Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Redesigning a large-scale clinical trial in response to negative external trial results: the CAMUS study of Phytotherapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition among older men, confers its morbidity through potentially bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms. Treatments for BPH include drugs such as alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, minimally invasive therapies that use heat to damage or destroy prostate tissue, and surgery including transurethral resection of the prostate. Complementary and alternative medicines are gaining popularity in the US. Two phytotherapies commonly used for BPH are extracts of the fruit of Serenoa repens, the Saw palmetto dwarf palm that grows in the Southeastern US, and extracts of the bark of Pygeum africanum, the African plum tree. Purpose The objective of the Complementary and Alternative Medicines for Urological Symptoms (CAMUS) clinical trial is to determine if phytotherapy is superior to placebo in the treatment of BPH. Methods CAMUS was originally designed as a 3300-participant, four-arm trial of S. repens, P. africanum, an alpha-adrenergic blocking drug, and placebo with time to clinical progression of BPH, a measure of long-term efficacy, as the primary endpoint. Before enrollment started, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single institution clinical trial showed that S. repens at the usual dose did not demonstrate any benefit over placebo with respect to symptom relief at 1 year. Consequently, the focus of CAMUS shifted from evaluating long-term efficacy to determining if any short-term (6—18 months) symptom relief could be achieved with increasing doses of S. repens, the phytotherapy most commonly used in the US for BPH. Results Results are anticipated in 2011. Conclusions Trial design occurs in an environment of continually evolving information. In this case, emerging results from another trial suggested that a study of long-term efficacy was premature, and that an effective dose and preparation of S. repens had to be established before proceeding to a long-term clinical trial. Clinical Trials 2009; 6: 628—636. http://ctj.sagepub. com
Inhibition of Autophagic Turnover in β-Cells by Fatty Acids and Glucose Leads to Apoptotic Cell Death*

Background: Autophagy is essential for β-cell function and survival. Results: Autophagic turnover is impaired in β-cells when treated with metabolic stressors. Conclusion: Diminished autophagy leads to apoptotic β-cell death. Significance: Therapeutic interventions using pharmacological agents, which can improve ER folding capacity, as well as target the autophagy machinery, could provide promising strategies for treating human diseases such as T2D. Autophagy, a cellular recycling process responsible for turnover of cytoplasmic contents, is critical for maintenance of health. Defects in this process have been linked to diabetes. Diabetes-associated glucotoxicity/lipotoxicity contribute to impaired β-cell function and have been implicated as contributing factors to this disease. We tested the hypothesis that these two conditions affect β-cell function by modulating autophagy. We report that exposure of β-cell lines and human pancreatic islets to high levels of glucose and lipids blocks autophagic flux and leads to apoptotic cell death. EM analysis showed accumulation of autophagy intermediates (autophagosomes), with abundant engulfed cargo in palmitic acid (PA)- or glucose-treated cells, indicating suppressed autophagic turnover. EM studies also showed accumulation of damaged mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum distention, and vacuolar changes in PA-treated cells. Pulse-chase experiments indicated decreased protein turnover in β-cells treated with PA/glucose. Expression of mTORC1, an inhibitor of autophagy, was elevated in β-cells treated with PA/glucose. mTORC1 inhibition, by treatment with rapamycin, reversed changes in autophagic flux, and cell death induced by glucose/PA. Our results indicate that nutrient toxicity-induced cell death occurs via impaired autophagy and is mediated by activation of mTORC1 in β-cells, contributing to β-cell failure in the presence of metabolic stress.
A coiled-coil oligomerization domain of Bcr is essential for the transforming function of Bcr-Abl oncoproteins

In Philadelphia chromosome-positive human leukemias, the c-abl proto-oncogene on chromosome 9 becomes fused to the bcr gene on chromosome 22, and chimeric Bcr-Abl proteins are produced. The fused Bcr sequences activate the tyrosine kinase, actin-binding, and transforming functions of Abl. Activation of the Abl transforming function has been shown to require two distinct domains of Bcr: domain 1 (Bcr amino acids 1 to 63) and domain 2 (Bcr amino acids 176 to 242). The amino acid sequence of domain 1 indicates that it may be a coiled-coil oligomerization domain. We show here that domain 1 of Bcr forms a homotetramer. Tetramerization of Bcr-Abl through Bcr domain 1 correlates with activation of the tyrosine kinase and F-actin-binding functions of Abl. Disruption of the coiled coil by insertional mutagenesis inactivates the oligomerization function as well as the ability of Bcr-Abl to transform Rat-1 fibroblasts or to abrogate interleukin-3 dependence in lymphoid cells. These results strongly suggest that Bcr-Abl oligomers are the active entities in transformation.
New-Product Strategy and Industry Clockspeed Gilvan

