Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate diversification

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare two theories that relate the proportion of diversified firms in the economy and the implied discount for diversified firms: the first is a real-options model predicting a positive relationship between the discount and management’s choice to operate a diversified firm; the second is based on catering theory, in which a negative relationship is predicted, as management is attentive to investor preference concerning diversified firms. Design/methodology/approach This study proposes a new aggregate measure of the diversification discount. The authors’ measure allows for decomposition of the discount into firm-level mispricing, industry-level mispricing and long-run fundamental value components. Findings Results support a catering theory of diversification. The discount appears to be the result of firm-level mispricing. Thus, providing an explanation for why, in light of the observed discount, a large number of diversified firms persist. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to provide evidence that firm-level mispricing may drive the observed diversification discount.
Sensitization to Death Receptor Cytotoxicity by Inhibition of Fas-associated Death Domain Protein (FADD)/Caspase Signaling

Upon binding of their ligands, death receptors belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family initiate a signaling pathway leading to the activation of caspases and ultimately apoptosis. TNF, however, in parallel elicits survival signals, protecting many cell types from cell death that can only be induced by combined treatment with TNF and inhibitors of protein synthesis. Here, we report that in NIH3T3 cells, apoptosis in response TNF and cycloheximide is not inhibited by the broad spectrum caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone (zVAD.fmk). Moreover, treatment with zVAD.fmk sensitizes the cells to the cytotoxic action of TNF. Sensitization was also achieved by overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of Fas-associated death domain protein and, to a lesser extent, by specific inhibition of caspase-8. A similar, but weaker sensitization of zVAD.fmk to treatment with the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or anti-CD95 antibody was demonstrated. The unexpected cell death in response to TNF and caspase inhibition occurs despite the activation of nuclear factor κB and c-Jun N-terminal kinases. The mode of cell death shows several signs of apoptosis including DNA fragmentation, although activation of caspase-3 was excluded. TNF/zVAD.fmk-induced cell death is preceded by an accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, indicating an important role of cell cycle progression. This hypothesis is further strengthened by the observation that arresting the cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle inhibited TNF/zVAD.fmk-induced cell death, whereas blocking them in the G2/M phase augmented it.
B‐type natriuretic peptide trends after pediatric heart transplantation

BNP is increasingly utilized in the management of pediatric HT recipients. Performing a retrospective single‐center chart review, we sought to describe BNP changes during the first year after HT and identify factors that affect its trend. After exclusion for rejection, 316 BNP levels from 50 patients were evaluated. BNP underwent an exponential decline 120 days after HT followed by a plateau. Log10BNP decline strongly correlated with time (r = −0.70, p < 0.0001). Initial BNP was less in pretransplant VAD (p = 0.0016) and lower post‐HT inotrope use (p = 0.0043). Infant recipients, IT >4 h, and those bridged medically were associated with higher plateau BNP. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated IT >4 h independently predicted plateau BNP in the upper quartile (OR 7.1, p = 0.02). No significant change in BNP coincided with rejection (N = 6 patients) without severe hemodynamic compromise. BNP correlated modestly with right atrial pressure (r = 0.4652, p < 0.0001) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r = 0.2660, p < 0.001), but poorly with echocardiogram (r = −0.18, p = 0.003). Trending BNP could help provide insight into how the graft recovers after HT and IT >4 h independently predicted higher plateau BNP and may reflect subtle changes in graft performance.
An Empirical Analysis of Green Experiential Loyalty: A Case Study

Abstract The purpose of this study is to elaborate the structural relationships among the experiential quality dimensions, experiential trust, emotional attachment, experiential image, switching experience, experiential satisfaction, and experiential loyalty from the green perspective. The study findings are based on structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis of a convenience sample of 560 customers at one green restaurant in Taipei City, Taiwan. The findings show that investing resources in an increase in the experiential quality dimensions and a decrease in green switching experience is useful to enhance green experiential trust, green emotional attachment, green experiential image, green experiential satisfaction, and green experiential loyalty.
Models with Short-Term Variations and Long-Term Dynamics in Risk Management of Commodity Derivatives

We adopt Schwartz and Smith’s model (2000) to calculate risk measures of Brent oil futures contracts and light sweet crude oil (WTI) futures contracts and Mirantes, Poblacion and Serna’s model (2012) to calculate risk measures of natural gas futures contracts, gasoil futures contracts, heating oil futures contracts, RBOB gasoline futures contracts, PJM western hub peak and off-peak electricity futures contracts. We show that the models present well goodness of fit and explain two stylized facts of the data: the Samuelson effect and the seasonality effect. Our backtesting results demonstrate that the models provide satisfactory risk measures for listed energy commodity futures contracts. A simple estimation method possessing quick convergence is developed.
Description of Inpatient Medication Management Using Cognitive Work Analysis

