Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No-React® Injectable BioPulmonic™ Valves Re-evaluated: Discouraging Follow-up Results

OBJECTIVES: The No-React® Injectable BioPulmonicTM valve (BioIntegral) was introduced for minimally invasive off-pump replacement of the pulmonary valve almost 10 years ago. We present our midto long-term follow-up results. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all 7 patients treated at our institution at the median age of 9 (range 1–24) years. The children underwent cardiac catheterization when worsening strain on the right heart was suspected after examining their medical history and/or observing significant changes on echocardiography. RESULTS: After a median follow-up period lasting 5.2 (range 0.7–6.7) years, all patients presented the indication for recatheterization, particularly because the maximum instantaneous velocity measured by Doppler had revealed systolic gradients of a median 63 (dP 18–74) mmHg across the right ventricular outflow. Catheterization confirmed severe stenosis in 2, and moderate stenosis together with moderate insufficiency in 4 patients. We observed two principal failure mechanisms: technical problems resulting from poor alignment to the right ventricular outflow tract and structural problems leading to neointimal proliferation even in cases with appropriate prosthesis positioning. At median of 5.7 (0.7–7) years after implantation, 6 of the 7 patients underwent valve rereplacement. Redo surgery was necessary in 3, and percutaneous valve-in-valve implantation in the remaining 3 patients. Histological analysis of two explanted valves confirmed significant neointima proliferation and thickened valve cusps leading to stenosis of the graft. CONCLUSIONS: These mid-term results after implantation of the No-React® Injectable BioPulmonicTM valve are disappointing. Graft failure was mainly due to neointimal formation and valve malposition.
Easing transition: A resource for high school students with disabilities as they transition into college

Strauss, Eric T,. M.A., May 2003 Communication Studies Easing Transition: A resource for high school students with disabilities as they transition into college _ . Advisor: Dr, Alan L. Sillars The purpose o f this study was to create a resource that high school students with disabilities could consult as they are preparing for college to assist in their transition. After investigating the various transitional programs already in place and the dynamics at play in developing relationships for people with disabilities, it was found that there was no discussion o f how developing relationships effects the transition process for students with disabilities. As a result, this study investigated the various tensions in relationships a student with a disability may encounter within a university. Seventeen individuals were interviewed to get as wide o f a range o f experiences as possible. The data was used to demonstrate how the experiences fit within a discussion o f communication-based principles and theory as well as the transitioning process. The resource produced from the findings addresses the many practical concerns a student with a disability should be aware o f as well as the relational dynamics they may be presented with as they transition into college. The resource’s goal is to assist in providing students with the necessary tools to transition into an accessible, healthy, and successful college environment. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Corporate climate change reporting: Evidence from Bangladesh

Research Question: Do the Bangladeshi business entities concern about the extreme climate change vulnerability of the country? How do they deal with the climate change issues in their corporate reporting? Motivation: As per the Climate Change Vulnerability Index 2014, Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world. To cope up this extreme stage not only the government but also all the stakeholders of the country should come forward. This study aims at exploring the attention of business organizations of Bangladesh toward the climate change issues of the country. Idea: When developed nations realized and shared accountability in relation to the adverse effect of climate change, developing nation pay less attention towards the impact of climate change and environmental degradation (Luo et al., 2013; Amran et al., 2014; Jeswani, 2007). Ironically, academic have paid less attention to examine the organizational efforts towards sustainability and environmental safety in the context of developing countries (Kabir & Akinusi, 2012). This research is intended to explore climate change reporting practices in developing countries - Bangladesh. Data: A purposive sampling of 82 companies listed in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) has been taken based on the year 2016 or 2015-2016. Tools: An un-weighted Climate Change Disclosure Index (CCDI) has been constructed and used to understand the climate change disclosure level practiced by selected companies. Findings: we have found a very poor disclosure levels practiced by the Bangladeshi listed companies as the mean climate change disclosure index (CCDI) is only 3.02 out of the maximum possible score of 28. Surprisingly, heavily polluting industries have very poor climate change disclosure indices compared to the non-polluting industries. Contributions: The study will create awareness to all the stakeholders of the climate change issues so that a holistic approach can be executed not only to accelerate the literatures on climate change but also to ensure sustainability on corporate climate change reporting.
The Role of External Regulators in Mergers and Acquisitions: Evidence from SEC Comment Letters

