Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Missing data in alcohol clinical trials: a comparison of methods.

BACKGROUND The rate of participant attrition in alcohol clinical trials is often substantial and can cause significant issues with regard to the handling of missing data in statistical analyses of treatment effects. It is common for researchers to assume that missing data is indicative of participant relapse, and under that assumption, many researchers have relied on setting all missing values to the worst-case scenario for the outcome (e.g., missing = heavy drinking). This sort of single-imputation method has been criticized for producing biased results in other areas of clinical research, but has not been evaluated within the context of alcohol clinical trials, and many alcohol researchers continue to use the missing = heavy drinking assumption. METHODS Data from the COMBINE study, a multisite randomized clinical trial, were used to generate simulated situations of missing data under a variety of conditions and assumptions. We manipulated the sample size (n = 200, 500, and 1,000) and dropout rate (5, 10, 25, 30%) under 3 missing data assumptions (missing completely at random, missing at random, and missing not at random). We then examined the association between receiving naltrexone and heavy drinking during the first 10 weeks following treatment using 5 methods for treating missing data (complete case analysis [CCA], last observation carried forward [LOCF], missing = heavy drinking, multiple imputation [MI], and full information maximum likelihood [FIML]). RESULTS CCA, LOCF, and missing = heavy drinking produced the most biased naltrexone effect estimates and standard errors under conditions that are likely to exist in randomized clinical trials. MI and FIML produced the least biased naltrexone effect estimates and standard errors. CONCLUSIONS Assuming that missing = heavy drinking produces biased results of the treatment effect and should not be used to evaluate treatment effects in alcohol clinical trials.
Consumer Search: An Extended Framework

While consumer search behavior has been studied for many years, its treatment has been limited to purchase contexts. This article defines ongoing search as search occurring outside of the purchase process, and places it within an overall framework for consumer search. In addition, it presents results of an exploratory study of ongoing search indicating that recreational or hedonic motives for ongoing search are more significant than practical, informational motives. This study also shows that product involvement is strongly linked to ongoing search and that ongoing searchers appear to be important elements in the marketplace.
Using data-driven feature enrichment of text representation and ensemble technique for sentence-level polarity classification

As an important issue in sentiment analysis, sentence-level polarity classification plays a critical role in many opinion-mining applications such as opinion question answering, opinion retrieval and opinion summarization. Employing a supervised learning paradigm to train a classifier from sentences often faces the data sparseness problem owing to the short-length limit introduced to texts. In this article, regarding this problem, we exploit two different feature sets learned from external data sets as additional features to enrich data representation: one is a latent topic feature set obtained using a topic model, and the other is a related word feature set derived using word embeddings. Furthermore, we propose an ensemble approach by using these additional features to guide the design of different members of the ensemble. Experimental results on the public movie review dataset demonstrate that the enriched representations are effective for improving the performance of polarity classification, and the proposed ensemble approach can further improve the overall performance.
Determinants of Information Center Success

This paper examines determinants of information center (IC) success, defined as user satisfaction. The determinants are tested for their relationships to IC success and one another in order to evaluate which have a direct impact on success and which operate indirectly. Prior studies have not looked for relationships among factors, omitting potentially helpful information.Data were gathered from 151 users representing three organizations and were used to develop a model of IC success. The model is consistent with Anthony's levels of management activity in that the determinants correspond to specific levels of planning and control. The determinants and their corresponding management activity levels are as follows: IC role definition is associated with strategic planning, while management control encompasses a variety of services, staff infrastructure, and organizational commitment. Operational control, in the IC environment, is concerned with quality of user-developed applications, quality of individual staff, quality of services, facilitation of end-user computing, and user self-sufficiency.This model of IC success can guide researchers studying information centers and, especially, managers charged with establishing and operating information centers.
Numerical analysis of ballistic ultrathin graphene nanoribbon field effect transistors

We have employed a self-consistent solution of open-boundary Schrodinger equation based on the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism coupled to Poisson's equation in order to investigate some important characteristics of graphene nanoribbon FETs. Our simulations enable us to compare parameters such as Ion, Ioff and on/off current ratios as well as subthreshold swing and gm in different channel widths and channel lengths. Our results indicate that given the ability to fabricate perfectly patterned few-nanometers wide GNRs, these devices may be able to outperform the current silicon FETs.
[Shigellosis in Amsterdam, 1991-1998: incidence and results of contact tracing].

