Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Auditor Industry Specialization on Audit Pricing in Belgium

Recent studies have documented that auditor industry specialization is associated with higher audit fees for public firms in Australia, the U.S. and the U.K. This paper uses a unique dataset that consists of all audit engagements for the year 2004 to examine this issue in Belgium. We document that in addition to a general Big 4 brand name premium there is a premium for industry specialization. Above that, specialization leads to higher audit fees for both Big 4 specialists and non-Big 4 specialists. We contribute to the literature by documenting the existence of audit fee premiums for industry specialization in the nonlisted client segment of the audit market, while previous research focused on the listed client segment. In additional analyses we show that the largest audit clients do not pay fee premiums for specialization, which could be an indication of their greater bargaining power.
The golden hour of stroke intervention: effect of thrombectomy procedural time in acute ischemic stroke on outcome

Introduction Outcome studies in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have focused on time from symptom onset to treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether time to achieve vessel recanalization from groin puncture affects outcomes. Methods We studied all AIS cases that underwent intra-arterial therapy between May 2008 and October 2012 at a high volume center for anterior circulation occlusions. Candidacy for thrombectomy is determined by CT perfusion imaging, irrespective of time of onset. Patients were then dichotomized into two groups: ‘Early recan’ assigned in which recanalization was achieved in ≤60 min from groin puncture and ‘Delayed recan’ in which procedures extended beyond 60 min. Time to recanalize was also studied as a continuous variable. Results 159 patients (53.5% women, mean age 66.4±15.2 years) were identified. The mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was similar between ‘Early recan’ patients (16.8±6.1) compared with ‘Delayed recan’ patients (15.4±5.8, p=0.149). Among the ‘Early recan’ patients, recanalization was achieved in 40.7±13.6 min compared with 101.7±32.5 min in the ‘Delayed recan’ patients (p<0.0001). The likelihood of achieving a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) was higher in the ‘Early recan’ group (53.6%) compared with the ‘Late recan’ group (30.8%; p=0.009). On logistic regression analysis, time to recanalization from groin puncture, baseline NIHSS, revascularization, diabetes, and hemorrhages were found to significantly impact on outcome at 90 days, as measured by the modified Rankin Scale. Conclusions Our findings suggest that extending mechanical thrombectomy procedure times beyond 60 min increases complications and device cost rates while worsening outcomes. These findings can serve as a time frame of when it is prudent to abort a failed thrombectomy case.
Casualisation of Labour in Academic Libraries: Experience of Babcock University Library

This paper explored casualisation of labour in academic libraries and its effect on employees. Although casualization of labour is mainly for the unskilled and for those with low educational qualification, it has become a growing concern as persons with skilled and specialized training are being subject to casualization. Academic libraries in Nigeria do not spare the scourge of casual employment. Through the analysis of literature, the paper took a look on casualization of labour in academic libraries, drawing on the experience of Babcock University library. It employed data gathered from questionnaire administered on the 21 casual employees in Babcock University library. Findings show that casual labour is fraught with negative effects. The study also found that Babcock University library is largely casualised. Casual workers at Babcock University library are however satisfied with their work; they enjoy health benefits and have the opportunity for career progression.
Workplace conflict affecting team performance in advertising industry at Klang Valley

Given the rise in application of teams and teaming worldwide, organizations are placing greater reliance on these teams to maintain competitiveness, further improve effectiveness and efficiency, achieve competitive advantage, and ensure sustainability in this rapidly changing environment. Therefore, enhancing team effectiveness and performance has become a significant matter to prevailing organizations. This study is about “Workplace Conflict Affecting Team Performance in Advertising Industry within Klang Valley”. Our main goal for this study is to determine types of workplace conflict which could be found within teams in an organization. Other than that, the relationship between workplace conflict and team performance is examined as well. Workplace conflicts identified include task conflict, relationship conflict, process conflict, intra-group conflict and intergroup conflict. A total of 150 sets of questionnaires were distributed to workforce involved in advertising industry within Klang Valley, Malaysia. As a result, it is proven that there is a positive relationship between task conflict, intra-group conflict, intergroup conflict and team performance. As for relationship conflict and process conflict, a negative relationship is examined as well.
A HERSCHEL/HIFI LEGACY SURVEY OF HF AND H2O IN THE GALAXY: PROBING DIFFUSE MOLECULAR CLOUD CHEMISTRY

