Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linkages between CEO Compensation, Net Income and Stock Prices

Calculating the economic value that a CEO contributes to the worth of a corporation is seemingly a moot point. However, recent reporting changes regarding executive compensation has attracted widespread investor and public attention to this subject. Regardless of the industry, place in the economic/industry cycle the issue of analyzing if a CEOâ€™s annual compensation is directly correlated to yearly increases or decreases in an enterpriseâ€™s value is a topic that few outside the boards of directorsâ€™ corporate compensation committees clearly understand. The purpose of this 2015 quantitative research project was to follow-up a previous research project conducted in 2011 to investigate if any linkage exists between the annual salaries of the CEOs of public traded firms in the State of Wisconsin, USA and increases/decreases in the price of their corporationsâ€™ stock price and net income. The results of the 2015 research indicate that statistically significant relationships existed between the annual salaries of the CEOs of public traded firms in the State of Wisconsin, USA and increases/decreases in the price of their corporationsâ€™ stock price and net income. This conclusion is different from the 2011 research findings.
Characterization of Escherichia coli cspE, whose product negatively regulates transcription of cspA, the gene for the major cold shock protein

Escherichia coli contains nine members of the CspA protein family from CspA to CspI. To elucidate the cellular function of CspE, we constructed a ΔcspE strain. CspE is highly produced at 37°C. The synthesis level of CspE transiently increased during the growth lag period after dilution of stationary‐phase cells into the fresh medium at 37°C. This is consistent with the ΔcspE phenotype of the longer growth lag period after dilution. The protein synthesis patterns of the ΔcspE strain and the wild‐type strain were compared using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis. In the ΔcspE strain, the synthesis of a number of proteins at 37°C was found to be altered and cspA was derepressed. The derepression of cspA in the ΔcspE strain was at the level of transcription in a promoter‐independent fashion but was not caused by stabilization of the cspA mRNA, which was shown to be a major cause of CspA induction after cold shock. In vitro transcription assays demonstrated that both CspE and CspA enhanced transcription pause at the region immediately downstream of the cold box, a putative repressor binding site on the cspA mRNA. In a cell‐free protein synthesis system using S‐30 cell extracts, CspA production was specifically inhibited by the addition of CspE. These results indicate that CspE functions as a negative regulator for cspA expression at 37°C, probably by interacting with the transcription elongation complex at the cspA cold box region.
Balancing profitability with social consciousness: Determinants of suppliers' intensity of participation in the EU school fruit scheme

Abstract The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of suppliers' intensity of participation in the European Union school fruit scheme (SFS) based on the example of the SFS in the German federal state North Rhine-Westphalia. In 2013/14, approximately 100 suppliers including many agricultural enterprises or farm shops took part in a telephone survey. The data were processed by a factor analysis. Multivariate regression and ordered logit analyses were used to examine the determinants of intensity of participation. The results indicate that economic as well as non-economic factors determine suppliers' intensity of participation in such programs, though the financial aspect was determined as the most influential single factor for participation. In addition, the feel-good factor from helping to improve children's dietary habits and supporting the local community has been identified as an important motive.
Analysis and Design of Voltage Controlled Current Source for LDO Frequency Compensation

Using voltage controlled current source (VCCS) instead of electrical series resistance (ESR) of load capacitor to create a zero is a novel LDO frequency compensation scheme. This paper analyzes this compensation scheme, and reveals that the VCCS circuit conduces to the improvements of transient response and PSR performance of LDO. A new area compact VCCS circuit that has a nearly ideal performance in wide frequency spectrum up to 5MHzis also presented. Using VCCS, a LDO with 300mV dropout, 2.5V output voltage and l00mA output current is designed in 0. 5μm CMOS technology with pretty frequency performance, transient response and PSR performance. The total on-chip capacitor employed in this LDO is less than 1pF.
Observation of diffuse gamma-ray with Electron-Tracking Compton imaging camera loaded on balloon

We have developed an electron tracking Compton camera (ETCC) as an MeV gamma-ray telescope in the next generation. Our detector consists of a gaseous time projection chamber and a position sensitive scintillation camera. In order to evaluate the performance of this detector, we constructed a flight model detector as a balloon experiment for the observation of diffuse cosmic gamma rays and atmospheric gamma rays. The balloon launched on September 1 in 2006. The balloon reached to 35 km at altitude, and the level flight continued during 4.0 hours. We succeeded in the detection of about 200 downward gamma rays in the energy range of 100 keV-1 MeV during the 3.5 hours level flight (live time 3.0 hours). The detected photon number was consistent to the simulated one. Also, we measured the dependence of the gamma-ray flux on the zenith angle between 0deg and 90deg. Here we report on the detailed performance of the ETCC in this flight.
Long-term results of major upper extremity replantations

