Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Services marketing : people, technology, strategy / Jochen Wirtz, Christopher Lovelock

Creating and marketing value in today’s increasingly service and knowledge-intensive economy requires an understanding of the powerful design and packaging of ‘intangible’ benefits and products, high-quality service operations and customer information management processes, motivated and competent front-line employees, a loyal and profitable customer base, and the development and implementation of a coherent service strategy to transform these assets into improved business performance.
METABOLIC LIVER DISEASES REVIEW : Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis NASH) is a reasonably well-defined clinicopathological entity; it has been reported more commonly in women than in men or children of both sexes and it appears to be most closely associated with obesity, diabetes mellitus and related abnormalities, such as hyperlipidaemia and hyperglycaemia. However, the association with female gender3 obesity and diabetes may not be as close as suggested by the literature and an underlying condition cannot be discerned in all cases. The natural history of the disease is poorly understood; the associated biopsy features span a wide spectrum, reaching from uncomplicated, clinically non-progressive fatty liver (not NASH in a strict sense) to a slowly progressive fatty liver with inflammation and fibrosis, to steatohepatitis with submassive hepatic necrosis, which has a subfulminant course and is often fatal. Non-progressive fatty liver appears to be very common but is of little clinical importance. The slowly progressive form of the disease represents NASH as encountered by most clinicians and pathologists. It is a common liver disease in current practice; patients may present with cirrhosis and even HCC arising from steatohepatitic cirrhosis. Subfulminant NASH has become exceedingly rare because many clinicians are now aware of the hazards of sudden weight loss, particularly in morbidly obese patients. Treatment options for NASH are still limited. The promotion of gradual weight loss in obese patients is the most widely recommended therapy but, unfortunately, this is very difficult to achieve. Avoidance of precipitous weight loss and careful control of diabetes mellitus are important and undisputed parts of patient management. Administration of UDGA as a treatment of NASH is still under study; it may be effective in some patients. The treatment of established steatohepatitic cirrhosis does not differ substantially from that of other types of cirrhosis and includes orthotopic liver transplantation.
Corporate Governance in Italian Listed Companies and Compliance to Best Practices: An Empirical Research

This study aim to: (1) monitor the evolution of corporate governance practices in Italian listed companies from 2003 to 2005; (2) evaluate the formal and substantial compliance to the Corporate Governance Code; (3) define if listing segment/market (and consequently also capitalization) is significantly related with the adoption of best practices. The research arose from the analysis of data contained in the “Summary reports”, a questionnaire that Consob, the public authority responsible for regulating the Italian securities market, receive annually from the Board of Auditors, a statutory and mandatory control board typical of the Italian corporate governance system, of Italian listed companies. We find that nearly every Italian listed company adopts the Corporate Governance Code and its most important best practices. However, we find some contradictory discrepancies. We also find that the adoption of the Corporate Governance Code is significantly related to listing segment/market. The study contributes to enriching the knowledge of the corporate governance system in Italy that has its own unique features. In Italian listed companies governance best practices have become widespread; nevertheless in some companies still persist critical aspects that support the idea that in some cases there is only a “formal” adhesion to best practices instead of a substantial compliance. This study show that governance of Italian listed companies has been improved during the last few years in order to reach international standards. However, an enhancement in the substantial compliance to best practices is still needed.
[Evaluating prophylactic ligation of thoracic duct during radical resection of esophageal carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Prophylactic ligation of thoracic duct during the radical resection of esophageal carcinoma is usually used to prevent and treat chylothorax, but there is dispute about the effect. Its correlation to other complications and prognosis of esophageal carcinoma patients after operation has seldom been reported. The study was to evaluate its preventive effect on chylothorax and its influences on other complications and prognosis of esophageal carcinoma patients. METHODS Clinical data from 389 patients who underwent radical transthoracic esophagectomy from Jun. 1991 to Jun. 1996 in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 389 patients, 171 received thoracic duct ligation (ligation group), and 218 had thoracic duct preserved (preservation group). The occurrence rates of chylothorax and other complications, and the survival rates were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS The occurrence rates of chylothorax were 1.17% in ligation group and 0.46% in preservation group (P<0.001). The occurrence rates of complication were 18.2% in ligation group and 11.5% in preservation group (P=0.063). Perioperative mortalities were 1.75% in ligation group and 0.92% in preservation group (P=0.658). The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 74.3%, 52.1%, 42.1%, and 29.2% in ligation group, and 74.3%, 53.2%, 43.1%, and 29.8% in preservation group (P=0.992, 0.819, 0.841, 0.902). CONCLUSION Prophylactic ligation of thoracic duct during esophagectomy for patients with esophageal carcinoma could not prevent chylothorax effectively, and has no obvious influence on the occurrence of other complications and survival of the patients after operation.
Sensory Motor and Functional Skills of Dizygotic Twins: One with Smith–Magenis Syndrome and a Twin Control

