Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Board and audit committee effectiveness, ethnic diversification and earnings management: a study of the Malaysian manufacturing sector

This purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of the Revised Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (2007) toward the effectiveness of the board and audit committees in Malaysian manufacturing companies. Since the manufacturing firms are dominantly held by Chinese firms, this paper is extended to incorporate the implication of ethnicity on board and audit committees’ effectiveness. ,Using a sample of 201 firms from fiscal year 2004-2009, the data set consists of a total of 1,206 firm-year observations. Analysis is carried out using correlation analysis, multiple and logistic regression analyses. ,The findings reveal that board and audit committees’ effectiveness is positively associated with earnings management pre- and post-Revised Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (2007). A higher number of ethnic members in the board are also positively associated with earnings management. ,This study is limited to some industries in the manufacturing sector due to the special characteristics of this sector and covers mostly large firms. The results may not therefore be applicable to small firms. Finally, the study does not consider possible interaction between the board and audit characteristics which may be significant in influencing earnings management. ,The findings show that the corporate governance mechanism in Malaysian firms is currently inadequate in preventing earnings management and extra effort is needed to improve board governance. ,This paper contributes to the current literature on the issues of corporate governance effectiveness and board ethnicity in the current economic and political structure in Malaysia.
Presence of Leishmania infantum in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Southern Italy

Skin, lymph node (popliteal), and bone marrow samples were collected from 50 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from May 2004 to May 2005 in southern Italy. Samples were tested for Leishmania infantum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The parasite was detected by PCR from 20 of 50 (40%) fox carcasses. All 20 positive cases were PCR-positive from lymph node and bone marrow samples, whereas 17 of 20 positive cases were PCR-positive from skin samples. Infection status was not related to age or sex. This is the first report of leishmaniasis in red foxes in Italy based on PCR results, and these results reinforce the assumption that this wild canid can serve as a reservoir for Leishmania.
Age and gender differences of endothelial function in 4739 healthy adults: the HUNT3 Fitness Study

Aims: Endothelial dysfunction is an important marker for prognosis in patients with coronary heart disease. However, there are no reference values for endothelial function in a healthy population. Our aim was to determine the distribution of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) values by gender and age in healthy adults. Methods: FMD was measured by ultrasound during reactive hyperaemia in the brachial artery of 4739 adults aged 20–89 years, who were free from self-reported cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. Differences in FMD across age and gender were analysed by multiple linear regression. Results: Total mean ± SD FMD was 4.8 ± 4.2%, with corresponding estimates of 4.3 ± 3.9% for men and 5.3 ± 4.5% for women (p < 0.001). In total, 17% had FMD ≤0%, indicating endothelial dysfunction. FMD decreased with increasing age in both genders up to 70 years for men and 80 for women (p < 0.001). In women, age-related decline in FMD was steepest after age 45; in men, a steady decline after age 30. In men 80 years and older, FMD was higher than in men aged 50–79 years. Conclusions: The distribution of FMD in this study is representative of the respective age and gender groups of a healthy population and may be a useful reference for future studies. The high proportion of endothelial dysfunction came as a surprise. Its age and gender distribution suggest that FMD ≤0% precedes cardiovascular disease and that it may be a powerful non-invasive biomarker for identifying high-risk individuals.
Neurophysiological measures in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Markers of progression in clinical trials

In this review we evaluate clinical neurophysiological methods, originally described for use in diagnosis that can be applied to measurement of change during the progress of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Such measurements are potentially important in clinical trials, and also in clinical practice. We have assessed methods for lower and upper motor neuron function, including conventional EMG, nerve conduction and F‐wave studies, the derived Neurophysiological Index, motor unit counting methods (MUNE), and transcranial magnetic motor cortex stimulation. We have also addressed the validity of measurements of electromechanical coupling. Methods for measuring muscle strength are beyond the scope of this review. We conclude that MUNE, M‐wave amplitude and the Neurophysiological Index are sufficiently reliable, sensitive, and relevant to the clinical problem of ALS, to be used in clinical trials in the disease. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is of limited value, but a combination of the measurements made as part of this technique may also be useful. We conclude that clinical neurophysiological techniques should now be used in measuring change in clinical trials in ALS.
Distributed Mode Loudspeakers

