Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Partisan Conflict, Policy Uncertainty and Aggregate Corporate Cash Holdings

This paper distinguishes political uncertainty from policy uncertainty shocks and uncovers new empirical facts about how each impacts the aggregate cash holdings of US firms. Our baseline structural vector autoregression model shows that an exogenous one standard deviation shock to political and economic policy uncertainty is followed by 1 and 1.8% increase in aggregate corporate cash-to-total assets after five and eight quarters, respectively. The baseline result also shows that policy uncertainty shocks tend to raise financial market volatility while political uncertainty shocks tend to lower financial market volatility. Moreover, we find evidence that political uncertainty exerts asymmetric effects on aggregate corporate cash holdings, with a shock tending to raise cash holdings under normal financial conditions and lower cash holdings under tight financial conditions. Our main results are robust against a wide range of shock identification schemes as well as against parametric and non-parametric model estimations.
Accuracy and Criteria for Localizing Arterial Occlusion With Transcranial Doppler

The authors determined transcranial Doppler (TCD) accuracy for the proximal internal carotid artery (ICA), distal ICA, proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA), distal MCA, anterior cerebral artery (ACA), posterior cerebral artery (PCA), terminal vertebral artery (tVA), and basilar artery (BA) occlusion in cerebral ischemia patients. Detailed diagnostic criteria were prospectively applied for TCD interpretation independent of angiographic findings. Of 320 consecutive patients referred to the neurosonology service with symptoms of cerebral ischemia, 190 (59%) patients also underwent angiography (MRA or DSA). 48 of those 190 patients had angiographic occlusion and 12 of those 48 patients had involvement of multiple vessels. Median time from TCD until angiography was performed was 1 hour (41 patients had angiography before TCD). TCD showed 40 true positive, 8 false negative, 8 false positive, and 134 true negative studies with sensitivity 83.0%, specificity 94.4%, positive predictive value 83.0%, negative predictive value 94.4%, and accuracy 91.6% to determine all sites of occlusion. Sensitivity for each individual occlusion site was: proximal ICA 94%, distaiiCA 81%, MCA 93%, tVA 56%, BA 60%. Specificity ranged from 96% to 98%. TCD is sensitive and specific in determining the site of the arterial occlusion using detailed diagnostic criteria, including proximal ICA and distal MCA lesions. TCD has the highest accuracy for ICA and MCA occlusions. If the results of TCD are normal, there is at least a 94% chance that angiographic studies will be negative.
Pricing and Margins in the Retail Automotive Fuel Market: Empirical Evidence from Spain

This paper analyses the evolution of gross retail margins for automotive fuels in Spain between January 2001 and February 2013. We firstly empirically test for breaks in the time series of gross margins. Our results indicate that there is only one break-point, in mid-2008, just when the demand for automotive fuels drops due to the economic crisis and the difference between the Spanish and the European retail margins increase notably. In addition, a regression analysis shows that the gross retail margins were higher during the recessive period of the Spanish economy (2008-2013) than before. Furthermore, we examine the causes of the break-point and of the subsequent evolution of margins. We find no evidence to support either the prohibition of using retail price maintenance (RPM) and recommended prices in the supply contracts or a supply cost change of automotive fuels as the cause of the evolution of retail margins. In addition, empirical evidence indicates that retail prices respond symmetrically to changes in wholesale prices. Instead, we show that the data are consistent with some firms exercising market power during the recessive period of the Spanish economy.
A Review of Transformational Leadership Research: A Meta-analytic Approach

This research is a meta-analytic review of the effects of transformational school leadership (TSL)-a systematic, comprehensive synthesis of the quantitative research on transformational school leadership. The review method used in this research is standard meta-analysis supplemented by narrative synthesis and vote-counting methods. The types of effect sizes involved in meta-analytical calculations are correlation coefficients rs. The evidence reviewed was provided exclusively by unpublished theses or dissertations that were completed between 1996 and 2008. This study identified 33 dimensions of transformational leadership as developed by various scholars and captured by a variety of leadership measures, which were synthesized into 11 core leadership dimensions. This study meta-analyzed the effects of transformational school leadership and its dimensions on a large range of school outcomes, including 17 school conditions (e.g., school culture, shared decision-making processes), 23 teacher-related outcomes (e.g., teacher satisfaction), and five types of
An Empirical Study on Sustainable Innovation Academic Entrepreneurship Process Model

