Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Financial Leverage, Employee Stock Ownership Program and Firm Size on Firm Performance of Companies Listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange

The purpose of this research is to examine and to obtain affected empirical evidence of financial leverage, firm size and employee stock ownership program (ESOP) to firm performance in manufacturing company in Indonesian Stock Exchange on 2013-2015. Independent variables in this research are Financial Leverage (DER), Firm Size and Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP). Dependent variables in this research are Return on Assets (ROA) and Return On Equity (ROE). The results Showed that the simultaneous test of three independent variables Significantly afftected to the ROA and ROE. The partial tests of Financial Leverage (proxy DER) and Firm Size Significantly affected to ROA and ROE. But, the results Showed that the Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) did not Affect to ROA and ROE.
The Metabolic Syndrome: Definitions, Prevalence and Management

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to the clustering of various metabolic risk factors that include abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. It is now well known that it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and of type 2 diabetes. The increasing prevalence of the MetS, associated with the substantial progression of obesity and diabetes, is therefore an important public health concern. Over the years, several definitions for the MetS have been proposed by major scientific associations. Those definitions differ somewhat in their criteria and threshold values but generally all agree on the essential components of the syndrome. The proposed definitions are intended to help identify individuals at increased long-term risk of CVD, who could benefit from early prevention. The diagnosis of the MetS should be used concurrently with standard predicting algorithms, such as the Framingham Risk Score and the Diabetes Predicting Model, which better predict short-term risks. The management of the MetS should emphasize therapeutic lifestyle modifications – weight loss, increased physical activity, healthy diet – as the first-line therapy. If the short-term risk of CVD or diabetes is high, specific risk factors should be monitored more closely according to established guidelines and drug therapy may be appropriate.
Best practice guidelines for stroke in Cameroon: An innovative and participatory knowledge translation project

Background Although the adherence to stroke guidelines in high-income countries has been shown to be associated with improved patient outcomes, the research, development and implementation of rehabilitation related guidelines in African countries is lacking. Objectives The purpose of this article is to describe how a group of front-line practitioners collaborated with academics and students to develop best practice guidelines (BPG) for the management and rehabilitation of stroke in adult patients in Cameroon. Method A working group was established and adapted internationally recognised processes for the development of best practice guidelines. The group determined the scope of the guidelines, documented current practices, and critically appraised evidence to develop guidelines relevant to the Cameroon context. Results The primary result of this project is best practice guidelines which provided an overview of the provision of stroke rehabilitation services in the region, and made 83 practice recommendations to improve these services. We also report on the successes and challenges encountered during the process, and the working group’s recommendations aimed at encouraging others to consider similar projects. Conclusion This project demonstrated that there is interest and capacity for improving stroke rehabilitation practices and for stroke guideline development in Africa.
Hepatitis C Virus Causes Uncoupling of Mitotic Checkpoint and Chromosomal Polyploidy through the Rb Pathway

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and probably also non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. The molecular mechanisms of HCV-associated carcinogenesis are unknown. Here we demonstrated that peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from hepatitis C patients and hepatocytes infected with HCV in vitro showed frequent chromosomal polyploidy. HCV infection or the expression of viral core protein alone in hepatocyte culture or transgenic mice inhibited mitotic spindle checkpoint function because of reduced Rb transcription and enhanced E2F-1 and Mad2 expression. The silencing of E2F-1 by RNA interference technology restored the function of mitotic checkpoint in core-expressing cells. Taken together, these data suggest that HCV infection may inhibit the mitotic checkpoint to induce polyploidy, which likely contributes to neoplastic transformation.
Second Metatarsal Transfer Lesions Due to First Metatarsal Shortening After Distal Chevron Metatarsal Osteotomy for Hallux Valgus

Background: The first metatarsal bone can shorten after a distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy (DCMO). This shortening can result in a postoperative second metatarsal transfer lesion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of second metatarsal transfer lesions after DCMO. Methods: This study involved 185 feet (138 patients), with hallux valgus (HV) deformity, treated with DCMO with Akin osteotomy. The mean patient age was 51.7 years (range, 21 to 74). Patients were followed for an average of 28 months, between June 2004 and June 2010. We measured the length of first metatarsal relative to second metatarsal preoperatively and postoperatively, using Morton’s and Hardy-Clapham’s methods. A second metatarsal transfer lesion was defined as a newly developed lesion, including metatarsalgia, a painful callosity, or a painless callosity, which was not present prior to the DCMO. The relation of the shortened first metatarsal after DCMO with the occurrence of second metatarsal transfer lesion was evaluated. Results: Second metatarsal transfer lesions (painless callosity) developed in 5 feet (2.7%) of 185 feet. Twenty-four preoperative second metatarsal lesions were improved postoperatively. The median shortening of the first metatarsal bone after DCMO was 0.6 mm according to Morton’s method (range, –6.4 to 6.4), and 1.9 according to Hardy-Clapham’s method (range, –5.8 to 5.8). According to the extent of first metatarsal shortening after DCMO by Hardy-Clapham’s method and Morton’s method, there was no significant difference of the occurrence of second transfer metatarsal lesions (P = .259 and P = .176, respectively). Conclusions: In our study, second metatarsal transfer lesions developed in 2.7% of feet after DCMO. The occurrence of second metatarsal transfer lesions did not appear to be correlated with the degree of first metatarsal shortening in cases with less than 5.8 mm shortening. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Improving Human-inthe-Loop Optimization Algorithms using Machine Learning Techniques

