Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between depressive symptoms and acute low back pain at first medical consultation, three and six weeks of primary care

Background: Aim of the study was to test lagged reciprocal effects of depressive symptoms and acute low back pain (LBP) across the first weeks of primary care. Methods: In a prospective inception cohort study, 221 primary care patients with acute or subacute LBP were assessed at the time of initial consultation and then followed up at three and six weeks. Key measures were depressive symptoms (modified Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale) and LBP (sensory pain, present pain index and visual analogue scale of the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire). Results: When only cross-lagged effects of six weeks were tested, a reciprocal positive relationship between LBP and depressive symptoms was shown in a cross-lagged structural equation model (β = .15 and .17, p < .01). When lagged reciprocal paths at three- and six-week follow-up were tested, depressive symptoms at the time of consultation predicted higher LBP severity after three weeks (β = .23, p < .01). LBP after three weeks had in turn a positive cross-lagged effect on depression after six weeks (β = .27, p < .001). Conclusions: Reciprocal effects of depressive symptoms and LBP seem to depend on time under medical treatment. Health practitioners should screen for and treat depressive symptoms at the first consultation to improve the LBP treatment.
The Adoption of Japanese Manufacturing Management Techniques in Korean Manufacturing Industry

After four consecutive years′ trade surplus, Korea′s climbing foreign trade deficit in 1990 is a clear signal that the nation should attempt to improve the performance of its manufacturing industry. However, there has not been much study on how manufacturing management is conducted in Korea and how it might be improved. Too much emphasis has been placed on macro policy variables such as tax, exchange rates and interest rates, which have only short‐term effects on competitiveness. The task for Korean manufacturing industry is to meet the challenges before it and be in a position to compete with other countries by providing high‐quality products at the right price. The most affordable and practical alternative is to make innovations in the current manufacturing process in order to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Studies the adoption and application of Japanese manufacturing management techniques under Korean conditions. Also provides a number of cases of their implementation in Korea and outlines .
How can we design 3D auditory interfaces which enhance traffic safety for Chinese drivers?

With the rapid motorization in countries such as China, the large number of vehicles has caused a dramatic increase of accidents. Thus, the needs for active safety systems are urgent; the system designs must fulfill drivers' needs and local situations. Many studies have indicated that auditory design has great potentials for presenting traffic information to the drivers. In this study, the aim is to understand Chinese drivers' attitudes toward 3D Auditory Traffic Information System, and to explore Chinese drivers' requirements for traffic information support. In the experiment, 23 car drivers were invited to focus group discussions. The results illustrated that the majority (19 out of 23) of participants are interested in 3D auditory design concept and have strong preferences towards using meaningful sounds as the basis for auditory icons. Results also showed differences between experienced and novice drivers regarding how to prioritize traffic information under different traffic conditions. The findings have implications for future design of 3D auditory traffic information system development.
Self-Interest and Voter Support for Oregon's Land Use Controls

Abstract Local land use controls have received considerable attention from political economists, but statewide land use controls have not. This research note offers an analysis of the political economy of statewide land use controls in Oregon. Unlike two previous studies, which indicate that such controls generally serve the upper class, this research note asserts that the statewide land use program in Oregon subsumes four identifiable issues, which generate the necessary supporting coalition among distinct groups. These results suggest that the political viability of statewide land use programs depends critically on public perception of how they address the issues that affect the voters.
Feeding Five Billion Asians: A Socioeconomic Perspective

This paper reviews the prospects for long-term food security in Asia, where a significant number of malnourished individuals still live after decades of mixed progress. Evidence shows that poverty reduction on its own will not do the job of eradicating hunger, nor will only increased food production. The region's contribution to high and volatile international food prices is well known, but Asia's potential contributions toward future decreased price uncertainty are much less cited. The changing composition of future food demand in the region will depend on the extent to which poverty reduction effectively leads to middle class expansion, which remains unclear.
Portuguese Trade and European Union: The Gravity Model

This research examines the determinants of bilateral trade between Portugal and European Union countries (EU-27) for the period 2000-2010, using a panel data. In this study we revisited the recent contribution as in Charoensukmongkol and Sexton (2011), Samy and Dehejia (2011), Serrano and Pinilla (2012), and Faustino and Proenca (2011). The findings show that Portuguese trade flows are according the Linder hypothesis. The international trade is explained by Heckscher-Ohlin theorem. The empirical results demonstrate that geographical distance has a negative and significant effect on bilateral trade, i.e., there is a bilateral trade increase when trade partners are close. The economic dimension and common border are positively correlated with bilateral trade. Our results also support the hypothesis that physical capital endowment has a positive effect on bilateral trade.
Biotechnology founders and employment systems of start-ups

