Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk management, the subprime crisis and financialisation: the role of risk management in the generation and transmission of the subprime crisis

Over time the financial sector has gained greater relevance in the economy, a phenomenon that some call financialisation. Contrary to the mainstream view, financialisation literature emphasises that risk management by financial corporations will not be socially efficient in a context of deregulated markets and will ultimately lead to an increase of aggregate risk and crises. To assess the validity of such claim, in this paper we review the literature on risk management during the Subprime crisis. These failures fall into three categories: technique and methodology, corporate governance and strategy, and regulation and external factors. These failures can be interpreted in the light of the financialisation perspective, which is therefore a valuable approach when addressing regulatory changes in the financial system.
The Renewal Factor: How the Best Get and Keep the Competitive Edge

In today's business environment, more than in any preceding era, the only constant is change. Somehow there are organizations that effectively manage change, continuously adapting their bureaucracies, strategies, systems, products, and cultures to survive the shocks and prosper from the forces that decimate their competition. They move from strength to strength, adjusting to crises that bedevil others in their industry. They are masters of Renewal. No organization can maintain excellence without renewing. No organization can strive for excellence, or even attempt to improve, without the ability to renew.
C-met proto-oncogene expression in benign and malignant human renal tissues.

PURPOSE Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is a potent mitogen to renal epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. HGF/SF signals through its receptor which is coded by the c-met proto-oncogene. We hypothesized that altered expression of the HGF/SF receptor, c-met, may be involved in the pathogenesis of certain renal cell carcinomas. Our objectives were to 1) assess the presence and localization of c-met protein in benign and malignant human renal tissues, and 2) correlate the presence of c-met protein with renal carcinoma histological subtype, tumor stage and tumor grade. MATERIALS AND METHODS Immunohistochemical analysis of c-met protein was performed in 41 normal and malignant human renal samples. RESULTS c-met Immunostaining was detected in the normal kidney tissue in all 41 samples. In the normal kidney c-met immunostaining was limited to the cell membrane and/or cytoplasm of epithelial cells in specific tubular segments, including the proximal convoluted tubule, thin and thick limbs of the loop of Henle, and the collecting duct. The glomeruli, distal convoluted tubule and stroma were consistently negative for c-met staining. c-met Immunostaining was detected in 68% of renal cell carcinomas and was more common in higher nuclear grade cancers (p < 0.034). CONCLUSIONS The c-met receptor is present in specific tubular segments in the normal kidney and is frequently expressed in higher nuclear grade renal cancers, suggesting a role in renal carcinoma progression. Future studies should evaluate the biological significance of the HGF/ SF-c-met pathway in normal renal physiology, and renal cancer growth and progression.
Quality-of-life outcomes after cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgery is an increasingly common medical procedure whose benefits to patients have not been quantified objectively. The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine long-term quality-of-life outcomes for patients undergoing elective cosmetic surgery. In this prospective, correlational study of 105 consecutive patients undergoing elective cosmetic surgery, the parameters of quality-of-life index, depression, social support, and coping were determined preoperatively and at 1- and 6-month intervals postoperatively. The data from the four study instruments were analyzed using Pearson correlation and repeated measures of multivariate analysis of variance for differences in each variable over time. The multivariate analysis of variance quality-of-life index scores for patients improved from baseline preoperative mean levels of 3.24 to a mean of 2.56 at 1 month, and then to 2.11 (f = 518.5, p = < 0.0001) at 6 months postsurgery. Mean scores for depression [determined by using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD)], improved from 11.2 preoperatively to 6.5 at 1 month, and to 6.3 (f= 79.3, p = < .0001) at 6 months after surgery. Surgical intervention produced no significant differences between preoperative and postoperative ways of coping and social support scores. Cosmetic surgery produces positive psychological benefits by significantly improving quality-of-life outcomes that persist long term, without adversely affecting social support and ways of coping.
E‐Mailed Standardized Cognitive Behavioural Treatment of Work‐Related Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a 7‐week standardized cognitive behavioural treatment of work‐related stress conducted via e‐mail. A total of 342 people applied for treatment in reaction to a newspaper article. Initial screening reduced the sample to a heterogeneous (sub)clinical group of 239 participants. Participants were assigned randomly to a waiting list condition (n = 62), or to immediate treatment (n = 177). A follow‐up was conducted 3 years after inception of the treatment. The outcome measures used were the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS‐42) and the Emotional Exhaustion scale of the Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey (MBI‐GS). Fifty participants (21%) dropped out. Both groups showed statistically significant improvements. Intention‐to‐treat analysis of covariance (ANCOVAs) revealed that participants in the treatment condition improved significantly more than those in the waiting control condition (0.001<p⩽0.025). In the treatment group, the effects were large to moderate (0.9 (stress)⩾d⩾0.5 (anxiety)). The between‐group effects ranged from d = 0.6 (stress) to d = 0.1 (anxiety). At follow‐up, the effects were more pronounced, but this result requires replication in view of high attrition at follow‐up. The results warrant further research on Internet‐driven standardized cognitive behavioural therapy for work‐related stress. Such research should include the direct comparison of this treatment with face‐to‐face treatment, and should address the optimal level of therapist contact in Internet‐driven treatment.
UCN-01 Abrogates G2 Arrest through a Cdc2-dependent Pathway That Is Associated with Inactivation of the Wee1Hu Kinase and Activation of the Cdc25C Phosphatase*

