Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring research quality using the journal impact factor, citations and ‘Ranked Journals’: blunt instruments or inspired metrics?

This paper examines whether three bibliometric indicators—the journal impact factor, citations per paper and the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative's list of ‘ranked journals’—can predict the quality of individual research articles as assessed by international experts, both overall and within broad disciplinary groupings. The analysis is based on data obtained from a Mock Research Quality Framework (RQF) exercise conducted by Monash University during 2006–07 in which external assessors rated research articles for their quality using a five-point scale. Although a significant relationship exists between all three bibliometric variables and the overall Mock RQF assessor quality scores, only a relatively small amount of the variance (generally <20 per cent) could be explained. There is some evidence that the relationship is stronger within some disciplinary groupings than others. The findings suggest caution should be exercised when using these indicators as proxies for research quality.
Preparation of outpatients for excretory urography: is bowel preparation with laxatives and dietary restrictions necessary?

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether routine bowel preparation with laxatives and dietary restrictions (liquid supper and fasting after midnight) are necessary for satisfactory visualization of the urinary system during excretory urography in outpatients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Two hundred and four consecutive patients who had excretory urography were randomly placed in one of four groups before the examination. Eleven patients were excluded from the study for various reasons. The remaining 193 were divided into four groups. Groups 1 (50 patients) and 2 (45 patients) had bowel cleansing; groups 3 (49 patients) and 4 (49 patients) did not. Groups 1 and 3 were allowed to eat; groups 2 and 4 were given a liquid supper and fasted beginning at midnight the night before the examination. Standard radiographs and tomograms were obtained. Upon completion of excretory urography, the radiographs were reviewed and graded by one radiologist, who did not know to which group each patient belonged. A detailed, anatomically based grading system was developed and used to grade the radiographs. The radiographs of the kidney were divided into upper, middle, and lower margins; images of the calices were divided into upper, middle, and lower segments; images of the renal pelvis were divided into central and medial margins; images of the ureter were divided into upper abdominal, lower abdominal, upper pelvic, and lower pelvic categories; and images of the bladder were divided into full and empty categories. A score of 1 was given to each section visualized. The right and left sides of the urinary system were scored separately but added together for statistical analyses; therefore, the highest total score possible was 28. RESULTS In the ability to visualize the anatomic structures on excretory urograms, there was no statistically significant difference (p = .06) between images of patients who were allowed to eat (groups 1 and 3, 99 patients, mean score = 27.49 +/- 0.92) and images of patients who were given a liquid supper and then fasted from midnight the night before excretory urography was performed (groups 2 and 4, 94 patients, mean score = 27.16 +/- 1.45). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference (p = .16) between those patients given laxatives before the examination (groups 1 and 2, 95 patients, mean score = 27.45 +/- 0.93) and those not given laxatives (groups 3 and 4, 98 patients, mean score = 27.20 +/- 1.43). CONCLUSION Our results show that bowel preparation with laxatives and dietary restrictions do not improve visualization of the urinary tract on excretory urograms obtained in outpatients. We conclude that such preparation in this group of patients was unnecessary and that it need not be performed routinely.
5-HT2a receptor in mPFC influences context-guided reconsolidation of object memory in perirhinal cortex

Context-dependent memories may guide adaptive behavior relaying in previous experience while updating stored information through reconsolidation. Retrieval can be triggered by partial and shared cues. When the cue is presented, the most relevant memory should be updated. In a contextual version of the object recognition task, we examined the effect of medial PFC (mPFC) serotonin 2a receptor (5-HT2aR) blockade during retrieval in reconsolidation of competing objects memories. We found that mPFC 5-HT2aR controls retrieval and reconsolidation of object memories in the perirhinal cortex (PRH), but not in the dorsal hippocampus in rats. Also, reconsolidation of objects memories in PRH required a functional interaction between the ventral hippocampus and the mPFC. Our results indicate that in the presence of conflicting information at retrieval, mPFC 5-HT2aR may facilitate top-down context-guided control over PRH to control the behavioral response and object memory reconsolidation.
Alternative Knowledge Strategies, Competitive Environment, and Organizational Performance in Small Manufacturing Firms

This study examines the relationship between knowledge strategy (exploration or exploitation) and performance, and the possible moderating role of external environment variables. Results from a sample of small manufacturing firms indicate that exploration and exploitation are distinct and complementary constructs. The relationship between exploration and performance is linear and positive, while the relationship between exploitation and performance is concave, indicating that there is a point at which focusing on exploitation leads to reduced returns. Additionally, we find that the competitive environment moderates the relationship between exploitation and performance, such that exploitation has a stronger impact on performance in stable and high–tech environments than in dynamic and low–tech environments. Exploration also has a stronger impact on performance in high–tech environments than in low–tech environments.
Livedoid vasculopathy associated with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 promoter homozygosity (4G/4G) treated successfully with tissue plasminogen activator.

