Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tympanostomy With and Without Adenoidectomy for the Prevention of Recurrences of Acute Otitis Media: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The prevention of otitis media, particularly among infants, remains a controversial issue. We evaluated the efficacy of insertion of tympanostomy tubes with and without adenoidectomy for preventing recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) in young children. Methods: We randomly assigned 300 children aged 10 months to 2 years who had recurrent AOM to groups receiving tympanostomy tubes (Tymp) (n = 100), tympanostomy tubes with adenoidectomy (TympAde) (n = 100) or neither (Contr) (n = 100). All the children were followed up for 12 months. Results: The primary outcome was intervention failure (2 AOM episodes in 2 months, 3 in 6 months or persistent effusion lasting for 2 months). Intervention failed in 21% of cases (21/100) in the Tymp group, 16% (16/100) in the TympAde group and 34% (34/100) in the Contr group. The absolute differences were −13% [95% confidence interval (CI) −25% to −1%, P = 0.04] between the Tymp and Contr groups and −18% (95% CI −30 to −6%, P =0.004) between the TympAde and Contr groups. Conclusions: Insertion of tympanostomy tubes alone or with adenoidectomy was effective in preventing recurrent AOM episodes in children younger than 2 years of age.
Cortactin

Branched actin assembly is critical for a variety of cellular processes that underlie cell motility and invasion, including cellular protrusion formation and membrane trafficking. Activation of branched actin assembly occurs at various subcellular locations via site-specific activation of distinct WASp family proteins and the Arp2/3 complex. A key branched actin regulator that promotes cell motility and links signaling, cytoskeletal and membrane trafficking proteins is the Src kinase substrate and Arp2/3 binding protein cortactin. Due to its frequent overexpression in advanced, invasive cancers and its general role in regulating branched actin assembly at multiple cellular locations, cortactin has been the subject of intense study. Recent studies suggest that cortactin has a complex role in cellular migration and invasion, promoting both on-site actin polymerization and modulation of autocrine secretion. Diverse cellular activities may derive from the interaction of cortactin with site-specific binding partners.
Crystal structure of the unactivated ribulose 1, 5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase complexed with a transition state analog, 2‐carboxy‐D‐arabinitol 1, 5‐bisphosphate

The crystal structure of unactivated ribulose 1, 5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from Nicotiana tabacum complexed with a transition state analog, 2‐carboxy‐D‐arabinitol 1, 5‐bisphosphate, was determined to 2.7 Å resolution by X‐ray crystallography. The transition state analog binds at the active site in an extended conformation. As compared to the binding of the same analog in the activated enzyme, the analog binds in a reverse orientation. The active site Lys 201 is within hydrogen bonding distance of the carboxyl oxygen of the analog. Loop 6 (residues 330‐339) remains open and flexible upon binding of the analog in the unactivated enzyme, in contrast to the closed and ordered loop 6 in the activated enzyme complex. The transition state analog is exposed to solvent due to the open conformation of loop 6.
Is There a SADC Business Cycle? Evidence from a Dynamic Factor Model

Countries that adopt a common currency automatically relinquish their monetary policy autonomy. Hence, it is imperative for countries wanting to join a currency union to ensure that their business cycles are synchronized in order to ensure symmetric propagation of the effect of monetary policy. Put differently, countries with asynchronous business cycles require country-specific policies to stabilize their economies. Thus, in this study we assess the readiness of the SADC region to adopt a single currency in 2018 as proposed. We rely on a dynamic factor model which assumes that business cycle is driven by two orthogonal factors that is a regional and idiosyncratic factors. In line with existing literature our findings suggest that SADC as whole is not ready to form a monetary union. However, CMA countries appear to be driven by a common factor thus they do not necessarily require country specific policies. Hence, they may consider adopting single currency.
Executive Equity Risk-Taking Incentives and Firm's Choice of Debt Structure

We examine the impact of executive equity risk-taking incentives on firms’ choices of debt structure. Using a longitudinal sample of U.S. firms, we document that firms with higher sensitivity of executive compensation to stock volatility (vega) rely less on bank debt and more on public debt. We utilize the passage of FAS 123R option expensing regulation as an exogenous shock to management option compensation to account for potential endogeneity of the examined relation. In the cross-sectional analyses, we find that the documented effect of vega is amplified for firms with higher growth opportunities and more opaque financial information. The results of supplemental analyses suggest that firms with higher vega face more stringent bank loan covenants and that public debt mediates the positive relation between vega and firms’ risk-taking. We conclude that, by encouraging risk-taking, higher vega increases firms’ reliance on public debt in order to avoid more stringent bank monitoring.
Innovative Affinity Spaces and Their Influence on Network Leadership in Open Innovation: a Dynamic Network Analysis of the Case of China

