Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stock Liquidity and Firm Value: The Mediating Role of Capital Structure

Despite the substantial volume of research on the direct relationship between stock liquidity and firm value, no agreement has been reached on this nexus. This relationship may be influenced by some other intervening factors which have not been captured in the empirical studies. The present study aims to explore the link between stock liquidity and firm value and empirically tests the mediating role of capital structure on this relationship in the Indian context. Using sample data from 97 National Stock Exchange (NSE) listed top non-financial firms from 2010 to 2019 and adopting the Baron and Kenny approach, the results show that higher stock liquidity leads to a greater firm value. Furthermore, firms with liquid stocks are found to have significantly lower leverage. The results also confirm that capital structure fully mediates the relationship between stock liquidity and firm value. The empirical findings have important managerial implications when it comes to devising policies to maximise firms’ value.
Nyström-Type Technique for Electromagnetic Wave Scattering in Inhomogeneous Material, Plasma and Metamaterial Slabs

We present a simple, stable, and spectrally-accurate quasi-analytical method for studying the reflection, transmission, and radiation of EM waves in the presence of single-layer or multilayer material, plasma, or metamaterial slabs that are inhomogeneous along the normal to the slab interfaces. Our approach formulates the problem as a linear Volterra integral equation of the second kind, discretized using an entire-domain Nyström method with a high-order Gauss-type quadrature. The proposed algorithms ensure mathematically guaranteed spectral convergence, handle electrically thin to electrically thick slabs, and can accommodate discontinuous inhomogeneity profiles. Application examples include one-dimensional band-gap structures, field enhancement in inhomogeneous metamaterial slabs with zero-crossings in permittivity, and dipole-driven plasma antennas.
Tree population dynamics on a floodplain: A tradeoff between tree mortality and seedling recruitment induced by stochastic floods

This paper proposes a stochastic evaluation method for examining tree population states in a river cross section using an integrated model with Monte Carlo simulation. The integrated model consists of four processes as submodels, i.e., tree population dynamics, flow discharge stochasticity, stream hydraulics, and channel geomorphology. A floodplain of the Kako River in Japan was examined as a test site, which is currently well vegetated and features many willows that have been growing in both individual size and overall population over the last several decades. The model was used to stochastically evaluate the effects of hydrologic and geomorphologic changes on tree population dynamics through the Monte Carlo simulation. The effects including the magnitude of flood impacts and the relative change in the floodplain level are examined using very simple scenarios for flow regulation, climate change, and channel form changes. The stochastic evaluation method revealed a tradeoff point in floodplain levels, at which the tendency of a fully vegetated state switches to that of a bare floodplain under small impacts of flood. It is concluded from these results that the states of tree population in a floodplain can be determined by the mutual interactions among flood impacts, seedling recruitment, tree growth, and channel geomorphology. These interactions make it difficult to obtain a basic understanding of tree population dynamics from a field study of a specific floodplain. The stochastic approach used in this paper could constitute an effective method for evaluating fundamental channel characteristics for a vegetated floodplain.
Impact of Cytogenetic Abnormalities, Induction and Maintenance Regimens on Outcomes After High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: A Decade-Long Real-World Experience

Background High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant (HDT-ASCT) has become a standard of care for transplant eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. While cytogenetic abnormalities have been shown to affect outcomes after HDT-ASCT in clinical trials, these trials often exclude or underrepresent elderly patients with comorbidities and those belonging to ethnic minorities. We describe our institutional experience highlighting the impact of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities (HRCAs) on outcomes after HDT-ASCT for NDMM patients. Methods A total of 449 patients with NDMM who underwent HDT-ASCT between February 2012 and August 2022 were included in this retrospective analysis. HRCAs included the presence of one or more of: deletion 17p, t(14;16), t(4;14), and amplification 1q. Survival analyses, including progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), were performed using Kaplan-Meier estimator. Results With a median follow-up of 29 (1 - 128) months for the entire patient population, the best overall response rate for the patients with HRCAs was lower compared to those with standard risk cytogenetics (90% vs. 96%; P = 0.01). Patients with HRCAs had an inferior PFS compared to patients with standard-risk cytogenetics (29 vs. 58 months; P < 0.001) without a difference in OS (70 months vs. not reached; P = 0.13). Conclusions In a multivariable analysis adjusting for factors including age, race, and comorbidities, HRCAs, non-lenalidomide-based maintenance, non-proteasome inhibitor-based maintenance, and age greater than 65 were associated with inferior PFS. Amongst these factors, only non-lenalidomide-based maintenance was associated with inferior OS.
Effects of low-dose filtered kretek cigarette smoke on bronchial smooth muscle in male Sprague-Dawley rats