Distributed Mode Loudspeakers ((DML) represent a technical solution based on flat panel as sound source. Sound field is formed activating uniformly distributed sources of vibration in a flat plate using a special purpose electro acoustical exciter. This method of generating sound makes speaker radiation characteristics different from the one for electro — dynamic speakers. Those speakers could be applied in interior design, for mobile telephony and computer industry, the entertainment industry, etc. This paper presents results for frequency and directivity characteristics, and distortion measurements for different methods of their installation.
Patterns of religious practice and belief in the last year of life.

OBJECTIVES Although it is frequently assumed that issues of religious faith become more salient at the end of life, there is little or no population-based empirical evidence testing this assumption. METHODS Using data from the New Haven site of the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (N = 2,812), the authors examined self-reports of attendance at services, self-ratings of religiousness, and strength and comfort felt from religion for respondents who did and did not die within 12 months following an interview. Religiousness was assessed at baseline (1982) and in follow-up interviews in 1985, 1988, and 1994. Cross-sectional comparisons of levels of religiousness were made among persons in their last 6 months of life, persons in their last 12 months of life, and persons who survived 12 months, and longitudinal comparisons were made with religiousness at the previous wave. RESULTS After adjusting for age, sex, education, marital status, religious affiliation, and a set of health status measures, the authors found that although attendance at religious services declined among the near-deceased, this group showed either stability or a small increase in feelings of religiousness and strength/comfort received from religion. Overall levels of attendance and religious feelings were high for this religiously diverse sample. DISCUSSION Community studies of respondents in their last year of life are rare. In this sample, religious involvement appears to continue throughout the last months of life.
Aging women and men in the medical profession: The effect of gender and marital status on successful aging and retirement intent in Australian doctors

ABSTRACT Despite increasing interest from the medical profession in aging and retirement, we know little about effects of gender, marital status, and cohort on aging within the profession. We surveyed 1,048 Australian doctors from “younger” (55–64) and “older” (65–89) cohorts, investigating gender and marital effects on perceptions of successful aging, career, and retirement intent. Women intend to retire earlier. Younger cohort and married women more frequently viewed their career as a calling, while women in general, and single women more frequently, endorsed personal successful aging more than men. Broader understanding of the different experiences of aging for men and women doctors is needed.
Alder and the Golden Fleece: high diversity of Frankia and ectomycorrhizal fungi revealed from Alnus glutinosa subsp. barbata roots close to a Tertiary and glacial refugium

