Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Stock Options on Risk-Taking: Founder-CEOs and Innovation

This paper investigates whether and how founder-CEOs' risk incentives (VEGA) are related to firm innovation. We exploit a change in the accounting treatment of stock-based compensation under FAS 123R in 2005 to show a relationship between founders' risk-taking incentive and innovation. Using a sample of 226 firm-year observations between 2002 and 2008, we first show that stock options are incentives that encourage founder-CEOs to engage in risk-taking behaviour and that these were significantly reduced as a result of FAS 123R. Secondly, we find that innovation activities of the observed firms are significantly declining due to the reduction of the option compensation and the associated reduction in VEGA of founder-CEOs. Finally, our difference-in-differences approach provides strong evidence that there is a relationship between CEOs risk-taking and innovation output. Our results imply that even in founder-led firms it is important to incentivise founders' risk-taking behaviour in order that firms continue to innovate and remain competitive.
Affective Computing and Interaction : Psychological , Cognitive and Neuroscientific Perspectives

This chapter covers the application of affective computing using a physiological approach to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) during human-computer interaction (HCI) and human-robot interaction (HRI). Investigation into technology-assisted intervention for children with ASD has gained momentum in recent years. Clinicians involved in interventions must overcome the communication impairments generally exhibited by children with ASD by adeptly inferring the affective cues of the children to adjust the intervention accordingly. Similarly, an intelligent system, such as a computer or robot, must also be able to understand the affective needs of these children an ability that the current technology-assisted ASD intervention systems lack to achieve effective interaction that addresses the role of affective states in HCI, HRI, and intervention practice.
Therapeutic potential of manipulating suicidal erythrocyte death

Introduction: Eryptosis, the suicidal erythrocyte death, is characterized by erythrocyte shrinkage and phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Eryptosis is triggered by cell stress such as energy depletion and oxidative stress, by Ca2+-entry, ceramide, caspases, calpain and/or altered activity of several kinases. Phosphatidylserine-exposing erythrocytes adhere to the vascular wall and may thus impede microcirculation. Eryptotic cells are further engulfed by phagocytes and thus rapidly cleared from circulation. Areas covered: Stimulation of eryptosis contributes to anemia of several clinical conditions such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, malignancy, hepatic failure, heart failure, uremia, hemolytic uremic syndrome, sepsis, fever, dehydration, mycoplasma infection, malaria, iron deficiency, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and Wilson’s disease. On the other hand, eryptosis with subsequent clearance of infected erythrocytes in malaria may counteract parasitemia. Expert opinion: In theory, anemia due to excessive eryptosis could be alleviated by treatment with small molecules inhibiting eryptosis. In malaria, stimulators of eryptosis may accelerate death of infected erythrocytes and thus favorably influence the clinical course of the disease. Many small molecules inhibit or stimulate eryptosis. Several stimulators favorably influence murine malaria. Further preclinical and subsequent clinical studies are required to elucidate the therapeutic potential of stimulators or inhibitors of eryptosis.
Edge‐modulated stagnant‐lid convection and volcanic passive margins

The initial oceanic crust along volcanic passive margins is a factor of ∼3 greater than that of typical oceanic crust (20 versus 6–7 km). Convection driven by the edge of the continental lithosphere may cause mantle material to circulate through the shallow zone of significant melting beneath the nascent ocean basin and cause the volume of melted mantle to exceed that required to replace the diverging lithospheric plates. This hypothesis is a well‐known alternative to mantle plumes. I obtain dimensional scaling relations and develop numerical models which indicate that the melted volume is unlikely to be enhanced by a factor of ∼3. This conclusion agrees with the results of numerical calculations by Nielsen and Hopper (2002, 2004). Dimensional scaling provides the relationship which shows that the vigor of convection in terms of laterally averaged heat flow (or flow velocity) depends on the square of local thickness of the rheological boundary layer (for linear viscosity). The derivation does not involve undulations in lithospheric thickness and thus provides the inference that the vigor of stagnant‐lid convection depends only weakly on those features. Numerical models support this inference. Lithospheric edges do nucleate instabilities, but these instabilities are similar in magnitude to those in models started with a tiny perturbation from laterally homogeneous temperature. Subsequent convection is also similar for models started with tiny perturbations and with large lateral variations in lithospheric thickness. In terms of the scaling relationship, the asthenosphere beneath the thin lithosphere within rifts is an unfavorable site for circulation and extensive melting. The rheological boundary layer is in general thin below thin lithosphere, which causes stagnant‐lid convection there to be weak. Care needs to be taken in numerical modeling of convection beneath passive margins. Starting conditions that drive large instabilities of features that could not have persisted in the Earth need to be avoided. Models should start rifting only after mature stagnant‐lid convection is established.
Diagnosis and treatment of heart failure in Maori and New Zealand Europeans at the Waikato Hospital.

