Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FINANCIAL CRISIS AND PERFORMANCE OF ANALYSTS' RECOMMENDATIONS

This paper examines foreign and local analysts’ performance in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and South Korea during the financial crisis of 1997-98. Unlike most of the prior studies that document information advantage in favor of one of the two groups, we provide strong evidence that neither of them held complete information advantage over the other during the crisis period. Our results show that foreign analysts’ buy recommendations were significantly more informative than local analysts’ buy recommendations, while local analysts’ sell recommendations contained significantly more information than foreign analysts’ sell recommendations. Our results provide evidence that neither of the explanations advanced in the literature to explain relative performance of foreign and local analysts hold during the investigated period of extreme uncertainty. JEL classification: G15; G24
[Resistance training reduces the metabolic acidosis and hepatic and renal hypertrophy caused by the consumption of a high protein diet in rats].

INTRODUCTION High protein (HP) diet consumption may adversely affect metabolic acidosis and hepatic and renal health. Despite such potentially adverse effect, there are only few studies analyzing the effects of resistance training on the parameters that could be altered by such diets. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 32 adult male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in 4 experimental groups (n = 8): normoprotein or HP diets, with or without resistance training. Diets were based on a whey protein hydrolyzate, and the experimental period lasted for 90 days. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Consumption of HP diets and resistance training significantly affected food intake, body composition and plasmatic levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. Consumption of HP diets led to a considerable increase in liver and kidney weight (P < 0.001), urinary volume and acidity, as well as in the urinary excretion of Ca, with a parallel reduction in the urinary excretion of citrate (P < 0.05). The buffering action of resistance training on such diet-induced alterations was especially evident in the levels of hepatic and plasma triglycerides, plasmatic urea, and in liver and kidney weight (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Resistance training had a protective action against alterations of hepatic and renal health status and some metabolic parameters like hepatic and plasma triglycerides.
Local Food Systems, Ethnic Entrepreneurs, and Social Networks

African immigrants in the United States (U.S.) experience immense challenges in the form of poverty, unemployment, and underemployment. Limited English language proficiency often restricts African immigrants to low-paying, unskilled positions. Ethnic entrepreneurship in the form of small-scale farming provides some African immigrants with an alternative to mainstream employment. Key to the success of many African immigrants is participation in beginning farmer programs. These programs operate as social networks, connecting immigrant farmers to training, farming resources, and members of the local community who provide access to additional resources and markets. Drawing from social capital theory, this mixed methods study investigates economic outcomes and social capital development within immigrant farmer programs. Immigrant farmer programs are analyzed as social networks that connect immigrants to technical training, farming resources, and community members who can provide access to markets. Data were collected through a survey of 112 agricultural educators working with immigrant farming programs across the United States. Data were also collected through case studies of programs in Ohio and Virginia. Bivariate correlation tests found the following agricultural training topics were significantly associated with economic outcomes, specifically training on farm equipment use, organic certification, and pest management. Ten marketing training topics were associated with economic outcomes, including business management, identifying markets, and introduction to direct markets. Social network ties were also associated with economic outcomes. These relationships were with the following organizations: farmers markets, community-supported organizations, the Extension Service, local farm supply stores, restaurants, and the Farm Bureau. Multiple regression tests found that 24.8% of the variance in economic outcomes could be accounted for by social network development, market training, and agricultural training.
The long-term results of urethroplasty.

PURPOSE We update our long-term data on the effectiveness of urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 166 patients operated on before 1990 are currently under followup or lived at least 10 years after surgery. Anastomotic urethroplasty was performed in 82 patients and substitution urethroplasty in 84. RESULTS The 5, 10 and 15-year re-stricture rates after anastomotic urethroplasty were 12%, 13% and 14%, respectively, and the complication rate was 7%. The 5, 10 and 15-year re-stricture rates after substitution urethroplasty were 21%, 31% and 58%, respectively, and the complication rate was 33%. CONCLUSIONS The results of anastomotic urethroplasty are good and sustained in the long term, while the results of substitution urethroplasty deteriorate steadily with time and there is definite room for improvement. An anastomotic repair should be performed in preference to a substitution repair when possible.
Good metabolic control using tacrolimus‐based immunosuppressants in primary cadaveric renal transplantation in Chinese – a preliminary report

