Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How long should catheter-acquired urinary tract infection in women be treated? A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the optimal management of catheter-acquired bacteriuria after short-term catheter use in women. PATIENTS Asymptomatic patients (119) with catheter-acquired bacteriuria were randomly assigned to receive no therapy, a single dose (320-1600 mg) of therapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or 10 days (160-800 mg twice daily) of therapy. Thirty-two patients with lower tract symptoms alone received a single dose or 10 days of therapy, and 10 patients with upper tract symptoms or signs received 10 days of therapy. MAIN RESULTS The mean and median durations of catheter use were 6 and 4 days, respectively. Bacteriuria resolved within 14 days without therapy in 15 of 42 (36%; 95% CI, 21% to 51%) asymptomatic patients. Seven of the remaining patients developed symptoms. Single-dose therapy resolved infection in 30 of 37 patients (81%; CI, 68% to 94%); 10 days of therapy resolved infection in 26 of 33 (79%; CI, 65% to 93%). For patients with lower tract symptoms alone, resolution rates with single-dose therapy or 10 days of therapy were similar (11 of 14 [79%] and 13 of 16 [81%], respectively). Ten days of therapy resolved infection in 6 of 9 (67%) patients with upper tract symptoms. Infection was resolved more often in women who were less than or equal to 65 years than in older women (62 of 70 [89%] versus 24 of 39 [62%]; P less than 0.001). Bacteriuria resolved spontaneously more frequently in younger (14 of 19 [74%] compared with 1 of 23 older women [4%]; P less than 0.001). Single-dose therapy resolved infection in 31 of 33 (94%) patients who were less than or equal to 65 years. CONCLUSIONS Asymptomatic bacteriuria after short-term catheter use frequently becomes symptomatic and should be treated. For asymptomatic patients and patients with lower tract symptoms alone, single-dose therapy was as effective as 10 days of therapy; it was very effective in women who were less than or equal to 65 years. Bacteriuria resolved spontaneously within 14 days after catheter removal more commonly in women who were less than or equal to 65 years and both types of therapy were less effective in older women.
A Sub-1 V, 26 $\mu$W, Low-Output-Impedance CMOS Bandgap Reference With a Low Dropout or Source Follower Mode

We present a low-power bandgap reference (BGR), functional from sub-1 V to 5 V supply voltage with either a low dropout (LDO) regulator or source follower (SF) output stage, denoted as the LDO or SF mode, in a 0.5-μm standard digital CMOS process with <i>V</i><sub>tn</sub> ≈ 0.6 V and |<i>V</i><sub>tp</sub>| ≈ 0.7 V at 27°C. Both modes operate at sub-1 V under zero load with a power consumption of around 26 μW. At 1 V (1.1 V) supply, the LDO (SF) mode provides an output current up to 1.1 mA (0.35 mA), a load regulation of ±8.5 mV/mA (±33 mV/mA) with approximately 10 μs transient, a line regulation of ±4.2 mV/V ( ±50 μV/V), and a temperature compensated reference voltage of 0.228 V (0.235 V) with a temperature coefficient around 34 ppm/°C from -20°C to 120 °C. At 1.5 V supply, the LDO (SF) mode can further drive up to 9.6 mA (3.2 mA) before the reference voltage falls to 90% of its nominal value. Such low-supply-voltage and high-current-driving BGR in standard digital CMOS processes is highly useful in portable and switching applications.
Hedging for multi-period downside risk in the presence of jump dynamics and conditional heteroskedasticity

