Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intraperitoneal Ciprofloxacin and Rifampicin versus Cephradine as Initial Treatment of (C)Apd-Related Peritonitis: A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Comparison (Cipper Trial)

Objective The initial treatment of peritonitis has evolved from single-agent to combination regimens. The initial response rates improved with these newer regimens but relapsing peritonitis continues to occur. For biofilm-embedded or intracellularly sequestrated bacteria, a combination of intracellularly- and biofilm-active agents such as ciprofloxacin and rifampicin might be beneficial. Many Dutch centers continue to use cephradine as initial treatment, claiming clinically adequate responses with this regimen. We compared the impact of these two regimens on outcome in patients who developed a new episode of peritonitis. Design Prospective randomized open trial. Setting Multicenter study including 14 Dutch dialysis units. Patients and Interventions From October 1996 to October 1999, 367 patients from 14 centers were randomized to be treated with ciprofloxacin + rifampicin (CR; each 50 mg/L) or cephradine (C; 250 mg/L) in case of peritonitis. Of these 367 patients, 98 developed peritonitis, 44 of whom were treated with CR and 54 with C. Main Outcome Measures Clinical response, divided into early (during the 2 weeks of therapy) and late (including the following 4 weeks) response. Success was defined as disappearance of all signs and symptoms by days 4 - 6, through day 42. Bacteriological response was either success (eradication) or failure (persistence, superinfection, or eradication with relapse/reinfection). Results The groups were comparable for age, sex, duration of continuous ambulatory/automated peritoneal dialysis, and occurrence of diabetes. Bacteriological cultures in both groups revealed predominantly gram-positive micro-organisms. Initial and late clinical successes were obtained in 27/54 and 20/54 episodes (50% and 37%) in the C group, and 33/44 and 28/44 episodes (75% and 63.6%) in the CR group (p = 0.021 and p = 0.019). Bacteriological success occurred in 29.6% in the C group, and in 59.1% in the CR group (p = 0.026), with failure in 46.3% and 18.2%, respectively. Peritonitis episodes were bacteriologically not evaluable in 24.1% of episodes in the C group and 22.7% of episodes in the CR group, due mostly to no growth in the initial culture. Conclusion The CIPPER Trial showed ciprofloxacin + rifampicin to be superior to cephradine as empiric treatment of peritonitis.
Two-Interval Sturm--Liouville Theory for the Electrostatic Potential of a Point Charge near a Dielectric Cone

This paper provides the electrostatic potential of a point charge near a dielectric cone of circular cross section. Our theory applies to any pair of dielectrics on either side of the conical interface and any cone angle. Separation of variables yields two associated Legendre differential equations which are coupled through boundary conditions on the surface of the cone. We solve this boundary value problem by consideration of a two-interval Sturm–Liouville operator which acts on the direct sum of two $L^2$ spaces, as suggested by Wang, Sun, and Zettl [J. Math. Anal. Appl. , 328 (2007), pp. 390–399]. We proceed further to determine the inverse—integral—operator, we prove that it is compact and symmetric, we determine its eigenvectors, which form an orthogonal basis, and we use that basis, along with a classical Fourier series, to formulate the solution of the aforesaid electrostatic problem. Our analytical solution confirms van Bladel's prediction for the field at the tip of the cone, an outcome of his num.
The Deflated Sharpe Ratio: Correcting for Selection Bias, Backtest Overfitting and Non-Normality

With the advent in recent years of large financial data sets, machine learning and high-performance computing, analysts can backtest millions (if not billions) of alternative investment strategies. Backtest optimizers search for combinations of parameters that maximize the simulated historical performance of a strategy, leading to backtest overfitting. The problem of performance inflation extends beyond backtesting. More generally, researchers and investors tend to report only positive outcomes, a phenomenon known as selection bias. Not controlling for the number of trials involved in a particular discovery leads to over-optimistic performance expectations. The Deflated Sharpe Ratio (DSR) corrects for two leading sources of performance inflation: Selection bias under multiple testing and non-Normally distributed returns. In doing so, DSR helps separate legitimate empirical findings from statistical flukes.
Exploring Predictive Switching Factors for Mobile Number Portability