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of reported shigellosis in Amsterdam (1991-1998) and the factors related to the secondary attack rate of shigellosis. DESIGN Retrospective. METHODS From an automated data bank data were collected on all registered shigellosis patients in Amsterdam in the period 1991-1998, and their contacts found by contact tracing. RESULTS 567 Patients with shigellosis had been reported and a Shigella infection has been diagnosed in 96 of the 983 contacts. The annual incidence decreased statistically significantly from 13 to 8/100.000. 329 males and 334 females were infected. The highest number of cases was found in children from 0-4 years and among adults from 20-34 years. Of the 663 patients 106 (16%) required hospitalization; for children under 7 this proportion was 30% (32/108). Among the contacts (excluding the 14 contacts with the same foreign source and the same first sickness day as the index patient) the secondary attack rate was 8%. Young age, of both the patient and the contact was independently related to a higher secondary attack rate. CONCLUSION With contact tracing for shigellosis a large number of secondary infections were found. Given the high infection rate and large number of hospitalisations among children, contact tracing should focus at this young age group.
A comparative study of model transformation approaches through a systematic procedural framework and goal question metrics paradigm

Model Driven Engineering has become a key Software Engineering approach, which aims at improving the cost-effectiveness and reusability of software by capturing the essential semantics of systems in models. By means of model transformations, these models can be analysed, improved, and mapped to executable implementations in a variety of languages and platforms. A large number of different transformation languages and tools, ranging from graph theoretic to relational, hybrid and imperative exist across the research community. A key problem in the current state of Model Driven Engineering is the lack of guidelines and techniques for measuring or improving transformation quality. This thesis addresses this problem by defining a transformation quality framework based on the ISO/IEC 9126 international software quality standard. The framework is validated on different transformation languages using diverse case studies. The case studies highlight the problems with the specification and design of particular categories of model transformation, and provide challenging examples by which model transformation languages and approaches can be compared. The evaluation procedure provides clear guidelines for suitability of selected transformation approaches on specific transformation problem by identifying the advantage and disadvantage of each approach. keywords: Model Driven Engineering, Model Transformation, Quality Model, Metrics
Contingent Payment Mechanisms and Entrepreneurial Financing Decisions

We discuss how Contingent Payment Mechanisms (also known as Contingent Earn-Outs) enable of Entrepreneurial Financing decisions. First, we introduce a taxonomy of contingent payment mechanisms, by combining features regarding their term and amount. Second, we introduce each of these alternative mechanisms on a previously developed real options framework for analyzing Entrepreneurial Financing decisions, in which one wealth constrained Entrepreneur is looking for an external equity provider – taken as a Venture Capitalist – to support a given growth strategy. We conclude that different contingent payment mechanisms are equivalent in obtaining joint support from Entrepreneurs and Venture Capitalists regarding optimum investment timing and, therefore, that the choice on the optimum mechanism to use depends on variables which are exogenous to the model, such as liquidity preferences or constraints, timing requirements, post-deal integration or overall deal terms.
Relationship support activities, community commitment, and voluntary behaviour in online communities

While many practitioners and researchers have recognised the importance of the online community, there has been little empirical research that investigates how online communities effectively sustain their existence and maintain value for their members. The purpose of this study is to suggest online community voluntary behaviour (OCVB) as a critical behavioural outcome that an online community has to pursue from its members to ensure successful growth and existence, and to empirically examine the relationships among relationship building efforts, community commitment, and OCVB. We have tested a model using data collected from a total of 1514 members of an online community and confirmed that online community commitment is a key mediator between OCVB and relationship support activities. The results suggest that an online community's activities to support its members enhance members' commitment to the community and that the community commitment has an important influence on members' voluntary behaviour.
Neuroanatomical substrate of visuospatial and visuoperceptual impairment in Parkinson's disease

To determine magnetic resonance imaging patterns of gray matter (GM) atrophy underlying visuospatial and visuoperceptual impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD), we applied voxel‐based morphometry to 36 nondemented PD patients and correlated their whole brain GM density with performance on three visuospatial and visuoperceptual tests. In addition, group comparisons between patients and 20 healthy controls were also performed. Correlations between visuospatial performance and GM density were found in the superior parietal lobules and the superior occipital gyrus of PD patients. Poor performance on visuoperceptual tests was also found to be significantly associated with GM decreases in the fusiform, the parahippocampus, and the middle occipital gyrus. Finally, group comparisons between controls and patients showed widespread GM cortical reductions in PD, involving posterior temporal and parietal regions. Taken together, these findings suggest that visuospatial and visuoperceptual dysfunctions reflect structural GM changes in temporo‐parietal cortical regions of PD patients. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Periodic Homogenization of Nonlocal Operators with a Convolution-Type Kernel

