Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence of apical lymph node (ALN) positivity in resectable colorectal cancer (CRC) and its prognostic significance on short term follow up at a tertiary care center in India

Introduction: Presence of lymph node metastases in colorectal cancer (CRC) is well recognized as one of the most important prognostic factors. Almost no data is available on Apical Lymph Node (ALN) positivity and its impact on survival and recurrence in India. Our study aims to bridge this gap. Material and Methods: 40 CRC patients deemed resectable on standard preoperative work up were included in the study. Apical lymph node and specimen were sent separately for histopathological examination and patients were divided into ALN positive (ALN+) and ALN negative (ALN-) groups. Patients were followed up for a period of 24 months. All patients were followed up with 3 monthly Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and Ultrasound abdomen, colonoscopy at 1 year and Computerized tomography (CT) abdomen at 1 year. Results: Of 40 patients 8 (20%) were ALN+. 30% (12/40) had recurrences of which 100% ALN+ cases(8/8) had recurrence but only 12.5% (4/32) of ALNgroup had recurrence. In ALN+ group, all recurrences were distant metastasis whereas recurrences in ALNgroup were 50% local and 50% distant metastasis. Mean recurrence free survival was 6months in ALN+ group while in ALNgroup it was 10.5 months. 75% of ALN+ patients had elevated CEA level compared to 18.7% of ALNgroup. Lymph Node ratio (LNR) was statistically higher in ALN+ group (60% versus 2.7% in ALNgroup). Conclusions: ALN positivity was found to be 20% and correlated with higher preop CEA. ALN+ status was a significant risk factor for recurrence. ALN positivity is an indicator for higher recurrence rates and distant metastasis.
PARTNERSHIP CONFLICTS AND DISSATISFACTION AN INTERCULTURAL COMPARISON BETWEEN WOMEN WITH TURKISH ORIGIN AND WOMEN WITHOUT MIGRATION BACKGROUND IN GERMANY

Partnership quality is a strong predictor of happiness, health and a successful family life. Within a migration context in particular, we can assume that there will be additional risks of complicated and dissatisfying situations. This paper focuses on Turkish migrants, the biggest migration group in Germany. It aims to identify those factors which result in the view regarding existing relationships either remaining constant or deteriorating over a time frame of three years. We use data from two waves of the Generation and Gender Survey (GGS). Two samples are used, namely women of Turkish origin and women without a migration background in Germany. The results show that an impression of equity in the sharing of household tasks could be a protective factor, for both groups. Conflicts are major risk factors, but more so for German than for Turkish women. Loneliness is a strong predictor of dissatisfaction and instability in Turkish, but not in German relationships.
Do Technology-oriented Mergers and Acquisitions Strengthen the Stock Market Valuation of R&D Spending?

This paper investigates how mergers and acquisitions (M&A) affect the stock market valuation of research and development (R&D) spending of the acquiring firm in technology-intensive industries. Our empirical analyses are based on a sample of 1701 M&As made by technology-intensive US firms during the period from 1990-2004. Consistent with our hypothesis that technology M&As enhance the value creation ability of an acquirer’s existing R&D activities we find that they increase the stock market valuation of acquirer’s R&D spending. We also find that the observed value creation is a curvilinear function of the acquirer and target firms’ technological relatedness. Finally, our results show that technology M&As enhance an acquirer’s ability to translate its R&D spending to future financial performance. Our results are robust for different alternative specifications of our model and when controlling for firm and industry differences. JEL Classification: G15, M40
Bad Bank Resolutions and Bank Lending

The paper investigates whether impaired asset segregation tools, otherwise known as bad banks, and recapitalisation lead to a recovery in the originating banks' lending and a reduction in non-performing loans (NPLs). Results are based on a novel data set covering 135 banks from 15 European banking systems over the period 2000-16. The main finding is that bad bank segregations are effective in cleaning up balance sheets and promoting bank lending only if they combine recapitalisation with asset segregation. Used in isolation, neither tool will suffice to spur lending and reduce future NPLs. Exploiting the heterogeneity in asset segregation events, we find that asset segregation is more effective when: (i) asset purchases are funded privately; (ii) smaller shares of the originating bank's assets are segregated; and (iii) asset segregation occurs in countries with more efficient legal systems. Our results continue to hold when we address the potential endogeneity problem associated with the creation of a bad bank.
Microsoft Word-68-20-020.03.docx

