Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insider Retention and Long-Run Performance in German and UK Ipos

This paper is about ownership retention in German and UK IPOs, the determinants of ownership retention and its impact on IPO long-term performance. The first part of the paper studies ownership retention by pre-IPO shareholders over a period of six years following the flotation. Second, ownership retention six years after the flotation is linked to four factors, total risk, growth rate of assets, involvement of the founder, and the existence of non-voting shares. Third, the bad long-run performance of IPOs is correlated with ownership retention. The overall evidence suggests that the bad long-term performance of IPOs, compared to the stock market as a whole, cannot be explained by agency conflicts caused by the reduction in ownership by the original shareholders.
Effects of Adding Methionine in Low-Protein Diet on Production Performance, Reproductive Organs and Chemical Liver Composition of Laying Hens under Tropical Conditions

This study was conducted to determine the effects of adding DL-methionine (Met) in low-protein diet (Low-CP; 14% CP) on egg production, reproductive organs, abdominal fat and chemical liver composition of laying hens under tropical conditions. Four hundred and eighty commercial laying hens (Isa-brown) during 24-44 weeks of age were fed with the Low-CP diet containing 0.26, 0.30, 0.38 or 0.44% Met. Dietary protein 16% CP with 0.38% Met was offered as the positive control group. The results showed that hen-day egg production, egg mass and feed conversion ratio of hens received Low-CP diet with 0.26% Met was the worst among experimental groups (P<0.01). Increasing Met to 0.44% could improve hen-day egg production and egg weight as same as the control group, although FCR and egg mass of all Low-CP diet with various levels of Met were still significantly poorer (P<0.05). Interestingly, adding synthetic Met to Low-CP diet resulted in significant reduction of mortality rate compared to the Low-CP diet without adding Met and the control group (P<0.05). Hens received Low-CP diet with 0.44% Met had lower yolk egg percentage than 0.26% Met group. Moreover, higher eggshell thickness, ovary weight, oviduct weight and abdominal fat weight in supplementing Met groups were observed (P<0.05). However, adding Met could not achieve development of reproductive organs compared to the control. Liver fat and abdominal fat contents were linearly increased with the Met supplementation, while the liver protein was inversely reduced (P<0.05). In conclusion, the adding Met in Low-CP diet may give advantage to the hen raised under hot climate, particularly in case of mortality rate and eggshell thickness.
Rupture of molecular thin films observed in atomic force microscopy. II. Experiment.

In atomic force microscope studies of thin films often a defined jump of the tip through the film is observed once a certain threshold force has been exceeded. In particular, on lipid bilayers this is regularly observed. In a previous paper [H. -J. Butt and V. Franz, Phys. Rev. E 66, 031601 (2002)] we presented two complementary models to describe film rupture. The aim of this study was to verify these models. Experiments were done with solid supported bilayers consisting of dioleoyloxypropyl-trimethylammonium chloride (DOTAP) and dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS) in aqueous solutions and with propanol. Both models describe experimental results adequately. In particular, a narrow distribution of yield forces and an increase of the mean yield force with increasing loading rate is correctly predicted. For the lipid bilayers spreading pressures of roughly 20 mN/m (DOTAP) and 5 mN/m (DOPS) were measured. Line tensions for the edge of a lipid bilayer ranged between 3 (DOTAP) and 6 pN (DOPS).
Prenatal Use of Metronidazole and Birth Defects: No Association

Objective: To determine whether the use of metronidazole by pregnant women increases the risk of birth defects in the offspring. Methods: Two cohorts of pregnant women who delivered live-born or stillborn infants between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 1988 were identified from the Tennessee Medicaid enrollment files. The exposed cohort consisted of 1387 women who filled a prescription for metronidazole between 30 days before and 120 days after the onset of their last normal menstrual period. The unexposed cohort consisted of 1387 comparable women who did not fill a prescription for metronidazole during the same time. Medical records for 94% of the offspring of both study cohorts were then reviewed to ascertain the occurrence of birth defects. Results: Pregnancy outcomes were similar for the exposed and unexposed cohort members. There was no excess of overall birth defect occurrence in the offspring of exposed women (risk ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.9-1.6), nor could an excess risk be detected for any category of birth defects. Conclusion: This study provides no evidence that prenatal use of metronidazole increases the risk of overall birth defect occurrence.
Yield of prolonged wireless pH monitoring in achalasia patients successfully treated with pneumatic dilation