The purpose of this article was to describe key elements of an inpatient medication system using the cognitive work analysis method of Rasmussen et al (Cognitive Systems Engineering. Wiley Series in Systems Engineering; 1994). The work of nurses and physicians were observed in routine care of inpatients on a medical-surgical unit and attached ICU. Interaction with pharmacists was included. Preoperative, postoperative, and medical care was observed. Personnel were interviewed to obtain information not easily observable during routine work. Communication between healthcare workers was projected onto an abstraction/decomposition hierarchy. Decision ladders and information flow charts were developed. Results suggest that decision making on an inpatient medical/surgical unit or ICU setting is a parallel, distributed process. Personnel are highly mobile and often are working on multiple issues concurrently. In this setting, communication is key to maintaining organization and synchronization for effective care. Implications for research approaches to system and interface designs and decision support for personnel involved in the process are discussed.
Sustainability in Equity Crowdfunding

Existing studies on the relationship between sustainability and crowdfunding are focused on campaigns that provide rewards for backers. Equity crowdfunding is substantially different in terms of motivations to invest as well as in size, horizon, and expectations of the investment. For the first time – using a sample of 345 initial equity offerings in United Kingdom platforms Crowdcube and Seedrs in the period 2014–2015 – this study provides evidence of the attractiveness of sustainability-oriented ventures in equity crowdfunding. Results show that, although sustainability orientation does not increase the chances of success or of engaging professional investors, it attracts a higher number of restricted investors. This evidence is interpreted considering institutional logic, whereas professionals follow a market logic, and restricted investors consider also a community logic.
A Novel Unbiased Proteomic Approach to Detect the Reactivity of Cerebrospinal Fluid in Neurological Diseases*

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis represent global health issues. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to understand the pathogenesis of this and other central nervous system disorders, so that more effective therapeutics can be developed. Cerebrospinal fluid is a potential source of important reporter molecules released from various cell types as a result of central nervous system pathology. Here, we report the development of an unbiased approach for the detection of reactive cerebrospinal fluid molecules and target brain proteins from patients with multiple sclerosis. To help identify molecules that may serve as clinical biomarkers for multiple sclerosis, we have biotinylated proteins present in the cerebrospinal fluid and tested their reactivity against brain homogenate as well as myelin and myelin-axolemmal complexes. Proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, blotted onto membranes and probed separately with biotinylated unprocessed cerebrospinal fluid samples. Protein spots that reacted to two or more multiple sclerosis-cerebrospinal fluids were further analyzed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight time-of-flight mass spectrometry. In addition to previously reported proteins found in multiple sclerosis cerebrospinal fluid, such as αβ crystallin, enolase, and 14–3-3-protein, we have identified several additional molecules involved in mitochondrial and energy metabolism, myelin gene expression and/or cytoskeletal organization. These include aspartate aminotransferase, cyclophilin-A, quaking protein, collapsin response mediator protein-2, ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1, and cofilin. To further validate these findings, the cellular expression pattern of collapsin response mediator protein-2 and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 were investigated in human chronic-active MS lesions by immunohistochemistry. The observation that in multiple sclerosis lesions phosphorylated collapsin response mediator protein-2 was increased, whereas Ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 was down-regulated, not only highlights the importance of these molecules in the pathology of this disease, but also illustrates the use of our approach in attempting to decipher the complex pathological processes leading to multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Paraneoplastic neurologic disorders in small cell lung carcinoma

Objective: To determine the frequency and range of paraneoplastic neurologic disorders (PNDs) and neuronal antibodies in small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). Methods: Two hundred sixty-four consecutive patients with biopsy-proven SCLC were recruited at the time of tumor diagnosis. All patients underwent full neurologic examination. Serum samples were taken prior to chemotherapy and analyzed for 15 neuronal antibodies. Thirty-eight healthy controls were analyzed in parallel. Results: PNDs were quite prevalent (n = 24, 9.4%), most frequently Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (3.8%), sensory neuronopathy (1.9%), and limbic encephalitis (1.5%). Eighty-seven percent of all patients with PNDs had antibodies to SOX2 (62.5%), HuD (41.7%), or P/Q VGCC (50%), irrespective of their syndrome. Other neuronal antibodies were found at lower frequencies (GABAb receptor [12.5%] and N-type VGCC [20.8%]) or very rarely (GAD65, amphiphysin, Ri, CRMP5, Ma2, Yo, VGKC complex, CASPR2, LGI1, and NMDA receptor [all <5%]). Conclusions: The spectrum of PNDs is broader and the frequency is higher than previously appreciated, and selected antibody tests (SOX2, HuD, VGCC) can help determine the presence of an SCLC.
Limitations of the SF-36 in a sample of nursing home residents.