We have previously demonstrated that UCN-01, a potent protein kinase inhibitor currently in phase I clinical trials for cancer treatment, abrogates G2 arrest following DNA damage. Here we used murine FT210 cells, which contain temperature-sensitive Cdc2 mutations, to determine if UCN-01 abrogates G2 arrest through a Cdc2-dependent pathway. We report that UCN-01 cannot induce mitosis in DNA-damaged FT210 cells at the non-permissive temperature for Cdc2 function. Failure to abrogate G2 arrest was not due to UCN-01-inactivation at the elevated temperature because parental FM3A cells, which have wild-type Cdc2, were sensitive to UCN-01-induced G2 checkpoint abrogation. Having established that UCN-01 acted through Cdc2, we next assessed UCN-01’s effect on the Cdc2-inhibitory kinase, Wee1Hu, and the Cdc2-activating phosphatase, Cdc25C. We found that Wee1Hu was indeed inactivated in UCN-01-treated cells, possibly just prior to Cdc2 activation and entry of DNA-damaged cells into mitosis. This inhibition appeared, however, to be a consequence of a further upstream action since in vitro studies revealed purified Wee1Hu was relatively resistant to UCN-01-inhibition. Consistent with such an upstream action, UCN-01 also promoted the hyperphosphorylation (activation) of Cdc25C in DNA-damaged cells. Our results suggest that UCN-01 abrogates G2 checkpoint function through inhibition of a kinase residing upstream of Cdc2, Wee1Hu, and Cdc25C, and that changes observed in these mitotic regulators are downstream consequences of UCN-01’s actions.
Evaluation of Ciprofloxacin as a Representative of Veterinary Fluoroquinolones in Susceptibility Testing

ABSTRACT Currently in veterinary medicine, ciprofloxacin is often used in susceptibility testing to represent the entire class of fluoroquinolone antimicrobials. Using quality control organisms as well as clinical isolates, we compared the MIC of ciprofloxacin to those of three other fluoroquinolones used in animals and found that ciprofloxacin is not an adequate representative of other members of this class.
Counseling services for Asian, Latino/a, and White American students: Initial severity, session attendance, and outcome.

OBJECTIVE The current study examined racial/ethnic differences in initial severity, session attendance, and counseling outcomes in a large and diverse sample of Asian American, Latino/a, and White student clients who utilized university counseling services between 2008 and 2012. METHOD We used archival data of 5,472 clients (62% female; M age = 23.1, SD = 4.3) who self-identified their race/ethnicity as being Asian American (38.9%), Latino/a (14.9%), or White (46.2%). Treatment engagement was measured by the number of counseling sessions attended; initial severity and treatment outcome were measured using the Outcome Questionnaire-45. RESULTS Asian American clients, particularly Chinese, Filipino/a, Korean, and Vietnamese Americans, had greater initial severity compared with White clients. Asian Indian, Korean, and Vietnamese American clients used significantly fewer sessions of counseling than White clients after controlling for initial severity. All racial/ethnic minority groups continued to have clinically significant distress in certain areas (e.g., social role functioning) at counseling termination. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the need to devote greater attention to the counseling experiences of racial/ethnic minority clients, especially certain Asian American groups. Further research directions are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record
Single Nephron Hemodynamics in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract This study was designed to determine whether glomerular hypertension develops as a function of age in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Male SHR and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) normotensive controls were divided into three groups for measurements of whole kidney and single nephron hemodynamics at 5, 10, and 15 months of age. As reported previously, SHR developed significant proteinuria which was predominantly an albuminuria, after 5 months of age. There were no differences in whole kidney or single nephron glomerular filtration rates between SHR and WKY. Afferent glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure (P GC) was slightly increased in SHR compared with WKY at 10 months of age. At 15 months of age, P GC in SHR was significantly lower than WKY. Our studies indicate that increased capillary pressure is not a major factor in the development and progression of renal injury in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.
Identifying unilateral disease in Chinese patients with primary aldosteronism by using a modified prediction score

Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate the role of Küpers’ score in predicting unilateral aldosteronism, and develop a modified score in Chinese patients with primary aldosteronism. Methods: The current retrospective study included 406 patients with primary aldosteronism who underwent successful adrenal venous sampling (AVS) and were divided into the unilateral (n = 211) and bilateral (n = 195) groups according to the AVS results. Normokalemia was noted in both the unilateral (n = 64) and bilateral groups (n = 84) when plasma and urinary aldosterone were measured. Results: We evaluated Küpers’ prediction score, which had the best cutoff value at four points [area under the curve, 0.601 (95% confidence interval 0.551–0.650); specificity, 53%; sensitivity, 62%]. Then, we modified this score by using urinary aldosterone level quartiles, history of hypokalemia, and typical adenoma more than 10 mm on computed tomography (CT) [area under the curve, 0.745 (95% confidence interval 0.667–0.813)]; sensitivity, 45.3%; specificity, 90.5%). The best cutoff value to discriminate unilateral from bilateral disease was a score of 5. This modified prediction score only applied to patients who were normokalemic when urinary aldosterone was measured. A specificity of 100% was achieved at a score of 6 for patients aged 40 years or less, and 5 when the adrenal lesion was on the right side on CT imaging. Conclusion: Küpers’ prediction score is not suitable for our patients. Urinary aldosterone levels combined with a history of hypokalemia are useful to discriminate unilateral from bilateral aldosteronism in patients with typical adenoma on the right adrenal gland on CT or in patients 40 years old or less.
Genetic Benefits of Consanguinity Through Selection of Genotypes Protective Against Malaria

ABSTRACT Consanguineous marriages are usually socially driven and can be genetically harmful. The detrimental effects of inbreeding are the consequence of homozygosity of harmful genes. On the other hand, beneficial effects of inbreeding, theoretically, could be expected in those who are homozygous for protective recessive and codominant genes. Here, we argue that the most common monogenetic conditions in humans, namely, α-thalassemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, hemoglobin C, and Duffy antigen negative red blood cells, which have evolved under pressure from malaria, had their survival and selection enhanced by consanguineous marriages in malaria-infested regions of the world. This hypothesis is supported by several observations. First, the presence of two mutations in homozygotes involving the listed conditions (except G6PD deficiency) imparts better protection against malaria than the presence of one or no mutation (heterozygous or normal genotypes, respectively); consanguinity increases the number of homozygotes, especially at low allele frequency. For G6PD deficiency, inbreeding could increase the allele frequency of the G6PD-deficient allele. Second, there is overlap between, on the one hand, the geographic distributions of malaria, thalassemias, and other red blood cell conditions that protect against malaria and, on the other hand, consanguineous marriages. Third, the distribution of different intensities of malaria infestation is matched with the frequency of human inbreeding. These observations, taken together, offer strong support to the hypothesis that the culture of consanguineous marriages and the genetics of protection against malaria have co-evolved by fostering survival against malaria through better retention of protective genes in the extended family.
ANALISIS PENGARUH CORPORATE SOCIALRESPONSIBILITY DAN KARAKTERISTIKGOODCORPORATE GOVERNANCE TERHADAP KINERJAPERUSAHAAN(Studi Empiris pada Perusahaan Manufaktur yang Terdaftar diBEI tahun 2012)

The aim of this research is to examine the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the characteristics of good corporate governance (GCG) to firm performance. Independent variables usedin this research are CSR,board of directors, board of commissioners, andaudit committee. While thedependent variablein this studyisfirm performance measuredusingreturn on equity (ROE). This research used a sample of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in 2012. The sampling method in this research is purposive sampling and acquired 77 companies that meet the criteria. Hypothesis testing using multiple regression analysis. The results ofthis researchshowedthatthe higher the levelof CSRdisclosure, boardof directors, and audit committeeof a company, the higher thefirm performance. Whileboard of commissioner has no effecton firm performance
Clinical Research, Comparison of the Subjective Visual Function in Patients with Epiphora and Patients with Second-Eye Cataract

PURPOSE: To assess the subjective visual disability of patients with epiphora and to compare the results with that of patients waiting for second eye cataract surgery. DESIGN: A prospective, randomised, questionnaire-based study. METHODS: Forty-six patients with epiphora listed for dacryocystorhinostomy and 50 patients having second eye cataract extraction were enrolled. A questionnaire focusing on functional visual disability in daily life and based on VF-14 was completed for each participant. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of patients with epiphora and 41% of second-eye cataracts had difficulty reading small print (P < 0.05). The extent of such difficulty was moderate to great in 48% of epiphora and only 26% of cataract patients . A substantial percentage of epiphora patients and second eye cataract also reported difficulty with other tasks, such as doing fine work (78.9% vs. 42%) (P < 0.05), watching television (63.1% vs. 19%) (P < 0.05), seeing steps or stairs (43.4% vs. 10%) (P < 0.05), or reading signs (39.1% vs. 4%) (P < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is widespread recognition of the effect of cataract on visual function. This has resulted in substantial government funding to improve access to cataract surgery. In comparison, epiphora is rarely considered as a significant cause of visual disability. This study suggests that patients with epiphora suffer the same if not more of a visual handicap than patients awaiting second eye cataract surgery.
Knowledge of Employees in Restaurants About the Means and Application of HACCP

