Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Female Leadership and Gender Gap within Firms: Evidence from an Italian Board Reform

The authors evaluate a 2011 Italian law that installed a step-wise increase in gender quota that remains effective for three consecutive board renewals of listed limited liability firms. They link firm-level information on board membership and board election dates with detailed employment and earnings records from the Social Security registers. Exploiting the staggered introduction of the gender quota regulation and variation in board renewal years across firms, the authors evaluate the effect of the board gender composition on measures of gender diversity in top positions over a period of four years. While the reform substantially raised the female membership on corporate boards, results show only moderate and imprecisely estimated spillover effects on the representation of women in top executive or top earnings positions.
Claudin clusters as determinants of epithelial barrier function

Claudins are tetraspan tight junction proteins which have been attributed to primarily determine epithelial barrier function in a wide variety of different organs and tissues. Among this protein family with currently 27 members, single claudins contribute in an organ‐ and tissue‐specific manner to defined properties such as cation‐, anion‐ or water‐selective pore functions, sealing functions or ambiguous functions. As the size of tight junction strand particles visualized by freeze‐fracture electron microscopy have a diameter of approximately 10 nm, multimeric assembly of tight junction proteins appears to be a basic principle for barrier formation. Moreover, expression patterns of different tissues showed that single claudins appear to specifically co‐localize with other claudins, which indicates a cluster formation within tight junction strand particles with a fixed stoichiometry. This review provides a critical view on the current understanding of tight junction protein co‐localization within strands. We analyze how tissue specific differences of claudin functions could be dependent on their specific partners for barrier formation. Furthermore, a model of claudin clusters as structural and functional units within tight junction strands is provided. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(1):29–35, 2015
The protective action of melatonin on indomethacin-induced gastric and testicular oxidative stress in rats

Abstract Reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation play a role in the pathogenesis induced by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin. Melatonin (MLT) protection against indomethacin-induced oxidative tissue injury was investigated in gastric mucosa and testis of rats. MLT was administered intragastrically (i.g.) 30 min before the administration to fasted rats of 20 mg indomethacin/kg rat given i.g. The area of gastric lesion as well as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were found to be significantly increased 4 h after administration of indomethacin in rat gastric mucosa and testis indicating acute oxidative injury. MLT pretreatment reduced gastric lesion area to 80% of the indomethacin-treated rats and reduced the rise in TBARS concentration. MLT treatment reduced the LDH activity increase in testis but not in gastric mucosa. In indomethacin-treated rats, both the cytosolic Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) and mitochondrial Mn-SOD activities were significantly diminished in gastric mucosa as well as the total SOD activity in testis. In addition, glutathione (GSH) content in both tissues was markedly decreased following indomethacin treatment. Pretreatment with MLT significantly ameliorated both the inhibition of SOD activity and the decreased GSH content in both tissues. Thus, these results show the effective antiperoxidative and preventive actions of MLT against indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal damage and testicular oxidative injury and we propose that this action might be relevant for its use with other free radical generating drugs.
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND FIRM PERFORMANCE IN SMEs: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL AS A MEDIATING VARIABLE

Knowledge and intellectual capital are increasingly recognised as the main sources of competitive advantages in the knowledge-based economy. Businesses, particularly those that are small- or medium-sized, find that they need to give increasing attention to knowledge management and social capital — social capital being a mediating variable between knowledge management processes and firm performance. This study examined knowledge management, social capital and firm performance through the use of a questionnaire directed to small- and medium-sized enterprises — all of them situated within the Multimedia Super Corridor in the Klang Valley of Malaysia. The results based on 289 usable questionnaires demonstrated the following: (i) knowledge management processes influence social capital positively; (ii) social capital enhances firm performance; and (iii) social capital is a mediator between knowledge management processes and firm performance. The research demonstrated that knowledge management processes and social capital can be integrated to enhance firm performance.
Development of metabotropic glutamate receptor‐mediated synaptic inhibition

MODULATION of hippocampal CA3–CA1 synaptic transmission during metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation was investigated in juvenile (postnatal day (P) 15–21) and young adult rats (P28–35). The mGluR agonist 1S,3R-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) depressed the EPSP slope more in young adults than juveniles. ACPD increased pairedpulse facilitation (PPF) at both ages. The group I mGluR antagonist (+)-α-methylcarboxyphenylglycine (MCPG) inhibited the ACPD-mediated depression of the EPSP slope and completely blocked the increase in PPF only in young adults. Minimal effects of MCPG on ACPDdependent synaptic depression were observed in juveniles. These data suggest that presynaptic group I mGluR-mediated synaptic inhibition increases across late postnatal development. In addition, other mGluR subtypes, with the ability to depress presynaptic function, appear to be present in juveniles.
Therapy‐related myelodysplasia and/or acute myeloid leukaemia after autologous haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation in a prospective single centre cohort of 221 patients

