Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aspects of activities and participation in daily life related to body structure and function in adolescents with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy: a descriptive follow‐up study

Aim: To analyse whether activities and participation in daily life differed between adolescents with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) and their able‐bodied peers. Method: Fifty‐one teenagers born in 1985–1987 with OBPP and a comparison group consisting of 116 age‐matched adolescents in a socioeconomically and socioculturally representative area answered a self‐report questionnaire concerning their daily life, school performance and friendships. The OBPP group was divided into three functional groups according to the degree of severity of the OBPP. Results: Subjects with OBPP had interests, activities and a social life very similar to those of the teenagers in the comparison group. Differences were, however, found in self‐esteem for sport/motor activities, with self‐esteem being significantly lower in teenagers with the most severe type of OBPP. The OBPP groups were concerned about the risks for their affected and unaffected limb.
An analysis on factors influencing international online shopping : Indonesian perspective

The advancement in information technology does bring impacts in our daily lives. This includes our purchasing method. Buying products from international online store has become an alternative way to shop and has been widely used all over the world. The general purpose of this study is to examine the adoption of purchasing products from international web site among Indonesian customers. Applying a survey data from 122 Indonesian respondents in Jakarta, this study attempts to examine the impact of website quality and dependability on the international online product purchasing and customer satisfaction. From website quality perspective, the current study investigates the effects of ease of use, perceived usefulness and cultural adaptation on international online product purchasing. As for dependability, three factors, trust, reliability and cultural adaptation, have been identified as critical in influencing international online product purchasing. The types of analysis being done are descriptive analysis and correlation analysis. Based on the findings, all factors appear significant. It shows that all website quality and dependability factors are important and have to be taken into consideration by the online vendors in order to capture higher demand from foreign customers.
5-HTTLPR Genotype-Specific Phenotype in Children and Adolescents With Autism.

OBJECTIVE The serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) is a strong autism candidate gene because of its association with anxiety, aggression and attention, and the effectiveness of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in treating certain behavioral symptoms. In families with individuals with autism, several reports of biased transmission of both alleles (short, long) at the serotonin transporter gene promotor polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) locus of SLC6A4 now exist. The heterogeneity in these reports may be due to clinical heterogeneity. The authors hypothesized that 5-HTTLPR genotypes would be related to variation in specific symptoms in children with autism. METHOD The authors explored whether variants of two functional polymorphisms of SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR, intron 2 variable number tandem repeat [2 VNTR]) were related to behavioral characteristics measured by the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Subjects (N=73, age 3-19 years old) met diagnostic criteria for autistic disorder based on both measures. RESULTS Evidence of genotype-phenotype interactions on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised was found with the 5-HTTLPR short group of HTTLPR (S/L or S/S genotypes) being rated as more severe on the subdomain "failure to use nonverbal communication to regulate social interaction," and the long group (L/L genotype) being more severe on the subdomain "stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms" and on an aggression measure. In contrast, on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, the long group was associated with greater severity on directed facial expressions and unusual sensory interests. There were no significant relationships between the intron 2 VNTR genotypes and subdomains or domains of symptoms on the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised or the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide initial support for genotype-specific phenotypes for 5-HTTLPR in autism based on ratings from the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule.
Integrating Business Opportunities in Contiguous Economies: Perspectives from Singapore's Gambit in Indonesia

The idea of exporting Singapore’s expertise in infrastructure development took hold, in the early 1990s, as part of a larger regionalization strategy. Singapore’s positive reputation with multinational corporations for the efficiency of its industrial infrastructure underscored this strategy. This paper revisits the debate on the attractiveness of the low-cost investment enclaves for multinational investments, with new evidence from Batamindo Industrial Park. Evidence from on-site surveys is presented. This paper concludes that, while the project’s progress to date has been largely overshadowed by socio-political uncertainties in the host environment, its future outlook remains promising.
Economics of Road Network Ownership

