Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Contribution of Platelets to Clot Strength by Thromboelastography in Rabbits: The Role of Tissue Factor and Cytochalasin D

The contribution of platelets and soluble clotting components to clot strength has been the focus of several clinical studies using thromboelastography; it would, therefore, be beneficial to develop an animal model with which to mechanistically approach hemostatic disorders. Thus, we proposed to determine if the contribution of platelet function (GP, dyne/cm2) and soluble components of the coagulation pathway to total clot strength (GT) in rabbits were similar to those in humans. Blood was sampled from the ear arteries of conscious rabbits (n = 12); 350 &mgr;L of the blood was placed in a thromboelastograph. Ten microliters of normal saline, cytochalasin D (an inhibitor of microtubule function, 10 &mgr;M final concentration), or tissue factor (a potent stimulator of platelet function, 0.00625% final concentration) was added to the blood sample, and thromboelastography performed for 1 h. The GT (mean ± sd) was significantly (P < 0.001) different among samples exposed to normal saline, cytochalasin D, or tissue factor, with GT values of 7238 ± 1432, 937 ± 372, and 16,556 ± 3314, respectively. GP was responsible for 87% and 94% of GT in the absence or presence of tissue factor, respectively. GP did not significantly correlate with platelet concentration in the absence or presence of tissue factor. The contribution of GP to GT is similar to that observed in humans. Implications Rabbits may serve as a model of hemostasis that closely approximates human situations to mechanistically determine the etiology of coagulopathy. The contribution of platelet function to total clot strength is similar to that observed in humans.
The Link Between Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment: Differences Between Public and Private Sector Employees

ABSTRACT Employees in the public and private sectors experience different working conditions and employment relationships. Therefore, it can be assumed that their attitudes toward their job and organizations, and relationships between them, are different. The existing literature has identified the relationship between organizational commitment and job satisfaction as interesting in this context. The present field study examines the satisfaction–commitment link with respect to differences between private and public sector employees. A sample of 617 Greek employees (257 from the private sector and 360 from the public sector) completed standardized questionnaires. Results confirmed the hypothesized relationship differences: Extrinsic satisfaction and intrinsic satisfaction are more strongly related to affective commitment and normative commitment for public sector employees than for private sector ones. The results are discussed, limitations are considered, and directions for future research are proposed.
Movement disorders in children with anti‐NMDAR encephalitis and other autoimmune encephalopathies

Accurate recognition of movement disorder phenomenology may differentiate children with anti‐N‐methyl D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis, autoimmune basal ganglia encephalitis (BGE), and Sydenham's chorea (SC). Three neurologists blinded to the diagnoses recorded dominant and associated movement disorders seen on videos of 31 patients with anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (n = 10), BGE (n = 12), and SC (n = 9). Stereotypy was only seen in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (8/10) and not in BGE and SC (P < 0.001). Perseveration was only seen in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (5/10) and not in BGE and SC (P < 0.001). Akinesia was more commonly seen in BGE (5/12) than in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (1/10, P = 0.097). Tremor was more commonly seen in BGE (5/12) than in anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (1/10, P = 0.097). Chorea was seen in all groups: anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (4/10), BGE (3/12), and SC (9/9). Likewise, dystonia was seen in all groups: anti‐NMDAR encephalitis (6/10), BGE (7/12), and SC (2/9). Stereotypies or perseveration are suggestive of anti‐NMDAR encephalitis, whereas their absence and the presence of akinesia and tremor is more suggestive of BGE. Chorea and dystonia are least discriminating. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Association between Hemoglobin Levels and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Electronic Health Records

Objective To investigate the relationship between hemoglobin levels and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods 1511 patients with T2DM were included in the study. DPN was diagnosed based on symptoms, signs, and laboratory tests. Hemoglobin was defined as both a continuous variable and a quartile category variable. We compared patient characteristics between the no diabetic peripheral neuropathy (NDPN) and DPN groups. Logistic regression was conducted to investigate the association of DPN with hemoglobin in all T2DM patients. Linear regression was also performed to investigate the impact of hemoglobin on the vibrating perception threshold (VPT). Results Compared with the NDPN group, hemoglobin level in the DPN group was significantly lower (118.54 ± 16.91 versus 131.62 ± 18.32 g/L, P < 0.01). The prevalence of DPN increased by 50.1% (95% CI: 42.2–57.0%; P < 0.001) per standard deviation decrease in hemoglobin. Compared to the highest quartile of hemoglobin, the lower quartiles were associated with a significantly increased risk of DPN in the entire T2DM population (all P < 0.01). A per unit decrease in hemoglobin leads to a 0.12 (95% CI: 0.07–0.168) unit increase in VPT after adjustment for possible confounders (P < 0.001). Conclusions Lower hemoglobin levels were associated with increased prevalence of DPN and higher VPT.
COEVOLUTION OF PLANTS AND HERBIVORES: PASSION FLOWER BUTTERFLIES