As academic entrepreneurs, university faculty members and researchers with rich knowledge resources play an important role in the technology commercialization process, and in the creation and development of university spinoff enterprises. In this paper, we used a case study method to construct a sustainable innovative academic entrepreneurship process model from the perspective of entrepreneurial behavior. Then, we used this model to provide a deeper understanding of the activities and roles of academic entrepreneurs. This paper also expounded the process of value creation that is a result of sustainable innovative academic entrepreneurship, and compared and analyzed three types of university technology commercialization models. Our results showed that in the sustainable innovative academic entrepreneurship process model, the motivation of academic entrepreneurs leads them to play multiple roles as academic researchers, enterprise founders, and enterprise managers. In creating enterprises as the founders, and establishing and developing their enterprises, academic entrepreneurs realize the commercial value of the technology, while also incrementing their personal value. The sustainable innovative academic entrepreneurship process model provides a new path for effective transfer of technological innovations from academic research to the commercial market, creates social as well as economic value, and promotes regional economic development.
Long-term efficacy of pravastatin therapy in diabetic patients undergoing complete coronary revascularization.

AIM The long-term effect of statin therapy in diabetic patients after coronary revascularization is not well established. Accordingly, we sought to determine if whether statin therapy initiated at the time of complete revascularization including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and/or bypass surgery reduces total and cardiac mortality among diabetic patients. METHODS We collected data from 1,138 consecutive patients who underwent complete revascularization (PCI and/or bypass surgery). We then compared all-cause and cardiac mortality rates in 499 patients with diabetes mellitus of whom 149 (29.9%) were treated with statin at the time of revascularization. To adjust the variables that would have been related to the decision regarding statin administration, a propensity score was computed and multivariate Cox regression was carried out. RESULTS During follow-up (8.8+/-2.6 years), 103 patients died (including 43 who died of cardiac causes). The Multivariate analysis showed statin therapy to be significantly associated with reduced cardiac mortality (HR 0.39, 0.16-0.95; p=0.039), but not with all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION Statin therapy was associated with a significantly reduced risk of cardiac mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease after complete revascularization.
The National Morbidity, Mortality, and Air Pollution Study. Part II: Morbidity and mortality from air pollution in the United States.

BACKGROUND Epidemiologic time-series studies conducted in a number of cities have identified, in general, an association between daily changes in concentration of ambient particulate matter (PM) and daily number of deaths (mortality). Increased hospitalization (a measure of morbidity) among the elderly for specific causes has also been associated with PM. These studies have raised concerns about public health effects of particulate air pollution and have contributed to regulatory decisions in the United States. However, scientists have pointed out uncertainties that raise questions about the interpretation of these studies. One limitation to previous time-series studies of PM and adverse health effects is that the evidence for an association is derived from studies conducted in single locations using diverse analytic methods. Statistical procedures have been used to combine the results of these single location studies in order to produce a summary estimate of the health effects of PM. Difficulties with this approach include the process by which cities were selected to be studied, the different analytic methods applied to each single study, and the variety of methods used to measure or account for variables included in the analysis. These individual studies were also not able to account for the effects of gaseous air pollutants in a systematic manner.
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status of breast cancer patients in Asia: Results from a large, multicountry study

Current estimates of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐positivity rate in breast cancer are largely based on studies from the United States, Europe and Australia, and might not reflect the rate among breast cancer patients in Asia. The primary aim of this study was to conduct a clinical audit of laboratories across eight countries in Asia to determine the incidence of HER2‐positive breast cancer in this region.
Mechanisms of cardiac protection from ischemia/reperfusion injury: a role for caveolae and caveolin‐1

