Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differentiated thyroid cancer: a new perspective with radiolabeled somatostatin analogues for imaging and treatment of patients.

BACKGROUND The expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTR) in thyroid cells may offer the possibility to identify metastatic lesions and to select patients for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). We investigated (68)Ga-DOTATOC positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to select patients with progressive differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) for PRRT as well as treatment response and toxicity in treated patients. METHODS We enrolled 41 patients with progressive radioiodine-negative DTC (24 women and 17 men; mean age=54.3 years, median=59 years, range=19-78 years). In all patients, [(18)F]FDG-PET/CT was performed to determine recurrent disease with enhanced glucose metabolism, and (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT was used to identify SSTR expression. Dosimetric evaluation was performed with (111)In-DOTATOC scintigraphy. Eleven patients were treated with PRRT receiving a fractionated injection of 1.5-3.7 GBq (90)Y-DOTATOC/administration. Serial (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT scans were performed in all treated patients to evaluate treatment response. Parameters provided by (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT were analyzed as potential therapeutic predictors to differentiate responding from nonresponding. In all treated patients, adverse events and toxicity were recorded. RESULTS (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT were positive in 24/41 of radioiodine-negative DTC patients. Based on the high expression of SSTR detected by (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT, 13 patients were suitable for PRRT. Two out of 13 patients were not treated due to the lack of fulfillment of other study inclusion criteria. PRRT induced disease control in 7/11 patients (two partial response and five stabilization) with a duration of response of 3.5-11.5 months. Objective response was associated with symptoms relief. Functional volume (FV) over time obtained by PET/CT was the only parameter demonstrating a significant difference between lesions responding and nonresponding to PRRT (p=0.001). Main PRRT adverse events were nausea, asthenia, and transient hematologic toxicity. One patient experienced permanent renal toxicity. CONCLUSIONS In our series, SSTR imaging provided positive results in more than half of the cases with radioiodine-negative DTC, and about one third of patients were eligible for PRRT. (68)Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT seems a reliable tool both for patient selection and evaluation of treatment response. In our experience, FV determination over time seems to represent a reliable parameter to determine tumor response to PRRT, although further investigations are needed to better define its role.
Dementia care and quality of life in assisted living and nursing homes.

PURPOSE There are few empirical studies relating components of long-term care to quality of life for residents with dementia. This study relates elements of dementia care in residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) facilities and nursing homes to resident quality of life and considers the guidance this information provides for practice and policy. DESIGN AND METHODS We used a variety of report and observational measures of the structure and process of care and 11 standardized measures of quality of life to evaluate the care for and quality of life of 421 residents with dementia in 35 RC/AL facilities and 10 nursing homes in four states. Data were collected cross sectionally on-site, and we conducted a 6-month follow-up by telephone. RESULTS Change in quality of life was better in facilities that used a specialized worker approach, trained more staff in more domains central to dementia care, and encouraged activity participation. Residents perceived their quality of life as better when staff was more involved in care planning and when staff attitudes were more favorable. Better resident-staff communication was related to higher quality of life as observed and reported by care providers. Also, more stable resident-staff assignment was related to care providers' lower quality-of-life ratings. IMPLICATIONS Improvement in resident quality of life may be achieved by improved training and deployment of staff.
Matrix Management: Contradictions and Insights

Does matrix management stifle or foster the development of new products? The arguments in favor of and against matrix consist primarily of anecdotal success or failure stories. The issue is further obscured by the failure to recognize that there are different types of matrix. Data on the usage and effectiveness of three matrix structures (functional, balanced, and project matrixes) were collected from 500 managers experienced in product development. The results indicate that matrix is still the dominant approach for completing development projects. However, while all three types of matrix have comparable usage rates, the project matrix is considered the most effective. Companies using matrix management should consider project matrix if they are trying to improve performance.
The natural center of chromaticity space is not always achromatic: A new look at color induction

Although current theories of color vision differ in many respects, they all assume the existence of a uniquely defined neutral point in chromaticity space. It generally is assumed that this point satisfies several criteria simultaneously. One of these criteria is that it is perceived as achromatic. A further criterion shared by most theories is the structural assumption that lines in chromaticity space of constant hue converge on the neutral point. The basic assumption that these two criteria coincide is clearly true for isolated spots of light presented in darkness, and it usually is taken for granted that this coincidence generalizes to more complex visual stimuli. Here, we show that this is not the case. Our experiments with infields in chromatic surrounds revealed that the point in chromaticity space that appears gray is clearly different from the point on which lines of constant hue converge. A plausible interpretation of this apparently paradoxical finding in terms of color scission is proposed.
Customers' Satisfaction with Hotel Guestrooms: A Case Study in Ubon Rachathani Province, Thailand