Plant specific insect herbivores are remarkable not only in their ability to locate and identify the appropriate host, but also in that they very often show a "botanical instinct" (Brues, 1920, 1924): closely related insects choose closely related plants. For both insects and plants this statement holds true primarily at the level of higher taxa, and is an outcome of chemical similarities among related botanical groups (Kusnezov, 1929). The generation of higher level taxonomic correlations between insects and their host plants is thought to be due to concurrent evolution. A hypothesis as to just how coevolution between insects and plants in the past resulted in these present day patterns was suggested by Brues (1920) and developed fully by Ehrlich and Raven (1965) on the basis of butterfly host plant data. The model involves adaptive radiation by plant lines which evolve effective herbivore deterrents, followed by adaptive
It's the Economy, Stupid! Why Iraq Needed Free Markets Instead of Democracy in 2003

Abstract When the United States launched the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, the Bush administration expected Iraq to undergo a rapid transition to democracy. 1 Although recent progress in Iraq is impressive, reality has not met expectations. This article challenges the Bush administration's postinvasion policy of rapid democratization as the primary approach to Iraq, instead arguing that a focus on economic liberalization and the development of a free market economy would have led more quickly to an Iraq that is peaceful and prospering and a closer ally of the United States.
Helicobacter pylori infection and colorectal carcinoma risk: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE Helicobacter pylori infection and colorectal cancer risk are not clear. We perform this meta-analysis to further evaluate the association between H. pylori infection and colorectal cancer susceptibility. METHODS The databases of CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and HighWire Press were electronic searched by two reviewers independently. The case-control study or cohort study about H. pylori infection and colorectal cancer risk were included in this meta-analysis. The association between H. pylori infection and colorectal cancer risk was evaluated by odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS Fourteen case-control studies related to H. pylori infection and colorectal cancer risk were eventually include in this meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that H. pylori infection slight increase the risk of developing colorectal carcinoma (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.01-1.77, P = 0.05). Moreover, Begg's funnel plot demonstrated no significant publication bias. CONCLUSION Colorectal carcinoma is associated with H. pylori infection. However, for significant heterogeneity across the studies, this results should be further confirmed by large sample size cohort study.
Study on Ag-Plated Cu Lead Frame and Its Effect to LED Performance Under Thermal Aging

A systematic study about the effect of thermal aging time on lead frame morphology and LED optical performance was demonstrated in this paper. Three different lead frames for LED manufacturing were chosen to execute thermal aging test for reliability qualification. An evolution about Ag recrystallization, Cu diffusion, Cu nucleation, and growth on lead frame surface was comprehensively explained. The relationship between surface morphology and lead frame reflectance was first established by experimental characterization and comparison. After that, theoretical analysis based on diffusion theory reasonably explained the copper diffusion and nucleation process, which matches well with the morphology changes. Later on, optical simulation on various commercial LED packages was implemented to evaluate the effect of lead frame reflectance on the optical output. In conclusion, centering on Cu diffusion induces reflectance decrease, the connection initializes from thermal aging to final LED lumen performance was successfully built up in this paper. The findings can be directly applied as guidance to facilitate industrial LED manufacturing and reliability qualification.
Mossin’s Theorem Given Random Initial Wealth

The purpose of this article is to reexamine Mossin's Theorem under random initial wealth. Conditions necessary and sufficient for Mossin's Theorem depend on the stochastic dependence between risks. The correlation coefficient, however, is not an adequate measure of stochastic dependence in the general expected-utility model, and so other notions of dependence are used to investigate Mossin's Theorem. The inadequacy of the correlation coefficient is illustrated with two counterexamples. Then, using notions of positive and negative dependence measures, we provide necessary and sufficient conditions for a generalized Mossin Theorem to hold. In addition, a generalized Mossin Theorem is interpreted using the notion of a mean preserving spread made popular by Rothschild and Stiglitz (1970). Given a fair premium and dependent stochastic conditions, we show that an individual can obtain a final wealth distribution with less weight in its tails by selecting less than or more than full insurance.
Urban Poverty, Ragpickers, and the "Ants' Villa" in Tokyo