We analyzed the long-term functional outcome in patients with major upper extremity replantations. Two patients had amputations proximal to the elbow joint, two had elbow disarticulations and five patients had amputations at the forearm. The mean age was 24 and the mean follow-up time was 18 years. Six patients have undergone secondary operations. The mean grip strength was restored to 34% of the contralateral extremity. Protective sensation was restored in all patients. According to Chen’s functional recovery scale, five patients had excellent, two had good, and two had fair results. Grip strength, two-point discrimination, ranges of motion and Chen’s scale did not improve after 5 years. However, Semmes–Weinstein monofilament testing and cold intolerance continued to improve up to 10 and 12 years, respectively. Replantation of an upper extremity proximal to the wrist joint satisfactorily restored the upper extremity function.
Unfavorable Prognosis of Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix: A Retrospective Matched Case-Control Study

Objectives: This study was a matched case-control study to analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics and the prognosis of patients with small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in the uterine cervix. Patients and Methods: Thirty-two patients were treated for small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (SCNEC) at Asan Medical Center between January 1996 and June 2008. For a 1-to-2 matched case-control study, 64 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (SCC) whose clinical stage and age are consistent with the SCNEC group were selected. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to analyze and compare the clinical and pathological outcomes. Results: In the SCNEC group, the median age was 45 years, and early stage (stage IIA or below) was 75.0%. The postoperative adjuvant therapy was given more frequently in the SCNEC group. The recurrence rate was 59.4%, and lung, bone, and liver were common sites in the SCNEC group. Parametrial involvement and lymphovascular space invasion were risk factors in the SCNEC group, whereas lymph node metastasis is the risk factor in the SCC group. The progression-free survival and overall survival were significantly shorter in the SCNEC group than in the SCC group (16.9 and 30.6 months vs 47.7 and 49.1 months, P < 0.05). Interestingly, survival outcomes in the early stage of SCNEC were remarkably worse than those of SCC and almost identical to those of the advanced stage of SCNEC. Conclusion: We confirmed the unfavorable prognosis related to hematogenous metastasis in SCNEC. The treatment modality of early-stage SCNEC, which is radical hysterectomy followed by adjuvant therapy, needs to be reevaluated.
Further validation of the IBS-QOL: a disease-specific quality-of-life questionnaire

OBJECTIVE:There has been growing interest in the investigation of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. We recently reported on the development and preliminary validation of the IBS-QOL, a specific quality-of-life measure for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to determine the longitudinal construct validity (responsiveness) of the IBS-QOL.METHODS:Female patients enrolled in a multicenter treatment trial for functional bowel disorders were studied pre- and posttreatment with the IBS-QOL and other health status measures. Based on the response to treatment for several variables (pain/14-day score, daily function, and days in bed/3 months), patients were stratified into Responders, Partial Responders, and Nonresponders. Change scores in the IBS-QOL were then statistically compared with changes in the other variables to determine their correlation and whether Responders were significantly different from non- and Partial Responders on the IBS-QOL.RESULTS:There was a significant correlation between change scores on the IBS-QOL and the other measures of treatment effect (Pain/14 days, r = 0.25, p < 0.002; Sickness Impact Profile [SIP] Total Score, r = 0.28, p < 0.0004). In addition, the IBS-QOL scores significantly differentiated Responders from Nonresponders for most of the variables tested (regression trend test for Pain/14 days, p < 0.04; SIP Total, p < 0.0001; SIP Physical, p < 0.0001; SIP Psychosocial, p < 0.002, and SIP Eating, p < 0.04). CONCLUSION:The IBS-QOL is responsive to treatment in a referral-based clinical population of patients with functional bowel disorders.
Tumor volume measurements of acoustic neuromas with three‐dimensional constructive interference in steady state and conventional spin‐echo MR imaging

The purpose was to compare three‐dimensional (3D) constructive interference in steady state (CISS) and conventional spin‐echo (SE) MR imaging in tumor volume measurements of acoustic neuromas. Twenty‐two patients with acoustic neuromas were examined using high‐resolution 3D‐CISS and SE imaging at a 1.5‐T system. Tumor volume determined by SE imaging with the ellipsoid formula was overestimated by 692 mm3(35%) on average as compared with that at 3D‐CISS with the voxel‐count method (the reference standard). Intra‐ and interobserver variations in SE imaging were poor as compared with 3D‐CISS imaging. However, tumor volume results with SE imaging showed a high correlation with those using 3D‐CISS imaging (P < .0001). On the basis of diameters shown on SE images, the tumor volume could be assessed using the following equation (P < .0001): (Tumor volume) = −26.407 + 0.387 × (maximum diameter along the pyramid) ×(maximum diameter perpendicular to the pyramid) × (maximum height). J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000;12:826–832. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Flow–Metabolic Phenotype of Primary Colorectal Cancer: Assessment by Integrated 18F-FDG PET/Perfusion CT with Histopathologic Correlation

