observed for aromatase mRNA levels in the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. Interestingly, during early postnatal development, specific aromatase mRNA was also detected in the hippocampal formation as well as in the subfornical organ. In summary, these results demonstrate that the low quantities of aromatase transcripts in the developing rat brain can be detected by means of in situ hybridization. Depending on the particular region examined, aromatase expression appears to be subjected to different developmental programs. As the expression of aromatase mRNA parallels the results obtained from activity assays, it is likely that developmental changes in aromatase activity are the result of regulation of aromatase gene expression.
Monoclonal-antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis is estimated to infect 4 million women per year in the United States. The diagnosis of trichomoniasis is predominantly achieved by direct microscopic examination of vaginal exudates. This subjective diagnostic procedure is reported to be 75% sensitive under ideal circumstances. We have developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of T. vaginalis directly from vaginal exudates. The ELISA employs a monoclonal antibody specific for a 65-kilodalton surface polypeptide of T. vaginalis as the capture antibody in a sandwich format. A polyclonal rabbit anti-T. vaginalis antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase serves as the probe. An evaluation of vaginal specimens from women attending clinics revealed a sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA of 89 and 97%, respectively, versus the culture technique. These results indicate the usefulness of this ELISA as an alternative to microscopic and culture methods for the detection of T. vaginalis in vaginal exudates.
Which children with fever and neutropenia can be safely treated as outpatients?

Myelosuppression is the dose-limiting toxicity for most drug regimens in paediatric oncology. Consequently, fever and neutropenia commonly complicate cancer therapy. Management of fever and neutropenia consumes a substantial portion of the effort of most paediatric oncologists and of health care system resources. The purpose of this brief annotation is to offer an opinion about what role outpatient care can play in the management of this condition in children with cancer. A group from St. Jude Children's Hospital has recently reviewed outpatient management of fever and neutropenia in children (Patrick & Shenep, 1999). The published work on outpatient management of adult cancer patients will not be reviewed (Rolston et al, 1996; Sundararajan et al, 1997) owing to space limitations, although it should be noted that successes in adult oncology have encouraged trials in paediatrics.
Hypoxaemia and Supplemental Oxygen Therapy in the First 24 Hours after Myocardial Infarction: The Role of Pulse Oximetry

Objective To assess the incidence and degree of hypoxaemia in patients with acute myocardial infarction and evaluate the nation-wide perception and usage of oxygen therapy. Design Postal survey of all coronary care units (CCU) in England of their use of prescribed oxygen and pulse oximetry. Prospective randomised study of 50 patients presenting within 24 hours of onset of myocardial infarction, half of whom received oxygen therapy. Oxygen saturation (SpO2) as continuously measured by pulse oximetry, and arrhythmias and ST segment changes were recorded on simultaneous 24-hour ambulatory Holter monitors. Results In 53% of UK coronary care units oxygen is not routinely prescribed but in only 3% is a pulse oximeter used to aid management. In patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction the incidence of hypoxaemia (SpO2 < 90%) was 70% and severe hypoxaemia 35% in those not given oxygen, compared with only 27% and 4% in patients given oxygen therapy. The only patient to receive oxygen on clinical grounds had an oxygen saturation of 71%. Severe hypoxaemia (SpO2 < 80%) occurred significantly less often (1 and 7 patients, p < 0.05) in patients given oxygen. There were no differences in arrhythmias or ST segment changes between groups. Conclusion Hypoxaemia occurs frequently in patients in the first 24 hours after acute myocardial infarction. It is effectively and easily treated with supplemental oxygen which can be guided by pulse oximetry. This is rarely done. Measurements of oxygen saturation are therefore justified in all patients to guide oxygen therapy unless there is a decision to give all patients supplemental oxygen: this we believe to be unnecessary.
L21 and XA Ordering Competition in Hafnium-Based Full-Heusler Alloys Hf2VZ (Z = Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb)