This study extends the one period zero-VaR (Value-at-Risk) hedge ratio proposed by Hung et al . (2005) to the multi-period case and incorporates the hedging horizon into the objective function under VaR framework. The multi-period zero-VaR hedge ratio has several advantages. First, compared to existing hedge ratios based on downside risk, it has an analytical solution and is simple to calculate. Second, compared to the traditional Minimum Variance (MV) hedge ratio, it considers expected return and remains optimal while the Martingale process is invalid. Thirdly, hedgers may elect an adequate hedging horizon and confidence level to reflect their level of risk aversion using the concept of VaR. Pondering the occurrence of volatility clustering and price jumps, this study utilizes the ARJI model to compute time-varying hedge ratios. Finally, both in-sample and out-of-sample hedging effectiveness between one-period hedge ratio and multi-period hedge ratio are evaluated for four hedging horizons and various levels of risk aversion. The empirical results indicate that hedgers wishing to hedge downside risk over long horizons should use the multi-period zero-VaR hedge ratios.
Business Angel Investing in an Emerging Asian Economy

Our research question is:What is the impact of the lack of fully developed institutions on business angel investing in an emerging economy? We interviewed 29 business angels in the Philippines, an emerging economy in Southeast Asia that is characterized by under developed institutions,which can have a very negative impact on private equity investing in SMEs.We used institutional theory as the framework to explore the investment and operating strategies developed by business angels in the Philippines.We found that because of the difficult investment climate in the Philippines, business angels developed co-investing networks, undertook in-depth due diligence, and played an active monitoring role after investing. In general, business angels investing in the Philippines reported positive returns on their investments.
Remuneração nos serviços no Brasil: o contraste entre funcionários públicos e privados

ABSTRACT Using data from an annual household survey (PNAD), this study analyses the behavior of the wage gap between public and private formal workers from the tertiary sector in Brazil from 1992 to 2005. Earnings equations are estimated separately for these two groups. Such equations allow us to evaluate the effect of age, gender, schooling, color (race), position in the occupation, weekly working time and other factors on earnings of each category. Blinder-Oaxaca methodology reveals how much of the wage gap between the workers of both sectors is due to differences in productive endowments and how much is due to other factors, such as the existence of segmentation between the public and the private labor market in Brazil. An important result is the increase of the wage gap between the two groups of workers, mainly of the part that can not be explained by workers' productive endowments.
Why should central banks be independent

Most explanations for the necessity of an independent central bank rely on the time-inconsistency model and therefore assume that governments are weak, foolish, or untruthful and tend to cheat people. The model in this paper indicates, however, that an independent central bank is not necessary because governments are weak or foolish. Central banks must be independent because governments are economic Leviathans. Only by severing the link between the political will of a Leviathan government and economic activities is inflation perfectly guaranteed not to accelerate. A truly independent central bank is necessary because it severs this link.
The Costs of Inflation in New Keynesian Models

Ambler describes three new channels through which inflation affects economic welfare in New Keynesian models. These channels were absent from traditional analyses and may have caused researchers to underestimate the costs associated with variable inflation, even at relatively low levels of inflation. The article concludes with a preliminary assessment of the quantitative importance of the new channels and their significance for monetary policy.
Personality pathology and drinking in young men at high and low familial risk for alcoholism.

OBJECTIVE Three groups varying in familial alcoholism risk were compared with respect to amount of alcohol consumption, presence of personality pathology, and the relationship between personality pathology and alcohol consumption. METHOD Research subjects were young adult men recruited from local colleges, a trade school and the community. The risk groups included (1) a group with a biological alcoholic father and significant additional familial alcoholism (n = 106); (2) subjects with an alcoholic father, but without significant additional familial alcoholism (n = 100); and (3) a group with no paternal alcoholism and at most only one second/third-degree alcoholic relative (n = 190). Absolute daily ounces of alcohol was determined using a standard quantity-frequency scale. Prevalence of DSM-III-R personality disorders (PDs) was evaluated using the Personality Disorder Questionnaire-Revised both with and without application of an impairment and distress scale. Familial risk determination was based on agreement between four separate self-report assessments. RESULTS The first group consumed significantly more alcohol than the other two groups, which did not differ in alcohol consumption. The first group's subjects were more likely to meet criteria for virtually all of the PD diagnoses than were the other two groups. A greater proportion of the second group's subjects qualified for various PDs than did the third group's subjects. Personality pathology was consistently or usually associated with more drinking in the first and third groups, respectively, but associated with less consumption in the second group. CONCLUSIONS Young men with high-density familial alcoholism are at greater risk for the development of alcoholism than those with alcoholic fathers and little additional familial alcoholism. Relationships between personality pathology and alcohol consumption, and possibly the development of alcoholism, differ for the three risk groups.
Predictors of mortality among injecting and non-injecting HIV-negative drug users in northern Thailand.