The paper deals with homogenization problem for a non-local linear operator with a kernel of convolution type in a medium with a periodic structure. We consider the natural diffusive scaling of this operator and study the limit behaviour of the rescaled operators as the scaling parameter tends to 0. More precisely we show that in the topology of resolvent convergence the family of rescaled operators converges to a second order elliptic operator with constant coefficients. We also prove the convergence of the corresponding semigroups both in L2 space and the space of continuous functions, and show that for the related family of Markov processes the invariance principle holds.
Business model innovation in emerging markets : identifying common principles

With developed economies experiencing slow growth, multinational corporations (MNCs) in various industries are looking to tap into the enormous potential of emerging economies. By identifying emerging markets as future markets, MNCs can increase their market share and profits, and grow through a diversified strategy that focuses on unconventional markets and customers with unserved needs. However, MNCs entering these markets cannot succeed by simply transferring business models, products, and services developed for mature economies as the needs of the new consumers in emerging markets require innovative and non-traditional business models and approaches. The research question for this study is to investigate if and to what level MNCs have to adapt their business model when entering or expanding their operations to emerging markets. Therefore, research has been done on four MNCs across a diverse range of industries. For collecting data, the research made use of a qualitative case-study research approach and is based primarily on findings from four in-depth interviews with strategy or marketing experts from MNCs across industries. Further information was obtained through deep research on publicly available information about the company. The research aimed to identify similarities in the business model of successful pioneers and to analyse common principles that could be of use for other MNCs when planning to enter unknown emerging markets. The interviews were conducted personally, telephonically, and via email. In a next step, the interviews were transcribed and common themes were extracted and combined with findings from further research. For collecting and ordering the information, Osterwalder & Pigneur’s (2010) business model canvas was applied. Finally, the findings were grouped, formulated and compared to existing literature in order to identify similarities, common principles or differences for new output propositions. The primary finding of the research was that specific factors, such as the difference in market conditions and environments, as well as in consumer preferences and needs, strongly influence the design of business models. A key differentiating factor was the choice between keeping traditional business models with a focus on global and centralized systems, processes, brands and products or designing business models that are adjusted or innovated to meet local market conditions and consumer trends. Another key finding was that a balanced portfolio of brands is a critical factor of success in emerging markets. To reach different market segments in emerging markets, MNCs need to offer mainstream as well as premium brands, all based on a strong brand identity and brand values. The partnership with local business partners and key stakeholders was identified as fundamental to be Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Can Brands Move in from the Outside? How Moral Identity Enhances Out-Group Brand Attitudes

Consumers tend to have more favorable attitudes for their in-group brands than their out-group brands. However, little is known regarding how brand managers can overcome consumers’ negative attitudes toward out-group brands. Drawing on the moral identity literature, the authors theorize that moral identity may enhance out-group (but not in-group) brand attitudes through decreased psychological distance. Four studies demonstrate that moral identity increases out-group brand attitudes. The authors also identify two important boundary conditions of this moral identity effect. These findings suggest that brand managers who want to overcome the less-than-favorable perceptions associated with out-group brands may benefit from drawing on consumers’ moral identity in marketing communications. Theoretically, this research establishes that moral identity extends beyond prosocial behaviors to influence marketplace judgments (i.e., brand attitudes and categorization).
A 17q24.3 duplication identified in a large Chinese family with brachydactyly‐anonychia

Brachydactyly (BD) is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by shortness of the fingers and/or toes, which has been classified into the subtypes A–E. However, the exact cause and mechanism of BD remain to be illuminated. Here, we aim to reveal the clinical and genetic characteristics of a subtype of BD, brachydactyly‐anonychia.
Outcome of poor response paediatric AML using early SCT

Children with poor response acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) generally have a very poor outcome. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is often recommended for these children but the benefit is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate survival for poor response AML patients treated with SCT.
Exploring Utility, Attitude, Intention to Use, Satisfaction, and Loyalty in B2C/P2P Car-Sharing Economy