Caveolae, small invaginations in the plasma membrane, contain caveolins (Cav) that scaffold signaling molecules including the tyrosine kinase Src. We tested the hypothesis that cardiac protection involves a caveolin‐dependent mechanism. We used in vitro and in vivo models of ischemia‐reperfusion injury, electron microscopy (EM), transgenic mice, and biochemical assays to address this hypothesis. We found that Cav‐1 mRNA and protein were expressed in mouse adult cardiac myocytes (ACM). The volatile anesthetic, isoflurane, protected ACM from hypoxia‐induced cell death and increased sarcolemmal caveolae. Hearts of wild‐type (WT) mice showed rapid phosphorylation of Src and Cav‐1 after isoflurane and ischemic preconditioning. The Src inhibitor PP2 reduced phosphorylation of Src (Y416) and Cav‐1 in the heart and abolished isoflurane‐induced cardiac protection in WT mice. Infarct size (percent area at risk) was reduced by isoflurane in WT (30.5±4 vs. 44.2±3, n=7, P<0.05) but not Cav‐1−/− mice (46.6±5 vs. 41.7±3, n=7). Cav‐1−/−mice exposed to isoflurane showed significant alterations in Src phosphorylation and recruitment of C‐terminal Src kinase, a negative regulator of Src, when compared to WT mice. The results indicate that isoflurane modifies cardiac myocyte sarcolemmal membrane structure and composition and that activation of Src and phosphorylation of Cav‐1 contribute to cardiac protection. Accordingly, therapies targeted to post‐translational modification of Src and Cav‐1 may provide a novel approach for such protection. —Patel, H. H. , Tsutsumi, Y. M. , Head, B. P., Niesman, I. R. , Jennings, M. , Horikawa, Y. Huang, D. , Moreno, A. L. , Patel, P. M. , Insel, P. A. , Roth, D. M. Mechanisms of cardiac protection from ischemia/reperfusion injury: a role for caveolae and caveolin‐1. FASEB J. 21, 1565–1574 (2007)
Association between hemodynamic activity and motor performance in six-month-old full-term and preterm infants: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

Abstract. This study aimed to assess task-induced activation in motor cortex and its association with motor performance in full-term and preterm born infants at six months old. A cross-sectional study of 73 six-month-old infants was conducted (35 full-term and 38 preterm infants). Motor performance was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development third edition—Bayley-III. Brain hemodynamic activity during motor task was measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Motor performance was similar in full-term and preterm infants. However, differences in hemodynamic response were identified. Full terms showed a more homogeneous unilateral and contralateral activated area, whereas in preterm-born the activation response was predominantly bilateral. The full-term group also exhibited a shorter latency for the hemodynamic response than the preterm group. Hemodynamic activity in the left sensorimotor region was positively associated with motor performance measured by Bayley-III. The results highlight the adequacy of fNIRS to assess differences in task-induced activation in sensorimotor cortex between groups. The association between motor performance and the hemodynamic activity require further investigation and suggest that fNIRS can become a suitable auxiliary tool to investigate aspects of neural basis on early development of motor abilities.
Electron microscopy and morphometric analyses of microtubules in two differently sized types of axons in the protocerebral tract of a crustacean

Despite several reports on the morphology and functions associated with the morphometry of the vertebrate axoplasm cytoskeleton, the subject has not been thoroughly explored in invertebrates. In vertebrates, among many other functions, microtubules (MTs) serve as scaffolding for axon assembly, and neurofilaments (NFs) as the elements that determine the axon caliber. Intermediate filaments have never been described by electron microscopy in arthropods, although NF proteins have been revealed in the MT side‐arms of the axoplasm of certain species, such as the crab Ucides cordatus. Thus, it is not known which elements of the cytoskeleton of invertebrates are responsible for determination of the axon caliber. We studied, by electron microscopy and morphometric analyses, the MT and axon area variability in differently sized axons of the protocerebral tract of the crab Ucides cordatus. Our results revealed differences in the distance between MTs, in MT density and number, and in the areas of differently sized axons. The number of MTs increases with the axon area, but this relationship is not directly proportional. Therefore, MT density is greater in smaller axons than in medium axons, similar to the morphometry of the vertebrate axon MT. The distance between MTs is, however, directly related to the axonal area. On the basis of the results shown here, and on previous reports by us and others, we suggest that MTs may be involved in the determination of the axon caliber, possibly due to the presence of NF proteins found in the side‐arms. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Consumption-based accounting of CO2 emissions in the sustainable development Goals Agenda