Executive Summary In today’s dynamic and competitive environment, customers have numerous choices to take decision on which products and services to use. In the wireless communications industry, the introduction of mobile number portability (MNP) may induce more and more consumers to switch their network operator, as MNP allows consumers to retain their original telephone number when switching from one carrier to another. This might have significant effect on price competition and market share of network providers (Shi, Chiang, & Rhee, 2006). In this backdrop, the present study examines the effect of MNP on consumers’ switching intentions and also the factors affecting those switching intentions in Indian mobile phone services context. Further, the study investigates the relationship between switching intentions and actual switching (ASW) or actual staying (AST) behaviour of consumers. The main findings of the study are: After MNP implementation, consumers’ switching intentions have not changed, as they appear to be satisfied with the services of their current service provider and with regard to those who have already switched, they switched without MNP. Factors such as service quality, relational quality (i.e., satisfaction, trust, and commitment), price, reputation and image, attitude towards switching, perceived ease of use and usefulness, and switching costs (SCs) significantly affect consumers’ switching intentions. Consumers’ switching intentions predict both ASW and AST behaviour of consumers. However, switching intentions better predict AST than ASW behaviour. This implies that even if consumers have intentions to switch their current operator, they would not actually switch because of SCs involved in terms of time, money, and effort. The authors have suggested initiatives that the service providers as well as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) need to undertake for proper implementation and acceptance of MNP among consumers.
Consumer Behavioural Intentions toward Internet Marketing

This study demonstrates the adaptation of Unified Theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) to examine the factors that influence the intention to use internet marketing. This is a comparative study which compares the findings from the studies in Delhi and Chandigarh. This study is carried out by a self-administered questionnaire designed using established scales Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Partial Least Square (PLS) were used to analyse the data.
Different knowledge, different benefits: toward a productivity perspective on knowledge sharing in organizations

We develop a differentiated productivity model of knowledge sharing in organizations proposing that different types of knowledge have different benefits for task units. In a study of 182 sales teams in a management consulting company, we find that sharing codified knowledge in the form of electronic documents saved time during the task, but did not improve work quality or signal competence to clients. In contrast, sharing personal advice improved work quality and signaled competence, but did not save time. Beyond the content of the knowledge, process costs in the form of document rework and lack of advisor effort negatively affected task outcomes. These findings dispute the claim that different types of knowledge are substitutes for each other, and provide a micro-foundation for understanding why and how a firm's knowledge capabilities translate into performance of knowledge work. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supply chain risk management (SCRM): a case study on the automotive and electronic industries in Brazil

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: to identify the supply chain risks in the automotive and electronic industries in Brazil, and to highlight the urgency of supply chain risk management (SCRM) implementation.Design/methodology/approach – It uses exploratory study methodology in the automotive and electronic industries, taking in consideration of the (SCRM) phase of initiation.Findings – There are significant practices to implement SCRM: better supply chain communication, SCRM and business continuity planning training program, and the creation of a chief risk officer position to manage the supply chain risks.Research limitations/implications – The limitation of this study comes from its small sample size. There are two simple reasons: many companies did not know SCRM and thus misinterpreted the information about SCRM.Practical implications – This case study promotes more preparedness for the two industries to manage the risks of supply chain.Originality/value – This study shows the risks that .
Management Forecast Revisions and Their Long-Run Effects on Analyst Forecasts

Management forecasts in Chinese share market are mostly mandatory, accompanied by many revisions to original forecasts. This paper describes the phenomenon of management forecast revisions and examines their long-run effects on analyst forecasts. We found that the revisions are almost evenly distributed among good news and bad news, but the revisions with bad news occur significantly later than those with good news. Meanwhile, the precision of revisions is significantly higher than that of original forecasts. The revisions affect management’s reputation of credible disclosure in that analysts update less to subsequent management forecasts with revisions in prior years. Further analysis shows that analysts’ consideration to revisions in prior years is sensible.
Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, improves the development and acetylation level of miniature porcine handmade cloning embryos

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) can change the histone acetylation and significantly enhance the developmental competence of the pre-implantation SCNT embryo. To select a proper histone deacetylase inhibitor to improve the success rate and potentially developmental ability of handmade cloning (HMC) embryos of miniature porcine, we compared the effect of two histone deacetylase inhibitors (SAHA vs. VPA) on HMC embryo development, their histone acetylation level and the expression level of relevant genes. The blastocyst rate and number of blastocyst cells of HMC embryos treated with SAHA (SAHA-HMC) or VPA (VPA-HMC) were significantly higher than those of control (Control-HMC), respectively, but there were no significant difference between SAHA-HMC and VPA-HMC groups. In addition, the acetylation level (AcH4K8) of Control-HMC and VPA-HMC embryos at the blastocyst stage, respectively, was significantly lower than that of in vitro fertilized (IVF) and SAHA-HMC embryos. However, the acetylation H4K8 of the blastocysts had no significant difference between SAHA-HMC and the IVF groups. The SAHA-HMC blastocysts indicated comparative expression levels of Oct4 and HDAC1 (histone deacetyltransferase gene) with those of IVF blastocysts. In contrast, the expression levels of Oct4 were lower and those of HDAC1 were higher in the VPA-HMC and Control-HMC blastocysts, respectively, compared to those of the IVF blastocysts. Our results demonstrated that the HMC embryos treated by SAHA could promote the pre-implantation development and increase the levels of histone H4K8 acetylation and the expression of the OCT4 gene, yet decrease the expression of the HDAC1 gene to the comparable level of the IVF embryos. Our results proved that SAHA may be a better histone deacetylase inhibitor for porcine HMC compared to VPA, and furthermore, it may indicate that SAHA can effectively correct the abnormal histone acetylation during the HMC embryo development and subsequently improve the full-term developmental potential of the HMC embryos after embryo transplantation.
Occupational transmission of Acinetobacter baumannii from a United States serviceman wounded in Iraq to a health care worker.