The sharing economy, facilitated by technology and social media, has grown rapidly across the world. The sharing economy is still in a fledgling phase, so relatively little research has been carried out on it. By classifying the existing and potential users, the purpose of the study is to investigate effects of perceptions on utilities, attitude, satisfaction, loyalty, and intention to use for both cases of B2C and P2P car-sharing. Study 1 examines the effects of the level of utility related to the levels of satisfaction and loyalty to existing users and intentions to use and expected satisfaction to potential users of B2C car-sharing, while Study 2 investigates the effects of their intention and levels of expected satisfaction to potential users of P2P car-sharing. This study collected the data via online and offline survey and applied statistical analyses including factor analysis, regression analysis, and ANOVA. The results revealed that the effect of perceived utilities on attitude differ for existing and potential users, and also for cases of B2C and P2P car-sharing. The findings of this study have provided managerial, theoretical, and policy implications.
IMPACT OF WIKIPEDIA ON MARKET INFORMATION

In this paper, we seek to determine whether a typical social media platform, Wikipedia, improves the information environment for investors in the financial market. Our theoretical lens leads us to expect that information aggregation about public companies on Wikipedia may influence how management’s voluntary information disclosure reacts to market uncertainty with respect to investors’ information about these companies. Our empirical analysis is based on a unique data set collected from financial records, management disclosure records, news article coverage, and a Wikipedia modification history of public companies. On the supply side of information, we find that information aggregation on Wikipedia can moderate the timing of managers’ voluntary disclosure of companies’ earnings disappointments, or bad news. On the demand side of information, we find that Wikipedia’s information aggregation moderates investors’ negative reaction to bad news. Taken together, these findings support the view that Wikipedia improves the information environment in the financial market and underscore the value of information aggregation through the use of information technology.
Development and testing of a business process orientation model to improve employee and organizational performance

This study developed and tested a business process orientation model to improve employee and organizational performance. The research team developed the model on the basis of theoretical background. Factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques were used to test the model. The research team used a structured questionnaire to collect data from employees of private sector banks in Pakistan using the stratified sampling method. The sample size of the study was 350, with a response rate of 17%. The research team used SPSS 15.0 to check the one-to-one relationship between the variables in the model using the simple linear regression method. Furthermore, the research team used virtual partial least squares (VPLS) 1.04 to test the model on a single run. The findings validated the proposed relationships between the variables in the model. The conclusion of the study was that business process orientation had a significant impact on employee and organizational performance. Thus, a process orientation in business, eliminating inefficiencies and supplementing innovation, was strongly recommended. Key words: Business process orientation, business process innovation, business process efficiency, employee performance, organizational performance.
Can Routine Histopathology Distinguish Between Vulvar Cutaneous Candidosis and Dermatophytosis?

Objectives This study aimed to determine if vulvar cutaneous candidosis and dermatophytosis can be distinguished by routine histopathology. Materials and Methods Twenty-four cases of periodic acid-Schiff–stained vulvar biopsies with a diagnosis of cutaneous mycosis were reviewed and histopathological characteristics on both periodic acid-Schiff and hematoxylin and eosin were recorded. Data were collected on age, clinical impression, microbiological results, and treatment, and all specimens underwent multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results The mean age was 60 years, and all but 3 women had at least 1 risk factor for mycosis including 15 (62.5%) with lichen sclerosus and/or planus managed with topical corticosteroids. A clinical suspicion of tinea or candidosis was documented in 12 (50%) of the cases. Vulvovaginal swabs showed Candida species in 9 women; one skin scraping was positive for Trichophyton rubrum. Microbiology was not obtained in 8 patients, 5 had a negative swab, and 1 had negative skin scrapings. No histopathological or morphological features distinguished Candida species from dermatophytes. Organisms appeared as basophilic structures in the stratum corneum in 15 (62.5%) hematoxylin and eosin–stained slides. Polymerase chain reaction results were positive for Candida species in 5 (21%) and for dermatophytes in 3 (13%), negative in 13, and unassessable in 3 cases. Conclusions Vulvar cutaneous candidosis and dermatophytosis cannot be reliably distinguished by routine histopathology or specific polymerase chain reaction. A high index of suspicion combined with adequate microbiological testing remains the best approach to differentiating between the 2, which impacts on counseling, treatment, and prognosis.