ABSTRACT In 2017 the paper ‘The Sustainable Development Oxymoron: Quantifying and Modelling the Incompatibility of Sustainable Development Goals’ was published, showing that there is a conflict between socio-economic development goals and ecological sustainability goals using cross-country time-series data. The authors looked at production-based CO2 emissions to measure and model the 13th SDG goal addressing climate change. Their models showed that production-based CO2 emissions were stalling or even decreasing in rich countries, which suggests that other countries are also likely to see stalling and decrease in their CO2 emissions once they become rich. However, this conclusion can be challenged when accounting for consumption-based CO2 emissions rather than production-based CO2 emissions. In this follow-up paper, we re-run some of the analyses performed in the original paper making use of consumption-based CO2 emissions. The analysis confirms the inherent SDG conflict between socio-economic and ecological SDGs. But, this new analysis demonstrates that from a consumption perspective the trend of stalling or decreasing CO2 emissions is reversed, with natural depletion costs being exported to poorer countries. Despite this new perspective on CO2 emissions, the conflict between SDG goals can still be avoided by making investments in public health, education and renewable energy, as suggested in the original paper.
677C>T and 1298A>C MTHFR polymorphisms affect methotrexate treatment outcome in rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION Methotrexate (MTX), widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inhibits dihydrofolate reductase and folate-dependent enzymes. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in folate metabolism and has been shown to be polymorphic, affecting the enzyme activity. METHODS To examine the association between 677C>T and 1298A>C MTHFR polymorphisms and MTX efficacy in the treatment of RA, a total of 174 RA patients, treated with MTX plus methylprednisone 4 mg and folic acid 5 mg were analyzed. RESULTS In univariate regression analysis model, the MTHFR 677T allele was associated with significantly higher frequency of remission, whereas in the case of the 1298C allele, a tendency for higher remission rate was observed. In multivariate regression analysis, the presence of both 677T and 1298C alleles was associated with an increased frequency of remission. CONCLUSION The results of our study suggest that the MTHFR 677T and 1298C alleles may be associated with an increased rate of RA remission in patients treated with MTX receiving high doses of folic acid supplementation.
Early first-trimester fetal radiation dose estimation in 16-MDCT without and with automated tube current modulation.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to correlate the estimated fetal absorbed radiation dose derived by directly measured uterine doses in the early first trimester and the volume CT dose index (CTDI(vol)) for 16-MDCT of the maternal chest, abdomen, and pelvis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Estimated absorbed fetal dose was measured using a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) dosimeter that was placed in the uterus of an adult female anthropomorphic phantom. The phantom was scanned on a 16-MDCT scanner using three protocols. The scanning parameters for protocol A (trauma) were detector configuration, 16 x 0.625 mm; pitch, 1.75:1; rotation time, 0.5 second; 140 kVp; and 340 mA. The scanning parameters for protocol B (CT angiography) were detector configuration, 16 x 1.25 mm; pitch, 1.38:1; rotation time, 0.6 second; 140 kVp; and 300 mA. The scanning parameters for protocol C, which is the automated tube current modulation (ATCM) protocol previously used in the literature, were detector configuration, 16 x 1.25 mm; pitch, 0.938:1; rotation time, 0.5 second; 140 kVp; and 380 mA. The protocols were also modified for the ATCM mode; the CTDI(vol) was documented from the scanner's console. Correlation between these data was tested with a goodness-of-fit model. RESULTS Absorbed fetal radiation dose in the early first trimester correlated with the CTDI(vol) via a linear regression equation. For a constant tube current and peak voltage of 140 kVp, fetal dose (mGy) = 1.665 x CTDI(vol) (mGy) - 7.059. For the ATCM mode and a constant kVp of 140, fetal dose (mGy) = 2.151 x CTDI(vol) (mGy) - 2.200. The goodness of fit (R(2)) for the equations is 0.99 and 0.91, respectively. CONCLUSION In both the manual and ATCM modes, absorbed fetal radiation dose can be estimated from the CTDI(vol) obtained at the time of scanning independent of pitch and tube current-time product (mAs).
The Effect of a Transition to Powder‐Free Latex Gloves on Workers' Compensation Claims for Latex‐Related Illness