BackgroundKretek cigarettes contain less nicotine and tar than conventional cigarettes. Exposure to cigarette smoke occurs mainly in the respiratory tract, resulting in histometric changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of filtered kretek cigarette smoke on bronchial histometric measurements in male Sprague-Dawley rats. MethodsAn experimental laboratory study was conducted involving 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2-3 months, ranging from 150 to 250 grams in body weight. They were randomized into group 1 (controls) and experimental groups 2 and 3. Group 2 was exposed to filtered cigarette smoke at a dose of 1 stick/day and group 3 to 2 sticks/day. Treatment time for all groups was 30 days. Observation of bronchial histometric measurements of the lumen include, length, width, area, and perimeter. In addition, the bronchial mucosal and smooth muscle layers were also measured. The one way-ANOVA test was used to analyze the data. ResultsThe mean area and mean perimeter of the bronchial lumen of the rats were significantly greater in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (p=0.000). The mean bronchial smooth muscle area of the rats in group 1 was smaller than the mean in group 2, which was in turn smaller than the mean in group 3 (p=0.000). Apparently the rats in the treatment groups had undergone bronchoconstriction. ConclusionExposure to filtered kretek cigarette smoke at a dose of 1 stick/day as well as 2 sticks/day for 30 days caused bronchial mucosal hyperplasia and bronchoconstriction in male rats.
Converging Pathways: Exploring the Interplay of Malnutrition, Sarcopenia, and Frailty in Nursing Home Residents: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background: Within the context of nursing home care, malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty stand as notable conditions, each exerting distinct yet interconnected impacts on residents’ well-being. The objective of this cross-sectional study is to elucidate the intricate interplay among malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty among nursing home residents. Methodology: It is a community-based, cross-sectional, descriptive study among nursing home residents of Vatsalyadham Vrudhsharam, which is an institution for aged old-age people in Jamnagar from April 2023 to July 2023. The estimated minimum sample size was 345. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data containing sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric assessment, and bio-impedance indices. The handgrip was measured by a hand dynamometer. Assessment of the risk of malnutrition was performed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form questionnaire and was confirmed by the Global Leadership Initiative for Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Sarcopenia was assessed by a bio-impedance analyzer using the Asian Working Group of Sarcopenia 2019. Frailty was assessed using the fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illness, and loss (FRAIL) screener. Descriptive statistics were used for the representation of percentages and frequencies. Both Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used for the association. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant, respectively. Results: About 345 participants were included, and mean age of the participants was 85 ± 5.6 years, about 159 (49%) participants belonged to the age group of more than 80 years, 220 (63.7%) were males, then malnutrition was diagnosed by GLIM criteria, about 154 (44.6%) were found to have malnutrition. Sarcopenia was found in 184 (53%) participants. The FRAIL screening was used to identify frailty, according to that prefrail was around 170 (49%) and frail was about 122 (35%), respectively. Age, gender, and history of falls were associated with frailty and sarcopenia (P < 0.001). Only, age and gender were associated with malnutrition but not a history of falls. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that frailty, sarcopenia, and malnutrition are prevalent among nursing home residents. Health-care providers should identify and manage these conditions in older adults to improve their quality of life.
Public engagement with climate change in light of a more balanced policy focus on adaptation and mitigation

Against the backdrop of the historically dominant positioning of mitigation the international policy discourse on climate change is increasingly highlighting adaptation as an equally important response to climate change. This stronger attention to adaptation has not yet been adequately reflected in research on public perceptions of climate change. The present thesis aims to address this shortcoming. First, the relationship between public perceptions of adaptation and mitigation is examined, showing that intention to perform and support for both response types are overall positively connected but that their relative predictor patterns differ. Particularly noteworthy is the finding that individual intention to adapt is not necessarily reliant on belief in climate change. Differences are then explored in more depth testing whether an adaptation or mitigation frame affects the public�s overall engagement with climate change. When climate change is presented as a local issue the adaptation frame leads to more emotional engagement in right-leaning participants, while the mitigation frame decreases it. This effect is inversed for left-leaning individuals. Exploring the role of personal experience in more detail the thesis finally presents an analysis of the effect of the 2013/14 winter flooding on individual engagement. Findings indicate that experiencing flooding is strongly associated with flood adaptation intentions but not connected to mitigation intentions. Whether individuals attribute the flooding to climate change does not contribute to explain their engagement with climate change. The results are discussed arguing that a stronger focus on adaptation holds the potential to mobilise previously uninvolved audiences. If framed in the wrong way, however, it might also increase polarization. Transformative adaptation is highlighted as a potential mediator to avoid this latter scenario. This thesis concludes that more research in this line is needed to successfully exploit the current policy transition in order to comprehensively, adequately and sustainably address climate change.
Evening Chronotype and Suicide: Exploring Neuroinflammation and Psychopathological Dimensions as Possible Bridging Factors—A Narrative Review

