Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Institutional Linkages with the State and Organizational Practices in Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from China

ABSTRACT To deepen our understanding of organizations’ heterogeneous responses to institutional demand, we develop a ‘relational complexity’ argument to highlight organizations’ diverse institutional linkages as another important source of practice variation. We argue that diverse relations between organizations and the institutional authority can filter distinct institutional pressures and expectations, shape organizational interpretations of environmental demands, and thus trigger heterogeneous organizational practices. We adopt this theoretical framework and distinguish two types of institutional linkages with the state to understand different adoption patterns in corporate social responsibility (CSR) in its early stage of diffusion in China. Based on a national survey dataset consisting of 1,268 firms, our analyses show that firms having a stronger bureaucratic linkage with the state tend to focus on more visible external-oriented CSR practices. In contrast, those firms forming a closer partnership with the state through political or semi-political associations are more likely to take more extensive adoptions by further developing internal CSR structures. This study enriches the institutional analyses by shifting our attention to the relational dynamics between organizations and institutional authority as a key source of practice variation. It also has important implications to the research and practices of CSR in emerging economies.
A Novel Functional Electrical Stimulation Treatment for Recovery of Hand Function in Hemiplegia: 12-Week Pilot Study

Background. Loss of finger extension is common after stroke and can severely limit hand function. Contralaterally controlled functional electrical stimulation (CCFES) is a new treatment aimed at restoring volitional finger and thumb extension. A previous pilot study showed reductions in hand impairment after 6 weeks of CCFES, but the effect did not persist after end of treatment. Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of achieving greater and more persistent gains with CCFES by increasing the treatment period to 12 weeks. Methods. CCFES uses neuromuscular electrical stimulation to open the paretic hand in direct proportion to the degree of volitional opening of the unimpaired contralateral hand, which is detected by an instrumented glove. Three subjects with chronic hemiplegia participated in a 12-week CCFES treatment, which consisted of daily CCFES-assisted active repetitive hand-opening exercises and twice weekly functional task practice with CCFES. Results. Maximum voluntary finger extension increased by 101° and 68° for subjects 1 and 2, respectively, but subject 3 had no improvement in finger extension. Box and Block score increased by 6, 15, and 7 blocks, and upper extremity Fugl-Meyer score increased by 11, 15, and 7 points for subjects 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The finger extension gains declined at the 1-month and 3-month follow-up for subjects 1 and 2, but the gains in Box and Block and Fugl-Meyer scores persisted at follow-up. Conclusions. Greater reductions in hand impairment were achieved by extending the treatment period. The effect and its longevity may be related to baseline impairment level.
On the Optimization of the Secondary Transmitter's Strategy in Cognitive Radio Channels with Secrecy

This paper investigates cooperation for secrecy in cognitive radio networks. In particular, we consider a four-node cognitive scenario where the secondary receiver is treated as a potential eavesdropper with respect to the primary transmission. The cognitive transmitter can help the primary transmission, and it should also ensure that the primary message is not leaked to the secondary user. We consider two cognitive scenarios depending on whether the secondary transmitter knows the primary message or not. In the first case, the secondary transmitter is unaware of the primary transmitter's message and acts as a helping interferer to enhance the secrecy of the primary transmission, whereas in the second case, relaying of the primary message is also within its capabilities. First, we find achievable rate regions for these two scenarios in the case of AWGN channels. We then investigate three different optimization problems: the maximization of the primary rate, the maximization of the secondary rate and the minimization of the secondary transmit power. For these optimization problems, we find closed-form expressions in important special cases. Furthermore, we analyze the cooperation between the primary and secondary transmitters from a game-theoretic perspective. We model their interaction as a Stackelberg game, for which we define and find the Stackelberg equilibrium. Finally, we use numerical examples to illustrate the rate regions, the three optimizations, and the impact of the Stackelberg game on the achievable rates and on the transmission strategies of the secondary transmitter.
Effect of a Pre-Exercise Energy Supplement on the Acute Hormonal Response to Resistance Exercise

The effect of a pre-exercise energy sport drink on the acute hormonal response to resistance exercise was examined in eight experienced resistance trained men. Subjects were randomly provided either a placebo (P: maltodextrin) or the supplement (S: combination of branched chain amino acids, creatine, taurine, caffeine, and glucuronolactone). Subjects performed 6 sets of no more than 10 repetitions of the squat exercise at 75% of their 1 repetition maximum (1RM) with 2 minutes of rest between sets. Blood draws occurred at baseline pre-exercise, immediately post- (IP), 15 minutes post- (15P), and 30-minutes post (30P) exercise for measurement of serum growth hormone, total and free testosterone, cortisol, and insulin concentrations. Although significant differences were seen only at set 5, the total number of repetitions and training volume tended (p = 0.08) to be higher with S compared to P. Serum growth hormone and insulin concentrations were significantly higher at 15P and IP, respectively, in S compared to P. Results suggest that a pre-exercise energy S consumed 10 minutes before resistance exercise can enhance acute exercise performance by increasing the number of repetitions performed and the total volume of exercise. The enhanced exercise performance resulted in a significantly greater increase in both growth hormone and insulin concentrations, indicating an augmented anabolic hormone response to this pre-exercise S.
School governance in New Hampshire: Revisiting a study of school board -superintendent relations in small rural school districts