Background Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a long-term complication of achalasia treatments. The aim of our study was to evaluate the yield of prolonged wireless pH monitoring in patients with successfully treated achalasia and its influence on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use. Methods Twenty-five patients with achalasia who underwent prolonged wireless pH monitoring after a successful treatment with pneumatic dilation were enrolled. pH variables were analysed in the first 24 hours of monitoring to determine if tracings were indicative of GORD; the same variables were analysed in the following 24-hour period in order to obtain a worst-day diagnosis of GORD. PPI therapy before and after the test was recorded. Results Five out of 25 patients had GORD diagnosis during the first day of monitoring and four of them had oesophagitis at endoscopy. During the following days of monitoring four more patients had a diagnosis of GORD. Out of the 25 patients, PPIs were started after the test in six asymptomatic GORD-positive ones, whereas prescription of PPIs was stopped without detrimental effect on symptoms in three GORD-negative patients. Conclusions Prolonged wireless pH monitoring is a useful test to be added to endoscopy in order to evaluate GORD and to optimise antisecretory treatment in successfully treated achalasia patients.
Nonlinear sliding mode control of a two-wheeled mobile robot system

This paper presents a trajectory tracking control scheme for a two-wheeled mobile robot using sliding mode techniques. The stability of the designed sliding mode dynamics is analysed and reachability of the sliding mode is guaranteed in a given region with the proposed controller. A robot system including a micro-controller, the Arduino Due based on the ARM Cortex-M3, is used to implement the proposed control algorithm. Two DC motors controlled by PWM signals are used as actuators to implement the proposed feedback control. Simulation results are presented and compared with the results of practical experiments.
The Impact of Diversity Courses on College Students’ Moral Development

We utilized data from a multi-institutional longitudinal study to investigate the association between diversity-related coursework and moral development among students over 4 years of college. Our findings parallel the prior research, which support the positive effects of diversity on college students, by offering new evidence that diversity experiences positively impact moral development. Further, the findings revealed that students who enter college with lower precollege academic ability might experience greater gains relating to the impact of diversity coursework on their moral growth.
Resistance pattern of ciprofloxacin against different pathogens.

OBJECTIVES Ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely prescribed in clinical and hospital settings. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance against effective antibiotics is a global issue. The objective of study is the surveillance of ciprofloxacin against common pathogens. METHODS To investigate the present status of antimicrobial resistance against ciprofloxacin, five hundred and twenty four clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (30%), Staphylococcus aureus (33%), Salmonella typhi (9%), Klebsiella pneumonia (14%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%) were collected during study from January, 2008 to February, 2009 from different pathological laboratories running in and out side hospitals located in Karachi, Pakistan. These pathogens were isolated from specimens of both in and out patients. The in-vitro antimicrobial activity of ciprofloxacin was carried out by Disc Diffusion Method (Kirby-Bauer test). RESULTS Showed that ciprofloxacin is 27.02%, 21.95%, 16.66%, 72.22% and 44.44% resistant to Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa respectively. CONCLUSION It is concluded that these clinical isolates have started developing resistance against ciprofloxacin due to its irrational and inappropriate use. Continuous surveillance is crucial to monitor the antimicrobial resistance among pathogens.
Is presurgery and early postsurgery performance related to speech and language outcomes at 3 years of age for children with cleft palate?

This study examined the relationship between presurgery speech measures and speech and language performance at 39 months as well as the relationship between early postsurgery speech measures and speech and language performance at 39 months of age. Fifteen children with cleft lip and palate participated in the study. Spontaneous speech samples were obtained in the children's homes at presurgery/9 months, postsurgery/13 months and again at 39 months of age. Correlational analyses revealed a lack of association between speech measures presurgery and early postsurgery and speech outcome measures at 39 months. Significant negative correlations were noted for true canonical babbling ratio presurgery and mean length of utterance (MLU) at 39 months, as well as for size of true consonant inventory presurgery, and both language outcome measures at 39 months (MLU and number of different words). Significant positive correlations were noted for percentage of true stops produced postsurgery and both language measures at 39 months. Variables that may have influenced speech and language development from presurgery to 39 months are discussed.
Isoflurane Sedation on the ICU in Cardiac Arrest Patients Treated With Targeted Temperature Management: An Observational Propensity-Matched Study

Objective: Targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest requires deep sedation to prevent shivering and discomfort. Compared to IV sedation, volatile sedation has a shorter half-life and thus may allow more rapid extubation and neurologic assessment. Design: Observational analysis of clinical data. Setting: University hospital, medical ICU. Patients: Four hundred thirty-two cardiac arrest survivors underwent targeted temperature management; of those, 110 were treated with volatile sedation using an anesthetic conserving device and isoflurane, and 322 received standard IV sedation. Intervention: No intervention. Measurement and Main Results: A matched pairs analysis revealed that time on ventilator (difference of median, 98.5 hr; p = 0.003) and length of ICU stay (difference of median, 4.5 d; p = 0.006) were significantly shorter in patients sedated with isoflurane when compared with IV sedation although no differences in neurologic outcome (45% of patients with cerebral performance category 1–2 in both groups) were observed. Significant hypercapnia occurred more frequently during anesthetic conserving device use (6.4% vs 0%; p = 0.021). Conclusions: Volatile sedation is feasible in cardiac arrest survivors. Prospective controlled studies are necessary to confirm the beneficial effects on duration of ventilation and length of ICU stay observed in our study. Our data argue against a major effect on neurologic outcome. Close monitoring of PaCO2 is necessary during sedation via anesthetic conserving device.
Laughing and Crying: Mixed Emotions, Compassion, and the Effectiveness of a YouTube PSA About Skin Cancer