The intention in this paper is to present a conceptual framework developed as an evolution of the ‘innovation communities’ concept, called ‘Innovative Affinity Spaces’. This new construct is applied in the context of Chinese firms to explore how it affects network leadership in open innovation projects. Using dynamic network analysis as the methodological tool, the research hypotheses were addressed through cross-checking data from a sample of 68 Chinese networks of companies and research institutions. Our study yields important conclusions on the notion of network competencies/capabilities as critical elements towards successful network leadership acting within innovative affinity spaces. Keywords: Innovation networks, Network leadership, Network capabilities, Open innovation, Affinity spaces, Dynamic network analysis, China
Trust and Debt Contracting: Evidence From the Backdating Scandal

Abstract We study the effect of trust on debt contracting. We find that, after the revelation of option backdating, borrowers that likely backdated their previous option grants pay higher interest rates on loans. This adverse effect is mitigated by CEO replacements. Results are similar for public debt, but only if a third party identified the backdaters. After the backdating revelation, firms that engaged in backdating increase their reliance on public debt, and those without access to the public debt market experience capital constraints.
How gameplay can enhance learning and engagement for first year property students: a case study using Monopoly CityTM

Abstract This article outlines the results from a study into the educational use of the board game Monopoly City™ in a first-year property economics unit. Gameplay was introduced as an interactive way of achieving a number of desired outcomes including: enhanced engagement of first-year students; introduction of foundation threshold concepts in property education; introduction of problem solving and critical analysis skills; early acculturation of property students to enhance student retention; and early team building within the first-year cohort, all in an engaging and entertaining way. The results from this two-stage action research project are encouraging. The students participating in this unit have demonstrated explicit linkages between their Monopoly City™ experiences and foundation urban economic and valuation theories. However, student resistance to change and innovative learning practices were evident. Key success factors identified when implementing such teaching innovations include: adequate preparation time, use of a “play-share-reflect” component, an ice-breaker activity, a leader board and a novelty factor to keep students interested.
The impact of IFRS on the analysts' information environment : the role of accounting policies and corporate disclosure

The thesis presents the results of a study on the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards on the analysts information environment. The analysis is concentrated on the role of specific IFRSs and corporate disclosure. The effect of IFRS adoption on the information asymmetry between firms and outsiders is examined through properties of analysts earnings forecasts. A contribution to the existing academic literature is made by examining the role of goodwill, intangible assets and acquisitions before and after IFRS adoption in Europe. The results show that the IFRSs for goodwill, acquisitions and intangible assets are related to improvements in the analysts information environment. Another contribution to knowledge is made by investigating the effect of corporate disclosure quantity on the analysts information environment before and after IFRS adoption. For this purpose, a new approach and text analysis technique to assess the impact of corporate disclosure quantity is developed. This involves the creation of a new custom dictionary and the collection of an extensive set of qualitative data. The results show that corporate disclosure quantity under IFRS, is related to improvements in the analysts information environment but that there are differences in this effect across European countries. The results also demonstrate that the improvements in the accuracy of analysts earnings forecasts are related particularly to disclosure concerning financial instruments and operating segments. Overall, the findings of the thesis suggest that the adoption of IFRS resulted in an increase in the quality of reported earnings, which is likely to derive from higher comparability of financial statements, enhanced transparency and an improved analysts information environment. It is also established that fundamental differences across countries remain after IFRS adoption and that the development and harmonisation of financial reporting standards alone are not sufficient to increase the quality of financial information and decrease information asymmetry between market participants.
Recombinant human thrombopoietin in combination with cyclosporin A as a novel therapy in corticosteroid‐resistant primary immune thrombocytopenia

Background The management of patients with refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is challenging, as there is no standard treatment option. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) in combination with cyclosporin A (CsA) for the management of patients with corticosteroid‐resistant primary ITP. Methods Thirty‐six patients with corticosteroid‐resistant ITP were randomly divided into an observation group and control group. In the observation group, 19 patients received subcutaneous injection of rhTPO at a dose of 1 &mgr;g/kg (300 U/kg) once daily up to day 14. Simultaneously they also received oral CsA at a dose of 1.5‐2.0 mg/kg twice daily for three months. In the control group, rhTPO alone was administered subcutaneously at 1 &mgr;g/kg once daily in the other 17 ITP patients for 14 consecutive days and then the treatment was withdrawn. Results There was no significant difference in the response rate at the end of the first week after treatment initiation between the observation group and the control group (63.2% vs. 58.8%, P >0.05), neither was there at the end of the second week (89.5% vs. 94.1%, P >0.05). However, the relapse rate in the observation group was significantly lower than that in control group at the end of the first (17.7% vs. 50.0%, P <0.05), second (29.4% vs. 68.8%, P <0.05) and the third month (29.4% vs. 87.5%, P <0.01). In addition, rhTPO plus CsA were well tolerated and adverse events recorded were mild. Conclusions Combination therapy with rhTPO and CsA was effective in the management of patients with corticosteroid‐resistant ITP, with a relatively short time to response and low recurrence rate. It might be considered as a potential second‐line treatment regimen for ITP.
Utilization of endogenous and dietary urea in the large intestine of the mature horse