Smith–Magenis syndrome (SMS), the result of an interstitial deletion within chromosome 17p11.2, is a disorder that may include minor dysmorphic features, brachydactyly, short stature, hypotonia, speech delays, cognitive deficits, signs of peripheral neuropathy, scoliosis, and neurobehavioral problems including sleep disturbances and maladaptive repetitive and self-injurious behaviors. Physical and occupational therapists provide services for children who have the syndrome, whose genetic disorder is frequently not identified or diagnosed before 1 year of age. A comprehensive physical and occupational therapy evaluation was completed in nonidentical twins with one having SMS, using the Sensory Profile; Brief Assessment of Motor Function (BAMF); Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition (PDMS-2); and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). This provides a framework for conducting assessments to enhance early detection and interdisciplinary management with this specialized population.
The Novel Nucleoside Analog R1479 (4′-Azidocytidine) Is a Potent Inhibitor of NS5B-dependent RNA Synthesis and Hepatitis C Virus Replication in Cell Culture*

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase activity is essential for HCV replication. Targeted screening of nucleoside analogs identified R1479 (4′-azidocytidine) as a specific inhibitor of HCV replication in the HCV subgenomic replicon system (IC50 = 1.28 μm) with similar potency compared with 2′-C-methylcytidine (IC50 = 1.13 μm). R1479 showed no effect on cell viability or proliferation of HCV replicon or Huh-7 cells at concentrations up to 2 mm. HCV replicon RNA could be fully cleared from replicon cells after prolonged incubation with R1479. The corresponding 5′-triphosphate derivative (R1479-TP) is a potent inhibitor of native HCV replicase isolated from replicon cells and of recombinant HCV polymerase (NS5B)-mediated RNA synthesis activity. R1479-TP inhibited RNA synthesis as a CTP-competitive inhibitor with a Ki of 40 nm. On an HCV RNA-derived template substrate (complementary internal ribosome entry site), R1479-TP showed similar potency of NS5B inhibition compared with 3′-dCTP. R1479-TP was incorporated into nascent RNA by HCV polymerase and reduced further elongation with similar efficiency compared with 3′-dCTP under the reaction conditions. The S282T point mutation in the coding sequence of NS5B confers resistance to inhibition by 2′-C-MeATP and other 2′-methyl-nucleotides. In contrast, the S282T mutation did not confer cross-resistance to R1479.
Outbreak of Ataxia in Pigs Associated With Consumption of Piquillín (Condalia microphylla)