BACKGROUND Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is an occlusive thrombotic disease that affects primarily the small blood vessels of the lower extremities and often is associated with recurrent painful ulcerations. The pathogenesis of LV is unclear, but the disease is largely attributed to a hypercoagulable state. Factor V Leiden mutation, heterozygous protein C deficiency, homozygous hyperhomocysteinemia, and other inherited thrombophilias have been associated with LV. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is an important inhibitor of the fibrinolytic system. Elevated levels of PAI-1 are found in some patients with thrombotic diseases. Some of these patients are homozygous for an allele of PAI-1 containing a stretch of 4 guanines at base -675 in the promoter region. This variant is associated with elevated PAI-1 protein levels, impaired fibrinolysis, and increased risk of thrombosis. OBSERVATIONS A 33-year-old white woman had a 3-month history of painful enlarging ulcers on both ankles. Various therapies, including administration of oral antibiotic agents and prednisone up to 100 mg/d, to treat presumed vasculitis, were unsuccessful. Skin biopsy specimens revealed numerous thick-walled small blood vessels, many of which were filled with fibrin thrombi, in association with minimal perivascular inflammatory infiltrate, extensive epidermal necrosis, and focal ulceration. A diagnosis of thrombotic vasculopathy was made. Clinical workup revealed an elevated plasma level of PAI-1 (31 microM/mL; reference range, <25 microM/mL) and PAI-1 promoter 4G/4G homozygosity detected at DNA sequencing. Treatment with heparin sodium and tissue plasminogen activator dramatically improved the lesions, resulting in complete healing of the ulcerations. Continuation of anticoagulant therapy with warfarin sodium and episodic administration of tissue plasminogen activator was required for symptomatic control. CONCLUSIONS Patients with LV may have elevated plasma PAI-1 levels. This may be associated with the PAI-1 promoter 4G/4G genotype, which has not previously been linked with LV. Further studies in patients with LV are warranted to determine how frequently this genotype is present because it may identify responsiveness to fibrinolytic therapy.
Efficiency, Ownership and Market Structure, Corporate Control and Governance in the Turkish Banking Industry

Turkish banks are quite heterogeneous in terms of organizational form, ownership structure, size, age, portfolio concentration, growth prospects and attitude toward risk. They also exhibit strong variations in performance as measured by several efficiency indices. In the light of theoretical advances in corporate finance and financial institutions, this paper is an in-depth cross-sectional analysis of the Turkish banking sector, which explores the various bank, market and regulatory characteristics that may explain the efficiency variations across banks. Consistent with the related hypotheses investigated, the results indicate that a number of independent bank characteristics are significantly correlated with various efficiency measures. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 2003.
Theory of optical tweezers

We derive an exact partial-wave (Mie) expansion of the axial force exerted on a transparent sphere by a laser beam focused through a high numerical aperture objective. The results hold throughout the range of interest for practical applications, as well as in the Rayleigh and geometrical optics limits. They allow, in principle, an absolute calibration of optical tweezers. Starting from the Mie result, we derive a closed analytic representation for the size-averaged short-wavelength limit that takes into account the Abbe sine condition. Numerical plots show large deviations from geometrical optics near the focal region and around the edge of the sphere, and oscillatory behavior of the force as a function of the size parameter. The oscillations are explained in terms of a simple interferometer picture derived from the Mie expansion. The few existing experimental data look more consistent with the present model than with previous ones.
Fabrication of Perovskite-Type Photovoltaic Devices with Polysilane Hole Transport Layers

Perovskite-type photovoltaic devices with polysilane hole transport layers were fabricated by a spin-coating method. In the present work, poly(methyl phenylsilane) (PMPS) and decaphenylcyclopentasilane (DPPS) were used as the hole transport layers. First, structural and optical properties of the PMPS and DPPS films were investigated, and the as-prepared PMPS and DPPS films were amorphous. Optical absorption spectra of the amorphous PMPS and DPPS showed some marked features due to the nature of polysilanes. Then, microstructures, optical and photovoltaic properties of the perovskite-type photovoltaic devices with polysilane hole transport layers were investigated. Current density-voltage characteristics and incident photon to current conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic devices with the polysilane layers showed different photovoltaic performance each other, attributed to molecular structures of the polysilanes and Si content in the present hole transport layers.
Relational Issues Within Couples Coping With Parkinson’s Disease