This paper presents the results of a survey carried out in 89 operating objects with food (restaurants, fast food restaurants, distribution centers, stores, etc.) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The questions that the employees have been asked (owners, managers, workers) were related to good hygiene practices, good manufacturing practices and HACCP principles, and general knowledge about the production and preparation of food. The survey covered 520 people. Displayed knowledge level requires fast actions in taking a series of measures to improve it. The best and quickest results will be achieved by organizing a series of seminars tailored to the needs of individual sectors in the field of catering services.
Separating surgical quality from causality—Gaining perspective in the debate on lymph node count and extent of lymphadenectomy

F or several cancers, the number of lymph nodes removed and the extent of lymphadenectomy are associated with survival. Although largely based on observational studies, this association has permeated surgical thinking, and considerable debate regarding the importance of lymph node count and extent of lymphadenectomy has emerged in many surgical circles. For bladder cancer, in which a growing number of studies have outlined the association between increasing lymph node count and survival, the debate has gained traction more recently. During the development of this discourse, however, several of the central components of the debate have become entangled. Consequently, distinctions between association, causation, and quality have been blurred. In this issue of Cancer, Wright and colleagues set out to further inform the debate in a detailed and thorough observational study. Using data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, the authors examine the association between extent of lymphadenectomy, as measured by lymph node count, and survival in the setting of lymph node-positive bladder cancer. They report an independent, inverse correlation between the number of lymph nodes removed and the risk of death for each category of lymph node count analyzed. In cases characterized by relatively low lymph node counts (1–5 lymph nodes), for example, median survival was 13 months, and increased proportionately with each incremental increase in lymph node count, reaching 23 months in cases where 10 lymph nodes were removed during cystectomy. Lymph node density, a derivative measure of disease burden (the number of positive lymph nodes divided by the total number of lymph nodes) also correlated significantly with survival. After adjusting for measurable patient-level factors, patients who had 10 lymph nodes removed during cystectomy were nearly half as likely to die compared with patients who had 5 lymph nodes removed at the time of surgery (hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.43–0.64). On the basis of these results, the authors conclude that lymph node count is independently assoSee referenced original article on pages 2401 8, this issue.
Directors’ Remuneration Disclosure Transparency in Nigeria and the Influence of Block Share Ownership

This paper examines directorsâ€™ remuneration disclosure transparency in an emerging economy (Nigeria). We specifically examine how the block share ownership influences the level of transparency in the disclosure of directorsâ€™ remuneration in a sample of companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2012. Using ordinary least squares and binary logistic regressions to examine the relationship, we find that block share ownership is associated with lower transparent disclosure of directorsâ€™ remuneration. The result shows a positive relationship between audit quality and transparent disclosure of directorsâ€™ remuneration. The study finds that the transparency score is less than 40%. On the whole, we provide evidence that managers in Nigerian Listed Companies are inclined not to make voluntary disclosure of their remuneration to the public. This paper has implication for policy makers and regulatory authorities in Nigeria on the need to embark on remuneration disclosures reforms so as to make directorsâ€™ remuneration disclosure mandatory for Nigerian Listed Companies to make it comparable with accepted global good practice. This study contributes to the remuneration disclosure transparency literature by providing support for the expropriation hypothesis in the behaviour of block shareholders from an emerging economy whose market is very much different from those of developed economies.
Estimating Exchange Rate Exposures: Some "Weighty" Issues

From a sample of 910 U.S. firms over the period 1977 1996, we find that structure of the empirical model has significant impacts on resulting estimates of exchange rate exposures from equity returns. While lengthening the return horizon has minimal impact on exposure estimates, the inclusion of a market portfolio in the specification results in significant changes to the exposure estimates. We further demonstrate that different definitions of the market portfolio result in important differences in the overall distribution of exposure estimates and the interpretations of the sign, size, and significance of many firms' exposures. The source of the exposure differences across market portfolios is due to a strong size-exposure relation for U.S. firms. Surprisingly, this size-exposure relation does not appear to be driven by an underlying correlation between size and foreign cash flow position of the firms. An alternative model specification using matched CRSP capital-based size portfolios as controls for market movements in the exposure model produces firm-level exposures with a stronger relation to foreign cash flows and less of a correlation with firm size.