This paper seeks to understand the economic impact of centralized and decentralized ownership structures and their corresponding pricing and investment strategies on transportation network performance and social welfare for travelers. In a decentralized network economic system, roads are owned by many agencies or companies that are responsible for pricing and investment strategies. The motivation of this study is two-fold. First, the question of which ownership structure, or industrial organization, is optimal for transportation networks has yet to be resolved. Despite several books devoted to this research issue, quantitative methods that translate ownership-related policy variables into short- and long-run network performance are lacking. Second, the U.S. and many other countries have recently seen a slowly but steadily increasing popularity of road pricing as an alternative to traditional fuel taxes. Not only is the private sector encouraged to finance new roads, this transition in revenue mechanism also makes it possible for lower-level government agencies and smaller jurisdictions to participate in network pricing and investment practice. The issue of optimal ownership is no longer a purely theoretical debate, but bears practical importance. This research adopts an agent-based simulator of network dynamics to explore the implications of centralized and decentralized ownership on mobility and social welfare, as well as potential financial issues and regulatory needs. Components of the simulator: the travel demand model, cost functions, and key variables of pricing and investment strategies, are empirically estimated and validated. Results suggest that road network is a market with imperfect competition. While there is a significant performance lag between the optimal strategy and the current network financing practice in the U.S. (characterized by centralized control, fuel taxes, and budget-balancing investment), a completely decentralized network suffers from issues such as higher-than-optimal tolls and over-investment. For the decentralized ownership structure, appropriate regulation on pricing and investment practices is necessary. Further analysis based on simulation comparisons suggests that with appropriate price regulation, a decentralized road economy consisting of profit-seeking road owners could outperform the existing centralized control, achieve net social benefits close to the theoretical optimum, and distribute a high percentage of welfare gains to travelers. Decentralized control is especially valuable in rapidly changing environments because it promptly responds to travel demand. These results seem to favor the idea of privatizing or decentralizing road ownership on congested networks. Further tests on real-world transportation networks are necessary and should make an interesting future study.
Productivity Shocks and Aggregate Fluctuations in an Estimated Endogenous Growth Model with Human Capital

Employing an endogenous growth model with human capital, this paper explores how productivity shocks in the goods and human capital producing sectors contribute to explaining aggregate fluctuations in output, consumption, investment and hours. Given the importance of accounting for both the dynamics and the trends in the data not captured by the theoretical growth model, we introduce a vector error correction model (VECM) of the measurement errors and estimate the model’s posterior density function using Bayesian methods. To contextualize our findings with those in the literature, we also assess whether the endogenous growth model or the standard real business cycle model better explains the observed variation in these aggregates. In addressing these issues we contribute to both the methods of analysis and the ongoing debate regarding the effects of innovations to productivity on macroeconomic activity.
Relevance of Information in Cell Signaling Pathways using Default Logic

Cell Signaling Pathway Simulation is a very useful tool in the drug discovery process. These simulation programs can be divided into dynamic simulation and Knowledge-Based Discovery. In the first case the simulation is based on differential equations and could be considered in "real-time", meanwhile in the case of Knowledge Based Discovery Programs KBDP the consistency of the model is checked. The most efficient KBDP approach is based on first order logic (FOL). In this paper, algorithms based on Default Logic are proposed to check-out the consistency of the simplest representation of DNA double strand breaks. DNA double-strand breaks are among the most severe genomic lesions. This representation is concise and adequat for keeping the flow of information represented by gene expression, receptor and protein structure through the apoptosis and cell cycle.
Asymmetrical effects of attribute performance on customer satisfaction

Name: Elisaveta Slevitch Dissertation Title: Asymmetrical effects of attribute performance on customer satisfaction. Major Professor: Haemoon Oh, Ph.D. Evaluation of customer satisfaction has drawn a lot of attention from hospitality practitioners and researchers. However, an accurate measurement of satisfaction is yet to be found. This study addresses the gaps in previous customer satisfaction studies that conceptualize the relationship between attribute-level performance and overall satisfaction as linear or symmetric. Some evidence suggests that such a relationship does not always hold true. This study examines asymmetric responses of customer satisfaction to different types of attribute performance and tests if interactions between attributes provide an explanation to the observed asymmetry. Additionally, the study assesses the validity of dividing performance attributes into two categories, core and facilitating. A web-based survey was used to collect data from faculty and staff at a major Midwestern university. An experimental design was applied to collect data for the purported research hypotheses, which later were tested using t-tests and regression analysis. Results of the study indicated that core attributes and facilitating attributes were two separate dimensions that caused different patterns of customer satisfaction response. The results also supported earlier suggestions that core and facilitating attributes had asymmetrical effects on customer satisfaction. Interactions between core and facilitating attributes played a significant role in the formation of customer satisfaction. Moderator
CADHERIN EXPRESSION IN MELANOCYTIC NAEVI AND MALIGNANT MELANOMAS