OBJECTIVE to assess test characteristics of the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 (Short-Form 36) with residents of nursing homes. RESEARCH DESIGN nursing home residents with 17 or more points on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and > or = 3 months residence (128 of 552 screened) were selected randomly. Interviewers administered the SF-36 (repeated after 1 week), Geriatric Depression Scale and MMSE. We recorded activities of daily living and medication data from medical records. Data analysis included test-retest intraclass correlations, item completion, score distributions and SF-36 correlations with measures of physical and mental functioning. RESULTS 97 nursing home residents (75.8%) consented. Test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients were good to excellent (range = 0.55 to 0.82). Convergent validity between SF-36 physical health scales and the activities of daily living index was modest (r range = -0.37 to -0.43). About 25% of residents scored zero (lowest score) on at least one SF-36 physical function measure. SF-36 mental health scales correlated strongly with the Geriatric Depression Scale (r range = -0.63 to -0.71) and modestly with bodily pain (r = -0.35). No SF-36 scales correlated strongly with the MMSE. CONCLUSION only one in five nursing home residents met minimal participation criteria, suggesting limited utility of the SF-36 in nursing homes. Reliability and validity characteristics were fairly good. Skewed scores were noted for some SF-36 scales. The utility of the SF-36 may be limited to assessments of subjects with higher cognitive and physical functioning than typical nursing home residents. The SF-36 might benefit from modification for this setting, or by tests of proxy ratings.
An Inhibitor of the Kinesin Spindle Protein Activates the Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway Independently of p53 and De Novo Protein Synthesis

ABSTRACT The kinesin spindle protein (KSP), a microtubule motor protein, is essential for the formation of bipolar spindles during mitosis. Inhibition of KSP activates the spindle checkpoint and causes apoptosis. It was shown that prolonged inhibition of KSP activates Bax and caspase-3, which requires a competent spindle checkpoint and couples with mitotic slippage. Here we investigated how Bax is activated by KSP inhibition and the roles of Bax and p53 in KSP inhibitor-induced apoptosis. We demonstrate that small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Bax greatly attenuates KSP inhibitor-induced apoptosis and that Bax activation is upstream of caspase activation. This indicates that Bax mediates the lethality of KSP inhibitors and that KSP inhibition provokes apoptosis via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway where Bax activation is prior to caspase activation. Although the BH3-only protein Puma is induced after mitotic slippage, suppression of de novo protein synthesis that abrogates Puma induction does not block activation of Bax or caspase-3, indicating that Bax activation is triggered by a posttranslational event. Comparison of KSP inhibitor-induced apoptosis between matched cell lines containing either functional or deficient p53 reveals that inhibition of KSP induces apoptosis independently of p53 and that p53 is dispensable for spindle checkpoint function. Thus, KSP inhibitors should be active in p53-deficient tumors.
Changes in serum haptoglobin level after allergen challenge test in asthmatic children

Bronchial asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, which underlies the phenomenon of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Previous studies have shown that this correlates with the serum concentration of haptoglobin. The occurrence of the late asthmatic response (LAR) after an allergen challenge test is associated with airway inflammation. The objectives of this study were to examine serum levels of haptoglobin during the 24 h after allergen challenge and to compare changes between the subjects with and without LAR. We studied two groups of children with perennial asthma who developed the early asthmatic response (EAR) only (group 1: n = 14), and EAR but also LAR (group II: n = 14) after an allergen (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) challenge test. Serum concentrations of haptoglobin were measured at baseline, at EAR, and at 2 h (recovery), 8 h (LAR), and 24 h after the challenge. Baseline levels were similar in the two groups (group I: 128±57 mg/dl: group II: 129±50 mg/dl). In group I, there was no significant change in the level at any time point; in contrast, the subjects in group II showed a relative fall (92±40 mg/dl) at 8 h, and an increase (161±79 mg/dl) at 24 h after the challenge. Our results indicate that the serum concentration of haptoglobin decreases at the time of LAR and is subsequently replenished during the ensuing time. Although further studies are needed, we think that haptoglobin may be inflused into the airways during the inflammatory process associated with LAR, and that this may be followed by “overshooting” production.
Opportunistic infections complicating solid organ transplantation with alemtuzumab induction

Opportunistic infections remain a common complication of solid organ transplantation. Despite significant changes in immunosuppression and infectious diseases prophylaxis, data are limited on the contemporary epidemiology and outcomes of opportunistic infections. Alemtuzumab, a potent lymphocyte‐depleting antibody, has been used with increased frequency in solid organ transplant recipients in the last decade. A literature review was performed to summarize the current understanding of the epidemiology, risk factors, and outcomes of opportunistic infections complicating solid organ transplantation with and without alemtuzumab induction therapy. Areas where data are limited regarding opportunistic infections in solid organ transplantation with alemtuzumab induction are indicated.
The cut intramuscular nerve affects the recovery in the lacerated skeletal muscle