A chronotype is generally defined as the variability of the phase angle of entrainment, while the latter reflects the relationship between the timing of a certain rhythm (e.g., the sleep–wake cycle) and the timing of an external temporal cue. Individuals can be placed on a spectrum from “morning types” (M types) to “evening types” (E types). E-chronotype has been proposed as a transdiagnostic risk factor for psychiatric conditions, and it has been associated with psychopathological dimensions. Eveningness seems to be correlated with both suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal behavior (SB) through several possible mediating factors. Immunological alterations have also been linked to later chronotypes and SI/SB. This narrative review aims to summarize the evidence supporting the possible association between chronotypes and suicide and the eventual mediating role of neuroinflammation and several psychopathological dimensions. A search of the literature (2003–2023) was conducted using various databases: PUBMED, EMBASE, Scopus, UpToDate, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. English-language articles were collected and screened for eligibility. Despite the apparent absence of a direct correlation between E-chronotype and suicidality, E-chronotype promotes a chain of effects that could be involved in an increased risk of SB, in which with neuroinflammation possibly plays an intriguing role and some psychopathological dimensions may stand out.
Diversidade de nematóides em agroecossistemas e ecossistemas naturais.

ABSTRACT: In this work, scientific and international literature about nematode diversity is reviewed and discussed. Among multicelular animals, nematodes are the most abundant. They have different feeding habits (plant feeder, fungal feeder, bacterial feeder, predator of animals and omnivore) and many ecological roles in soils. They may be used as soil ecological indicators in agroecosystems and natural ecosystems, evaluating environmental disturbances, soil quality or sustainability.
The Calendar on the Antikythera Mechanism and the Corinthian Family of Calendars

Abstract:This article explores the evidence for the Corinthian family of calendars in light of the calendar recently discovered on the Metonic Spiral of the Antikythera Mechanism. It will be argued that the calendar on the Antikythera Mechanism cannot be that of Syracuse, and that it is likely to be the Epirote calendar, possibly adopted from Corinthian Ambrakia. It will also be argued that the first month of this calendar, Phoinikaios, was ideally the month in which the autumn equinox fell, and that the start-up of the calendar began shortly after the astronomical new moon of August 23, 205 B.C. It will also be shown that the sixth set of games on the Games Dial are the Halieia of Rhodes, suggesting that the Antikythera Mechanism was built on Rhodes, possibly for a client from Epiros. Finally, there will be other observations on the Doric calendars of Argos, Epidauros, and Rhodes.
Unique tRNA Fragment Upregulation with SARS-CoV-2 but Not with SARS-CoV Infection

Unlike other coronaviruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly infected the global population, with some suffering long-term effects. Thanks to extensive data on SARS-CoV-2 made available through global, multi-level collaborative research, investigators are getting closer to understanding the mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, using publicly available total and small RNAseq data of Calu3 cell lines, we conducted a comparative analysis of the changes in tRNA fragments (tRFs; regulatory small noncoding RNAs) in the context of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2 infections. We found extensive upregulation of multiple tRFs in SARS-CoV-2 infection that was not present in SARS-CoV or other virus infections our group has studied. By comparing the total RNA changes in matching samples, we identified significant downregulation of TRDMT1 (tRNA methyltransferase), only in SARS-CoV-2 infection, a potential upstream event. We further found enriched neural functions among downregulated genes with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Interestingly, theoretically predicted targets of the upregulated tRFs without considering mRNA expression data are also enriched in neural functions such as axon guidance. Based on a combination of expression data and theoretical calculations, we propose potential targets for tRFs. For example, among the mRNAs downregulated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (but not with SARS-CoV infection), SEMA3C is a theoretically calculated target of multiple upregulated tRFs and a ligand of NRP1, a SARS-CoV-2 receptor. Our analysis suggests that tRFs contribute to distinct neurological features seen in SARS-CoV-2.
Salvage Cryoablation for Radiorecurrent Prostate Cancer: Initial Experience at a Regional Health Care System.

