Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do Specialist Fund Managers Possess Superior Project (Stock) Picking Ability?

This paper finds that industry specialization within a fund is associated with superior project picking ability in the venture capital market. We find that ex-ante judgments of superior project quality are associated with positive abnormal performance for specialist funds, while they are associated with negative abnormal performance for the average fund. During cold IPO markets, abnormal performance associated with project-picking ability is greater than abnormal performance associated with specialization (portfolio risk) independent of project picking ability. During hot IPO markets, however, project picking ability is not rewarded, while specialization is associated with positive abnormal performance independent of project picking ability. Our findings indicate that the ability to shift investments into sectors that are 'hot' is associated with superior performance independent of project picking ability. Consistent with this conclusion, ex-ante judgments of low quality are associated with positive abnormal performance for the average fund during hot IPO markets but not during cold IPO markets.
Anti-hepatitis B virus activities of cinobufacini and its active components bufalin and cinobufagin in HepG2.2.15 cells.

Cinobufacini (Huachansu) is a Chinese medicine prepared from the skin of Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor (Bufonidae), which has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The aim of present study was to examine the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activities of cinobufacini and its active components bufalin and cinobufagin in the human HBV-transfected cell line HepG2.2. 15. The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) concentrations in cell culture medium were determined by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay after HepG2.2. 15 cells were respectively treated with different concentrations of cinobufacini, bufalin, and cinobufagin for 3 or 6 d. HBV DNA and mRNA were determined using transcription-mediated amplification and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. On d 3, cinobufacini at a concentration of 1 µg/ml had no activity against HBV virological markers. However, on d 6, cinobufacini at 1 µg/ml effectively inhibited the secretion of HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBcrAg by 29.58, 32.87, and 42.52%. It was more potent than the positive control lamivudine (100 µg/ml). Bufalin and cinobufagin slightly inhibited HBV antigen secretion. Treatment with cinobufacini, bufalin, or cinobufagin had no anti-HBV effect on DNA in cell culture medium. Consistent with the HBV antigen reduction, HBV mRNA expression was markedly inhibited in comparison to the control when HepG2.2. 15 cells were treated with cinobufacini, bufalin, or cinobufagin. Results suggested that cinobufacini had more potent activity against HBV antigen secretion than its components bufalin and cinobufagin and this inhibitory role was attributed to the specific inhibition of HBV mRNA expression.
Low Self-Control, Peer Delinquency and Aggression among Adolescents in Malaysia

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between low self-control, peer delinquency and aggression among adolescents. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Selangor, Malaysia among 413 adolescents. The participants were selected from 12 secondary schools by using Multistage Cluster Sampling Technique. Self-Control Scale (Grasmick, Tittle, Bursik, & Arneklev, 1993), The Peer Delinquency Scale (Loeber, Farrington, Stouthamer-Loeber, & Van Kammen, 1998) and Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992) were used to examine the relationships between adolescents’ low self-control, peer delinquency, and aggression. Results showed that there were significant positive relationships between low self-control, peer delinquency and aggression among adolescents. The result also indicated that low self-control has an indirect effect on aggression through peer delinquency. Peer delinquency served as a partial mediator. Low self-control and peer delinquency are important factors in the development of aggression among adolescents.
Essays on Financial Fragility - Evidence from the Corporate and Banking Sectors in Central and Eastern Europe

Banking reform has proved to be one of the most problematic elements of economic transition in central and Eastern Europe. Therefore the paper considers the development of the Estonian banking sector and derives individual banks ́ fragility scores during transition. To this end we use option-based tools and equity prices to estimate distance-to-default measures of banks ́ distress probabilities. Overall, the results suggest that market indicators are moderately useful for anticipating future financial distress and rating changes in transition economies. The implication for an effective supervisory framework is to use a plurality of risk scores when assessing bank vulnerability. JEL Code: E44, E58, G21.
Serum Concentration of Reg IV in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: Overexpression and High Serum Levels of Reg IV Are Associated with Liver Metastasis

Objective: Regenerating islet-derived family, member 4 (regenerating gene type IV, Reg IV) is overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic utility of Reg IV determination in sera from patients with CRC. Methods: We examined the expression and distribution of Reg IV in CRC by immunohistochemistry and determined Reg IV levels in sera from patients with CRC by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Immunostaining revealed that 23 of 80 (29%) CRC cases were positive for Reg IV. CRC cases with metastatic recurrence in the liver showed more frequently Reg IV staining than those without (p = 0.0102). Patients with CRC showing Reg IV staining had a significantly worse survival than those without Reg IV staining (p = 0.0117). Preoperatively, serum Reg IV concentrations were not elevated in CRC patients at stage 0–III, being in contrast to the significantly increased preoperative levels in stage IV CRC patients with liver metastasis. Conclusion: These results suggest that Reg IV is a prognosticator for poor survival. Serum Reg IV concentration may predict CRC recurrence in the liver.
Unique Word Based Frequency Domain Equalization with Noise Prediction

