Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of hospital admission service structure with early transfer to critical care, hospital readmission, and length of stay.

BACKGROUND Hospital medical groups use various staffing models that may systematically affect care continuity during the admission process. OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of 2 hospitalist admission service models ("general" and "admitter-rounder") on patient disposition and length of stay. DESIGN Retrospective observational cohort study with difference-in-difference analysis. SETTING Large tertiary academic medical center in the United States. PARTICIPANTS Patients (n = 19,270) admitted from the emergency department to hospital medicine and medicine teaching services from July 2010 to June 2013. INTERVENTIONS Admissions to hospital medicine staffed by 2 different service models, compared to teaching service admissions. MEASUREMENTS Incidence of transfer to critical care within the first 24 hours of hospitalization, hospital and emergency department length of stay, and hospital readmission rates ≤30 days postdischarge. RESULTS The change of hospitalist services to an admitter-rounder model was associated with no significant change in transfer to critical care or hospital length of stay compared to the teaching service (difference-in-difference P = 0.32 and P = 0.87, respectively). The admitter-rounder model was associated with decreased readmissions compared to the teaching service on difference-in-difference analysis (odds ratio difference: -0.21, P = 0.01). Adoption of the hospitalist admitter-rounder model was associated with an increased emergency department length of stay compared to the teaching service (difference of +0.49 hours, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Rates of transfer to intensive care and overall hospital length of stay between the hospitalist admission models did not differ significantly. The hospitalist admitter-rounder admission service structure was associated with extended emergency department length of stay and a decrease in readmissions. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:669-674. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Wide Optical Bandwidth and High Output Power Superluminescent Diode Covering C and L Band

We report on the development of a novel superluminescent diode (SLD) design with high output power and a wide optical bandwidth operation. The SLD combines an asymmetrical cladding structure for reduced internal losses and thick quantum wells to obtain emission from both the fundamental level and the first excited level. The ${-}{\rm 3}~{\rm dB}$ optical bandwidth is equal to 135 nm for a 2-mm long device. For longer devices, the optical bandwidth is slightly reduced but the optical output power increases. By reinjecting a part of the optical power using an external reflector we obtain 27 mW of output power.
Active immunization using a single dose immunotherapeutic abates established EAE via IL‐10 and regulatory T cells

Stimulation of Ag‐specific inducible Treg can enhance resolution of autoimmune disease. Conventional methods to induce Treg often require induction of autoimmune disease or subjection to infection. Reovirus adhesin, protein σ1 (pσ1), can successfully facilitate tolerance when fused to a tolerogen. We tested whether myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) fused to pσ1 (MOG‐pσ1) can stimulate Ag‐specific Treg. We show that C57BL/6 mice treated nasally with MOG‐pσ1 fail to induce MOG‐specific Abs and delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses and resist EAE. Such resistance was attributed to stimulation of Foxp3+ Treg, as well as Th2 cells. MOG‐pσ1's protective capacity was abrogated in IL‐10−/− mice, but restored when adoptively transferred with MOG‐pσ1‐induced Treg. As a therapeutic, MOG‐pσ1 diminished EAE within 24 h of nasal application, unlike recombinant MOG (rMOG), pσ1, or pσ1+rMOG, implicating the importance of Ag specificity by pσ1‐based therapeutics. MOG‐pσ1‐treated mice showed elevated IL‐4, IL‐10, and IL‐28 production by CD4+ T cells, unlike rMOG treated or control mice that produced elevated IFN‐γ or IL‐17, respectively. These data show the feasibility of using pσ1 as a tolerogen platform for Ag‐specific tolerance induction and highlight its potential use as an immunotherapeutic for autoimmunity.
A Possible Explanation of the Small Firm Effect

Recent empirical studies have found that small listed firms yield higher average returns than large firms even when their riskiness is equal. The riskiness of small firms, however, has been improperly measured. Apparently, the error is due to auto-correlation in portfolio returns caused by infrequent trading. Other anomalous predictors of riskadjusted returns, such as price/earnings ratios and dividend yields, may also derive some of their apparent power from this spurious source.
Comparison of the effect of raw and blanched‐frozen broccoli on DNA damage in colonocytes