The plant piquillín (Condalia microphylla) grows in arid regions of Argentina and is the cause of mal del piquillín in cattle. The salient histologic features of this leukomyelopathy are vacuolation of white matter and axonal degeneration in the spinal cord. The histologic lesions can be experimentally reproduced in cattle and pigs by feeding milled bark of the plant, but naturally occurring piquillín toxicosis has not been reported previously in pigs. The authors report an outbreak of progressive ataxia on an Argentine hog farm, where partially consumed piquillín plants were found in the pens of affected pigs. Histologic lesions included vacuolation of white matter, edema, and mild axonal degeneration in lumbosacral segments of the cord. The diagnosis of mal del piquillín was based on the history, clinical signs, histologic changes, and elimination of other potential causes of leukomyelopathy. No new outbreaks developed after elimination of piquillín from the hog lots. Results of this investigation indicate that C microphylla toxicosis can affect pigs under natural conditions and should be included in the differential diagnosis for porcine ataxia and leukomyelopathy in regions where the plant grows.
Denture stomatitis in an elderly edentulous Asian population.

Denture stomatitis is a common oral disease in denture wearers. Multiple aetiological and predisposing factors are believed to be responsible for its initiation and progression. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between denture age, denture hygiene habits, denture wearing and denture cleanliness in an elderly edentulous Asian population. Seventy-five edentulous patients, all wearing maxillary complete dentures were divided into two groups. The test group comprised 36 patients (14 male and 22 female) with Type II denture stomatitis. The control group comprised 39 subjects (14 male and 25 female) with clinically healthy palatal mucosa. A standardized interview and clinical appraisal were carried out. The dye disclosing method was used to assess denture cleanliness and the resultant staining pattern scored. Statistical appraisal between the two groups revealed significant differences in denture hygiene habits (P < 0.05), denture wearing behaviour (P < 0.01) and denture cleanliness (P < 0.01). No significant difference was observed in the age of dentures between the test group and controls (P > 0.05). In the studied Asian edentulous population, a relationship between denture hygiene habits, denture wearing behaviour and denture cleanliness to the presence of denture stomatitis was observed.
Review of the evidence on the rate of return to employers of investment in training and employer tra

Silicon carbide sintered moldings having a high strength and a high oxidation resistance at high temperatures are produced by mixing SiC matrix powders with a binder consisting of an organosilicon high molecular weight compound having silicon and carbon as the main skeleton components and containing at least one foreign element other than silicon, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, molding the mixture into the desired shape and baking the formed molding at high temperatures.
Temporal Trends in the Secondary Sex Ratio in Nordic Countries

Attempts have been made to identify factors influencing the number of males per 100 females at birth, also called the secondary sex ratio. It has been proposed to vary inversely with the frequency of prenatal losses, but available data lend at best only weak support for this hypothesis. Statistical analyses have shown that comparisons between secondary sex ratios demand large data sets. Variations in the secondary sex ratio that have been reliably identified in family data have mostly been slight and without a notable influence on national birth registers. For Sweden, 1751–1950, the secondary sex ratio among all births and live births revealed increasing trends. The Swedish results are compared with available findings for live births in Finland, Norway, Denmark, and the small Icelandic population. For Norway and Denmark, the secondary sex ratio increased during 1801–1950. A similar, but stronger pattern was observed for Finland (1751–1950) and Iceland (1838–1950). During the latter half of the twentieth century, marked decreases were observed in all countries. Attempts to identify reliable associations between secondary sex ratios and stillbirth rates have been made, but no consistent results have emerged.
Role of 12-week resistance training in preserving the heart against ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury.