Summary. To evaluate the incidence and the predictive signs of therapy‐related myelodysplasia and/or acute myeloid leukaemia (tMDS/tAML), we undertook a prospective study over a 4‐year period of 221 patients who underwent autologous haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation. Only seven patients (3·1%) were identified to have tMDS/tAML. Peripheral cytopenia was the first sign; diagnosis could be achieved by cytological analysis of bone marrow smears using World Health Organization criteria. All patients presented with bi‐ or trilineage dysplasia. Haematopoietic reconstitution was significantly delayed in patients progressing to tMDS/tAML compared with the control group. Typical cytogenetic abnormalities were observed in five of seven patients. The mean time interval between transplantation and cytological diagnosis, or detection of cytogenetic abnormalities, was 20·0 months and 31·2 months respectively. Pantelomeric fluorescence analysis using quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization enabled us to make two major observations: (i) the fluorescence intensity in metaphases of all autografted patients was weak, and highly variable between tMDS patients; (ii) a drastic reduction of the telomere fluorescence intensity was observed in two patients who rapidly evolved to acute leukaemia. In conclusion, early detection of tMDS/tAML could be achieved by close follow‐up of the bone marrow repopulation, and confirmed by cytological bone marrow examination and cytogenetic study. Our results address the implication of several factors, such as the initial telomeric status, and the effect of cytogenetic abnormalities and clonal expansion on bone marrow repopulation.
Effect of Low Environmental Temperature on Performance and Blood System in Broiler Chickens ( Gallus domesticus )

Blahova J., R. Dobsikova, E. Strakova, P. Suchý: Effect of Low Environmental Temperature on Performance and Blood System in Broiler Chickens (Gallus domesticus). Acta Vet. Brno 2007, 76: S17-S23. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low environmental temperature on growth, feed conversion, performance and selected biochemical and haematological indicators in broiler chickens. The decrease in air temperature since the 22nd day of growth influenced significantly (p < 0.05) the level of total proteins, uric acid, phosphorus (in female broiler chickens), glucose (in male broiler chickens), haemoglobin (in female broiler chickens) and liver weight (in male broiler chickens). The temperature influenced significantly ( p < 0.01) the level of triiodothyronine, haemoglobin (in male broiler chickens), haematocrit, abdominal fat content (in male broiler chickens), and heart weight too. The results have clearly confirmed that during growth, the decrease in environmental temperature (cold stress) negatively influenced some indices of performance and blood system in broiler chickens. Poultry, ambient temperature, stress, biochemical and haematological indicators, carcass efficiency
Evaluating the demographic significance of genetic homogeneity using a coalescent-based simulation: a case study with gag (Mycteroperca microlepis)

Gag (Mycteroperca microlepis) from the eastern Gulf of Mexico and northwestern Atlantic are managed as separate stocks, although evidence for their demographic isolation remains equivocal. Several hundred individuals were genotyped at 11 microsatellite loci and it was found that gag across these regions were genetically indistinguishable (FST < 0.001). A coalescent-based computer simulation was employed to quantitatively assess the relative importance of dispersal rate, population size, and time since divergence on gag genetic homogeneity. Using empirical estimates of long-term effective population size (16 500), a range of dispersal rates and divergence times (500 to 500 000 generations) was modeled, and it was concluded that present-day genetic homogeneity must be maintained by dispersal rates of at least 20–30 migrants per generation and up to hundreds or thousands per generation. This study also documents the absence of significant temporal genetic structure and inbreeding in the Atlantic when compari.
Hospitals' health promotion services in their communities: findings from a literature review.

