Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Versatility and Addiction in Gaming: The Number of Video-Game Genres Played Is Associated with Pathological Gaming in Male Adolescents

This study tested the predictive power of gaming versatility (i.e., the number of video game genres engaged in) on game addiction in male adolescents, controlling for time spent on gaming. Participants were 701 male adolescents attending high school (Mage=15.6 years). Analyses showed that pathological gaming was predicted not only by higher time spent on gaming, but also by participation in a greater number of video game genres. Specifically, the wider the array of video game genres played, the higher were the negative consequences caused by gaming. Findings show that versatility can be considered as one of the behavioral risk factors related to gaming addiction, which may be characterized by a composite and diversified experience with video games. This study suggests that educational efforts designed to prevent gaming addiction among youth may also be focused on adolescents' engagement in different video games.
The Effects of Modified Speech Styles on Intelligibility for Non-Native Listeners

Speech output, including modified and synthetic speech, is used increasingly in natural settings where message reception might be affected by noise. Recent evaluations have demonstrated the effect of different speech styles on intelligibility for native listeners, but their impact on listening in a second language is less well-understood. The current study measured the intelligibility of four speech styles in the presence of stationary and fluctuating maskers for a non-native listener cohort, and compared the results with those of native listeners on the same task. Both groups showed a similar pattern of effects, but the scale of intelligibility gains and losses with respect to plain speech was significantly compressed for the non-native group relative to native listeners. In addition, non-native listeners identified speech from the four styles in the absence of noise, revealing that styles shown to be beneficial in noise lost their benefits or were harmful in quiet conditions. This result suggests that while enhanced styles lead to gains by reducing the effect of masking noise, the same styles distort the acoustic-phonetic integrity of the speech signal. More work is needed to develop speech modification approaches that simultaneously preserve speech information and promote unmasking.
Pricing and Lead Time Competition in the Presence of Process Variability

Managing variability in both arrival and production processes has been a central challenge for both manufacturing and service industries. Models have been proposed to study the negative impact of higher process variability on operational performance. In the make to order context, the variability can influence the lead time decision and hence both the tardiness costs and the chances of winning customer orders. In this paper, we investigate the strategic role of process variability. Specifically, we consider two make to order firms that have different variability characteristics and study how they affect the firm’s strategic decisions namely lead time and price and subsequently profits. We first show that the game has a unique Nash equilibrium by using super modularity and contraction-mapping methods. We then propose an algorithm that efficiently computes the Nash equilibrium. Numerical experiments demonstrate how the strategic influence of variability depends upon business and operational characteristics.
Which Market Entry And Product Line Strategies Ought Organisations To Adopt For Emerging Economies

Emerging economies offer tremendous potential for organisations seeking to expand globally and to attain the associated rewards. However, organisations differ in their entrepreneurial tendencies to enter new markets and to introduce new products in emerging economies. Organisations also differ in their abilities to manage their development programs, that is, their execution of different types of projects that lead to success in emerging markets. Finally, organisations differ in which overall measures of program performance are consistent with their strategic objectives. This study provides a literature foundation and conceptual framework designed to understand which market entry and product line strategies and performance measures are appropriate for organisations pursuing strategic success in emerging markets. This study sets forward grounded propositions that different strategic types will vary in their market entry and product line strategies, in the project composition of their development programs, and in the orientations of performance measures used to evaluate their development programs. Prospectors, according to type, will enter emerging economies by introducing new product lines to new customer types, * The authors wish to thank three anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments on an earlier version of this paper. ** Corresponding author. Mailing address: School of Business & Technology, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 900 Wood Road, PO Box 2000, Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA. E-mail: MikeManion1@ AOL.com
The effect of treatment of vaginal infections on shedding of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