The objective of this study was to identify Customers' satisfaction with hotel guestrooms in the province of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, and to determine the factors that affected this satisfaction. Data were collected from 96 customers by the completion of a questionnaire. Most of the customers were male, between 25 and 35 years, with an income level of 10,000–20,000 baht per month. The majority were government officers. The highest mean of most customers' satisfaction was overall cleanliness in guestrooms. The lowest mean of customers' satisfaction was the quality of equipment in the bathroom. However, these results were different in each hotel category. The factor affecting the customers' satisfaction with the interior decoration in the guestroom was customers' occupation. The hotel category was affected by the overall cleanliness of the guestroom, the cleanliness of linen sheets, pillow covers and blankets, the quality of equipment in the bathroom and bathroom amenities offered.
Thoracoscopy in undiagnosed pleural effusions.

OBJECTIVE To review the indications and accuracy of diagnostic thoracoscopy for pleural effusions of unknown origin. DESIGN Retrospective review of consecutive patients referred for diagnostic thoracoscopy over a 5-year period from 1 January 1989 to 31 December 1993. SETTING Tertiary referral cardiothoracic unit. PATIENTS Thirty-four patients referred from either medical or oncology services within a university-affiliated academic complex. INTERVENTIONS All patients had diagnostic thoracoscopy performed under general anaesthesia. Retrospective data were collected in respect of presenting symptoms, gross findings, final pathological findings, amount of drainage, length of hospital stay and complications of the procedure. In 7 patients (21%), iodised talc was insufflated at the same time to create pleurodesis. MAIN RESULTS Final diagnoses were: 17 (50%) malignant disease, 6 (18%) tuberculosis and 9 (26%) 'negative' pathology. In 2 (6%), further intervention was required to make a conclusive diagnosis. The diagnostic sensitivity for malignant disease was 89% and the specificity 100%. For pleural tuberculosis both the sensitivity and specificity were 100%. For 'negative' diagnoses the negative predictive value was 82%. A history of fever and sweats had a marked association (P = 0.002) with the final diagnosis of tuberculosis. No association could be identified between the gross observations at the time of thoracoscopy and the final diagnosis. The average length of hospital stay was 6.7 (range 1-25) days. There was 1 in-hospital death (3%), and 9 patients (26%) had major complications related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS Diagnostic thoracoscopy is a useful modality for obtaining a diagnosis in effusions of unknown origin where other methods have failed. The presence of symptoms such as fever and sweats is highly associated with a final diagnosis of tuberculosis.
New electrocardiographic criteria to differentiate the type-2 Brugada pattern from electrocardiogram of healthy athletes with r'-wave in leads V1/V2.

Serra et al . 1 present a well-written manuscript on new electrocardiographic criteria to differentiate the type-2 Brugada pattern from electrocardiogram of healthy athletes with r ′-wave in leads V1/V2. They report three new electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria based on the characteristics of the r ′-wave, with varied sensitivity and specificity as well as positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV). I caution the readers to …
Forecasting Key Macroeconomic Variables of the South African Economy: A Small Open Economy New Keynesian DSGE-VAR Model

The paper develops a Small Open Economy New Keynesian DSGE-VAR (SOENKDSGEVAR) model of the South African economy, characterised by incomplete pass-through of exchange rate changes, external habit formation, partial indexation of domestic prices and wages to past inflation, and staggered price and wage setting. The model is estimated using Bayesian techniques on data for South Africa and the United States (US) from the period 1990Q1 to 2003Q2, and then used to forecast output growth, inflation and a measure of nominal short-term interest rate for one- to eight-quarters-ahead over an out-ofsample horizon of 2003Q3 to 2008Q4. The forecast performance of the SOENKDSGEVAR model is then compared with an independently estimated DSGE model, the classical VAR and BVAR models, with the latter being estimated based on six alternative priors, namely, Non-Informative and Informative Natural Conjugate priors, the Minnesota prior, Independent Normal-Wishart Prior, Stochastic Search Variable Selection (SSVS) prior on VAR coefficients and SSVS prior on both VAR coefficients and error covariance. Overall, we can draw the following conclusions: First, barring the BVAR model based on the SSVS prior on both VAR coefficients and the error covariance, the SOENKDSGE-VAR model is found to perform competitively, if not, better than all the other VAR models for most of the one- to eight-quarters-ahead forecasts. Second, there is no significant gain in forecasting performance by moving to a DSGE-VAR framework when compared to an independently estimated SOENKDSGE model. Finally, there is overwhelming evidence that the BVAR model based on the SSVS prior on both VAR coefficients and the error covariance is the best-suited model in forecasting the three variables of interest.
Evidence for trophic transfer of Inodosporus octospora and Ovipleistophora arlo n. sp. (Microsporidia) between crustacean and fish hosts