Assistive device technology is rapidly improving with the advent of human-in-the-loop optimization algorithms. These algorithms find an optimal set of parameters to reduce the energy cost of movement. However, energy cost is a difficult quantity to measure and is thus the limiting factor in the optimization time. In an effort to both improve the time to optimize parameters and to take the device out of the lab, we were interested in predicting cost from other easier-to-measure features. We fit models to both update online in a real-world application (i.e., linear regression) and capture the complexity of the data (i.e., neural networks). Each model performed reasonably well, and the feature and example sets were further adjusted to test different aspects of the complexity in the human-machine system. To counteract the high bias, the feature space was reduced in the linear models. To understand the contribution of the intersubject variability, neural networks were trained both for the general population and individual subjects. These models show promise for use in these different applications, but more data needs to be collected before we can implement this on the
Applying genetic programming and ant colony optimisation to improve the geometric design of a reflector

The lighting performance of an LED (light-emitting diode) flash is significantly influenced by the geometric form of a reflector. Previously, design engineers have usually determined the geometric design of a reflector according to the principles of optics and their own experience. Some real reflectors have then been created to verify the feasibility and performance of a certain geometric design. This, however, is a costly and time-consuming procedure. Furthermore, the geometric design of a reflector cannot be proven to be actually optimal. This study proposes a systematic approach based on genetic programming (GP) and ant colony optimisation (ACO), called the GP–ACO procedure, to improve the geometric design of a reflector. A case study is used to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed optimisation procedure. The results show that all the crucial quality characteristics of an LED flash fulfil the required specifications; thus, the optimal geometric parameter settings of the reflector obtained can be directly applied to mass production. Consequently, the proposed GP–ACO procedure can be considered an effective method for resolving general multi-response parameter design problems.
Targeted therapy for stress urinary incontinence: a systematic review based on clinical trials

ABSTRACT Introduction: Controversy exists regarding the therapeutic benefit of cell-based therapy in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Areas covered: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate evidence regarding the therapeutic effect and safety of cell-based therapy in the treatment of SUI and to propose a new approach to SUI treatment utilizing tissue engineering methodologies. We have thoroughly reviewed the literature using PubMed in order to identify only original, clinical studies involving cell therapy for SUI. Expert opinion: Cell-based therapy, as practiced today, is a safe but ineffective method for SUI treatment. The key to an optimal therapeutic outcome in SUI is accurate diagnosis combined with targeted therapy. Targeted therapy in SUI should be based on cell implantation to restore and regenerate the damaged urethral sphincter and/or the construction of a neo-pubourethral ligament utilizing tissue engineering methodologies.
Contemporary perspectives on the strategic role of information in internet of things-driven industrial services

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the debate related to the strategic role of information in the industrial service business, that is, whether information is a resource that could and should be protected. The connection between manufacturers’ servitization and management strategy literature is used in the analysis. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study on five new entrants to the industrial service market. Findings The results of the study provide new insights on both the characteristics and boundary conditions of new entrants’ approaches to strategically benefitting from information resources. Instead of aiming to possess and control data, the case companies prefer the access to large data volumes over exclusive access, render the question of data ownership to be largely irrelevant and perceive that the strategic relevance of information lies in novel data combinations. Practical implications The study provides a contemporary perspective on the prevailing information resource protection doctrine in the context of industrial services. Most importantly, the results challenge the hitherto unquestionable strategic relevance of customer relationships in Internet of Things (IoT)-driven service businesses. Furthermore, the results identify the need for flexible organizational structures that aim to leverage the complexity of the market environment. Originality/value Through providing a theoretically grounded and empirically backed contemporary perspective on the role of information in IoT-driven service businesses, the study expands the strategic understanding of industrial service providers.
Multivariate Confidence Intervals