BACKGROUND Discovering an effective approach to provide cardioprotection against coronary artery disease has long been sought. We studied the cardioprotective effect of resistance training against ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury. METHODS Twenty male rats were divided into trained and sedentary groups (n = 10 in each). The rats were exercised in squat-training apparatus (12 repetitions/set, four sets/day and five days/week for 12 weeks). After the last training session, transient regional ischemia of left anterior descending coronary artery (40 min) was followed by 80 min of reperfusion. Coronary flow, left ventricular developed pressure, diastolic pressure and infarct size were measured. RESULTS After 35 min of ischemia, coronary flow and developed pressure were higher in trained than untrained groups (10.37 ± 0.96 vs 7.54 ± 0.89 mL/min × g, p < 0.01 for coronary flow and 67.74 ± 3.31 vs 52.39 ± 4.28 mm Hg, p < 0.01 for developed pressure) and this difference persisted until 50 min of reperfusion (10.59 ± 0.88 vs 7.71 ± 0.73 mL/ /min × g, p < 0.01 for coronary flow and 58.12 ± 4.07 vs 39.56 ± 3.79 mm Hg, p < 0.01 for developed pressure). Diastolic pressure was significantly lower from 35 min of ischemia (11.51 ± 5.37 vs 24.53 ± 5.44 mm Hg, p < 0.05) through 35 min of reperfusion in trained rather than sedentary rats (30.62 ± 3.19 vs 43 ± 7.11 mm Hg, p < 0.01). Resistance exercise training reduced the infarct size statistically in trained rats as compared with sedentary animals (39.32 ± 4.09 vs 29.36 ± 4.17 percentage of zone at risk, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS These results show that chronic resistance exercise provides cardioprotection against myocardial injuries.
Role of the Rap1 GTPase in astrocyte growth regulation

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant syndrome in which affected individuals develop nervous system abnormalities that might reflect astrocyte dysfunction. The TSC2 gene product, tuberin, encodes a GTPase‐activating protein (GAP) domain, which regulates the activity of Rap1 in vitro. To determine whether dysregulated Rap1, resulting from TSC2 inactivation, leads to increased astrocyte proliferation in vivo, we generated transgenic mice expressing activated Rap1G12V specifically in astrocytes. We observed no statistically significant difference in the number of astrocytes between wild‐type and GFAP‐Rap1G12V littermates in vivo; however, during log‐phase growth, we observed a 25% increase in GFAP‐Rap1G12V astrocyte doubling times compared to wild‐type controls. This decreased proliferation was associated with delayed MAP kinase, but not AKT, activation. Lastly, to determine whether constitutive Rap1 activation could reverse the increased astrocyte proliferation observed in transgenic mice expressing oncogenic RasG12V, we generated transgenic mice expressing both RasG12V and Rap1G12V in astrocytes. These double transgenic mice showed a striking reversion of the RasG12V astrocyte growth phenotype. Collectively, these results argue that the tumor suppressor properties of tuberin are unlikely to be related to Rap1 inactivation and that Rap1 inhibits mitogenic Ras pathway signaling in astrocytes. GLIA 42:225–234, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Utilizing the firm's resources: How TMT heterogeneity and resulting faultlines affect TMT tasks

While theory and evidence show that firms' competitive actions mediate the resource-performance relationship, details of top managements' roles in shaping resource utilization choices have been underemphasized. We address this oversight by integrating top management team heterogeneity and any resulting faultline strength with the resource-action-performance model to investigate how TMT composition differentially affects the model's two linkages. Specifically, we argue that TMT heterogeneity positively affects the resource-action linkage, yet negatively affects the action-performance linkage. Moreover, when heterogeneity begets strong faultlines, all such positive effect is lost. Supportive evidence from the in-vitro medical diagnostic substance manufacturing industry allows us to discuss how our findings contribute to upper echelons theory, as well as the emerging stream on resource utilization
The Impact of Domestic and International Monetary Policy News on U.S. and German Bank Stocks

This paper investigates the impact of policy interest rate news from the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) and the European Central Bank (ECB) on stock returns and volatilities of U.S. NYSE and German DAX listed commercial banks. We find that Fed news has the most influence on both U.S. and German listed bank stocks and an unexpected policy rate increase (decrease) lowers (raises) returns and raises volatility in the majority of cases. On the other hand, ECB news generally increases bank stock volatility in the U.S. but has little impact within its own domestic banking industry. Whilst our results for the U.S. listed banks confirm that their stock prices are more responsive in bad economic times and also during periods of monetary tightening, we find disparities for German banks suggesting that U.S. and European banking industries respond heterogeneously to monetary policy news but the Global Financial Crisis increased the sensitivity of all banks to monetary policy news.
Private Equity: Governance Arbitrage and Lessons for Public Corporate Governance

