Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning in Entrepreneurship

Evidence of low returns to entrepreneurship is puzzling. Cognitive biases like overconfidence, non-pecuniary benefits, or extreme risk preferences may explain why people start firms. An alternative view emphasizes the real option value of launching or abandoning a new firm, and characterizes entrepreneurship as rational experimentation. These perspectives have different predictions for whether and how entrepreneurs learn from new information. I use novel data from nearly 100 new venture competitions to show that negative feedback causally increases the chances a venture is abandoned. Further, learning in the sense of improvement is predictive of subsequent financing and employment. I find heterogeneity relevant to theories of innovation and firm dynamics. The cost of experimentation, the stage of the venture and its founder in their respective life-cycles, geography, and the founder's personal background are all important determinants of learning. The results are broadly consistent with the experimentation view, but founders with degrees from elite schools and social impact ventures are unresponsive to feedback and may, respectively, be overconfident and garner large non-pecuniary benefits.
Natural Balance of Multicell Converters: The General Case

This paper focuses on the development of the natural balancing theory for the p-cell case. It describes the relationship between the models for different numbers of cells in a generic model for a p-cell multicell converter. The model discussed is based on the same principles that were used to develop the two-cell model in , except that the mathematics is much more involved. The same conclusions that were found to be true for the two-cell case was also found to be true for the general case of p cells. These conclusions include that the natural balancing mechanism of multicell converters depends on the overlap of the groups of harmonics of the switching function as well as on the load impedance. It will also be shown that the self-balancing mechanism ensures safe operation under most operating conditions where a high enough switching frequency is chosen and the load is not purely reactive. Two new aspects of the balancing theory were identified in the p-cell case: 1) for fixed duty-cycle modulation there exists certain values of the duty-cycle that causes the natural balancing mechanism to fail and 2) for p-cell converters the balance booster concept can be extended to a number of balance boosters tuned to multiples of the switching frequency. A "DesignTool" based on the balancing theory was developed to aid practicing engineers in designing multicell converters
Subdimensions of social-communication impairment in autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND More refined dimensions of social-communication impairment are needed to elucidate the clinical and biological boundaries of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other childhood onset psychiatric disorders associated with social difficulties, as well as to facilitate investigations in treatment and long-term outcomes of these disorders. METHODS This study was intended to identify separable dimensions of clinician-observed social-communication impairments by examining scores on a widely used autism diagnostic instrument. Participants included verbally fluent children ages 3-13 years, who were given a clinical diagnosis of ASD (n = 120) or non-ASD (i.e. ADHD, language disorder, intellectual disability, mood or anxiety disorder; n = 118) following a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis examined the factor structure of algorithm items from the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Module 3. RESULTS Results indicated that a three-factor model consisting of repetitive behaviors and two separate social-communication behavior factors had superior fit compared to a two-factor model that included repetitive behaviors and one social-communication behavior factor. In the three-factor model, impairments in 'Basic Social-Communication' behaviors (e.g. eye contact, facial expressions, gestures) were separated from impairments in 'Interaction quality. ' Confirmatory factor analysis in an independent sample of children in the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) further supported the division of social-communication impairments into these two factors. Scores in Interaction Quality were significantly associated with nonverbal IQ and male sex in the ASD group, and with age in the non-ASD group, while scores in basic social communication were not significantly associated with any of these child characteristics in either diagnostic group. CONCLUSIONS Efforts to conceptualize level, or severity, of social-communication impairment in children with neurodevelopmental disorders might be facilitated by separating the most basic (or proximal) social-communication impairments from those that could arise from a range of other phenotypic variables. Identification of social-communication subdimensions also highlights potential avenues for measuring different types of social-communication impairments for different purposes (e.g. for differential diagnosis vs. response to treatment).
Exploring nursing outcomes for patients with advanced cancer following intervention by Macmillan specialist palliative care nurses.

