Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Public policy on corporate audit committees : case study evidence of current practice

Corporate failures and malpractices have led to an increasing emphasis on the governance role of audit committees. The Smith report Audit Committee Combined Code Guidance and the Higgs Review of the Role and Effectiveness of Non-Executive Directors (now incorporated in a Revised Combined Code) represent further attempts to strengthen corporate accountability in the UK. Although the regulatory focus on audit committees indicates confidence in their role as part of the solution to governance failures, questions remain about their efficacy in practice. Against the background of the publication of the Smith report and the wider reliance on audit committees in several countries to help improve corporate accountability, this paper provides research evidence, drawn from an ACCA-sponsored project, on the processes and effects of the audit committees in three UK companies. This study complements other research on audit committees by adopting a case study approach, in order to reflect the importance of investigating audit committee operations from within the organisation and to develop a closer understanding of audit committee impact than is available from generally observable data. The empirical evidence for the case studies was obtained from semi-structured interviews with personnel involved in the audit committee process, internal documents made available by the companies, and publicly available information, including annual reports.
Posteroventral medial pallidotomy for treatment of Parkinson's disease: preoperative magnetic resonance imaging features and clinical outcome.

OBJECT The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of mild or moderate degrees of degenerative or ischemic encephalopathy on predicting clinical outcome following unilateral posteroventral medial pallidotomy for treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS Thirty-five patients with PD were studied prospectively. The presence and degree of cortical atrophy, ventriculomegaly, deep white matter lesions (DWML), periventricular lucencies (PVL), and the presence of lacunes and status cribriformis (multiple and bilateral enlarged Virchow-Robin spaces) were determined by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging before the patients underwent stereotactic pallidotomy performed according to a standard protocol. Clinical outcome was measured using a standard battery of tests including application of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The preoperative MR imaging features were correlated with UPDRS subscores such as motor "off' score, the activities of daily living (ADL) off score, the off subscore for bradykinesia, the percentage of "on" time dyskinesias, and a global outcome rating. The MR findings were also correlated with the occurrence of side effects. Global outcome was rated as markedly improved in 22 patients (63%) and as moderately improved in 12 patients (34%) 6 months postoperatively. At the 1-year follow-up examination, global outcome in 31 patients was rated as markedly improved in 14 patients (45%), as moderately improved in another 14 (45%), as slightly improved in two (6%), and as worse in one patient (3%). The mean UPDRS motor off score changed from 58.7 preoperatively to 33.2 at 6 months and 33.4 at 1 year (p < 0.0001), the ADL off score from 31.8 to 18.2 at 6 months and 18.6 at 1 year (p < 0.0001), the off score from contralateral bradykinesia from 11.6 to 5.6 at 6 months and 4.1 at 1 year (p < 0.0001), and the percentage of awake time with dyskinesias from 37.4 to 17.4% at 6 months and 21.1% at 1 year (p < 0.0001). The presence of mild or moderate degrees of cortical atrophy, PVL, and DWML had no effect on clinical outcome. Patients with status cribriformis and those with lacunes tended to show comparatively less improvement in the UPDRS ADL off score (p = 0.014 and p = 0.016, respectively) at 6 months. This tendency was also present in patients with status cribriformis 1 year postoperatively (p = 0.046). Patients with both status cribriformis and lacunes had a higher incidence of transient altered mental status immediately postoperatively (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Mild-to-moderate degrees of cortical atrophy, ventriculomegaly, and ischemic encephalopathy do not predispose patients to less favorable outcomes following unilateral pallidotomy. Patients with both status cribriformis and lacunes have a higher risk of transient side effects; however, with regard to clinical outcome, these patients should not be denied surgical treatment.
A Cautionary Tale on Ancient Migration Detection: Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands

Over the past decade, the origin of the first Malayo-Polynesian settlers of the island Pacific has become a contentious issue in molecular anthropology as well as in archaeology and historical linguistics. Whether the descendants of the ancestral Malayo-Polynesian speakers moved rapidly through Indonesia and Island Melanesia in a few hundred years, or whether they were the product of considerable intermingling within the more westerly part of the latter region, it is widely accepted that they were the first humans to colonize the distant Pacific islands beyond the central Solomon Islands approximately 3000 years ago. The Santa Cruz Islands in the Eastern Solomons would have most likely been the first in Remote Oceania to be colonized by them. Archaeologically, the first Oceanic Austronesian settlement of this region appears to have been overlain by various later influences from groups farther west in a complex manner. Molecular anthropologists have tended to equate the spread of various Austronesian-speaking groups with a particular mitochondrial variant (a 9-base-pair [bp] deletion with specific D-loop variants). We have shown before that this is an oversimplified picture, and assumed that the Santa Cruz situation, with its series of intrusions, would be informative as to the power of mitochondrial DNA haplotype interpretations. In the Santa Cruz Islands, the 9-bp deletion is associated with a small number of very closely related hypervariable D-loop haplotypes resulting in a star-shaped Bandelt median network, suggesting a recent population expansion. This network is similar to Polynesian median networks. In a pairwise mismatch comparison, the Santa Cruz haplotypes have a bimodal distribution, with the first cluster being composed almost entirely of the 9-bp-deleted haplotypes—again attesting to their recent origins. Conversely, the nondeleted haplogroups bear signatures of more ancient origins within the general region. Therefore, while the profiles of the two sets of haplotypes indicate very distinctive origins in different populations with divergent expansion histories, the sequence of their introduction into the Santa Cruz Islands clearly does not follow simply.
Continuation of group physical therapy is necessary in ankylosing spondylitis: results of a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE Group physical therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis was studied to determine whether beneficial effects persisted after cessation of the intervention. METHODS After a 9-month period of supervised group physical therapy, 68 patients were randomized for another 9 months to unsupervised daily exercises at home (discontinuation group) or continuation of weekly sessions of supervised group physical therapy (continuation group). Endpoints were spinal mobility (thoraco-lumbar flexion and extension, chest expansion, cervical rotation), fitness (maximum work capacity), functioning (Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), Health Assessment Questionnaire for the Spondylarthropathies [HAQ-S], Functional Index [FI]), and patient's global health assessment on a visual analogue scale. RESULTS Time for exercises at home was significantly higher in the continuation than in the discontinuation group (mean duration 1.9 versus 1.2 hr per week, P < 0.05). The continuation group improved in global health (mean improvement 1.6; 32%) and in SIP score. Scores for thoraco-lumbar mobility and HAQ-S did not change very much, whereas chest expansion, cervical rotation, fitness, and FI deteriorated. The average attendance for group therapy sessions was 62%. The discontinuation group improved only marginally (0.2; 4%) in global health, whereas all other endpoints decreased. Only for global health and HAQ-S were the differences statistically significant in favor of the continuation group. CONCLUSIONS Global health and functioning are sustained or even improved further if group physical therapy is continued. Spinal mobility decreased slightly in both groups.
Perceived Failure Symptoms: Evidence from an Emerging Capital Market

This study uses questionnaire approach to identify: (i) corporate distress warning signals of listed firms in an emerging capital market, Malaysia, (ii) the importance of each warning signal in conveying information to stakeholders, and (iii) the timeliness of each signal in alerting the stakeholders that the company is financially distressed. One hundred fifty copies of questionnaire were mailed and seventy three percent responded. It is found that chief executive officers (CEO) and accountants are perceived as persons most qualified and able to identify failure symptoms relative to other stakeholders. However, shareholders were perceived as the least competent persons to identify warning signals of distressed firms. Both the qualitative and quantitative information was considered important in identifying financially distressed firms. The findings suggest that though the stakeholders perceived important distressed signals to identify potential failures, not all these perceived signals were considered timely enough for effective use.
REFORMS IN LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICES: BAD DESIGN OR BADLY MANAGED IMPLEMENTATION?

Local public services have been the object of a significant reform process since the beginning of the 1990s. The effects of the measures are uniformly considered unsatisfactory. In the paper we provide some evidence – partly based on new ad-hoc surveys – on the degree of implementation of the reforms an their effects and analyse the reasons behind the poor results. We claim that both the institutional design of the reforms and implementation issues are responsible for the limited effects in terms of separating planning and regulatory duties from service provision; reducing thr fragmentation of the industries; reducing the reliance of these sectors upon (centrally funded) public sibsidies.
The Hemodynamics of the Left Side of the Heart as Studied by Simultaneous Left Atrial, Left Ventricular, and Aortic Pressures; Particular Reference to Mitral Stenosis

At operation the hemodynamics of the left side of the heart were studied in six patients without mitral stenosis, and in eight patients with mitral stenosis, by means of simultaneous needle puncture of the left atrium, left ventricle, and aorta. This technic permits analysis of the various phases of the cardiac cycle in normal subjects and in patients with mitral stenosis. The fundamental hemodynamic expression of mitral stenosis is the presence of an elevated left atrioventricular filling pressure sure gradient, which ranged from 4 to 20 mm. Hg, and after valvulotomy fell in relation to the adequacy of the procedure.
Attentional Bias to Threat: Roles of Trait Anxiety, Stressful Events, and Awareness

Attentional biases for threat stimuli were assessed in high and low trait anxious subjects (n = 66) using a probe detection task. To examine the effects of trait anxiety and situational stressors, each subject was tested three times: Under no stress, laboratory-induced stress, and examination-induced stress. To evaluate the role of awareness, half the word stimuli were presented very briefly (14 msec) and masked, and the other half were presented for 500 msec without a mask. Results showed that high trait anxious subjects under exam stress showed an attentional bias towards unmasked threat stimuli compared with low trait subjects. This effect was not found under lab-induced stress, suggesting that the attentional bias for unmasked threat in high trait subjects may be a function of a prolonged stressor, rather than a transient increase in state anxiety. The results from the masked exposure condition were not predicted; high trait anxious subjects shifted attention towards the spatial location of threat words despite lack of awareness of their lexical content, but this bias was only apparent in the no-stress condition. The results are discussed in relation to recent cognitive theories of anxiety.
pH-induced transitions in cholera toxin conformation: a fluorescence study.