We combine Herschel observations for a total of 12 sources to construct the most uniform survey of HF and H2O in our Galactic disk. Both molecules are detected in absorption along all sight lines. The high spectral resolution of the Heterodyne Instrument for the Far-infrared (HIFI) allows us to compare the HF and H2O distributions in 47 diffuse cloud components sampling the disk. We find that the HF and H2O velocity distributions follow each other almost perfectly and establish that HF and H2O probe the same gas-phase volume. Our observations corroborate theoretical predictions that HF is a sensitive tracer of H2 in diffuse clouds, down to molecular fractions of only a few percent. Using HF to trace H2 in our sample, we find that the N(H2O)-to-N(HF) ratio shows a narrow distribution with a median value of 1.51. Our results further suggest that H2O might be used as a tracer of H2—within a factor of 2.5—in the diffuse interstellar medium (ISM). We show that the measured factor of ∼2.5 variation around the median is driven by true local variations in the H2O abundance relative to H2 throughout the disk. The latter variability allows us to test our theoretical understanding of the chemistry of oxygen-bearing molecules in the diffuse gas. We show that both gas-phase and grain-surface chemistry are required to reproduce our H2O observations. This survey thus confirms that grain surface reactions can play a significant role in the chemistry occurring in the diffuse ISM ( n H ? > ≤ ? > 1000 cm−3).
Clinical potential of oxytocin in autism spectrum disorder: current issues and future perspectives

The effects of oxytocin on social cognition and behavior have recently attracted considerable attention. In particular, oxytocin has been proposed as a novel therapeutic for psychiatric disorders with social deficits such as autism spectrum disorders. This review provides a brief overview of behavioral and neural responses to oxytocin manipulations in humans and animal models. Although the differences in findings between human and animal studies should be interpreted carefully, shared behavioral phenotypes have been recognized, such as social bonding, social responses, and recognition and usage of social cues. Previous literature suggests that the neural effects of oxytocin in humans and animals overlap in the prefrontal, limbic, and paralimbic cortices. Oxytocin-induced alterations in these regions may indicate a fundamental basis for how oxytocin modulates social behaviors and facilitate the discovery of new pharmaceutical targets for treating social deficits.
Urinary acidification and net acid excretion in adult rats treated neonatally with enalapril.

Neonatal blockade of the renin-angiotensin system in rats induces irreversible renal histological abnormalities, including papillary atrophy and an impaired urinary concentrating ability. The aim was to investigate urinary acidification and net acid excretion in adult Wistar rats treated neonatally with enalapril (10 mg . kg-1 . day-1) or vehicle from 5 to 24 days of age. Analyses were performed in both metabolic balance studies and renal clearance experiments performed under pentobarbital sodium anesthesia. There were no differences between groups in urine pH or urinary excretion rates of bicarbonate, titratable acid, or ammonium, neither during control conditions nor after chronic NH4Cl loading (assessed before and after Na2SO4 infusion). Glomerular filtration rate, maximal tubular bicarbonate reabsorption, and the urine-to-blood PCO2 gradient in alkaline urine during NaHCO3 infusion did not differ between groups. Neonatally enalapril-treated rats showed a urine concentration defect and papillary damage. In conclusion, neonatal enalapril treatment produces a differentiated abnormality in tubular function in which urine concentration is impaired but urinary acidification and net acid excretion are intact.
Employment Effects of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah

Summary Local, state, and federal governments, along with the Salt Lake City Organizing Committee, spent roughly $1.9 billion in planning and hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Event promoters suggested that the Games would increase employment in the state by 35,000 job-years. We investigate whether the 2002 Winter Olympics actually increased employment finding that the Games’ impact was a fraction of that claimed by the boosters.While the Salt Lake City Olympics did increase employment overall by between 4,000 and 7,000 jobs, these gains were concentrated in the leisure industry, and the Games had little to no effect on employment after 12 months.
Ethyl 2-[4,5-bis(butylsulfanyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-c]pyrrole-4-carboxylate

In the title molecule, C19H25NO2S6, the butyl chains are each disordered over two conformations in a 0.689 (10):0.311 (10) ratio. In the crystal, pairs of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link molecules into centrosymmetric dimers. Short S⋯S contacts of 3.553 (4) Å are observed.
Cytoplasmic dynein participates in apically targeted stimulated secretory traffic in primary rabbit lacrimal acinar epithelial cells

A major function of the acinar cells of the lacrimal gland is the production and stimulated release of tear proteins into ocular surface fluid. We investigate the participation of cytoplasmic dynein in carbachol-stimulated traffic to the apical plasma membrane in primary rabbit lacrimal acinar epithelial cells. Confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed a major carbachol-induced, microtubule-dependent recruitment of cytoplasmic dynein and the dynactin complex into the subapical region. Colocalization studies, sorbitol density gradient/phase partitioning analysis and microtubule-affinity purification of membranes showed that some dynein and dynactin complex were associated with VAMP2-enriched membranes. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of p50/dynamitin inhibited the recruitment and colocalization of dynein, the dynactin complex and VAMP2 in the subapical region. Nocodazole treatment and p50/dynamitin overexpression also depleted subapical stores of rab3D in resting acini, suggesting that dynein activity was also involved in maintenance of rab3D-enriched secretory vesicles. These data implicate cytoplasmic dynein in stimulated traffic to the apical plasma membrane in these secretory epithelial cells.
Attitudinal inconsistency toward organic food in relation to purchasing intention and behavior

Purpose – This study aims to examine the attitudinal inconsistency among Taiwanese consumers toward organic agriculture/food, and its relationship to their willingness to pay a premium and purchase for organic product.Design/methodology/approach – A telephone survey consisting of 913 households was made to reach an estimated 3.3 percent sampling error with 95 percent confidence level.Findings – It was found that those who were female, who had higher occupation prestige, who had college education levels, who were aged in their 40s, and who possessed an optimistic opinion toward the necessity of organic farming tend to pay a premium for and buy organic food. The majority of Taiwanese respondents showed a high level of concern about pesticides but a low trust in organic food, which revealed an attitudinal inconsistency toward organic agriculture/food. A multiple discriminant analysis with a moderating variable shows that consumers' trust in organic food and their pesticide concern jointly explain the respond.
Observational follow‐up of the PROactive study: a 6‐year update

The PROactive study investigated pioglitazone for secondary prevention of macrovascular events in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Pioglitazone showed a 10% (non‐significant) relative risk (RR) reduction for the primary composite endpoint and a significant 16% reduction for the main secondary endpoint (death, myocardial infarction, stroke) after a mean 34.5 months. There was no difference in cumulative malignancy incidence, but an imbalance in bladder malignancies (pioglitazone 14, placebo 5). We present a pre‐specified 6‐year interim analysis of a 10‐year observational follow‐up.
Engagement With Automated Patient Monitoring and Self-Management Support Calls: Experience With a Thousand Chronically Ill Patients