Recently, the frequency domain equalization with time domain noise prediction (FDE-NP) has been proposed as an alternative to hybrid decision feedback equalization (HDFE). The current FDE-NP structures use the cyclic prefix (CP) extension (FDE-NP-CP). However, the unknown nature of CP degrades the performance of FDE-NP due to error propagation. This letter proposes a unique word (UW) based FDE-NP (FDE-NP-UW) that can yield better performance. Both optimal and suboptimal designs of the FDE-NP-UW are presented. We observe that the optimal FDE-NP-UW provides a performance gain of about 1.5 dB over the FDE-NP-CP, and about 0.5 dB over the suboptimal design at a BER of 10-3.
Low-Frequency Ultrasound Debridement in Chronic Wound Healing: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

Chronic wounds are painful and debilitating to patients, pose a clinical challenge to physicians, and impose financial burden on the health-care system. New treatment options are therefore highly sought after. Ultrasound debridement is a promising technology that functions to disperse bacterial biofilms and stimulate wound healing. In this review, we focus on low-frequency ultrasound (20-60 kHz) and summarize the findings of 25 recent studies examining ultrasound efficacy. Ultrasound debridement appears to be most effective when used 3 times a week and has the potential to decrease exudate and slough, decrease patient pain, disperse biofilms, and increase healing in wounds of various etiology. Although current studies are generally of smaller size, the results are promising and we recommend the testing of low-frequency ultrasound therapy in clinical practice on a larger scale.
How to Monitor Cardiac Complications of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a successful paradigm in the treatment of cancer. ICIs elicit an immune response directed against cancer cells, by targeting the so-called immune checkpoints, key regulators of the immune system that when stimulated can dampen the immune response to an immunologic stimulus. Such response, however, is not entirely tumor-specific and may result in immune-related adverse events (irAEs), involving a number of organs and systems. Cardiovascular (CV) irAEs are rare, although potentially severe. In particular, several cases of ICI-related myocarditis with life-threatening course have been reported: the possibility of fulminant cases, thus, requires a high level of awareness among both oncologists and cardiologists. Aggressive work-up and management of symptomatic patients taking ICIs is fundamental for early recognition and initiation of specific immunosuppressive therapies. Notably, myocarditis occurs within few weeks from ICIs initiation, offering opportunity for a targeted screening. Troponin testing is the cornerstone of this screening, yet uncertainties remain regarding timing and candidates. Moreover, troponins positivity should be carefully interpreted. We herein review the main aspects of ICI-related myocarditis and suggest a practical approach. In particular, we focus on the opportunities that a baseline CV evaluation offers for subsequent management by collecting clinical and instrumental data, essential for the interpretation of troponin results, for differential diagnosis and for the formulation of a diagnostic and therapeutic workup.
An investigation into the link between service quality dimensionality and positive word-of-mouth intention in Mainland China

The purpose of current study is to investigate the relationship between SERVQUAL dimensions and positive word-of-mouth intention in a Chinese context. A survey was carried out with a sample of 241 customers of China Mobile, the biggest telecommunications company in China. A structural equation model was created. It was found that Reliability and Assurance encouraged more positive word-of-mouth intention, while Tangibles, Responsiveness, and Empathy did not have a significant effect on word-of-mouth intention. In addition, age was negatively correlated to positive word-of-mouth intention. These findings have useful implications to international service companies, particularly those operating in a Chinese environment, by identifying factors that are salient for the generation of positive word-of-mouth.
Alternatives for Issuer-Paid Credit Rating Agencies

This paper investigates the economic viability and welfare contribution of alternatives to issuer-paid credit rating agencies (CRAs). To this end, it introduces a heterogeneous competition model for credit and ratings markets. Frictions among issuers or investors induce rating inflation from issuer-paid CRAs. Investor-paid CRAs suffer from three sources of free-riding and are generally not economically viable when competing with issuer-paid CRAs. Only for very limited parameter ranges can investor-paid CRAs thrive and counter rating inflation. Other proposed alternatives such as investor-produced ratings and CRA co-investments employ skin-in-the-game to induce proper screening accuracy. However, as traditional issuer-paid CRAs can cater better to issuers, such alternatives generate little demand or are implemented ineffectively. Hence, this paper provides an explanation for the evolution, dominance and resiliency of issuer-paid CRAs. JEL Classification: G24, G28, L14
Proximate, Mineral and Anti-Nutrient Evaluation of Pumpkin Pulp (Cucurbita Pepo)