BACKGROUND Little information exists about the outcomes from nursing interventions, and few studies report new approaches to evaluating the complex web of effects that may result from specialist nursing care. AIMS The aim of this study was to explore nursing outcomes for patients with advanced cancer that may be identified as resulting from the care of a Macmillan specialist palliative care nurse. METHODS/INSTRUMENTS: Seventy-six patients referred to 12 United Kingdom Macmillan specialist palliative care nursing services participated in a longitudinal study of their care over 28 days. Patients were interviewed and completed the European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Scale and the Palliative Care Outcomes Scale at referral, and 3, 7 and 28 days following referral to a Macmillan specialist palliative care nursing service. A nominated carer was interviewed at baseline and 28 days. Notes recorded by Macmillan specialist palliative care nurses in relation to each patient case were analysed. FINDINGS Significant improvements in emotional (P = 0.03) and cognitive functioning (P = 0.03) were identified in changes in patients' European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Scale scores, and in Palliative Care Outcomes Scale patient anxiety scores (P = 0.003), from baseline to day 7. Analysis of case study data indicated that overall positive outcomes of care from Macmillan specialist palliative care nursing intervention were achieved in 42 (55%) cases. STUDY LIMITATIONS Sample attrition due to patients' deteriorating condition limited the value of data from the quality of life measures. The method developed for evaluating nursing outcomes using data from patient and carer interviews and nursing records was limited by a lack of focus on outcomes of care in these data sources. CONCLUSIONS A method was developed for evaluating outcomes of nursing care in complex situations such as care of people who are dying. Positive outcomes of care for patients that were directly attributable to the care provided by Macmillan specialist palliative care nurses were found for the majority of patients. For a small number of patients, negative outcomes of care were identified.
The atrial natriuretic peptide receptor antagonist HS 142-1 improves cardiovascular filling and mean arterial pressure in a hyperdynamic ovine model of sepsis.

OBJECTIVE To test whether systemic vascular resistance and mean arterial pressure increase during the administration of the atrial natriuretic peptide antagonist, HS 142-1, in ovine experimental hyperdynamic sepsis. DESIGN Prospective trial. SETTING Research laboratory at a large university medical center. SUBJECTS Chronically instrumented Merino breed ewes (n = 14). INTERVENTIONS Continuous infusion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.5 x 10(6) colony-forming units/min) for the experimental period of 48 hrs. One group (HS 142-1) received a continuous infusion of HS 142-1 (3 mg/kg/hr) from 40 to 48 hrs; the remaining sheep ("control") were given the vehicle sodium chloride 0.9%. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS All sheep developed a hyperdynamic cardiovascular response by 40 hrs that was characterized by low values of systemic vascular resistance index (p < .05) and mean arterial pressure (p < .05), and an increased cardiac index (p < .05). HS 142-1 increased cardiac filling pressures (p < .05) without apparent effects on fluid balance, and was associated with a significantly (p < .05) higher mean arterial pressure than was found in the control group at 44 and 48 hrs. HS 142-1 did not change systemic vascular resistance index. At 44 and 48 hrs, cardiac index values were found to have significantly (p < .05) increased in the animals receiving HS 142-1, when these data were compared with cardiac output values at 40 hrs. CONCLUSION HS 142-1 increases cardiac filling pressures and maintains mean arterial pressure in hyperdynamic sepsis without reversal of sepsis-induced vasodilation.
A simple precipitation method for measuring sialic acid in apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in plasma