Emotionally evocative public service announcements are one way that public health advocates hope to persuade people to take action against skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States. This article describes an experiment (N = 193) to test the ways mixed emotional appeals influence communication and health outcomes. The data indicate that mixed emotional appeals foster feelings of compassion, which in turn motivate individual and social behaviors. The findings also provide insight into how audience reactions of fear impact postmessage behaviors. Implications for future research and health message design are discussed.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration in Connective Tissue Disease-Related Lung Disease

Abstract Lung disease is a common manifestation of connective tissue disease (CTD) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The evaluation of lung disease, and interstitial lung disease (ILD) in particular, in patients with CTD is complex because of the heterogeneity of the CTDs, the varied types and degrees of severity of ILD encountered, and because ILD can be identified at any point in time in these patients. Cross-disciplinary, thorough evaluations are needed when CTD patients develop ILD or when evaluating ILD patients for the presence of occult CTD. Determining that ILD is associated with an established CTD requires the exclusion of alternative etiologies, and thorough assessments of the clinical features of both the CTD and ILD. The detection of occult CTD in patients with “idiopathic” ILD requires careful attention to the demographic profile, historical clues, subtle physical examination findings, specific autoantibody positivity, radiological and histopathological features, and can be optimized by a multidisciplinary approach that includes rheumatological collaboration. Not all patients with CTD-associated ILD require pharmacological therapy, and management decisions should consider pace and severity of the disease, intra- and extrathoracic features of activity and can be optimized by cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Atmospheric experiences that emotionally touch customers : A case study from a winter park

Purpose – This study aims to focus on what types of atmospheric experiences emotionally touch visitors at a winter park. The objective is to describe and explain the relationship between: three atmospheric constructs (ambience, interaction, and design); the construct of joy; and the construct of customer loyalty.Design/methodology/approach – The research data are based on a study of customers visiting a Norwegian winter park, in which 162 visitors participated in the survey. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to test the measurements and structural properties between atmospheric experiences, joy, and loyalty to winter parks.Findings – The findings reveal that two out of the three constructs of atmospheric experiences are linked to customers' feelings of joy, namely, design and interaction. The atmospheric construct of design had the strongest impact on customers' emotions. Furthermore, the study finds that customers' feelings of joy are highly related to the construct .
Ten-year change in blood pressure levels and prevalence of hypertension in urban and rural Cameroon

Background Hypertension is becoming increasingly important in sub-Saharan Africa. However, evidences in support of this trend with time are still not available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 10-year change in blood pressure levels and prevalence of hypertension in rural and urban Cameroon. Methods Two cross-sectional population-based surveys in Yaounde (urban area) and Evodoula (rural area) in 1994 (1762 subjects) and 2003 (1398 subjects) used similar methodologies in women and men aged ≥24 years. Data on systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP), body mass index, educational level, alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking were collected during the two periods. Results Between 1994 and 2003, blood pressure levels significantly increased in rural women (SBP, +18.2 mm Hg; DBP, +11.9 mm Hg) and men (SBP, +18.8 mm Hg; DBP, +11.6 mm Hg), all p<0.001. In the urban area, SBP increased in women (+8.1 mm Hg, p<0.001) and men (+6.5 mm Hg, p<0.001), and DBP increased only in women (+3.3 mm Hg, p<0.001). The OR (95% CI) adjusted on confounders comparing the prevalence of hypertension (blood pressure≥140/90 mm Hg and/or treatment) between 2003 and 1994 ranged from 1.5 (1.1 to 2.2) in urban men to 5.3 (3.2 to 8.9) in rural men. Conclusion Blood pressure levels of this population have deteriorated over time, and the prevalence of hypertension has increased by twofold to fivefold. Adverse effects of risk factors could account for some of these changes. Prevention and control programmes are needed to reverse these trends and to avoid the looming complications.
No increased frequency of malignant neoplasms in polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis. A prospective longitudinal study of 398 cases and matched population controls.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and incidence of cancer in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and temporal arteritis (TA) compared to matched population controls. METHODS In a population based study 1987-97, 398 patients were diagnosed with PMR or TA. Each patient was randomly assigned 4 age and sex matched controls from the same county, totaling 1592 controls. All patients and controls were cross-checked with data files at the Cancer Registry of Norway, for cancers registered up to the end of 1998. RESULTS Prior to inclusion, cancer was diagnosed in 32 patients with PMR or TA (8.0%) and 153 controls (9.6%) (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.55-1.22, p = 0.3). After inclusion, malignant neoplasms were discovered in 34 patients with PMR or TA (9.3%) compared to 143 controls (10.8%) (relative risk 0.86, 95% CI 0.59-1.26, p = 0.4). Thus there was no difference between patients with PMR or TA and their controls regarding prevalence or incidence of cancer. The interval between inclusion and the time of diagnosis of malignant neoplasm did not differ between patients and controls. No significant difference in types or localization of malignant neoplasms was found in patients compared to controls. CONCLUSION No differences were found in frequencies or types of malignant neoplasms between patients with PMR or TA and population controls. Neither PMR nor TA as defined by present diagnostic criteria appears associated with cancer.
Control of transposon activity by a histone H3K4 demethylase in rice

