Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Ectopic Pregnancy: An Italian Case-Control Study

Objective: To analyze risk factors for ectopic pregnancy in a population at low risk for the disease. Methods: Between September 1989 and February 1991 in Milan, we conducted a case-control study on 120 cases of ectopic pregnancy and 209 controls. The control subjects gave birth at term (more than 37 weeks' gestation) to healthy infants on randomly selected days at the same hospitals where the cases had been identified. Results: The risk of ectopic gestation was about 40% higher in smokers than in controls, and the risk estimates increased with the number of cigarettes smoked per day (X21 trend 4.21, P=.04) and the duration of smoking (X21 trend 7.31, P<.01). However, smoking was not associated with the risk of ectopic pregnancy after adjustment for potential confounding factors (including history of pelvic inflammatory disease) in a multivariate analysis (relative risks [RRs] for ten or fewer and more than ten cigarettes per day versus no smoking were 0.8 and 1.1, respectively; X21 trend 0.10, P=not significant). Infertility problems or difficulty in conception were reported by 32% of the cases and 10% of the controls; the corresponding multivariate RR was 4.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.3-9.5). A history of abdominal surgery was associated with about double the risk of ectopic pregnancy (multivariate RR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4-4.2). Similar estimates were found when the analysis was performed considering various types of surgery separately such as appendectomy, cesarean delivery, and other abdominal surgery. Finally, the risk of ectopic pregnancy was higher in women reporting a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (RR 2.7, 95% CI 0.9-8.7) and increased with the number of sexual partners (X21 trend 4.51, P=.03). Conclusions: Problems of infertility or difficulties in conception, history of pelvic inflammatory disease/salpingitis, and abdominal surgery are the main risk factors for ectopic pregnancy in this Italian study. Sexual habits also appear to have some independent effect.
Immediate and Short-Term Effects of the 5th Grade Version of the Keepin' it Real Substance Use Prevention Intervention

This study assessed the immediate and short-term outcomes of adapting a culturally-grounded middle school program, keepin' it REAL, for elementary school students. After curriculum adaptation, 10 schools were randomly assigned to the intervention in 5th grade with follow-up boosters in 6th grade; 13 schools were randomly assigned to the control condition, implementing the school's pre-existing substance use prevention programming. Students (n = 1,566) completed a questionnaire prior to curriculum implementation and follow-up questionnaires toward the end of 5th and 6th grade. The 5th grade kiR curriculum generally appeared no more effective than the control schools' programming in changing students' resistance or decision-making skills; substance use intentions, expectancies, or normative beliefs; or lifetime and recent substance use. Such findings have implications for the age appropriateness of school-based programs.
Small Business Failure Rates: Choice of Definition and Industry Effects

DR. JOHN WTXSON IS A SENIOR Lecturer IN the Department of Accounting and Finance and Dr. Jim Everett an Associate Professor in the Department of rinformation Management and Marketing, both at the University of W'esterin Australia, Australia. Results froin pre v ious studies examining the incidence of smiall business failure have reported significant variations in failure rates betxveen industry sectors. Indeed, the results from some studies are in direct coniflict. For example, Lowe, McKenna and Tibbits (1991) reported that the manufacturing sector had the highest failure rate while Bruderi, Preisendorfer H/ (d! (1992) and Phillips and Kirchoff (1989) fotund that the manufactuiring sector had the highest survival rate. Th-e significarnt variations in reported failul-e rates and the apparent conflict between th-ie findings of some studies must surelv be a souti-ce of some confusion for policx- tiiakers and others with an interest in the smiall businiess sector. The results of this sttldx su-ggest that reported failure rates iiiay (lepend heavily on the definition of tfailtui-e adopted. A better understanding of the effect that choice of failuire definiitioni may have on reported failur e rates sh(ould lead to improved policy de isions bv governments, financial instituitions an1d othtie grotips xsNitll mt11 interest in smIiall l)usilICss.
Nondestructive Assay Measurements Using the RPI Lead Slowing-Down Spectrometer

Abstract The use of a lead slowing-down spectrometer (LSDS) is considered as a possible option for nondestructive assay of fissile material of used nuclear fuel. The primary objective is to quantify fissile isotopes, particularly 239Pu and 235U, via a direct measurement distinguishing them through their characteristic fission spectra in the LSDS. In this paper, we present several assay measurements performed at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to support ongoing feasibility studies of the method and to provide benchmark experiments for Monte Carlo calculations of the assay system. A fresh uranium oxide fuel rod from the RPI Walthousen Reactor Critical Facility, a 239Pu-Be source, and several highly enriched 235U disks were assayed in the LSDS. The characteristic fission spectra were measured with 238U and 232Th threshold fission chambers, which are primarily sensitive to fission neutrons with energies above the threshold. Despite the constant neutron and gamma background from the Pu-Be source and the intense interrogation neutron flux, the LSDS system was able to measure the characteristic 235U and 239Pu responses. All measurements were compared to Monte Carlo simulations complementing previous modeling-based studies. It is shown that the available simulation tools and models are well suited to simulate the assay. An absolute calibration technique of the LSDS, which is required to perform quantitative measurements of the assayed fissile materials, is presented.
The Effect of Combat Exposure on Risky Health Behaviors: New Evidence from the Global War on Terrorism *