BACKGROUND Hospitals have long had an important role in the health of communities and the nation. Health promotion (HP) has gained attention in American health and will become more important with the 2010 health reform legislation. Many U.S. hospitals provide HP services in their communities, and hospital leaders are accountable for HP. PURPOSES This article uses a systematic review of research literature to answer three questions about U.S. hospitals' HP services in their communities: (a) What are the characteristics of hospitals that offer HP services? (b) What are the reasons that hospitals offer HP services? And (c) what are the implementation processes hospitals use to offer HP services? METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Authors used search criteria and found 255 articles published between 1985 and 2009. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied to screen and select articles, and 25 articles were kept and reviewed. Authors independently completed a standard data extraction form for each article, combined and reconciled their data, and created a database of findings. FINDINGS Hospital size was positively associated with HP, as were participation in systems, alliances, and networks. Communities' median income, existing HP, population younger than 65 years, population above poverty, and employment levels were positively related to hospitals' HP. Relationships with hospital ownership, managed care, and competition were less clear. External norms, HP diffusion, and mimetic behavior were reasons for hospitals' HP; community benefit laws were less important. To implement HP, hospitals applied management methods, shared resources, collaborated with community organizations, and used a variety of HP methods. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Collaboration and linkages with other organizations enable hospitals to expand HP. Hospitals should apply management methods (not just HP methods) to effectively offer HP services. Support for small hospitals' HP is needed.
Evidence on Contagion in Corporate Misconduct

In this paper, we examine the importance of contagion in corporate misconduct, proxied by earnings restatements. We use data on 632 restatements drawn from the GAO report covering the years 1997-2002. After controlling for many firm-level characteristics, we find that firms are more likely to begin manipulating earnings after the public announcement of a restatement by another firm located in their industry or in their city. Further analysis suggests that such contagion, or the imitation of earnings management, is absent if it is associated with SEC enforcement or with a class action lawsuit. However, non-negative media coverage of the restatement and larger manipulators are associated with a higher likelihood of contagion in earnings manipulation. The results suggest that a compliant firm’s decision to misreport depends on the actions of the regulators, litigators, media and the characteristics of other misreporting firms.
Effects of service experience attributes on customer attitudes and behaviours: the case of New Zealand café industry

ABSTRACT This study examines major café experience attributes and their impacts on customers’ attitudinal and behavioural outcomes in the New Zealand café industry. Based on an extended model of the consumption system approach, a set of hypotheses were developed and tested using hierarchical multiple regression. Using a sample of 205 respondents, the study found that service quality is the strongest predictor of all outcome variables (i.e., value for money, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty intentions) which were predicted by either tangible or intangible café experience attributes. Both practical and theoretical implications of the findings are provided.
The Dexamethasone Suppression Test

(1) Method that either 3 @tg/l00ml or 4 @tg/100ml gave the best discrimination. Plasma cortisol assay methods have been reviewed in detail by Meltzer & Fang (1983); they concluded that results from CPBA and RIAâ€”the two commonest methodsâ€”are not necessarily com parable, as different RIA methods may overor under-estimate cortisol levels, as measured by CPBA. They suggest that any study on the DST should show that the cortisol assay method used is sensitive in the concentration range of interest, and that it is accurate by comparison with a reference method. Studies reviewed here have used criterion values of between 4 and 6 @ig/l00ml; one author (Sachar et a! , 1980) has used 3 @ig/100 ml. The risk with a lower value is that more false positives will be collected, and with a higher value that fewer depressed patients will be identified. However, because of variations in the accuracy of plasma cortisol assay methods, it may be appropriate for a cut-off point other than 5 @tg/l00ml to be used in some studies. Although the timing and number of plasma cortisol levels can affect the sensitivity of the test, many workers have for practical reasons used only a 4pm sampling time. Using several sampling times, Carroll et a! (198la) found that the addition of an 11pm level raised the detection rate of positive tests from 78% to 98%. However, Peselow et al (l983a) found that a 4 pm-only sample identified 92% of all positive tests, while Goggans et al (1983) picked up only 64% of positive tests at 4pm. Use of a single 4 pm sampling time may therefore under-estimate the number of positive tests by a variable amount. For simplicity, no distinction will be made in this review between studies which report only a 4 pm level and those using additional sampling times.
Auditors in technologies, relations and networks: cases from the assurance service

Productivity incentives have lately been driving auditors to introduce and utilize various computer-based tools to assist their work. The aim of this study is to understand how and why productivity incentives may disturb interpersonal interaction and relations between auditors at different ranks, in the context of assurance service. A case study was carried out with auditors affiliated with Danish subsidiaries of Big 4 audit firms to inspect the implementation and utilization of global audit methodology (GAM), which is the ICT-based platform that guides subordinate auditors through the audit process. The results highlight that superior auditors tend to experience prevalent trust in ICT tool over subordinate auditors, where such conditions reduce the opportunity for experiencing comfort by subordinates, while superiors still perceive comfort due to being comfortable with procedures that are administered by the tool. Finally, this mechanism further creates conditions under which the necessity for establishing interactions and relations between auditors of different ranks become diminished.
THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION ASYMMETRY TOWARDS THE QUALITY OF ACCRUAL EARNINGS WITH GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (GCG) AS MODERATING VARIABLE