The ways in which Parkinson’s disease (PD) impacts, and is experienced by, the couple (i.e., the individual with PD and his or her spouse or other romantic partner) have not been fully elucidated. Such research is strongly warranted because when one member of a couple is chronically ill, it can cause major distress for not only the patient but also for his or her partner and their relationship. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine how PD affects a couple’s relationship. Data from 44 individual, in-depth interviews (with 21 persons with PD and 23 partners) revealed several challenges that PD commonly invokes in the patient–partner relationship, though most participants reported that PD had not decreased their overall relational closeness. The findings have significant practical implications for family-focused care.
A comparable yardstick: adjusting for education bias in South African health system responsiveness ratings

Abstract Health‐system responsiveness (HSR) measures the experience of health‐system users in terms of the non‐clinical aspects of the health system. This has been operationalized as a measurable construct in multiple surveys and studies. According to the literature, reporting behaviour may vary systematically across socio‐demographic characteristics. In this study we explore the association between education levels and reporting behaviour in terms of HSR in South Africa using data from the World Health Organization Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health for South Africa (WHO SAGE) conducted in 2007 and 2008. We consider the reporting behaviour of 1499 adults aged 50 and older in terms of the reported HSR for their most recent outpatient provider visit during the preceding 12 months. More specifically, we explore whether there are systematic biases in reporting behaviour by education levels and other socio‐economic covariates through the use of data from anchoring vignettes. These are questions depicting hypothetical HSR scenarios which provide a fixed benchmark for comparing individuals’ own HSR ratings and identifying potential reporting biases. Using a hierarchical‐ordered probit model in regression analysis, we found large differences in HSR ratings between the lowest and highest education groups after adjusting for reporting bias using the anchoring vignettes. This finding holds across all seven HSR domains captured in the WHO SAGE dataset. In the most extreme case, individuals with no education are likely to underreport poor HSR by between 2.6 and 9.4% percentage points compared with individuals with secondary schooling or higher. Policy‐makers need to take cognizance of potential reporting biases in HSR ratings and make the necessary adjustments to obtain data that are as true and accurate as possible. The need for this is especially acute in a country such as South Africa with large socio‐economic inequalities and disparities in access to healthcare.
Buyer-Seller Relationships in Transition

ABSTRACT Two Russian case studies have been investigated by adopting a relationship marketing perspective and adding a new concept, that of relationship knowledge. Relationship knowledge is assumed to be the main condition for relationship success in terms of and is visible through the more efficient execution of activities and implementation of new resources. The conclusion is that in Russia, the inadequate levels of trust, commitment and business activity lead to low external knowledge of the counterpart, which hampers development.
Using biogeographical history to inform conservation: the case of Preble's meadow jumping mouse

The last Pleistocene deglaciation shaped temperate and boreal communities in North America. Rapid northward expansion into high latitudes created distinctive spatial genetic patterns within species that include closely related groups of populations that are now widely spread across latitudes, while longitudinally adjacent populations, especially those near the southern periphery, often are distinctive due to long‐term disjunction. Across a spatial expanse that includes both recently colonized and long‐occupied regions, we analysed molecular variation in zapodid rodents to explore how past climate shifts influenced diversification in this group. By combining molecular analyses with species distribution modelling and tests of ecological interchangeability, we show that the lineage including the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), a US federally listed taxon of conservation concern, is not restricted to the southern Rocky Mountains. Rather, populations along the Front Range are part of a single lineage that is ecologically indistinct and extends to the far north. Of the 21 lineages identified, this Northern lineage has the largest geographical range and low measures of intralineage genetic differentiation, consistent with recent northward expansion. Comprehensive sampling combined with coalescent‐based analyses and niche modelling leads to a radically different view of geographical structure within jumping mice and indicates the need to re‐evaluate their taxonomy and management. This analysis highlights a premise in conservation biology that biogeographical history should play a central role in establishing conservation priorities.
The Value of Brand Equity

Through the 1960s and early 1970s, Schlitz beer was a strong number‐two beer brand supported by the well regarded gusto campaigns, such as the “You only go around once in life—so grab all the gusto you can. ” In the mid‐1970s, Schlitz converted to a fermentation process that took four days instead of 12 and substituted corn syrup for barley malt to gain a strategic cost advantage. The result was a beer that became flat or cloudy after time on the store shelf; Schlitz developed an image of being a “green” beer with “cheap” ingredients.
Diagnostic value of (111)In-granulocyte scintigraphy in patients with fever of unknown origin.

