Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CSR Disclosure, Customer Loyalty, and Firm Values (Study at Mining Company Listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange)

This study aimed to examine the association of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disclosure and the firm valueson customer loyalty as a mediating variable. The samples of this study weresourced from the mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange of 2008-2014. The secondary data used was obtained from the annual reports accessed through idx.co.id, and the sales reports based on the mining's sub-sectors accessed through bi.go. id. The variables of CSR disclosure were measured by usingscoresof weighting the item categories of CSR disclosure, namely: special items, core items, and additional items. Meanwhile, customer loyalty was measured by using market share, and the firm values were measured by Tobin's Q. The results proved that customer loyalty was the intervening influence of CSR disclosure and the firm values. This was the first study thatapplied different weighting to the category of disclosure items to calculate the scores of CSR disclosure through a statistical testing. Further research, then,can use the survey or focus group discussion (FGD) to determine the weighting method.
Void separation efficiency of vacuum VPS technology on FR4 and LTCC substrates

In this paper, the void separation efficiency of the vacuum Vapour Phase Soldering technology is examined by experimental procedures in the case of different substrate materials and setups. The vacuum suction at the end of the soldering process is applied to help drawing out the voids from the solder joints. It was shown that heat loss of the oven during vapour suctioning might lead to early solidification of the solder joints and reduces the efficiency of the void removal. For the experimental, test substrates were manufactured from FR4 and ceramic (CaCu3Ti4O12 and ZnO) materials with different thicknesses. SMD chip resistors were soldered on the substrates by vacuum VPS technology. The efficiency of void elimination was examined by X-Ray microscopy. It was found that the thermal properties of the substrates have considerable effect on the void elimination efficiency of the vacuum treatment.
Ownership Structure Impact on Jordanian Banks' Financial Performance

Abstract This study seeks to examine the effect of ownership structures on the Jordanian commercial banks’ performance for the period 2005 -2014. It also aims to investigate the impact of the bank’s characteristics on the performance. This study uses Return on Investment and Return on Equity to assess the financial performance of the banks. The ownership structure was measured using ownership concentrations, institutional ownership, foreign ownership, and government ownership. Bank characteristics were also covered using size, age and debt to equity ratio. The study has shown that the banks’ profitability significantly decreases with a high ownership concentration, larger banks’ size, and higher debt to equity ratio. Meanwhile, the foreign ownership and government ownership have a significant positive impact on the banks’ performance. Moreover, the results found no impact for the institutional ownership and the age on the performance of Jordanian banks.
Stem Cell Salvage of Injured Peripheral Nerve

We previously developed a collagen tube filled with autologous skin-derived stem cells (SDSCs) for bridging long rat sciatic nerve gaps. Here we present a case report describing a compassionate use of this graft for repairing the polyinjured motor and sensory nerves of the upper arms of a patient. Preclinical assessment was performed with collagen/SDSC implantation in rats after sectioning the sciatic nerve. For the patient, during the 3-year follow-up period, functional recovery of injured median and ulnar nerves was assessed by pinch gauge test and static two-point discrimination and touch test with monofilaments, along with electophysiological and MRI examinations. Preclinical experiments in rats revealed rescue of sciatic nerve and no side effects of patient-derived SDSC transplantation (30 and 180 days of treatment). In the patient treatment, motor and sensory functions of the median nerve demonstrated ongoing recovery postimplantation during the follow-up period. The results indicate that the collagen/SDSC artificial nerve graft could be used for surgical repair of larger defects in major lesions of peripheral nerves, increasing patient quality of life by saving the upper arms from amputation.
The gap in life expectancy from preventable physical illness in psychiatric patients in Western Australia: retrospective analysis of population based registers

Objective To examine the mortality experience of psychiatric patients in Western Australia compared with the general population. Design Population based study. Setting Western Australia, 1985-2005. Participants Psychiatric patients (292 585) registered with mental health services in Western Australia. Main outcome measures Trends in life expectancy for psychiatric patients compared with the Western Australian population and causes of excess mortality, including physical health conditions and unnatural causes of death. Results When using active prevalence of disorder (contact with services in previous five years), the life expectancy gap increased from 13.5 to 15.9 years for males and from 10.4 to 12.0 years for females between 1985 and 2005. Additionally, 77.7% of excess deaths were attributed to physical health conditions, including cardiovascular disease (29.9%) and cancer (13.5%). Suicide was the cause of 13.9% of excess deaths. Conclusions Despite knowledge about excess mortality in people with mental illness, the gap in their life expectancy compared with the general population has widened since 1985. With most excess deaths being due to physical health conditions, public efforts should be directed towards improving physical health to reduce mortality in people with mental illness, in addition to ongoing efforts to prevent suicide.
Syndecan-1 as a biomarker for sepsis survival after major abdominal surgery.