An immunocytochemical study has been undertaken of cadherin expression in 11 benign melanocytic naevi and 14 malignant melanomas. Anti‐pan‐cadherin rabbit antibodies, which recognize multiple cadherin subtypes, demonstrated cadherin expression of moderate or strong intensity in 8 of 11 naevi. Expression was restricted to the more superficial melanocytes which possessed abundant cytoplasm (type A melanocytes). More deeply located melanocytes possessing little cytoplasm (type B melanocytes) or having a spindle cell morphology (type C melanocytes) lacked detectable pan‐cadherin expression. The monoclonal antibody HECD‐1 detected weak E‐cadherin immunostaining in all 11 naevi, expression again being limited, with a single exception, to type A melanocytes. Cadherin immunostaining of moderate or strong intensity was detected by the pan‐cadherin antibody in all 14 malignant melanomas. In contrast to naevi, cadherin expression in melanomas frequently extended into the deepest portions of the tumours. E‐cadherin immunostaining in malignant melanomas was generally much stronger than that seen in naevi, often being of comparable intensity to the pan‐cadherin staining. In summary, cadherins are frequently expressed in melanocytic tumours. In naevi, cadherin expression is related to the degree of melanocytic maturation. Cadherin expression, and particularly E‐cadherin expression, tends to be greater in malignant melanomas than in naevi.
Best supportive care compared with chemotherapy for unresectable gall bladder cancer: a randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE We designed this study to evaluate efficacy of modified gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (mGEMOX) over best supportive care (BSC) or fluorouracil (FU) and folinic acid (FA) in unresectable gall bladder cancer (GBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with unresectable GBC were enrolled for single center randomized study. Arm A, BSC; arm B, FU 425 mg/m(2) and FA 20 mg/m(2) intravenous (IV) bolus weekly for 30 weeks (FUFA); arm C, gemcitabine 900 mg/m(2) and oxaliplatin 80 mg/m(2) IV infusion on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks for maximum of six cycles. Eighty-one patients were randomly assigned, arms A (n = 27), B (n = 28), and C (n = 26). RESULTS Complete response plus partial response in the three groups was 0 (0%), four (14.3%), and eight (30.8%) respectively (P < .001). Two patients in the mGEMOX arm and one patient in the FUFA arm underwent curative resection after chemotherapy. One patient in the mGEMOX arm had complete pathologic response. Median overall survival (OS) was 4.5, 4.6, and 9.5 months for the BSC, FUFA, and mGEMOX arms (P = .039), respectively. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.8, 3.5, and 8.5 months for the three groups (P < .001). There was no difference in grade 3/4 toxicities in the chemotherapy arms except transaminitis, which was more prevalent in mGEMOX arm (P = .04). Two patients in the FUFA arm and 10 patients in the mGEMOX arm had grade 3 or 4 myelosuppression. Two patients in the mGEMOX group had neutropenic fever that resolved with antibiotics. CONCLUSION This randomized controlled trial confirmed the efficacy of chemotherapy (mGEMOX) compared with BSC and FUFA in improving OS and PFS in unresectable GBC.
Collaboration and Engagement Throughout The Supply Chain : The Role of Government

Collaboration is acknowledged as a key to continued growth in the Australian construction industry. Government, as a major industry client, has an important role to play with respect to fostering collaboration and ensuring the global competitiveness of the industry. The paper draws upon data collected for the Construction 2020 study and aims to demonstrate that government can a) help to break down the adversarial situation that currently exists between clients, project managers and subcontractors; and b) allow the supply chain to collaborate more effectively in terms of satisfying the relational and financial needs of all parties. Government can also provide a clear set of guidelines (backed up by a functional dispute resolution system) that will promote confidence with respect to forging relationships. Thus, the paper will discuss the way in which public policy can be more closely aligned with actual industry needs in order to promote greater collaboration.
Delineation of the Cdc42/Rac-binding domain of p21-activated kinase.

p21-activated kinases (PAKs) serve as effector proteins for the GTP-binding proteins Cdc42 and Rac. They are serine/threonine kinases containing the Cdc42/Rac interactive binding (CRIB) motif. The main aim of this study was to define the minimal domain of alphaPAK required for Cdc42/Rac binding. Eight stable PAK fragments of varying lengths, each containing the CRIB motif (residues 75-88), were expressed in Escherichia coli, and their ability to interact with Cdc42 and Rac was assessed using scintillation proximity assays, isothermal titration calorimetry, and fluorescence techniques. The shortest fragments examined (residues 70-94 and 75-94) bound only weakly to either Cdc42 or Rac. A longer fragment starting at residue 75 and ending at residue 105 showed binding to Q61L Rac.GTP with Kd = 1.9 microM. Highest affinity binding (Kd approximately 0.05 microM) was seen with longer fragments ending at residue 118 or 132. A small increase in affinity was seen with those fragments starting at residue 70 rather than residue 75. PAK fragments bound with approximately 3-10-fold higher affinity to Cdc42 than to Rac and bound Q61L variants with 5-10-fold higher affinity than wild type. The dissociation rates of Q61L Rac.mant-GTP and of Q61L Cdc42. mant-GTP from PAK fragment residues 70-132 were measured to be 0.66 and 0.25 min-1, respectively, which are 100-fold lower than dissociation rates for Ras:Ras-effector domains, although their affinities are similar. Calorimetric measurements revealed that binding was associated with a relatively slow heat change. It is suggested that these PAK fragments (in the absence of Cdc42 or Rac) might exist predominantly in an inactive conformation that slowly interconverts with an active conformation and/or a slow conformational change may occur upon binding to Cdc42/Rac. In conclusion, the PAK CRIB motif itself is insufficient for high-affinity binding to Cdc42/Rac, but a 30 amino acid region of PAK (residues 75-105), containing this motif, is sufficient.
BENCHMARKING EUROPEAN TRANSPORT