The purpose of this study was to replicate the dissertation of Dr. Phillip McCormack of 1988 and to compare the results of that study to the results of this study of 2004, fifteen years later. Dr. McCormack's original research questions were used but modified to include the comparison of data fifteen years apart. A descriptive research design was used. It was based upon the design used by Dr. McCormack. The study used both a quantitative component and a qualitative component. Information was gathered, as it had been in 1988, through (1) questionnaires given to school board members and superintendents and (2) follow-up interviews with board members and superintendents. The same written survey instruments were used. The same interview questions were used with the addition of several questions that inquired about changes affecting the field of education that had come about in the last fifteen years. A list of the significant findings include: The top three issues that affected superintendent-school board relations in 1988 were Personnel, Fiscal/budget, and Superintendent/School Board relations. In 2004, Fiscal/ budget, and Personnel and Superintendent/School Board relations were tied for second place. Personnel/teacher evaluation has become more contentious whereas tension over the structure of the SAU has diminished since 1988. Financial/budget issues remain at the top of the list with these other two and now collective bargaining has also become more of an issue. Superintendents see themselves more often now primarily as instructional leaders. School Board members now see the superintendent more often as a decision-maker and less of a professional advisor or functionary. Superintendents see themselves as more of political strategists and less as decision-makers now than in 1988. The school board today believes that the superintendent is generally more likely to dominate the decisions made regarding educational program, personnel/personnel policy, finance/fiscal, school closings/ construction, and superintendent/school board roles, whereas the superintendents feel that they are less likely to dominate decision-making in those areas.
Platelet serotonin transporter in children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder or Tourette's syndrome.

UNLABELLED Previous studies of serotonin transporter protein (5HTPR) indexed in platelets by 3H-imipramine demonstrate reduction in children with comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette's syndrome (TS). OBJECTIVE To use the 5HTPR selective ligand 3H-paroxetine and homogeneous diagnostic groups to reevaluate these findings. METHOD Platelet Kinetic binding parameters were evaluated using standard techniques from medication-free child and adolescent patients with OCD (n = 18), with TS (n = 10), and normal controls (n = 19). RESULTS Baseline binding capacity (Bmax) was significantly reduced in patients with OCD (1,342 +/- 952 fmol/mg; protein p < .01) compared with normal controls (2,486 +/- 1309 fmol/mg) and TS patients (2,420 +/- 1,069 fmol/mg; p < .05). Among OCD patients who were subsequently treated on an open-label basis with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), Bmax values at baseline differentiated between responders (1,718 +/- 1,041 fmol/mg) and nonresponders (802 +/- 713 fmol/mg protein; p < .05). Response to SSRI was greatest in patients with a positive family history of OCD. Among responders (n = 10), baseline Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and Bmax were positively correlated (r = .76, p = .01), as was Clinical Global Impression (r = .67, p = .03). CONCLUSIONS Platelet 5HTPR capacity (Bmax) is reduced in children and adolescents with OCD, but not in those with TS. 5HTPR may be an indirect measure of basal serotonergic tone.
Boundary-layer effects in droplet splashing.

A drop falling onto a solid substrate will disintegrate into smaller parts when its impact velocity V exceeds the so-called critical velocity for splashing, i.e., when V>V^{*}. Under these circumstances, the very thin liquid sheet, which is ejected tangentially to the solid after the drop touches the substrate, lifts off as a consequence of the aerodynamic forces exerted on it. Subsequently, the growth of capillary instabilities breaks the toroidal rim bordering the ejecta into smaller droplets, violently ejected radially outward, provoking the splash [G. Riboux and J. M. Gordillo, Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 024507 (2014)]PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.113. 024507. In this contribution, the effect of the growth of the boundary layer is included in the splash model presented in Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 024507 (2014)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.113. 024507, obtaining very good agreement between the measured and the predicted values of V^{*} for wide ranges of liquid and gas material properties, atmospheric pressures, and substrate wettabilities. Our description also modifies the way at when the liquid sheet is first ejected, which can now be determined in a much more straightforward manner than that proposed in Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 024507 (2014)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.113. 024507.
Procurement Strategies to Improve Quality Consistency in Wheat Shipments