AIM Sepsis is a serious complication following surgery and identification of patients at risk is of high importance. Syndecan-1 (sSDC1) levels are known to be elevated during sepsis. MATERIALS & METHODS Fifty-five patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery were prospectively included and sSDC1 concentrations were measured during hospital stay. RESULTS Patients with postoperative sepsis showed a continued increase of sSDC1 levels and exhibited higher median sSDC1 concentrations at day 1 compared with nonseptic patients 90.3 versus 16.5 ng/ml. A significant association of sSDC1 levels with the incidence of sepsis and death was demonstrated. CONCLUSION This study identifies sSDC1 as potential biomarker for sepsis and survival after abdominal surgery.
Defective Toll‐like receptor 9‐mediated cytokine production in B cells from Bruton's tyrosine kinase‐deficient mice

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), a member of the Tec family of tyrosine kinases, plays an important role in the differentiation and activation of B cells. Mutations affecting Btk cause immunodeficiency in both humans and mice. In this study we set out to investigate the potential role of Btk in Toll‐like receptor 9 (TLR9) activation and the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)‐6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and IL‐12p40. Our data show that Btk‐deficient B cells respond more efficiently to CpG‐DNA stimulation, producing significantly higher levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines but lower levels of the inhibitory cytokine IL‐10. The quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis presented in this work shows that mRNA production of one of the important new members of the IL‐12 family, IL‐27, was significantly increased in Btk‐deficient B cells after CpG‐DNA stimulation. In this study, we demonstrate significant differences in CpG responsiveness between transitional 1 (T1) and T2 B cells for survival and maturation. Furthermore, TLR9 expression, measured both as protein and as mRNA, was increased in Btk‐defective cells, especially after TLR9 stimulation. Collectively, these data provide evidence in support of the theory that Btk regulates both TLR9 activation and expression in mouse splenic B cells.
Goodwill impairment versus goodwill amortization : which regime reflects better the underlying economic attributes of goodwill?

Accounting for goodwill has been a controversial issue amongst researchers and academics, as well as for accounting standards setting professional bodies, given the difficulties concerning its definition, measurement and subsequent evaluation. This debate mainly lies on the contradictory views as regards to which accounting regime (amortization vs impairment) better reflects goodwill underlying economic characteristics and value. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the usefulness of goodwill subsequent accounting treatment methods used in order to receive information about the market value of companies taking into account that according to IFRS goodwill accounting treatment changed in 2005 and treatment of goodwill is provided by impairment tests replacing the amortization regime. In order to do so, a panel data methodology was applied for a total sample of 264 German companies for a period extending from 2000 to 2010. According to research findings, the results showed that the impairment regime is more value relevant than the amortization one, indicating that although investors take into account the accounting information provided by goodwill, they do not find amortization regime value relevant. Although, impairment regime reflects more in their valuation of stock prices and therefore also for their decision making process.
Exploring processes that are used for managing knowledge in the higher education environment: a case study in a Queensland regional university

This paper aims to investigate generated themes related to knowledge management processes in the Australian higher education sector as there are practical advantages for universities that are concentrated on improving knowledge. Knowledge is a primary source of competitive advantage for educational institutions. Moreover, knowledge participates in increased rankings and profits of higher education institutions. The university's ranking is aligned with their skilled employees as manipulations of knowledge which contribute significantly to universitys performance by attracting new students and securing funds for further research. This study depends on brainstorming as a key approach for data collection. The sample comprised of six Information Communication Technology (ICT) managers who are working at a Queensland Regional University (QRU). A high-level brainstorming session was transcribed and thematically analysed by using both manual methods and NVivo 11 software to code, recode and generate themes. The brainstorming session led to the identification of eight key themes: knowledge creation, transfer, utilisation, storage, evaluation, capture, sharing, and knowledge construction. This study offers more arguments for adding more new ideas in regards to the policies of Australian higher education in general and Queensland specifically. This study is limited to small sample size.
Tart cherry in amelioration of pain in the elderly

