Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF INFLAMMATION IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF PROSTATE CANCER?

1 Herget EJ, Saliken JC, Donnelly BJ, Gray RR, Wiseman D, Brunet G. Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the prostate: relation between ASA use and bleeding complications. Can Assoc Radiol J 1999; 50 : 173–6 2 Connor SE, Wingate JP. Management of patients treated with aspirin or warfarin and evaluation of haemostasis prior to prostatic biopsy: a survey of current practice amongst radiologists and urologists. Clin Radiol 1999; 54 : 598–603 3 Ala-Opas MY, Gronlund SS. Blood loss in long-term aspirin users undergoing transurethral prostatectomy. Scand J Urol Nephrol 1996; 30 : 203–6 4 Nielsen JD, Holm-Nielsen A, Jespersen J, Vinther CC, Settgast IW, Gram J. The effect of low dose acetylsalicylic acid on bleeding after transurethral prostatectomy – a prospective, randomized double blind, placebocontrolled study. Scan J Urol Nephrol 2000; 34 : 194–8 5 Enver MK, Hoh I, Chinegwundoh FI. The management of aspirin in transurethral prostatectomy: current practice in the UK. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2006; 88 : 280–3 6 Fijnheer R, Urbanus RT, Nieuwenhuis HK. [Withdrawing the use of acetylsalicylic acid prior to an operation usually not necessary]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2003; 147 : 21–5 7 Burger W, Chemnitius JM, Kneissl GD, Rucker G. Low-dose aspirin for secondary cardiovascular prevention – cardiovascular risks after its perioperative withdrawal versus bleeding risks with its continuation – review and meta-analysis. J Intern Med 2005; 257 : 399–414 8 Weightman WM, Gibbs NM, Weidmann CR et al. The effect of preoperative aspirin-free interval on red blood cell transfusion requirements in cardiac surgical patients. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2002; 16 : 54–8
SERVQUAL: A tool for measuring patients' opinions of hospital service quality in Hong Kong

Abstract The service quality measurement scale (SERVQUAL) has been widely used in research to measure quality of service. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the use of SERVQUAL for measuring patients' perceptions of health care quality in Hong Kong. The paper also examines the validity, reliability and predictive validity of SERVQUAL and analyzes its applicability to the health care sector in Hong Kong. The results indicate that SERVQUAL appears to be a consistent and reliable scale to measure health care service quality. However, the proposed five dimensions of SERVQUAL are not confirmed. The results also indicate that perceived health care service performance generally falls short of expectations except in the physical elements of service quality. Timely, professional and competent services are what patients expect from health care providers.
Management succession: a case for Chinese family‐owned business

Research on the issues of management succession in Chinese family business should have a significant impact to the survival of small‐ to medium‐sized manufacturing enterprise (SME) in Hong Kong. One overlooked area in the study of SME is the continuity issue of management succession from one generation to the next generation in family‐owned businesses. The major emphasis is to delineate the difficulties, which the second‐generation owners encounter, in managing family businesses and propose a tripartite model for the second‐generation owners of SME to adopt in enhancing their abilities and re‐invent their family businesses to compete in the information age.
Regulation of Neuroendocrine Exocytosis by the ARF6 GTPase-activating Protein GIT1*

Neuroendocrine cells release hormones and neuropeptides by exocytosis, a highly regulated process in which secretory granules fuse with the plasma membrane to release their contents in response to a calcium trigger. Using chromaffin and PC12 cells, we have recently described that the granule-associated GTPase ARF6 plays a crucial role in exocytosis by activating phospholipase D1 at the plasma membrane and, presumably, promoting the fusion reaction between the two membrane bilayers. ARF6 is activated by the nucleotide exchange factor ARNO following docking of granules to the plasma membrane. We show here that GIT1, a GTPase-activating protein stimulating GTP hydrolysis on ARF6, is the second molecular partner that turns over the GDP/GTP cycle of ARF6 during cell stimulation. Western blot and immunofluorescence experiments indicated that GIT1 is cytosolic in resting cells but is recruited to the plasma membrane in stimulated cells, where it co-localizes with ARF6 at the granule docking sites. Over-expression of wild-type GIT1 inhibits growth hormone secretion from PC12 cells; this inhibitory effect was not observed in cells expressing a GIT1 mutant impaired in its ARF-GTPase-activating protein (GAP) activity or in cells expressing other ARF6-GAPs. Conversely reduction of GIT1 by RNA interference increased the exocytotic activity. Using a real time assay for individual chromaffin cells, we found that microinjection of GIT1 strongly reduced the number of exocytotic events. These results provide the first evidence that GIT1 plays a function in calcium-regulated exocytosis in neuroendocrine cells. We propose that GIT1 represents part of the pathway that inactivates ARF6-dependent reactions and thereby negatively regulates and/or terminates exocytotic release.
Enhancing Performance: Examining the Role Played by High Performance Work System