Background Recent climatic history has strongly impacted plant populations, but little is known about its effect on microbes. Alders, which host few and specific symbionts, have high genetic diversity in glacial refugia. Here, we tested the prediction that communities of root symbionts survived in refugia with their host populations. We expected to detect endemic symbionts and a higher species richness in refugia as compared to recolonized areas. Methods We sampled ectomycorrhizal (EM) root tips and the nitrogen-fixing actinomycete Frankia communities in eight sites colonized by Alnus glutinosa subsp. barbata close to the Caucasus in Georgia. Three sites were located in the Colchis, one major Eurasian climatic refugia for Arcto-Tertiary flora and alders, and five sites were located in the recolonized zone. Endemic symbionts and plant ITS variants were detected by comparing sequences to published data from Europe and another Tertiary refugium, the Hyrcanian forest. Species richness and community structure were compared between sites from refugia and recolonized areas for each symbionts. Results For both symbionts, most MOTUs present in Georgia had been found previously elsewhere in Europe. Three endemic Frankia strains were detected in the Colchis vs two in the recolonized zone, and the five endemic EM fungi were detected only in the recolonized zone. Frankia species richness was higher in the Colchis while the contrary was observed for EM fungi. Moreover, the genetic diversity of one alder specialist Alnicola xanthophylla was particularly high in the recolonized zone. The EM communities occurring in the Colchis and the Hyrcanian forests shared closely related endemic species. Discussion The Colchis did not have the highest alpha diversity and more endemic species, suggesting that our hypothesis based on alder biogeography may not apply to alder’s symbionts. Our study in the Caucasus brings new clues to understand symbioses biogeography and their survival in Tertiary and ice-age refugia, and reveals that isolated host populations could be of interest for symbiont diversity conservation.
Comparison of clinical and patient-reported outcomes with bilateral AcrySof toric or spherical control intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE To compare clinical and patient-reported outcomes with bilateral implantation of AcrySof toric or spherical control (Alcon Laboratories Inc) intraocular lenses (IOLs). METHODS Patients with cataract and corneal astigmatism who previously received either an AcrySof toric IOL or an AcrySof spherical control IOL were offered implantation of the same IOL in the fellow eye. Six-month assessments included visual acuity, refractive cylinder, spectacle use, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS The study included 62 patients (toric, n=40; control, n=22). All corneal incisions were temporal, with final mean incision sizes of 3.0 mm for the toric IOL and 3.1 mm for the spherical control IOL. A significantly greater proportion of patients with toric IOLs achieved spectacle independence for distance vision and did not require prescription glasses for near or distance vision (P=.0190). Patients with toric IOLs had significantly less residual refractive cylinder (P<.0001) and better binocular distance uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) (P=.0014) than those with spherical control IOLs. CONCLUSIONS Patients with bilateral AcrySof toric IOLs achieved superior spectacle freedom, residual refractive cylinder, and distance UCVA compared to patients with bilateral spherical control IOLs.
Reliability of the Planned Pedicle Screw Trajectory versus the Actual Pedicle Screw Trajectory using Intra-operative 3D CT and Image Guidance

Background Technological advances, including navigation, have been made to improve safety and accuracy of pedicle screw fixation. We evaluated the accuracy of the virtual screw placement (Stealth projection) compared to actual screw placement (intra-operative O-Arm) and examined for differences based on the distance from the reference frame. Methods A retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected data was conducted from January 2013 to September 2013. We evaluated thoracic and lumbosacral pedicle screws placed using intraoperative O-arm and Stealth navigation by obtaining virtual screw projections and intraoperative O-arm images after screw placement. The screw trajectory angle to the midsagittal line and superior endplate was compared in the axial and sagittal views, respectively. Percent error and paired t-test statistics were then performed. Results Thirty-one patients with 240 pedicle screws were analyzed. The mean angular difference between the virtual and actual image in all screws was 2.17° ± 2.20° on axial images and 2.16° ± 2.24° on sagittal images. There was excellent agreement between actual and virtual pedicle screw trajectories in the axial and sagittal plane with ICC = 0.99 (95%CI: 0.992-0.995) (p<0.001) and ICC= 0.81 (95%CI: 0.759-0.855) (p<0.001) respectively. When comparing thoracic and lumbar screws, there was a significant difference in the sagittal angulation between the two distributions. No statistical differences were found distance from the reference frame. Conclusion The virtual projection view is clinically accurate compared to the actual placement on intra-operative CT in both the axial and sagittal views. There is slight imprecision (~2°) in the axial and sagittal planes and a minor difference in the sagittal thoracic and lumbar angulation, although these did not affect clinical outcomes. In general, we find that pedicle screw placement using intraoperative cone beam CT and navigation to be accurate and reliable, and as such have made it a routine part of our spine practice. This study was approved by the University of Minnesota IRB (#1303E30544).
Patterns of deoxygenation: sensitivity to natural and anthropogenic drivers

