Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Corporate Governance and Tobin's Q as a Measure of Organizational Performance

This empirical study examines the relationship between corporate governance and organisational performance (OP), measured in Tobin’s Q in the context of an emerging economy for which, as yet, only a handful of studies have been conducted. We employ a System GMM approach controlling for endogeneity, and test it on a newly created dataset comprising 324 stock exchange-listed firms in Pakistan. We find that Board size, number of Board committees and Ownership concentration are positively linked with high TQ ratio, whilst Board independence and CEO duality display a negative relationship. In terms of moderating effects, we find that ownership concentration negatively moderates the relationship between Board independence and OP, as well as that of CEO duality and OP. The relationship between the number of Board committees and OP is positively moderated by ownership concentration. Our findings contribute towards better articulating and applying a more concrete measure of OP—that of TQ ratio—whilst, at the same time, testing the Board composition–performance relationship in the context of an upcoming and increasingly important emerging market. Wider applicability of results and policy implications are discussed. Keywords: Tobin’s Q, Corporate governance, Organisational performance, Board structure, Fixed and random effect generalised least square regressions.
Measuring pediatric quality of care in rural clinics-a multi-country assessment-Cambodia, Guatemala, Zambia and Kenya.

OBJECTIVE To assess the quality of care provided in rural pediatric facilities in Cambodia, Guatemala, Kenya and Zambia DESIGN: All public health facilities in four districts in each country were included in the assessment. Based on utilization patterns, five children under five were selected randomly from each facility to perform the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) assessments followed by exit interviews with their caretakers. SETTING Seventy rural ambulatory pediatric care facilities. PARTICIPANTS Three hundred and forty pediatric case management observations and exit interviews with child caretakers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE IMCI index of observed quality of care for patient assessment and counseling RESULTS: Screening for danger signs, diarrhea and fever showed significant differences between countries (P < 0.001), with facilities in Cambodia and Guatemala performing better. More than 90% of the children were screened for fever in all three countries, but <75% were screened in Cambodia. The assessment of nutritional status, checking weight against growth chart and palmar pallor for anemia, was suboptimal in all countries. Mean consultation time ranged from 8.2 minutes in Zambia and 12.6 minutes in Guatemala. Child age, consultation time, health provider cadre and presenting symptoms were significantly associated with higher quality of assessment and counseling care as measured by the IMCI index. CONCLUSIONS Achieving the goals of universal health coverage in these contexts must be complimented with accelerated efforts for capacity investments at the primary care level to ensure optimal quality of healthcare and favorable health outcomes for children, who still experience a high disease burden for these common IMCI conditions.
Minimax after money-max: why major league baseball players do not follow optimal strategies

ABSTRACT Using real-life sports data of Major League Baseball, this paper investigates whether professional players follow the minimax theorem in their strategies. Our empirical results using the 2010 regular-season data show that baseball players do not optimize their strategies: there is a significant difference in their payoffs across strategies, and the sequence of their strategy choices is predictable from their previous actions. Further analysis using individual salaries and key contract variables indicates that a higher salary has a positive impact on following minimax strategies in the regular season. By contrast, a longer contract decreases a player’s incentive to pursue optimal strategies in the postseason. These results have important implications for compensation practices in various fields.
Biochemical and functional abnormalities of left and right ventricular function after ultra-endurance exercise

Background: There is evidence that ultra-endurance exercise causes myocardial injury. The extent and duration of these changes remains unresolved. Recent reports have speculated that structural adaptations to exercise, particularly of the right ventricle, may predispose to tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Objective: To quantify the extent and duration of post-exercise cardiac injury with particular attention to right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Methods: 27 athletes (20 male, 7 female) were tested 1 week before, immediately after and 1 week after an ultra-endurance triathlon. Tests included cardiac troponin I (cTnI), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and comprehensive echocardiographic assessment. Results: 26 athletes completed the race and testing procedures. Post-race, cTnI was raised in 15 athletes (58%) and the mean value for the entire cohort increased (0.17 vs 0.49 μg/l, p<0.01). BNP rose in every athlete and the mean increased significantly (12.2 vs 42.5 ng/l, p<0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was unchanged (60.4% vs 57.5%, p = 0.09), but integrated systolic strain decreased (16.9% vs 15.1%, p<0.01). New regional wall motion abnormalities developed in seven athletes (27%) and LVEF was reduced in this subgroup (57.8% vs 45.9%, p<0.001). RV function was reduced in the entire cohort with decreases in fractional area change (0.47 vs 0.39, p<0.01) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (21.8 vs 19.1 mm, p<0.01). At follow-up, all variables returned to baseline except in one athlete where RV dysfunction persisted. Conclusion: Myocardial damage occurs during intense ultra-endurance exercise and, in particular, there is a significant reduction in RV function. Almost all abnormalities resolve within 1 week.
Cloning and Characterization of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa zwf Gene Encoding Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase, an Enzyme Important in Resistance to Methyl Viologen (Paraquat)