For theoretical designing of full-Heusler based spintroinc materials, people have long believed in the so-called Site Preference Rule (SPR). Very recently, according to the SPR, there are several studies on XA-type Hafnium-based Heusler alloys X2YZ, i.e., Hf2VAl, Hf2CoZ (Z = Ga, In) and Hf2CrZ (Z = Al, Ga, In). In this work, a series of Hf2-based Heusler alloys, Hf2VZ (Z = Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb), were selected as targets to study the site preferences of their atoms by first-principle calculations. It has been found that all of them are likely to exhibit the L21-type structure instead of the XA one. Furthermore, we reveal that the high values of spin-polarization of XA-type Hf2VZ (Z = Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) alloys have dropped dramatically when they form the L21-type structure. Also, we prove that the electronic, magnetic, and physics nature of these alloys are quite different, depending on the L21-type or XA-type structures.
Mobile Broadband: A Key Enabling Technology for Entrepreneurship?

This article examines whether mobile broadband can be viewed as an enabling technology for entrepreneurship in developing and developed countries. Evidence shows that mobile telephony is becoming more affordable worldwide. Contrary to fixed broadband, mobile broadband ensures better reach and lower costs and has become the most dynamic platform for bringing ICT benefits to entrepreneurship. A six period panel data analysis, 2007–2012, is estimated for 58 countries. Using the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor's Total Entrepreneurial Activity as the dependent variable, a positive influence of mobile broadband on the entrepreneurial activity is observed. Linking ICT and entrepreneurship is an area in need of more research.
Joint resource block assignment and power control in macro-pico heterogeneous networks

In macro-pico heterogeneous networks, Cell Range Expansion (CRE) is introduced to perform load balance between macrocell and picocell. However, the cross-tier interference from Macro Base Station (MBS) severely degrades the performance of pico CRE User Equipments (UEs) and total system throughput. Therefore, a joint Resource Block (RB) assignment and power control algorithm is proposed to alleviate this influence. In pico layer, all RBs are assigned to the pico UEs (PUEs) in Round-Robin (RR) manner, and CRE UEs of several picocells in certain range reuse the same RBs as much as possible. In macro layer, these overlapping RBs are assigned to the Macro UEs (MUEs) who have a better experience in turn. Then a utility function combining interference and throughput is calculated to find the optimal transmission power of each MBS in overlapping RBs for throughput enhancement by using Differential Evolution (DE) theory. Simulation results show that our algorithm could significantly improve the performance of pico CRE UEs as well as total system throughput.
Clinical relevance of Fas (APO‐1/CD95) expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Expression of Fas receptors renders tumor cells potentially susceptible to the host immune system. In squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, Fas has recently been found to be down‐regulated in some cases; its prognostic value and correlation with clinicopathologic parameters, however, is yet to be delineated.
Domain-specific self-efficacy is associated with measures of functional capacity and quality of life among patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RATIONALE The relationship between self-efficacy and health behaviors is well established. However, little is known about the relationship between self-efficacy and health-related indicators among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVES The purpose of this cross-sectional cohort study was to test the hypothesis that the total score and specific subdomain scores of the COPD Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) are associated with functional capacity and quality of life in a group of patients with moderate to severe COPD. METHODS Relationships were examined in a cross-sectional study of baseline data collected as part of a randomized trial. Self-efficacy was measured using the five domains of the CSES: negative affect, emotional arousal, physical exertion, weather/environment, and behavioral. Measures of quality of life and functional capacity included SF-12: physical and mental composite scores, Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire dyspnea domain, and the 6-minute-walk test. Statistical analyses included Spearman correlation and categorical analyses of self-efficacy ("confident" vs. "not confident") using general linear models adjusting for potential confounders. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS There were 325 patients enrolled with a mean age (standard deviation) of 68.5 (9.48) years, 49.5% male, and 91.69% non-Hispanic white. The negative affect, emotional arousal, and physical exertion domains were moderately correlated (range, 0.3-0.7) with the SF-12 mental composite score and Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire dyspnea domain. In models exploring each CSES domain as "confident" versus "not confident" and adjusting for age, sex, race, pack-years, and airflow obstruction severity, there were multiple clinically and statistically significant associations between the negative affect, emotional arousal, and physical exertion domains with functional capacity and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS The aggregated total CSES score was associated with better quality of life and functional capacity. Our analysis of subdomains revealed that the physical exertion, negative affect, and emotional arousal subdomains had the largest associations with functional capacity and quality of life indicators. These findings suggest that interventions to enhance self-efficacy may improve the functional capacity and quality of life of patients with moderate to severe COPD.
The relative roles of density and climatic variation on population dynamics and fecundity rates in three contrasting ungulate species