The research aims to examine the influence of information asymmetry on the quality of accrual earning, generated by a public company. The research was moderated by two variables of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) that managerial ownership and composition of the Board of Commissioners. Information asymmetry is an information gap between management and owners of the company. This affects quality accrual earning of information made by management, so it does not describe the actual condition of the company's performance. The research objects were manufacture companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange for three years (2013-2015). The samples consisted of 72 companies selected using purposive sampling technique. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 for windows program consisting of two types of analyses, i.e. simple regression analysis and different t-test analysis. The results of the research indicate that information asymmetry influence the quality of accrual earning and variable managerial ownership and composition of the Board of commissioners can moderate the Quality of Accrual Earning.
Suicidal Ideation Among American Surgeons

Results: Of 7905 participating surgeons (response rate, 31.7%), 501 (6.3%) reported SI during the previous 12 months. Among individuals 45 years and older, SI was 1.5 to 3.0 times more common among surgeons than the general population (P .02). Only 130 surgeons (26.0%) with recent SI had sought psychiatric or psychologic help, while 301 (60.1%) were reluctant to seek help due to concern that it could affect their medical license. Recent SI had a large, statistically significant adverse relationship with all 3 domains of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment) and symptoms of depression. Burnout (odds ratio, 1.910; P .001) and depression (odds ratio, 7.012; P .001) were independently associated with SI after controlling for personal and professional characteristics. Other personal and professional characteristics also related to the prevalence of SI.
Novel doping technology for a 1nm NiSi/Si junction with dipoles comforting Schottky (DCS) barrier

This paper studies the Schottky barrier height (SBH) modulation effect induced by dipoles, which several types of impurity atoms generate at the nickel silicide (NiSi)/silicon (Si) interface, through both first-principles calculations and experimental methods. Based on these understandings, we discuss their applicability to the DCS junction, leading to a principle for choosing dopants.
The influence of non‐HLA antibodies directed against angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) on early renal transplant outcomes

Non‐HLA antibodies (Abs) targeting vascular receptors are thought to have an impact on renal transplant injury. Anti‐angiotensin II type 1‐receptor‐activating antibodies (anti‐AT1R) have been mentioned to stimulate a severe vascular rejection, but the pretransplant screening has not been introduced yet. The aim of our study was to assess the incidence and importance of anti‐AT1R antibodies and their influence on renal transplant in the 1st year of observation. We prospectively evaluated the presence of anti‐AT1R antibodies in 117 consecutive renal transplant recipients in pre‐ and post‐transplant screening. Anti‐AT1R antibodies were observed in 27/117 (23%) of the analyzed recipients already before transplantation. The function of renal transplant was considerably worse in anti‐AT1R(+) group. The patients with anti‐AT1R Abs >9 U/ml lost their graft more often. Biopsy‐proven AR was described in 4/27 (15%) pts in the anti‐AT1R(+) group and 13/90 (14.4%) in the anti‐AT1R(−) group, but more severe cases of Banff IIB or antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) were more often observed in anti‐AT1R (+) 4/27 (15%) vs. 1/90 (1.1%) in anti‐AT1R(+) (P = 0.009). Patients with anti‐AT1R Abs level >9 U/ml run a higher risk of graft failure independently of classical immunological risk factors. The recipients with anti‐AT1R Abs developed more severe acute rejections described as IIB or AMR in Banff classification. More recipients among the anti‐AT1R‐positive ones lost the graft. Our study suggests monitoring of anti‐AT1R Abs before renal transplantation for assessment of immunologic risk profiles and the identification of patients highly susceptible to immunologic events, graft failure, and graft loss.
Alcohol- and Drug-Involved Driving in the United States

This article describes the methodology used in the 2007 U.S. National Roadside Survey to estimate the prevalence of alcohol- and drug-impaired driving and alcohol- and drug-involved driving. This study involved randomly stopping drivers at 300 locations across the 48 continental U.S. states at sites selected through a stratified random sampling procedure. Data were collected during a 2-hr Friday daytime session at 60 locations and during 2-hr nighttime weekend periods at 240 locations. Both self-report and biological measures were taken. Biological measures included breath alcohol measurements from 9,413 respondents, oral fluid samples from 7,719 respondents, and blood samples from 3,276 respondents.