Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Liquidity on Stock Performance Among Venture Capital-backed Firms in India A study of Venture Capital Fund performance in India

Venture capital is a financing form that has increased in popularity during the last decades. Its emergence is closely related with the development of new technology and is, as a result, often invested in innovative companies that are considered to possess high-growth potential. In return for these investments, the investors usually demand extremely high returns. Although the VC industry in developed economies has been widely researched previously, research in VC industries in emerging markets is rather limited. During a time of emergence among many developing economies, especially in terms of their VC industries, it is of increasing importance to understand how VC-backed firms in these markets develop across time, and an example of such an emerging market is India which in 2017 and 2018 generated higher GDP growths than China. An important factor as to how companies’ stock perform is their stock liquidity, a relationship that has been widely researched previously. As India continues to grow economically, it is therefore becoming more relevant to study these liquidity effects among India’s emerging high-growth firms. To do so, a sample of 60 Indian VC-backed firms, constituting the emerging market, and 60 U.S. VC-backed firms, constituting the developed economy, were obtained using data ranging between the 2007-2018. The study was conducted through comparing the liquidity effects on performance between these two groups, as well as testing whether this liquidity effect holds for Indian VC-backed firms as well. Based on the results, I find no significant evidence that Indian VC-backed firms experience any different liquidity effects than U.S. VC-backed firms, but instead, the results may indicate similar behavior among the two groups.
Does the Volatility of Macroeconomic Variables Depress The Profitability of Islamic Banking?

Islamic banking in Indonesia has been growing rapidly since 2010. The profitability of Islamic bank depends on Islamic bank characteristics and macroeconomic condition. As a country with an open economy, macroeconomic conditions are very volatile. Through the theory of exchange rate pass through, the exchange rate fluctuation affects domestic prices so that it affects the profits of Islamic bank. This study analyzes the impact of the instability of the macroeconomic variables, namely the exchange rate and inflation on the profitability of Islamic bank. The instability of inflation and exchange rate are measured using the GARCH (Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity). This study applies ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model). The data used is monthly data starting from January 2011 to June 2018. The results of the study show that the exchange rate and inflation instability depress the profitability of Islamic banki. More interestingly, instability of inflation has a greater negative impact than the instability of exchange rate on Islamic bank profit. The most Islamic bank characteristics influencing Islamic banking profit was bad financing as known as a non performing financing (NPF).
Performance of Aptima E6/E7 mRNA HPV assays on fine needle aspirates from cervical lymph nodes of patients with metastatic oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Objectives: Using commercial assays for high-risk (HR) HPV E6/E7 mRNA we sought to determine the accuracy of testing fine needle aspirates (FNA) of neck cervical lymph nodes and tumor tissue from patients with metastatic oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC). Materials and Methods: Tumor tissue which was stained for p16 antigens and FNA from patients with OPSCC in tonsils (n=40), base of tongue (n=30) and other sites of the oropharynx (n=6) were tested for HR HPV E6/E7 mRNA using Aptima assays (Hologic). These samples were also tested for HR HPV DNA using cobas 4800 (Roche) and/or Cervista (Hologic) assays. FNA sample adequacy was determined by qPCR for β-actin. Results: HR HPV mRNA and DNA were detected in 68.4% and 71.4% of FNA samples, respectively, and 96.4% were HPV genotype 16. 81% of tumor tissue samples were positive for p16 staining. 82.2% of FNA samples from patients with p16 positive tumors were positive for HPV mRNA compared to 82.4% for HPV DNA. Agreement between FNA testing for HPV and p16 stained tumors was 84.2% (k=0.59) for mRNA compared to 81.4% (k=0.49) for DNA. For all specimens, agreement was 94.3% (k=0.86) between Aptima mRNA and cobas DNA and 94.3% (k=0.77) between the cobas and Cervista DNA assays. A subset of 35 paraffinembedded primary tumors were extracted and tested in the HPV assays and an equal number of cases were positive for mRNA, DNA and p16. The FNA adequacy rate was 92%. Conclusion: The excellent performance of the Aptima HPV E6/E7 mRNA assays indicate that commercial tests should be validated and used for these purposes. Correspondence to: Max Chernesky, PhD, St. Joseph’s Healthcare, 50 Charlton Avenue E, Hamilton, ON, Canada, Tel: (905) 522-1155 x35012; Fax: (905) 5216083; E-mail: chernesk@mcmaster.ca
The Modulation of Reward and Habit Systems by Acupuncture in Adolescents with Internet Addiction