Transposable elements (TEs) are ubiquitously present in plant genomes and often account for significant fractions of the nuclear DNA. For example, roughly 40% of the rice genome consists of TEs, many of which are retrotransposons, including 14% LTR- and ∼1% non-LTR retrotransposons. Despite their wide distribution and abundance, very few TEs have been found to be transpositional, indicating that TE activities may be tightly controlled by the host genome to minimize the potentially mutagenic effects associated with active transposition. Consistent with this notion, a growing body of evidence suggests that epigenetic silencing pathways such as DNA methylation, RNA interference, and H3K9me2 function collectively to repress TE activity at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. It is not yet clear, however, whether the removal of histone modifications associated with active transcription is also involved in TE silencing. Here, we show that the rice protein JMJ703 is an active H3K4-specific demethylase required for TEs silencing. Impaired JMJ703 activity led to elevated levels of H3K4me3, the misregulation of numerous endogenous genes, and the transpositional reactivation of two families of non-LTR retrotransposons. Interestingly, loss of JMJ703 did not affect TEs (such as Tos17) previously found to be silenced by other epigenetic pathways. These results indicate that the removal of active histone modifications is involved in TE silencing and that different subsets of TEs may be regulated by distinct epigenetic pathways.
Boards of Directors, Innovation, and Performance: An Exploration at Multiple Levels

This work reports on an investigation of the dynamics of governance over breakthrough innovation within Fortune 1000 firms. The primary research question investigates the boundary of agency theory within the firm. Using agency and stakeholder theoretic perspectives, the study tests the hypothesis that innovation will thrive in firms that combine a board of directors operating in accordance with a high agency theoretic focus in addition to an innovation governance board operating deeper within the firm that employs a strong stakeholder theoretic orientation in its behavior. The model is tested with data from 98 large firms. Results suggest that the relationship between board of directors' behavior and the firm's overall innovativeness is mediated by innovation decision-making boards that (1) promote projects that are breakthrough in scope, (2) incorporate input of diverse constituencies within the firm, (3) exhibit patience with financial results, and (4) engage in frequent, informal interactions with project teams. Firms exhibiting high board of director agency orientation in combination with loyalty to mandate, patient financial capital disposition, inclusiveness, and project team interaction as described above for innovation governance board decision-making prove to be the most innovative as measured by external indicators. For firm innovativeness, consolidated managerial power and behavior is frequently present at the upper levels of the firm, but must be broken down at deeper levels of the firm. This research offers implications to innovation decision-makers as to how to proceed if the intent is to offer commercializably successful breakthrough innovations.
Prenatal ethanol exposure impairs executive function in mice into adulthood.

BACKGROUND Despite evidence that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can lead to a wide range of impairments in cognitive, social, and emotional behaviors, drinking during pregnancy remains common. Although there is a general understanding that high levels of drinking during pregnancy are unsafe, conflicting evidence regarding the impact of low intake may account for the persistence of this behavior. METHODS To investigate the effects of PAE on learning and executive control, we utilized a voluntary paradigm where pregnant mice had access to a saccharin-sweetened 10% alcohol solution for 4 hours, during the dark cycle, throughout gestation. Male and female offspring were tested as adults on a touch-screen discrimination and reversal task mediated by corticostriatal circuits. RESULTS Consistent with previous findings, PAE did not lead to gross morphological, motor, or sensory alterations in offspring. Both PAE and saccharin control female mice were slower to acquire the discrimination than males, but PAE did not impair associative learning in either sex. During reversal, PAE led to a specific and significant impairment in the early phase, where cortical control is most required to flexibly alter choice behavior. PAE mice showed a significant increase in maladaptive perseverative responses but showed intact learning of the new association during late reversal. CONCLUSIONS Previously, data from clinical studies have suggested that executive control deficits may underlie cognitive, as well as social, problems seen in adolescents with documented PAE. These data demonstrate that even more moderate alcohol exposure during development can lead to impaired cognitive functioning well into adulthood.