Introduction: A critical sized calvarial defect study, using athymic rats, was conducted at an independent laboratory under GLP guidelines in order to assess the osteoinductivity of LifeNet Health’s new Readigraft BLX DBM Putty. This study assessed the radiographic and histological performance of BLX Putty, and the results were compared against a predicate control, comprised of DBM in a glycerol carrier, at four and eight weeks.
Effect of storage conditions and packaging material on postharvest quality attributes of strawberry

Purpose: Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is highly perishable fruit with a limited postharvest life at room temperature and is vulnerable to postharvest decay due to its high respiration rate, environmental stresses and pathogenic attacks. Research method: To increase the postharvest life of strawberries, a combination of packaging material (polyethylene and perforated polyethylene) along with control and storage conditions {zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) and ambient conditions in laboratory} were tested. Main findings: Mass loss (1.59%) and internal temperature (22.24°C) were significantly reduced while shelf-life (more than 3 days) was enhanced in ZECC as compared to ambient conditions in laboratory with 6.46% mass loss, 23.04°C internal temperature and less than 3 days shelf-life. Packaging material significantly influenced mass loss (%) and electrical conductivity (S/m) of strawberry juice irrespective of its interaction with storage conditions and storage durations. Maximum mass loss (9.11%) and EC (3.74 S/m) were recorded in control samples while, minimum mass loss (1.24%) and EC (3.52 S/m) was recorded in polyethylene enclosed fruit. Irrespective of storage conditions and packaging material pH, TSS, titratable acidity (%) and ascorbic acid (mg100 ml-1) decreased while electrical conductivity (S/m) increased during storage. Limitations: In future study storage duration should be extended by adding more removals to get clear difference in fruit quality and shelf-life under various treatments. Originality/Value: In conclusion ZECC can be used for short term storage of strawberry.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Optimistic Disclosure Tone, Insider Trading and Capital Structure

This paper examines the impacts of managerial belief (particularly overconfidence) on capital structure. We attempts to gauge managerial overconfidence adopting words-based (i.e. tone of Chairman’s Statement) and action-based (i.e. insider trading) approaches. We find that optimistic tone is negatively related to leverage. This observation is consistent with several arguments that optimistic tone is associated with (1) “reducing information asymmetry”, (2) “hyping the stock” and (3) managerial overconfidence (which in turn leads to debt conservatism). In contrast, CEO and especially CFO net purchase are positively related to leverage. This finding can be explained by either market timing or preference for debt over equity due to managerial overconfidence. More interestingly, we examine the joint effect of optimistic tone and insider selling. The coefficient on this interaction term is negative, suggesting that insider selling contradicts optimistic tone which makes equity investors less willing to buy the firm’s shares.
MEASURES OF FAIRNESS FOR NEW YORK CITY’S SUPERVISED RELEASE RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL

In 2014, the Criminal Justice Agency (CJA) was asked by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) to create a risk assessment tool to screen defendants’ suitability for acceptance into a pretrial supervised release program. This effort involved compiling an extensive dataset on demographic, criminal history, and arrest information by combining information contained in CJA’s database with data from the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Based on this data, CJA worked with MOCJ to create a statistical model to predict the likelihood that a defendant will be re-arrested for a felony during the pre-trial period– the prediction objective set by MOCJ. The model estimated from the data was then manually adjusted to incorporate input from MOCJ to arrive at a final ‘compromise Risk Point system. ’ This final model takes demographic and criminal history information about a defendant as inputs and outputs a risk category, ranging from low to high risk. Defendants classified in lower risk groups are considered better candidates for the supervised release program than those in higher risk groups. Defendants whose risk is assessed as ‘high’ are ineligible for release into the program [Redcross et al., 2017]. A full description of the model, its development, and our reproduction is given in Appendix A. Following the development of this model, CJA compiled an unpublished report validating the predictive utility of the model [Healy, 2015]. In this report, CJA demonstrated that the model achieved predictive accuracy (measured by AUC, a common measure of predictive accuracy in risk assessment tools) of about 0.67, which is on par with many other available risk assessment tools [Desmarais et al., 2016]. They also demonstrated the tool’s ability to predict not only felony re-arrest (the outcome the tool was designed to predict) but also any re-arrest and failure
Collaborative Dynamics of Electronic Information Sharing in Government: A Systematic Literature Review

Existing research on electronic information sharing (EIS) in government faces the challenge of identifying a suitable collaborative approach, and features the lack of a holistic framework to categorize research results and to provide future research suggestions. This paper systematically analyzes and traces the literature on EIS in government by using the framework by Emerson et al. (2012)’s as a lens to assess the core elements of collaborative dynamics. Findings show that existing research on EIS in government focuses on the topics of finding a suitable communication approach, consolidating long-term relationships, and on rational resource allocation arrangements among stakeholders. However, there is still a lack of governance framework to investigate processes of long-term relationship formation and their impacts on collective actions.
Audit Committee Quality Indices, Firm value, Internal Control and Financial Reporting Quality