This study examines the role of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) involving publicly traded target firms. We first document that comment letters are more likely in M&As when deal characteristics suggest greater target firm shareholder welfare risk, target firms have weaker corporate governance, or target firms have weaker financial reporting quality. Our main results suggest that M&As receiving comment letters have an increased likelihood of deal completion and positive deal price revision, consistent with the SEC review process reducing information asymmetry, albeit at the cost of delaying the M&A process. We address endogeneity concerns using multiple approaches. Our findings that the SEC review process reduces information asymmetry in M&As provide new insight into the real economic consequences of disclosure regulation.
An exploration of the phenomena of multiple addictions and addiction interaction disorder in Durban, South Africa.

Addiction to drugs is a widely acknowledged problem in South Africa. Newer developments in the study of addiction include behaviours such as gambling and sex as part of a broader syndrome. International research has established that most people with one addiction are at risk for co-occurring addictions which are frequently undiagnosed and untreated. Multiple addictions (MA) have been shown to combine in specific patterns to produce addiction interaction disorder (AID) resulting in a more complex, treatmentresistant illness. This was the first study South Africa to investigate if people with substance use disorders had other addictions. The research had three aims: to establish if in-patients admitted to three drug rehabilitation centres had other addictions, to investigate the extent of the MA and AID and to determine whether the treatment programmes managed them appropriately. The study employed the mixed methods research design and was located at three in-patient facilities in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. During the first phase, discussion groups were held with professionals that explored their perceptions of MA, AID and current treatment programmes. The second phase involved a survey of 123 participants screened for poly-substance abuse, sex (including internet) addiction and problem gambling. The third phase utilised in-depth interviews with 25 participants displaying MA to understand the development of addiction, AID and treatment received. The data were analysed utilising descriptive and statistical analysis for the survey data, and thematic analysis for the in-depth interviews and discussion groups. The study found a high incidence of MA within the survey population of 54%; 37% of participants tested positive or at risk for problem gambling and 41% tested positive for sex addiction with 24% of the participants being positive for both. In-depth interviews revealed high rates of trauma, especially for the female participants and demonstrated the complex interrelationship between addictions. AID was identified in all 25 participants. In KwaZuluNatal, it appears that MA and AID are currently not being assessed or treated. The study highlights the need for a broader conceptualisation of addiction which would improve current assessment and treatment and has implications for further training of professionals and addiction policy in South Africa.
The Quadruple Sustainability

This chapter analyzes the relationship between ownership structure and sustainability performance adopting the socioemotional wealth approach. This work extends previous literature on the topic by considering the three dimensions of sustainability performance: economic, social, and environmental. Analysis with the matching technique revealed that being a family firm has a positive effect on economic profitability, growth sales, employees training and commitment, investment in R&D, environmental commitment, and cooperation agreements with external partners. The authors use a sample of Spanish firms operating in the tourism industry.
Globalization, free markets and investor protection

Using data from 29 countries, this paper is the first attempt to examine whether economic, political and social integration explain how well investors, both shareholders and creditors, are protected from expropriation by firms. We show that: (i) globalization drives both shareholder and creditor protection; (ii) least restrictive markets rather than paternalistic markets matter particularly for shareholders’ protection; (iii) the globalization-protection nexus favoured only creditors during the crisis; and (iv) our result significantly holds for OECD-member countries.
A study of women and mothers’- of- minor- age- daughters knowledge of HPV as well as the attitudes toward the HPV vaccine

BackgroundThe Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that generally goes unnoticed due to a lack of symptoms; however, HPV can lead to anogenital warts and, in chronic cases, cervical cancer. The Merck pharmaceutical company developed a commercial version of a quadrivalent recombinant non-infectious vaccine that was tested in preclinical research. This vaccine targets serotypes HPV16 and HPV18, which cause an estimated 70% of all cervical cancers, as well as serotypes HPV6 and HPV11, which cause 90% of external genital warts.
Using virtual reality to promote the university brand: When do telepresence and system immersion matter?