Using data drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) and the 2008 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Personnel (HRB), we exploit a natural experiment in overseas deployment assignment to identify the causal effect of combat exposure on the probability of subsequent cigarette consumption, binge drinking, and drug use. We find that active duty personnel assigned to combat zones with enemy firefight are more likely to subsequently engage in risky health behaviors than their counterparts deployed to non-combat zones or to combat zones without enemy firefight. These findings are robust to controls for soldiers’ propensity to engage in risky behaviors prior to deployment and are generally larger for those serving in the Army. Our results suggest that the adverse psychological consequences of combat can explain one-half to two-thirds of the estimated association between combat exposure and risky health behaviors.
Perifosine Synergistically Enhances TRAIL-Induced Myeloma Cell Apoptosis via Up-Regulation of Death Receptors

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of a novel Akt inhibitor, perifosine, in combination with tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in human myeloma cells and primary patient samples. Experimental Design: The activity of perifosine in combination with TRAIL was evaluated with experiments testing the effect of perifosine on DR4/DR5 expression by the use of chimeric blocking antibodies, as well as siRNA. Results: DR4 and DR5 expression was induced by exposure to single-agent perifosine. After exposure of human myeloma cell lines or primary patient samples to increasing doses of perifosine with exogenous TRAIL, we identified synergistically enhanced apoptosis when compared with the perifosine alone, which was achieved with levels well below clinically achievable concentrations for both agents. Transfection with siRNA against DR4, and DR5 reduced the level of apoptosis induced by the combination but did not result in total abrogation of the combination effect. Overexpression of activated Akt, the proposed target for perifosine, did not inhibit the combination effect. Anti-DR4 and DR5 chimeric proteins blocked the cytotoxicity induced by the combination, and the use of c-FLICE-like interleukin protein (FLIP) siRNA enhanced the efficacy at the combination, further supporting the importance of the DR4/DR5 axis in the effect of perifosine. Conclusion: Our observation seems to be independent of the effects of perifosine on Akt signaling, and may represent an additional mechanism of action for this agent, and supports future clinical trials combining these two agents.
Internal Control Quality, Egyptian Standards on Auditing and External Audit Delays: Evidence from the Egyptian Stock Exchange

This paper examines the impact of internal control quality (ICQ) on external audit delays as proxied by the auditor component of audit report lag (A‐ARL) and the effect of the adoption of the Egyptian Standards on Auditing (ESA) on this relationship in the Egyptian context. Using a balanced panel data of 344 firm‐year observations spanning from 2007 to 2010, we hypothesise and empirically find the following. First, ICQ represents a key determinant of timely disclosure, as it contributes significantly to the reduction of A‐ARL. Second, the adoption of the ESA has significantly contributed to the improvement of audit practices by reducing A‐ARL. Third, the adoption of ESA has also strengthened the relationship between A‐ARL and ICQ for the post‐adoption period of these standards. Additional analysis is conducted to examine the impact of industry characteristics on the relationship between ICQ and A‐ARL and the association remains significant regardless of the sector considered. In order to make a more informative analysis, we examine the effect of ICQ on the management component of audit report lag (M‐ARL) and we document a positive association between both variables. The results contribute to the literature dealing with the relation between A‐ARL and ICQ by shedding light on the importance of ICQ in audit practices in an emerging country characterised by weak legal enforcement and a high level of secrecy. Findings also have policy implications for Egyptian standard‐setters with respect to the development of internal auditing standards.
Korean Industrial Relations in the Era of Globalisation

Globalisation has influenced the transformation of Korean industrial relations by manifesting itself in the government’s globalisation strategy and neo-liberal restructuring policies. Global market competition and international labour standards have been the key reference criteria used by the Korean government and other concerned parties to reform labour laws. Under the reality of globalisation and economic crisis, labour has been increasingly disadvantaged, with workers having experienced not only growing job insecurity, accompanied by high unemployment and deteriorated employment status as demonstrated by the sharp rise of non-standard workforce, but also widening income inequality. The Korean government’s effort to build a tripartite partnership as part of its strategic response to globalisation and the economic crisis has been constrained by the process of labour law reform and economic restructuring. At the same time, the pressure of globalisation has led to the instability of labour relations at the enterprise level by producing intense labour-management confrontations concerning employment adjustment and corporate restructuring. HRM schemes of Korean companies have to a large extent shifted to the performance-based system as a result of managerial efforts to respond to growing global competition and to benchmark global best practices.
Glucocorticoids and Tumor Necrosis Factor α Increase Oxidative Stress and Suppress Wnt Protein Signaling in Osteoblasts*