The aim of this study is to examine the role of high performance work system (HPWS) in increasing performance of the employees. It further explores the mediating role played by organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and organizational commitment in HPWS and performance relationship. A purposive sample of 330 respondents from telecom sector of Pakistan is selected for the study. The results reveal the fact that HPWS has a strong positive impact on performance. The hypothesized mediating roles of organizational commitment and organizational OCB are also partially supported. Implications and future research are also discussed.
Returns to Stardom: Evidence From U.S. Major League Soccer

This study examines the wage determination of professional soccer players in the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS). In particular, the authors focus on the superstar effects of the league’s top athletes. Given the structure of the league, the MLS-designated player rule and all-star game participation provide unique measures of superstar status unattainable in existing studies. We find evidence of a superstar premium both on average and among the league’s top earners.
THE MEASUREMENT OF GLOBALISATION USING INTERNATIONAL INPUT-OUTPUT TABLES

One of the distinctive characteristics of the current globalisation process is the emergence of global value chains. Within global value chains and international production networks, not only are final goods traded internationally, but intermediate goods (parts and components) and, in recent years, services also increasingly are. This trend significantly alters the economic relations between countries and increasingly casts doubt on empirical indicators such as trade and FDI that are traditionally used to measure globalisation. Input-output tables may provide much finer detail in describing current globalisation as they offer information on the use of goods instead of the rather arbitrary classification schemes that divide goods into intermediate and other categories. Moreover, input-output tables also incorporate information on the use of services, enabling measurement of the increasing offshoring of service activities in today's business activities. Based on the OECD Input-Output Database, which includes harmonised tables for 38 countries (of which 10 emerging non-OECD economies), this paper brings together empirical evidence on the growing importance of global value chains and the increasing interdependence between countries. Input-output indicators are presented for individual countries and individual industries, aiming to demonstrate the changing characteristics of current globalisation.
Privileged Antigen Presentation in Splenic B Cell Follicles Maximizes T Cell Responses in Prime-Boost Vaccination

Effector T cells (TEFF) are a barrier to booster vaccination because they can rapidly kill Ag-bearing APCs before memory T cells are engaged. We report in this study that i.v. delivery of rhabdoviral vectors leads to direct infection of follicular B cells in the spleen, where the earliest evidence of secondary T cell responses was observed. This allows booster immunizations to rapidly expand CD8+ central memory T cells (TCM) during the acute phase of the primary response that is dominated by TEFF. Interestingly, although the ablation of B cells before boosting with rhabdoviral vectors diminishes the expansion of memory T cells, B cells do not present Ags directly. Instead, depletion of CD11c+ dendritic cells abrogates secondary T cell expansion, suggesting that virus-infected follicular B cells may function as an Ag source for local DCs to subsequently capture and present the Ag. Because TCM are located within B cell follicles in the spleen whereas TEFF cannot traffic through follicular regions, Ag production and presentation by follicular APCs represent a unique mechanism to secure engagement of TCM during an ongoing effector response. Our data offer insights into novel strategies for rapid expansion of CD8+ T cells using prime-boost vaccines by targeting privileged sites for Ag presentation.
Information Technology Outsourcing by State Governments in Australia

Outsourcing of IT services is being undertaken at a rapid rate within the public sector in Australia. This paper investigates the adoption of this practice by a sample of state government enterprises and departments from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales which have tendered long-term IT outsourcing contracts. The motivation, decision-making process and extent of outsourcing are examined in further detail. In addition, the tendering process, contract and risk management are investigated to determine whether consideration has been given to the full economic costs involved in entering into longer term contracts.
Mechanism of the process formation; podocytes vs. neurons