W study how industry clockspeed, internal firm factors, such as product development, production, and inventory costs, and competitive factors determine a firm’s optimal new-product introduction timing and product-quality decisions. We explicitly model market demand uncertainty, a firm’s internal cost structure, and competition, using an infinite-horizon Markov decision process. Based on a large-scale numerical analysis, we find that more frequent new-product introductions are optimal under faster clockspeed conditions. In addition, we find that a firm’s optimal product-quality decision is governed by a firm’s relative costs of introducing new products with incremental versus more substantial improvements. We show that a time-pacing product introduction strategy results in a production policy with a simple base-stock form and performs well relative to the optimal policy. Our results thus provide analytical support for the managerial belief that industry clockspeed and time to market are closely related.
Power, politics, and political entrepreneurs: realising universal free basic education in Indonesia

Summary Several developing countries have recently introduced policies supporting universal basic free education (UFBE). Experience suggests such policies often fail to increase access and quality of education, and illegal fees are widely prevalent. The literature identifies several reasons including the lack of replacement funding in place of fees and the loss of quality due to overcrowding and subsequent high drop-out rates. This paper, using evidence from Indonesia's experience, argues that the underlying problem is political. We suggest that fee-free education is an attainable goal, but only if pro-UFBE coalitions are empowered to influence policy, demand accountability and seek redress against illegal fees.
The effect of quality management on mass customization capability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of quality management (QM) in the development of mass customization (MC) capability. QM is modeled as a second‐order construct reflected by six QM practices (small group problem solving, top management leadership for quality, information and feedback, process management, customer focus, and supplier involvement). The paper proposes that these six practices reflect the core principles of QM, and in turn QM contributes to the development of MC capability.Design/methodology/approach – Using the survey data collected from 167 manufacturing plants in three industries and eight countries, structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypotheses.Findings – The results provide empirical evidence supporting the proposed relationships between QM and MC capability.Research limitations/implications – The dataset for this paper is cross‐sectional. Future studies should consider a longitudinal setting that would provide a deeper understanding of cau.
In-service science teachers' attitude towards information communication technology

The purpose of this study is to determine the attitude of in-service science teachers towards information communication technology (ICT) in education. The study explores the relationship between in-service teachers and four independent variables: their attitudes toward computers their cultural perception of computers; their perceived computer competence; and their perceived access to computers. Attributes like gender, age, income, teaching experience and teaching methods are investigated. The results of the study show that 92 per cent of the respondents have a positive attitude towards computers. In-service teachers' attitudes are correlated with computer attributes, cultural perceptions and competence, but not with computer access. These findings suggest that computers in secondary and tertiary education improve the quality of teaching. In addition, infrastructure is identified as a constraining force in the implementation of ICT in the science classroom.
Building extended families through embryo donation: the experiences of donors and recipients.

STUDY QUESTION How do embryo donors and recipients understand and experience embryo donation (ED)? SUMMARY ANSWER Donors and recipients regard the genetic link between donors and donor-conceived child as significant, and draw on metaphors of ED as adoption and as building extended family networks in order to manage the complex interplay of genetic, gestational and social aspects of reproduction and family-building. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The uptake of embryo donation internationally is relatively low and there has been little research into the outcomes and experiences of ED for donor and recipient families. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Embryo donors and recipients in New Zealand were interviewed between March and October 2012 as to their understandings and experiences of embryo donation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Participants were recruited from across New Zealand and interviews were conducted with 22 donors (10 couples, 2 individuals) and 15 recipients (5 couples, 5 individuals). Interview data were analysed thematically to identify factors that influenced their perspectives and affected their experiences. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The genetic link between donors and offspring is regarded as bestowing immutable social ties by both donors and recipients. This makes ED a difficult choice for both donors, who experience a sense of ongoing responsibility for offspring welfare, and for recipients, who may have concerns about the donor-offspring bond. Disclosure of genetic background is regarded as critical for the welfare of both the donor-conceived child as well as siblings in the donor family. Both donors and recipients draw parallels between ED and open adoption practices, and draw on extended family constructs in order to describe their relationship to each other. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Donors and recipients were interviewed at various stages of the ED process, and experiences may change over time. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The comparison of ED with open adoption practice and the metaphor of extended family-building both help make sense of and complicate the ED experience. These concepts help to structure expectations for the assessment for ED, the disclosure of donor conception, and the nature of relationships, information-exchange and contact. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This study was funded by an AUT University Faculty of Health Environmental Sciences research grant.
Carbon Taxation When Climate Affects Productivity