The recovery of lacerated skeletal muscles are said to be slow and incomplete. Often the intramuscular (IM‐) nerve is concomitantly cut, but never repaired. We questioned whether the IM‐nerve should also be reanastamosed before repairing the skeletal muscle. Before answering this, it was necessary to know if the cut IM nerve would have an effect on the recovery of the segment of muscle distal to the level of the laceration. This study investigates the recovery of lacerated muscles after repair, and compares a complete muscle laceration where the main IM‐nerve was concomitantly cut and an incomplete muscle laceration where the IM‐nerve was preserved intact. The medial gastrocnemius (MG) of the adult male New Zealand White rabbit was used, with the contralateral muscle as a sham control. The laceration was at the proximal quarter of the muscle, distal to the entry point of the nerve branch from the tibial nerve into the muscle belly. Twenty‐eight weeks post‐repair, the lacerated MG with the IM‐nerve intact showed improved muscle wet weight, near normal morphology and contractile properties, and return of muscle fiber type mix and size. The repaired lacerated MG with their IM‐nerve concomitantly cut demonstrated loss of muscle wet weight, obvious fibrosis, mononuclear proliferation with fatty infiltration, increase in type‐1 fibers and muscle fiber atrophy in the distal portion. We postulate that it might be important to repair the intramuscular nerve branch by microanastomosis when repairing a vital skeletal muscle that is lacerated. © 2005 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
["The body-consciousness in school"--a back pain-school].

INTRODUCTION The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the extent of back pain in a school population and to evaluate if it was possible to minimize the number of complaints by increasing the body-consciousness in school children and education of pupils, teachers, and parents. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective, controlled interventional study in two comparable schools with pupils from pre-school up to and including ninth level. All pupils and their parents completed a questionnaire before and after the intervention. RESULTS The share of pupils with back pain increased in the older age groups, whereas the frequency of physical activity decreased. Pupils who disliked going to school had more frequently back pain than pupils who liked going to school, and pupils who liked going to school were more physically active. There was a correlation between the back pain of the pupils and that of their parents. The intervention did not have any effect on the back pain of the pupils or their parents. DISCUSSION There was no significant effect of the intervention, which might be explained by the relatively short time of implementation and unexpected practical problems at the school. The base-line values showed a correlation between age and back pain and between back pain and "do not like going to school". The frequency of physical activity decreased in the older age groups. Physically active pupils liked best going to school. There is a uniformity in the complaints of the parents and children and their reaction to the symptoms.
Strategic manoeuvring with hyperbole in political debate

Hyperbole is a rhetorical trope by means of which statements are made that are obviously exaggerated and thus untrue or unwarranted. 1 Both in classical rhetoric and in modern pragma-linguistic approaches specific functions have been ascribed to hyperbole. In this paper, the stylistic device of hyperbole will be discussed by making use of the extended version of the pragma-dialectical argumentation theory, in which rhetorical insights are integrated in a dialectical framework (van Eemeren and Houtlosser 2002, 9; van Eemeren 2010, 22). According to this theory, arguers may be taken to be pursuing both dialectical and rhetorical goals in argumentative discourse. Although there is no reason to assume that the rhetorical norm of persuasion is necessarily in contradiction with the critical ideal of reasonableness, there is a potential tension between attempting to achieve at the same time a dialectical as well as a rhetorical aim (van Eemeren and Houtlosser 2002, 135). In order to diminish this tension, arguers are assumed to make use of ‘strategic manoeuvring’. Strategic manoeuvring consists of three aspects: 2
Short‐term unilateral resistance training affects the agonist–antagonist but not the force–agonist activation relationship

In this study we investigated the contribution of neural adaptations to strength changes after 4 weeks of unilateral isometric resistance training. Maximal and submaximal isometric knee extension contractions were assessed before and after training. Surface electromyography (EMG) data were collected from the agonist and antagonist muscles and normalized to evoked maximal M‐wave and maximal knee flexor EMG, respectively. The interpolated twitch technique (ITT) was also used to determine activation at maximum voluntary force (MVF). MVF increased in the trained (+20%) and untrained (+8%) legs. Agonist EMG at MVF increased in the trained leg (+26%), although activation determined via the ITT was unchanged. In both legs the position of the force–agonist EMG relationship was unchanged, but antagonist coactivation was lower for all levels of agonist activation. Strength gains in the trained leg were due to enhanced agonist activation, whereas decreased coactivation may have affected strength changes in both legs. Muscle Nerve, 2011