ABSTRACT In this study, we cloned the Pseudomonas aeruginosa zwfgene, encoding glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), an enzyme that catalyzes the NAD+- or NADP+-dependent conversion of glucose-6-phosphate to 6-phosphogluconate. The predictedzwf gene product is 490 residues, which could form a tetramer with a molecular mass of ∼220 kDa. G6PDH activity andzwf transcription were maximal in early logarithmic phase when inducing substrates such as glycerol, glucose, or gluconate were abundant. In contrast, both G6PDH activity and zwftranscription plummeted dramatically when bacteria approached stationary phase, when inducing substrate was limiting, or when the organisms were grown in a citrate-, succinate-, or acetate-containing basal salts medium. G6PDH was purified to homogeneity, and its molecular mass was estimated to be ∼220 kDa by size exclusion chromatography. Estimated Km values of purified G6PDH acting on glucose-6-phosphate, NADP+, and NAD+ were 530, 57, and 333 μM, respectively. The specific activities with NAD+ and NADP+ were calculated to be 176 and 69 μmol/min/mg. An isogenic zwf mutant was unable to grow on minimal medium supplemented with mannitol. The mutant also demonstrated increased sensitivity to the redox-active superoxide-generating agent methyl viologen (paraquat). Since one by-product of G6PDH activity is NADPH, the latter data suggest that this cofactor is essential for the activity of enzymes critical in defense against paraquat toxicity.
Masked hypertension and white-coat hypertension in chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Poor hypertension control observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may in part be due to the suboptimal assessment of BP with clinic BP measurements alone. The goal of this meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence and determinants of white-coat and masked hypertension in the adult CKD population. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Articles reporting prevalence of masked and white-coat hypertension in patients with CKD were obtained from two major databases. We then performed a meta-analysis to derive pooled estimates of prevalence and determinants of these two conditions. RESULTS Among 980 patients with CKD identified in six studies, the overall prevalence of masked hypertension was 8.3% and of white-coat hypertension was 18.3%. More alarming, 40.4% of patients who had CKD and were thought to have normotension (or adequately treated hypertension) in fact had hypertension at home. Also 30.0% of patients who had CKD and were thought to have hypertension had normotension at home. The thresholds for classification of clinic and ambulatory BP as hypertensive strongly influenced the risk for diagnosis of masked hypertension in favor of white-coat hypertension. CONCLUSIONS Because clinic BP measurements alone lead to substantial misclassification in BP, we estimate that the prevalence of poorly controlled hypertension is likely less than currently estimated. Out-of-office BP monitoring may improve the management of hypertension in patients with CKD. Standardized definitions for the diagnosis of masked and white-coat hypertension would facilitate research.
Self-Reported Differences on Measures of Executive Function and Hypersexual Behavior in a Patient and Community Sample of Men

ABSTRACT Patients seeking help for hypersexual behavior often exhibit features of impulsivity, cognitive rigidity, poor judgment, deficits in emotion regulation, and excessive preoccupation with sex. Some of these characteristics are also common among patients presenting with neurological pathology associated with executive dysfunction. These observations led to the current investigation of differences between a group of hypersexual patients (n == 87) and a non-hypersexual community sample (n == 92) of men using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function—Adult Version (BRIEF-A) and the Hypersexual Behavior Inventory (HBI). Significant differences between the groups emerged on eight subscales and all of the general indices of executive functioning with the most dramatic differences on BRIEF-A's Shift, Emotional Control, Initiate, and Plan/Organize subscales. Hypersexual behavior was positively correlated (r == .37, p < .01) with global indices of executive dysfunction and several subscales of the BRIEF-A. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the hypothesis that executive dysfunction may be implicated in hypersexual behavior.
Filtering Antenna With Two-Octave Harmonic Suppression

A novel second-order antenna with filtering performance and two-octave harmonic suppression is proposed. In order to reduce the effects of the harmonics of the antenna, two types of antennas [planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) and patch] with different resonant characteristics are integrated into the design. Compared to the traditional patch antennas, this integrated work can not only eliminate the high-order harmonics of the antenna but also improve the in-band bandwidth and frequency selectivity. The second- and fourth-order harmonics of the patch are suppressed because of the detuned harmonic performance of the PIFA and patch. The third-order harmonic is eliminated by integrating notch resonators in the PIFA. A prototype that works at 2.4 GHz is developed to demonstrate the PIFA-patch integration scheme. Measured and simulated results of antennas agree well with each other, demonstrating good performance of bandwidth, second-order filtering, radiation, and wideband harmonic suppression (up to 11 GHz).
Increasing the daily water intake for the prophylactic treatment of headache: a pilot trial *

