Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Four cases of bilateral acute retinal necrosis with a long interval after the initial onset

Aims To report the clinical features and causative virus of bilateral acute retinal necrosis (BARN) with a long interval after the initial onset. Methods The causative virus and clinical features were retrospectively investigated in four patients with delayed-onset BARN with an interval of more than 3 years after the onset of the disease in the initially affected eye. Results The intervals between the initially affected eye and the latter affected eye of the four cases were 8 years 7 months, 19 years 3 months, 9 years 7 months and 3 years 6 months. The fourth patient developed a second recurrence in the latter affected eye 17 years 6 months after the initial inflammation in the fellow eye. In all four cases, the same virus species, either varicella-zoster virus or herpes simplex virus, was detected in both eyes by PCR or antibody detection. In all cases, the final best-corrected visual acuity of the latter affected eye (20/20, 18/20, 20/20 and 12/20, respectively) was better than that of the initially affected eye (20 cm hand motion, light perception-negative, light perception-negative and light perception-positive, respectively). Conclusion The present findings indicate that delayed-onset BARN in the fellow eye was caused by the same herpes virus species that induced the disease in the first affected eye.
Modern management of severe platelet function disorders

Severe platelet function defects are rare disorders that require expertise in diagnosis and management. Therefore patients with such disorders should be referred to and managed in centres with the full laboratory repertoire of tests and clinical support necessary to optimise their quality of care. The aim of this review is to discuss the management of these patients in various clinical situations including surgical intervention.
CSI 2264: SIMULTANEOUS OPTICAL AND INFRARED LIGHT CURVES OF YOUNG DISK-BEARING STARS IN NGC 2264 WITH CoRoT and SPITZER—EVIDENCE FOR MULTIPLE ORIGINS OF VARIABILITY

We present the Coordinated Synoptic Investigation of NGC 2264, a continuous 30 day multi-wavelength photometric monitoring campaign on more than 1000 young cluster members using 16 telescopes. The unprecedented combination of multi-wavelength, high-precision, high-cadence, and long-duration data opens a new window into the time domain behavior of young stellar objects. Here we provide an overview of the observations, focusing on results from Spitzer and CoRoT. The highlight of this work is detailed analysis of 162 classical T Tauri stars for which we can probe optical and mid-infrared flux variations to 1% amplitudes and sub-hour timescales. We present a morphological variability census and then use metrics of periodicity, stochasticity, and symmetry to statistically separate the light curves into seven distinct classes, which we suggest represent different physical processes and geometric effects. We provide distributions of the characteristic timescales and amplitudes and assess the fractional representation within each class. The largest category (>20%) are optical “dippers” with discrete fading events lasting ∼1–5 days. The degree of correlation between the optical and infrared light curves is positive but weak; notably, the independently assigned optical and infrared morphology classes tend to be different for the same object. Assessment of flux variation behavior with respect to (circum)stellar properties reveals correlations of variability parameters with Hα emission and with effective temperature. Overall, our results point to multiple origins of young star variability, including circumstellar obscuration events, hot spots on the star and/or disk, accretion bursts, and rapid structural changes in the inner disk.
Import Purchasing Decision Behaviour: An Empirical Study of Japanese Import Managers

Reports on a study of the relative importance of 17 import decision variables as rated by Japanese import managers. A systematic sample of 52 managers representing different companies in Japan participated. The Japanese findings were compared with the US data from an earlier study by the author. Japanese importers rated product quality as the most important variable when importing products from overseas followed by timely delivery, price, and dependability of long‐term supply. The US importers, by contrast, were not as concerned with product quality but they rated timely delivery, price, long‐term supply dependability variables as high as their Japanese counterparts. Product safety was also of major concern to the Japanese importers (ranked 5th) but it ranked last (17th) in importance to US importers. Importing is equally important with exporting in international trade. Yet, the import purchasing study has received little attention. Further studies of a comparative nature in this field will serve to devel.
Dividends in China

Why do firms pay dividends? This is a question that has long interested researchers, particularly since the dividend irrelevance proposition of Miller and Modigliani (1961) because, even though their theory (which relies on several assumptions) suggests investors are indifferent between a dollar distributed and a dollar retained in the firm, companies do pay dividends and this seems to be important to investors.
COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF COLD COMPRESS WITH GEL PACKS AND TOPICAL OLIVE OIL ON EPISIOTOMY WOUND HEALING

