Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Menopausal symptoms in mid-life women in Southern China

Objectives To explore the prevalence of menopausal symptoms in Chinese women aged 40–65 years living in Guangdong province in southern China, and to investigate their care-seeking behavior. Design A cross-sectional population-based study performed in Guangdong province, PR China. Methods A total of 9939 women were selected by multistage cluster sampling. From November 2003 to July 2004, women were interviewed in person with a prepared questionnaire about symptoms experienced in the 2 months preceding the survey. The main outcome measurements were self-reported menopausal symptoms and related factors. Results The mean age of natural menopause was 48.9 years. The prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms were low. The three most prevalent symptoms were insomnia, joint and muscle pain, and dizziness (in 37.2%, 35.7%, and 31.5% of the sample, respectively). Hot flushes were experienced by 17.5% of women. The factors associated with the frequency of menopausal symptoms included profession, education, type of menopause and the presence of physical or emotional problems. Ever and current hormone replacement therapy usage was reported in 0.8% and 1.3% of women, respectively. Of the total study population, 28.9% had sought health care because of menopausal symptoms. Conclusions The prevalence of menopausal symptoms in southern Chinese women is low, and this is accompanied by low usage of hormone replacement therapy.
TETRACYCLINE TREATMENT FOR NON-SPECIFIC URETHRITIS

The conclusions, where pertinent, of the 10 papers on the treatment of non-specific urethritis which have appeared in the British Journal of Venereal Diseases between 1971 and now are reviewed. Recent studies purport to argue, but in fact assume, that tetracyclilne treatment for non-specific urethritis is both effective and desirable; current practice agrees with this assumption. To prove effectiveness, studies over much longer follow-up periods would be necessary. These studies should compare results not only of different methods and doses of tetracycline, of different regimens, and of different types of the drug; they should also compare results over a prolonged period with placebos and with other drugs, for instance those outside the antibiotic range and with no suspected side effects. Only then would it be reasonable to hold a firm view on the desirability or the effectiveness of the treatment. With patience and properly conducted experiments results may emerge to justify some view. At the moment the data are ill-assembled although voluminous and fail to support conclusions that have any clarity or force; moreover they are so haphazard that they cannot be compared with one another. Some venereologists are sceptical about treatment, some advocate the administration of one single dose, others say the four- or five-day regimen is preferable, and so on up to those who maintain that the 21-day regimen is the best. The coexistence of such mutually incompatible, firmly-held views may well suggest that the whole system of investigation put together to validate such views is quite inappropriate. That would be a radical thesis, and perhaps none the worse for that. What is not a radical thesis, however, is that at present the whole system of data and argument is in disarray.
Can Interactions between Financing and Investment Activities Have Dissimilar Effects on Inflation and Exchange Rates?

type="main" xml:lang="en"> I find that policies targeted at stabilizing exchange rates within the context of Nigeria's managed floating exchange rate regime have not allowed for direct inflation targeting. In spite of this constraint, which is predicted by and consistent with macroeconomic theory, however, interactions between financing and investment activities within the Nigerian economy have resulted in a decrease in inflation levels that is traceable to price substitution strategies facilitated by import-related activities. This decrease in inflation levels has been realized in spite of the fact that changes in the demand for investment financing have dissimilar effects on future realizations of inflation and exchange rates; that is, exacerbate policy constraints. My findings provide evidence that while the adoption of managed floating or hybrid exchange rate regimes renders direct inflation targeting difficult, the combination of exchange rate stability, price stability, and lower inflation levels (relative to some origin point) remains achievable in such economies.
Neoclassical, mainstream, orthodox, and heterodox economics

This paper discusses the concepts of neoclassical, mainstream, orthodox, and heterodox economics, distinguishing temporally more general and more specific concepts. The concept of mainstream economics is based on prestige and influence and includes ideas taught in prestigious schools. Although the current mainstream (neoclassical economics included) is clearly diverse, commonality in it is more controversial. Heterodox economics can be defined negatively, in opposition either to the orthodoxy or to the mainstream. The lack of consensus generates communication problems. Another possibility would be to define heterodox economics positively, but the result in the current period may be an empty set.
The Effects of Exporting and Importing on Two Dimensions of Economic Development: An Empirical Analysis

A new theoretical model is developed to explain these controversial relationships. The a priori model receives support from a structural equation analysis of data from 107 countries. Exports are found to have a direct positive effect on an economic dimension and a direct negative effect on basic needs. Imports are shown to have the opposite direct effects. Indirect and total effects also are explored.
Multiple interventions in a managerial accounting and financial management tutorial programme to enhance understanding

