Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneity of Opinion, Shareholder Retention Ratio and Lockup Period: Malaysian Evidence

This paper examines the effects of the lock-up period and shareholder retention ratio on the heterogeneity of investors beliefs regarding the true value of IPOs in the Malaysian IPO market. The relationship between the signalling variables and the first-day price range of IPOs is examined using a quantile regression (QR) technique. This study employs a sample of 377 IPOs issued between January 2000 and December 2015. The results show that shareholder retention ratio has a significant negative relationship with the first-day price range, while the lock-up period does not have a significant relationship with the first-day price range. This suggests that prospective investors acknowledge the importance of the shareholder retention ratio as a signal and use the information conveyed by this signal to evaluate the price of the listing firm’s IPO and to ensure that the current price reflects their beliefs and expectations of the firm in general and the issue price in particular. Finally, the lock-up in the Malaysian market serves as precautionary measure to guard the investors against after-market insiders’ actions. JEL Classification: G32, G34
Effects of formulated diets supplemented with vitamin E on the egg quality and ovi somatic index of female Portunus pelagicus broodstock

The study of the blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) broodstock nutrition is significant for achieving the reproductive success, which implicitly increases the larval quantity and quality in the mass production of cultured species. Therefore, the objective of this work was to determine the effects of the dosage of vitamin E in the diets on the egg quality and ovi somatic index of female P. pelagicus broodstock. Four dosage levels of vitamin E were tested: 0 IU kg (control), 300 IU kg, 600 IU kg, and 900 IU kg, in a formulated diet (44.38% crude protein). P. pelagicus was fed once a day between 17.00 and 18.00 hours, at the ration of 3% of the body weight, for 40 days. The results showed that the fertilization rate, the egg hatching rate and the ovi somatic index increased with an increasing vitamin E dosage in the diet, from control (0 IU kg) to 300 IU kg, then it decreased when the dosage was increased up to 900 IU kg formulated diet. A quadratic relationship existed between the dose of vitamin E (IU kg) in the formulated diet and the egg quality incubation period (days) and ovi somatic index of the female P. pelagicus broodstock. The modification of the formulated diet by supplementation with different doses of vitamin E can reduce the incubation period of female P. pelagicus broodstock and increase the egg quality and ovi somatic index value of the female parent.
Factors Affecting Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure in Companies Listed on the Vietnamese Stock Market

This study investigated the practice and disclosure of corporate social responsibility of Vietnamese enterprises, as well as the factors affecting corporate social responsibility disclosure. This paper used regression analysis to examine 516 observations from annual reports and sustainability reports of enterprises listed on the Vietnamese stock market from 2006 to 2017. The results showed that the extent of corporate social responsibility disclosure of Vietnamese businesses is low. Firm age, legal regulations, financial efficiency, strategic posture toward corporate social responsibility, and the type of company are factors that positively influence the extent of corporate social responsibility disclosure in Vietnamese enterprises.
Exact maximal reduction of stochastic reaction networks by species lumping

MOTIVATION Stochastic reaction networks are a widespread model to describe biological systems where the presence of noise is relevant, such as in cell regulatory processes. Unfortunately, in all but simplest models the resulting discrete state-space representation hinders analytical tractability and makes numerical simulations expensive. Reduction methods can lower complexity by computing model projections that preserve dynamics of interest to the user. RESULTS We present an exact lumping method for stochastic reaction networks with mass-action kinetics. It hinges on an equivalence relation between the species, resulting in a reduced network where the dynamics of each macro-species is stochastically equivalent to the sum of the original species in each equivalence class, for any choice of the initial state of the system. Furthermore, by an appropriate encoding of kinetic parameters as additional species, the method can establish equivalences that do not depend on specific values of the parameters. The method is supported by an efficient algorithm to compute the largest species equivalence, thus the maximal lumping. The effectiveness and scalability of our lumping technique, as well as the physical interpretability of resulting reductions, is demonstrated in several models of signaling pathways and epidemic processes on complex networks. AVAILABILITY The algorithms for species equivalence have been implemented in the software tool ERODE, freely available for download from https://www.erode. eu.
Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Shell Based Activated Carbon for the Removal of Malachite Green Dye from Aqueous Solutions