Metabolic complications are common with tacrolimus therapy. Recent evidence suggests that there is ethnical variability in the side‐effect profile of tacrolimus. We performed an open‐label study to examine the metabolic profile of tacrolimus‐based immunosuppressive therapy in 10 consecutive adult Chinese patients after cadaveric renal transplantation. One case withdrew because of parvovirus infection. The mean age of the remaining nine cases was 33 ± 2.9 yr. Mean tacrolimus whole blood trough level at 0 and 12 months were 11.4 ± 1.8 and 7.0 ± 0.7 ng/mL, respectively. The dosage at corresponding time points were 0.31 ± 0.001 and 0.10 ± 0.003 mg/kg, respectively. We found no difference in lipid profile, blood pressure control, and most importantly, fasting glucose level, before and 1 yr after tacrolimus therapy. Standard 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test and whole blood HbA1c level were normal in all patients. Our preliminary data suggest good short‐term safety among Chinese renal transplantation recipients after tacrolimus‐based immunosuppressants, with a very low incidence of hyperglycemia, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The long‐term implications and the underlying explanation for this ethnical difference require further investigations.
Abdominal breathing manoeuvre reduces passive drag acting on gliding swimmers

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the passive drag acting on a gliding swimmer is reduced if the swimmer adopts an abdominal breathing manoeuvre (expanding the abdominal wall) rather than chest breathing manoeuvre (expanding the rib cage). Eleven male participants participated in this study. A specialised towing machine was used to tow each participant with tension set at various magnitudes and to record time series data of towing velocity. Participants were asked to inhale air by expanding the abdominal wall or the rib cage and to maintain the same body configuration throughout gliding. The steady-state velocity was measured and the coefficient of drag was calculated for each towing trial to compare between the breathing manoeuvres. The results showed that the towing velocity was increased by 0.02 m/s with a towing force of 34.3 N and by 0.06 m/s with a towing force of 98.1 N. The coefficient of drag was reduced by 5% with the abdominal breathing manoeuvre, which was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). These results indicate that adopting the abdominal breathing manoeuvre during gliding reduces the passive drag and the hypothesis was supported.
Assessment of Innovation and Performance in the Fruit Chain; The Innovation-Performance Matrix

Purpose – This paper aims to bridge the concepts of innovation and performance and to develop a framework to assess innovation and performance in food chains.Design/methodology/approach – Based on an extensive literature search the paper identifies critical success factors (CSFs) and related indicators for innovation in food chains, on the one hand, and performance in food chains, on the other. Main CSF categories for innovation are: product, process, market and organization. Main CSF categories for performance are: efficiency, responsiveness, quality and flexibility. A chain process model is developed that enables one to identify main chain processes that impact on innovation and performance. A trade‐off matrix is constructed in which effects of innovations on performance and vice versa in typical chain processes can be identified.Findings – This article reviewed available supply‐chain innovation and performance indicators and models and methods used to assess performance and innovation within fruit supp.
Notice of Retraction Six sigma axiomatic design method based on quality function deployment

In the context of global economic integration and the increasing competition on the market, companies, in order to survive, need to shorten time to market and enhance product innovation. In addition, companies are facing more and more problems due to the changes in the mode of production. The following issues have become urgent problems for enterprises to solve: development in the shortest possible period of time, best adaptation to customer needs, supply of high-quality product, creation of largest market competitive products. During the product development process, due to the absence of a systematic scheme to And the ideal design methods, defect is usually ignored. For this reason, this paper introduces the Axiomatic Design theoretical approaches to the Design For Six Sigma (DFSS). Then the research integrates the axiomatic design with the quality function deployment (QFD) and establishes the axiomatic design for Six Sigma based on quality function deployment integration analysis model. This paper proposes an axiomatic Design for Six Sigma and all of the product development process organic integration. This helps to reduce the product development cycles, costs and customer amount of information loss during the design process. This enable designers not only to take into account the market demand, but also to take in consideration the production capacity factors, to reduce the market risk of new product development, and make the designed product more competitive.
Business success and ABEF evaluation results: on the nexus between manufacturing results and frameworks for business excellence