Background: Glucocorticoids and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α decrease bone mass. Results: Oxidative stress is increased in bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) in response to glucocorticoids and TNFα. Conclusion: Glucocorticoids and TNFα decrease osteoblast numbers via oxidative stress-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Significance: This might help in finding treatments for osteoporosis. Endogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) and inflammatory cytokines contribute to the age-associated loss of bone mass and strength, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for their deleterious effects on the aging skeleton are unclear. Based on evidence that oxidative stress is a causal mechanism of the insulin resistance produced by either one of these two agents, we tested the hypothesis that their adverse skeletal effects also result from increased oxidative stress. We report that administration of prednisolone to mice increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the phosphorylation of p66shc (an amplifier of H2O2 generation in mitochondria) in bone. Dexamethasone (Dex) and TNFα had a similar effect on osteoblastic cells in vitro. The generation of ROS by Dex and TNFα required PKCβ/p66shc signaling and was responsible for the activation of JNK and induction of apoptosis by both agents. The activity of Forkhead box O (FoxO) transcription factors was also increased in response to ROS; however, FoxO activation opposed apoptosis induced by Dex and TNFα. In addition, both agents suppressed Akt phosphorylation as well as Wnt-induced proliferation and osteoblast differentiation. However, the inhibitory actions on Wnt signaling were independent of PKCβ/p66shc. Instead, they were mediated by inhibition of Akt and stimulation of FoxOs. These results demonstrate that ROS-induced activation of a PKCβ/p66shc/JNK signaling cascade is responsible for the pro-apoptotic effects of Dex and TNFα on osteoblastic cells. Moreover, modulation of Akt and FoxOs by GCs and TNFα are cell-autonomous mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin antagonism contributing to the adverse effects of GC excess and inflammatory cytokines on bone alike.
ON FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE: LEVERAGE, MATURITY, AND PRIORITY

In this paper we expand the scope of our earlier study, examining broader facets of corporate financial architecture. Here we focus specifically on the maturity and priority of the firm's debt by looking at 6000 firms during the period 1981-1993. As in our earlier study, we test three basic explanations of these corporate financing choices. In addition to the incentive-contracting argument described above, we also test "signaling" and "tax" explanations. Consistent with our findings, this study provides strong evidence for the incentive-contracting explanation, but only weak support for the signaling and tax arguments.
Nonlinear consensus algorithms for second-order multi-agent systems with mismatched disturbances

In this paper, the consensus control problem is investigated for second-order multi-agent systems encompassing mismatched disturbances. By integrating both sliding-mode control (SMC) and disturbance observer based control (DOBC) approaches together, a composite consensus control strategy is proposed. In the first step, for each agent, a nonlinear disturbance observer is developed to estimate its mismatched/matched disturbances. In the second step, by involving the mismatched disturbance estimates, novel sliding-mode surfaces are designed for both leaderless and leader-follower cases. Finally, based on such surfaces, sliding-mode consensus protocols are proposed for both cases, which guarantee global asymptotical stability for the closed-loop systems. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed consensus algorithms.
What are the dietary energy needs of elderly adults?

The energy requirements of healthy elderly men were investigated by measuring total energy expenditure (TEE), body composition and resting energy expenditure (REE), using 2H2(18)O techniques and indirect calorimetry during ten days when a weight maintaining diet was consumed. Values for TEE/REE (1.75 +/- 0.05, s.e.) were significantly higher than the recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for energy in this age group, as were previously reported values for TEE/REE in a group of young men in the same experimental protocol. There was a significant negative association between TEE/REE (a physical activity indicator) and body fat mass. Combining data from the elderly men in this study and the young men studied previously, age and TEE/REE together accounted for 73% of the variation in body fat mass between individuals. These results lend additional weight to the suggestion that the current RDAs for energy may significantly under-estimate usual energy requirements. They also indicate that the low levels of energy expenditure suggested by the RDAs may favour unnecessarily high levels of body fat mass and that increased levels of energy expenditure are desirable.
Do stock splits signal future profitability?