The adsorption of malachite green (MG) dye using coconut shell based activated carbon (CSAC) was investigated. Operational factors such as the effect of pH, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and solution temperature on the adsorption process were studied. Solution pH strongly affected the chemistry of both the dye molecule and CSAC in solution. Optimum dye removal was obtained at pH ≥ 8.0. Equilibrium was reached in 120 minutes contact time. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models were used to evaluate the adsorption data. The adsorption data fitted the Langmuir model most with maximum adsorption monolayer coverage of 214.63 mg/g. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models were also used to fit the experimental data. Kinetic parameters, rate constants, equilibrium sorption capacities, and related correlation coefficients, for each model were calculated and discussed. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG0, ΔH0, and ΔS0 were evaluated and it was found that the sorption process was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic in nature. The mean free energy obtained from D-R isotherm suggests that the adsorption process follows physiosorption mechanism. The results showed that coconut shells could be employed as a low-cost precursor in activated carbon preparation for the removal of MG dye from wastewaters.
A prospective randomized controlled trial of the Baska ® mask and the LMA Supreme ® in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract : Objectives : LMA Supreme (LMA-S) mask is one of the most used and proved supraglottic airway devices (SADs) for laparoscopy. The Baska mask is a relatively new SAD with an inbuilt drain channel and just a limited experience has been reported with this device. We compared these two SADs with regard to safety, efficacy, ease of use and incidence of adverse events for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods : Prospective, randomized, controlled study of two groups of 40 patients each, undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. After induction of general anesthesia (maintained with 5% desflurane in 50% oxygen and air, remifentanil 0.2-0.5 μg kg-1 min1 and rocuronium 0.6 mg kg-1), we evaluated, success rates, speed of insertion, ease of insertion of the drain tube, leak pressure, tidal volume and airway pressures (peak pressure and plateau pressure). We also recorded intraoperative adverse events and postoperative oropharyngeal discomfort. Results : Success rate on first attempt insertion was higher for the LMA-S group than the Baska mask group (97.5% and 60% respectively; p < 0.001). There was no difference in the median time taken for the insertion between groups (p = 0.93). Ease of insertion of the drain tube differed significantly and it was slightly easy inserted in the LMA-S group (p = 0.04). Leak pressure was similar between the groups (p = 0.61) and it was consistent with a similar tidal volume achieved (p = 0.10). Both devices showed equal sore throat scoring at 2 h postoperatively (p = 0.24). Conclusions : We found that LMA-S was an easier device to insert than the Baska mask, showing a better success rate on first attempt insertion. Insertion of the drain tube was also easier for the LMA-S group. Seal pressure and tidal volume achieved were similar between groups. Complication rates and postoperative OPD scoring are comparable for both devices.
FCC study of Canadian oil-sands derived vacuum gas oils. 2. Effects of feedstocks and catalysts on distributions of sulfur and nitrogen in liquid products

This study was conducted in an effort to learn more about the roles of feedstock and catalyst in the distributions of sulfur and nitrogen in liquid products after catalytic cracking. A hydrotreated coker gas oil, a hydrotreated deasphalted oil, a virgin gas oil, all derived from Canadian oil-sands bitumen, were catalytically cracked in a fluid bed microactivity test (MAT) unit with two commercial catalysts. These were the equilibrium catalysts, bottoms-cracking and octane-barrel catalysts, respectively, both containing active matrixes. The cracked liquid products were analyzed for sulfur and nitrogen distributions with boiling point, from which the sulfur and nitrogen contents of gasoline, light cycle oil (LCO), and heavy cycle oil (HCO) fractions were determined. Variations of concentrations in each product cut with conversion were discussed, along with the hydrogen transfer indices of catalysts and the hydrogen yields of feeds. The overall distribution of feed sulfur in cracked products, and the relatio.
Performance Impact Mechanism of Alliance Portfolio Diversity: Mediated by Product Market Power

Due to cost and complexity increase brought by diversity, the impact of alliance portfolio diversity on firm performance is uncertain. Extant studies only focus on the direct relationship between the two, which makes the impact mechanism of alliance portfolio diversity unclear, and difficult to enhance value of alliance portfolio diversity. We focus on the performance impact of alliance portfolio functional diversity and investigates whether product market power plays the mediating role between them. Based on the panel data of 278 GEMlisted companies in China, we find that there is the negative relationship between the alliance portfolio resource diversity and firm performance, while product market power plays a mediating role between them. The study complements the exploration of the impact mechanism between alliance portfolio diversity and firm performance, and provides useful thinking for firms to fully explore the potential value of the alliance portfolio resource diversity in the practice.
Bakuchicin a new simple furanocoumarin from psoralea corylifolia l

A new simple furanocoumarin, bakuchicin, has been isolated from the hexane-extract of seeds of Psoralea corylifolia L. (Leguminosae) alone with stigmasterol, psoralen and bakuchiol. The structure of bakuchicin has been shown as 8-oxo-8H-furo [2,3-f] [1] benzopyran by spectral means
A retrospective view of pediatric cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 of a middle-sized city in mainland China