Abstract Within aquatic habitats, the hyper-abundant Order Crustacea appear to be the predominant host group for members of the Phylum Microsporidia. The musculature, a common site of infection, provides access to biochemical (carbohydrate-rich) and physiological (mitochondria-rich) conditions conducive to prolific parasite replication and maturation. The significant proportion of body plan devoted to skeletal musculature in Crustacea provides the location for a highly efficient intracellular parasite factory. In this study, we utilize histological, ultrastructural and phylogenetic evidence to describe a previously known (Inodosporus octospora) and novel (Ovipleistophora arlo n. sp.) microsporidian parasites infecting the musculature of the common prawn (Palaemon serratus) from the same site, at the same time of year. Despite similar clinical signs of infection, both parasites are otherwise distinct in terms of pathogenesis, morphology and phylogeny. Based upon partial subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rDNA) sequence, we show that that I. octospora may be identical to a Kabatana sp. previously described infecting two-spot goby (Gobiusculus flavescens) in Europe, or at least that Inodosporus and Kabatana genera are synonyms. In addition, SSU rDNA sequence for O. arlo places it within a distinct clade containing Ovipleistophora mirandellae and Ovipleistophora ovariae, both infecting the oocytes of freshwater fish in Europe. Taken together, our data provide strong evidence for trophic-transfer between crustacean and fish hosts for two different microsporidians within clade 5 of the phylum. Furthermore, it demonstrates that morphologically and phylogenetically distinct microsporidians can infect the same tissues of the same host species to impart clinical signs which mimic infection with the other.
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Approach and avoidance towards aggressive stimuli and its relation to reactive and proactive aggression

This study assessed the association between indirectly measured behavioural approach-and avoidance-related tendencies on the one hand, and reactive versus proactive aggression on the other hand. Reactive aggression (i.e. the impulsive, anger-driven aggression expressed in response to threatening stimuli) was differentiated from proactive aggression (i.e. the more controlled aggression motivated towards obtaining speci ﬁ c goals). A mixed sample of 118 patients and healthy controls ﬁ lled out a self-report measure to assess their degree of reactive and proactive aggression, and then performed an Approach Avoidance Task in which they were asked to pull or push a joystick in response to a format-feature of a series of pictures, irrespective of their contents. The pictorial stimuli used in this task included attack-related scenes and angry faces, along with neutral, positive and negative control stimuli. The results were controlled for the level of personality disorder pathology, gender, and age. The ﬁ ndings indicated that reactive but not proactive aggression was related to the relative behavioural tendency to approach at-tack-related scenes, along with positive stimuli. These ﬁ ndings re ﬂ ect the hyper-reactivity of the ap-proach-related reward system in reactive aggression, and further our knowledge into the distinct correlates and precursors of reactive and proactive aggression.
Shareholder Activism and Voluntary Disclosure Initiation: The Case of Political Spending

Using corporate political spending disclosures as our empirical setting, we conduct a detailed inquiry of shareholder proposals to highlight the role of shareholder activism in the diffusion of disclosure practices. We examine a sample of 541 political spending-related shareholder proposals from 2004 to 2012. In a departure from prior research, we examine both proposals voted on and proposals withdrawn by the activist, allowing us to more comprehensively assess the success of shareholder activism. We find that 20% of disclosure proposals are subsequently implemented by targeted firms, with implementation rates varying significantly by proposal type – 8% for proposals voted on versus 56% for withdrawn proposals. We also find that unions and public pension funds are less likely to target firms with agency problems, are less successful in having proposals withdrawn, and the implementations they do obtain are viewed as value-destroying by the broader investor base. Our findings highlight shareholder proposals as one mechanism by which investors can express their preferences for and successfully influence corporate disclosure policies. Given activists’ long-standing interest in compensation and social disclosure policies, we believe our findings can generalize to these other disclosure settings.
Change process characteristics and resistance to organisational change: The role of employee perceptions of justice

Although there are many potential causes of failed change, ‘resistance to change’ is widely recognised as a significant contributor to this problem. Much of the literature relating to resistance has focused on the context-specific antecedents which can be divided into those relating to change outcomes and those that focus on change implementation. Justice research acknowledges the importance of employee perceptions of fairness in change management, and identifies it as a key factor in developing positive employee attitudes toward organisational change. Using change process characteristics of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX), participation and information as antecedents, the aim of the present study was to examine the influence of employee perceptions of justice on resistance to change. The results of a survey of 100 employees in an Australian workplace indicate that informational justice mediated the relationship between LMX and resistance to change.
Interaction between structural capital and human capital in Italian NPOs