BACKGROUND Acinetobacter baumannii is increasingly recognized as being a significant pathogen associated with nosocomial outbreaks in both civilian and military treatment facilities. Current analyses of these outbreaks frequently describe patient-to-patient transmission. To date, occupational transmission of A. baumannii from a patient to a health care worker (HCW) has not been reported. We initiated an investigation of an HCW with a complicated case of A. baumannii pneumonia to determine whether a link existed between her illness and A. baumannii-infected patients in a military treatment facility who had been entrusted to her care. METHODS Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, a form of multilocus sequencing typing, were done to determine clonality. To further characterize the isolates, we performed a genetic analysis of resistance determinants. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS A "look-back" analysis revealed that the multidrug resistant A. baumannii recovered from the HCW and from a patient in her care were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. In addition, polymerase chain reaction/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry indicated that the isolates were similar to strains of A. baumannii derived from European clone type II (Walter Reed Army Medical Center strain type 11). The exposure of the HCW to the index patient lasted for only 30 min and involved endotracheal suctioning without use of an HCW mask. An examination of 90 A. baumannii isolates collected during this investigation showed that 2 major and multiple minor clone types were present and that the isolates from the HCW and from the index patient were the most prevalent clone type. Occupational transmission likely occurred in the hospital; HCWs caring for patients infected with A. baumannii should be aware of this potential mode of infection spread.
Sleep Disturbance After Fracture is Related to Emotional Well-Being Rather Than Functional Result

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the rate, longitudinal improvement, and risk factors of sleep disturbance after 4 common orthopaedic traumatic conditions. Methods: The functional status of 1095 patients was prospectively assessed using validated questionnaires for patients with acute proximal humerus (n = 111), distal radius (n = 440), tibial plateau (n = 109), and ankle fractures (n = 435). Patient reported sleep difficulty was compared with the overall functional and emotional status of each patient at 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Results: Sleep difficulty at 3-month follow-up was reported in 41% of patients with proximal humerus fracture, 25% of patients with distal radius fracture, 36% of patients with tibial plateau, and 19% of patients with ankle fracture. By 12-month follow-up, less than 20% of patients with all fracture types reported sleep difficulty. At 12-month follow-up, the SF-36 Mental Health category for patients with distal radius fractures (P = 0.001) and the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Emotional category for patients with tibial plateau fractures (P = 0.024) and ankle fractures (P ⩽ 0.001) were independent predictors of poor sleep, whereas the respective functional status categories were not. Conclusions: At 12-month follow-up, poor sleep was independently associated with poor emotional status but not associated with poor functional status. The mental health status of patients with sleep difficulty in the latter stages of fracture healing should be carefully assessed to provide the highest level of care. The results of this study should allow orthopaedic trauma surgeons to counsel patients regarding expectations of difficulty sleeping after acute fractures. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The effect of downsizing on market orientation: the mediating roles of trust and commitment

Evidence suggests that organizations are continuing to downsize, whilst simultaneously attempting to embrace an organizational market orientation. Data is analyzed from 2,000 organizations using a structural equation modeling approach (SEM). The findings suggest that downsizing-seeking efficiencies through reducing the number of employees has a negative effect on employee trust and employee commitment to a customer focus. Results suggest that employee trust has a positive effect on employee commitment to a customer focus and market orientation, and employee commitment to customer focus has a positive effect on market orientation.
Revision Surgery for Persistent and Recurrent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and for Failed Carpal Tunnel Release