Dehydration is commonly believed to result in headache, but the effectiveness of increasing the water intake in patients who frequently suffer from headaches has not been studied thus far. In a pilot study, we examined the possible effects and feasibility of increased water intake in headache patients. Eighteen headache patients (all had migraine, two also had tension‐type headache) were randomly allocated to placebo medication, or the advice to additionally drink 1.5 l of water per day, for a period of 12 weeks. Effect measurements consisted of a 2 weeks headache diary and the Migraine Specific Quality of Life (MSQOL) questionnaire. The advice to increase the daily fluid intake by 1.5 l increased the fluid intake in the intervention group by approximately 1 l. This reduced the total hours of headache in 2 weeks by 21 h (95% CI: −48 to 5). Mean headache intensity decreased by 13 mm (95% CI: −32 to 5) on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The effects on MSQOL, number of headache episodes, and medication seemed to be small. The data of the present study suggest a reduction in the total number of hours and intensity of headache episodes after increased water intake. Our results seem to justify larger scaled research on the effectiveness of increased water intake in headache patients.
Post-exceptionalism and corporate interests in US agricultural policy

ABSTRACT This paper examines post-exceptionalism in US food and agriculture policy. Using data on lobbying activity and campaign contributions, we find that corporations and organizations representing the banking industry, manufacturers of agricultural inputs, food processors, and the retail food sector allocate significant financial resources trying to influence food and agriculture policy. Although traditional peak associations of farmers and organizations representing the growers of specific commodities remain an important constituency in policy debates, agriculture is no longer a compartmentalized policy domain dominated by producer interests. Instead, food and agriculture resemble other domains of US policy in which corporations and trade associations leverage advantages in money and personnel to protect their bottom line.
ACCEPTANCE OF FIRST‐TRIMESTER PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS FOR THE HAEMOGLOBINOPATHIES IN LEBANON

We have interviewed 83 couples at risk for a haemoglobin disorder, mostly β‐thalassaemia, in an effort to evaluate their attitude towards first‐trimester prenatal diagnosis. Most of the families had received poor education and were of low socio‐economic status and more than half of the couples were not properly aware of their genetic risk. Fifty‐nine per cent of the couples were definitely in favour of prenatal diagnosis, 23 per cent were uncertain at the time of the interview, and 18 per cent were opposed to such testing, because of their religious conviction against termination of a pregnancy. Another important factor which seems to influence choice was the cost of the test. Essential issues that arise from this study include the importance of a control programme adapted to particular populations, proper information and counselling, and the need for financial support in countries such as Lebanon. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relationship between proxy reported health-related quality of life and parental distress: gender differences.

OBJECTIVE Although primary caregiver proxy reports of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are often used for healthcare decision making when child self-reports are unable to be collected (because of a variety of reasons such as child illness, disability or age), we have little understanding of the correlates of parent-proxy reports. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between parental depression and parent-proxy reported QOL for primary caregivers (mothers and fathers), using a multidimensional HRQOL instrument. It was hypothesized that maternal depression would be negatively correlated with maternal reported HRQOL, but that paternal depression would not be correlated with paternal reported HRQOL. METHODS Data were from parents of children aged 4-5 years (n = 4983) involved in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. A questionnaire assessing parental depression (Kessler-6) and proxy reported HRQOL (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory) was completed by the primary caregiver. RESULTS For maternal primary caregivers, maternal depression was negatively correlated with all domains of maternal proxy reports of HRQOL (r = -0.24 to r = -0.36). For paternal primary caregivers, there was no relationship between paternal depression and paternal proxy reports of HRQOL. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that maternal depression was a significant predictor of total HRQOL, accounting for 12% of the variance. For paternal mental health, depression did not predict parent-proxy reported total HRQOL. CONCLUSION These results highlight the importance of assessing maternal mental health when measuring proxy reported QOL. Further research is needed in this area to examine the relationship between parental depression and proxy reported HRQOL (including both mothers and fathers, where possible), as well as child self-reported HRQOL.
Trans-splicing with the group I intron ribozyme from Azoarcus

Group I introns are cis-splicing ribozymes that excise themselves from RNA primary transcripts. These ribozymes can be converted into trans-splicing ribozymes. In the absence of a 5′-terminal extended guide sequence (EGS), the Azoarcus group I intron ribozyme favored the same splice sites as the Tetrahymena ribozyme on a given substrate mRNA in vitro. Further, the Azoarcus ribozyme was most efficient with a trans-splicing design that resembled the secondary structure context of the natural cis-splicing Azoarcus ribozyme, the anticodon stem of tRNAIle.
Controversies Surrounding the Size of the Public Budget