AIMS To estimate mortality rates among HIV-negative injecting drug users (IDUs) and non-injecting drug users (non-IDUs), and to assess predictors for mortality among the IDUs. DESIGN Prospective cohort study in northern Thailand with 2-year follow-up. SETTING IDUs and non-IDUs who were admitted for detoxification treatment for opiate or amphetamine dependence in a regional drug treatment center were screened. After discharge, HIV-negative individuals were followed-up in the community. PARTICIPANTS A total of 821 HIV-negative drug users [346 IDUs (42%) and 475 non-IDUs, median age = 32; 51% were ethnic minorities]. MEASUREMENTS All-cause mortality. FINDINGS There were 33 deaths over 1360 person-years of follow-up. The all-cause mortality rate was 39 per 1000 person-years among IDUs [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 13.9], and was 14 per 1000 person-years among non-IDUs (SMR = 4.4). Among male IDUs, the hazards for all-cause deaths were ethnic minority status [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.2-7.2], incident HIV infection (HR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.1-7.7) and longer duration of drug injection (HR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.01-1.14). CONCLUSIONS The mortality among IDUs is high. Being from an ethnic minority, recent HIV acquisition, and a greater number of years of drug injection are predictors of mortality among the IDUs in this region.
In Their Own Voices: Latino Student Retention

In a study of 2,991 college students, researchers found significant differences between Latino and non-Latino students using MANOVA and chi-square statistics. Latino students were more likely to embrace diversity than non- Latino students, and were more likely to be concerned about financing their college educations. In addition, they were more likely than non-Latino students to work while in college. Finally, there were differences in the perception of the likely causes of departure between Latino and non-Latino students. Latino students were more likely to believe they would leave school because of a lack of finances, and because of a perceived lack of academic ability. The authors discuss how these differences in attitudes about diversity, and differences in academic preparation and financial situations, affect Latino students. They then ask the question: How can student affairs professionals lessen the combined burdens of minority status stress, finances, and college adjustment for Latino students?
The use of “Bonus-Malus” schemes for promoting energy-efficient household appliances: a case study for Spain

Subsidies to promote the purchase of energy-efficient household appliances have been extensively used in many countries. This paper deals with the case of the Spanish rebate scheme, and proposes the use of both subsidies and taxes as a more effective way of promoting efficient appliances. The authors propose a sophisticated methodology for designing optimal combinations of taxes and subsides depending on different policy goals such as budget neutrality, increasing the proportion of efficient appliances, etc.
The Agency Cost Effects of Unionization on Firm Value

ABSTRACT: Using a sample of 99 New Zealand stock‐exchange‐listed firms we employ agency framework and strategy typology to examine whether introduction of unionization legislation affects value of prospector firms more negatively than defender firms. The results from this examination indicate that firms characterized by strategy of higher Growth‐Diversity and Innovation‐Risk (prospector firms) experience greater loss in value. We attribute the results to the higher agency costs associated with the strategies adopted by prospector firms. The results hold after controlling for variables such as size, industry membership, labor intensity, and proportion of unionized workers.
Adventure recreation in Australia: a case study that investigated the profile of recreational canyoners, their impact attitudes, and response to potential management options