Consumption of cruciferous vegetables may protect against colorectal cancer. Cruciferous vegetables are rich in a number of bioactive constituents including polyphenols, vitamins and glucosinolates. Before consumption, cruciferous vegetables often undergo some form of processing that reduces their content of bioactive constituents and may determine whether they exert protective effects. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of raw and blanched‐frozen broccoli to protect colonocytes against DNA damage, improve antioxidant status and induce xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XME). Fifteen Landrace × Large White male pigs were divided into five age‐matched and weight‐matched sets (79 days, SD 3, and 34·7 kg, SD 3·9, respectively). Each set consisted of siblings to minimize genetic variation. Within each set, pigs received a cereal‐based diet, unsupplemented (control) or supplemented with 600 g day−1 of raw or blanched‐frozen broccoli for 12 days. The consumption of raw broccoli caused a significant 27% increase in DNA damage in colonocytes (p = 0·03) relative to the control diet, whereas blanched‐frozen broccoli had no significant effect. Both broccoli diets had no significant effect on plasma antioxidant status or hepatic and colonic XME. This study is the first to report that the consumption of raw broccoli can damage DNA in porcine colonocytes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stroke, statins, and cholesterol. A meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To estimate the effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors ("statins") on stroke ris, we combined the data of the randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors published so far. METHODS The studies were identified using the Medline CD+ and Current Contents databases from January 1980 through May 1996, inclusive. All studies were evaluated on the use of a placebo control, monotherapy, and double blindness. When the type of stroke or the occurrence of clinical events or adverse effects were incompletely or not reported, the investigators were contacted personally. For each trial, the number of strokes in the treatment arm was compared with the number of strokes expected on all observations under the assumption that drug treatment had no effect. RESULTS A total of 462 strokes among 20438 participants in 13 trials could be analyzed. A total of 181 strokes were observed in patients randomized to treatment with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and 261 strokes in patients randomized to placebo. A lower than expected number of strokes was observed in the treatment groups of all but one trial (P = .001). Treatment with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor led to an overall risk reduction of 31% (odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.57 to 0.83). CONCLUSIONS The combined data suggest that treatment with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors prevents stroke in middle-aged persons. Because stroke is especially common in older age, these data reinforce the need for clinical trials to evaluate the effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in preventing stroke in the elderly.
Determinants of International Portfolio Investment Flows to a Small Market: Empirical Evidence

This paper investigates the determinants of foreign portfolio investment flows into a market on which restrictions for foreign investments were recently removed, the Finnish stock market. During our research period, the relative share of the Finnish stock market owned by foreign investors has rapidly grown and was in December 1998 53% of the total market value of the listed shares. Using company specific data on the degree of foreign ownership, we report that foreign investment flows are significantly related above all to variables related to investment barriers, the dividend yield, liquidity, and firm size, and to some extent to profitability, variables robust in different model specifications. We also find a significant positive difference between the returns for foreign and local investors, which is largely explained by the foreign investors' larger holdings in the successful company Nokia which is dominating the Finnish market portfolio.
Whole Genome Sequence Analysis of Mutations Accumulated in rad27Δ Yeast Strains with Defects in the Processing of Okazaki Fragments Indicates Template-Switching Events

Okazaki fragments that are formed during lagging strand DNA synthesis include an initiating primer consisting of both RNA and DNA. The RNA fragment must be removed before the fragments are joined. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a key player in this process is the structure-specific flap endonuclease, Rad27p (human homolog FEN1). To obtain a genomic view of the mutational consequence of loss of RAD27, a S. cerevisiae rad27Δ strain was subcultured for 25 generations and sequenced using Illumina paired-end sequencing. Out of the 455 changes observed in 10 colonies isolated the two most common types of events were insertions or deletions (INDELs) in simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and INDELs mediated by short direct repeats. Surprisingly, we also detected a previously neglected class of 21 template-switching events. These events were presumably generated by quasi-palindrome to palindrome correction, as well as palindrome elongation. The formation of these events is best explained by folding back of the stalled nascent strand and resumption of DNA synthesis using the same nascent strand as a template. Evidence of quasi-palindrome to palindrome correction that could be generated by template switching appears also in yeast genome evolution. Out of the 455 events, 55 events appeared in multiple isolates; further analysis indicates that these loci are mutational hotspots. Since Rad27 acts on the lagging strand when the leading strand should not contain any gaps, we propose a mechanism favoring intramolecular strand switching over an intermolecular mechanism. We note that our results open new ways of understanding template switching that occurs during genome instability and evolution.
Finding a Home away from Home