Purpose Acupuncture is an effective therapy for Internet addiction (IA). However, the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in relieving compulsive Internet use remain unknown. Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated the role of the ventral striatum (VS) in the progress of IA; hence, the aim of this study was to explore the effects of acupuncture on the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) and relevant network of VS in IA. Methods Twenty-seven IA individuals and 30 demographically matched healthy control subjects (HCs) were recruited in this study. We acquired the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data in IA subjects before and after 40 days of acupuncture treatment. Seed-to-voxel and ROI-to-ROI analyses were applied to detect the rsFC alterations of the VS and related network in IA subjects and to investigate the modulation effect of acupuncture on the rsFC. Results Compared with HCs, IA subjects exhibited enhanced rsFC of the right ventral rostral putamen (VRP) with the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), premotor cortex (PMC), cerebellum, and right ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). In the network including these five ROIs, IA also showed increased ROI-to-ROI rsFC. Using a paired t-test in IA subjects before and after 40 days of acupuncture, the increased ROI-to-ROI rsFC was decreased (normalized to HC) with acupuncture, including the rsFC of the right VRP with the left OFC, PMC, and cerebellum, and the rsFC of the left cerebellum with the left OFC, PMC, and right vmPFC. Furthermore, the change in rsFC strength between the right VRP and left cerebellum in IA individuals was found positively correlated with the Internet craving alleviation after acupuncture. Conclusions These findings verified the modulation effect of acupuncture on functional connectivity of reward and habit systems related to the VS in IA individuals, which might partly represent the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture on IA.
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT DIETARY SELENIUM SOURCES SUPPLEMENTATION ON NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY, PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND SOME SERUM BIOCHEMICAL INDICES IN SHEEP

A total number of 32 of Ossimi lambs averaged 29.25 ± 2.02 kg and 4 months old were used in this experiment to compare the effects of dietary supplementation of inorganic selenium (sodium selenite), organic selenium (Se-yeast) and Nano-Se particles on nutrients digestibility, nutritive value, productive performance and serum biochemical indices of lambs. The animals were allocated into four equal groups (8 lambs each). The lambs of control group were fed on basal diet containing 0.17 mg Se/kg dry matter (DM). The treated lamb groups fed on the same basal diet, in which Se at 0.30 mg/kg DM was provided as sodium selenite (SS), selenium yeast (SY) and Nano-Se particles (NS). The results showed that digestibility of DM was higher (P<0.05) for lambs fed SS, SY and NS than those fed control. Digestibility of OM, CP, CF, EE, NFE and the values of digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were increased (P<0.05) for lambs fed SY and NS compared with those fed SS or control. Averages of final body weight (FBW) were increased (P<0.05) for lambs fed SY and NS compared with those fed SS and control. Average of FBW was greater (P<0.05) for lambs fed NS than those fed SY. The averages of daily gain (ADG) were increased (P<0.05) for lambs fed SS, SY and NS vs. those fed control with significant (P<0.05) differences among treatments. No significant differences were detected in averages of feed intakes of Alfalfa, DM and total DM (TDM) for lambs fed SS, SY and NS vs. control. While, the intakes of DCP and TDN were greater (P<0.05) for lambs fed SS, SY and NS vs. those fed control with significant (P<0.05) differences among treatments. The averages of feed conversion (FC) of DM (FC-DM), DCP (FC-DCP) and TDN (FC-TDN) were improved (P<0.05) for lambs fed SS, SY and NS vs. those fed control. The highest values of productive performance parameters (FBW, ADG, DCPI, TDNI, FC-DCP and FC-TDN) were noticed for lambs fed NS followed by those fed SY and then SS and control. Lambs fed SY and NS had higher (P<0.05) values of serum total protein and globulin than those fed SS or control. Also, there was an increase (P<0.05) in serum glucose concentrations for lambs fed diets SS, SY and NS vs. control, with higher levels (P<0.05) in NS than in SS and SY. No significant differences were noticed in serum concentrations of albumin, cholesterol, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) enzyme activities. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and testosterone levels were increased (P<0.05) for lambs fed SS, SY and NS vs. control. Higher (P<0.05) levels of TAC, GSH-Px and testosterone levels were observed for lambs fed NS than those fed SS and SY. It could be concluded that dietary supplementation of Nano-Se was more effective than sodium selenite and Se-yeast to improve nutrients digestibility, feeding values, growth performance, some serum metabolic indices, antioxidant status and reproductive efficiency of male lambs.
Vehicle-Borne Transient Electromagnetic Numerical Characteristic Parameter of Water-Bearing Body behind Tunnel Linings