ABSTRACT While virtual reality (VR) has been shown to increase a sense of being there (i.e., telepresence) and enhance audience perceptions of the content, few studies have examined the impact of the varying degrees of ‘system immersion’ on persuasion outcomes under different VR viewing conditions. To fill this gap, our research investigates consumer perceptions of a branded VR experience of a university campus tour under different viewing conditions across two studies. In Study 1, we interviewed 17 participants who experienced the VR tour on Oculus Rift CV1. Emerging themes from the data revealed a sense of telepresence, enjoyment, and appreciation for going places not available to participants in real life. Study 2 employed an experimental design where participants viewed the same content using one of the three VR devices that varied in system immersion (smartphone, Google Cardboard, Oculus Rift DK2). Telepresence and its impact on recall and persuasion were measured. Results show that all three viewing conditions had equal capacity to create a sense of telepresence. Perceived telepresence negatively impacted recall of targeted locations in the virtual tour, whereas telepresence positively correlated with intentions to recommend the campus to others.
Environmental upgrading in global value chains

Responding to stakeholder pressure, firms are increasingly challenged to reduce their environmental impacts. This chapter reviews the potential upgrading trajectories for firms engaged in global value chains (GVCs) to effectively reduce the impacts on the environment of all activities linked to their products - not just those that are carried out in house - and the major drivers of these investments. We also examine the role of global lead firms in fostering the greening of GVCs and the different governing approaches that they have adopted. Furthermore, we look at different forms of supplier agency in these processes, both in the Global North and the Global South. Finally, we identify the key challenges related to the reduction of environmental impacts along GVCs and discuss limits and opportunities for the joint achievement of economic and environmental outcomes.
Transitioning from Solo Self-Employed to Microbusiness Employer: Local Economic Environment or Owner Characteristics?

Only a minority of micro-businesses create jobs for others. This paper addresses whether personal characteristics and resources of the microbusiness owner or the local external economic environment are drivers of job creation. In the UK context of significant growth in self-employment but a declining proportion who create jobs, an investigation using longitudinal data is provided. Individual demographic and resource characteristics are found to be more important, but place effects are relatively weak. Entrepreneurship policy needs to target particular groups, including women and less experienced business owners in their localities.
Bio-Identical Hormones Utilized for Treating Menopausal Symptoms: Are The y Safe?

The use of compounded bioidentical hormones in the various forms of gels, creams, and troches has increased in popularity. The population of menopausal women is at a crossroads with the cascade of symptoms and determining what are their options. The Endocrine Society, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Menopause Society do not support the use of bioidentical hormones, despite the support for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) by the American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine and other proponents for BHRT. The literature review reveals the need for studies documenting the safety of BHRT. The objective for this study was to conduct a retrospective chart review for the incidence of adverse outcomes specific to osteoporosis, breast cancer incidence, and cardiovascular disease in menopausal women utilizing BHRT. BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE SAFETY 5
The Usage of Derivatives in Corporate Financial Risk Management and Firm Performance

We examine the determinants of the intensity of derivatives usage. Using a sample of listed firms in Asia, we find that derivative users tend to have higher foreign exchange exposure, higher debt and short-term liquidity, greater growth options and higher operating profitability. Our results suggest that firms are more likely to hedge in response to financial distress costs, growth options, investment opportunities, and future cash flow needs. We also examine the relation between derivatives usage and firm valuation. We find that firm valuation is positively associated with the intensity of derivatives usage. Furthermore, we document that the positive association between firm valuation and derivatives usage is stronger in firms with stronger corporate governance structures. In well-governed firms, managers are more effectively monitored and this increases the likelihood of usage of derivatives for hedging purposes, instead of value-destroying speculative activities. Additional analysis indicates that hedging increases firm value by lowering earnings volatility, promoting capital expenditures and reducing cost of debt financing.
The impact of knowledge management on organizational performance in today's economy