Canyoning is growing in popularity in many countries, and in Australia it was well established in the 1990s. Although it is generally accepted that the popularity of this recreational activity continues to grow, quantification of its scale and growth is difficult to determine because canyoning is restricted to the slot valleys of the largely un-patrolled wilderness of the Blue Mountain World Heritage Area. As a basis for management, we undertook a postal survey to determine the canyoners' profile, utilisation trends, their perceptions of impacts, and readiness to self-manage such impacts. We found that the typical canyoner was in the late 30s, male, and likely to have a university education. Canyoners were most likely to visit canyons as part of a club activity, or with friends and family. Few used organised tours, and canyoning was seldom a solo activity. Most perceived that there was moderate damage due to canyoning. Few considered that management should intervene at current levels of impact. We concluded that canyoners could not be relied upon to ensure appropriate sustainable management of such areas. However, since the popularity of the sport appears to be waning there may not be an issue.
Path Dependence of Dynamic Information Technology Capability: An Empirical Investigation

Organizations seek to differentiate themselves in the marketplace by deploying information technology (IT) to develop dynamic IT capabilities and resist competitors' attempts to imitate or improve these capabilities. While this strategy has been justified on the grounds that dynamic IT capabilities are durably heterogeneous, there does not seem to be empirical evidence supporting or refuting this assumption. This study empirically validates the assumption of durable heterogeneity of dynamic organizational IT capability (ITC) due to path dependence. We capture ITC heterogeneity by introducing a framework in which firms try to achieve ITC leadership in their industry and we propose that durable ITC heterogeneity can be attributed to path dependence, and hence, it can be tested using Heckman's true state dependence of ITC leadership status. Using random and fixed effect dynamic logit models, we investigate true state dependence of ITC leadership on a sample of large U.S. firms. The results, which are robust to alternative sample, dependent, and control variable specifications, show that achieving ITC leadership is a true state-dependent process, suggesting durable heterogeneity of ITC due to path dependence. The study contributes to the dynamic capabilities literature and has important managerial implications. The proposed framework for conceptualizing durable resource heterogeneity due to path dependence is general and versatile, thus providing a foundation for future research on dynamic capabilities. The findings provide empirical evidence to confirm that ITC is durably heterogeneous and should be managed as a potential source of competitive advantage.
Variation in dopamine genes influences responsivity of the human reward system

In humans, dopamine neurotransmission is influenced by functional polymorphisms in the dopamine transporter (DAT1) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genes. Here, we used event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging to directly investigate the neurofunctional effects of the Val158Met COMT and variable number of tandem repeat DAT1 polymorphisms on distinct components of the reward system in humans. The results revealed a main effect of COMT genotype in the ventral striatum and lateral prefrontal cortex during reward anticipation (P < 0.001, uncorrected) and in the orbitofrontal cortex at the time of reward delivery (P < 0.005), met/met individuals exhibiting the highest activation. The main effect of DAT1 genotype was seen in robust blood-oxygen-level-dependent response differences in the caudate nucleus and ventral striatum during reward anticipation (P < 0.001) and in the lateral prefrontal cortex and midbrain at the time of reward delivery, with carriers of the DAT1 9-repeat allele showing the highest activity. Moreover, an interaction between the COMT and DAT1 genes was found in the ventral striatum and lateral prefrontal cortex during reward anticipation and in the lateral prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices as well as in the midbrain at the time of reward delivery, with carriers of the DAT1 9-repeat allele and COMT met/met allele exhibiting the highest activation, presumably reflecting functional change consequent to higher synaptic dopamine availability. Taken together, these results indicate that genetically influenced variations in dopamine transmission modulate the response of brain regions involved in anticipation and reception of rewards and suggest that these responses may contribute to individual differences in reward-seeking behavior and in predisposition to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Social Networks and Social Support: Implications for Natural Helper and Community Level Interventions