Purpose – This explorative research aims at examining the relationship between human capital and structural capital in Italian NPOs, focusing on senior managers.Design/methodology/approach – Administration of a semi‐structured interview to 122 senior managers of the same number of Italian NPOs. Interviews have been analyzed using different techniques: content analysis, run through the software T‐Lab (analysis of word occurrence and co‐word mapping, analysis of Markovian sequences), as well as discourse analysis carried out by two independent judges.Findings – Italian NPOs' organizational culture is action‐oriented and self‐referral, not knowledge‐oriented. Training is not considered as a tool for strategic management of HR. Senior managers are mainly self‐taught and lack adequate competence on HR management. Organizational culture does not help the development of human capital as it neither uses structured procedures to select the best candidates, nor develops a training programme based on the organizatio.
Business Separation in Telecommunications: Lessons from the U.S. Experience

Structural and functional separation of telecommunications operators is being considered in many parts of the world following the U.K. functional separation of BT into retail and network operations. The attractiveness of separation is understandable due to the problems regulators often experience when regulating a monopoly that is vertically integrated into competitive markets, but separation in practice rarely if ever lives up to its promises. We examine experiences with business separation in the United States to draw lessons about its effects. We consider the separation of local and long distance, separation between telecommunications and information services, and separation between wholesale networks and retail services. These experiences show that business separation lowers efficiency and delays innovation, that adapting separation rules to an ever changing industry is costly and creates controversies, that rivals try to gain strategic advantage through the regulatory process, and that behavioral rules can be more effective in facilitating competition and innovation than structural rules.
The hedging performance of electricity futures on the Nordic power exchange

The Nordic Power Exchange (Nord Pool), the first multinational exchange for electricity trading, has existed since January 1996. Spot and futures contracts are traded on this exchange and its typical characteristics are very high volatilities as well as non-normally distributed returns. This article looks at electricity futures and how they can be used for short-term hedging of positions taken in the spot market. It studies the minimum variance hedge ratio and how it can be estimated in different ways. The traditional naive hedge and the OLS hedge are compared out-of-sample to more elaborate moving average and GARCH hedges, and the empirical results indicate some gains from hedging with futures despite the lack of straight-forward arbitrage possibilities in the electricity market. Furthermore, we find a slightly better performance of the simple OLS hedge compared to the conditional hedges.
The Impact of Rule 144a Debt Offerings Upon Bond Yields and Underwriter Fees

Securities issued under Rule 144A do not have to file a public registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but can be sold only to qualified financial institutions. This paper examines industrial and utility bonds issued under Rule 144A. Rule 144A issues are found to have higher yields than publicly issued bonds after adjusting for risk. Yield premiums are higher if the issuer does not file periodic financial statements with the SEC. The yield premiums of Rule 144A issues may be due to lower liquidity, information uncertainty, and weaker legal protection for investors. Bonds issued under Rule 144A may have registration rights, which require the issuer to exchange the bonds for public bonds within a stated period, or pay higher yields. While high-yield bonds usually have registration rights, we find that the majority of investment-grade bonds do not. Registration rights have a greater impact on yields for high-yield than for investment-grade bonds. Underwriter fees for Rule 144A issues are not significantly different from underwriter fees for publicly issued bonds.
Discrete Expectational Data and Portfolio Performance

In this article we examine the information content in analysts' recommendations which are made on a five-point buy, hold, or sell scale. Our data set includes data on 10,000 forecasts per month. Unlike most prior studies, our data set does not suffer from selection or survivorship bias. We find information in analysts' changes in recommendations. Approximately 4.5% extra return can be earned by purchasing new buys rather than new sells.
Reliability of retrospective assignment of gross motor function classification system scores

Objectives: To assess “alternate forms” reliability and inter-rater reliability of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) scores. Methods: Fifty randomly selected children with cerebral palsy were divided into two groups: (1) GMFCS score assigned during gait assessment (“GMFCS previously assigned”) and (2) no GMFCS score assigned. Using database information, two physiotherapists independently determined GMFCS scores for 25 children from the “previously assigned” group, and 25 from the “no score assigned” group. Therapists compared their recently assigned scores for the “previously assigned” group, discussing discrepancies until attaining agreement. This group's consensus scores were compared to GMFCS scores assigned at time of actual assessment to calculate “alternate forms” reliability. Results: Between-therapist agreements were kappa = 0.84 for “GMFCS previously assigned” group and 0.95 for “no GMFCS assigned” group. Kappa agreement between direct assessment and retrospectively assigned scores for the “GMFCS previously assigned” group was 0.79. Conclusions: Retrospective GMFCS scores can be reliably assigned.