AIMS To determine the proportion of patients presenting with heart failure (HF) at Waikato Hospital who receive an evidence-based approach to care, and to investigate whether differences in guideline adherence between Maori and New Zealand Europeans (NZ Europeans) exist. METHOD An audit of medical records was performed for a random sample of 71 Maori and 69 NZ European patients with a first admission for HF at the Waikato Hospital between 1/1/2007 and 31/8/2008. Information relating to investigation and management of HF was obtained from these records, with comparisons made between Maori and NZ Europeans. RESULTS Maori patients admitted with HF were significantly younger than NZ European with a mean age of 62 years compared to 78 years respectively (p<0.01). An echocardiogram was performed in 57% of cases. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers were prescribed to 96% and 82% of cases with systolic dysfunction and no contraindications respectively. Diuretics were prescribed to 84%, aldosterone antagonists to 17% and angiotensin receptor blockers to 4% of cases. CONCLUSION In this small retrospective series the adherence to key components of HF guidelines at Waikato Hospital is comparable with that seen in previous studies. Further studies with greater case numbers will be required to clarify whether there are differences in the investigation and treatment of HF between Maori and non-Maori.
Favorable neonatal outcomes among immigrants in Taiwan: evidence of healthy immigrant mother effect.

BACKGROUND Although racial/ethnic disparities in neonatal and infant health are well known, positive associations between migration and perinatal health exist among immigrant mothers in western countries. There are unique marriage migration, East Asia culture, universal national health insurance system, and adequate social support in Taiwan that may differ from the situation in western countries. We aimed to assess the neonatal outcomes among live births to married immigrant mothers in recent years in Taiwan. METHODS We conducted a population-based analysis among all the live births in Taiwan during the period 1998-2003 to assess neonatal outcomes, including incidence of low birth weight and preterm birth and of early and late neonatal mortality, according to maternal nationality. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) associated with low birth weight and preterm birth, and Cox proportional hazards were used to estimate the relative risks (RRs) associated with mortality in the neonatal period. RESULTS There were a total of 1,405,931 single live births, including 6.6% born to immigrant mothers and 93.4% born to Taiwanese mothers. Disparities existed among the intercultural couples, including paternal age, parental educational level, and residential distribution. Fewer low birth weight and fewer preterm babies were born to immigrant mothers than to Taiwanese mothers. In addition, babies born to immigrant mothers had lower early neonatal and neonatal mortalities than those born to Taiwanese mothers. There were lower risks of having a low birth weight (adjusted OR [AOR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-0.75) or preterm (AOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.69-0.74) baby and lower hazard ratios (HRs) of having an early neonatal death (adjusted HR [AHR] 0.68, 95% CI 0.56-0.82) or neonatal death (AHR 0.74, 95% CI 0.64-0.87) in babies born to immigrant mothers. There is a gradual increase in the risks of adverse neonatal outcomes associated with increases in length of residence. CONCLUSIONS Evidence of a healthy immigrant mother effect on neonatal health is clear. Despite lower parental education, advancing paternal age, and spatial distribution disparity, babies born to married immigrant mothers in Taiwan had favorable neonatal outcomes.
How many ruminal bacteria are there?

With the development of strictly anaerobic techniques and habitat-simulating media, a variety of bacteria were isolated from the rumen in the 1940s and 1950s. Based on standard morphological and physiological characteristics, the microbial ecosystem of the rumen contains a very complex population of bacteria. In recent years, ruminal bacteria have been re-evaluated with newer, more objective, and genetically valid methods of classification. Ribosomes are complicated structures, and their DNA-encoding sequences are relatively free from selective pressure. Because ribosomes have evolved slowly, they provide a long-term natural history of evolution. The invariable and hypervariable regions of rRNA genes can be used to group bacteria into kingdoms, genera, and species. The 16S rRNA sequences have provided a basis for renaming some ruminal species (Bacteroides amylophilus is now Ruminobacter amylophilus and Bacteroides succinogenes is now Fibrobacter succinogenes) and for classifying at least one recently isolated ruminal bacterium (e.g., Clostridium aminophilum). The DNA:DNA hybridization is a more sensitive method of assessing bacterial relatedness than is 16S rRNA. Bacterial strains within a species should have a high degree of DNA:DNA homology, but some species of ruminal bacteria (e.g., Prevotella ruminicola and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens) had highly unrelated strains. Studies of 16S rRNA and DNA:DNA hybridization indicate that the diversity of ruminal bacteria has been greatly underestimated. Traditional studies of phylogeny of ruminal bacteria were stymied by the fastidious growth requirements of many ruminal bacteria, and enumeration was tedious and inaccurate. Modern methods of bacterial classification do not require in vitro culture and have the potential of detecting even a single cell.
Long-term outcome of diabetic patients receiving peritoneal dialysis.