Consistency of functional characteristics in wheat is a concern confronting buyers and sellers. This research analyzes the cost and risk of different procurement strategies for importers. A stochastic simulation model is used to determine the probability of functional characteristics being satisfied subject to quality targets and costs for alternative purchase strategies. Stochastic efficiency was employed to identify purchase strategies that dominate others and to determine the extent of preference. As more specific characteristics are incorporated into a contract, results indicate that the probabilities of meeting end-use requirements increase
Randomized controlled trial of pegylated interferon‐alfa 2a and ribavirin in treatment‐naive chronic hepatitis C genotype 6

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype is an important criteria in determining duration of therapy and predictor of sustained virologic response (SVR) to pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy. Optimal duration of therapy for patients with HCV genotype 6 is not known. We conducted a multicenter, open‐label randomized controlled trial of patients with HCV genotype 6 at five gastroenterology clinics in the western U.S. Patients were stratified by viral load and histologic stage and assigned to receive PEG IFN‐α2a 180 μg subcutaneously weekly and weight‐based oral RBV 800 to 1,200 mg daily for 24 or 48 weeks. Primary outcome measurement was SVR rate by intention‐to‐treat analysis. From February 2005 to October 2007 a total of 60 patients (age 51 ± 10 years, 47% male, log HCVRNA 6.3 ± 1.1 IU/mL) were enrolled: 27 patients to 24 weeks and 33 patients to 48 weeks of therapy. In the 24‐week and 48‐week groups, 96% and 97% achieved early virologic response (P = 0.90); 89% versus 94% achieved end of therapy virologic response (P = 0.48). SVR was achieved in 70% versus 79% of patients assigned to 24 weeks versus 48 weeks (P = 0.45). Rapid virologic response (RVR) was a significant predictor of SVR in the 48‐week group and trending towards significance in the 24‐week group: 82% and 83% of those with RVR achieved SVR versus 33% and 29% for the 24‐week and 48‐week groups, respectively (P = 0.07 and P = 0.02). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in SVR rates in patients with HCV genotype 6 treated with PEG IFN‐α2a and RBV for 24 versus 48 weeks. (HEPATOLOGY 2010;52:1573‐1580)
Promotional effect of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on Gallstone disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Growing evidence indicates that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and gallstone disease (GD) share the same risk factors, and that NAFLD may be associated with the occurrence of GD. However, overall results remain controversial. The aim of this study is to perform a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between GD and NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) were queried, and observational studies that assessed the association between GD and NAFLD were selected. We pooled the prevalence of GD in participants with NAFLD, and compared the prevalence of GD in NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups in four trials. RESULTS Twelve studies met our inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of GD in cases with NAFLD was 17% (95% CI: 0.12-0.23). Compared with the non-NAFLD group, NAFLD was significantly correlated with GD (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.23-1.59). Additional analyses reveal that participants in the GD group included more females (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.36-2.79), were older (WMD: 6.61, 95% CI: 3.80-9.42), and had higher BMIs (WMD: 1.63, 95% CI: 0.62-2.65) in the population with NAFLD, compared to the non-GD group. CONCLUSION GD prevalence in NAFLD patients is higher than that in the general population. Furthermore, the occurrence of GD is significantly associated with the female sex, age and BMI in NAFLD patients.
Productivity analysis by using firm-level data: the case of Macedonia

Productivity, the efficiency by which firms convert inputs into output is central concept in growth related discussions. This research is focused on analyzing productivity on a sample of Macedonian firms. The goal is twofold – first, to construct productivity indicators by using firm-level data, with special focus to construction of total factor productivity (TFP), and, second to identify productivity determinants specific for Macedonian firms. Results are in line with the global productivity trends –there is significant slowdown in productivity growth in 2016. This is true for labour productivity, as well as for the TFP measure. However, the period is relatively short to conclude that this shift is of permanent, structural nature, especially having in mind the trend of reducing unemployment in the economy. As productivity determinants are concerned, econometric research confirms the importance of financial health, human capital and firms’ size as significant factors that affect the productivity of Macedonian firms.
Operative Risks of Domino Liver Transplantation for the Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy Liver Donor and Recipient: A Double Analysis