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 had resulted in a global pandemic. A comprehensive analysis of pediatric COVID-19 cases is essential to decipher the natural features of children under the risk of this disease. In the epidemic period, all the children infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Wuxi, a city with a stable medical system during the COVID-19 outbreak in China, were enrolled for comprehensive data documenting their clinical, prognosis, follow-up, treatment and various tests results. Combing their family cluster characteristics, the epidemiological, hospitalization, and transmission features of children with SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed and discussed. A total of 7 children were enrolled, including 4 mild cases, 1 moderate case, and 2 asymptomatic cases. The common symptoms were fever and dry cough. The length of viral nucleic acid duration in nasopharynx varied and was irrelevant to the severity of the symptom, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. Two cases showed viral nucleic acid positive recurrence after discharge from the hospital. A child with type 1 diabetes was also focused, for the elevated blood sugar during hospitalization. All these children had close contacts with their family members, some of those were confirmed COVID-19 cases. We provided a holistic and detailed portrayal of the pediatric COVID-19 cases in a typical city of timely response to the epidemic. While the family cluster exhibits the major transmission mode, attention should be paid for the potential risk since the expanded social space of children in future.
A retrospective observational study

This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics and viral shedding kinetics of asymptomatic patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The data of 38 asymptomatic patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid were collected from February to March 2020 in Tuanfeng County, Huanggang, Hubei, China. The epidemiology, laboratory examination, chest imaging, viral nucleic acid test results, clinical characteristics, and viral shedding time were summarized in this retrospective study. The study included 20 family members of patients with COVID-19, 10 medical personnel participating in COVID-19 treatment or working in a fever clinic, 6 personnel from quarantine places, 1 individual with a close contact history with confirmed patients, and 1 local epidemic prevention personnel. All were positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. The white blood cell (WBC) count, the absolute value of lymphocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer were normal. Pneumonia manifestations were not found in the chest computed tomography (CT) scan of 36 patients; the remaining 2 cases included a 1-year-old child and a pregnant woman, and they did not undergo chest CT. The viral shedding time was 6 days. All asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 had a history of close contact or exposure. Laboratory tests were normal. Chest imaging did not show any pneumonia manifestation. The viral shedding time was<10 days, which is shorter than that of patients with COVID19. A timely discovery of such asymptomatic infections is crucial for blocking the spread of the virus and strengthening the prevention and control measures. Abbreviations: ALT = alanine transaminase, AST = aspartate transaminase, CDC = Center for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019, CRP = C-reactive protein, CT = computed tomography, ESR = erythrocyte sedimentation rate, PCT = procalcitonin, SD = standard deviation, TCM = traditional Chinese medicine, WBC = white blood cells, WHO = World Health Organization.
The effect of seasonality on reproductive outcome of patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract Background There is conflicting evidence regarding the impact of season on the assisted reproductive technology outcome. Objective To retrospectively compare three year outcome of women undergoing their first intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle, across seasons. Materials and Methods In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 3,670 women who underwent their first intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle in Mehr Medical Institute, Rasht, Iran between April 2010 and May 2014 were studied. Women were divided into four groups according to the day of oocyte retrival as: spring (n = 808), summer (n = 994), autumn (n = 1066), and winter (n = 802). Basal and stimulation charecteristics were compared among groups. Results While sperm concentration and motility were significantly lower during summer, the total number of retrieved and metaphase II oocytes were significantly higher (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001, p = 0.004, p = 0.02, respectively). Fertilization rate were significantly higher during autumn (p = 0.0001). Also, the number of high- quality transferred embryos were significantly higher during summer and winter (p = 0.03). A similar pattern was observed in implantation rate and pregnancy over the four seasons. Conclusion Despite the fact that intracytoplasmic sperm injection minimize the seasonal effect on pregnancy outcome, changes in pregnancy rate still occur among different seasons without particular pattern. It seems that performing assisted reproductive technology procedures in a particular season should be considered as an effective factor.
The variation of FiO2 with circuit type and peak inspiratory flow rate during non-invasive respiratory support using domiciliary ventilators and its significance during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased admissions with respiratory failure and there have been reports of oxygen failure and shortages of machines to deliver ventilation and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Domiciliary ventilators which entrain room air have been widely used during the pandemic. Poor outcomes reported with non-invasive respiratory support using ventilators which lack an oxygen blender could be related to an unreliable Fraction of inspired O2 (FiO2). Additionally, with concerns about oxygen failure, the variety of ventilator circuits used as well as differing peak inspiratory flow rates (PIFR) could impact on the FiO2 delivered during therapy with domiciliary ventilators. Methods In a series of bench tests, we tested the effect of choice of circuit and different PIFR on the FiO2 achieved during simulation of ventilation and CPAP therapy using domiciliary ventilators. Results FiO2 was highly dependent upon the type of circuit used with circuits with an active exhalation valve achieving similar FiO2 at lower oxygen flow rates than circuits using an exhalation port. During CPAP therapy, high PIFR resulted in significantly lower FiO2 than low PIFR. Conclusions This study has implications for oxygen usage as well as delivery of non-invasive respiratory support during therapy with domiciliary ventilators when these are used during the second wave of COVID-19.
Two Dimensions of Social Exclusion: Economic Deprivation and Dynamics of Loneliness During Later Life in Europe