OBJECTIVE Data from the United States Renal Data Systems (USRDS) suggest that older diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease will have improved survival if they receive hemodialysis versus peritoneal dialysis. Younger diabetic patients have equal survival on either treatment modality. To address more specifically the risk factors for long-term survival of diabetic patients receiving peritoneal dialysis, we analyzed the long-term outcome of 118 diabetics receiving peritoneal dialysis over a decade and compared them to 165 nondiabetic patients. DESIGN Retrospective analysis utilizing the Cox proportional hazards model to identify risk factors for survival of both diabetic and nondiabetic patients. SETTING An experienced, single-center, university-based dialysis program. PATIENTS All patients receiving home peritoneal dialysis for at least one month from 1 January 1981 to 31 December 1990. Diabetics were classified as type I or type II, in addition to age stratification. Most type I diabetic patients used insulin via the intraperitoneal route. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Patient survival and technique survival. RESULTS The most significant risk factor for diabetic patient survival was diabetes type (relative risk type I to type II 0.14, p < 0.0001). On treatment serum albumin, predialysis blood urea nitrogen and predialysis serum cholesterol were also significant risk factors (p < 0.01). For nondiabetic patients, age, on treatment serum albumin, and current smoking were significant survival risk factors. Survival of patients 55 years or less was not significantly different between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Survival of patients greater than 55 years was better in nondiabetic patients. CONCLUSION These findings of a long-term follow-up period suggest a good survival for younger type I diabetic patients receiving peritoneal dialysis. Reasons other than age for the discrepancy in survival of young versus old diabetics receiving peritoneal dialysis should be sought.
Perceptions of rural consumers on behaviour and beef quality of cattle slaughtered for traditional ceremonies in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

The objective of the current study was to investigate consumers’ perceptions on the behaviour and welfare of cattle during slaughter processes of cattle for different traditional ceremonies. Questionnaires were administered to a total of 200 consumers in Lukhanji local municipality of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Data was summarised as frequencies for each ceremony and statistical difference were analyzed using chi square test (X 2 ) of SAS package (2003). Associations were tested between age-group, gender, education, employment status, source of income; traditional slaughter methods and traditional ceremonies involving the slaughter of cattle for traditional ceremonies. It was found that the demographic factors have an influence on the slaughter of cattle for different traditional ceremonies. Due to the restraining techniques, slaughter method and the presence of the consumers during traditional slaughter processes, the animals tend to experience high level of stress. Hence the animal welfare is affected. However, based on the perception of the consumers, it can be concluded that most consumers are of the opinion that they would be interested in consuming beef from cattle that are restrained and slaughtered in accordance to their traditional beliefs.
Prompt Payment Laws

Placing the issue on legislators' radar screens and crafting bills to stem payer abuses have had a beneficial impact, but the resulting statutes are so riddled with loopholes that the net effect has hardly been a total fix. And many physicians either aren't aware of their rights under the laws or are uncertain how to access the statute to get overdue money in the door. Furthermore, in some states, payer contracts supersede the prompt pay laws, so physicians may not benefit from some of their provisions. Still, there is good news in some quarters and hope on the horizon. Forty-seven states now have some form of prompt pay law and more than a dozen have proceeded to "version two" to close loopholes and give the laws -and the agencies charged with enforcing them -more teeth. The trends are promising, but the loopholes -notably the widely varying or altogether absent definitions of what constitutes a "clean claim" -are thwarting the statutes' intended purpose of dealing with the problem. Twelve states have attempted to resolve the definition dilemma, but it remains a serious roadblock to enforcement. "That's one of the areas we're still concerned about," says Timothy Flaherty, MD, chairman of the AMA board of trustees. "In many states with laws on the books, [the statutes] have been unenforceable because of problems with that definition. " In addition, most prompt pay laws exempt self-insured ERISA plans, and Medicare+Choice and Medicaid managed-care plans are governed by federal laws regulating payer practices, so prompt pay laws don't necessarily apply. Still, Flaherty is optimistic that the tide is beginning to turn. The laws, and the AMA's work at the state and national level, have exposed the problem of delayed or withheld payments and given physicians an avenue for redress. "This has put the spotlight on the situation, and now that insurance commissioners are imposing significant fines, things are changing. Rather than . playing banker with us, insurers are [incurring] fines," Flaherty says. Most of the current laws require payment within 30 to 60 days, depending on the situation and claim status. Interest rates on late balances run from 10 percent to 18 percent annually.
A COMPARISON OF THE ANTI‐ANAPHYLACTIC ACTIVITIES OF SALBUTAMOL AND DISODIUM CROMOGLYCATE IN THE RAT, THE RAT MAST CELL AND IN HUMAN LUNG TISSUE