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Similar to other wounds, episiotomy could lead to infections and delayed recovery. Since olive oil has antibacterial and wound healing properties, this study aimed to compare the effects of cold compress with gel packs and topical olive oil on the recovery of episiotomy wounds in primigravid women. METHODS: This clinical trial was conducted on 90 primigravid women referring to the hospitals affiliated to Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Subjects were randomly allocated to two groups of cold compress with gel packs (20 minutes within 12 hours after delivery, for 10 days if necessary) and topical olive oil (twice daily, within 12 hours and 10 days after delivery). Episiotomy wound healing was evaluated using the REEDA scale within the first 12 hours postpartum, and on days 5 and 10 after delivery (IRCT:201409164529N12). FINDINGS: In this study, there was no significant difference in demographic features and other intervening variables between the two groups. However, a significant difference was observed between the study groups in terms of redness severity on the 10 day of postpartum (p=0.04). Mean of the REEDA score was 1.02±1.13 and 0.84±0.97 in the cold compress and topical olive oil groups, respectively. On day 10 after delivery, scores were determined as 0.47±0.96 and 0.2±0.5 in the cold gel pack and topical olive oil groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, topical olive oil could be used effectively for episiotomy wound healing in primigravid women.
Recurrent Seizures in Tramadol Intoxication: Implications for Therapy Based on 100 Patients

Tramadol is an atypical opioid analgesic used in the treatment of mild to moderate pain. Despite being a GABAA agonist, seizures are a prominent complication with its therapeutic use, abuse or overdose. For patients who have had a tramadol‐induced seizure, the likelihood of recurrent seizures and the need for emergent anticonvulsant prophylaxis is unknown. However, treatment of patients with anticonvulsants prophylactically may cause adverse effects and increased morbidity in tramadol poisoning. We studied the outcome and frequency of recurrent seizures in tramadol‐intoxicated patients in an attempt to determine the need for prophylactic anticonvulsant therapy. This was a retrospective cohort study of tramadol‐intoxicated patients who had at least one seizure. Patients' age, sex, cause(s) of intoxication, route of poisoning, dose or number of capsules or tablets taken, vital signs, other signs or symptoms, numbers of seizures, length of stay, co‐ingestions and past medical history were ascertained. Exactly 100 patients met the inclusion criteria. Eighty‐two per cent were men, and 50% were between 21 and 30 years old. By our standard clinical protocol, none were treated with seizure prophylaxis after their first seizure. Only 7% had recurrent seizures and all patients recovered without sequelae. Because of the low risk of multiple seizures in tramadol poisoning and the lack of morbidity in patients who do seize, it appears to be unnecessary to administer prophylactic anticonvulsant therapy in patients with tramadol poisoning, even if they have an initial seizure.
Value co-creation in industrial cities: a strategic source of competitive advantages

This study proposed and tested comprehensive value co-creation activities and assessed its impact on creating value and building competitive advantages with the aim of developing a comprehensive framework for value co-creation process. Specifically, the study developed, and empirically tested, Prahalad’s and Gebauer’s et al. five activities of co-creation and explored the relationship between the new comprehensive value co-creation activities, co-creation value and competitive advantages in industrial cities. A structural equation modelling is employed to test the hypothesised relations. The data used were collected from 221 Egyptian manufacturing firms across different industries. Findings suggested the presence of a positive relationship between the activities of value co-creation (namely: partner engagement, co-reflection and co-recovery) and co-creation of value. Interesting findings revealed that self-service and co-design were not found to have an impact on co-creation of value. In addition, co-creation value positively impacts competitive advantages. This study provides guidelines for management practices within firms seeking to develop their capabilities and deliver superior value.
What corporate social responsibility reporting adds to financial return

Using a Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) for panel data, this study investigates the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on financial performance, for 154 European firms between 2000 and 2008. The CSR index reveals whether or not the firm published a social report for year t. Statistical evidence shows that this index is negatively and significantly associated with the expected return on the capital asset, even after (i) controlling for size, sector and country specific effect or PER, and (ii) correcting for size-CSR multicolinearity bias. Key words: Corporate social responsibility, financial performance, panel data. JEL Classification: M14, G12, C33.
Case Study: The Effectiveness of Zero Energy Home Strategies in the Marketplace

Some California home builders are combining building integrated solar generation with energy efficient technologies and green design strategies to create a market edge in the current recessed housing market. Through the combination of energy efficiency and on-site energy generation, these homes use significantly less energy than standard code-built homes in California, reducing the impact of development. These builders have established path-breaking marketing strategies to capture maximum value of their efforts, including investing in dynamic, educational showrooms that allow homebuyers to fully understand the potential cost and environmental savings. The result is accelerated home sales, and improved customer satisfaction. The paper describes technologies used to achieve the projected savings, the strategies used to market the advantages the homes have in the marketplace, and sales results demonstrating how these builders are selling compared to their competition.
Experience and scale and scope economies: Trade-offs and performance in development.