Background: Carpal tunnel release is one of the most frequently performed hand operations. However, persistent, recurrent, or completely new symptoms following carpal tunnel release remain a difficult problem. Methods: A retrospective review of the surgical findings and outcomes of 50 consecutive patients who had undergone 55 revision carpal tunnel operations was performed. Results: The initial carpal tunnel release was an endoscopic technique in 34 hands and an open technique in 21 hands. Thirty-four hands continued to have persistent symptoms, 18 hands had recurrent symptoms, and three hands had completely new symptoms. Reexploration revealed incomplete release in 32 patients. Circumferential fibrosis around the median nerve was found in all patients. Forty-six percent of patients with recurrent symptoms had slight palmar subluxation of the median nerve. External neurolysis was performed in 41, epineurectomy was performed in 15, synovial or hypothenar fat flap coverage was performed in eight, and radial forearm adipofascial flap coverage was performed in three hands. Symptomatic improvement following revision surgery after open carpal tunnel release was slightly better (90 percent) compared with after endoscopic carpal tunnel release (76 percent), but complete relief of symptoms following revision surgery was similar after open (57 percent) or endoscopic (56 percent) techniques. Ten patients (20 percent) showed no improvement and five patients required a third operation. Conclusions: A small number of patients (1) continue to have persistent symptoms after carpal tunnel release because of incorrect diagnosis or incomplete release of the transverse carpal ligament; (2) develop recurrent symptoms caused by circumferential fibrosis; or (3) develop completely new symptoms, which usually implies iatrogenic injury to branches of the median nerve. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
Gender Differences in Subjective Well-Being

: Results regarding whether men and women differ in terms of their well-being levels have been highly inconsistent. To more conclusively understand the past research regarding on the relationship between gender and subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect), we summarize the current body of the literature on the subject including both large, nationally representative empirical papers as well as past meta-analyses. Next, we review explanations behind the presence of gender differences in subjective well-being as well as explanations behind the lack of gender differences in subjective well-being. We conclude by addressing current limitations of the present research and propose important future directions to further disentangle the remaining questions regarding gender differences in subjective well-being
The Relationship between Teachers' Fostering Relevance Behavior and Middle School Students' Cognitive Engagement in Mathematics

Indonesia’s long-desired quality education has not yet attained as the national quality indicators consistently show students’ low achievement, as the result of their poor understanding of school subjects. It happens because of the frequent use of rote learning strategy, instead of deep level of cognitive engagement. Teacher support, in the form of autonomy-enhancing behaviors, is regarded as one of the most important environmental factors that influence student engagement. This study aims to investigate the relationship between teachers’ fostering relevance behavior, a type of autonomy-enhancing behavior, and middle school students’ cognitive engagement in mathematics. Fostering relevance behavior and cognitive engagement was measured by Autonomy Affecting Behavior scale (Assor, Kaplan, & Roth, 2002) and Learning Strategies Scales from Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) (Pintrich & De Groot, 1990). Pearson correlation showed that there was a significant positive relationship between perceived teachers’ fostering relevance behavior and students’ cognitive engagement (r = 0.34; p <0.01).
Psychiatric, psychosocial, and cognitive functioning of female adolescents with ADHD.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the psychiatric, psychosocial, and cognitive functioning of female adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in comparison with female controls and males with ADHD. Female controls were also compared with male controls to verify gender differences in a nonclinical sample. METHOD One hundred seven adolescents from Southern Ontario aged 13 to 16 were included: 24 females with ADHD, 35 males with ADHD, 28 control females, and 20 control males. All were assessed with semistructured interviews, questionnaires, and tests of achievement and intellectual functioning. RESULTS After controlling for parental education and estimated Full Scale IQ, females with ADHD were more impaired than control females in depression, anxiety, distress, teacher relationships, stress, attributional styles, and locus of control and on all cognitive and achievement measures. Females with ADHD were more impaired than males with ADHD in self-reported anxiety, distress, depression, locus of control, and vocabulary scores. These group differences were confirmed by higher ratings by parents and teachers in symptoms of psychopathology. Males with ADHD were more impaired in processing speed. Some gender differences (locus of control and vocabulary scores) were eliminated when controlling for ADHD severity. The absence of any differences between male and female controls indicates gender differences were specific to the clinical groups. CONCLUSION Females with ADHD are at high risk for more psychological impairment than both males with ADHD and control females. The identified psychosocial problems point to areas for intervention.
Peri‐operative cognitive dysfunction and protection

Cognition may decline after surgery. Postoperative delirium, especially when hyperactive, may be easily recognised, whereas cognitive dysfunction is subtle and can only be detected using neuropsychological tests. The causes for these two conditions are largely unknown, although they share risk factors, the predominant one being age. Ignorance of the causes for postoperative cognitive dysfunction contributes to the difficulty of conducting interventional studies. Postoperative cognitive disorders are associated with increased mortality and permanent disability. Peri‐operative interventions can reduce the rate of delirium in the elderly, but in spite of promising findings in animal experiments, no intervention reduces postoperative cognitive dysfunction in humans.