Abstract We contribute to the discussion on social exclusion by examining the relationship between material conditions and loneliness in a sample of individuals aged 50+ in the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). In its 5th wave, the survey was extended to include specific items related to economic and social deprivation. We use this extended information on material conditions and examine how it correlates with the level and dynamics of a composite loneliness measure at the time of wave 5 and between wave 5 and 6 of the survey (undertaken in 2013 and 2015, respectively). In order to isolate the effect of material deprivation on loneliness, regression analyses include an extensive set of control variables. The analyses show a strong and significant relationship between material deprivation and both the level of loneliness and deterioration in the loneliness status.
The effect of osteopathic medicine on pain in musicians with nonspecific chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Nonspecific chronic neck pain (cNP) is common in adult violinists and violists and is often treated with osteopathic medicine (OM), although the effectiveness of this treatment has not been determined to date. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of OM in adult violinists and violists with cNP. Methods: In a two-armed randomized controlled single-center open trial, adult violinists and violists, including music students, with cNP (⩾12 weeks) were randomized to either five individualized OM sessions (OM group) or to no intervention (control group, CG) in the outpatient clinic for integrative medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. All patients received a musicians’ medicine consultation and paracetamol on demand. The primary outcome parameter was the neck pain intensity on a visual analog scale (VAS, 0–100 mm, 0 = no pain, 100 = worst imaginable pain) after 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included neck pain disability (Neck Disability Index, NDI, 0–100%) after 12 weeks. The last follow-up visit was after 52 weeks. Statistical analysis included analysis of covariance adjusted for respective baseline value. Results: Altogether, 62 outpatients were included [OM group (n = 28), CG (n = 34); 81% female; mean age, 41.6 ± 11.1 years; mean baseline neck pain, 55.9 ± 11.6 mm]. After 12 weeks, OM was associated with an improvement in the OM group versus the CG in neck pain on the VAS [14.6 mm (95% confidence interval 8.0; 21.2) versus 40.8 mm (34.7; 46.9), p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.4], and neck pain disability as determined by the NDI [8.8% (6.7; 10.8) versus 17.2% (15.3; 19.1), p < 0.001]. Some improvements were maintained until 52 weeks of follow-up. No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that OM might be effective in reducing pain intensity in adult violinists and violists with nonspecific cNP. Further studies should investigate the efficacy of OM in comparison with a sham procedure and with other effective therapy methods in high-quality multicenter trials. Trial registration: WHO Trial Registration https://apps.who. int/trialsearch/NoAccess.aspx? aspxerrorpath=/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx by German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00009258, Universal Trial Number (UTN): U1111-1173-5943.
Inpatient Diagnosis of Delirium and Encephalopathy: Coding Trends in 2011-2018

Abstract Physicians have long debated the diagnosis of acute confusional states as delirium or encephalopathy, often based on specialty. Recently, CMS assigned a lower severity to the nonspecific behavioral diagnosis of delirium than for the pathophysiological diagnosis of encephalopathy, potentially exacerbating these disagreements. Therefore, we sought to evaluate trends in these two diagnoses among hospitalized adults. Using 2011-2018 IBM MarketScan datasets, we identified delirium/encephalopathy patients who were ≥ 18 years and enrolled with medical and pharmacy coverage for each calendar year. Delirium/encephalopathy were defined using validated ICD-9/10 codes among hospitalized patients. We identified the physician specialties associated with the hospitalization and comorbidities using ICD9/10 inpatient/outpatient diagnosis codes within one year prior to the diagnosis of delirium or encephalopathy. Log-binomial models were used to evaluate the trends adjusting for age, gender, insurance and comorbidities. We identified 10,418 delirium and 87,393 encephalopathy hospitalized patients in 2011-2018. Of these patients, the total number of patients with either diagnosis increased, but the proportion of patients with delirium for each year decreased from 20% in 2011 to 9% in 2018. During the 8 years, neurologists and internists increased their use of both diagnoses, whereas psychiatrists only increased for delirium. Patients with encephalopathy are more likely to be older, female, and have more comorbidities. These shifts in diagnosis complicate the study of delirium and encephalopathy, and can lead to erroneous conclusions about trends in the incidence and prevalence of these disorders unless properly understood.