Observational estimates and numerical models both indicate a significant overall decline in marine oxygen levels over the past few decades. Spatial patterns of oxygen change, however, differ considerably between observed and modelled estimates. Particularly in the tropical thermocline that hosts open-ocean oxygen minimum zones, observations indicate a general oxygen decline, whereas most of the state-of-the-art models simulate increasing oxygen levels. Possible reasons for the apparent model-data discrepancies are examined. In order to attribute observed historical variations in oxygen levels, we here study mechanisms of changes in oxygen supply and consumption with sensitivity model simulations. Specifically, the role of equatorial jets, of lateral and diapycnal mixing processes, of changes in the wind-driven circulation and atmospheric nutrient supply, and of some poorly constrained biogeochemical processes are investigated. Predominantly wind-driven changes in the low-latitude oceanic ventilation are identified as a possible factor contributing to observed oxygen changes in the low-latitude thermocline during the past decades, while the potential role of biogeochemical processes remains difficult to constrain. We discuss implications for the attribution of observed oxygen changes to anthropogenic impacts and research priorities that may help to improve our mechanistic understanding of oxygen changes and the quality of projections into a changing future. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Ocean ventilation and deoxygenation in a warming world’.
LFA-1 and Mac-1 Define Characteristically Different Intralumenal Crawling and Emigration Patterns for Monocytes and Neutrophils In Situ

To exit blood vessels, most (∼80%) of the lumenally adhered monocytes and neutrophils crawl toward locations that support transmigration. Using intravital confocal microscopy of anesthetized mouse cremaster muscle, we separately examined the crawling and emigration patterns of monocytes and neutrophils in blood-perfused unstimulated or TNF-α–activated venules. Most of the interacting cells in microvessels are neutrophils; however, in unstimulated venules, a greater percentage of the total monocyte population is adherent compared with neutrophils (58.2 ± 6.1% versus 13.6 ± 0.9%, adhered/total interacting), and they crawl for significantly longer distances (147.3 ± 13.4 versus 61.8 ± 5.4 μm). Intriguingly, after TNF-α activation, monocytes crawled for significantly shorter distances (67.4 ± 9.6 μm), resembling neutrophil crawling. Using function-blocking Abs, we show that these different crawling patterns were due to CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1)- versus CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1)-mediated crawling. Blockade of either Mac-1 or LFA-1 revealed that both LFA-1 and Mac-1 contribute to monocyte crawling; however, the LFA-1–dependent crawling in unstimulated venules becomes Mac-1 dependent upon inflammation, likely due to increased expression of Mac-1. Mac-1 alone was responsible for neutrophil crawling in both unstimulated and TNF-α–activated venules. Consistent with the role of Mac-1 in crawling, Mac-1 block (compared with LFA-1) was also significantly more efficient in blocking TNF-α–induced extravasation of both monocytes and neutrophils in cremaster tissue and the peritoneal cavity. Thus, mechanisms underlying leukocyte crawling are important in regulating the inflammatory responses by regulating the numbers of leukocytes that transmigrate.
The spectacle of the ball python (Python regius): A morphological description

A detailed morphological description of the spectacle of the ball python (Python regius) is provided. The eyes of 21 snakes were examined by light microscopy and/or transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, eyes of nine live snakes were examined using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Scheimpflug scanning (Pentacam). The spectacle consists of three layers: outer epithelium, stroma and inner epithelium. The outer epithelium is made up of flat basal cells overlaid by keratin, the stroma consists of organized layers of collagen fibrils with interweaving nerve fibers and blood vessels, and the inner epithelium holds squamous cells containing vesicles and microvilli. At the rim of the spectacle, there is a transition zone, where the spectacle merges with the epidermis and dermis of the periocular scales. This zone is characterized by a greater height of the basal cells of the outer epithelium and a less orderly organization of the stroma compared with the spectacle proper. The thickness of the spectacle was uniform throughout. It averaged 96 ± 10 µm in histological specimens and 108 ± 13 µm using OCT. The subspectacular space was extremely narrow in the live snakes; however, the space was visible at the periphery of the spectacle with OCT. J. Morphol. 275:489–496, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Production Relations in Agrarian Capitalist Development