The convincing evidence of the relationship between social support, social networks, and health status has influenced the development of program strategies which are relevant to health education. This article focuses on the linkage between social support and social networks and health education programs which involve interventions at the network and community level. Two broad strategies are addressed: programs enhancing entire networks through natural helpers; and programs strengthening overlapping networks/communities through key opinion and infor mal leaders who are engaged in the process of community wide problem-solving. Following a brief overview of definitions, this article highlights several network characteristics which are often found to be related to physical and mental health status. Suggestions are made for how these network characteristics can be applied to the two program strategies. Principles of practice for the health educator, and some of the limitations of a social network approach are delineated. The article concludes with a recommendation for engaging in action research—a perspective highly consistent with both the strategies discussed and the concepts of social networks and social support. This approach not only recognizes, but also acts to strengthen indigenous skills and resources.
The Defining Relations of Quantum n × n Matrices

Let Oq(Mn) denote the coordinate ring of quantum n× n matrices. We show there exists a subvariety Pn of P(Mn) and an automorphism σn of Pn such that Oq(Mn) determines, and is determined by, the geometric data {Pn, σn}. The linear span of the defining relations of Oq(Mn) is the set of all those elements of M ∗ n ⊗M∗ n that vanish on the graph of σn. Moreover, if q 2 6= 1, the variety Pn is independent of q. Our main result is that there are two natural descriptions of Pn. Firstly, if q 6= 0, there is a natural bijection between Pn and the point modules over Oq(Mn), and the automorphism σn is the shift functor on point modules. Secondly, since Oq(Mn) is a flat deformation of O1(Mn), the polynomial ring O(Mn), there is a homogenenous Poisson bracket on O(Mn), and an associated Poisson structure on P(Mn). In this context, if q 6= 1, the variety Pn consists of those points of P(Mn) which are the zero-dimensional symplectic leaves with respect to this Poisson structure. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. 14A22, 17B37, 81R50, 16W50.
Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor gel speeds healing of acute full-thickness punch biopsy wounds.

BACKGROUND Recombinant human platelet derived growth factor-BB gel (PDGF gel) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of diabetic neuropathic ulcers. It is also being used off-label to speed wound healing of flaps, grafts, and wounds from Mohs micrographic surgery. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to compare the rate of healing in wounds treated with PDGF gel and with wounds treated with conventional therapy (antibiotic ointment). METHODS A double-blind controlled study of 7 healthy volunteers was performed. With a 4-mm skin punch biopsy instrument, two full-thickness wounds were made on each arm of each volunteer. Fourteen wounds treated with PDGF gel were compared with 14 wounds treated with antibiotic ointment. Healing was evaluated by visual determination of the global percentage healed and wound depth. RESULTS Wounds treated with PDGF gel showed a significantly faster rate of healing on each of the initial 6 follow-up visits. The greatest difference was on day 10 when PDGF-treated wounds were 71% healed compared with 28% for antibiotic-treated wounds (P =.0005). At days 22 and 24, 92.9% and 100% of the PDGF gel-treated wounds were healed, compared with 50% and 57%, respectively (P =.0313 and P =.0313), in the antibiotic ointment group. By day 29, both PDGF gel and antibiotic-treated wounds were healed. PDGF also decreased wound depth compared with wounds treated with antibiotic ointment at days 8 and 10 with P values <. 0313 and <. 0020, respectively. CONCLUSION We conclude that PDGF gel speeds healing of acute full-thickness wounds compared with antibiotic ointment.
Location and Lease Intensity

U.S. firms lease assets extensively. We find that, during 1980–2011, the average U.S. firm has a lease intensity of about 40%. Or, the average firm has present and future (up to five years) rent commitments equal to 16.6% of their total assets. We investigate whether agency costs between the lessor and the lessee affect the lease intensity of firms. To do so, we examine the impact of firms' location on the use of operating leases. The main idea of our paper is that, because obtaining information and monitoring is costly for potential lessors, especially when a lessee is relatively far away from financial centers, rural firms are less likely to use operating leases. Consistent with this hypothesis, we show that rural firms tend to have lower lease intensities than similar urban and small city firms. In addition, we find that firms with higher levels of debt capacity lease less and firms that face more financial constraint lease more. Our findings are robust to industry and lease maturity controls and consistent with the existence of an agency problem associated with leasing.