To assess the effect of treatment of vaginal infections on vaginal shedding of cell-free human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-1-infected cells, HIV-1-seropositive women were examined before and after treatment of Candida vulvovaginitis, Trichomonas vaginitis, and bacterial vaginosis. For Candida (n=98), vaginal HIV-1 RNA decreased from 3.36 to 2.86 log(10) copies/swab (P<.001), as did the prevalence of HIV-1 DNA (36% to 17%; odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-6.5). For Trichomonas vaginitis (n=55), HIV-1 RNA decreased from 3.67 to 3.05 log(10) copies/swab (P<.001), but the prevalence of HIV-1 DNA remained unchanged (22%-25%; OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.3-2.2). For bacterial vaginosis (n=73), neither the shedding of HIV-1 RNA (from 3.11 to 2.90 log(10) copies/swab; P=. 14) nor the prevalence of DNA (from 21% to 23%; OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.3-2.0) changed. Vaginal HIV-1 decreased 3.2- and 4.2-fold after treating Candida and Trichomonas, respectively. These data suggest that HIV-1 transmission intervention strategies that incorporate diagnosis and treatment of these prevalent infections warrant evaluation.
Privatization Dynamics and Economic Growth

For a large panel of 56 developed and developing countries spanning the period 1980 to 2004, we examine whether privatization had an impact on economic growth. We characterize privatization along two dimensions: The extent of privatization efforts (proceeds) that proxy for the size of the program, and the method of privatization that proxy for government commitment. In order to take into account the dynamics of privatization and tackle potential endogeneity issues, we use a dynamic panel approach and find that privatization has a robust systematic positive effect on economic growth, after controlling for classic growth determinants as well as institutional variables. We also find that the method of privatization, through share issues on the stock market, is positively related to economic growth suggesting that one potential channel of benefit is indeed to use the stock market to divest state-owned enterprises (SOEs hereafter).
A Comprehensive Histopathological Study of Skin Appendageal Tumors

Background: The Skin Appendageal tumors are a heterogenous group of neoplasms with distinct histological features. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence, age, sex, site, histopathological features and the pattern of differentiation of the appendageal tumors analogous to hair follicles, sebaceous, eccrine and apocrine glands. Materials and methods : This is a retrospective study done in a tertiary care hospital in South India that includes 52 cases of skin appendageal tumors reported at the Department of Pathology, Government Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, over a period of three years. Results : During the three year period of this study, a total of 1532 skin biopsies were reported, of which 52 cases were skin appendageal tumors(3.4%). Benign tumors were 50(96.2%) and malignant were 2(3.8%). The mean age of presentation was 38.2 years. The male:female ratio was 1:1.6. The tumors were predominant in females 32(61.5%) in comparison to males 20 cases(38.5%). The eccrine tumors constituted 21(40.4%) and thus were the most common , followed by tumors of hair follicular differentiation 17(32.7%). The commonest site was face in 20 cases(38.4%), followed by scalp in 15 cases(28.8%). The common clinical presentation was nodular and papular lesions. The commonest lesion was pilomatrixoma 13(25%), followed by nodular hidradenoma 9 cases (17.3%) Conclusion : The incidence of skin appendageal tumors in our study is 3.4% and thus they are relatively uncommon. Their clinical diagnosis is difficult as many appendageal tumors have similar clinical presentation and hence histopathology is mandatory and gold standard for diagnosis. Benign skin appendageal tumors are more common than the malignant tumors, which are seen in elderly patients.
Stock Market Reaction to Dividend Announcements from a Special Institutional Environment of Vietnamese Stock Market

Vietnamese stock market is an interesting laboratory to examine the reaction of stock price to dividend announcements due to its taxation regulations. The study employs traditional event study methodology to investigate the impact of dividend announcements on stock prices in a special institutional environment of Vietnamese stock market. The research sample includes 979 dividend announcements made by 233 companies listed on HOSE from 2008 to 2014. Although there is no preferential tax treatment of dividends to capitals gains in Vietnamese stock market, this study finds that dividend announcements lead to positive effects on stock prices and trading volume in the stock market. Although dividend announcements in three clusters including dividend increases, dividend decreases and no change have positive impacts on stock prices, the cluster of increases has the largest effect. Moreover, examining the abnormal return behavior, we also find evidence of insider trading before the announcement day.
Corporate Governance and CEO Compensation in China