Knowledge is the currency of today’s economy and the crux of knowledge management, which in turn the lifeline of modern-day organizations.It has been used since 1990s as a tool to achieve sustainable competitive advantages and greater performance, and now, it is becoming an essential asset to sustain organizational competitive advantages and a vehicle for continuous progress and innovation. It is every organization’s objective to be able to grow and progress whether it is an SME or a large enterprise so to ensure that there is return on investment of the shareholders and this objective can be met through sustainable superior organizational performance. There are many determinants that may influence organizational performance operating in the current economy but one that is being increasingly recognized as vital is knowledge management. This article has two objectives: The first is to provide an overview of knowledge management and highlight the importance of this field of practice, and the second is to provide few case studies of the successful implementation of knowledge management from different industries. Thus, we will further explore the notion that knowledge management positively impacts organizational performance through the analysis of a number of case studies where knowledge management is being practiced. We will start by highlighting the general interpretation of organizations, the current economy within which they are operating, the concept of knowledge management and how it may be used within organizations. This will be followed by an analysis of cases of knowledge management being practiced and the impact it has had on the overall performances, and finally present our argument that suggest knowledge management positively impacts organizational performances.
PROFESIONALISME GURU DALAM MENGIMPLEMENTASIKAN TEKNOLOGI INFORMASI DAN KOMUNIKASI DI KABUPATEN NGANJUK TEACHER PROFESSIONALISM IN IMPLEMENTING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN NGANJUK DISTRICT

This study aims to: 1) investigate perception of teachers of elementary school, junior secondary school, senior secondary school, and vocational school toward the teachers professionalism in implementing Information and Communication Technology to improve the quality of learning; 2) investigate opinion of students in the teachers professionalism in elementary school, junior high school, senior high school and vocational school toward the teachers professionalism in implementing Information and Communication Technology; 3) investigate are the things that are still a constraint of teachers in implementing Information and Communication Technology to improve the quality of learning. The population is all teachers in elementary school, junior high school, senior high school and vocational school in Nganjuk District which sample taken by simple random sampling. Data collection techniques used questionnaire by the Likert scale. The results of this study indicate that: 1) teachers of elementary school, junior high school, senior high school and vocational school majority (52.75%) stated that they rarely use the laptop for teaching learning process; 2) student of elementary school,
Maturity model for the IT-department when migrating to a SaaS-environment

In a period where digitization rapidly influences the corporate world, Cloud Computing (CC) has emerged over the past years as well. CC refers to offering hardware, software, and data by a provider over a network and can benefit organizations enormously regarding cost efficiency, operational excellence, and innovation. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), a delivery model of CC, allows organizations to deploy and use complete applications over the internet, which are managed by an external provider. The use of SaaS can bring firms several benefits, such as scalability, transparency of costs, access to high-end applications, and avoidance of up-front costs. However, it is unclear how the migration to SaaS impacts the IT-department on an organization level, and how IT-departments should adapt to perform in a SaaS-environment. This research contributes to this knowledge gap by investigating which resources and capabilities of the IT-department should change for the IT-department to perform. Propositions were formulated based on a literature research and a questionnaire, and empirical data was collected by means of a case study research. The results show that financial assets, technological tools, organizational structure, management systems, skills, knowledge, organizational culture, contractual governance, and relational governance are important resources of the IT- department, that should change in order to perform. The insights gained from this study can support organizations’ decision- makers improving the organization of the IT-department when migrating to a SaaS-environment.
Produktportfolio-Management im Zeitalter der Digitalisierung

This paper deals with product portfolio management (PPM) and its role in the age of digital business. Where some would emphasize that strategic, long-term planning and PPM seems to be outdated in times of shorter product lifecycles, digital innovations and disruptive business models, others would stress the increasing importance of PPM, the need for effective resource allocation and risk balancing when integrating smart products and digital product-service systems in existing product portfolios. In practice, the task of value proposition design and portfolio management is often spread over different business entities, departments and roles (e.g. product management, new product business, service business, digital business). The majority of companies does not yet fully realize the potential of systematic product portfolio management. Literature as well as results from our empirical study show that a systematic approach for product portfolio management results in higher profit margins and more successful innovations. An integrated approach is needed to maximize customer value and to improve efficiency. Based on a comprehensive literature review this paper presents an integrated PPM framework. It is intended to provide a basis for discussion on how to organize PPM regarding physical products, digital products, services and product-service-systems in the age of digitization.