Determination of the ratio of intrinsic fluorescence with dibrominated Bry 96 (F) relative to that with unbrominated Bry 96 (F0), at neutral pH and in the presence of 0.2 M NaCl, reveals that the A subunit of cholera toxin (CT A) has a somewhat higher affinity for this mild detergent than intact cholera toxin (CT) and its B subunit (CT B). Receptor (GM1 or oligo-GM1) binding has no influence on the very low detergent binding of CT and CT B. Activation of CT A by treatment with dithiothreitol (20 mM) also does not affect detergent binding. The weak hydrophobic nature of CT A is also reflected by the negative modulatory action of anionic phospholipids and deoxycholate on its mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase activity and the ability of the former to decrease its intrinsic fluorescence intensity in a salt-resistant way. Detergent binding of CT A is only slightly pH dependent whereas, upon lowering the pH, detergent binding to CT or CT B becomes significant. In the pH range 6.5-4.2 a gradual increase in detergent binding to CT and CT B occurs. In the narrow pH range 4.2-4.0 a sharp and time-dependent enhancement of brominated Bry 96 quenching is observed. The increase in detergent binding upon lowering the pH is fully reversible, salt dependent, and complete within 10 min (t1/2 = 2 min at 25 degrees C). Solute quenching experiments with the neutral polar quencher acrylamide reveal that upon lowering the pH to 5.0 a marked increase in the exposure of the lone Trp-88 residue in each beta-polypeptide chain of CT B occurs. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Traffic-related air pollution exposure over a 5-year period is associated with increased risk of asthma and poor lung function in middle age

Current evidence concerning the impact of exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) on adult respiratory morbidity mainly comes from cross-sectional studies. We sought to establish more robust measures of this association and potential gene–environment interactions using longitudinal data from an established cohort study. Associations between measures of TRAP (nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and distance to major roads) and wheeze, asthma prevalence and lung function were investigated in participants of the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study at 45- and 50-year follow-ups. Generalised estimating equations were used to quantify associations and the potential modifying effect of glutathione S-transferase gene variants. Living <200 m from a major road was associated with increased prevalence of current asthma and wheeze, and lower lung function. The association between living <200 m from a major road and current asthma and wheeze was more marked for carriers of the GSTT1 null and GSTP1 val/val or ile/val genotypes. Over the 5-year period, higher NO2 exposures were associated with increased current asthma prevalence. Higher NO2 exposure was associated with lower forced vital capacity for carriers of the GSTT1 null genotype. TRAP exposures were associated with increased risk of asthma, wheeze and lower lung function in middle-aged adults. The interaction with the GSTT1 genotype suggests that deficient antioxidant mechanisms may play a role in these adverse health effects. TRAP is associated with increased risks of asthma and reduced lung function in middle-aged adults http://ow.ly/Yt2n30etMkS
Drivers and Effects of Internationalising Innovation by SMEs

This paper investigates the drivers and the effects of the internationalisation of innovation activities in SMEs based on a large data set of German firms covering the period 2002-2007. We look at different stages of the innovation process (R&D, design, production and sales of new products, and implementation of new processes) and explore the role of internal resources, home market competition and innovationrelated location advantages for an SME's decision to engage in innovation activities abroad. By linking international innovation activities to firm growth in the home market we try to identify likely internationalisation effects at the firm level. The results show that export experience and experience in knowledge protection are highly important for international innovation activities of SMEs. Fierce home market competition turns out to be rather an obstacle than a driver. High innovation costs stimulate internationalisation of non-R&D innovation activities, and shortage of qualified labour expels production of new products. R&D activities abroad and exports of new products spur firm growth in the home market while there are no negative effects on home market growth from shifting production of new products abroad.
Fever of Unknown Origin in Africa: The Causes Are Often Determined! Fièvre d'origine indéterminée en Afrique: Les causes sont souvent identifiées

Introduction: In Africa, the presumptive diagnosis of malaria leads to the misdiagnosis and under diagnosis of many other infectious diseases. Certain etiologies of fever of unknown origin (FUO) have a significant prevalence in this continent but are seldom the focus of practitioners or are impossible to diagnose because of a lack of resources. Methods: In this literature review, we focus on the causes of FUO that are not usually examined by practitioners in Africa, outside of Maghreb. Data were obtained from publications identified by PubMed searches. Results: Among the FUO etiologies reported in the literature, we were interested by rickettsiosis, borreliosis, Q fever, leptospirosis, dengue, chikungunya, and the Zika virus. Conclusion: These listed diseases should be part of etiologies that are systematically searched for in the African continent.
Control of GnRH secretion.