Poverty is a grave social problem in rich countries, while it is not in poor countries. Countries seem to "discover" poverty in their midst at a certain stage of their socioeconomic development. This may sound enigmatic, but the explanation for it may be found in the nature of all social problems. As Robert A. Dentler succinctly states, "a social problem is an event that is viewed as a deviation from, or a breakdown of, some social standard that groups believe must be upheld if human life, or the order of activities that maintains and gives meaning to life, is to continue. "1 Social problems depend for their emergence upon social standards. Similarly, poverty as a social problem depends upon the standard of living which society accepts as a tolerable minimum. The minimum standard of living does not arise as a guide to social policy unless a good majority of people have attained standards of living above the minimum. Poverty therefore emerges as a social problem and, especially, as a problem in public policy when society has achieved some measure of socioeconomic development. The emergence of a minimum standard of living by social consensus, by its sheer logical force, divides the population into two groups: those above and those below the minimum. The same socioeconomic forces which have produced the social minimum will also have shaped the attitudes, motives, and social roles of the two groups on both sides of the minimum. These forces are the ones which underlay the historical development of today's rich countries: widespread desire for economic gains, technological progress, and efficient resource allocation (including the mobility of human resources). In an economically successful society, the acquisitive impulse and achievement motive are particularly strong. A society's standard of living emerges from the feeling of accomplishment and the constantly renewed resolve for further efforts on the part of those who have kept up with the general pace of output expansion, technological progress, and resource mobility. The minimum standard of living marks the lowest boundary of the general standard of living and, like the latter, constantly rises in pace with the general change. The poor are those who,
Empirical Models of the Exchange Rate: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff

Various popular exchange rate models (a standard monetary model, a portfolio balance model, and sticky-price models) are estimated and evaluated using U.S.-Canadian data for the 1970s. Nonnested hypothesis tests demonstrate that none are correctly specified. The data suggest: 1) the exchange rate persistence observed is not fully explained by any of the models; 2) the small Durbin-Watson statistics indicate longer lags are required; 3) the current account is a useful explanatory variable; 4) the portfolio balance model fits the data well, but has potentially serious problems measuring the stock of foreign assets.
Revised Estimates of Intergenerational Income Mobility in the United States

Solon's (1992) landmark study estimated the intergenerational elasticity (IGE) in income between fathers and sons to be 0.4 or higher. This dramatically changed the consensus view of the U.S. as a highly mobile society. In this comment, I show both analytically and empirically how Solon and others have actually underestimated this parameter by about 30 percent, suggesting that the IGE is actually close to 0.6 and that the U.S. appears to be among the least mobile countries. There are two key measurement issues that lead researchers to underestimate the IGE. First, the use of short-term averages of fathers' earnings is a poor proxy for lifetime economic status due to highly persistent transitory shocks. Second, the variance of transitory fluctuations to earnings varies considerably by age causing a "lifecycle" bias when samples include measures of fathers' earnings when they are especially young or old. In this comment Solon's results are replicated and then re-estimated using a new technique that is able to address these issues using the same PSID sample. The results confirm that the intergenerational elasticity is likely to be around 0.6.
The interexaminer reliability of measuring passive cervical range of motion, revisited.

PURPOSE To study the interexaminer reliability of measuring passive cervical range of motion (ROM). DESIGN Repeated blind measures of passive cervical ROM by two different examiners. SETTING Ambulatory outpatient facility in an independent National Health Service of Denmark funded chiropractic research institution. PARTICIPANTS Thirty-five asymptomatic volunteers (17 men and 18 women) aged 20-28 yr. INTERVENTION Measurement of passive cervical ROM with the use of a strap-on head goniometer by two blind examiners. Each subject was measured twice with 15-min intervals, using a mean-of-five-measurements protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The reliability of measuring passive cervical ROM in six separate directions of movement from "neutral zero" and from one extreme to the other in three planes. RESULTS The inter- and intra-examiner reliability was evaluated using a paired t test and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient (supplemented by a scatterplot). Intraclass Correlation Coefficients were also calculated. Interexaminer reliability was found to be acceptable (Pearson's r = .61 - .88) for measuring in three planes. Interexaminer reliability was less than acceptable (Pearson's r = .39 - .70) for measuring passive ROM in 6 directions from neutral zero. CONCLUSION Passive cervical ROM could be measured reliably by different examiners for measurements in three planes. Measurements from neutral zero in six directions were unreliable when measured by different examiners.
Food tourism in protected areas – sustainability for producers, the environment and tourism?

This study investigates the feasibility of combining environmental protection and an agricultural revitalisation strategy which includes food tourism in two Danish national parks, Mols Bjerge and Skjern Aadal. Both the parks include significant agricultural holdings and, to a great extent, a “natural” landscape of farmed grassland and arable land. The international research literature documents that park administrations have tended to neglect the role of food and food-based experiences in parks, despite park visitors preferring more attractive eating facilities, purchasing opportunities and food-related interpretation. A survey of food producers and providers in Denmark revealed that traditional, productivity-oriented farmers tended to oppose the establishment of parks, holding the view that “sharing” the land with others diminished their competitiveness. While this view might hamper rapid progress in food tourism, the survey also discovered an emerging trend of small-scale food entrepreneurship, albeit on a fragmented and uncoordinated level. Tourism-oriented food entrepreneurs wanted to see joint marketing and labelling of food products along the lines of OECD's (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) “new rural paradigm”. The study identified governance opportunities that could accommodate the wellbeing of both tourists and food producers, but which requires a proactive role from the national park authorities, especially in marketing and the development of events.
Confucian culture and whistle‐blowing by professional accountants: an exploratory study