UNLABELLED 111In-granulocyte scintigraphy is often used as a diagnostic tool in patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO). However, its diagnostic performance has been studied in only a limited number of investigations, with most having been published more than 10 y ago; in addition, a broad range of sensitivities and specificities has been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of granulocyte scintigraphy in patients fulfilling the criteria of FUO. Also studied was whether increased peripheral leukocyte count or C-reactive protein (CRP) level could be used to select patients for scintigraphy to raise the diagnostic value. METHODS For 31 patients with true FUO who underwent granulocyte scintigraphy at a third-line referral hospital between 1995 and 2000, the files and scintigraphy findings were reviewed retrospectively to test the ability of scintigraphy to identify infection or chronic inflammatory bowel disease as the cause of FUO. In addition, leukocyte counts and CRP values were recorded. RESULTS Scintigrams were true-positive in 6 cases, false-positive in 4 cases, true-negative in 19 cases, and false-negative in 2 cases. Sensitivity was 75%, specificity was 83%, the predictive value of a scintigram showing positive findings was 60%, and the predictive value of a scintigram showing negative findings was 90%. Leukocyte counts did not differ between patients with true-positive and true-negative scintigrams. In contrast, CRP was elevated in all patients with true-positive scintigrams but in only half the patients with true-negative scintigrams. However, if only patients with elevated CRP were used for calculation of test performance, the test performance was not improved. CONCLUSION (111)In-granulocyte scintigraphy seems to have a reasonable sensitivity and specificity in cases of FUO, when one takes into account that (111)In-granulocyte scintigraphy is not a first-line test. The high predictive value of a scintigram showing negative findings may be especially valuable for ruling out an infectious cause of FUO. Neither peripheral leukocyte count nor CRP levels seem useful for selection of patients on whom scintigraphy should be performed.
Pratiques culturelles en France et aux États-Unis

Le ministere de la Culture et de la Communication francais et le National Endowment of the Arts aux Etats-Unis realisent regulierement une enquete nationale (Pratiques culturelles des Francais et Public Participation for the Arts) pour suivre l’evolution des comportements des habitants dans le domaine de la culture et des medias.La confrontation des resultats de ces deux enquetes, dont les editions sont, depuis le debut des annees 1980, relativement proches dans le temps, permet une analyse comparative sur pres de trois decennies du niveau de diffusion des pratiques culturelles et du profil de leurs publics respectifs.Au debut des annees 1980, la population americaine, bien que plus telephage, avait un niveau general de participation culturelle superieur, a l’exception de la lecture de livres. Le profil des publics culturels en termes de sexe, d’âge, de niveau d’etudes et de revenu etait relativement proche de part et d’autre de l’Atlantique.Les evolutions observees dans chaque pays au cours des decennies suivantes sont souvent semblables mais interviennent plus tard en France (augmentation de la consommation de television, baisse de la lecture de livres, progression des pratiques artistiques en amateur). La seule veritable divergence concerne les sorties au cinema, au theâtre et aux spectacles de danse, dont les taux de frequentation ont progresse en France dans les annees 2000, au moment ou ils accusaient un recul marque aux Etats-Unis.Les evolutions relatives au profil des publics sont egalement souvent analogues : feminisation et vieillissement des publics, recul de la participation des plus diplomes s’observent dans les deux pays, avec toutefois une accentuation des ecarts entre les plus riches et les plus pauvres aux Etats-Unis qu’on n’observe pas en France.
SPACs as Alternative Investments

This study provides an analysis of the U.S. market for Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs) starting with a description of how the investment vehicles are structured, provides a brief history, explains the purpose that they serve in the IPO market, and documents the sizeable growth of the industry. The analysis provides various descriptive statistics such as the pricing structure, 1st year returns, 1st day returns, trading volume, size, and trust amounts. Lastly, we examine the relationship between the warrant price, share price, and other SPAC variables using regression models.
Do Political Institutions Affect the Choice of the U.S. Cross-Listing Venue?

We study the impact of political institutions on foreign firms’ choice of their U.S. cross-listing venue. Using two measures of the quality of political institutions (the political rights index and the political constraint index) and controlling for various firm-level and country-level characteristics, we show that foreign firms from countries with weak political institutions are more likely to cross-list in the U.S. via the over-the-counter market and less likely to cross-list on one of the main U.S. exchanges. Further, we show that firms originating in countries where political and legal institutions are weak are more likely to choose either the main U.S. exchanges or Rule 144A as compared to over-the-counter programs.