Confidence intervals are a popular way to visualize and analyze data distributions. Unlike p-values, they can convey information both about statistical significance as well as effect size. However, very little work exists on applying confidence intervals to multivariate data. In this paper we define confidence intervals for multivariate data that extend the one-dimensional definition in a natural way. In our definition every variable is associated with its own confidence interval as usual, but a data vector can be outside of a few of these, and still be considered to be within the confidence area. We analyze the problem and show that the resulting confidence areas retain the good qualities of their one-dimensional counterparts: they are informative and easy to interpret. Furthermore, we show that the problem of finding multivariate confidence intervals is hard, but provide efficient approximate algorithms to solve the problem.
Implementation of Software Residency at a graduation course

This paper presents the implementation of Software Residency at a graduation course focused in Software Development and Management in a Software Factory. Software Residency follows the same line of medical residency, at a medicine course. In this case, software residency has the objective to promote experience for students, inside a software development real environment, with well defined quality policies and with the goal to promote the dissemination of software quality, project management and production process concepts. In this course, the student actively participates on a software development project at a standard software factory (located in the university) or at some company previously selected by the university. We will present the qualitative and quantitative results of the experience we had conducting the graduation course focused in Software Development and Management in a Software Factory. The course was taken in 2008 and 2009 at a Brazilian public university. The objective of the course was to provide complementary knowledge to the students in the areas of Information Technology, Software Engineering and Project Management, focusing on software residency inside a software factory environment.
Resource-Based Theory, Competition and Staff Differentiation in Africa: Leveraging Employees as A Source of Sustained Competitive Advantage

This paper reports upon a research project designed to identify the extent to which and in what ways Human Resource (HR) managers in Africa view employees as a source of potential sustained competitive advantage (SCA) and whether Resource-based Theory (RBT) is being applied in practice. A qualitative research methodology is adopted, specifically a constructivist Grounded Theory Research Method (GTRM) approach. Data were collected through fifty-six semi-structured interviews from May 2015 through May 2016 with HR managers from 17 Sub-Saharan African countries. While the interviewees were not aware of RBT or consciously applying RBT principles and practices, many did see the potential for adopting a RBT model and the benefits it could deliver employees and the organization. However, some interviewees were skeptical of RBT and in all organizations represented by the sample there are many barriers to developing and implementing a RBT model. The study has advanced our knowledge of RBT in emerging African economies. The paper highlights a number of potential future research opportunities and acknowledges some of the study's limitations. There are potentially significant practical implications for companies in terms of maximizing employee capability and competitive advantage; opportunities currently being missed. There are implications for employees in terms of their development, job design and engagement and for HR managers developing HR strategy. The authors contend that this is the first empirical, multi-country study of Resource-based Theory in Africa.
Nigrostriatal damage is required for induction of dyskinesias by L-DOPA in squirrel monkeys.

We examined the ability of L-DOPA to induce dyskinesias in MPTP-treated and normal squirrel monkeys to establish whether the underlying neuropathology associated with parkinsonism is an absolute requirement or merely promotes the development of drug-induced dyskinesias. Administration of L-DOPA (5-40 mg/kg p.o., following a 60 min pretreatment with carbidopa 2.5-20 mg/kg p.o.) induced a range of dopamine-mediated behaviours including locomotor activity, stereotyped scratching, and climbing in both lesioned and nonlesioned animals. However, the dose-response curves showed a marked (three- to fourfold) shift to the left in lesioned animals, indicating behavioural supersensitivity. In contrast, L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias were only observed in MPTP-treated monkeys. Doses required for induction of dyskinesias were lower than those required to induce climbing. These findings provide further evidence that nigrostriatal damage is essential for the genesis of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias.
Image data transformation for tactile texture display

The authors have investigated a tactile texture presentation method by which a tactile texture display is driven to convey the sensations of object's surface textures. The image data (a B/W photograph taken carefully) of surface textures proved to be compatible with the surface geometry data-a height map-by an experiment with two simple-shape real texture patches. As a raw geometry data-hence a raw image-was not suitable for the texture display, they proposed to apply a histogram transformation to make the sensation produced by the data close to the real one. They obtained two histogram transformations out of fifty, by which the geometry data were adjusted so that they could best produce texture sensations regarding six real patches. The data adjusted by the transformations proved to present appropriate sensations to novice users who compared the data and the real patches tactually.
Utilization of care in haemophilia: a resource‐based method for cost analysis from the Haemophilia Utilization Group Study (HUGS)