The aim of this study was to assess the in vivo flow–metabolic phenotype in primary colorectal cancer with integrated 18F-FDG PET/perfusion CT and its relationship to gold standard histopathologic assessment of angiogenesis and hypoxia. Methods: 45 patients (26 male and 19 female; mean age, 67.6 y) with primary colorectal cancer underwent integrated 18F-FDG PET/perfusion CT, deriving tumor glucose metabolism (maximum standardized uptake value) and regional blood flow. From this cohort, 35 underwent surgery subsequently, without intervening neoadjuvant treatment, allowing histopathologic correlation with tumor stage, CD105 microvessel density, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), glucose transporter protein 1 (Glut-1), and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 expression. Results: The flow–metabolic ratio was significantly lower for tumors with higher VEGF (3.65 vs. 5.98; P = 0.01) or hypoxia-inducible factor 1 expression (3.63 vs. 5.48; P = 0.04) versus tumors with lower expression. There were significant negative correlations between the tumor flow–metabolic ratio and VEGF expression (r = −0.55, P = 0.0008), indicating that tumors with low blood flow but higher metabolism were associated with higher VEGF expression. Flow and metabolism were coupled in higher-stage (stage III/IV) tumors but not lower-stage tumors (stage I/II) (r = 0.47, P = 0.03, vs. r = 0.09, P = 0.65, respectively. Conclusion: Tumors with a low-flow–high-metabolism phenotype demonstrated higher VEGF expression and may reflect a more angiogenic phenotype.
Epidemiology of severe sepsis in the United States: Analysis of incidence, outcome, and associated costs of care

ObjectiveTo determine the incidence, cost, and outcome of severe sepsis in the United States. DesignObservational cohort study. SettingAll nonfederal hospitals (n = 847) in seven U.S. states. PatientsAll patients (n = 192,980) meeting criteria for severe sepsis based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. InterventionsNone. Measurements and Main Results We linked all 1995 state hospital discharge records (n = 6,621,559) from seven large states with population and hospital data from the U.S. Census, the Centers for Disease Control, the Health Care Financing Administration, and the American Hospital Association. We defined severe sepsis as documented infection and acute organ dysfunction using criteria based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. We validated these criteria against prospective clinical and physiologic criteria in a subset of five hospitals. We generated national age- and gender-adjusted estimates of incidence, cost, and outcome. We identified 192,980 cases, yielding national estimates of 751,000 cases (3.0 cases per 1,000 population and 2.26 cases per 100 hospital discharges), of whom 383,000 (51.1%) received intensive care and an additional 130,000 (17.3%) were ventilated in an intermediate care unit or cared for in a coronary care unit. Incidence increased >100-fold with age (0.2/1,000 in children to 26.2/1,000 in those >85 yrs old). Mortality was 28.6%, or 215,000 deaths nationally, and also increased with age, from 10% in children to 38.4% in those >85 yrs old. Women had lower age-specific incidence and mortality, but the difference in mortality was explained by differences in underlying disease and the site of infection. The average costs per case were $22,100, with annual total costs of $16.7 billion nationally. Costs were higher in infants, nonsurvivors, intensive care unit patients, surgical patients, and patients with more organ failure. The incidence was projected to increase by 1.5% per annum. ConclusionsSevere sepsis is a common, expensive, and frequently fatal condition, with as many deaths annually as those from acute myocardial infarction. It is especially common in the elderly and is likely to increase substantially as the U.S. population ages.
Simple resistance calculation in litz-wire planar windings for induction cooking appliances

We present a simple method to calculate the winding resistance of a litz-wire inductor in an induction cooking appliance, taking into account eddy-current losses, including conduction losses and proximity-effect losses. The method, which uses numerical calculation of the magnetic field, can be used to determine the optimum number of strands in the litz wire. The effects of the temperature on the winding total resistance are included in the calculation. We have built a prototype to verify the calculation method and its limitations. We consider the accuracy limits of the method.
Dual-band resonances of a patch antenna on UC-EBG substrate

The concept of using a uni-planar compact electromagnetic band gap (UC-EBG) substrate to achieve dual-band resonances from a single patch antenna is presented. Antenna performance of a probe-fed patch antenna at 2.36GHz and 1.68 GHz has been achieved with a single layer UC-EBG substrate in the HFSS simulation. Further computational and experimental investigation is presented at the conference.
Modified K-Line in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predicts Insufficient Decompression of Cervical Laminoplasty