A scarcity of information concerning the real impact of implementing Quality Management strategies on organisational performance is believed to be the principal reason why many organisations are still hesitant to adopt a Quality Management philosophy, and continue to perceive it as a theory with little applicability or benefit for their particular business environment. The principal aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between management practice and business performance of organisations that have been evaluated through the Australian Quality Awards for Business Excellence. Based on quantitative analysis and empirical validation methods, evidence for the existence or non-existence of benefits is identified, from factual information, which leads to a conclusion of the debate as to whether this concept "works or not". This part of the study also aims at testing the capability of a new model for explaining and predicting the overall business performance of manufacturing organisations with the input of Awards scores and other relevant business information. A secondary aim is to explore the "Best" management practices of high performing organisations with a particular emphasis on common themes and attributes. The ABEF, formerly known as the Australian Quality Awards framework, is used as a measure of the goodness of organisations' management practices. Results in the form of scores are generated using a consistent and repeatable process of independent team evaluation, which are correlated with empirical factual data on the same organisations' past Business results. Here 'business results' are defined as the top priority Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of Australian manufacturing organisations, which have been evaluated in the period between 1992-1997. They include typical bottom-line measures such as profitability, sales, costs and productivity. Other relevant business data and information used for explaining business success includes specific industry characteristics such as rivalry, entry barriers
A study of UK physiotherapists’ knowledge and training needs in hypermobility and hypermobility syndrome

A study of UK physiotherapists’ knowledge and training needs in Hypermobility and Hypermobility Syndrome Lyell, M.J., Simmonds, J.V. c, & Deane, J.A. aUniversity of Hertfordshire, School of Health and Human Social Work, Hatfield, UK. b University College London, Institute of Child Health, London, UK: c Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, Hypermobility Unit, London, UK. d Imperial College London, MSK Lab, School of Medicine, London, UK.
Analysis of the Sagnac effect on the accuracy of the long haul optical fiber time transfer system

The influence of Sagnac effect in time transferring system over optical fiber is explained. Mathematical expression of the time deviation is deducted between any two points on the surface of the earth based on the analyses of the actual propagation path of the optical signal. To investigate the magnitude of the time deviation, we make theoretical calculation using the deducted equation when time is transferred from Prague to other four Europe cities with different directions through spherical circumference fiber links. It is demonstrated that the magnitude may reach 10-9s when the transfer distance is longer than hundreds of kilometers and it is also decided by practical route of the fiber links. So accurate time compensation or calibration should be committed for the purpose of reaching subnanosecond accuracy in long-haul optical fiber time transferring system.
Intervention: what are the domestic consequences?

The conventional wisdom is that central banks can intervene in foreign exchange markets to resist currency appreciation for some time because there is no simple, clear ceiling to the volume of domestic currency they can sell in forex markets. Equally conventional is the view that prolonged, large-scale intervention must eventually weaken domestic macroeconomic performance whether because of higher inflation, the costs of misaligned exchange rates or distortions in the financial system or the exchange rate/maturity exposures built up by the public sector. Yet massive intervention during the five years 2000 to 2004 by the major emerging market central banks especially Asian central banks has not apparently had such negative effects. Indeed, inflation has been low, financial systems appear stronger and there has been sustained growth. What has happened? This paper seeks to answer this question.
Ovulation rate as the selection criterion for litter size in sheep.

Egg transfer experiments have consistently failed to find differences among sheep breeds in their ability to support a given number of fertilised eggs. The literature on egg survival rate in pregnant, multiple ovulating ewes is also remarkably consistent across a wide range of breeds and environments in terms of the ratio of foetuses (or lambs) to corpora lutea. Two reports on egg survival in ewes of the same breed but genetically different ovulation rates have also failed to demonstrate differences in egg survival. It is concluded that there is no gentic variation among ewes in their ability to support a given number of fertilised eggs (within the range l-6). It follows, therefore, that the genetic correlation between litter size and ovulation rate is unity. Consequently, selection for increased litter size is really using litter size as an index of ovulation rate. It is shown that the efficiency of this index is a function of average ovulation rate and declines as ovulation rate increases.
Serum Immunoglobulin G Analysis to Establish a Delayed Diagnosis of Chronic Cough due to Bordetella pertussis

Objectives. Incidence of Bordetella pertussis infection among adults has risen significantly throughout the United States, but pertussis is not often considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic cough in adults. The authors hypothesized that serum IgG testing can establish a diagnosis of pertussis infection late in disease presentation when cultures and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing are not reliable. Study Design. Case series with chart review. Setting. Tertiary care hospital. Subjects and Methods. Institutional B pertussis serum IgG and PCR tests were reviewed since 2007. Clinical factors assessed included vaccination history, duration and severity of cough, and general medical history. Results. Forty-eight patients had B pertussis fimbrial agglutinogen IgG levels tested since 2007, with a significant increase in positive IgG tests (>27 IU/mL, 3 times the upper limit of normal) since fall 2009. Nineteen patients (39.5%) met IgG criteria for likely recent pertussis infection. Six IgG-positive patients also had PCR swab testing performed, with 50% positive for B pertussis. IgG values were similar for patients with positive or negative B pertussis PCR testing with positive IgG titers. IgG-positive patients were much more likely to have posttussive syncope. Recent vaccination for pertussis within the 3 years prior to IgG testing did not significantly increase IgG levels. Conclusions. One-time B pertussis serum IgG testing and patient history can establish a likely diagnosis of recent pertussis infection in the adult patient with chronic cough late in disease presentation when PCR testing is often negative. Pertussis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all patients with chronic cough.
Swallowing markers in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy

We examined the characteristics of dysphagia in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, a hereditary neuromuscular disease causing weakness of limb, facial, and oropharyngeal muscles via a videofluoroscopic swallowing study, and investigated the plausibility of using these outcome measures for quantitative analysis.
Sacral nerve stimulation: an emerging treatment for faecal incontinence

Faecal incontinence is common, distressing to the patient and socially incapacitating. The treatment options depend on the severity and aetiology of incontinence. For mild cases of faecal incontinence, medical management and pelvic floor physiotherapy may be adequate. For more severe cases, surgery is often required. Patients who have a distinct sphincter defect are amenable to surgical repair. In many cases, there is a combination of diffuse structural damage of the anal sphincters with pudendal neuropathy. Conventional surgical repairs have a modest degree of success and the results tend to deteriorate with time. Neosphincter procedures such as artificial bowel sphincter and dynamic graciloplasty are potentially morbid and technically complex. Sacral nerve stimulation is innovative and has had a medium‐term success with improvement of quality of life in over 80% of patients treated for faecal incontinence. These results are superior to other techniques in treating patients with severe refractory faecal incontinence, where current maximal therapy has failed. The technique is unique because there is a screening phase, which has a high predictive value. It is also associated with minimal complications that are usually minor. However, most published reports of sacral nerve stimulation for treatment of faecal incontinence were case studies and methods of assessing outcome were variable. Criteria for patient selection are evolving and are yet to be defined. The present paper critically reviews the publications to date on sacral nerve stimulation for treatment of faecal incontinence. This will form the basis for future evaluation of this emerging treatment of severe, intractable faecal incontinence. Randomized clinical trials like that of the Melbourne trial will further clarify the role and indications of sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence.
Effectiveness of emergency cerclage in cervical insufficiency

Abstract Objective: To assess the effectiveness of emergency cerclage versus conservative management in improving obstetric and neonatal outcomes in women with clinically evident cervical insufficiency. Methods: Retrospective cohort study conducted on all women with a single viable pregnancy diagnosed with cervical insufficiency between the 14th and 24th gestational week without pPROM, clinical chorioamnionitis, vaginal bleeding, treatment-resistant uterine contractions or life-incompatible fetal anomalies, from January 2009 to December 2014. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared between women who underwent cerclage and those who refused, preferring a conservative therapy. Results: Eighteen women underwent emergency cerclage and 19 were managed with a conservative therapy. Mean gestational age at delivery, time from diagnosis to delivery and rate of term birth were significantly higher in the first cohort. Those variables show a linear inverse correlation with the degree of cervical dilatation, with better outcomes in patients who underwent cerclage with a dilatation lower than 5.0 cm. No difference in mode of delivery were found. Conclusion: Emergency cerclage is a valid therapeutic option between the 14th and 24th gestational week in presence of cervical insufficiency when signs of premature labour or infection are not present, with lower expectations with a dilatation greater than 5 cm.
Disclosure on Internal Control Systems as Substitute of Alternative Governance Mechanisms

The study addresses the issue of disclosure on internal control system (ICS) recommended by best practices in corporate governance in the light of the agency theory perspective. We posit that reporting on the characteristics of internal control systems is an alternative governance mechanism that management provide to investors when the other devices are not in place.Analyzing the disclosure on internal control systems of 160 European firms listed in four different stock exchanges (London, Paris, Frankfurt and Milan) over a three-year period (2003 - 2005), we find empirical evidence that ICS disclosure is a substitute for the monitoring role played by the ownership structure, institutional ownership, the proportion of independent directors sitting on the board and the proportion of accounting expert members of the audit committee.This study provides empirical support for Williamson's (1983) substitute hypothesis among different governance mechanisms and it offers insights to firms and practitioners on the relevance of disclosure on internal control systems as a monitoring mechanism for investors.