This study examines whether stock split announcements contain information content about future profitability, measured in terms of future earnings change, future earnings, or future abnormal earnings. We find that the split announcement year has the highest earnings change and the earnings change declines substantially over the subsequent five years. Our empirical results show little evidence that stock splits are positively related to future profitability. In fact, stock splits are in general negatively related to future profitability in subsequent years after the announcement, except for dividend-paying firms with a split factor less than 0.5. This negative relation holds regardless of future profitability measure. Therefore, our empirical finding suggests that stock splits are not useful signals of a firm’s future earnings prospects.
Model Predictive Control with Modulated Optimal Vector for a Three-Phase Inverter with an LC Filter

This paper proposes an effective model predictive control (MPC) scheme using a modulated optimal vector (MOV) and finite control options for a three-phase inverter with an LC filter. Unlike other MPC methods, the proposed MPC strategy exploits the unconstrained optimal vector (OV) of the continuous-control-set (CCS) MPC to limit the control options for the unconstrained mode. First, the analytical OV is derived based on a least-squares optimization. If the input constraints are not violated, the OV is applied with a space vector modulation (SVM) technique like the CCS-MPC. Otherwise, the OV is scaled into the MOV and only three control options are online evaluated to reselect the control input. Experiments are conducted on a three-phase inverter test bed with a TI TMS320F28335 digital signal processor to validate the improvements of the proposed method, especially the robust performances and fast responses. The comparative results with the FCS-MPC show the superior performances of the proposed scheme with smaller steady-state error and lower total harmonic distortion due to the analytical OV with SVM, more robustness to parameter uncertainties due to the disturbance observer, and faster dynamic response due to the online reselection of control inputs.
Fatty acid desaturase 1 polymorphisms are associated with coronary heart disease in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND A recent genome-wide association study in Caucasians revealed that three loci (rs174547 in fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), rs2338104 near mevalonate kinase/methylmalonic aciduria, cobalamin deficiency, cblB type (MVK/MMAB) and rs10468017 near hepatic lipase (LIPC)) influence the plasma concentrations of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). However, there are few reports on the associations between these polymorphisms and plasma lipid concentrations in Chinese individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between these three polymorphisms with HDL-C and TG concentrations, as well as coronary heart disease (CHD) susceptibility in Chinese individuals. METHODS We conducted a population-based case-control study in Chinese individuals to evaluate the associations between these three polymorphisms and HDL-C and TG concentrations, and also evaluated their associations with susceptibility to CHD. Genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assays and TaqMan genotyping assays. RESULTS We found significant differences in TG and HDL-C concentrations among the TT, TC and CC genotypes of FADS1 rs174547 (P=0.017 and 0.003, respectively, multiple linear regression). The CC variant of rs174547 was significantly associated with hyperlipidemia compared with the TT variant (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.71, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.16-2.54). The FADS1 rs174547 CC variant was also associated with significantly increased CHD risk compared with the TT and TC variant (adjusted OR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.01-2.31), and the effect was more evident among nonsmokers and females. The polymorphisms rs2338104 and rs10468017 did not significantly influence HDL-C or TG concentrations in this Chinese population. CONCLUSION rs174547 in FADS1 may contribute to the susceptibility of CHD by altering HDL-C and TG levels in Chinese individuals.
Entry mode selection for international construction markets: the influence of host country related factors

The increasing necessity to establish a permanent presence in overseas markets challenges the tradition of tide‐like market entry mode of international contractors and confronts them with an important dichotomous selection between permanent entry mode and mobile entry mode. By borrowing theories and previous findings from the general international business area, the hypotheses regarding the influences of specific host country related factors upon the selection between the two generic entry modes, including cultural difference, trade link, host market potential, investment risk, institutional entry barrier and competition intensity are developed. Measures are proposed for these factors as well as some control variables and the dependent variable (entry mode). Data were collected from multiple sources for these variables. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to test the hypotheses and develop a statistical model for entry mode selection. The model is statistically significant and not all the hypotheses are supported, confirming the uniqueness of the population of international contractors in market entry mode selection.
Using Forecasting Criteria to Identify Value Relevance in the Relationship between Accounting Numbers and Market Value

We explain and demonstrate a disciplined and systematic approach to repeatable modelling using forecast criteria, in addition to the usual statistical estimation criteria, to identify value relevance in regressions of the market-accounting relation. The method was used in Cooke et al. (2009). It is illustrated here in the case of a single firm over a 59-year period. Market and accounting data for the U.S. firm Abbott Laboratories Inc. from 1955 are modelled using a testing-down, error correction approach. Hold-out samples of 10 to 15 years are used to assess forecasting performance relative to a random walk. Emphasis is placed upon the use of simple, directly observable and theory-independent model variables that can be replicated with other sample data. In this case, logarithmic transformations of all variables have to be computed in order to achieve correct statistical specification, implying a multiplicative relationship in the raw data. The strongest cointegrating accounting variable with forecasting ability for Abbott's market value is earnings. The model parameters exhibit long-run stability and the accounting regressor marginally improves forecasts of market value compared to a random walk, demonstrating ‘value relevance’.