The relative influences of density–dependent and–independent processes on vital rates and population dynamics have been debated in ecology for over half a century, yet it is only recently that both processes have been shown to operate within the same population. However, generalizations on the role of each process across species are rare. Using a process–orientated generalized linear modelling approach we show that variations in fecundity rates in populations of three species of ungulates with contrasting life histories are associated with density and winter weather in a remarkably similar manner. However, there are differences and we speculate that they are a result of differences in size between the species. Much previous research exploring the association between vital rates, population dynamics and densitydependent and–independent processes has used pattern–orientated approaches to decompose time–series into contributions from density–dependent and–independent processes. Results from these analyses are sometimes used to infer associations between vital rates, density and climatic variables. We compare results from pattern–orientated analyses of time–series with process–orientated analyses and report that the two approaches give different results. The approach of analysing relationships between vital rates, density and climatic variables may detect important processes influencing population dynamics that timeseries methodologies may overlook.
Ultra-multi-amplitude-level BPSK based SSB-DFTs-OFDM to achieve higher spectrum efficiency

Ultra multi-level modulation such as 1024/4096QAM can achieve higher spectrum efficiency of 10/12 bit/s/Hz than 8 bit/s/Hz achieved by 256QAM in current WLAN/LTE standards, however BER (Bit Error Rate) performance is significantly degraded due to very small reference phase error for coherent detection. This paper proposes ultra-multi-amplitude-level BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying) based SSB-DFTs-OFDM (Single Side Band Discrete Fourier Transform spreading Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) to achieve higher spectrum efficiency. Theoretical analysis and computer simulation results reveal the proposed multi-amplitude-level BPSK based SSB-DFTs-OFDM is more robust to reference phase error for coherent detection, and lower PAPR (Peak to Average Power Ratio) than conventional 1024/4096QAM.
The amino-terminal domains of Epstein-Barr virus nuclear proteins 3A, 3B, and 3C interact with RBPJ(kappa)

The ability of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent infection nuclear protein EBNA3C to activate transcription of two EBNA2-responsive genes and to inhibit EBNA2 activation of transcription in transient-transfection assays appears to be due to its ability to interact with RBPJkappa, a cell protein that links EBNA2 to its response elements. We now show that EBNA3A and EBNA3B expressed in non-EBV-infected Burkitt tumor lymphoblasts are similar to EBNA3C in binding to glutathione S-transferase-RBPJkappa in vitro and in coimmunoprecipitating from cell lysates with antibody to RBPJkappa. EBNA3A and EBNA3B can also inhibit the interaction of RBPJkappa with cognate DNA in vitro. Although EBNA3 open reading frames are each close to 1,000 codons long, EBNA3A amino acids 1 to 138, EBNA3B amino acids 1 to 311, and EBNA3C amino acids 1 to 183 are sufficient for RBPJkappa interaction, while EBNA3B amino acids I to 109 have less or no binding. The RBPJkappa interacting domains overlap with the most highly conserved domain (amino acids 90 to 320) among the EBNA3 proteins. Thus, the EBNA3 gene family appears to have evolved to differentially regulate promoters with RBPJkappa binding sites. EBNA2, EBNA3A, and EBNA3C are important in EBV transformation of primary human B lymphocytes. Their interaction with RBPJkappa links EBV transformation to the notch signaling pathway and the effects of activated notch in T-cell leukemogenesis.
Economic analysis of bevacizumab, cetuximab, and panitumumab with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy in the first-line treatment of KRAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)