Founders of high-technology companies build organisations that depend on specialised human capital. Their mental models of the organisation, including those for employment, influence the ongoing development of the firm. This study utilises cognitive mapping and in-depth case studies to link founders' mental models and emergent employment systems in the New Zealand biotechnology industry. Findings suggest that biotechnology founders emphasise a 'star' system in their mental models of employment, and are heavily influenced by scarcity of resources - particularly the difficulty of recruiting top scientists to biotechnology start-ups - as well as external stakeholders.
Value Line Rank and Firm Size

This paper studies the relation between Value Line's successful record in predicting relative stock-price movements and the firm size effect. The data suggest little direct relation between the two phen omena. Value Line tends not to rank small-firm stocks, and small-firm stocks that are ranked are more likely to receive a low rank than la rge-firm stocks. Within each size-sorted quintile of the market, the mean payoffs on costless positions constructed according to Value Lin e's recommendations are positive. Copyright 1987 by the University of Chicago.
Students’ Attitudes to and Usage of Academic Feedback Provided Via Audio Files

Abstract This study explores students’ attitudes to the provision of formative feedback on academic work using audio files together with the ways in which students implement such feedback within their learning. Fifteen students received audio file feedback on written work and were subsequently interviewed regarding their utilisation of that feedback within their learning. The written work provided by twelve of the students was also conventionally marked and this feedback was quantitatively compared with the audio feedback comments following classification of individual comments. The students responded very positively to the audio file feedback judging it to be good quality because it was easier to understand, had more depth and was more personal. Most students annotated their work as they listened and stated that they would use the audio feedback to improve their work for other tutors. Pitfalls of this form of feedback included the large size of the audio files (up to 11Mb) being incompatible with some e-mail systems. Comment classification showed a greater emphasis on developmental aspects of learning within audio file feedback. Guidance is provided for tutors concerning the effective use of audio file feedback. As feedback is integral to all learning this project has wide applicability across the disciplines.
Home Bias and Market Integration in the EU

The Single Market has been one of the core policies of the European Union. Twenty years after the launch of the Single Market Programme national borders still matter in Europe. Consumption baskets and investment portfolios of European countries still contain a predominant share of home products and equity. This article evaluates the success of integration policies in the European Union by assessing the magnitude and evolution of home bias across Europe in goods and services markets and in equity portfolio holdings. There are large differences in the degree of home bias across European countries. More worrisome is that home bias in goods and services has barely changed in recent years. This might indicate that traditional integration policies are no longer effective and need to be transformed to continue delivering. (JEL Codes: D78, F15, F21, F36)
Psychological Evaluations for the Courts: A Handbook for Mental Health Professionals and Lawyers

Part I: General Considerations.Law and the Mental Health Professions: An Uneasy Alliance. An Overview of the Legal System: Sources of Law, the Court System, and the Adjudicative Process. The Nature and Method of Forensic Assessment. Constitutional, Common-Law, and Ethical Contours of the Evaluation Process: The Mental Health Professional as Double Agent. Managing Public and Private Forensic Services. Part II. The Criminal Process.Competency to Stand Trial. Other Competencies in the Criminal Process. Mental State at the Time of the Offense. Sentencing. Part III. Noncriminal Adjudication.Civil Commitment. Civil Competencies. Compensating Mental Injuries: Workers' Compensation and Torts. Federal Antidiscrimination and Entitlement Laws. Part IV. Children and Families.Juvenile Delinquency. Child Abuse and Neglect. Child Custody in Divorce. Education and Habilitation. Part V. Communicating with the Courts.Consultation, Report Writing, and Expert Testimony. Sample Reports. Glossary.
Enhancing the Design of Web Navigation Systems: The Influence of User Disorientation on Engagement and Performance

This paper draws on research from a wide literature base to develop a model relating Web navigation systems, disorientation, engagement, user performance, and intentions. The model is tested in an experimental study examining the effects of one simple and two global navigation systems. Although well-accepted design guidelines were followed for the first global navigation system, it was not superior to the simple system. However, the second global navigation system resulted in lower disorientation than the simple system. Based on the study's results, two design guidelines to govern the development of future Web-based systems are suggested.
Higher cortical and lower subcortical metabolism in detoxified methamphetamine abusers.