This paper contributes to the international corporate governance literature by examining factors that affect CEO compensation in China. In particular, we develop models of CEO pay based on an understanding of the unique economic and structural reforms undertaken by the partially privatized state owned Enterprises (SOEs). We find that corporate governance factors have a significant impact on CEO compensation but they do so in ways that differ from those in other countries. Our conclusions are robust across different formulations of the basic model and they have public policy implications for China and other transitional economies that are moving away from state ownership of business enterprises.
Influence of body mass index on psychological and functional outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study

Objectives: To analyze the effect of weight on psychological and functional outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, including self-perception, depression, functional level, fatigue, and self-rated health status. Methods: One hundred and one (n = 101) patients with MS participated in this cross-sectional study. Outcomes were scores in the Beck Depression Inventory, NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEOFFI), Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS), Fatigue Impact Scale, and Quality Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). Patients were classified as normal weight (18.5 < BMI < 24.9 kg/m2) or overweight (25.0 > BMI > 29.9 kg/m2). One-way analysis of covariance was conducted with gender, age, and years with disease as covariates. Results: Depression levels were significantly higher in overweight versus normal-weight MS patients (F = 6.381; P = 0.013). NEOFFI scores were significantly higher in overweight versus normal-weight MS patients for extraversion (F = 6.331; P = 0.014), conscientiousness (F = 4.794; P = 0.034), and neuroticism (F = 5.422; P = 0.022) but not for openness (F = 2.174; P = 0.109) or agreeableness (F = 0.047; P = 0.829). The two groups did not significantly differ in fatigue (P > 00.5). Scores in general (F = 4.708; P = 0.032) and mental health (F = 4.583; P = 0.035) SF-36 domains were significantly lower in overweight versus normal-weight patients. Scores for FAMS domains of emotional well-being (F = 8.050; P = 0.006), general contentment (F = 7.967; P = 0.006), and family/social well-being (F = 7.662; P = 0.007) were significantly lower in overweight versus normal-weight patients. Conclusions: Overweight MS patients evidenced higher depression levels, lower functional capacity, and worse self-rated health status in comparison to normal-weight MS patients. These results suggest that weight control programs should be incorporated into the management of patients with MS.
Alveolar and exhaled NO in relation to asthma characteristics – effects of correction for axial diffusion

Inflammation in the small airways might contribute to incomplete asthma disease control despite intensive treatment in some subgroups of patients. Exhaled NO (FeNO) is a marker of inflammation in asthma and the estimated NO contribution from small airways (CalvNO) is believed to reflect distal inflammation. Recent studies recommend adjustments of CalvNO for trumpet model and axial diffusion (TMAD‐adj). This study aimed to investigate the clinical correlates of CalvNO, both TMAD‐adjusted and unadjusted.
Use of Biomedical Services and Traditional Healing Options Among American Indians: Sociodemographic Correlates, Spirituality, and Ethnic Identity

Objective:The objective of this study was to describe the use of biomedical services and traditional healing options among a reservation-based sample of American Indians from 2 culturally distinct tribes Methods:Participants were 2595 American Indian adolescents and adults ages 15 to 57 randomly selected to represent 2 tribes living on or near their rural reservations. First, we examined the prevalence and correlates of use of biomedical services and traditional healing for both physical health and psychiatric problems. Second, we developed logistic regression models predicting the independent and combined use of biomedical services and traditional healing Results:The prevalence of combined and independent use of biomedical services and traditional healing varied by tribe. The prevalence of biomedical service use ranged from 40.9% to 59.1% for physical health problems and 6.4% to 6.8% for psychiatric problems. The prevalence of the use of traditional healing ranged from 8.4% to 22.9% for physical health problems and 3.2% to 7.8% for psychiatric problems. Although combined use of both types of services was common (10.4–22.6% of service users), many used only traditional healing (3.5–40.0%). Correlates of service use included age, educational level, and ethnic identity. For example, use of traditional healing was correlated with higher scores on a scale measuring identification with American Indian culture Conclusions:Both biomedical services and traditional healing are important sources of care in American Indian communities, and are used both independently and in combination with one another.
The Extended Baryonic Halo of NGC 3923