This paper emanates from a study which focused on Managerial Accounting and Financial Management (MAF) students’ experiences of learning in a Writing Intensive Tutorial (WIT) programme. Often students do not fully grasp the underlying disciplinary concepts and struggle to transfer knowledge from one context to another. The WIT programme was based on the principle of using informal exploratory writing – writing-to-learn – to support students’ learning and understanding of MAF concepts. The participants in the study were 15 MAF students who voluntarily participated in an 18-week WIT programme. Interactive Qualitative Analysis (IQA) was used for the research design and as a data analysis tool. Following IQA protocols, nine affinities (themes) were generated to describe students’ experiences of learning in the WIT programme. This paper considers the students’ experiences of the affinity “understanding” of MAF concepts. The findings suggest that introducing writing-to-learn assignments impacts positively on students’ experiences of understanding MAF concepts. A writing programme legitimises writing in a MAF classroom and uses techniques which enhance understanding of concepts, and the concomitant benefits are improved communication skills without sacrificing course content.
The Market Orientation of Internet Support Companies

ABSTRACT Several studies have expanded the work by Jaworski and Kohli (1993) by using their market orientation framework model and applying it to a variety of industries. The results of recent studies have uncovered moderate to strong relationships between the concepts of market orientation and organizational performance. Although there is a large body of research on the topic of market orientation, there is a gap pertaining to market orientation across organizations that comprise fast-paced environments such as those that exist within the Internet commerce environment. This study explores market orientation in the context of Web Hosting and Internet service providers to understand the impact market orientation can have on new and emerging industries. The study results indicate that market orientation is positively related to performance. Implications for theory construction and managerial practice are discussed.
Efficacy and safety of naltrexone and acamprosate in the treatment of alcohol dependence: a systematic review.

AIMS To ascertain the efficacy and safety of naltrexone and acamprosate in the treatment of alcohol dependence. METHODS Systematic review of the literature (1990-2002) and meta-analysis of full published randomized and controlled clinical trials assessing acamprosate or naltrexone therapy in alcohol dependence. Estimates of effect were calculated according to the fixed-effects model. MEASUREMENTS Relapse and abstinence rates, cumulative abstinence duration and treatment compliance were considered as primary outcomes. Findings Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Acamprosate was associated with a significant improvement in abstinence rate [odds ratio (OR): 1.88 (1.57, 2.25), P < 0.001] and days of cumulative abstinence [WMD: 26.55 (17.56, 36.54]. Short-term administration of naltrexone reduced the relapse rate significantly [OR: 0.62 (0.52, 0.75), P < 0.001], but was not associated with a significant modification in the abstinence rate [OR: 1.26 (0.97,1.64), P = 0.08]. There were insufficient data to ascertain naltrexone's efficacy over more prolonged periods. Acamprosate had a good safety pattern and was associated with a significant improvement in treatment compliance [OR: 1.29 (1.13,1.47), P < 0.001]. Naltrexone's side effects were more numerous, yet the drug was nevertheless tolerated acceptably without being associated with a lower adherence to treatment (OR: 0.94 (0.80, 1.1), P = 0.5). However, overall compliance was relatively low with both medications. CONCLUSIONS Both acamprosate and naltrexone are effective as adjuvant therapies for alcohol dependence in adults. Acamprosate appears to be especially useful in a therapeutic approach targeted at achieving abstinence, whereas naltrexone seems more indicated in programmes geared to controlled consumption. Both drugs are safe and acceptably tolerated but issues of compliance need to be addressed adequately to assure their usefulness in clinical practice.
Selected socio-economic factors affecting the willingness to minimise solid waste in Dhaka city, Bangladesh