The water-bearing body (WBB) behind tunnel linings has been some of the main causes of damage in operational tunnels. The WBB directly affects the serviceability state of tunnel linings; thus, determining a method to detect this problem is a widely studied issue regarding tunnel maintenance. In this paper, a vehicle-borne transient electromagnetic method (VBTEM) is put forward for the first time to detect WBB behind tunnel linings, and the aim is to fully investigate the transient electromagnetic response and numerical characteristics of the WBB behind tunnel linings. Firstly, the transient electromagnetic response curves of the WBB and surrounding rock are obtained and compared in detail by using the finite element method. Then, taking the distance, thickness, radius, and resistivity of the WBB as variable parameters, the parametric sensitivity rule of the response curve of the WBB is analyzed. Finally, a dimensionless response curve is proposed, a mathematical extraction equation is established, and seven numerical characteristic parameters are proposed and extracted. Based on seven numerical characteristic parameters, the technical parameters of the VBTEM equipment are put forward. The results illustrate that the transient electromagnetic response of the WBB is obviously different from that of surrounding rock. The seven numerical characteristic parameters of the dimensionless curve of the WBB can represent the entire response curve of the WBB. The results reveal that the first time gate of the VBTEM equipment needs to be less than 0.05 μs for short-distance problem, and the time span needs to reach four time spans at least. The research results can provide valuable technical references for the application of VBTEM.
Medical therapy versus revascularization rounds: ischemic heart failure on focus

Ischemic heart failure (HF) has long been considered potentially reversible. In this regard, a positive test for myocardial viability would make cardiologists feel more comfortable in directing patients towards revascularization, thereby constituting a guiding practice for the past two decades [1]. Importantly, such data has been extrapolated from numerous non randomized, predominantly single-center studies [2] and meta-analyses suggesting the improved survival of revascularized patients with viable myocardium on non invasive testing [3]. However, data from randomized, multicenter studies have been lacking, and moreover, both surgical and non surgical therapies for coronary artery disease (CAD) and HF have substantially improved since then. Recently the results of the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial, which evaluated the role of surgery plus guideline-recommended medical therapy as compared with medical therapy alone [4], together with a sub-study that also tested the role of myocardial viability [5] in patients with ischemic HF were published. Patients with CAD amenable to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and reduced ejection fraction (EF) (<35%) were eligible for the study. Those patients with a recent myocardial infarction (MI), planned aortic valve replacement or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or coexisting non-cardiac disease with a projected life expectancy <3 years were instead excluded. The primary end point was death from any cause. Important secondary end points included death from cardiovascular causes and hospitalization. In all, 1,212 patients were included in the main study and 601 of them underwent a viability test before randomization. During a median of 56 months of follow-up of the main study population, the primary outcome occurred in 41% in the medical-therapy group and 36% in the CABG group (p = 0.12). Interim analysis showed that patients with viable myocardium had lower overall rates of death (37%) than those without viable myocardium (51%). However, after adjustment for baseline prognostic variables, there was no statistically significant difference in mortality between the 2 groups (p = 0.21). These were not the expected results. In fact, the main findings of this study can be summarized as follows: patients with CAD and HF do not necessarily benefit from a revascularization procedure, and most importantly, this is true even when the presence of myocardial viability is documented. In general, the widespread acceptance of new knowledge is directly proportional to the degree of the understanding of the concept. However, given that it was not a pre-specified objective, no pathophysiological insights responsible for such results are provided in the study. However, different hypotheses can be drawn and some of them worth mentioning. Ho tT op ics HOT TOPICS ALDA HUQI
HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF SELECTED ORGANS OF OREOCHROMIS MOSSAMBICUS EXPOSED TO BIOPESTICIDE ACHOOK – SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM TOXICITY

The present study is aimed at evaluating the pathological changes in various tissues of Oreochromis mossambicus exposed to the neem based pesticide achook. The LC50 value obtained after 96 hrs was 0.105 ppm and 1/5th of LC50 value i.e., 0.021 ppm was taken as sublethal concentration. The fishes were exposed to this sublethal concentration for a period of 42-days. Fishes were dissected at the end of 7th day and 42nd day of exposure and the gill, liver and intestine were collected from exposed fishes and control group. Tissues were processed and sectioned at 4µm and stained with Haematoxylin-Eosin. The histological changes observed were mild on 7th day but became severe by 42nd day. The pathological changes in gills of exposed fishes include shrunken and fused gill lamellae, inflammatory cells in the primary and secondary gill lamellae. Exposed liver showed lesions consisting of vacuolar degeneration and disruption of hepatocytes. The changes found in intestine were vacuolar degeneration and disruption of epithelial cells of villi, ruptured and shapeless villi. The histology of tissues from control fishes were normal.
Risk taking personality traits on affect processing during modified versions of the Iowa Gambling Task. Technical Report 2016-02