Background:Patient self-care support via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) can improve disease management. However, little is known about the factors affecting program engagement. Methods:We compiled data on IVR program engagement for 1173 patients with: heart failure, depression, diabetes, or cancer who were followed for 28,962 person-weeks. Patients in programs for diabetes or depression (N=727) had the option of participating along with an informal caregiver who received electronic feedback based on the patient’s IVR assessments. Analyses focused on factors associated with completing weekly IVR calls. Results:Patients were on average 61 years old, 37% had at most a high school education, and 48% reported incomes of ⩽$30,000. Among patients given the option of participating with an informal caregiver, 65% chose to do so. Patients completed 83% of attempted IVR assessments, with rates higher for heart failure (90%) and cancer programs (90%) than for the diabetes (81%) or depression programs (71%) (P<0.001). Among patients in diabetes or depression programs, those opting to have feedback provided to an informal caregiver were more likely to complete assessments [adjusted odds ratio, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.07–1.77]. Older patients had higher call completion rates, even among patients aged 75 years and older. Missed clinic appointments, prior hospitalizations, depression program participation, and poorer mental health were associated with lower completion rates. Conclusions:Patients with a variety of chronic conditions will complete IVR self-care support calls regularly. Risk factors for missed IVR calls overlap with those for missed appointments. Involvement of informal caregivers may significantly increase engagement.
Ovarian Mixed-Epithelial Carcinomas With a Microcystic Pattern and Signet-Ring Cells

Primary ovarian carcinomas with unusual histologic patterns can be difficult to differentiate from metastases. In this study, we reviewed 15 cases of mixed-epithelial carcinoma (12 serous, 1 serous and endometrioid, 1 endometrioid, 1 undifferentiated) with a predominant microcystic pattern and signet-ring cells. The patients' ages ranged from 31 to 78 (mean 58) years. The microcystic component in 11 patients had features of high-grade carcinoma and in 4 patients had features of low-grade carcinoma associated with areas of borderline tumor. The tumors in all 15 patients showed a predominant microcystic growth pattern composed of small cysts that were variable in size and shape. Signet-ring cells were also present in all cases (diffusely in nine cases, focally in six cases) within the neoplastic epithelial proliferation. Mucin was present in the lumina of some of the microcysts and in the cytoplasm of most of the signet-ring cells. A microcystic pattern and mucin-containing signet-ring cells can be seen as small foci or as a predominant component in primary epithelial nonmucinous ovarian carcinomas. It is important for pathologists to recognize these unusual findings in ovarian neoplasms, because they may produce a confusing appearance, even potentially suggesting a metastasis.
Long‐term sea level trends: Natural or anthropogenic?

Detection and attribution of human influence on sea level rise are important topics that have not yet been explored in depth. We question whether the sea level changes (SLC) over the past century were natural in origin. SLC exhibit power law long‐term correlations. By estimating Hurst exponent through Detrended Fluctuation Analysis and by applying statistics of Lennartz and Bunde [2009], we search the lower bounds of statistically significant external sea level trends in longest tidal records worldwide. We provide statistical evidences that the observed SLC, at global and regional scales, is beyond its natural internal variability. The minimum anthropogenic sea level trend (MASLT) contributes to the observed sea level rise more than 50% in New York, Baltimore, San Diego, Marseille, and Mumbai. A MASLT is about 1 mm/yr in global sea level reconstructions that is more than half of the total observed sea level trend during the XXth century.
An Empirical Research of ITESCM (Integrated Tertiary Educational Supply Chain Management) Model

In the service industry, service providers have an incentive of getting better quality inputs from customer-suppliers, and customer-suppliers have an incentive of getting better quality outputs from the service provider. Supply Chain Management (SCM) is needed for various reasons: improving operations, better outsourcing, increasing profits, enhancing customer satisfaction, generating quality outcomes, tackling competitive pressures, increasing globalization, increasing importance of E-commerce, and growing complexity of supply chains (Stevenson, 2002). Supply chain management helps the business organization to compete in the dynamic global market. The goal of supply chain management is to integrate activities across and within organizations for providing the customer value. This should also be applicable to the academia, which represents a type of non-profit organizations. The goal is to provide the society value by producing high quality graduates and quality research outcomes. (Habib & Chamnong, 2008a). Supply Chain Management (SCM) in the manufacturing industry is a very common scenario. However, SCM in the service industry especially in higher educational institutions is receiving more attention. This exploratory study addresses the education supply chain, the research supply chain, and educational management as major constituents in an Integrated Tertiary Educational Supply Chain Management (ITESCM) model. Its applicability was successfully verified and validated through survey data from leading tertiary educational institutions around the world. The proposed model was developed based on the analysis of literature, past theoretical frameworks, interviews with stakeholders. Model constructs were identified and confirmed by 493 respondents, representing university administrators, faculty and staffs, employers, and graduates. The resulting model was subsequently evaluated for accuracy and validity by multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis and the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique.
The C-Terminal 42 Residues of the Tula Virus Gn Protein Regulate Interferon Induction