CONTEXT Local recurrence after radiotherapy for prostate cancer remains challenging to treat effectively. Although oncologic control is highest with salvage prostatectomy, the procedure is associated with substantial morbidity. OBJECTIVE To identify factors associated with successful salvage cryoablation for radiorecurrent prostate cancer. DESIGN We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent salvage cryoablation at our institution between 2005 and 2015. All patients had biopsy-proven local recurrence after radiotherapy. Patients with seminal vesicle invasion or metastases were excluded. Complete follow-up was obtained for all patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary study endpoint was biochemical progression-free survival based on the Phoenix criteria. RESULTS Seventy-five patients underwent salvage cryotherapy. Mean patient age was 69.3 years. The overall biochemical salvage rate was 50.7% at a median follow-up of 3.9 years. The following factors were independently associated with successful cryotherapy: Precryotherapy Gleason score of 3 + 3 or 3 + 4, low precryotherapy prostate-specific antigen (PSA), low precryotherapy PSA density, longer time to PSA nadir after radiotherapy, and low postcryotherapy PSA nadir. A postcryotherapy PSA nadir of 0.5 ng/mL or less was associated with a biochemical progression-free survival of 79.7% at 3 years and 64.7% at 5 years, whereas a postcryotherapy PSA nadir above 0.5 was associated with a biochemical progression-free survival of 5.6% at 3 years and 0% at 5 years (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Approximately 50% of the patients achieved biochemical salvage with cryoablation at 5 years. Nadir PSA after salvage was the strongest predictor of biochemical progression-free survival in our cohort.
Pattern of Skull and Facial Bone Fracture in Craniomaxillofacial Trauma Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Retrospective Analysis at Tertiary Hospital

Abstract: Trauma is one of the primary causes of death during the first four decade. Craniomaxillo-facial (CMF) trauma has become a common presentation in emergency departments of hospitals. The most presentation of CMF trauma includes skull and facial bone fracture and traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study aimed to obtain the pattern of skull and facial bone fracture in craniomaxillofacial trauma associated with traumatic brain injury. This was a retrospective study conducted on 501 patients from January 2020 to December 2021. Demographic data included age, sex, length of stay (LOS), and Glasgow coma scale (GCS). The results showed that from the total 501 patients with skull and facial bone fracture with or without traumatic brain injury, 406 (81%) were males and 95 (19%) were females. The age range of the patients was between 2 years and 86 years (mean±SD 33.9±18.2). The most common patient affected age ranged from 21 to 30 years. The average of LOS was 7.2±5.7 days (0-33) and the mean of GCS was 10.2±4.2. Based on types of cases, there were 232 cases (60%) of skull and facial bone fractures accompanied by TBI; 154 cases (40%) of only skull and facial bone fracture; and 339 (59.5%) cases of only TBI. In conclusion, the distribution of TBI increases in those with skull and facial bone fractures. On the other hand, the distribution of TBI is more common without fracture. Hence every skull and facial bone fracture must be carefully evaluated clinically and radiologically to rule out any underlying TBI. Keywords: skull and facial bone fracture; craniomaxillofacial trauma; traumatic brain injury
Selective Erase Operation for Multiple Strings of 3D Ferroelectric (Fe)-NAND Flash Memory

The erase operation for the multiple strings of the ferroelectric (Fe)-NAND flash memory is investigated. To achieve the selective erase operation in the Fe-NAND flash memory, the proposed scheme applied the gate induced drain leakage (GIDL) erase method of charge trap flash (CTF) memory for the inhibited strings of the unselected bit line (BL). In addition, the inhibited string of the selected BL remains in a floating state by using the program inhibit scheme of CTF memory. Leaving the unselected word lines (WLs) in a floating state reduces the electrostatic potential difference between the channel and WLs, which in turn suppresses the polarization change of the hafnium oxide (HfO2) in the inhibited memory cells. The electrostatic potential and polarization of the selected and inhibited strings and the threshold voltage ( ${V}_{\textit {th}}{)}$ of the memory cell were analyzed to confirm the success of the selective erase operation. In contrast to the block erase operation of the CTF memory, the Fe-NAND flash memory enables selective erase operation with an operation voltage lowered to 10 V.
Determination of bioactive properties of Capparis spinosa fruits and use in production of Tulum cheese

The focus of the present study was to evaluate the bioactive properties of Capparis spinosa (caper) fruits and to investigate some quality parameters of Tulum cheese with addition of caper. Analyses for the phytochemical components of caper fruit used in the production of Tulum cheese showed that it has high levels of bioactive components in terms of antioxidant activity, total phenolics, and flavonoids. It was determined that C. spinosa, which is used in the production of Tulum cheese, had a good radical scavenging activity (DPPH radical assay). Four experimental groups were arranged in the present study and analyzed on the 1, 30, 45, 60, and 90th day of ripening. T_C was designed as the control group, T_C1, T_C2, and T_C4 groups contained 1, 2, and 4% of caper. According to the obtained results as the content of caper increased, dry matter ratios, ash, pH values, tyrosine and free fatty acid values in cheese increased significantly. The microbiological evaluation revealed that the caper affected positively Lactobacillus spp. counts. The highest aroma and taste scores among caper cheeses were given to the control group (T_C). Generally, caper did not have a negative effect on the textural profile of the product. These results revealed that C. spinosa contributes to the improvement of the bioactive potential as well as increasing the quality parameters of cheese. Keywords: Caper; Bioactive properties; Functional dairy; Microbiological properties; Tulum cheese