Using data from a sample of foreign subsidiaries established in the U.S. by firms from 27 countries between 1998 and 2003, this study examines the relationship between immigrants and the foreign expansion of organizations from their home countries. I propose that common country bonds to immigrants can become unique channels of knowledge, providing firms with idiosyncratic benefits in foreign places. Such connections to co-national immigrants should positively influence location choice and survival through processes of local learning and knowledge transfer. The results support these predictions. The probability of locating operations and surviving in a state increases with the concentration of same-nationality immigrants in that state, but not with the presence of immigrants of other nationalities. To highlight the knowledge-related mechanisms, I show that these relationships are particularly strong for firms lacking prior experience in the country, for locations in which immigrants can help firms capitalize on industry-specific knowledge spillovers, and for firms with highly knowledge-intensive operations.
Ski regulates Hippo and TAZ signaling to suppress breast cancer progression

Ski inhibits the transcriptional coactivator TAZ through Hippo pathway–dependent and Hippo pathway–independent mechanisms. Keeping cancers from becoming Hippo sized Activation of the kinases in the Hippo pathway triggers the phosphorylation, cystolic sequestration, and degradation of the transcriptional coactivator TAZ, preventing the activation of genes that promote cell proliferation and survival. Ski has both pro-oncogenic and anti-oncogenic properties. By investigating the tumor suppressor side of Ski, Rashidian et al. found that Ski inhibited TAZ in breast cancer cells. In the cytosol, Ski enhanced the phosphorylation of TAZ through the Hippo pathway; in the nucleus, Ski recruited a transcriptional co-repressor to TAZ. Thus, Ski may limit breast cancer progression by inhibiting TAZ through Hippo pathway–dependent and Hippo pathway–independent mechanisms. Ski, the transforming protein of the avian Sloan-Kettering retrovirus, inhibits transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling and displays both pro-oncogenic and anti-oncogenic activities in human cancer. Inhibition of TGF-β signaling is likely responsible for the pro-oncogenic activity of Ski. We investigated the mechanism(s) underlying the tumor suppressor activity of Ski and found that Ski suppressed the activity of the Hippo signaling effectors TAZ and YAP to inhibit breast cancer progression. TAZ and YAP are transcriptional coactivators that can contribute to cancer by promoting proliferation, tumorigenesis, and cancer stem cell expansion. Hippo signaling activates the the Lats family of kinases, which phosphorylate TAZ and YAP, resulting in cytoplasmic retention and degradation and inhibition of their transcriptional activity. We showed that Ski interacted with multiple components of the Hippo pathway to facilitate activation of Lats2, resulting in increased phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of TAZ. Ski also promoted the degradation of a constitutively active TAZ mutant that is not phosphorylated by Lats, suggesting the existence of a Lats2-independent degradation pathway. Finally, we showed that Ski repressed the transcriptional activity of TAZ by binding to the TAZ partner TEAD and recruiting the transcriptional co-repressor NCoR1 to the TEAD-TAZ complex. Ski effectively reversed transformation and epithelial-to-mesenchyme transition in cultured breast cancer cells and metastasis in TAZ-expressing xenografted tumors. Thus, Ski inhibited the function of TAZ through multiple mechanisms in human cancer cells.
Corporate governance and business performance: evidence for the Romanian economy

AbstractOur finding contributes towards the understanding of movements regarding the adoption of corporate governance practice in emerging countries such as Romania and its impact on business performances of a company.We have developed two econometric models to assess the business performances of the companies listed on Bucharest Stock Exchange, in order to point out the impact of corporate governance on business performances. Our results are inconsistent for the period 2001–2011, but if we consider only 2011, the results document a positive correlation between corporate governance quality and market value of companies, such it is reflected by Tobin’s Q. Therefore, our results contribute to the studies relating corporate governance and business performances, as it confirms a positive relationship between the two variables which appears once the Romanian emerging economy has began to adopt the best corporate governance practices.Firstly, our research has important implications for managers in order to know.
Prevalence, risk factors and health outcomes associated with polypharmacy among urban community-dwelling older adults in multi-ethnic Malaysia