BACKGROUND: Tart cherry, rich in bioactive polyphenols, has received attention in the past decade for reported health benefits due to its high polyphenolic content. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a potential role for tart cherry or its isolated components in amelioration of pain relief in chronic diseases that may affect the elderly. METHODS: In vitro and in vivo human and animal studies that utilized tart cherry or extracts of tart cherry compounds to determine an effect on oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle damage, and pain were reviewed and summarized (Table 1). RESULTS: Tart cherry and its isolated compounds have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects both in vitro and in vivo which may improve self-reported pain. In humans, these include modest improvements in gout flare incidents, and self-reported pain in fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis (OA), and conditions of induced oxidative stress and muscle damage. Beneficial biochemical changes were also reported for inflammatory and oxidative biomarkers such as serum urate, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). However, most studies reported to date have insufficient sample size, treatment duration, and statistical power to draw any firm conclusions. CONCLUSIONS:Consumption of tart cherries and their bioactive constituents may be a potential novel therapy for reducing the pain associated with chronic diseases particularly common to an aged population. Larger, more rigorous trials are needed to reach any firm conclusions.
Compound K protects MIN6N8 pancreatic β‐cells against palmitate‐induced apoptosis through modulating SAPK/JNK activation

Chronic elevation of NEFAs (non‐esterified fatty acids) due to insulin resistance and obesity has been shown to be associated with increased β‐cell apoptosis and with the aetiology of the reduced β‐cell mass of Type 2 diabetes. SAPK (stress‐activated protein kinase)/JNK (c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase) have been implicated in the control of apoptosis. C‐K [compound K; 20‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranosyl‐20(S)‐protopanaxadiol] is the main intestinal bacterial metabolite of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides. Currently, little is known about the effects of C‐K on β‐cells with the presence of NEFAs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro protective effect of C‐K on MIN6N8 mouse insulinoma β‐cells against NEFA‐induced apoptosis, as well as the modulating effect on SAPK/JNK activation. Our results have shown that C‐K inhibited the palmitate‐induced apoptosis through modulating SAPK/JNK activation. We conclude that C‐K protects against β‐cell death and that, by anti‐apoptotic activity, C‐K may contribute to the previously reported anti‐diabetic actions of ginseng.
Technological Change and the Make-or-Buy Decision

A central decision faced by firms is whether to make intermediate components internally or to buy them from specialized producers. We argue that firms producing products for which rapid technological change is characteristic will benefit from outsourcing to avoid the risk of not recouping their sunk cost investments when new production technologies appear. This risk is exacerbated when firms produce for low volume internal use, and is mitigated for those firms that sell to larger markets. Hence, products characterized by higher rates of technological change will be more likely to be produced by mass specialized firms to which other firms outsource production. Using a 1990–2002 panel data set on Spanish firms and an exogenous proxy for technological change, we provide causal evidence that technological change increases the likelihood of outsourcing. JEL Codes: O33, L24.
Management of unexpected cerebrospinal fluid leak during endoscopic sinus surgery

Purpose of reviewCerebrospinal fluid leak during endoscopic sinus surgery is a potentially devastating complication; however, identification and appropriate management can prevent unfavorable outcomes. The purpose of this review is to outline the recent advances in the management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks that occur during endoscopic sinus surgery. Recent findingsThe low incidence of this complication makes prospective and randomized study difficult. The expanding role for endoscopic skull base surgery has brought new techniques and advances in the treatment of skull base reconstruction and cerebrospinal fluid fistula repair that can be applied to intraoperative leaks that occur during sinus surgery. Recent reports have focused on the prevention, identification, repair materials, repair technique, and infectious sequelae related to this complication. SummarySeveral successful techniques that utilize a variety of materials are available for the repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks encountered during sinus surgery. The clinical scenario will determine the appropriate use of repair material, technique, and postoperative care.
Intellectual Development in a Danish Cohort of Prematurely Born Preschool Children: Specific or General Difficulties?

A national cohort of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and/or extremely preterm (EPT) children and a term control group was followed up at the age of 5 years. The primary objective was to investigate whether premature birth had a global impact on cognitive functions or affected specific functions only. Assessment tools were Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R), Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC), and subtests from the Neuropsychological Assessment 4-7 years (NEPSY). The mean Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) and M-ABC score of the index children were 1.1 and 1.2 SDs lower than that of the control children (p <.001). Most WPPSI-R subtests showed medium to large differences between index and control children, suggesting a global impact of premature birth on cognitive functions. For both unadjusted and FSIQ adjusted means, no significant group differences on tests of memory or executive function were observed (p >.1), suggesting little impact of premature birth on these specific functions. In this sample, cognitive difficulties in 5-year-old ELBW and/or EPT children tended to be associated with general intellectual difficulties rather than with specific dysfunctions; however, the implications of this finding are ambiguous due to substantial attrition on the NEPSY subtests.
Mark-up Volatility in Food Value Chains: Evidence from France and Italy