ABSTRACT Hantaviruses primarily infect the endothelial cell lining of capillaries and cause two vascular permeability-based diseases. The ability of pathogenic hantaviruses to regulate the early induction of interferon determines whether hantaviruses replicate in endothelial cells. Tula virus (TULV) and Prospect Hill virus (PHV) are hantaviruses which infect human endothelial cells but fail to cause human disease. PHV is unable to inhibit early interferon (IFN) responses and fails to replicate within human endothelial cells. However, TULV replicates successfully in human endothelial cells, suggesting that TULV is capable of regulating cellular IFN responses. We observed a >300-fold reduction in the IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) MxA and ISG56 following TULV versus PHV infection of endothelial cells 1 day postinfection. Similar to results with pathogenic hantaviruses, expressing the TULV Gn protein cytoplasmic tail (Gn-T) blocked RIG-I- and TBK1-directed transcription from IFN-stimulated response elements (ISREs) and IFN-β promoters (>90%) but not transcription directed by constitutively active IFN regulatory factor-3 (IRF3). In contrast, expressing the PHV Gn-T had no effect on TBK1-induced transcriptional responses. Analysis of Gn-T truncations demonstrated that the C-terminal 42 residues of the Gn-T (Gn-T-C42) from TULV, but not PHV, inhibited IFN induction >70%. These findings demonstrate that the TULV Gn-T inhibits IFN- and ISRE-directed responses upstream of IRF3 at the level of the TBK1 complex and further define a 42-residue domain of the TULV Gn-T that inhibits IFN induction. In contrast to pathogenic hantavirus Gn-Ts, the TULV Gn-T lacks a C-terminal degron domain and failed to bind tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3), a TBK1 complex component required for IRF3 activation. These findings indicate that the nonpathogenic TULV Gn-T regulates IFN induction but accomplishes this via unique interactions with cellular TBK1 complexes. These findings fundamentally distinguish nonpathogenic hantaviruses, PHV and TULV, and demonstrate that IFN regulation alone is insufficient for hantaviruses to cause disease. Yet regulating the early IFN response is necessary for hantaviruses to replicate within human endothelial cells and to be pathogenic. Thus, in addition to IFN regulation, hantaviruses contain discrete virulence determinants which permit them to be human pathogens.
How the Australian Ban on Short Selling During the GFC Affected Market Quality and Volatility

We examine the effects of the short selling ban, imposed by Australian regulators in the wake of the global financial crisis, on trading of financial stocks. Unlike other developed markets, where regulators imposed short-selling restrictions for brief periods of time at the height of the financial crisis, the ban on short selling of financial stocks on the Australian Stock Exchange lasted eight months, including both the tumultuous end of 2008 and the calmer period up to May 2009. Our control group consists of matched Canadian financial institutions which were unaffected by a short selling ban. We analyze the impact of the imposed short selling constraints on measures of market quality and on stock prices using univariate and multivariate fixed effects panel regressions. As predicted by previous theoretical work, we find that stocks subject to the short selling ban suffered a severe degradation in market quality. Controlling for the adverse effects of the financial crisis on financial markets, we show that imposing constraints on short-selling reduced trading activity, increased bid and ask spreads and increased intraday volatility. Moreover, there appears to be no evidence for lasting price support from the restrictions.