Background Polypharmacy has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in the older population. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors and health outcomes associated with polypharmacy in a cohort of urban community-dwelling older adults receiving chronic medications in Malaysia. Methods This was a baseline study in the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research cohort. The inclusion criteria were individuals aged ≥55years and taking at least one medication chronically (≥3 months). Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire during home visits where medications taken were reviewed. Health outcomes assessed were frequency of falls, functional disability, potential inappropriate medication use (PIMs), potential drug-drug interactions (PDDIs), healthcare utilisation and quality of life (QoL). Risk factors and health outcomes associated with polypharmacy (≥5 medications including dietary supplements) were determined using multivariate regression models. Results A total of 1256 participants were included with a median (interquartile range) age of 69(63–74) years. The prevalence of polypharmacy was 45.9% while supplement users made up 56.9% of the cohort. The risk factors associated with increasing medication use were increasing age, Indian ethnicity, male, having a higher number of comorbidities specifically those diagnosed with cardiovascular, endocrine and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as supplement use. Health outcomes significantly associated with polypharmacy were PIMS, PDDIs and increased healthcare utilisation. Conclusion A significant proportion of older adults on chronic medications were exposed to polypharmacy and use of dietary supplements contributed significantly to this. Medication reviews are warranted to reduce significant polypharmacy related issues in the older population.
Do the financial statements of intangible-intensive companies hold less information content for investors?

This study uses the event study method to compare the information content of annual accounting releases in sectors that differ in respect of the proportion of market value that may be attributed to intangibles. The results demonstrate that there are differences between industrial sectors in the share price reaction to accounting events and that this reaction appears to be much less significant in sectors where the investment in intangible assets is relatively high.
Stagnation, Acceleration And Deceleration In Agricultural Production In Nigeria, 1970-2000

This study investigated the hypothesis of stagnation/acceleration/deceleration in agricultural production in Nigeria for the period 1970-2000 by fitting exponential trend equations to the output data of the country's 23 major agricultural commodities and computing compound annual growth rates of agricultural production. The computed compound growth rates of agricultural production were very low and non significant in most cases. However, statistical significant acceleration in output growth was confirmed for 21 out of 23 agricultural commodities studied; stagnation (absence of significant acceleration or deceleration in the growth process) was confirmed for only 2 of the agricultural commodities while no statistical deceleration in growth was confirmed for any of the commodities. Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences Vol. 2 (2) 2004 pp. 131-140
Is it Worth the While? The Relevance of Qualitative Information in Credit Rating

This empirical study deals with the question whether soft facts (qualitative information, i.e. subjective judgments of credit analysts) considerably improve the forecast quality of bank internal credit ratings that are solely based on hard facts (financial ratios, checking account data). An extensive sample (20.000 observations) of German SME credit data has been made available by a commercial bank to compare two models: one including, the other excluding qualitative information. Logistic regression is used to forecast default probabilities. The econometric quality as well as the classification and separation performance of the two models are assessed statistically and graphically, using various measures. It is shown that most of the widely used measures cannot be used for inter-sample comparison and offer therefore little informational content. Further, performance measures that are based on classification tables (i.e. a single cut-off value) should only be used if the (costs) benefits of (mis)classification are known. ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic curve)-based measures and the inspection of ROC have been found to be the most useful criteria for model comparison. ROC inspection allows to compare models in a more qualitative way, adding information to the common inspection of numerical criteria. The problem of observing very few defaults is solved by stratifying the estimation sample and using a re-sampling procedure. This results in empirical distributions of the performance measures. While, in similar studies, one (mean) value per measure and model is given, the existence of empirical distributions allows the difference between the two models to be quantified and to decide whether the models differ significantly. The model including qualitative information significantly dominates the hard facts model in virtually all respects. The inspection of ROC indicates that, contrary to credit analysts' intuition, the hard-facts variable based on financial ratios performs better in the high-risk region than the softfacts variable based on credit analysts' judgments. It is not possible to infer from the results of this study whether the increase in performance of a credit rating model justifies the additional costs of obtaining qualitative information for a particular bank. Yet, this study shows that subjective judgments are indeed capable of yielding valuable information and improve credit rating systems which are based solely on quantitative information by considerable amounts. It uses several methods to quantify this increase in forecast quality and is based, as one of the first studies so far, on an extensive set of "real world" credit data.