We investigate the relation between audit committee (AC, hereafter) quality indices derived from a principal component analysis (PCA) and firm value using a sample of 12,301 firms over the period 2002 to 2012. We also examine the usefulness of the indices in predicting the quality of a firm’s internal controls, financial reporting, and audit quality. We report a significant positive (negative) relation between ‘high’ (‘low’) AC quality firms and future firm value, measured as industry-adjusted Tobin’s q, supporting the view that AC characteristics have a significant impact on firm value. We show that low AC quality firms are significantly more likely to have internal control concerns disclosed by predecessor auditors, including accounting standard issues, financial restatements, audit opinion concerns, and deficiencies that undermine internal control effectiveness. We also show that low AC quality firms are more likely to manage earnings, be external auditor dependent with respect to non-audit tax services, and switch to a lower quality auditor. Further, they are also more likely to receive an audit report containing additional explanatory notes, consistent with a higher likelihood of future financial misstatements. Conversely, high AC quality firms are less likely to have accounting issues, dismiss an auditor after disagreements, have adverse restatements, and receive an audit report containing additional explanatory notes. Taken together, our findings support the view that the AC plays an important role in monitoring the financial reporting process. The results are robust to several econometric concerns primarily related to endogeneity, and to controls that capture broader firm-level governance characteristics, suggesting that AC quality has incremental value in driving better financial reporting, and internal control outcomes and, more importantly, firm value.
Stock Market Sensitivity to Macroeconomic Factors: Evidence from China and India

The purpose of this study is to analyse the impact of Chinese macroeconomic factors on Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) Composite returns and Indian macroeconomic factors on Nifty returns based on monthly data from January 1998 to December 2018. This study adopts quantile regression approach. The QR allows examining the conditional dependence of specific quantile of SSE and Nifty returns with respect to the conditioning factors. The authors present results for two sample periods that are pre-recession and recession period from 1998 to 2008 and the post-recession period from 2009 to 2018. This paper also documents quite interesting and useful results for the entire period. From the results, It is concluded that Chinese consumer price index significantly affects the SSE returns only for lower quantiles. However, Indian consumer price index has a significant and positive impact on the Nifty returns for the upper quantiles. Further, Chinese interest rates and Indian interest rates have no impact on the SSE and Nifty returns respectively across the different quantiles. Moreover, the Chinese exchange rate influence the SSE returns at the extreme dataset. However, the Indian exchange rate is insignificant. It is important to note that the dependence structure of China shows a negligible change during the post-recession period. Conversely, the dependence structure has changed significantly for India post-recession. The implication of this paper would guide stock market participants.
Served as Social Actors or Instrumental Role? Understanding the Usage of Smart Product from the Dual Processing Perspective

Based on the Dual processing theory, this study proposes that customers form their decision of smart products usage through two paths of: emotional and functional, at the same time. These paths are related to two types of behavior modes: affect-oriented which reflects the emotional or psychological demands we need, and the task-oriented which reflects essential needs for us to make use of these products. The behavior modes, represented by anthropomorphism cues and functional cues respectively, influence different kinds of trust, affect-based and cognition-based, and then determine the usage of smart products. The results will be examine through data collection in the near future. And we hope that the results could unravel several important findings and bring some managerial implications for manufacturers to improve their products.
IS GROUP AFFILIATION PROFITABLE IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

Several studies find that business groups create value for affiliated companies in developing countries characterized by weak institutions and poorly functioning markets. Business groups act as an intermediary between imperfect markets and individual entrepreneurs. This raises the question whether business groups also create value in countries with strong institutions and well-functioning markets, as there are also substantial costs associated with these groups. We find that group-affiliated companies in Belgium show lower profitability and higher profit volatility than stand-alone companies. Our results also suggest that internal capital markets in Belgian business groups subsidize poorly performing group members.
RAAE 1/2020, Regular Article, Adepoju and Oyewole

Despite the progress in poverty reduction globally, millions of people are either near or living in severe multidimensional poverty in Nigeria. This study examined multidimensional poverty transitions in rural Nigeria, employing the Alkire and Foster measure of multidimensional poverty, Markov model of poverty transitions and the multinomial logistic regression model for analysis. Results showed that multidimensional poverty among rural households in Nigeria was mainly chronic (46.5%) while education and assets dimensions contributed most to the incidence and severity of multidimensional poverty among the households respectively. Educational and marital status, household size and number of assets owned influenced transient poverty while tertiary education, household size and number of assets owned influenced chronic poverty. The enactment and implementation of relevant laws and policies against the marginalization of the poor and vulnerable with respect to ownership of assets and intensification of efforts and incentives, aimed at encouraging human capital development, is key in the fight against poverty in rural Nigeria.
Is There A Shortfall in Public Investment? An Asset Pricing Appraisal