This paper examines the factors that influence the waste generation and willingness to minimise solid waste in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Information on waste generation, willingness to minimise, socio-economic characteristics, and behaviour of the households towards solid waste management were obtained from interviews with 402 households in Dhaka city. Of these, 103 households regularly practised recycling activities. Ordinary least square (OLS) regression and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the dominant factors that might influence the waste generation and households’ willingness to minimise solid waste, respectively. The results found that the waste generation of the households in Dhaka city was significantly affected by environmental consciousness, income groups, particularly the middle-income earners, and willingness to separate. The significant factors for willingness to minimise solid waste were environmental consciousness, income groups particularly the middle-income earners, young adults mainly those aged between 25 to 35 years and storage facility. Establishment of a solid waste management programme could be an effective strategy for implementing sustainable waste management in Bangladesh. For this strategy to succeed, however, active partnership between the respondents and waste management service department is required. The respondents’ behaviour toward solid waste management practices should be taken into consideration, as should the results of this study, which are important indicators of respondents’ positive attitudes toward sustainable waste management in Dhaka city.
Significance of ultrasound features in predicting malignant solid thyroid nodules: need for fine-needle aspiration.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to provide sonographic and colour flow criteria helpful for differentiation between benign and malignant solid thyroid nodules. METHODS This prospective study was carried out at Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Karachi Pakistan from 01.05. 07 to 31.12. 08. Sonographic scans of 78 thyroid nodules in 66 patients were performed and characteristics of thyroid nodules that were studied included microcalcifications, an irregular or microlobulated margins, marked hypoechogenicity, a shape that was taller than it was wide and color flow pattern in Color Doppler ultrasound. The presence and absence of characteristics of nodules were classified as having positive or negative findings. If even one of these sonographic features was present, the nodule was classified as positive (malignant). If a nodule had none of the features described, it was classified as negative (benign). The final diagnosis of a lesion as benign (n = 53) or malignant (n = 25) was confirmed by fine needle aspiration biopsy, and patients who were proved to have benign lesions were followed-up for 6 months and malignant lesions which were proved on histopathology after FNA were subjected to surgery. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were then calculated on the basis of our proposed classification method. RESULTS Among 78 solid thyroid nodules 35 lesions were classified as positive considering the sonographic characteristics and 23 of them were proved to be malignant on histopatology. Out of 43 lesions which were classified as negative, 2 were proved to be malignant. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy based on our sonographic classification method were 93.8%, 66%, 56.1%, 95.9%, and 74.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION Ultrasound is valuable for identifying many malignant or potentially malignant thyroid nodules. No single ultrasound criterion is reliable in differentiating all benign from malignant thyroid nodules, but many US features aid in predicting the benign or malignant nature of a given nodule. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy should be performed on thyroid nodules classified as positive, regardless of palpability.
The Impossibility of Certain Types of Carmichael Numbers

Abstract. The proof of the existence of infinitely many Carmichael numbers depends heavily upon the study of the Carmichael lambda function . In this paper, we study which types of forms this quantity can and cannot take. In particular, for a Carmichael number m, we prove that this can never be of the form . Moreover, we prove that if this is of the form , then either or 127 and m is one of just eight possible values or else m is divisible by a Fermat prime that is not currently among the known Fermat primes.
Kuznets's hypothesis and the data constraint

Five decades ago, Simon Kuznets expressed an important hypothesis about the relationship between the degree of income inequality within a country and its level of economic development: the Kuznets's inverted-U hypothesis. The lack of longitudinal data has forced the use of cross-section or pooled datasets in order to draw conclusions about that relationship. In the present note we highlight the lack of international comparability of surveys where the measures of inequality are based, and we show two main findings: (1) data comparability goes on constituting a problem, particularly in what respects to the different welfare indicators used in national surveys, and (2) the procedure usually used to minimize the problem of noncomparability is likely to enforce the bias rather than to solve it.
Burying globally, acting locally: Control and co-option in nuclear waste management

Is nuclear waste disposal the Achilles heel of the global nuclear industry or its best opportunity for reinvention? The ‘industry in retreat’ thesis depicts nuclear elites and supporting policy institutions as limited by problems of local autonomy and public consultation. This paper outlines an alternative thesis, showing how nuclear boundary organizations seek to control the public, maximize their organizational discretion, and discursively manage the accountability and legitimacy deficits common to contemporary forms of governance. To illustrate the thesis I review the national programs for nuclear waste disposal in the USA, UK, Sweden, and Canada. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
Effect of Rosuvastatin on Hemoglobin Levels in Patients With Anemia and Low‐Grade Inflammation: A Post Hoc Analysis of the JUPITER Trial

1483 2011 51 1483-1487 T anemia of chronic disease (ACD) affects app­ roximately 3% of adults over age 65 and often occurs in patients with inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, and chronic infection. One of the primary mechanisms underlying ACD is a functional iron deficiency caused by immune­mediated changes in iron homeostasis. These changes are regulated by the peptide hormone hepcidin whose expression is increased during inflammation, infection, and iron overload but suppressed by anemia and hypoxia. High levels of circulating hepcidin create an iron­ restricted environment by decreasing intestinal abs­ orption of iron and preventing the release of iron stored in macrophages. Pharmacologic interventions that lower hepcidin levels could have therapeutic value in the treat­ ment of ACD. Both hepcidin and C­reactive protein (CRP) expression are thought to be induced by interleukin­6 (IL­6) during inflammation. In a phase III trial in rheumatoid arthritis patients, it was observed that patients treated with an experimental IL­6 receptor inhibitor plus methotrexate had lower CRP levels and increased hemoglobin concentra­ tions at 24 weeks relative to patients on placebo plus methotrexate. HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (stat­ ins) are also known to reduce CRP levels, possi­ bly through interference with the IL­6 signaling pathway. Therefore, it is possible that statins may also reduce hepcidin levels. This hypothesis is sup­ ported by a randomized study of 40 patients with end­stage renal disease which found that patients assigned to receive fluvastatin had lower serum levels of prohepcidin, a hepcidin precursor, than patients assigned to receive placebo. We hypothesized that in patients with ACD, stat­ ins would decrease hepcidin levels and raise hemo­ globin concentrations. We explored this hypothesis in a post hoc analysis of a large randomized, placebo­ controlled trial of rosuvastatin in patients with moder­ ate inflammation. We assessed the effects of ros u vastatin therapy on hemoglobin concentrations among patients with anemia at baseline.
Barriers to Boardrooms

Boardroom diversity policies link societal and corporate governance objectives. To understand whether they can meet both objectives, we argue one must understand why female directors are relatively underrepresented. We document that boardroom diversity is lower than most surveys suggest. We then show that across countries and US states there are more women in the director pool when more women work full time. However, working full-time may not be sufficient for women to make it to the top because of economic and cultural barriers. Our evidence suggests current boardroom diversity policies may be less effective when barriers to boardrooms are bigger.
How Long Do Economic Sanctions Last? Examining the Sanctioning Process through Duration

In this research we consider the determinants of economic sanction duration. Why do some sanction episodes last longer than others do? Why do some target states concede faster than others do? To explain the duration of sanction episodes we consider the target's institutional struture and its political stability We develop a theoretical framework based on the target's political features and apply this model to 108 sanction cases using hazard analysis. Our empirical findings indicate that the target state's features, especially its institutional structure and the politcal vulnerability of its regime, significantly impact the duration of sanction episodes.
Pharmacokinetics of amikacin in serum and in tissue contiguous with pressure sores in humans with spinal cord injury

Pressure sores are a common occurrence in immobilized patients. They increase morbidity and mortality and impede rehabilitation. Antibiotics are routinely used to assist in effecting a cure when infection is present. Nevertheless, for patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI), strategies for effective therapy with antibiotics based on measurement of concentrations in tissue and pharmacokinetic behavior in extravascular spaces do not exist. By analyzing the concentration-time profile and protein binding of amikacin in the interstitial fluid (IF) in contact with pressure sores, we found that the disposition of amikacin in the tissue contiguous with pressure sores appears to be governed by simultaneous first-order and capacity-limited pharmacokinetic behavior. Amikacin disposition in IF proceeded without a simple relationship to amikacin concentrations in serum, and the time course in IF was not accurately simulated by linear models of amikacin pharmacokinetic behavior. Total amikacin clearance estimated from a pharmacokinetic model using simultaneous first-order and nonlinear intercompartmental transfer of amikacin was not significantly different from clearance calculated by us in a prior study of amikacin pharmacokinetic behavior in patients with SCI. In patients with SCI, optimal use of amikacin in the treatment of infected pressure sores is contingent upon accurate characterization of the pharmacokinetic behavior of this aminoglycoside in serum and in the IF in contact with these lesions. Only methods which quantitate amikacin concentration and protein binding in IF and incorporate a model that can simultaneously simulate nonlinear and linear disposition processes should be relied upon to influence therapeutic decision making.
The Impact of Real Exchange Rate on Output and Inflation in Vietnam: A VAR approach

This paper examines the impact of the real depreciation on economic performance in Vietnam using VAR approach. The study shows that although the main sources of variance in output and price level are “own shocks”, innovations in the real exchange rate account for a higher proportion in the variation of output than that of price level. A real devaluation has positive impact on both output and inflation. The devaluation shock may affect inflation and output growth via raising money supply and improving trade balance. However, the real exchange rate changes do not have significant effect on output in the long run.
Papillary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Frequent Association With Human Papillomavirus Infection and Invasive Carcinoma

Papillary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncommon variant of SCC in the upper aerodigestive tract. It is most frequently located in the larynx, oropharynx, and sinonasal tract, and is more common in older men. Because of its complex exophytic papillary architecture, histologic assessment of underlying invasion can be challenging. Risk factors and pathogenesis are unclear. We reviewed 31 papillary SCCs of the upper aerodigestive tract seen at our institution over a 17-year period with respect to p16 immunoreactivity and human papillomavirus (HPV) status. Twelve papillary SCCs were associated with invasive SCC in their disease course. In our study, more than two-thirds of papillary SCCs in the upper aerodigestive tract were immunoreactive with antibody to p16 and 68% of those lesions had identifiable high-risk HPV by in situ hybridization. As with other HPV-associated SCCs of the upper aerodigestive tract, the majority of HPV-associated papillary SCCs are oropharyngeal (base of tongue and palatine tonsils), although both sinonasal and laryngeal tumors were also associated with infection (67% and 33% of cases, respectively). Given the better prognosis of HPV-associated SCCs of the upper aerodigestive tract, it may be prudent to report the p16 and HPV status of these tumors when they are encountered.