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to use survey data to examine the impact of culture on current and future accounting and auditing professionals' intent to be whistle-blowers in a Chinese cultural society. Design/methodology/approach - The paper examines intent to whistle-blow and factors influencing whistle-blowing, using survey data collected by the authors. Findings - It was found that a majority of respondents believe that a general sense of morality was the most important factor to encourage whistle-blowing, with abiding by the policy of their organization as the second; it was also found that Research limitations/implications - The data are all from Confucian societies, which perhaps limits its usefulness elsewhere. Practical implications - The paper will help auditors, accountants, and policy makers to design policies that encourage whistle-blowing. Originality/value - The paper uses original survey data collected by the authors, and the analysis will enable policy makers and professional accountants to anticipate and predict whistle-blowing, a key factor in improving financial management and reporting, and possibly undermining auditor independence, audit quality, and the quality of financial reporting.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AND FIRM PERFORMANCE

Competitive advantage is perhaps the most widely used term in strategic management, yet it remains poorly defined and operationalized. This paper makes three observations regarding competitive advantage and conceptually explores the various patterns of relationship between competitive advantage and firm performance. First, competitive advantage does not equate to superior performance. Second, competitive advantage is a relational term. Third, it is context‐specific. This paper examines three patterns of relationship between competitive advantage and firm performance: 1) competitive advantage leading to superior performance; 2) competitive advantage without superior performance, and 3) superior performance without competitive advantage. The ultimate purpose of this article is to help generate a healthy debate among strategy scholars on the usefulness of the competitive advantage construct for our theory building and testing. This paper proposes that we re‐examine the notion of competitive advantage and formally assess its usefulness for theory building and testing in the field of Strategic Management. The notion of competitive advantage has been a cornerstone of our field. As such, research on competitive advantage occupies a central position in strategy literature (e.g., Porter, 1980, 1985; Rumelt, 1984, 1987; Barney, 1986, 1991; Ghemawat, 1986, 1991; Peteraf, 1993; Teece, Pisano, & Shuen, 1997). However, the notion of competitive advantage itself has rarely been systematically addressed and, to date, remains poorly defined and operationalized. Is competitive advantage what it takes to compete, a characterization observed during competition, or an outcome of competition? Is competitive advantage contingent on the competitive situation or is it a more general trait of the firm? Put differently, how is competitive advantage different from competence, strengths and, ultimately, performance? This article, addressing the above questions, makes three observations regarding competitive advantage. First, competitive advantage does not equate to (superior) performance. Second, competitive advantage is a relational construct. Third, competitive advantage is context‐specific. In presenting these three observations, this article proposes suggestions to refine and operationalize “competitive advantage. ” It then conceptually explores the relationship between competitive advantage and performance, which is argued to be much more complex than it is currently being treated in the literature. Concluding remarks follow.
Unsafe Sex Among HIV-Infected Adults in Kenya: Results of a Nationally Representative Survey

Objective:Assess factors associated with knowledge of HIV status, sexual activity, and unprotected sex with a partner of unknown or negative HIV status (unsafe sex) among HIV-infected adults in Kenya. Design:Nationally representative Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey among adults aged 15-64 years in 2007. Methods:A standardized questionnaire was administered and blood samples tested for HIV. We assessed factors associated with knowledge of HIV infection, sexual activity, and unsafe sex. Analyses took into account stratification and clustering in the survey design and estimates were weighted to account for sampling probability. Results:Of 15,853 participants with blood samples, 1104 (6.9%) were HIV infected. Of these, 83.8% did not know their HIV status (56% had never tested; 27.8% reported their last HIV test was negative), and 80.4% were sexually active. Of 861 sexually active adults, 76.9% reported unsafe sex in the past year. Adults who did not know their HIV status were more likely to be sexually active [never tested adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.8 to 10.7; ever tested, incorrect knowledge AOR: 6.5, CI: 2.1 to 19.6) and to report unsafe sex (never tested AOR: 51.7, CI: 27.3 to 97.6; ever tested, incorrect knowledge of status AOR: 18.6, CI: 8.6 to 40.5) than those who knew their status. Conclusions:The majority of adults did not know they were infected and engaged in unsafe sex. Adults who knew their HIV status were less likely to be sexually active and report unsafe sex compared with those unaware of their infection. HIV prevention interventions that target HIV-infected adults are urgently needed.