OBJECTIVE Methamphetamine has raised concerns because it may be neurotoxic to the human brain. Although prior work has focused primarily on the effects of methamphetamine on dopamine cells, there is evidence that other neuronal types are affected. The authors measured regional brain glucose metabolism, which serves as a marker of brain function, to assess if there is evidence of functional changes in methamphetamine abusers in regions other than those innervated by dopamine cells. METHOD Fifteen detoxified methamphetamine abusers and 21 comparison subjects underwent positron emission tomography following administration of [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose. RESULTS Whole brain metabolism in the methamphetamine abusers was 14% higher than that of comparison subjects; the differences were most accentuated in the parietal cortex (20%). After normalization for whole brain metabolism, methamphetamine abusers exhibited significantly lower metabolism in the thalamus (17% difference) and striatum (where the differences were larger for the caudate [12%] than for the putamen [6%]). Statistical parametric mapping analyses corroborated these findings, revealing higher metabolism in the parietal cortex and lower metabolism in the thalamus and striatum of methamphetamine abusers. CONCLUSIONS The fact that the parietal cortex is a region devoid of any significant dopaminergic innervation suggests that the higher metabolism seen in this region in the methamphetamine abusers is the result of methamphetamine effects in circuits other than those modulated by dopamine. In addition, the lower metabolism in the striatum and thalamus (major outputs of dopamine signals into the cortex) is likely to reflect the functional consequence of methamphetamine in dopaminergic circuits. These results provide evidence that, in humans, methamphetamine abuse results in changes in function of dopamine- and nondopamine-innervated brain regions.
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Learning to forecast : Genetic algorithms and experiments

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Transitioning Towards Creativity and Innovation Measurement in Smes

The aim of this paper is to explore the transition from traditional measures to creativity and innovation measures within a number of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) case studies. The need for increased competitiveness has created an impetus for increased creativity and innovation in SMEs. However, the measures associated with the process of creativity and innovation in organisations sometimes do not follow cause-and-effect rationale, reflecting non-linear behaviour. A multiple SME-based case research methodology is used to explore the transitioning effects from traditional to more creativity and innovation based measures. The cases were part of a longitudinal creativity and innovation intervention programme, which combined taught modules and Critical Action Learning networks over a two-year period. These networks involved sub-groups applying critical theory-based study to the learning they had received in the modules. The findings reveal that the transition dynamics include a complex mix of cause and effect rationale, phenomenology, incremental change, radical change, quantitative, qualitative and linear and complex contrasts and comparisons. Thus, managers must facilitate an eclectic approach to creativity and innovation measures.
Determinants of audit committee meeting frequency: evidence from Chinese listed companies

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of audit committee meeting frequency in Chinese listed companies. Design/methodology/approach - A multiple linear regression model, derived from the logarithmic model proposed by Raghunandan and Rama, is used to examine the determinants and an unbalanced panel data fixed effects model was used for robust tests. Findings - Based on 912 year-firm observations, the authors found that audit committee meeting frequency was negatively associated with the proportion of shares owned by a majority shareholder and the number of audit committee meetings is less in stated-owned firms than privately-owned firms. Both audit committee and firm size were found to be positively associated with the frequency and there was a negative relationship between the proportion of independent directors on a board of directors and the number of audit committee meetings in China. However, no evidence was found of the associations of the frequency with the proportion of directors who are accounting experts on the audit committee, the CEO-Chairman duality, management ownership, board size, BIG4 and profitability. Originality/value - This is the first paper to present empirical evidence on the determinants of audit committee meeting frequency in Chinese listed companies. The paper looks into the impact of firm ownership on the meeting frequency in China and finds that the number of audit committee meetings is less in stated-owned listed firms than privately-owned listed firms.
Management and Organizational Behavior

What Managers and Organizations Do. 1: Managing People and Organizations. 2: Strategic Thinking, Planning and Controlling. 3: Organizing Work and People. 4: Creating and Modifying Organizational Culture. Managing People. 5: Understanding Perception, Learning, and Personality. 6: Motivation Principles. 7: Methods of Motivating People in Organizations. Managing Relationships. 8: Communicating for Understanding and Results. 9: Creating Productive Interpersonal Relationships. 10: Building Groups Into Teams. 11: Conflict Management and Negotiation. Leadership Practices. 12: Ethical Problem Solving and Decision Making. 13: Power and Politics. 14: Leadership. Managing Change. 15: Managing Change and Organizational Development. 16: Self Management at Work: Stress, Health, Career. Appendix A: Origins and Methods of Management and OB Theories.
Biologic Therapy for HLA-B27-associated Ocular Disorders