Summary. The Haemophilia Utilization Group Study (HUGS) was created 10 years ago to examine the annual utilization and cost of haemophilia‐related healthcare services. Retrospective chart reviews for 336 patients with haemophilia A receiving treatment in one of five comprehensive haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) during 1995 were completed through interview of the provider. This method provided adequate collection of data from patient charts without the abstractor having direct access to patient health information. Utilization data were used to impute the costs of different components of care (e.g. physician visits, factor VIII concentrate, emergency room, hospitalization). The total annual cost of care was $139 102 (SD $304 033). Factor VIII concentrate costs comprised the largest proportion of these costs; mean factor VIII concentrate use was 128 517 units per patient per year. Unbilled physician utilization accounted for 7.8% of the mean total physician costs per annum, while mean allied healthcare costs accounted for 33.5% of the total annual allied healthcare costs per patient. In the ordinary least‐squares regression model, higher costs were associated with severe factor VIII deficiency, arthropathy, more comorbid conditions, an inhibitor to factor VIII concentrate, infusing through a port and prophylaxis. Although factor VIII concentrate is the most costly component, the treatment of haemophilia uses many healthcare resources. HUGS has demonstrated that patient clinical characteristics and physician practices predominantly drive the costs of haemophilia care. Specifically, patients with more severe arthropathy had greater healthcare costs. As future funding decisions are made, it is important to provide for all components of care.
Molecular and biochemical diagnosis of Salmonella in wastewater

This study aimed to employ biochemical and molecular assays to detect and diagnose Salmonella in wastewater. For this reason, two water samples were collected from Alexandria wastewater treatment plant (S1) and septic tank of a hospital at Alexandria governorate (S2). Selective culture media specific for Salmonella were used to grow and purify a number of isolates from water samples. Direct plate count revealed a high frequency of Salmonella cells in sample S2 than S1. As a confirmatory, species-specific PCR assay was performed for 17 randomly selected bacterial isolates from both water samples. Positive-PCR Salmonella isolates (5 from S1 and 4 from S2) were subjected for identification using API 20E biochemical identification kit. Among various examined antibiotics, rifamycine was the most effective antimicrobial agent on Salmonella isolates. Subsequently, PCR-RFLP of 16S and 23S rDNA genes, Rep-PCR fingerprinting and plasmid profile were employed to recognize among isolates. Out of nine examined restriction endonucleases, HinfI, HincII and HaeIII were the most discriminative enzymes which allowed clear differentiation among isolates, while PCR-RFLP of 23S rDNA was most discriminative than 16S rDNA. Higher levels of polymorphism and specificity were achieved by reproducible genomic fingerprints of Rep-PCR. However, poor discrimination results were achieved by employing plasmid profile assay.
Pancreatic Injury in Severe Trauma: Early Diagnosis and Therapy Improve the Outcome

Background: Pancreatic injury is a dangerous complication in multiple injury, and experience with its diagnosis and treatment is usually limited. Method: Retrospective analysis of 3,840 patients admitted after multiple trauma from January 1, 1982, until May 31, 2000. Results: A laparotomy was performed in 121 cases (3.15%) due to suspected intra-abdominal lesion. 32% of the patients (39/121) had a pancreatic lesion; 23% (9/39) had a rupture of the major pancreatic duct. Primary laparotomy was performed in 72% of the patients (28/39). Superficial lesions were treated by explorative laparotomy alone (n = 7), debridement and external drainage (n = 20), or necrosectomy and lavage (n = 3). Complex pancreatic lesions were treated by pancreatojejunostomies (n = 5), pancreatic left resections (n = 2), or exploration alone (n = 2). 8 of 39 patients died (20%), 4 intraoperatively. Of the surviving 35 patients, a pancreas-associated complication developed in 8 patients (23%): pancreatic abscesses (n = 4), traumatic pancreatitis (n = 3), pancreatic fistulas (n = 2), and pseudocysts (n = 2). Conclusions: Pancreatic injury is an infrequent but dangerous complication in severe trauma. Superficial lesions not affecting the major pancreatic duct can be managed by debridement and external drainage. If the major pancreatic duct is ruptured, organ-preserving, complex reconstructive procedures are necessary. When diagnosed timely and treated according to severity and overall situation, pancreatic injuries have an acceptable morbidity, but usually a high mortality.
Single transverse mode operation of 1.55-μm buried heterostructure vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

In this letter, we report the single-mode operation of 1.55-/spl mu/m buried heterostructure vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) fabricated on a GaAs-AlAs distributed Bragg reflector using thin-film wafer fusion. A 7-/spl mu/m VCSEL exhibits a single transverse mode at up to about 0.1-mW maximum optical output power and 75/spl deg/C maximum operation temperature under continuous-wave operation.
Three Essays on Corporate Governance and Politically Connected Firms

4 Introduction . 5 Literature Review.8 Board of Directors and Director Interlocks . 8 International Perspective . 9 Canadian Setting and Hypotheses Development . 10 Governance Disclosure Level . 13 Earnings Quality . 15 Design and Method . 17 Results . 22 Sample Selection and Descriptive Statistics . 22 Multivariate Results . 25 Supplementary Analysis . 26 Additional Testing . 26