This paper examines how knowledge created by firm experience (learning economies) and scale and scope economies affect performance in firms' development activities. The empirical results suggest that each factor has a significant effect on development performance. Moreover, knowledge that results from greater experience within a particular technological area, when combined with knowledge spillovers from greater scope in other technological areas, significantly improves development performance. The results suggest that experience shapes and facilitates firms' abilities to absorb knowledge spillovers. Our empirical findings thus provide a more nuanced examination of the drivers of performance and have implications for the management of firms' development activities. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interest Rate Risk in Banking: A Survey

This paper surveys the theoretical and empirical literature on interest rate risk in banking. Theoretically, it considers the origins of interest rate risk and its allocation. Interest rate risk is non-diversifiable and does not originate from the banking sector, but from the potential time inconsistency between future aggregate demand and supply of consumption goods. Empirically, we discuss measurement and stylized facts. Banks bear part of total interest rate risk, but also engage in risk management and risk-sharing with non-financial agents. They transfer large amounts of risk to households and firms, by writing interest rate-contingent loan and deposit contracts. We consider the determinants of the aggregate exposure to interest rate risk and the pricing of marginal units of risk. Finally, interest rate policy, both conventional and non-conventional, is discussed.
Do the Reading Disabilities of Children with Cleft Fit into Current Models of Developmental Dyslexia?

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether the reading problems of children with cleft fit models of developmental dyslexia. Design The study compared children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate who had reading disability (n = 46) with those who did not have reading disability (n = 46). The children were matched for age, sex, and grade. The two groups were compared (t tests) on measures of verbal expression, phonemic awareness, and rapid naming. Also, regression analyses compared the relative relationships of these variables to reading disability. Participants Children were selected from 154 patients originally screened. Results Children with reading disability scored significantly lower on rapid naming and verbal expression, with no differences found on phonemic awareness. Rapid naming was shown to have the most significant association with reading disability. Conclusion Children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate show symptoms similar to a naming-memory deficit model of developmental dyslexia. Reading treatment should avoid sight word approaches and focus on oral phonics treatment.
The preconditioning of major sudden stratospheric warmings

The preconditioning of major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) is investigated with two long time series using reanalysis (ERA-40) and model (MAECHAM5/MPI-OM) data. Applying planetary wave analysis, we distinguish between wavenumber-1 and wavenumber-2 major SSWs based on the wave activity of zonal wavenumbers 1 and 2 during the prewarming phase. For this analysis an objective criterion to identify and classify the preconditioning of major SSWs is developed. Major SSWs are found to occur with a frequency of six and seven events per decade in the reanalysis and in the model, respectively, thus highlighting the ability of MAECHAM5/MPI-OM to simulate the frequency of major SSWs realistically. However, from these events only one quarter are wavenumber-2 major warmings, representing a low (similar to 0.25) wavenumber-2 to wavenumber-1 major SSW ratio. Composite analyses for both data sets reveal that the two warming types have different dynamics; while wavenumber-1 major warmings are preceded only by an enhanced activity of the zonal wavenumber-1, wavenumber-2 events are either characterized by only the amplification of zonal wavenumber-2 or by both zonal wavenumber-1 and zonal wavenumber-2, albeit at different time intervals. The role of tropospheric blocking events influencing these two categories of major SSWs is evaluated in the next step. Here, the composite analyses of both reanalysis and model data reveal that blocking events in the Euro-Atlantic sector mostly lead to the development of wavenumber-1 major warmings. The blocking-wavenumber-2 major warming connection can only be statistical reliable analyzed with the model time series, demonstrating that blocking events in the Pacific region mostly precede wavenumber-2 major SSWs.
Risk of leukaemia and residential exposure to air pollution in an industrial area in Northern Italy: a case-control study