Galaxy halos and their globular cluster systems build up over time by the accretion of small satellites. We can learn about this process in detail by observing systems with ongoing accretion events and comparing the data with simulations. Elliptical shell galaxies are systems that are thought to be due to ongoing or recent minor mergers. We present preliminary results of an investigation of the baryonic halo—light profile, globular clusters, and shells/streams—of the shell galaxy NGC 3923 from deep Dark Energy Camera (DECam) g and i-band imaging. We present the 2D and radial distributions of the globular cluster candidates out to a projected radius of about 185 kpc, or ∼37R_e , making this one of the most extended cluster systems studied. The total number of clusters implies a halo mass of M_h ~ 3 × 10^(13) M_⊙ . Previous studies had identified between 22 and 42 shells, making NGC 3923 the system with the largest number of shells. We identify 23 strong shells and 11 that are uncertain. Future work will measure the halo mass and mass profile from the radial distributions of the shell, N-body models, and line-of-sight velocity distribution (LOSVD) measurements of the shells using the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE).
Do Nobel Laureates Create Prize-Winning Networks? An Analysis of Collaborative Research in Physiology or Medicine

Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine who received the Prize between 1969 and 2011 are compared to a matched group of scientists to examine productivity, impact, coauthorship and international collaboration patterns embedded within research networks. After matching for research domain, h-index, and year of first of publication, we compare bibliometric statistics and network measures. We find that the Laureates produce fewer papers but with higher average citations. The Laureates also produce more sole-authored papers both before and after winning the Prize. The Laureates have a lower number of coauthors across their entire careers than the matched group, but are equally collaborative on average. Further, we find no differences in international collaboration patterns. The Laureates coauthor network reveals significant differences from the non-Laureate network. Laureates are more likely to build bridges across a network when measuring by average degree, density, modularity, and communities. Both the Laureate and non-Laureate networks have “small world” properties, but the Laureates appear to exploit “structural holes” by reaching across the network in a brokerage style that may add social capital to the network. The dynamic may be making the network itself highly attractive and selective. These findings suggest new insights into the role "star scientists" in social networks and the production of scientific discoveries.
Scrotal Hair in the First Year of Life

The authors report a case study of an infant male presenting with thick, dark, and curly terminal hair in the scrotum. The signs were first noted at 4 months by the child’s parents. There were no other physical signs of virilization, namely hair in other parts of the body, increase in penile length or testicular volume, acne, or body odor (Figure 1). He was breastfed. Parents were nonconsanguineous, and there was neither familiar history of hyperandrogenism or hirsutism nor use of topical or oral drugs by mother or child. The child was the first born from an uneventful fullterm pregnancy and was low birth weighted (2580 g; P < 10). Serology and viral markers were unremarkable and ultrasound surveillance was normal. Patient was followed up in ambulatory setting. The diagnostic tests that were carried out revealed a normal hormonal status: luteinizing hormone 1.34 mIU/mL (normal 0.6-7.0), follicle-stimulating hormone 1.29 mIU/mL (normal 0.8-4.0), thyroid-stimulating hormone 1.97 uIU/mL (0.4-4.4), free T3 4.43 pg/mL (normal 2.0-4.2), free T4 0.98 ng/dL (normal 0.89-1.76), 17-hydroxyprogesterone 1.5 ng/mL (normal <2.1), androstenedione <0.3 ng/mL (normal 0.03-0.70), testosterone <0.08 ng/mL (normal <0.31), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate 8.1 g/dL (normal 7.4-22.2). Bone age was compatible with chronological age, and abdominal ultrasonography was normal. The number of scrotal hairs was stable until 8 months of age and then started to fall. At 11 months of age, the child had no scrotal hairs. Growth velocity remained linear and parallel to the 10th percentile. Discussion
Substratum stiffness and latrunculin B regulate matrix gene and protein expression in human trabecular meshwork cells.