Background: A convenient method for the measurement of sialic acid in plasma apoB-containing lipoproteins is described. Methods: Dextran sulphate-Mg2+ precipitation and enzymatic sialic acid assay were combined and applied to analysis of plasma from 96 healthy controls and 136 hyperlipidaemic subjects of types IIa (n=46), IIb (n=43), and IV (n=47). Results: The sialic acid concentrations (mean±SD) in plasma apoB-containing lipoproteins were 19.4±5.9, 24.3±4.7 (P<0.0001 versus normal), 23.0±4.7 (P<0.0001), 27.9±5.2 (P<0.0001), and 22.3±3.4 mg/L (P<0.002), for normal, all types of hyperlipidaemia, types IIa, IIb, and IV, respectively. The contents of sialic acid in apoB were 2.03±0.41%, 2.09±0.35% (no significance versus normal), 1.86±0.27% (P<0.0001), 1.97±0.26% (P<0.02), and 2.28±0.41% (P<0.002), for normal, all types of hyperlipidaemia, types IIa, IIb, and IV, respectively. Conclusion: The content of sialic acid in apoB decreased significantly in type IIa but increased in type IV hyperlipidaemia, which may reflect the presence of sialic acid in very low-density lipoprotein apolipoproteins other than apoB. This simple precipitation method will be useful to evaluate the sialic acid content in low-density lipoprotein in hyperlipidaemic subjects, especially of type IIa.
The Ligand-Binding Domain of Siglec-G Is Crucial for Its Selective Inhibitory Function on B1 Cells

Siglec-G is an inhibitory receptor on B1 cells. Siglec-G–deficient mice show a large B1 cell expansion, owing to higher BCR-induced Ca2+ signaling and enhanced cellular survival. It was unknown why Siglec-G shows a B1 cell–restricted inhibitory function. With a new mAb we could show a comparable Siglec-G expression on B1 cells and conventional B2 cells. However, Siglec-G has a different ligand sialic acid–binding pattern on peritoneal B1 cells than on splenic B cells, and its sialic acid ligands are expressed differentially on these two B cell populations, suggesting that cis-ligand binding plays a crucial role on B1 cells. This observation was further studied by generation of Siglec-G knockin mice with a mutated ligand-binding domain. These mice show increased B1 cell numbers, increased B1 cell Ca2+ signaling, better B1 cell survival, and changes in the B1 cell Ig repertoire. These phenotypes are very similar to Siglec-G–deficient mice. The mutation of the ligand-binding domain of Siglec-G strongly reduces the Siglec-G–IgM association on the B cell surface. Thus, Siglec-G sialic acid–dependent binding to the BCR is crucial for the B1 cell–restricted inhibitory function of Siglec-G and is regulated in an opposite way to that of the related protein CD22 (Siglec-2) on B cells.
Interlimb coordination of leg-muscle activation during perturbation of stance in humans.

1. Electromyographic (EMG) responses were recorded in both legs, along with corresponding joint movements, after uni- and bilateral perturbations during stance on a treadmill with split belts. Displacements were directed forward, backward, or in opposing directions. They were induced by randomly timed ramp impulses at one of four different rates of treadmill acceleration. 2. Unilateral perturbations directed backward were followed by a bilateral gastrocnemius-EMG response, forward-directed perturbations by a bilateral tibialis anterior-EMG response. The amplitude of these responses was dependent on the rate of treadmill acceleration. Relative to the response of the displaced leg, the amplitude of the EMG response on the nondisplaced side was smaller when a gastrocnemius EMG response was induced, and about equal when the tibialis anterior muscle was activated. The onset latencies were shorter on the displaced side (displaced leg 75-96 ms, non-displaced leg 93-112 ms). 3. Bilateral perturbations in one direction were followed by larger EMG responses in both legs (in the gastrocnemius for backward-directed impulses, in the tibialis anterior for forward-directed impulses). For a given acceleration rate, their amplitude was about equal to the sum of the EMG amplitude of the displaced leg and that of the nondisplaced leg obtained during unilateral displacement. The inverse result was obtained when the legs were simultaneously displaced in opposite directions: EMG responses in both legs were significantly smaller than those obtained after unilateral displacement. 4. It is concluded that a unilateral displacement evokes reflex EMG responses in the synergistic muscles of both legs, which are graded according to the size of the proprioceptive input from the primarily displaced joint. During bilateral displacements, the activity induced by the respective contralateral leg is linearly summed or subtracted, depending on whether the legs are displaced in the same or in opposite directions. In view of the short latencies of these bilateral responses, it would seem that they are mediated by a spinal mechanism. 5. Distinct differences in the behavior of the antagonistic leg muscles were observed: 1) the coactivation of the contralateral leg muscle was significantly smaller when the gastrocnemius was stretched unilaterally, whereas it was about equal for the tibialis anterior; and 2) the gastrocnemius EMG responses were closely correlated with the displacement velocity, whereas the tibialis anterior response was more closely correlated with acceleration, i.e., the tibialis anterior response was more dynamic in nature. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Optimization of Transvenous Coil Position for Active Can Defibrillation Thresholds