Leukaemia risk in adult populations exposed to environmental air pollution is poorly investigated. We have carried out a population-based case-control study in an area that included a fossil fuel power plant, a coke oven and two big chemical industries. Information on residential history and several risk factors for leukaemia was obtained from 164 cases, diagnosed between 2002 and 2005, and 279 controls. A higher risk for subjects residing in polluted areas was observed, but statistical significance was not reached (adjusted OR = 1.11 and 1.56 for subjects living in moderately and in heavily polluted zones, respectively, p = 0.190). Results suggest a possible aetiological role of residential air pollution from industrial sites on the risk of developing leukaemia in adult populations. However, the proportion of eligible subjects excluded from the study and the lack of any measure of air pollution prevent definitive conclusions from being drawn.
Towards an Integrative View of Innovation in Food Sector SMEs

Most literature on innovation focuses on organizational engagement with innovation types in isolation from one another. By establishing the interdependency of innovation types in SMEs in the UK food sector, this study provides evidence to support the case for a more holistic approach in innovation research. Thus the study both contributes to the limited research on innovation in food sector SMEs and supports the integrative view of innovation. Using questionnaire-based data, structured equation modelling was used to propose and test the interrelationships between the level of engagement with product, process, position and paradigm innovation. A significant positive relationship between innovation types was identified.
Relationship between bone marrow cellularity and apparent diffusion coefficient

This study was performed to determine if there is a relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and cellularity of bone marrow of the posterior ilium. Four groups of various marrow cellularity underwent diffusion‐weighted echo‐planar imaging: 1) adults with normal hypocellularity (21 patients); 2) adults with normal normocellularity (13 patients); 3) young children with normal hypercellularity (5 patients); and 4) adults with lymphoma‐related hypercellularity (3 patients). In all adults, marrow cellularity was confirmed by uni‐or bilateral bone marrow biopsies. In children, the iliac marrow was presumed hypercellular because of their ages. A total of 66 ADC values of bone marrow calculated from diffusion‐weighted images with b‐values of 30 and 300 seconds/mm2 was evaluated. Hypercellular marrow (normal and lymphoma‐related) showed the highest mean ADC, and hypocellular the lowest ADC. Statistically significant differences were found between three groups of normal marrow: hypocellular, normocellular, and hypercellular. There is a positive correlation between ADC and cellularity of bone marrow. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:757–760. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Consistency of Racial Variation in Medical Outcomes Among Publicly and Privately Insured Living Kidney Donors

Background Racial disparities in health outcomes after living donation have been reported, but generalizability is not known. Methods We linked Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) registry data for 4,007 living kidney donors in 1987 to 2008 with Medicare billing claims (2000–2008). Cox regression with left and right censoring was used to estimate the frequencies and relative risks of postdonation medical diagnoses according to race. Patterns were compared with findings from a previous linkage of OPTN donor records and private insurance claims. Results Among the Medicare-insured donors, 8% were African American and 5.7% were Hispanic. Diagnosis frequencies at 5 years after donation in the Medicare- versus privately insured donors included the following: malignant hypertension, 5.0% versus 0.9%; diabetes, 18.5% versus 4.1%; and chronic kidney disease, 21.8% versus 4.9%. After age and sex adjustment in the Medicare sample, African Americans, as compared with white donors, experienced higher risks of any hypertension diagnosis, including 2.4 times the likelihood of malignant hypertension (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40–3.93), and more common diabetes (aHR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.12–2.04), chronic kidney disease (aHR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.37–2.47), and proteinuria (aHR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.45–4.11) diagnoses. Relative patterns for privately insured African American versus white donors were similar, including approximately three times the risk of malignant hypertension (aHR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.82–5.88) and twice the relative risks of chronic kidney disease and proteinuria. Conclusions Consistent demonstration of racial variation in postdonation medical conditions regardless of sample/payer source supports the need for continued study of mediators and consequences of outcomes in non-white donors.
The effect of Porter’s generic strategies on organisational problems of non-profit sports clubs

Abstract Non-profit sports clubs face several organisational problems relating to memberships, finances, demographic changes and competition from other organisations, which can be addressed through strategic planning. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of Porter’s (1980) generic strategies (cost leadership, differentiation, focus) on the severity of those organisational problems. Quantitative panel data from a German sports club survey are used for the analysis (n = 41,343). Regression results show that clubs pursuing a cost leadership or a focus strategy experience smaller problems in all areas. The efficacy of the differentiation strategy depends on the programmatic option and the problem under investigation: Leisure and mass sport, sport for older people, and non-sport programmes lead to reduced problems, while health sport, sport for immigrants, and programmes similar to those of commercial providers have inconsistent effects. The findings have implications for the management of sports clubs.