Abstract Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers). Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to human vascular endothelial growth factor. A sub-study confirmed its effectiveness in KRAS wild-type patients. Recent evidence has shown clinical benefit from anti-epidermal growth factor treatments cetuximab and panitumumab in these patients. The cost-effectiveness, to the Canadian healthcare system, of fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy (FBC) in combination with bevacizumab, cetuximab, or panitumumab was assessed for first-line treatment of KRAS wild-type mCRC patients. Methods: A Markov model was developed and calibrated to progression-free/overall survival, using separately reported trial survival and adverse event results for each comparator. Health-state resource utilization was derived from published data and oncologist input. Utilities and unit prices were obtained from published literature and standard Canadian sources. Results: Results per patient are over a lifetime horizon, to a maximum of 10 years, with 5% annual discounting. Comparators are ordered by total cost and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of each is determined against the previous non-dominated therapy. Compared to FBC alone, bevacizumab + FBC has an ICER of $131,600 per QALY gained. Compared to bevacizumab + FBC, panitumumab + FBC is dominated and cetuximab + FBC has an ICER of $3.8 million per QALY. In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, bevacizumab + FBC had ∼100%, ∼100%, and 98.9% probabilities of being more cost-effective than both of the other combination treatments at thresholds of $50,000/QALY, $100,000/QALY, and $200,000/QALY, respectively. Conclusion: For first-line treatment of KRAS-WT mCRC, bevacizumab + FBC is associated with substantially lower costs as compared to panitumumab + FBC or cetuximab + FBC. Key limitations were that survival curves and adverse event rates were taken from separate clinical trials and that an indirect comparison was not included. Given these findings, bevacizumab is likely to offer the best value for money for this patient population.
Efficient people search and gesture recognition using a Kinect interfaced mobile robot

This paper describes the programming and application of human searching and gesture recognition using a neck-like swivel mechanism attached to a mobile robot Pioneer 3-DX interfaced with a Microsoft Kinect sensor. We utilize color, depth and skeleton data streams from the Kinect to find and track people for gesture commands to do basic robotic movements like wander around, follow-me etc. Our findings from experimental evaluation of the developed system suggest that mounting of the Kinect on a neck-like mechanism helps the robot efficiently search for a person and reduce the total accumulated error in its odometry compared to having the sensor fixed to the robot base. Overall, the developed platform is very robust and flexible in terms of expandability.
Evidence Base Update for Psychosocial Treatments for Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and impairing condition that often persists into adulthood. Barrett, Farrell, Pina, Peris, and Piacentini (2008), in this journal, provided a detailed review of evidence-based psychosocial treatments for youth with OCD. The current review provides an evidence base update of the pediatric OCD psychosocial treatment literature with particular attention to advances in the field as well as to the methodological challenges inherent in evaluating such findings. Psychosocial treatment studies conducted since the last review are described and evaluated according to methodological rigor and evidence-based classification using the JCCAP evidence-based treatment evaluation criteria (Southam-Gerow & Prinstein, this issue). Findings from this review clearly converge in support of cognitive-behavioral therapy as an effective and appropriate first line treatment for youth with OCD (either alone or in combination with medication). Although no treatment for pediatric OCD has yet to be designated as “well-established,” both individual and individual family-based treatments have been shown to be “probably efficacious. ” Moderators and predictors of treatment outcome are discussed as are the areas where we have advanced the field and the areas where we have room to grow. The methodological and clinical challenges inherent in a review of the evidence base are reviewed. Finally, future research directions are outlined.
Green supply chain inventory model for deteriorating items with variable demand under inflation

Green supply chain increasingly gained interest in the last decade. What initially started as an effort to save environment has developed into a great business concept with increased profitability. Though various studies have been conducted in green supply chain, most of them have neglected the impact of deterioration and inflation. In this study, we develop an inventory model in green supply chain for deteriorating items considering recycling and reverse logistics taking inflation into account. It is assumed that remanufactured products will go to secondary market and have higher demand. Demand is assumed to be quadratic for remanufactured products while linear demand is followed for new products. Holding cost is assumed to be time dependent and deterioration is assumed to follow two-parameter Weibull distribution. The objective is to minimise total cost. Numerical and sensitivity analysis are carried out at the end of this paper.