Although domino liver transplantation (LT) is an established procedure, data about the operative risks are limited. This study aimed at evaluating the operative risks of domino LT. Two retrospective analyses were conducted (comparison of familial amyloid polyneuropathy [FAP] liver donors [61 patients] vs. FAP nondonors [39 patients] and FAP liver recipients [61 patients] vs. deceased donor liver recipients [61 patients]). First analysis showed a 60‐day mortality of 6.6% for FAP donors and 7.7% for FAP nondonors (p = 1.0). No patient developed primary graft nonfunction. Acute rejection was higher in FAP nondonors compared to FAP donors (38.5% vs. 13.1%). Both groups had similar vascular and biliary complication rates. ICU stay was similar, whereas total hospitalization was longer for FAP nondonors. Both groups had similar 1‐ and 5‐year patient and graft survival rates (83.4% vs. 87.2%, and 79.8% vs. 71.8%, p = 0.7) and (83.3% vs. 87.2%, and 79.1% vs.71.8%, p = 0.7). The second analysis showed a 1.6% mortality for FAP liver recipients vs. 3.2% of the control group (p = 1). Both groups had similar morbidity and technical complication rates (18.0% vs. 13.1%, p = 0.45) and (0.18 vs. 0.15, p = 0.65). The domino procedure does not add any risk to FAP donor or recipient. It increases the organ pool allowing transplantation of marginal recipients who otherwise are denied deceased donor liver transplantation.
Conclusive evidence for panmixia in the American eel

Eels are unique species in the biological world. The two North Atlantic eel species, the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and the European eel (A. anguilla), occupy a broad range of habitats from the Caribbean to Greenland in the western Atlantic and from Morocco to Iceland in the eastern Atlantic, respectively. North Atlantic eels have a catadromous life cycle, spawning only in the Sargasso Sea and spending the majority of their lives in continental (fresh, brackish and coastal) waters. Despite such a wide distribution range, North Atlantic eels have been regarded as a textbook example of panmictic species. In contrast with the large amount of population genetic studies testing the panmixia hypothesis in the European eel, a relatively modest effort has been given to study the population structure of the American eel. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Côté et al. ( ) present the most comprehensive American eel data set to date, which includes samples of different life stages obtained throughout all its distribution range in North America. Results show a total lack of genetic differentiation among samples and provide decisive evidence for panmixia in the American eel.
Episodic ozone exposure in adult and senescent Brown Norway rats: acute and delayed effect on heart rate, core temperature and motor activity

Abstract Setting exposure standards for environmental pollutants may consider the aged as a susceptible population but the few published studies assessing susceptibility of the aged to air pollutants are inconsistent. Episodic ozone (O3) is more reflective of potential exposures occurring in human populations and could be more harmful to the aged. This study used radiotelemetry to monitor heart rate (HR), core temperature (Tc) and motor activity (MA) in adult (9–12 months) and senescent (20–24 months) male, Brown Norway rats exposed to episodic O3 (6 h/day of 1 ppm O3 for 2 consecutive days/week for 13 weeks). Acute O3 initially led to marked drops in HR and Tc. As exposures progressed each week, there was diminution in the hypothermic and bradycardic effects of O3. Senescent rats were less affected than adults. Acute responses were exacerbated on the second day of O3 exposure with adults exhibiting greater sensitivity. During recovery following 2 d of O3, adult and senescent rats exhibited an elevated Tc and HR during the day but not at night, an effect that persisted for at least 48 h after O3 exposure. MA was elevated in adults but not senescent rats during recovery from O3. Overall, acute effects of O3, including reductions in HR and Tc, were attenuated in senescent rats. Autonomic responses during recovery, included an elevation in Tc with a pattern akin to that of a fever and rise in HR that were independent of age. An attenuated inflammatory response to O3 in senescent rats may explain the relatively heightened physiological response to O3 in younger rats.
Mesenchymal stromal cell derived endothelial progenitor treatment in patients with refractory angina

Abstract Aims. We evaluated the feasibility, safety and efficacy of intra-myocardial injection of autologous mesenchymal stromal cells derived endothelial progenitor cell (MSC) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and refractory angina in this first in man trial. Methods and results. A total of 31 patients with stable CAD, moderate to severe angina and no further revascularization options, were included. Bone marrow MSC were isolated and culture expanded for 6–8 weeks. It was feasible and safe to establish in-hospital culture expansion of autologous MSC and perform intra-myocardial injection of MSC. After six months follow-up myocardial perfusion was unaltered, but the patients increased exercise capacity (p < 0.001), reduction in CCS Class (p < 0.001), angina attacks (p < 0.001) and nitroglycerin consumption (p < 0.001), and improved Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) evaluations (p < 0.001). For all parameters there was a tendency towards improved outcome with increasing numbers of cells injected. In the MRI substudy: ejection fraction (p < 0.001), systolic wall thickness (p = 0.03) and wall thickening (p = 0.03) all improved. Conclusions. The study demonstrated that it was safe to treat patients with stable CAD with autologous culture expanded MSC. Moreover, MSC treated patients had significant improvement in left ventricular function and exercise capacity, in addition to an improvement in clinical symptoms and SAQ evaluations. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00260338.