In this review article we discuss the common mechanism for cellular process formation. Besides the podocyte, the mechanism of process formation, including cytoskeletal organization and signal transduction, etc., has been studied using neurons and glias as model systems. There has been an accumulation of data showing common cell biological features of the podocyte and the neuron: 1) Both cells possess long and short cell processes equipped with highly organized cytoskeletal systems; 2) Both show cytoskeletal segregation; microtubules (MTs) and intermediate filaments (IFs) in podocyte primary processes and in neurites, while actin filaments (AFs) are abundant in podocyte foot processes in neuronal synaptic regions; 3) In both cells, process formation is mechanically dependent on MTs, whose assembly is regulated by various microtubule‐ associated proteins (MAPs); 4) In both cells, process formation is positively regulated by PP2A, a Ser/Thr protein phosphatase; 5) In both cells, process formation is accelerated by laminin, an extracellular matrix protein. In addition, recent data from our and other laboratories have shown that podocyte processes share many features with neuronal dendrites: 1) Podocyte processes and neuronal dendrites possess MTs with mixed polarity, namely, plus‐end‐distal and minus‐end‐distal MTs coexist in these processes; 2) To establish the mixed polarity of MTs, both express CHO1/MKLP1, a kinesin‐related motor protein, and when its expression is inhibited formation of both podocyte processes and neuronal dendrites is abolished; 3) The elongation of both podocyte processes and neuronal dendrites is supported by rab8‐regulated basolateral‐type membrane transport; 4) Both podocyte processes and neuronal dendrites express synaptopodin, an actin‐associated protein, in a development‐dependent manner; interestingly, in both cells, synaptopodin is localized not in the main shaft of processes but in thin short projections from the main shaft. We propose that the podocyte process and the neuronal dendrite share many features, while the neuronal axon should be thought of as an exceptionally differentiated cellular process. Microsc. Res. Tech. 57:217–223, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The implementation and application of the business excellence model in SMEs

This paper reports two case studies of the use of the business excellence model (BEM) in two small‐ to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) which entered the 1999 East of England Excellence (EEE) regional Quality Award. The experiences of these organisations will be discussed highlighting their journey towards the adoption of the BEM and eventual entry to the EEE quality award. The studies were undertaken to broaden the understanding of the use of the BEM in SMEs where accounts within this sector of industry and commerce are not widely reported. Although the two organisations that took part in the research are different, one being in the manufacturing sector and the other a public service provider, the studies reveal many commonalities in their approach and adoption of the BEM and eventual entry to the EEE quality award.
On-the-job training in Europe: Determinants and wage returns

Using data from the European Community Household Panel on six coun- tries over the period 1995-2001, this article investigates the determinants of workers' participation in training activities and the effects of training on wages. Based on meas- ures of four distinct training types, the authors find that while OLS estimates yield significant wage returns to training for nearly all of the countries, fixed-effects esti- mations show returns to be not statistically different from zero. This suggests that wage returns to training might be overstated due to failure to take adequate account of the correlation of training with confounding factors that affect wages. he profound technological change that industrialized countries have under- T gone in recent years has revived the debate on the significance of on-the- job training. Such training is supposed to ensure that workers' qualifications are continuously brought up to date and adapted to the specific needs of the econ- omy. Its effects, however, are actually wide-ranging. From a socio-economic per- spective, on-the-job training has positive effects on aggregate productivity and, to the extent that it benefits low-skilled and low-wage workers, it also improves income distribution. From the workers' point of view, on-the-job training reduces the risk of unemployment, improves the prospects for job stability and potentially yields wage increases. And from the perspective of firms, it dimin- ishes the probability of workers quitting, either because the training is firm-spe- cific (Becker, 1962) or because market imperfections (asymmetric information) make it difficult for workers to obtain higher returns in other firms (Acemoglu and Pischke, 1999a). This article investigates three questions about training in the European Union. First, who gets training and what type? Answering this calls for examin- ation of the characteristics of workers, jobs and firms that raise the probability
End of the line for " third-generation-pill " controversy ?

are illustrated by the . 1996 NEJM editorial by JoAnn Manson and Gerald Faich. The NEJM policy is to refuse to publish editorials and reviews if authors have "any financial connection with a Company that benefits from a drug or device discussed". Angell and Kassirer, for the NEJM, claimed that they "did not appreciate until it was too late . that Dr Manson and Dr Faich had both been paid consultants for companies that stood to gain" from an anti-obesity drug that they were writing about. The editors argued that this "violation" of their editorial policy was "disturbing" and raised "troubling questions". Manson and Faich replied that the events under scrutiny were due simply to "a series of misunderstandings" between authors and editors. Manson describes her ordeal further in the current issue οι Epidemiology," where she notes that in the NEJM editorial,
Do Regulators Respond to Voluntary Pollution Control Efforts? A Count Data Analysis

This article addresses whether environmental regulators are responsive to voluntary environmental behavior. Mixed results are obtained. In two of four frequently inspected manufacturing industries, state regulators do indeed undertake fewer current inspections at those plants that report lower per unit output Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) chemical releases. Moreover, regulated pollutant releases and statutory compliance history also influence inspection activity. Finally, in the pulp and paper industry, plants that account for a larger share of state manufacturing employment are inspected less frequently. In other sectors, this appears not to be the case. (JEL K32, L51, Q21)
Government on the Silver Screen: Contemporary American Cinema's Depiction of Bureaucrats, Police Officers, and Soldiers