The dynamics of N metabolism in mature horses were investigated when they were fed on a low-N diet or the same diet supplemented with sufficient urea or soyabean meal to meet their theoretical N requirements. There were no differences in DM, organic matter or neutral-detergent-fibre digestibilities for the three diets. N digestibilities and digestible-N intakes were similar for the urea- and soyabean-supplemented diets and very low for the low-N diet. For all three diets plasma urea was degraded in the digestive tract to NH3 which was utilized by the bacterial population as a N source. NH3 was absorbed from the large intestine into the blood and converted to urea. NH3 was also incorporated into plasma proteins. The horses fed on the low-N diet degraded a greater proportion of endogenous urea in the digestive tract than did horses fed on the urea- or soyabean-supplemented diets. However, the horses fed on the urea diet had the highest degradation rate of urea. The quantity of urea degraded in the digestive tract of horses fed on the urea-supplemented and the low-N diets could not compensate for a lack of dietary crude protein in these diets. The horses were in a negative N balance when fed on the low-N and urea-supplemented diets and a positive N balance when fed on the soyabean-supplemented diet. Dietary urea supplementation did not benefit the horses.
Cardiac troponin C (TnC) and a site I skeletal TnC mutant alter Ca2+versus crossbridge contribution to force in rabbit skeletal fibres

We studied the relative contributions of Ca2+ binding to troponin C (TnC) and myosin binding to actin in activating thin filaments of rabbit psoas fibres. The ability of Ca2+ to activate thin filaments was reduced by replacing native TnC with cardiac TnC (cTnC) or a site I‐inactive skeletal TnC mutant (xsTnC). Acto‐myosin (crossbridge) interaction was either inhibited using N‐benzyl‐p‐toluene sulphonamide (BTS) or enhanced by lowering [ATP] from 5.0 to 0.5 mm. Reconstitution with cTnC reduced maximal force (Fmax) by ∼1/3 and the Ca2+ sensitivity of force (pCa50) by 0.17 unit (P < 0.001), while reconstitution with xsTnC reduced Fmax by ∼2/3 and pCa50 by 0.19 unit (P < 0.001). In both cases the apparent cooperativity of activation (nH) was greatly decreased. In control fibres 3 μm BTS inhibited force to 57% of Fmax while in fibres reconstituted with cTnC or xsTnC, reconstituted maximal force (rFmax) was inhibited to 8.8% and 14.3%, respectively. Under control conditions 3 μm BTS significantly decreased the pCa50, but this effect was considerably reduced in cTnC reconstituted fibres, and eliminated in xsTnC reconstituted fibres. In contrast, when crossbridge cycle kinetics were slowed by lowering [ATP] from 5 to 0.5 mm in xsTnC reconstituted fibres, pCa50 and nH were increased towards control values. Combined, our results demonstrate that when the ability of Ca2+ binding to activate thin filaments is compromised, the relative contribution of strong crossbridges to maintain thin filament activation is increased. Furthermore, the data suggest that at low levels of Ca2+, the level of thin filament activation is determined primarily by the direct effects of Ca2+ on tropomyosin mobility, while at higher levels of Ca2+ the final level of thin filament activation is primarily determined by strong cycling crossbridges.
Neuroblastoma Presenting as Acute Monoblastic Leukemia

Purpose: We report a 5-year-old boy with stage 4 neuroblastoma initially diagnosed as having acute monoblastie leukemia (FAB M5A. AMoL), based on bone marrow morphology, histochem-istry. immunocytochemistry. immunophenotyping. and cytoge-netics. all consistent with AMoL. The patient also had circulating blasts at diagnosis. After failing initial therapy for AMoL and because of concerns about residual blasts with a clumped appearance in the bone marrow, urinary homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA and N-myc amplification in tumor cells were evaluated and found to be positive, resulting in the diagnosis of neuroblastoma. Abdominal computerized tomography showed a left adrenal mass. A review of 10 reported cases of neuroblastoma with leukemic features showed that seven of them were misdiagnosed as having leukemia, and in six of the seven, the diagnosis of neuroblastoma was made postmortem. Conclusion: Neuroblastoma may be confused with acute leukemia, even with the use of modern techniques.
The Analysis on Factors Affecting Audit Delay on Manufacturing Companies Listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi audit delay. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah semua perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia untuk periode 2014 dan 2015, yang menghasilkan 254 sampel perusahaan. Neraca, laporan laba rugi, dan catatan untuk laporan keuangan dianalisis menggunakan statistik deskriptif dan regresi linier multipel. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa tidak seperti solvabilitas, reputasi perusahaan audit, kompleksitas operasi perusahaan dan ukuran perusahaan tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap penundaan audit pada tahun 2015. Semua variabel independen secara bersamaan mempengaruhi variabel dependen selama 2 tahun. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa semakin tinggi profitabilitas suatu perusahaan, semakin sedikit waktu yang diperlukan perusahaan untuk memublikasikan laporan keuangannya. Semakin tinggi solvabilitas suatu perusahaan, semakin teliti proses audit yang diperlukan oleh auditor.
What Drives the Intellectual Property Output of High-Tech Firms? Regional-versus Firm-Level Factors