Is investment in public sector capital inadequate in the U.S.? The answer is yes from investors' perspective. This paper takes an asset pricing approach to evaluating the overall (in)adequacy of public sector investment. I propose a two-sector general equilibrium model that demonstrates how the share of public sector capital may enter the pricing kernel. From this theory I derive a factor pricing model with shocks to the public sector investment share ("PUB shocks") as a risk factor. I confront the factor model with a variety of test assets and find that PUB shocks are priced and carry a consistently positive price of risk. I find further support from the analysis of a sample of U.S. government contractors: I postulate that the extent to which a firm depends on government customers for revenue is a relevant proxy for its exposure to public sector investment. I find that high-dependency firms (that is, firms with greater sales to government relative to their total sales) provide a 7.4% higher average return annually compared to low-dependency firms. A subsample analysis reveals that this return spread is widening as the public sector investment share declines; it implies a growing shortfall in public sector investment in recent years.
Deliveries among diabetic females; a tertiary care experience

Objectives: To determine the cesarean section (CS) rate in a consecutive series of pregnant women with Diabetes Mellitus. Material and Methods: This retrospective patients’ files review of deliveries happened to diabetic mothers was carried out from 1st January, 2005 to 31st December, 2006 in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Alnoor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Results: Among all subjects (118), Saudi national women predominated 101(86%). Majority belonged to the age group of 36-40 years, i.e., 38(32%) and 52(44%) was diagnosed as gestational diabetes mellitus. However, 89(75%) of pregnancies were terminated through CS. Conclusion: Majority were delivered by CS.
Molecular Characterization of Bacteria Associated with Diarrhoea in Children (0-5) from some Selected Hospitals in Makurdi, Benue State

Molecular characterization of bacteria associated with diarrhoea in children (0-5) years attending selected hospitals in Makurdi was carried out. A total of 377 stool samples were collected from children attending Federal Medical Centre, General Hospital North Bank and Bishop Murray Memorial Hospital, High level Makurdi. Standard methods involving microbiological, biochemical and molecular analysis using PCR were employed in characterizing bacteria associated with diarrhoea in children (0-5) years. Out of the 377 stool samples examined for diarrhoea associated with bacteria, 51 (13.7%) were positive for Escherichia coli, Shigella and Salmonella species. Out of these 51, 40 (78.4) were E. coli, 8 (15.7%) Shigella and 3 (5.9%) were Salmonella respectively. Out of 51 positive for bacteria associated with diarrhoea in children, 17 (11.4%) were from Male and 34 (13.7%) from Female. Infection rate was highest 23 (29.5%) among children between the ages of 13 – 24 months and the least 2 (2.6%) between 40 – 60 months. Amplification result using PCR confirmed Enterohaemorragic E. coli, Shigella dysentriae and Salmonella typhi. Exclusive breast feeding increases immunity in children, therefore breastfeeding should be recommended for children of breast feeding age, so that incidence of diarrhoea infection can be brought to the bearest minimum.
An Evaluation of the Proportion of the Components of Production Cost of Building Projects in the South-South Geo-political Zone of Nigeria

This study evaluates the proportion of the components of production cost of building construction projects with a view to improving estimation accuracy for project planning and control in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Secondary data of selected building elements of public storey building projects completed within a 10 year period of 2009 and 2018 are obtained for this study. This consists of cost data of 240 projects retrieved from archives of building construction contractors. Data collected which include production costs of materials, labour, plant and equipment of the selected building projects are analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results of the study indicate that production cost of materials is highest while cost of equipment is the least among the selected building. Window and door elements have the highest cost of materials at 77.17%; staircase, floor and upper floor elements have the least cost at 52.98%. Mechanical installations and finishing elements have the highest production cost of labour at 35% while windows and door elements have the least total elements cost of 20.49%. Framework has the highest proportion of cost of equipment of 15.02% and the least is windows and door elements at 2.34%. The proportion of production costs are 52.98% to 77.17%, 20.49 to 35% and 15.02% to 2.34% for material, labour and equipment components respectively. The study establishes that the proportion of the selected components of the building elements are not the same across the selected elements evaluated (p-value < 0.05). The study recommends the adoption of the results of this study in ensuring accuracy of estimation of construction building projects.