This paper estimates firm-level mark-ups and their volatility along the agri-food value chain using the methodology of De Loecker and Warzynski (2012). We estimate mark-ups of farmers, processors, wholesalers and retailers, how they change over time, and their volatility. We use detailed micro-level data from companies from Italy and France for the period 2006-2014. We find that farmers have a significantly higher volatility of mark-ups than other agents in the agri-food value chain, such as food processors, wholesalers and retailers. The volatility is negatively related with firms size in all sectors, and especially in agriculture.
Properties of Kaluza-Klein Black Holes

We detail numerical methods to compute the geometry of static vacuum black holes in 6-dimensional gravity compactified on a circle. We calculate properties of these KaluzaKlein black holes for varying mass, keeping the asymptotic compactification radius fixed. For increasing mass, the horizon deforms into a prolate ellipsoid, and the geometry near the horizon and axis decompactifies. We are able to find solutions with horizon radii approximately equal to the asymptotic compactification radius. Having chosen 6 dimensions, we may compare these solutions to those of non-uniform strings compactified on a circle of the same radius found in a previous numerical work. We find the black holes achieve larger masses and horizon volumes than most non-uniform strings. This sheds doubt on whether these solution branches can merge via a topology changing solution. Further work is required to resolve whether there is a maximum mass for the black holes, or whether the mass can become arbitrarily large.
Do US Counties Benefit from Wilderness Designation? Examining Local Government Revenue and County Expenditures

We examine the effect of wilderness designation on US counties’ spending patterns as well the effect of designation on counties’ overall and tax revenue. Using data on each of the 3,144 US counties from the US Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics we apply ordinary least squares regression to determine the effect of wilderness designation. After controlling for relevant confounding variables we find that the presence of wilderness lands in a county does not have a statistically significant effect on overall tax revenue and property tax revenue collected by counties. We also find that wilderness designations change the ways counties spend taxes they do collect. Specifically, counties with wilderness designations tend to spend more on fire and protection, health, and less on public welfare programs. There were no statistically significant increases in spending on education, police, or government payroll. If counties are gaining more tax revenue but having to spend more to manage their county, and also having to borrow more than counties without wilderness lands, the land that might be thought to an amenity to the county could actually be a hindrance. Original Research Article Yonk et al.; JEMT, 22(4): 1-17, 2019; Article no.JEMT. 46813 2
Ridehail Revolution: Ridehail Travel and Equity in Los Angeles

Author(s): Brown, Anne Elizabeth | Advisor(s): Taylor, Brian D | Abstract: A stark mobility divide separates American households with and without cars. While households with cars move easily across space, households without cars face limited access to opportunities. But no longer. Ridehail companies such as Uber and Lyft divorce car access from ownership, revolutionizing auto-mobility as we know it. Despite its high-tech luster, we do not yet know how ridehailing serves different neighborhoods and travelers, and who, if anyone, is left behind. The closest historical analog to new ridehail services is the taxi industry, which has a history of discrimination, particularly against black riders and neighborhoods. Ridehail services may discriminate less than taxis and extend reliable car access to neighborhoods underserved by taxis. Or they may not. In this study, I pose and answer three questions about ridehail access and equity in Los Angeles. First, what explains the geographical distribution of ridehail trips across neighborhoods? Second, what explains ridehail use by individuals? Finally, is there evidence of racial or gender discrimination on ridehail and taxi services? To answer these questions, I relied on two novel data sets. First, I used trip-level data to evaluate ridehail travel in neighborhoods and by individuals. Second, I conducted an audit study of ridehail and taxi services to evaluate if and how wait times and ride request cancellation rates vary by rider race, ethnicity, or gender. I find that ridehailing extends reliable car access to travelers and neighborhoods previously marginalized by the taxi industry. Ridehailing served neighborhoods home to 99.8 percent of the Los Angeles County population. Strong associations between ridehail use and neighborhood household vehicle ownership suggests that ridehailing provides auto-mobility in neighborhoods where many lack reliable access to cars. For most users, ridehailing filled an occasional rather than regular travel need, and a small share of avid users made the majority of ridehail trips. While hailing shared rides was common in low-income neighborhoods, I also find that people shared less if they lived in racial or ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Finally, audit data reveal high levels of discrimination against black riders by taxi drivers. Black riders were 73 percent more likely than white riders to have a taxi trip cancelled and waited between six and 15 minutes longer than white riders, all else equal. By contrast, ridehail services nearly eliminate the racial-ethnic differences in service quality. Policy and platform-level strategies can erase the remaining mobility gap and ensure equitable access to ridehailing and future technology-enabled mobility services.