In this paper we test the proposition put forward by private equity practitioners that they undertake “governance arbitrage”. This proposition suggests that companies with higher agency costs are more likely to receive a bid from a PE firm.We find evidence that companies with higher agency costs are indeed more likely to receive a PE bid. PE is expected to make changes in the target company’s governance, which would reduce these agency costs. We examine the aspects in their governance which make these target companies vulnerable to PE bids. The results may provide lessons for public corporate governance in highlighting areas where private governance expects to be more successful than contemporary public corporate governance. Additionally we find evidence of a spill-over effect in that public corporations are more likely to improve their governance during a period when there is increased private equity activity. In contrast to much of the debate on the merits of PE, we highlight that the current state of public corporate governance is itself a driver for the existence of PE in that the need to address ineffective governance underlies PE activity. This conclusion in turn suggests that regulating changes to governance requires clear market goals and compelling empirical evidence to show how these goals can be realised. Companies also need to implement governance mechanisms that are optimal for their circumstances and desired goals. If we impose a uniform set of constraints to meet a set of desired public interest goals then it seems likely that we also need a complementary mechanism to support a market for corporate control. In this sense PE is a desirable “player in the field” in that an economy is generally better off with, rather than without, “buyout governance”.
The influence of carbohydrate-electrolyte ingestion on soccer skill performance.

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of ingesting a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (CHO-E), in subjects with reduced carbohydrate stores, during an intermittent shuttle running test (LIST) on soccer passing (LSPT) and shooting (LSST) performance. METHODS Sixteen healthy male university soccer players ingested either a 6.4% CHO-E or placebo (PLA) solution during 90 min of the LIST (5 mL x kg(-1) BM before and 2 mL x kg(-1) BM every 15 min of exercise), in a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, with each trial separated by at least 7 d. On the evening before the main trial (17:00 h), subjects performed the glycogen-reducing cycling exercise (approximately 80 min at 70% VO2max). They were then fed a low-carbohydrate evening meal and reported to the laboratory the following morning after a 10-h fast. Blood was collected at rest and after every 30 min of exercise; skill tests were performed before and after the LIST. RESULTS The change in mean LSST performance from pre- to post-LIST was better in the CHO-E trial (11 +/- 45 vs -16 +/- 42%; P < 0.01) but not significantly different for the LSPT performance (-1 +/- 10% (CHO-E) vs -6 +/- 13% (PLA), P = 0.13). Sprint performance during the LIST was quicker in the CHO-E trial (2.50 +/- 0.13 vs 2.53 +/- 0.13 s, P < 0.01). Plasma glucose was higher in the CHO-E trial after 90 min of exercise (5.2 +/- 0.3 vs 3.9 +/- 0.4 mM, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Ingestion of a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution during exercise enabled subjects with compromised glycogen stores to better maintain skill and sprint performance than when ingesting fluid alone.
The Effects of Knowledge of Earnings Persistence, Financial Statement Format, and Concerns about Quality of Earnings

This paper examines whether financial statement users exhibit greater ability to discriminate between high and low-accrual firms when they have greater knowledge of earnings persistence, greater awareness of concerns about the quality of earnings, and when accruals are presented more clearly in the financial statements. I find that users with greater knowledge of earnings persistence and greater awareness of concerns about the quality of earnings have greater discriminative ability. High-knowledge users are not affected by the presence and placement of an accrual subtotal in the financial statements. Low-knowledge users discriminate the most when the accrual subtotal is juxtaposed with accrual line items in the cash flow statement. Low-knowledge users do not discriminate much when the accrual subtotal is not presented, or when the subtotal is presented but is not juxtaposed with accrual line items within the same statement.