PURPOSE To determine the impact of substratum stiffness and latrunculin-B (Lat-B), on the expression of several matrix proteins that are associated with glaucoma. METHODS Human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells were cultured on hydrogels possessing stiffness values mimicking those found in normal (5 kPa) and glaucomatous meshworks (75 kPa), or tissue culture polystyrene (TCP; >1 GPa). Cells were treated with 2.0 μM Lat-B in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or DMSO alone. RT-PCR was used to determine the impact of substratum stiffness and/or Lat-B treatment on the expression of secreted protein, acidic, cysteine rich (SPARC), myocilin, angiopoietin-like factor (ANGPTL)-7, and transglutaminase (TGM)-2. Immunofluorescence was used to assess changes in protein expression. RESULTS SPARC and myocilin mRNA expression were dramatically increased on the 75 kPa hydrogels and decreased on the 5 kPa hydrogels in comparison to TCP. In contrast, ANGPTL-7 mRNA and TGM-2 mRNA was decreased on the 75 kPa and 5 kPa hydrogels, respectively, in comparison with TCP. Treatment with Lat-B dramatically downregulated both SPARC and myocilin on 75 kPa hydrogels. In contrast, cells grown on TCP produced greater or similar amounts of SPARC and myocilin mRNA after Lat-B treatment. SPARC and myocilin protein expression paralleled changes in mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS Substratum stiffness impacts HTM matrix gene and protein expression and modulates the impact of Lat-B treatment on the expression of these matrix proteins. Integrating the use of biologically relevant substratum stiffness in the conduction of in vitro experiments gives important insights into HTM cell response to drugs that may more accurately predict responses observed in vivo.
Developmental Regulation of the Cell Division Protein FtsZ in Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120, a Cyanobacterium Capable of Terminal Differentiation

ABSTRACT Heterocysts are terminally differentiated cells devoted to nitrogen fixation in the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120. We show here that the cell division protein FtsZ is present in vegetative cells but undetectable in heterocysts. These results provide a first rational explanation for the inability of mature heterocysts to undergo cell division.
Changes in Governance Arrangements in the Field of Structural Funds in the Baltic States Due to the Financial Crisis

Since their accession to the EU in 2004 the Baltic States have been integrated into the multi-level system of the EU. A common assumption is that the inclusion of unitary states into the EU structure increases regionalisation or at least decentralisation. However, in the case of the Baltic countries, membership seemed to have strengthened the central states. Explanatory factors include the lack of historical roots and the absence of domestic veto-players who may have been able to promote stronger regionalisation within the states. The economic crisis reinforced the central tendencies in the Baltic States and thus further impaired the already weak system of multilevel governance. This is clearly illustrated by the Structural Funds policy.
Estimating the effect of entrepreneur education on graduates’ intention to be entrepreneurs

Purpose – Previous studies on the effect of entrepreneur education are not comprehensive. Thus, estimating the effect of entrepreneur education is imperative. According to the Malaysian Ministry of Education (MoE), only 1.7 percent (as of 2013) of university graduates are self-employed, that is managing one’s own business or known as graduate entrepreneurs. Consequently, a huge gap exists between what is targeted by the government (5.5 percent by 2015) and the reality (a small number of graduate entrepreneurs). The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors influencing a graduate’s choice to be entrepreneur, particularly the effects of different entrepreneur education, either formal or informal. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 2,300 graduates from Universiti Utara Malaysia participated in this study. Findings – The findings showed that the majority of the respondents are consistent in terms of their intent to become entrepreneurs. Research limitations/implications – Due to time and resource .