ABSTRACT The treatment of articular and extra-articular manifestations associated with HLA-B27 has undergone dramatic changes over the past two decades, mainly as a consequence of the introduction of biologic agents and in particular anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα) agents. Uveitis is known to be the most frequent extra-articular feature in HLA-B27-associated spondyloarthritides. Topical corticosteroids and cycloplegic agents remain the cornerstones of treatment. However, biologic therapy may be effective in the management of refractory or recurrent forms of uveitis. This review gives an update on the management of HLA-B27-associated ocular disorders with biologics, including anti-TNFα agents and non-anti-TNFα biologic modifier drugs. There is an emerging role for newer biologics targeting interleukin-12/23 and interleukin-17 for the treatment of spondyloarthritides but data on their efficacy on anterior uveitis are sparse.
Balanced NMDA receptor activity in dopamine D1 receptor (D1R)- and D2R-expressing medium spiny neurons is required for amphetamine sensitization

Signaling through N-methyl-d-aspartate–type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) is essential for the development of behavioral sensitization to psychostimulants such as amphetamine (AMPH). However, the cell type and brain region in which NMDAR signaling is required for AMPH sensitization remain unresolved. Here we use selective inactivation of Grin1, the gene encoding the essential NR1 subunit of NMDARs, in dopamine neurons or their medium spiny neuron (MSN) targets, to address this issue. We show that NMDAR signaling in dopamine neurons is not required for behavioral sensitization to AMPH. Conversely, removing NMDARs from MSNs that express the dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) significantly attenuated AMPH sensitization, and conditional, virus-mediated restoration of NR1 in D1R neurons in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of these animals rescued sensitization. Interestingly, sensitization could also be restored by virus-mediated inactivation of NR1 in all remaining neurons in the NAc of animals lacking NMDARs on D1R neurons, or by removing NMDARs from all MSNs. Taken together, these data indicate that unbalanced loss of NMDAR signaling in D1R MSNs alone prevents AMPH sensitization, whereas a balanced loss of NMDARs from both D1R and dopamine D2 receptor-expressing (D2R) MSNs is permissive for sensitization.
The effectiveness of platelet supplementation for the reversal of ticagrelor-induced inhibition of platelet aggregation: An in-vitro study

BACKGROUND Management of ticagrelor-induced bleeding is challenging, as no antidote is currently available. Platelet transfusion, usually proposed to reverse antiplatelet drugs, has been suggested to be ineffective but few data are available. OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of platelet supplementation to restore platelet aggregation inhibited by ticagrelor. DESIGN In vitro study. SETTING Blood samples were obtained from the French Blood Bank Institute. PARTICIPANTS Healthy blood donors. INTERVENTIONS Whole blood from healthy donors was spiked with ticagrelor or aspirin (used as a positive control). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Platelet aggregation was investigated with impedance aggregometry on whole blood [expressed in ohms (V)] and light transmission aggregometry (expressed in %) on platelet-rich plasma using ADP or arachidonic acid as agonists for ticagrelor or aspirin, respectively. Platelet supplementation was defined as the addition of washed platelet suspension increasing at least 60% of whole blood platelet count. RESULTS Ticagrelor (3.25 mM) inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation compared with control either in whole blood (2 vs. 13 V, P < 0.05) or in platelet-rich plasma (15 vs. 75% P < 0.05). Aspirin (25 mM) inhibited arachidonic acid-induced aggregation (1 vs. 7.5 V, P < 0.05 in whole blood and 5 vs. 77.5%, P = 0.01 in platelet-rich plasma). Platelet supplementation completely restored arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood (10 vs. 1 V, P = 0.008) and platelet-rich plasma (73 vs. 5%, P < 0.01) in aspirin-treated samples, whereas it failed to correct ADP-induced aggregation (2 vs. 2 V in whole blood and 13.5 vs. 15% in platelet-rich plasma, P > 0.05) in ticagrelor-treated samples. We also report a case of a ticagrelor-treated patient in whom platelet transfusion failed to restore ADP-induced platelet aggregation. CONCLUSION Platelet supplementation restored platelet aggregation in aspirin-spiked but not in ticagrelor-spiked samples. These results do not support the use of platelet transfusion to reverse the effects of ticagrelor.
Influence of materialism and money attitudes on credit card use

The purpose of the current research was to examine influence of materialism, money attitudes and demographics on credit card behaviour of Indian consumers. Data from 409 respondents was collected across six cities in India through a structured questionnaire. Materialism scale, money attitude scales and credit cards scales were adapted from earlier researches for the research. Materialism, money attitude scale and credit card scales get modified in Indian context. New factors for materialism, money attitudes and credit card use were identified. Indian consumers' credit card use behaviour is influenced by age, materialism and money attitudes. The findings can help credit card companies in positioning and segmenting decisions. They should educate consumers about credit card interest rates, redemption schemes and incentives. Men were represented more than women in sample. Gender influence may prove useful in understanding differences in credit card acquisition behaviour. Sample was collected only from credit card owners. Future research can examine attitudinal differences among credit card users and non-users.