Proximate, minerals and anti-nutritional concentration of Pumpkin pulp (Cucurbita pepo) were investigated using standard analytical methods as stipulated by AOAC (1990), Agte el al; (1995), Chapman and Pratt, (1961), Kadhakrishna and Sivaprasad (1980), Nelson (1968),Day and underwood, (1986). The proximate composition (%) showed that pumpkin pulp contained Total ash 15.988 ± 0.10, Moisture 0.532 ± 0.10, Fat extract 2.300 ± 0.01 Crude fibre 11.463 ± 0.10, Crude protein 3.070 ± 0.01 and Carbohydrate by difference 66.647 ± 0.01% . The mineral element were Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, Ni and P with values of 189.91 ± 0.2, 179.01 ± 0.2, 0.502 ± 0.1, 1.370 ± 0.1, 3.910 ± 0.1, 0.290 ± 0.1, 0.110 ± o.1 and 11.83 ± 0.2 mg/kg respectively also Na and K with values of 159.01 ± 0.2 and K 160.31 ± 0.1 mg/l00kg were estimated using Flame Emission spectrophotometer. The anti-nutritional analysis of pumpkin pulp gives Phytates 0.618 ± 0.100mgl100kg, Oxalates 16.297 ± 0.100 mg/100kg and Tannins 0.358 ± 0.100 mg/100kg. The results obtained above goes a long way to proof that pumpkin pulp is highly nutritious and at the same time can be used as food formulation for infant due to its nutritional composition.
When Does (Mis)Fit in Customer Orientation Matter for Frontline Employees’ Job Satisfaction and Performance?

The role of coworkers’ customer orientation (CO) in influencing an employee's CO has received sparse attention in the literature. This research serves two purposes. First, the study draws on person–group fit theory to develop and test a model of a frontline employee's CO relative to that of his or her coworkers as well as the effects of CO (mis)fit on job satisfaction and service performance through coworker relationship quality. Second, the authors propose three work-group characteristics—group size, service climate strength, and leader‒member exchange differentiation—that they expect to mitigate the (negative) positive effect of employee‒coworker CO (mis)fit on coworker relationship quality. Data collected in a multirespondent (i.e., frontline employees and supervisors) longitudinal research design indicate that as group size increases, service climate becomes stronger, and group leaders develop different exchange relationships with employees, the inherently (negative) positive role of employee–coworker CO (mis)fit in influencing coworker relationship quality diminishes. Furthermore, coworker relationship quality fully mediates the associations of employee–coworker CO (mis)fit with job satisfaction and service performance. The authors close with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of the boundary conditions of CO (mis)fit.
Stress Tensor and Gradient of Hydrostatic Pressure in the Half-Space Beneath Axisymmetric Bodies in Normal and Tangential Contact

The stress state in the volume of contacting bodies may essentially influence the material behavior. For evaluating various modes of inelastic behavior and/or failure, such as plastic deformation, crack initiation, and propagation or fatigue, the complete stress tensor beneath the contact interface may be of importance. For many geotechnical and biomechanical applications, the hydrostatic pressure gradient beneath the contact is of interest as well. However, most theories for normal and tangential contact provide only few stress components in the contact surface. In the present paper, we show that the full stress state in the half-space can be easily found for axisymmetric bodies. We provide expressions in form of one-dimensional integrals for all components of the stress tensor and the hydrostatic pressure gradient inside the half-space. In terms of numerical complexity, the proposed method can be advantageous to other elaborate methods.
Temporal Properties of the Short-Range Process in Apparent Motion

A study is reported of the perception of random-dot two-frame apparent motion in which the durations of each exposure and the interstimulus interval between them were varied. The results are largely consistent with the rule that, for optimal motion detection, a portion of each exposure must fall within the same time interval of about 40 ms. In addition, motion perception is separably dependent on the displacement from one exposure to the next and on the time interval between those exposures, rather than on the ‘velocity implied by their ratio.
Agency theory and the influence of equity ownership structure on corporate diversification strategies

We articulate the agency theory view of managerial decision making and its implications for corporate diversification strategies. From agency theory, we generate testable predictions for the relation between equity ownership structure and diversification strategies and review the existing evidence on this relation. On balance, the evidence strongly supports the view that ownership structure influences corporate strategy. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spindle cell lipoma: a clinicopathological study with some original observations

Forty‐one cases of spindle cell lipoma, an entity first described in 1975, are presented. Of these, 38 were identified in a systematic review of 2478 tumours of adipose tissue diagnosed and treated in one hospital over a 25 year period. This lesion, therefore, accounts for about 1.5% of adipocytic neoplasms and is outnumbered by conventional benign lipomas by approximately 60 to 1. The remaining three were referred cases. Seventy‐five per cent of the lesions arose, as expected, on the back of the neck, upper back or shoulder, almost exclusively in males between 40 and 70 years of age. Ten lesions were identified at unusual sites: six in the limbs, three on the face and one on the trunk. One lesion arose within skeletal muscle, a previously unreported phenomenon, and this case showed both cartilaginous and osseous metaplasia. Only one of the 41 tumours has recurred locally. The range of histological features in spindle cell lipoma is described and the differential diagnosis is discussed.
Aspect-based sentiment analysis of movie reviews on discussion boards