Abstract Movies continue to be the most accessible art form to Americans and that reach allows films to have a tremendous effect on moviegoers. With more than a billion movie tickets sold annually in the United States, the ability of movies to influence the perceptions of moviegoers is pronounced. Frequently, the government is part of those depictions. Although film is routinely studied in a host of disciplines, a focus on the portrayal of government generally and government officials more specifically, remains elusive. Instead of using a case-study approach, we examine recent, popular films to investigate how government is portrayed generally and how individual governmental characters are depicted. For our sample, we use the top-10 box office grossing films from 2000 to 2009 to assess how government is depicted in the films most likely seen by the majority of movie-watching Americans. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we found that films generally have a mixed view of government with more negative depictions than positive. However, in examining bureaucrats, police officers, soldiers, and politicians, we found a much more positive depiction of these individual government characters. Americans may view government negatively, but in film they see positive depictions of individual civil servants.
Prospective study of treatment outcome of implant retained mandibular overdenture: Two years follow-up

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment outcome of immediately loaded Implants in the interforaminal region of anterior mandible. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 completely edentulous patients aged between 50 and 70 years were selected satisfying certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two implants were placed in 33 and 43 region (B and D location) and the implants were loaded immediately by mandibular overdenture retained with O-ring attachments. The implants were evaluated for various clinical parameters at 6 months, 1 year, 1.5 years, and 2 years intervals after initial placement. Results: There was increased marginal bone loss around implants during the 1st year after that the bone loss was insignificant. Clinical stability of immediately loaded implants was lower initially for 6 months, but improved by the end of 1st year. Survival rate for immediately loaded implants was 96.6% at the end of the period of study. Conclusion: Immediate loading of interforaminal mandibular implants demonstrated a highly acceptable clinical success at the end of 2 years. However, initially the marginal bone level and clinical stability were significantly lower which showed improvement with time.
Vertical Integration, Appropriable Rents, and the Competitive Contracting Process

The potential of post-contractural apportunistic behavior for improving market efficiency through intrafirm rather than interfirm transactions is examined under the assumption that vertical costs will increase less than contracting costs as specialized assets and appropriable quasi rents increase. Vertical integration protects against the risk of contract cancellation and can create market power which is not generally referred to as monopoly. Contracts used as a alternative provide economically enforceable protection against opportunistic behavior. Solutions to opportunistic behavior problems can include joint ownership of common assets and condominium ownership of services. Economies of scale are major factors in some businesses, such as insurance. The complexities of ownership relations makes it difficult to assign higher costs to either the contract or vertical-integration approach. This suggests that economic analysis should be used to identify which is most advantageous for specific kinds of activities.
Essays in occupational social class and status in post-Soviet Russia

Essays on Occupational Social Class and Status in Post-Soviet Russia Alexey Bessudnov, St Antony’s College Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Hilary Term 2011 The aim of this thesis is to explore several aspects of occupation-based inequality in post-Soviet Russia that have previously been given little attention in the literature. The data sources for statistical analysis are the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) and the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP). Various statistical techniques have been used, such as regression models with random and fixed effects, nonparametric and semiparametric regression models, survival models and log-multiplicative models for contingency tables. First, the thesis looks at the validity of the application of the European SocioEconomic Classification (ESeC) in Russia. The results show that ESeC classes in Russia are different in respect to several aspects of their employment contract, such as the probability of informal employment, the index of fringe benefits and unemployment risks. This confirms the validity of the ESeC for Russia. Second, the association between earnings and age is analyzed. The shape of cross-sectional age-earnings profiles in Russia is different from the shape in Western countries, especially for men. There is little variation in earnings across age groups, and younger men have higher average earnings than older men. The thesis suggests and discusses several explanations for this, such as age segregation in the labour market and the effect of class structure. Third, the thesis explores the class gap in mortality. Non-manual classes have lower mortality risks than manual classes, both for men and women. The size of the class gap in mortality in Russia is larger than in Western European countries. Fourth, the thesis constructs an occupational status scale and analyzes its properties. The scale is based on the information about intermarriages between occupational groups. The Russian scale is similar to the scales previously constructed for European countries and the USA. Overall, the thesis demonstrates similarity in the patterns of occupation-based inequality in Russia and in Western industrial countries. It also discusses some technical aspects of class analysis and suggests a more clear separation between the descriptive and causal logic within it.