Effect of SVC Position on DFT. Introduction: Lead systems that include an active pectoral pulse generator are now standard for initial defibrillator implantations. However, the optimal transvenous lead system and coil location for such active can configurations are unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit and optimal position of a superior vena cava (SVC) coil on defibrillation thresholds with an active left pectoral pulse generator and right ventricular coil.
The Impact of Macroeconomic Fundamentals on Stock Prices Revised: A Study of Indian Stock Market

The study investigates the relationships between the Indian stock market index (BSE Sensex) and five macroeconomic variables, namely, industrial production index, wholesale price index, money supply, treasury bills rates and exchange rates over the period January 2007 to March 2014. Johansen’s co-integration and vector error correction model have been applied to explore the long-run equilibrium relationship between stock market index and macroeconomic variables. The analysis reveals that macroeconomic variables and the stock market index are co-integrated and, hence, a long-run equilibrium relationship exists between them. It is observed that the stock prices positively relate to the wholesale price index, money supply and interest rate but negatively relate to index of industrial production and exchange rate. The index of industrial production and the exchange rate are found to be insignificant in determining stock prices. In the Granger causality sense, there is bi-directional causality between exchange rate and stock market index and interest rate and stock market index. Interest rate causes stock market index in both long run and short-run. The findings show the evidence of causality from stock price index to wholesale price index in both long-run and short run but not other way around. Furthermore, it is observed from the findings that money supply causes stock prices only in the long-run but not in short run.
Mupirocin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus Causing Recurrent Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Children

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus resistance to mupirocin is often caused by acquisition of a novel isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase encoded on the plasmid gene mupA. We tested S. aureus isolates from children at Texas Children's Hospital with recurrent skin and soft tissue infections for mupirocin resistance and mupA. Of 136 isolates, 20 were resistant to mupirocin (14.7%). Fifteen isolates (11%) carried mupA, and the gene was more common in methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (21.4%) than methicillin-resistant S. aureus (8.3%; P = 0.03). Seven of 20 mupirocin-resistant isolates displayed clindamycin resistance.
Global Financial Crisis, Institutional Ownership, and the Earnings Informativeness of Income Smoothing

This study uses unbalanced panel data to construct the empirical regressions, and examines the role of the global financial crisis and institutional ownership on the earnings informativeness of firm with income smoothing. The result reveals that the earnings informativeness of income smoothing decreased after the occurrence of the crisis. High institutional ownership also reduces the informativeness of earnings for firms with income smoothing and supports the institutional investors’ opportunism hypothesis. Yet, this result is prominent when the institutional ownership is held by the qualified foreign rather than local institutional investors. This study implements several diagnostic checks and demonstrates that the results are robust to various specifications.
Growth factor regulation of corneal keratocyte mechanical phenotypes in 3-D collagen matrices.