The Iowa Gamb ling Task (IGT) is widely used to assess the role of emotion in decision making. However, there is only indirect evidence to support that the task measures emotion. There are inconsistencies in performance within in healthy populations who display risk tak ing traits. Two hundred and fifty participants were assessed for psychopathy, sensation seeking, and impulsiveness. The IGT was compared with modified versions that directly manipulated emotion within in the task by indexing reward and punishment cards wit h images varying in emotional content. Participants continued to learn to avoid risky decks in all versions of the IGT. The manipulation of emotional content within the task did affect performance: fearful images contributed to greater risky deck selection s. Across the tasks, psychopathy showed the strongest relationship to risky deck selections, and lower levels of psychopathy was associated decreased risky deck selections. However, psychopathy did not affect learning in the modified versions. Exploratory analysis on image valance found that negative images (compared to neutral) benefited learning for individuals with higher levels of psychopathy. Discussion will center on the benefits of manipulating emotion directly within the task as a means to assess th e validity of the IGT.
Effect of Fishmeal Substitution by Lima Bean Meal on the Zoo Technical Performances of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in the Batié Sub-Division, West Region of Cameroon

A study on the effect of the substitution of fishmeal by Lima bean flour was conducted between March and May 2018 within the AIO ICG of the Batié District, with the global objective of contributing to the development of alternative sources of animal protein. Specifically, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the substitution of fishmeal by Lima bean flour on the growth performance, survival and feed cost of Clarias gariepinus. For this purpose, 300 fry of Clarias gariepinus with an average weight of 3 ± 1.41g were divided into five batches and fed three times a day with rations corresponding to 5% of their ichthyo biomass. The rations R0, R25 R50, R75 and R100 respectively corresponded to the substitution rates of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of fish meal by that of Lima bean. The physic-chemical characteristics of the water (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrites and nitrates) were measured daily. The following results were obtained: The highest weight gains were obtained with the rations R25 (20.56 ± 0.40 g), R50 (20.64 ± 0.32 g), R75 (20.98 ± 0.46 g) and the lowest with the ration R100 (16.21 ± 0.28 g). For this average daily gain, the highest values were 0.36 ± 0.02 g; 0.37 ± 0.01 g, 0.38 ± 0.01 g respectively for the R0, R50 and R75 rations and the lowest with R100 (0.29 ± 0.01 g). The highest value of the specific growth rate (2.47 ± 0.07%) was obtained with the ration R0 and the lowest (1.61%) with the ration R100. The consumption index reached its highest and lowest values with the rations R100 (4.74 ± 0.42) and R50 (3.57 ± 0.43) respectively, compared to the value of the ration R0 (3.31 ± 0.37) for this parameter. Concerning the condition factor K, the highest value was recorded with the R50 diet (1.11 ± 0.49) while the lowest value was obtained with the R75 diet (0.95 ± 0.45). The cost of producing one kilogram of food was higher with the R25 ration (504.59 FCFA) and lower with the R100 ration (443.20 FCFA). This study found that incorporating 75% Lima bean flour into the feed increases the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fry and reduces the cost of food production.
A comprehensive approach to adolescent pregnancy.

The Johns Hopkins Adolescent Pregnancy program is described. It provides comprehensive care to the young mother during pregnancy and to the mother/child dyad (and the young father wherever possible) for 3 years after delivery. Family planning services education and supplies are integral parts of the program. Preliminary results of the program are presented. In particular it appears that the addition of intensive psychosocial and educational services to the good routine prenatal care provided during the pregnancy labor and delivery with the centers help meets the program objective of improving the health of mothers and babies at least during the period of pregnancy.
Obesity is Associated with Increased Thyroid Volume and Heterogeneity in Ultrasonography

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association between obesity and thyroid functions and thyroid morphology. Material and Methods: A total of 674 subjects-121 obese and 553 nonobese-were included in the study. Body mass index, serum thyrotrophic, free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), antithyroid peroxidase antibody, and antithyroglobulin antibody (antiTg) were evaluated in each subject. The subjects with thyroid nodules in ultrasonography (USG) were excluded. The thyroid volume of each subject was calculated and analyzed. Results: Obesity was significantly associated with increased age and low fT4 in univariate analysis (p<0.05). With multivariate analysis, the odds of obesity was found to increase by 21.8% (95% CI: 12.4-31.9%) for each 5-year increase in age anddecrease by 53.1% (95% CI: 0.4-77.9%) for each 1 ng/dL increase in fT4. The odds of obesity in patients with positive antiTg was 1.603 (95% 1.047-2.454) times higher than the odds of obesity in patients with negative antiTg. The median total thyroid volume was significantly higher in obese as compared to nonobese subjects (12.11 mL vs. 10.77 mL, p<0.001). Heterogeneous gland with negative thyroid antibodies was observed in 17 (14%) obese and 40 (7.2%) nonobese subjects (p=0.024). Conclusion: Obesity was positively associated with antiTg and age, whereas negatively associated with fT4. Approximately, in every seven obese subjects, one showed heterogeneity in US despite negative thyroid autoantibodies. This suggests that the value of US in the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis might decrease in obese patients.