Background: Adverse reactions to natural rubber latex gloves are an important cause of workers' compensation claims among health care personnel. In an effort to reduce latex‐related illness, our institution transitioned to powder‐free latex gloves in 2001. Objective: To examine the effect of this transition on the number of workers' compensation claims for latex‐related illness. Methods: A review of claims data from 1997 to 2005 was conducted. Results: The incidence of claims for latex‐related illness was significantly lower following the switch to powder‐free gloves. Conclusions: The switch to powder‐free latex gloves was associated with a significant decrease in workers' compensation claims for latex‐related illness. The cost of gloves increased but was partially offset by a decrease in workers' compensation payments and operating room expenses.
Polymorphisms of the TNF, CD14, and HSPA1B Genes in Patients With Acute Alcohol-Induced Pancreatitis

Objectives: Genotype assessment has been suggested to be a tool for predicting disease severity in acute pancreatitis (AP). To study this hypothesis, we performed genotype analysis of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) −308 A/G, CD14 −159C/T, and HSPA1B +1267 A/G polymorphisms. Methods: This is a case-control association study of 397 patients with AP (214 of whom had an alcohol-induced AP) and 300 controls. The control group comprised 218 subjects with detailed data of alcohol consumption, 70 of whom were heavy drinkers (daily alcohol intake >40 g), and 92 blood donors. The severity of AP was determined according to the Atlanta classification. Genotyping was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry-assisted genotyping method. Results: Major allele frequency in TNF gene was 0.87 for patients with AP and 0.86 for controls. For CD14, the gene major allele frequency was 0.60 for patients and 0.63 for controls. For HSPA1B, the major allele frequencies were 0.52 for patients and 0.49 for controls, respectively. The allele frequencies did not differ significantly between AP patients with organ failure and those with mild disease, patients with alcohol-induced AP, or those with biliary AP. The patients with septic infectious complications (n = 47) had genotype distribution no different from those with mild, uncomplicated disease (n = 245). Conclusions: The TNF, CD14, and HSPA1B polymorphisms studied seem not to play a role in determining the severity of AP or the risk of alcohol-induced AP and thus do not serve as a tool for predicting disease severity.
Single‐photon emission computed tomographic investigation of patients with motor neuron disease

To investigate the correlation between involvement of the CNS in motor neuron disease (MND) and neuroimaging abnormalities, we studied 18 patients with MND by single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and MRI. Patients were divided into four groups according to the results of SPECT. Group 1 consisted of four patients with reduced isotope uptake in the frontal lobe, including the motor area, and in the anterior part of the temporal lobe; group 2 consisted of two patients with reduced isotope uptake in the motor area spreading to the adjacent frontal lobe; group 3 consisted of eight patients with reduced isotope uptake confined to the motor area; and group 4 consisted of four patients without reduced isotope uptake. We found dementia in group 1, borderline dementia in group 2, and no cognitive deficit in group 3 or four. MRI demonstrated enhanced T2-weighted signals along the pyramidal tract in eight patients, but this finding also existed in some control subjects. SPECT appears useful in identifying the location of cortical neuronal degeneration in patients with MND.