In this article, a method for automatic sentiment analysis of movie reviews is proposed, implemented and evaluated. In contrast to most studies that focus on determining only sentiment orientation (positive versus negative), the proposed method performs fine-grained analysis to determine both the sentiment orientation and sentiment strength of the reviewer towards various aspects of a movie. Sentences in review documents contain independent clauses that express different sentiments toward different aspects of a movie. The method adopts a linguistic approach of computing the sentiment of a clause from the prior sentiment scores assigned to individual words, taking into consideration the grammatical dependency structure of the clause. The prior sentiment scores of about 32,000 individual words are derived from SentiWordNet with the help of a subjectivity lexicon. Negation is delicately handled. The output sentiment scores can be used to identify the most positive and negative clauses or sentences with respect to particular movie aspects.
Effects of dietary supplementation with an expressed fusion peptide bovine lactoferricin – lactoferrampin on performance , immune function and intestinal mucosal morphology in piglets weaned at age

Lactoferrin has antimicrobial activity associated with peptide fragments lactoferricin (LFC) and lactoferrampin (LFA) released on digestion. These two fragments have been expressed in Photorhabdus luminescens as a fusion peptide linked to protein cipB. The construct cipB–LFC–LFA was tested as an alternative to antimicrobial growth promoters in pig production. Sixty piglets with an average live body weight of 5·42 (SEM 0·59) kg were challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and randomly assigned to four treatment groups fed a maize–soyabean meal diet containing either no addition (C), cipB at 100 mg/kg (C þ B), cipB–LFC–LFA at 100 mg/kg (C þ L) or colistin sulfate at 100 mg/kg (C þ CS) for 3 weeks. Compared with C, dietary supplementation with C þ L for 3 weeks increased daily weight gain by 21 %, increased recovery from diarrhoea, enhanced serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx), peroxidase (POD) and total antioxidant content (T-AOC), liver GPx, POD, superoxide dismutase and T-AOC, Fe, total Fe-binding capacity, IgA, IgG and IgM levels (P,0·05), decreased the concentration of E. coli in the ileum, caecum and colon (P,0·05), increased the concentration of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the ileum, caecum and colon (P,0·05), and promoted development of the villus–crypt architecture of the small intestine. Growth performance was similar between C þ Land C þ CS-supplemented pigs. The present results indicate that LFC–LFA is an effective alternative to the feed antibiotic CS for enhancing growth performance in piglets weaned at age 21 d.
Does brand management of corporate reputation translate into higher market value?

Brand associations affect image and one source of brand association is a company's reputation. While the relationship between a positive corporate reputation and operational performance is intuitively appealing, there has been relatively little empirical research. This study, using a comprehensive approach, seeks to empirically test the relationship and thereby determine whether firms with a positive brand image, that is those with a positive reputation, experience an economic benefit. Findings are that these firms are associated with a significant market-value premium, superior financial performance, and lower cost of capital. Given these findings, marketing managers would do well to strive to build and maintain a positive reputation.
SNAP-23 Is a Target for Calpain Cleavage in Activated Platelets*

The role of calpain in platelet function is generally associated with aggregation and clot retraction. In this report, data are presented to show that one component of the platelet secretory machinery, SNAP-23, is specifically cleaved by calpain in activated cells. Other proteins of the membrane fusion machinery,e.g. syntaxins 2 and 4 and α-SNAP, are not affected.In vitro studies, using permeabilized platelets, demonstrate that cleavage is time- and calcium-dependent. Analysis of SNAP-23 cleavage products suggests that the calpain cleavage site(s) is in the C-terminal third of the molecule potentially between the cysteine-rich acyl attachment sites and the C-terminal coiled-coil domain. The time course of cleavage is most consistent with late calpain-mediated events such as pp60c-src cleavage, but not early events such as protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1B activation. SNAP-23 cleavage is inhibited by calpeptin, calpastatin, calpain inhibitor IV, and E-64d, but not by caspase 3 inhibitor III or cathepsin inhibitor I. When tested for their effect on secretion, none of the calpain-specific inhibitors significantly affected release of soluble components from any of the three platelet granule storage pools. These results indicate that SNAP-23 cleavage occurs after granule release and therefore may play a role in affecting granule membrane exteriorization. This is consistent with the ultrastructural morphology of calpeptin-treated platelets after activation.