Das (2012) proposes to apply Marx’s account of the subsumption of labor under capital, concerning levels of capitalist control of production, in addressing questions regarding the definition of capitalism and the nature and forms of economic development in agrarian economies, and to use the recent economic experience of Indian agriculture for empirical illustration. This comment raises several issues with regard to Das’s reading of Marx’s account and his application of that account in assessing Indian agricultural development.
Characterization of Binding of Adenylate Cyclase Toxin to Target Cells by Flow Cytometry

ABSTRACT Adenylate cyclase (AC) toxin from Bordetella pertussisintoxicates eukaryotic cells by increasing intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. In addition, insertion of AC toxin into the plasma membrane causes efflux of intracellular K+ and, in a related process, hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes. Although intoxication, K+ efflux, and hemolysis have been thoroughly investigated, there is little information on the nature of the interaction of this toxin with intact target cells. Using flow cytometry, we observe that binding of AC toxin to sheep erythrocytes and Jurkat T lymphocytes is dependent on posttranslational acylation of the toxin. Extracellular calcium is also necessary, with a steep calcium concentration dependence similar to that required for intoxication and hemolysis. Binding of AC toxin is concentration dependent but unsaturable up to 50 μg/ml, suggesting that if there is a specific receptor molecule with which the toxin interacts, it is not limiting. Visualization of cells by fluorescence microscopy supports the data obtained by flow cytometry and reveals a peripheral pattern of toxin distribution. AC toxin binds to erythrocytes at both 0 and 37°C; however, the total binding at 0°C is less than that at 37°C. In human erythrocytes, AC toxin does not cause an increase in K+ efflux or hemolysis. While AC toxin exhibits reduced potency to increase cAMP in these cells than in sheep erythrocytes, there is only a modest reduction in the binding of the toxin as measured by flow cytometry. Further use of this technique will provide new approaches for dynamic and functional analysis of the early steps involved in intoxication, K+ efflux, and hemolysis produced by AC toxin.
The role of prophylactic antimalarial in the reduction of placental parasitemia among pregnant women in Calabar, Nigeria

Introduction: Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is a recommendation of the World Health Organization as part of the malaria control strategy in pregnancy in areas with malaria burden. Aim: This study set out to appraise the effectiveness of this regimen in the prevention of placental parasitemia among parturients in Calabar, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Pretested, precoded questionnaires were administered to eligible women at the antenatal clinic and later updated at the labor ward. Intermittent preventive treatment was administered under direct observation at the clinic, while packed cell volume, placental parasitemia, and other laboratory tests were measured at the labor ward. Results: The gross presence of placental malaria in the intermittent preventive treatment (IPT)-treated and the control groups was 10.6% and 11.3% respectively (P=0.76). Anemia occurred in 3.1% of the IPT-treated group compared to 11.7% among the control group (P=0.000). Only 7.9% of the IPT-treated women had moderate to severe placental parsitemia whereas as many as 53.2% of women in the control group had moderate to severe parasitemia (P=0.000). Conclusion: Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine was associated with significant reduction in the degree of placental parasitemia among women in the IPT-treated group, although it did not completely eradicate placental malaria in the treatment group.
Molecular Labor Division: Its Cause and Consequence

Both external environmental selection and internal lower-level evolution are essential for an integral picture of evolution. This paper proposes that the division of internal evolution into DNA/RNA pattern formation (genotype) and protein functional action (phenotype) resolves a universal conflict between fitness and evolvability. Specifically, this paper explains how this universal conflict drove the emergence of genotype-phenotype division, why this labor division is responsible for the extraordinary complexity of life, and how the specific ways of genotype-phenotype mapping in the labor division determine the paths and forms of evolution and development.