The large performance differences within the transport sector and between countries imply that transport still offers great potential for improvement. Furthermore, as a result of ongoing technological and organizational progress, this potential is continuously evolving. There are growing pressures from the economy and the transport industry, from environment and public finances to realize the potential for improvement in the transport sector. This paper addresses benchmarking as a tool to identify and release the potential for improvement in the transport sector. Benchmarking aims at improving performance by identifying best performance and best practices, by analyzing the reasons for performance differences and by preparing and implementing change. Transport benchmarking has to take into consideration the complexity and interaction between transport policy and general and specific driving forces behind transport demand and supply. Data availability and quality are often limiting factors for benchmarking at policy level.
Financial markets and corporate strategy

The second European edition of Financial Markets and Corporate Strategy provides comprehensive coverage of financial markets and corporate finance, brought to life by real world examples, cases and insights. Placed in a truly international context, this new and updated edition takes an academic and practical view-point to guide students through the challenges of studying and practicing finance. Aimed specifically at an international audience, this edition boasts hundreds of references to new and relevant non-US research papers from top finance journals. Whilst retaining the well respected structure of the successful US text, Professor David Hillier has also made a number of additions which include: Fully updated research, data and examples in every chapter. Coverage of the global financial crisis, the impact it made on the financial markets and the lessons being learnt by the finance industry. A stronger emphasis on corporate governance and agency theory. Updates on accounting standards, bankruptcy laws, tax rules and tax systems.
Profitability Shocks and the Size EFfect in the Cross-Section of Expected Stock Return

Recent studies report that the size effect in the cross-section of U.S. stock returns has disappeared after the early 1980s. We examine whether the disappearance of the size effect in realized returns can be attributed to unexpected shocks to the profitability of small and big firms. We show that small firms experience large negative profitability shocks after the early 1980s, while big firms experience large positive shocks. As a result, realized returns of small and big firms over this period differ substantially from expected returns. After adjusting for the price impact of profitability shocks, we find that there still is a robust size effect in expected returns. Our results suggest that in-sample cash flow shocks can significantly affect inferences about predictability in the cross-section of stock returns.
Right ventricular function after pulmonary valve replacement in patients with tetralogy of Fallot.

PURPOSE To assess the time course of right ventricular (RV) function improvement after pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in patients 25.2 years +/- 7.0 after repair of tetralogy of Fallot. MATERIALS AND METHODS The medical ethics committee approved this study, and informed consent was obtained. Cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed before, 7 months after, and 19 months after PVR in 25 consecutive patients with tetralogy of Fallot with a 1.5-T MR imager. RV function was assessed with gradient-echo sequences in the short-axis plane. Pulmonary flow was assessed with a velocity-encoded phase-contrast sequence. Paired t test was used to evaluate follow-up data. Independent samples t test was used to assess differences based on the presence of recurrent pulmonary regurgitation (PR). RESULTS Mean indexed RV end-diastolic volume decreased from 166.9 mL/m(2) +/- 41.3 before PVR to 113.5 mL/m(2)+/- 35.7 (P < .001) at 7-month follow-up and 111.7 mL/m(2)+/- 41.1 (P = .46) at 19-month follow-up. The RV ejection fraction was corrected for PR and improved from 25.0% +/- 7.7 before surgery to 44.1% +/- 11.9 (P < .001) and 45.2% +/- 11.1 (P = .39), at 7- and 19-month follow-up, respectively. Recurrent PR after PVR was found in 11 patients; 14 patients did not have recurrent PR. Total reduction of indexed RV end-diastolic volume at 19 months follow-up was more prominent in patients who did not have recurrent PR than in patients who did have recurrent PR (P < .05). Furthermore, improvement of RV ejection fraction corrected for regurgitation was more marked in patients who did not have recurrent PR than in patients who did have recurrent PR (P < .05). CONCLUSION In patients with tetralogy of Fallot, RV function improves rapidly after PVR and is sustained at 19-month follow-up in most patients; however, recurrence of PR after PVR appears to reduce recovery of RV systolic function.