PURPOSE To assess how wound healing cytokines and the extracellular matrix (ECM) environment regulate the keratocyte mechanical phenotype. METHODS Rabbit corneal keratocytes were plated within standard bovine or rat tail type I collagen matrices (2.5 mg/mL), compressed collagen matrices (approximately 100 mg/mL), or on collagen-coated dishes and cultured for up to 7 days in serum-free media, platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF BB), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), TGFβ1, TGFβ2, or FGF2. F-actin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen fibrils were imaged using confocal microscopy. Cell morphology, local matrix reorganization, and global matrix contraction were quantified digitally. RESULTS IGF and PDGF BB stimulated elongation of keratocytes and extension of dendritic processes within 3-D matrices, without inducing stress fiber formation or collagen reorganization. In contrast, treatment with TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 increased keratocyte contractility, as indicated by stress fiber formation and matrix compaction and alignment. This transformation was enhanced at higher cell densities within standard 3-D matrices, in which α-SMA was incorporated into stress fibers. In contrast, α-SMA was expressed within compressed 3-D matrices even at low cell density. FGF2 did not produce significant cytoskeletal or matrix reorganization in standard 3-D matrices; however, stress fibers were consistently expressed within compressed collagen matrices and on rigid two-dimensional substrates. Inhibiting Rho kinase blocked both TGFβ- and FGF2-induced stress fiber formation. CONCLUSIONS Keratocytes cultured in IGF or PDGF BB maintain a quiescent mechanical phenotype over a range of matrix environments. In contrast, the mechanical phenotypes induced by FGF and TGFβ vary in response to the structural and/or mechanical properties of the ECM.
Quantitative impact of human immunodeficiency virus infection on tuberculosis dynamics.

RATIONALE Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has a major but unquantified impact on the risk of tuberculosis. OBJECTIVES To quantify the impact of HIV infection on the number of tuberculosis cases in San Francisco. METHODS We studied all patients reported with tuberculosis in San Francisco from 1991 to 2002. The initial isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were genotyped using IS6110 restriction fragment-length polymorphism genotyping as the primary method, and clustered cases (identical genotype patterns) were identified. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We determined the case number, case rate, and the fraction of tuberculosis attributable to HIV infection. Of 2,991 reported tuberculosis cases, 2,193 (73.3%) had a genotype pattern of M. tuberculosis available. Genotypic clusters with at least one HIV-positive person were larger, lasted longer, and had a shorter time between successive cases relative to clusters with only HIV-uninfected persons (P < 0.00005, P = 0.0009, P = 0.018, respectively). Overall, 13.7% of the tuberculosis cases were attributable to HIV infection and an estimated 405 excess tuberculosis cases occurred. CONCLUSIONS During a period encompassing the resurgence and decline of tuberculosis in San Francisco, a substantial number of the tuberculosis cases were attributable to HIV infection. Coinfection with HIV amplified the local tuberculosis epidemic.
Perception of overweight and obesity among Portuguese adolescents: an overview of associated factors.

PURPOSE A national, representative school-based sample of Portuguese youth was used to both identify psychosocial indicators that distinguish obese and overweight adolescents from their peers, and key explainers of body image among obese and overweight adolescents. METHODS Data on 5697 sixth, eighth and tenth grade public school students, age 11-16 years, from Portugal who participated in the 1998 (HBSC/WHO) survey of adolescent health were analysed. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on self-reported weight and height. Body image was measured using a body image tool with a sequence of seven body silhouettes progressing from very thin to overweight. BMI was calculated by reported weight/height (kg/m2), and was categorized based on Cole normalization curve. Adolescents whose BMI was above the 95th percentile (obese) and those with a BMI between 85 and 95 (overweight) were compared with the remainder. Separate analyses of psychosocial variables were conducted by gender, using the chi2-test, t-tests, ANOVA and multiple linear regression. RESULTS There was a significant difference in physical activity between obese and non-obese youth (P<0.05). Girls reported dieting more than boys (P<0.001), with 15.3% of overweight teens dieting versus 6% of non-overweight teens. Those classified as overweight were significantly more likely to describe themselves as not healthy (P<0.001). A significantly greater proportion of obese/overweight versus non-overweight youth reported difficulty in making friends (P<0.001). BMI (beta=0.491; P=0.000), age (beta=-0.413; P=0.000), involvement in dieting (beta=0.110; P=0.000) and attitude toward appearance (beta=0.032; P=0.007) were significantly associated with body image. CONCLUSIONS Inaccurate perceptions of the need to diet, poorer self-perceived health status and potential social isolation of those who are overweight were found. The importance of these findings to health promotion strategies is discussed.