Study Design. A retrospective single-center study. Objective. To clarify preoperative factors predicting unsatisfactory indirect decompression after laminoplasty in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Summary of Background Data. Many authors have shown that inadequate indirect decompression after laminoplasty can inhibit neural recovery and should be considered a complication. We previously demonstrated that residual anterior compression of the spinal cord (ACS) impaired recovery of upper extremity motor function. Although the K-line has been established as a predictive index indicating that laminoplasty is required in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, it remains unclear what preoperative factors can predict insufficient posterior cord decompression in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Methods. Forty-six consecutive patients who underwent laminoplasty for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy at our hospital were reviewed. A modified K-line was defined as the line connecting the midpoints of the spinal cord at C2 and C7 on a T1-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance image. We also determined the minimum interval between the tip of local kyphosis and a line connecting the midpoint of the cord at the level of the inferior endplates of C2 and C7 (INTmin) on the midsagittal image. Data analysis involved logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to select the most valuable index for predicting postoperative ACS. Results. Ten patients had ACS immediately after laminoplasty. Logistic regression analysis showed that INTmin was a significant predictive factor for the occurrence of postoperative ACS (odds ratio = 0.485; 95% confidence interval = 0.29–0.81; P = 0.02). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.871. A cutoff of 4.0 mm had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 80.6% for prediction of postoperative ACS. Conclusion. The parameter INTmin correlated with the occurrence of postoperative ACS. A cutoff point of 4.0 mm is most appropriate for alerting spine surgeons to a high likelihood of postoperative ACS.
Analysis of the Determinants of Software‐as‐a‐Service Adoption in Small Businesses: Risks, Benefits, and Organizational and Environmental Factors

Cloud computing is a cutting‐edge information technology (IT) that receives computing resources and services from external providers rather than building their own information systems. Software‐as‐a‐Service (SaaS), one of the cloud computing models, has a built‐in best business practice and thus can be useful not only in reinforcing the IT capability of small businesses but also in improving business processes at the same time. The study investigated factors that affect the intention of small companies in Korea to adopt SaaS. The results were that (1) they were more concerned with the security risks than the economic or performance risks, (2) they were trying to improve the business process rather than quality improvement or cost, (3) management support was considered to be more important than the resources or IT capacity for the adoption of SaaS, and (4) they also considered the support of the vendor more important than the support of the government. The result of the study will provide practical strategies for not only small companies considering the adoption of SaaS and vendors supplying SaaS, but also government when setting up policies.
Divergent Fortunes: Income Diversification, Rising Older Entrepreneurship and Falling Younger Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship has declined among younger households, those headed by somebody less than 50 years old, while it has increased among older households over the past two decades. We explore whether this divergence in entrepreneurial activity could be linked to different experiences with income diversification from capital income and retirement and annuity income. Using descriptive and instrumental variable regressions based on data from the Federal Reserve’s triennial Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), we conclude that older households’ entrepreneurial activity has become more responsive to income diversification while younger households’ has become less responsive over time. In further examinations, we rule out three potential alternative explanations – changes in economic pressures, in liquidity constraints and in nonpecuniary rewards – for the divergent entrepreneurship trends. Our results suggest that more access to income unrelated to risky business income, especially among younger households, could support more entrepreneurship in the future.
Exploring Students Perception and ICT Use in Indonesian High Schools

The recent spread of technological innovation along with the sophistication of the ICT gadgets have shapped and transformed the realm of learning and teaching including in that of English Language. Alongside, ICT has become more and more inextricable part of human businesses and put a higher level of demand for technological literacy in the part of English learners in order for them to be convident in the digital era membership and participation. This study surveyed 400 high school students as regards: (a) their ICT gadgets perceived ownership; (b) their day-to-day outside and in-school use and; (c) their activities using ICT gadgets for English learning. Findings from the descriptive analyses of the mixed-method study, disclose the positive perception about the gadget ownership. Interestingly, the current study also discovers that there has been a mismatch between the positively perceived ownership of the ICT gadgets and the real day-to-day use as facilitative media for learning, in particular as a useful aids for English language learning. Focusing on the result discussion, issues with regard to discrepancies in the provision of infrastructures and the lack of the support system by school institutions emerge from the FGD analysis highlighting the importance for all decision makers, school institutions, and teachers to consciously start doing something about it. By highlighting the pivotal role of the technology, the researcher suggested a real action for responding to the call for a change in both policy makers and institutonal levels to start integrating the technology into the school curricula.
Comorbidities and Cognitive Functioning: Implications for Nursing Research and Practice

ABSTRACT Optimal cognitive functioning is necessary to successfully negotiate one's environment, yet medical conditions can interfere with brain health, thus negatively impacting cognitive functioning. Such comorbidities include hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and HIV, as well as others. The physiological properties of these comorbidities can reduce one's cognitive reserve and limit one's cognitive efficiency. This article provides an overview of a few common comorbidities known to affect cognitive functioning and addresses ways in which cognitive functioning may be ameliorated and protected or mitigated in lieu of cognitive declines in such clinical populations. Implications for nursing practice and research are posited.