This paper examines two potential positions in the debate over public budget size. Notably, the indicator used is inherently unstable, and shifting opinions regarding the public budget’s size might be a psycho-social mirror of real-world volatility itself. However, this indicator may be dominated by a hidden variable in given historical frameworks, and the ensuing debates under this hypothesis might reflect the effective public budget’s deviations from the applicable contextual attractor. Testing the temporal features of a large database, the paper supports the second assumption. The possible attractors are approximated using the VAR algorithm and the BARS Curve.
The chemical cue tetrabromopyrrole from a biofilm bacterium induces settlement of multiple Caribbean corals

Microbial biofilms induce larval settlement for some invertebrates, including corals; however, the chemical cues involved have rarely been identified. Here, we demonstrate the role of microbial biofilms in inducing larval settlement with the Caribbean coral Porites astreoides and report the first instance of a chemical cue isolated from a marine biofilm bacterium that induces complete settlement (attachment and metamorphosis) of Caribbean coral larvae. Larvae settled in response to natural biofilms, and the response was eliminated when biofilms were treated with antibiotics. A similar settlement response was elicited by monospecific biofilms of a single bacterial strain, Pseudoalteromonas sp. PS5, isolated from the surface biofilm of a crustose coralline alga. The activity of Pseudoalteromonas sp. PS5 was attributed to the production of a single compound, tetrabromopyrrole (TBP), which has been shown previously to induce metamorphosis without attachment in Pacific acroporid corals. In addition to inducing settlement of brooded larvae (P. astreoides), TBP also induced larval settlement for two broadcast-spawning species, Orbicella (formerly Montastraea) franksi and Acropora palmata, indicating that this compound may have widespread importance among Caribbean coral species.
Monte Carlo EM for Missing Covariates in Parametric Regression Models

Summary. We propose a method for estimating parameters for general parametric regression models with an arbitrary number of missing covariates. We allow any pattern of missing data and assume that the missing data mechanism is ignorable throughout. When the missing covariates are categorical, a useful technique for obtaining parameter estimates is the EM algorithm by the method of weights proposed in Ibrahim (1990, Journal of the American Statistical Association85, 765–769). We extend this method t o continuous or mixed categorical and continuous covariates, and for arbitrary parametric regression models, by adapting a Monte Carlo version of the EM algorithm as discussed by Wei and Tanner (1990, Journal of the American Statistical Association85, 699–704). In addition, we discuss the Gibbs sampler for sampling from the conditional distribution of the missing covariates given the observed data and show that the appropriate complete conditionals are log‐concave. The log‐concavity property of the conditional distributions will facilitate a straightforward implementation of the Gibbs sampler via the adaptive rejection algorithm of Gilks and Wild (1992, Applied Statistics41, 337–348). We assume the model for the response given the covariates is an arbitrary parametric regression model, such as a generalized linear model, a parametric survival model, or a nonlinear model. We model the marginal distribution of the covariates as a product of one‐dimensional conditional distributions. This allows us a great deal of flexibility in modeling the distribution of the covariates and reduces the number of nuisance parameters that are introduced in the E‐step. We present examples involving both simulated and real data.
[Analysis and clinical implication of upper urinary tract stone's bacterial spectrum].

OBJECTIVES To analyze the pathogenic bacterial's distribution and the drug resistance in the upper urinary tract stones, and to provide the information for choosing suitable antibiotics. METHODS Stone samples were taken for culture and for drug sensitivity test in 146 patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy between April 2007 and October 2008, and the results were analyzed. RESULTS Pathogens presented in 72 (49.3%) patients. There were 70 (86.4%) Gram-negative bacteria strains. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter cloacae were the predominant bacteria, accounted for 30.9%(25 strains), 23.5% (19 strains) and 12.3% (10 strains), respectively. There were 10 (12.3%) Gram-positive bacteria strains, the predominant bacteria was Staphylococcus epidermidis (6 strains), accounting for 7.4%. And there was 1 fungi strain (1.2%). Resistance to ampicillin/sulbactam (88.7%), ceftriaxone (81.3%) and ciprofloxacin (67.5%) was most commonly found in pathogen, and the rate of resistance to amikacin, imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam were 8.6%, 10.0%, 10.0%, respectively. Erythromycylamine, teicoplanin, SMZ-TMP, nitrofurantoin were sensitive to Gram-positive bacteria. CONCLUSIONS Bacterial's distribution of upper urinary tract stones are multiple, and the majority pathogen is Gram-negative bacteria. A big variant resistance is found among different bacterium. The suitable antibiotics should be chosen according to the different bacterium in the patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy.