Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathological characteristics of oestrogen receptor negative, progesterone receptor positive breast cancers: re-evaluating subsets within this group

Aims The presence of oestrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) in breast carcinoma is an important prognostic indicator as well as a predictor of likely response to hormonal treatment. Current ambiguity surrounds ER-negative (–)/PR-positive (+) breast cancer (BC) as to whether this phenotype exists as a distinct entity. The independent predictive value of PR for treatment considerations is also in question, as some investigators believe ER status to be the single most important therapeutic predictive factor in BC. We undertook this study to determine the existence of ER(–)/PR(+) BC and the prognostic effect, if any, of this phenotype. Methods We investigated 267 archival documented ER(–)/PR(+) BCs diagnosed between January 1994 and July 2009. Histological slides were retrieved and reviewed. Tissue microarrays were constructed by selecting two 1 mm cores of tumour per case. Repeat immunohistochemistry was performed for confirmation of the ER(–)/PR(+) status. Clinicopathological parameters including age, ethnicity, tumour size, histological grade, histological subtype, associated ductal carcinoma in situ, lymphovascular invasion and lymph node status were evaluated. Results On repeat immunohistochemistry, 92 tumours were confirmed as ER(–)/PR(+) BCs. This phenotype accounted for 1.1% of all BC phenotypes and exhibited different clinicopathological features and survival outcome when compared with other phenotypes. ER(–)/PR(+) tumours showed a trend for an early recurrence and poorer overall survival as compared with the patients with ER(+)/PR(+) tumours and similar to ER(–)/PR(–) tumours. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ER(–)/PR(+) BCs exist, although rare, with distinct pathological and clinical characteristics from patients with ER(+)/PR(+) BCs.
Intra-firm differentiation of compensation systems: evidence from US high-technology firms

While scholars have long recognised the influence of firm decisions on aspects of compensation (e.g. pay level and pay mix), prior compensation studies offer an ambiguous understanding regarding their scope. Some studies argue that firms customise compensation decisions according to employee groups, whereas others assume that firm compensation decisions apply uniformly throughout a firm. To address this research gap, the current study analyses pay levels and pay mixes for R&D employees and administrative employees in US high-technology firms. Our empirical analyses show that firms make distinct compensation decisions for these two job families, but these decisions are ultimately consistent. These findings highlight firms' intention to strike a balance between customising compensation systems according to employee groups and maintaining internal consistency. Our findings add interesting insights to the strategic HRM and talent management literatures, which claim that firms should differentiate among employees when designing HRM systems.
Emerging Issues for Cultural Tourism in Macau

Recent research on achieving sustainable heritage tourism in Macau advocates a greater collaboration between tourism and heritage management authorities and the local community on reaching sustainable tourism goals. A key theme for Macau in the last ten years has been how the tension between the proponents for greater casino development versus those for cultural heritage product development has played out in government policies for heritage management, private sector tourism development and host community concerns about heritage protection and achieving quality tourism. The indirect influence of the central government on Macau Special Administrative Region’s (SAR’s) policy development in relation to these topics in the last ten years will be discussed in this context using findings from three recent studies by the Institute For Tourism Studies (IFT) and background information collected on government policy and community views. This paper will outline emerging issues regarding demand, supply, and impacts of cultural tourism with reference to findings from four recent research projects. Special reference will be made to over-use and under-use issues, authenticity, and the management of tourism impacts while enhancing visitor experience. Strategic planning and management of cultural tourism products will also be touched upon.
Timely care for frail older people referred to hospital improves efficiency and reduces mortality without the need for extra resources.

BACKGROUND hospitals are under pressure to reduce waiting times and costs. One strategy that may be effective focuses on optimising the flow of emergency patients. OBJECTIVE we undertook a patient flow analysis of older emergency patients to identify and address delays in ensuring timely care, without additional resources. DESIGN prospective systems redesign study over 2 years. SETTING the Geriatric Medicine Directorate in an acute hospital (Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) with 1920 beds. SUBJECTS older patients admitted as emergencies. METHODS diagnostic patient flow analysis followed by a series of Plan Do Study Act cycles to test and implement changes by a multidisciplinary team using time series run charts. RESULTS 60% of patients aged 75+ years arrived in the Emergency Department during office hours, but two-thirds of the admissions to GM wards were outside office hours highlighting a major delay. Three changes were undertaken to address this, Discharge to Assess, Seven Day Working and the establishment of a Frailty Unit. Average bed occupancy fell by 20.4 beds (95% confidence interval (CI) -39.6 to -1.2, P = 0.037) for similar demand. The risk of hospital mortality also fell by 2.25% (before 11.4% (95% CI 10.4-12.4%), after 9.15% (95% CI 7.6-10.7%) which equates to a number needed to treat of 45 and a 19.7% reduction in relative risk of mortality. The risk of re-admission remained unchanged. CONCLUSION redesigning the system of care for older emergency patients led to reductions in bed occupancy and mortality without affecting re-admission rates or requiring additional resources.
Identifying the drivers behind housing preferences of first‐time owners

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a rare insight into the motivation behind first‐time buyers when looking to purchase their first home. The factors driving demand preferences for detached housing are constantly changing and difficult to measure, and often deemed to be a complex bundle of attributes.Design/methodology/approach – The research in this paper is based on interviews with purchasers at a series of locations across Melbourne, Australia, who were actively seeking to purchase a home for the first time. The data were analysed using factor analysis to identify the core decision criteria in a new house that were most sought after.Findings – The findings in this paper confirmed that “financial” issues accounted for approximately 30 percent of the actual decision by first‐time buyers to purchase housing, where decisions relating to the timing and choice of housing are dependent on “site‐specific” factors.Research limitations/implications – The research in this paper is aimed specificall.
Insuring the Agents: The Role of Directors' and Officers' Insurance in Corporate Governance

Holderness (1990) suggests that directors' and officers' (D&O) insurance has an important governance role in publicly owned companies. This article empirically tests Holderness's monitoring hypothesis by examining the association between board composition, managerial ownership, external shareholder control, and the purchase of D&O insurance for a sample of 366 companies in the United Kingdom. The results generally support the monitoring hypothesis. In large companies, where monitoring through external ownership is costly, D&O insurance and outside directors are utilized to monitor managers. In smaller companies, monitoring is more likely to be undertaken through internal and external ownership with less reliance on D&O insurance.
Exploring management accounting change: the case of balanced scorecard implementation

This longitudinal case study aims to further develop the accounting change model of Cobb, et al. (1995) by specifying the types of barrier which may hinder, delay or even prevent the process of management accounting change in practice. The focus will be on the balanced scorecard introduction in one case organisation. On the basis of an empirical study, the accounting change model was revised by dividing the barriers into three sub-categories, titled confusers, frustrators and delayers. The division of barriers into sub-categories seemed to make the recognition of their role in the change process easier, and facilitate the attempts to explain the change. The revised accounting change model also provides a potentially useful way to analyse the influencing forces of change at the early stages of a project. Seemingly, this deeper understanding of the change context could help organisations in their attempts to circumvent the barriers in practice.
The Markowitz model of utility supplemented with a small degree of probability distortion as an explanation of outcomes of Allais experiments over large and small payoffs and gambling on unlikely outcomes

We show that in principal only a small degree of probability distortion is necessary for agents to exhibit the Allais paradox. We also show that the choices observed in the Allais experiments employing small real payoffs cannot be explained by Cumulative Prospect Theory without the assumption of low degrees of probability distortion that rule out gambling at unfair odds on all but the most extreme longshots in CPT. Given these points we show that the Markowitz model of utility supplemented by a small degree of probability distortion can explain the majority choices involved Allais experiments and other experiments as well as gambling at actuarially unfair odds.
MiFID, Reg NMS and competition across trading venues in Europe and the USA

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate how markets in financial instruments directive (MiFID) and regulation national market system (Reg NMS) affect the competition for order flow among trading venues in, respectively, Europe and the USA. Design/methodology/approach - The paper examines the differences between MiFID and Reg NMS and provides, based on market microstructure principles, insights as to their likely impact on European and the US securities markets. Findings - Although MiFID and Reg NMS share the common objective of enhancing competition in securities markets, they adopt different provisions with respect to three issues that strongly influence the competition for order flow among trading venues. Specifically, some of the provisions set forth by the US regulation with respect to the best execution duty, the consolidation of market data and the disclosure of execution quality information appear to be more effective, compared to the European Union ones, in strengthening competition for order flow among trading venues. Research limitations/implications - Regulatory factors can only partly explain the current structure of the European and US securities markets. Technology and heterogeneity in traders' demand are other important factors that concur in shaping the European and US markets. Practical implications - The degree of competition for order flow among trading venues depends on how regulations define the best execution duty, the availability of updated and consolidated pre-trade (i.e. quotations) and post-trade (i.e. transactions) information and the efficiency of post-trading infrastructures. Originality/value - The paper addresses issues not yet investigated and provides valuable insights for financial intermediaries, incumbent and prospective exchanges as to the competition in the securities industry, and to regulators as to the likely impact of the new regulations.
Crop Diversification for Efficient Resource Management in India: Problems, Prospects and Policy

ABSTRACT Crop diversification is considered as an important tool for acceleration of agricultural growth in India by promoting food and nutritional security, income and employment generation, poverty alleviation, judicious use of natural resources and ecological management. Important factors determining crop diversification, pattern of crop diversification, and problems and prospects associated with crop diversification are discussed in this paper.
The diagnostic accuracy of cervico‐vaginal fetal fibronectin in predicting preterm delivery: an overview

The only factor remaining after the first two months was primiparity (Table 3). Therefore, I would agree with Barrett and colleagues that parity is of great importance. It may even be the case that some primiparous women who experience severe dyspareunia do not go on to have another pregnancy, thus reducing further the number of parous women who might otherwise complain of dyspareunia. I would like to see that professional interest in postnatal sexual health has been stimulated by our recent publications, and that further research will ensue.
Imaging the Nonlinear Ultrasonic Parameter of a Medium

A technique for imaging the nonlinear ultrasonic parameter B/A has been developed. The nonlinear parameter describes the dependence of ultrasonic velocity on pressure and may well provide a new and powerful tool for characterizing both biological and nonbiological media. Our approach is based on observing the interaction of two ultrasonic waves with different frequencies and power levels. A low frequency pump wave, with power level suitable for medical diagnosis (1 mW/cm2), is used to sinusoidally modulate the sound pressure over the region of interest. A much lower intensity high-frequency probe beam is propagated perpendicularly to the pump beam. The phase of the probe wave is modified in proportion to the integral of the product of the nonlinear parameter B/A and the pressure of the pump wave, which varies sinusoidally along the probe beam. This phase change provides a Fourier component of the distribution of the nonlinear parameter B/A for the spatial frequency corresponding to the inverse of the pump wavelength. By changing the frequency of the pump waves, the spatial frequency is changed and a set of spatial Fourier coefficients of the distribution of the nonlinear parameter B/A is obtained. An inverse operation then gives the one-dimensional image along the probe beam. If the probe beam is scanned mechanically, the entire cross-sectional image is obtained. Several images of the nonlinear parameter of biological objects were generated with our system. To our knowledge, these represent the first images of the nonlinear parameter to be reported in the literature. The nonlinear parameter of water was also measured and agreed well with values obtained by other techniques.
Stock price movement around the merger announcements: insider trading or market anticipation?

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to examine the stock price movements for existence of informed trading prior to a merger announcement for the companies listed on the emerging markets of India for the period from 1996 to 2010. Design/methodology/approach - – This study applies several event study methodologies and regression analyses to analyze the stock price movement surrounding a merger announcement. The paper divides mergers in two different types: industry merger cases and non-industry merger cases and in two different time periods: recession and boom. Findings - – The results show that the information held only by insiders’ works its way into prices. The paper finds strong evidence of insider trading in the case of industry mergers and mergers during recessions. Practical implications - – The results from this study have immediate policy implications for India and other developing markets as the paper provides the type of mergers and time periods when merger announcements are more susceptible to insider trading. Originality/value - – The paper extends the literature on mergers and insider trading by analyzing firms trading on a developing capital market, which, unlike the developed markets, is characterized by inadequate disclosure and a weaker enforcement of securities regulations. The results support this notion and recommend Indian securities market regulators to tighten the lax regulations. In addition, the author document the divergence in price reaction to the merger announcements for different types of mergers: industry mergers and non-industry mergers, as well as for mergers during different market conditions: recession vs booming capital markets.
Learning About Our Shameful Past: A Socio-Psychological Analysis of Present-Day Historical Narratives of Italian Colonial Wars

A computer-assisted content analysis (Bolasco 2000) of seven textbooks currently used for history teaching in Italian high schools was carried out to ex- amine to what extent past atrocities perpetrated during Italy’s African colonial wars are acknowledged and taught. More specifically, we investigated the relative importance these texts devote to teaching established historical facts or to achieve socio-psychological aims, such as advancing reconciliation processes and protecting the in-group’s social identity. Social psychologists working in the field of intergroup reconciliation usually consider these two aims as partially competing. The models reviewed by Nadler et al. (2008a) all consider the need to protect personal social identity as a source of biases, which the search for historical truth has to accommodate. In contrast, a recent work by Pratto and Glasford (2008) stresses that social identity can play a positive role as a powerful motivation for reconciliation. They suggest that acknowledging historical faults may assist the difficult process of finding a balance between the need for self-esteem and self-integrity and the need to belong. Our results seem to confirm certain aspects of the first group of models, and other aspects of Pratto and Glasford’s review. The crucial point seems to be the use of abstract or concrete terms to describe in-group wrongdoings. Strikingly, more than seventy years after the Italian colonial wars only three textbooks out of seven fully describe atrocities perpetrated by the in-group using clear, concrete terminology; this is consistent with the idea of a tension between reconciliation and justice. On the other hand, the more concrete descriptions, although less frequent, seem better able to protect the in-group’s self-integrity by showing their young readers a clearer acceptance of moral responsibility for the historical faults of their group.
Gini playing soccer

The level of income inequality in a European country influences the competitive balance of its major soccer leagues. We test this hypothesis using cointegration techniques for seven male professional soccer leagues (the Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Ukrainian soccer leagues) from the 1980/1981 season to the 2011/2012 season. Controlling for the level of income inequality using variables such as real GDP per capita, trade openness and the emigration rate, we conclude that income inequality (measured by the Gini index) causes changes in the measures of competitive balance that we employ (the Hirschman–Herfindahl index and the SD) concerning the final number of points scored by the various teams.
Education inequality in Ghana: gender and spatial dimensions

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to examine the nature and extent of gender and spatial inequalities in educational attainment in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses the education Gini coefficient, computed on the basis of years of schooling of individuals, to assess education inequality in Ghana. Findings – The paper finds evidence of gender and spatial inequality in education in Ghana. In particular, the three northern regions have lower education attainment as well as higher education Gini coefficients compared to the rest of the country. The paper finds evidence of intra-gender and intra-spatial inequalities in education attainment in Ghana, with females contributing proportionately more to the within-inequality component of the education Gini. The paper also finds a positive correlation between poverty incidence and education inequality. Research limitations/implications – The research finds a positive correlation between poverty incidence and education inequality but requires an econometric analysis to make inferences regarding causality. Practical implications – The findings call for the design and implementation of policies not only to address between-gender and spatial inequities in education in Ghana, but also to tackle within-gender and within-spatial inequalities. The positive correlation between poverty incidence and education inequality implies the need to create greater equity in educational opportunities across the country. Social implications – The need for changes in attitudes, values and cultural practices that put girls at a disadvantage when it comes to education. Originality/value – One important and new finding of the paper is the existence of intra-gender and intra-spatial inequalities in education attainment in Ghana, with females contributing proportionately more to the within-inequality component of the education Gini.
Acute Psychological Stress and Epinephrine Infusion in Normolipidemic and Hyperlipidemic Men: Effects on Plasma Lipid and Apoprotein Concentrations

This study examined whether psychological stress and the infusion of epinephrine increase plasma lipid and apoprotein concentrations in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic men.Subjects were studied during three separate 6-hour laboratory sessions: a control session, during which subjects rested quietly while blood samples and hemodynamic measurements were obtained; a stress session, during which subjects were presented with two challenging mental tasks, followed by quiet rest; and an epinephrine infusion session, during which subjects received a low-dose infusion of epinephrine followed by quiet rest. The stress and epinephrine infusion manipulations produced the expected changes in plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels, blood pressure, and heart rate. Free fatty acid concentration increased markedly during epinephrine infusion and less dramatically but consistently during mental stress. Both stress and epinephrine infusion produced acute increases in plasma total, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apoprotein B concentrations, but comparable increases during the control session were not observed. Changes in albumin concentration (an index of plasma volume) were associated with changes in lipid concentrations during psychological stress. Epinephrine increases during psychological stress were correlated with increases in free fatty acid and triglyceride levels both during and after task administration. It was concluded that psychological or pharmacological stress induced in the laboratory produces changes in lipid concentrations, which at least during psychological stress, may be attributed to concomitant changes in plasma volume. The association between task-induced changes in epinephrine and changes in free fatty acid and triglyceride levels, also supports the hypothesis that psychological stress increases lipolysis.