Based on a model where climate change affects productivity, the second-best optimal carbon tax is found to exceed marginal social damage by 53% and “marginal private damage” (aggregate households’ willingness to pay) by 73%. Annual welfare gains are estimated at $3.58 billion when marginal damage is $40 per ton; employment also increases. A carbon tax set at the Pigouvian rate raises welfare by only $3.17 billion. The seemingly contradictory results from the “tax interaction” literature are shown to arise only when the optimal environmental tax is compared to “marginal private damage,” and only for an amenity externality. (JEL Q4, H2)
Segmented Mobilization

Using data from a nonpartisan get-out-the-vote (GOTV) campaign conducted by the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) prior to the November 7, 2000, election, I use a quasi-experimental approach to address three distinct questions. First, are phone canvassing efforts targeting Latinos effective in increasing voter turnout? Second, are the effects of these efforts the same among all Latinos, or are there distinct patterns of effectiveness by nativity and/or registration cohort? Finally, in conjunction with elite mobilization, what forms of political context need to be considered when explaining levels of participation? I find that although nonpartisan voter mobilization efforts in majority-Latino precincts can be effective, these efforts may not be equally effective among all of the targeted Latinos. Specifically, I find that those who were primed for participation, as opposed to those who mobilized in reaction to the political context, are more receptive to phone mobilization requests.
How Important is the Spatial Diffusion of Innovations in Explaining Regional Growth Rate Disparities?

Ever since the publication of Hagerstrand's (1952) influential work on the propagation of innovation waves, it has been appreciated that space may act as a substantial barrier to the flow of information . Since it is a truism that the existence of a new technique must be known before it can be introduced, it follows that the spatial diffusion of innovations may be an important factor in explaining regional disparities in productivity growth . The argument runs as follows . In the early stages of development of a particular country, when the space economy is not fully integrated, space prevents the various regions from having access to the same blueprint of technology . If there are economies of scale in invention, then the prosperous regions, which are able to devote a large volume of investment to research and development, may have been able to develop a progressively more advanced technology than the poorer, often peripheral, regions . However, this advantage tends to disappear with the development of a single national market and the increasingly oligopolistic nature of industry when the relatively backward regions gain increasingly greater access to this advanced technology . These regions are thus able to experience faster, albeit temporary, productivity growth rates as a result of this catching up process. (See Gomulka, 1971, for a discussion of this phenomenon within the conven-
Enhancing innovation capability through relationship management and implications for performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the antecedents and consequences of innovativeness or innovation capability of logistics service providers (LSPs). In particular relationship orientation is examined as an antecedent to innovativeness that will in turn lead to higher levels of logistics service quality and firm performance. The outcomes aim at contributing towards understanding the main drivers of innovativeness and the outcomes of developing the capability to innovate.Design/methodology/approach – Data to empirically analyze the four research hypotheses on the relationships between relationship orientation, innovativeness, logistics service quality and firm performance are collected via a survey of a random sample of LSPs in Hong Kong and analyzed using structural equation modelling via LISREL 8.52. The LISREL diagnostics indicated good fit of the measurement and structural models, providing supporting evidence to the hypothesized causal relationships.Findings – The empirical .
Value‐relevance of presenting changes in fair value of investment properties in the income statement: Evidence from Hong Kong

Abstract This study investigates the value‐relevance of the revision introduced in HKAS 40 (2004) ‘Investment Property’ on the presentation of changes in the fair value of investment properties. The revision follows that introduced in IAS 40 (2000) as Hong Kong adopted the International Financial Reporting Standards in 2005. As introduced in IAS 40 (2000), HKAS 40 (2004) requires that companies choosing to adopt the fair value model have to present changes in the fair value of investment properties in the income statement. Previously under the Hong Kong accounting standard SSAP 13 (2000), such changes were presented primarily in the revaluation reserve. Using both a threeday short window centred around the earnings announcement date and a 12‐month long window, this study provides evidence that investors value the HKAS 40 (2004) revision in the presentation of the changes in fair value of investment properties. Based on a sample of listed property companies in Hong Kong during 2004–2006, the results of this study show a significantly higher market price reaction and returns association when changes in fair value of investment properties are presented in the income statement. The results of this study are of interest not only to academic researchers, but to practitioners and standard setters as they assess the decision usefulness of the revised presentation.
Inhibitors of histone deacetylases in class I and class II suppress human osteoclasts in vitro