During a discussion at the 1st International Symposium on Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants following Dr Gerald Lincoln's presentation, it became apparent that we needed a method to monitor gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion in sheep. Within the 6 years that have elapsed, three models have been developed for this purpose and it is now possible to monitor accurately the secretion of GnRH from the median eminence and to relate this to LH and FSH release We arc therefore able to conduct meaningful experiments to ascertain the roles of the various neural systems and feedback effects that might regulate GnRI-1 secretion. This paper will review the progress that has been made in measuring the secretion of GnRH, particularly in sheep, and consider steroidal feedback effects. Finally, brief consideration will be given to some of the various neural systems that might be involved in regulating GnRH secretion.
Competitive Electricity Markets and Investment in New Generating Capacity

Evidence from the U.S. and some other countries indicates that organized wholesale markets for electrical energy and operating reserves do not provide adequate incentives to stimulate the proper quantity or mix of generating capacity consistent with mandatory reliability criteria. A large part of the problem can be associated with the failure of wholesale spot market prices for energy and operating reserves to rise to high enough levels during periods when generating capacity is fully utilized. Reforms to wholesale energy markets, the introduction of well-design forward capacity markets, and symmetrical treatment of demand response and generating capacity resources to respond to market and institutional imperfections are discussed. This policy reform program is compatible with improving the efficiency of spot wholesale electricity markets, the continued evolution of competitive retail markets, and restores incentives for efficient investment in generating capacity consistent with operating reliability criteria applied by system operators. It also responds to investment disincentives that have been associated with volatility in wholesale energy prices, limited hedging opportunities and to concerns about regulatory opportunism.
Does Market Concentration Promote or Reduce New Product Introductions? Evidence from US Food Industry

This study analyzes the relationship between market concentration and new product introductions using an extensive annual panel data set covering the period 1983 to 2004 from the US processed food industry. We test the new theory, which argues that new product introductions are influenced by the anticipation of future mergers. The evidence suggests that market concentration increases new product introductions and product introductions spur subsequent mergers in the US processed food industry. Hence it provides evidence in support of the anticipatory mergers theory.
Quetiapine Augmentation of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Treatment-Resistant Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Six-Month Follow-Up Case Series

ABSTRACT Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a relatively common, often chronic and disabling disorder with high rates of partial and/or absent response to standard, recommended treatments, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and psychotherapy. This article presents the cases of four patients suffering from OCD and comorbid mood or anxiety disorders, who were treated with SSRIs at adequate doses for at least 12 weeks, showing a partial response. Quetiapine treatment was added to SSRIs at a dose of 25 mg/day and titrated up to 200 mg/day. Patients were followed up for 6 months. After 12 weeks, all the patients were classified as “much improved” on the Clinical Global Impression–Improvement scale and showed a Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale score reduction ≥35%. After 6 months of follow-up, all the patients maintained the same level of improvement. Although quetiapine augmentation to SSRIs has shown mixed results in published controlled trials in the acute treatment (12 weeks) of patients with treatment-resistant OCD, this case series indicates that patients who benefit from this pharmacologic regimen in the acute phase tend to maintain such an improvement. Larger follow-up studies are warranted to confirm our findings.
The use of indicators in the pre-analytical phase as a laboratory management tool

Introducao:Servicos laboratoriais efetivos sao a base dos sistemas de saude modernos. Inovacoes cientificas tem contribuido para melhorias substanciais no meio laboratorial, mas os erros ainda persistem. Esses erros sao classificados como pre-analiticos, analiticos e pos-analiticos, dependendo do momento de sua ocorrencia.Objetivo:Avaliar a frequencia de erros pre-analiticos ocorridos no servico de analises clinicas de um hospital militar.Metodos:Um total de 329.582 exames foram realizados no laboratorio de analises clinicas do Hospital Naval Marcilio Dias no periodo de agosto a outubro de 2012, e os erros pre-analiticos documentados. Resultados: Os erros pre-analiticos mais observados foram decorrentes da hemolise (27,54%), seguidos de material nao recebido (25,43%) e amostra insuficiente (18,49%). As amostras oriundas do Servico Integrado de Atendimento Domiciliar (SIAD) foram as que apresentaram a maior frequencia de erros (3,38%), seguidas pelo setor de pacientes internos (0,76%) e ambulatoriais (0,21%), respectivamente.Conclusao:Nosso estudo demonstra a importância da gestao da fase pre-analitica na garantia da qualidade laboratorial, de maneira a assegurar um servico de excelencia.