This study analyzes the effects of regional- and firm-level factors on the intellectual property (IP) output of high-tech firms. So far, little is known on how regional factors influence the IP output of high-tech firms. We combine data on 8317 German high-tech firms with regional data and perform various regression analyses. We measure the IP output by the number of granted patents and trademarks. In particular, the receipt of venture capital and firm size have a significant effect on the IP output. With regard to regional factors, the student rate in a region is positively linked to IP output, whereas the existence of a technical university in a region has no significant effect on the IP output. Implications for policy makers and practitioners are discussed.
Mood symptoms in steroid users: the unexamined role of concurrent stimulant use

Abstract Research indicates that negative mood effects associated with anabolic-androgenic steroids (referred to as “steroids” here) are likely idiosyncratic, however, little is known about what factors might lead to higher risk for these effects. Research is lacking on the possible contribution of thermogenic/ergogenic drugs to this risk. As thermogenic/ergogenic drugs are stimulants with mood effects similar to those attributed to steroids, this study aimed to build on past research by disentangling the effects on mood from each drug class. An internet survey on current mood as well as steroid and stimulant use was completed by 122 male weightlifters aged 19–57. Current steroid users reported significantly less vigor (ES = 0.025, p = 0.021) than steroid abstainers. Current stimulant users reported significantly greater tension/anxiety (ES = 0.023, p = 0.019) than stimulant abstainers. Results support the theory that mood effects may be associated with stimulant use. There was no support for any mood effects of steroids. The appearance- and performance-enhancing drug using subsample had slightly less psychological distress on average than normative samples. Stimulant use may be a substantial risk for idiosyncratic negative effects of appearance and performance enhancing drugs on mood.
Comparison and Improvement of MELD and Child-Pugh Score Accuracies for the Prediction of 6-month Mortality in Cirrhotic Patients

Background/Goals Superiority of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) over the Child-Pugh score for the prediction of outcome in patients with chronic liver disease is still debated. The main objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Child-Pugh score, the MELD, and the new score, MELD-Na, combining MELD and serum sodium (Na), for the prediction of 6-month mortality in cirrhotic patients. Study In all, 308 consecutive cirrhotic patients were included. Child-Pugh score, MELD, and MELD-Na were calculated at the inclusion. Results In all, 154 patients (50.0%) had decompensated cirrhosis. Forty-five patients died during the 6-month follow-up: 3 in the subgroup of compensated cirrhosis and 42 in the decompensated subgroup (1.9% vs. 27.3%, P<10−3). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the prediction of 6-month mortality of Child-Pugh score, MELD, and MELD-Na were, respectively, in the whole population: 0.882, 0.866, and 0.887 (P=NS), and in the subgroup of decompensated cirrhosis: 0.796, 0.800, and 0.833 (P=NS). MELD-Na had the highest accuracy but the difference reached statistical significance only with the Child-Pugh score in the subgroup of patients with decompensated cirrhosis (79.9% vs. 68.0%, P=0.006). The combination of Child-Pugh score or MELD with other variables reflecting the circulatory dysfunction observed in end-stage liver disease significantly improved the accuracy of these 2 models. Conclusions Child-Pugh score remains a simple and effective tool for the prognostic assessment of cirrhotic patients at bedside and can still be used in clinical practice. MELD, and especially MELD-Na, should be reserved for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
The Minimum Number of Degrees of Freedom in State Feedback Control

A general eigenvalue assignment (EA) control problem for linear multivariable systems is formulated and solved within the framework of parametric eigenstructure assignment. It is shown that EA control is achievable by means of a family of classes of state feedback EA controllers. The number of classes is equal to the number of admissable Jordan forms of the closed-loop system. Each class is characterised by a specific minimum number N of free parameters (degrees of freedom) in the parametric form of the feedback gain matrix. The class of EA controllers with the greatest value of N is specified.