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) suppress cancer cell growth, inflammation, and bone resorption. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of inhibitors of different HDAC classes on human osteoclast activity in vitro. Human osteoclasts generated from blood mononuclear cells stimulated with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) ligand were treated with a novel compound targeting classes I and II HDACs (1179.4b), MS‐275 (targets class I HDACs), 2664.12 (targets class II HDACs), or suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA; targets classes I and II HDACs). Osteoclast differentiation was assessed by expression of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and resorption of dentine. Expression of mRNA encoding for osteoclast genes including RANK, calcitonin receptor (CTR), c‐Fos, tumur necrosis factor (TNF) receptor associated factor (TRAF)6, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATc1), interferon‐β, TNF‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), and osteoclast‐associated receptor (OSCAR) were assessed. Expression of HDACs 1–10 during osteoclast development was also assessed. 1179.4b significantly reduced osteoclast activity (IC50 < 0.16 nM). MS‐275 (IC50 54.4 nM) and 2664.12 (IC50 > 100 nM) were markedly less effective. A combination of MS‐275 and 2664.12 inhibited osteoclast activity similar to 1179.4b (IC50 0.35 nM). SAHA was shown to suppress osteoclast activity (IC50 12 nM). 1179.4b significantly (P < 0.05) reduced NFATc1, CTR, and OSCAR expression during the later stages of osteoclast development. Class I HDAC 8 and Class II HDAC5 were both elevated (P < 0.05) during osteoclast development. Results suggest that inhibition of both classes I and II HDACs may be required to suppress human osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 3233–3241, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The True And Fair View: A Study Of Australian Auditors‘ Application Of the Concept

A fundamental requirement of Australian corporate reporting is that financial statements be “true and fair”. This paper describes the history of the true and fair requirement in Australia, considers various meanings which have been attributed to the concept and examines the merits of eliminating the qualitative standard of the true and fair view. Special attention is given to auditors' definitions of the term, and how they design their audit testing of truth and fairness, as distinct from compliance with applicable accounting standards and other statutory disclosure requirements.
Assessing the Performance of Urban Development Corporations: how reliable are the official government output measures?

As UK Urban Development Corporations (UDCs) come to the end of their expected lifetimes it is now appropriate to embark upon an independent and comprehensive assessment of their overall impact. The article will seriously question whether the present system of DoE monitoring of specific UDC output measures has allowed for the provision of full and accurate information. It will be argued that the inconsistencies and definitional problems associated with the interpretation of output measures by individual UDCs has been compounded by the unclear, confusing and often quite bizarre presentation of such output figures by the UDCs and DoE. Such a state of affairs seriously undermines the quality of parliamentary and public accountability and fails to provide the basis on which a meaningful comparative evaluation of UDC performance can be derived.
A perfect calibration! now what?

We show that several advanced equity option models incorporating stochastic volatility can be calibrated very nicely to a realistic option surface. More specifically, we focus on the Heston Stochastic Volatility model (with and without jumps in the stock price process), the BarndorffNielsen-Shephard model and Levy models with stochastic time. All these models are capable of accurately describing the marginal distribution of stock prices or indices and hence lead to almost identical European vanilla option prices. As such, we can hardly discriminate between the different processes on the basis of their smile-conform pricing characteristics. We therefore are tempted applying them to a range of exotics. However, due to the different structure in path-behaviour between these models, the resulting exotics prices can vary significantly. It motivates a further study on how to model the fine stochastic behaviour of assets over time.
A model of a patron's innovativeness formation toward a chain restaurant brand

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to create and test a model of a patron's innovativeness formation toward a chain restaurant brand.Design/methodology/approach – A review of the current literature revealed six key determinants in the formation of patrons' innovativeness in the chain restaurant context. Based on theoretical relationships between these constructs, a structural model was proposed. The model was tested utilizing data collected from 433 chain restaurant patrons.Findings – Data analysis indicates that satisfaction and brand attitude positively influence innovativeness, with the impact mediated by advertising effectiveness and perceived risk in a new menu trial. Advertising effectiveness significantly reduced patrons' perceived risk in a new menu trial and thus positively influences innovativeness. Lastly, it was revealed that sales promotions have a strong impact on innovativeness.Research limitations/implications – The findings emphasize the significance of study variables in the forma.
Understanding the performance consequences of family involvement in the top management team: The role of long-term orientation

This article examines the relationship between long-term orientation, family involvement in the top management team (TMT), and family firm performance. On the basis of agency and stewardship theory, we propose that the inclusion of family members in the TMT only enhances firm performance if it induces a long-term orientation among management. An empirical analysis involving 201 privately owned family firms from Germany supports our theory that a long-term orientation helps align family and organizational goals. As such, it represents an important mediator that links family involvement in the TMT to performance.