1 Salbutamol and disodium cromoglycate were compared for anti‐anaphylactic activity against passive anaphylaxis in rat skin and peritoneum in vivo and in rat mast cells and human lung fragments in vitro. 2 Salbutamol administered intravenously to rats inhibited cutaneous anaphylaxis, but also inhibited cutaneous responses to histamine and 5‐hydroxytryptamine. Salbutamol administered intraperitoneally inhibited the release of slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS‐A) but not the release of histamine in the peritoneum. It was a very weak inhibitor of histamine release from rat mast cells in vitro. 3 Disodium cromoglycate administered intravenously to rats inhibited cutaneous anaphylaxis. Disodium cromoglycate administered intraperitoneally to rats inhibited the release of histamine and, to a lesser extent, SRS‐A in the peritoneum. It was an effective but short‐acting inhibitor of histamine release from rat mast cells in vitro. 4 Salbutamol was a potent inhibitor of the anaphylactic release of histamine and SRS‐A from fragments of human lung. 5 Disodium cromoglycate was a weak inhibitor of the anaphylactic release of histamine and SRS‐A from fragments of human lung. The inhibition was variable and not dose‐related. 6 The concentration of salbutamol required to inhibit anaphylaxis in human lung is of the same order as that required to relax human bronchial muscle. It is suggested that salbutamol may be more effective in allergic asthma if given in a prophylactic regimen.
Kinetics of the T-cell receptor CD4 and CD8 Vβ repertoire in HIV-1 vertically infected infants early treated with HAART

ObjectivesTo determine the kinetics and the relationship between the T-cell receptor Vβ (TCRBV) complementary determining region 3 length, the CD4 T-cell count and HIV viral load changes in HIV-1 infected infants treated early with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) during 1 year of follow-up. DesignTwo HIV-1 vertically infected infants, two HIV-1 vertically exposed uninfected and two healthy controls were analysed by spectratyping. Evaluation of viral load, CD4 naive and memory cell counts and a proliferation test were also carried out. MethodsTwenty-six families and subfamilies of the TCR on CD4 and CD8 T cells were analyzed by spectratyping. Flow cytometric analysis on peripheral blood mononuclear cells for CD4CD45Ra, CD4CD45Ro, CD8CD38, proliferation tests and plasma viral load measurements were performed at baseline, 1, 6 and after 12 months of therapy. ResultsHAART induced a marked reduction of viral load in both HIV-1 infected infants and an increase to normal CD4 T-cell count in the symptomatic infant. At baseline the TCRBV family distribution in the majority of CD8 and a few of the CD4 T cells was highly perturbed, with several TCRBV families showing a monoclonal/oligoclonal distribution. During HAART a normalization of the TCR repertoire in both CD8 and CD4 subsets occurred. TCR repertoire normalization was associated with a good virological and immunological response. ConclusionThese results suggest that complete and early virus replication control as a result of early HAART leads to a marked reduction of T-cell oligoclonality and is an essential prerequisite to the development of a polyclonal immune response in HIV-1 infected infants.
Retaining Data Ownership in the Internet of Things

As Internet of Things (IoT) systems further emerge, we face unprecedented security and privacy challenges, especially with regards to the collected data. This data typically consists of sensor readings, tagged with metadata. For scalability, ubiquitous access, and sharing possibilities, the data is most often stored in the cloud. Securing date while in transit and in particular when being stored in the cloud is of utmost importance, as the data can be used to infer privacy-sensitive information. Moreover, transparent and secure data sharing (e.g., sharing with friends or domain experts) is considered a key requirement for the practicality and success of typical IoT systems. In today’s cloud-centric designs, users have no choice but to trust centralized parties. The increased number of security and privacy incidents, such as system compromises or unauthorized trade with users data, show that this trust is not always justified. Despite varying levels of privacy-awareness among users of different age and geopolitical groups, and even societal shifts towards privacy pragmatism and indifference, the security and privacy threats do usually have far-reaching implications, demanding adequate mechanisms and measures to address them. In this dissertation, we investigate building secure IoT systems that protect data confidentiality and retain data ownership. We build secure systems that allow reducing the trust end-users are required to put into third parties within the IoT ecosystem, specifically towards the cloud storage and service providers. More importantly, we take a new approach on empowering the user with ownership and fine-grained access control for IoT data without sacrificing performance or security. In particular, we present three approaches to enabling a secure IoT ecosystem: (i) Talos: Talos is a system that stores IoT data securely in a cloud database while still allowing query processing over the encrypted data. Talos protects data even if the server is compromised. We enable this by encrypting IoT data with a set of cryptographic schemes such as orderpreserving and partially homomorphic encryption. We tailor Talos to accommodate for the resource asymmetry of the IoT, particularly towards constrained IoT devices. We assess the feasibility of Talos on low-power devices with and without cryptographic hardware accelerators and quantify its overhead concerning energy consumption, computation time, and latency. With a thorough evaluation of our prototype implementation,