Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Efficacy of Nucleoside/Nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors in Combination with Efavirenz: Results of a Systematic Overview

Abstract Background: Many trials of antiretroviral therapy in treatment-naïve subjects have investigated the relative efficacy of the third drug in a treatment regimen. However, the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) components may also affect efficacy. Method: A systematic overview of clinical trials studying initial treatment in naïve subjects receiving efavirenz-containing regimens and providing week 48 time to loss of virologic response (TLOVR) results was undertaken to compare results with different NRTI combinations. Results: Seven trials studying 3,807 subjects were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Baseline characteristics were similar across studies. Using the week 48 TLOVR results as the primary method of comparison, combinations of tenofovir and lamivudine or emtricitabine appeared to provide improved virologic responses. Similar results were obtained when the proportions of subjects with plasma HIV RNA levels <50 copies/mL were examined.
The Interactions between the Investment, Financing, and Dividend Decisions of Major U.S. Firms

This paper uses 114 responses to a June 1988 mail questionnaire survey of the financial managers of the 1,000 largest U.S. firms to examine Modigliani and Miller's “separation principle”. The opinions of practicing financial managers were found to be consistent with Modigliani and Miller as well as with the work of other empirical researchers. Almost without exception, the direction of causality between investment and financing decisions was found to run from the former to the latter, and dividend decisions were found to be driven by profits and prior year's dividends rather than by the firm's investment and financing actions. Clearly, the beliefs of practicing financial managers seem to reflect acceptance of Modigliani and Miller's “separation principle. ”
Preliminary Evidence on the Association between Critical Thinking and Performance in Principles of Accounting

This study tests whether critical‐thinking skills can help explain the cross‐sectional variation in student performance in principles of accounting. Prior research has used such measures as academic aptitude and demographic factors to explain performance in the principles of accounting class. We argue that success in principles of accounting also requires critical‐thinking skills. We measured critical‐thinking skills by using a holistic scoring process to evaluate student essays. Our results show that even after controlling for academic aptitude, our measure of critical‐thinking skills contributes significantly to explaining the cross‐sectional variation in student performance in an accounting principles class. Understanding the relationship between critical thinking and success in accounting may contribute not only to reducing the failure rate in principles of accounting, but also to encouraging an emphasis on critical thinking in the preparation of accounting professionals.
The Mediating Role of Knowledge Acquisition on the Relationship between External Social Capital and Innovativeness

In this paper we analyse how external social capital affects innovativeness through knowledge acquisition. Specifically, we test the effect of density, trust and cognitive proximity on the innovativeness of firms and the mediating role of external knowledge acquisition to explain these relationships. We focus our empirical study upon the footwear industry in Spain, using partial least squares to test the proposed hypotheses. The main contribution of this study is to demonstrate how knowledge acquisition leads the firm's external social capital to innovativeness.
China's Transition and Feminist Economics

Abstract Since 1978 China has been undergoing transition from a socialist to a capitalist economy and the opening up to international trade and investment. This process has been accelerated by WTO membership. This article presents an overview of the gendered processes and outcomes associated with China's reforms, mainly focusing on the post-1992 period when the pace of reforms accelerated. The imperative for accumulation and efficiency has resulted not only in impressive growth but also in the weakening of land rights for women, disproportionate layoffs for women workers in state enterprises, rising gender disparities in urban and rural wage employment, growing income insecurity, declining access to healthcare, and the adoption of Western/global commodified beauty standards. While jobs are expanding in new sectors and foreign-invested enterprises, these jobs are often associated with poor working conditions. This volume argues for reprioritizing equity and welfare on the policy agenda.
British Association of Dermatologists’ guidelines for biologic interventions for psoriasis 2009

St John’s Institute of Dermatology, King’s College London and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London SE1 9RT U.K. *Department of Dermatology, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport NP20 2UB, U.K. Department of Dermatology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT, U.K. The Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal Hospital, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M6 8HD, U.K. §Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance, PO Box 111, St Albans AL2 3JQ, U.K. –Department of Dermatology, Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, U.K. **Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath BA1 1RL, U.K. Department of Dermatology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast BT9 7AB, U.K. Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, U.K. §§Department of Dermatology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB9 2ZB, U.K.
Performance improvement through supply chain collaboration in Europe

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the relationship between supply chain (SC) collaboration and performance improvement.Design/methodology/approach – In keeping with the extant literature, hypotheses were developed incorporating dimensions of supplier and customer collaboration and performance improvement. Factor analysis and linear statistical models for correlation and analysis of variance were used to test the hypotheses with IMSS 2001 data on 374 firms from the engineering/assembly industry across 11 European countries.Findings – Only weak empirical support was found for the hypothesized positive relationships between supplier (or customer) collaboration and performance improvement. There was partial empirical support for the impact of collaboration, both with suppliers and customers, on rates of improvement. For information exchange, performance improvement in respect of cost, flexibility, quality, and procurement was supported, whereas for structural collaboration, only impro.
Notes on Unit Value Index Bias

Summary It is often the case that the value of a number of somewhat similar units (e. g., automobiles of a certain general type) is divided by the number of units in order to form a unit value price and these unit value prices are compared over two periods in order to form a unit value price index. This unit value price index or Drobisch price index can then be compared with other standard index number formulae and the bias in the index can be determined. The present paper presents most of the known results on this bias (and derives some new ones) in a coherent framework using a simple identity from the statistics literature. A related question first considered by Párniczky (1974) is also considered: does disaggregation of a unit value into more homogeneous subgroups reduce the unit value bias? The answer seems to be: probably yes.
IMPACT OF PROBLEM FINDING ON THE QUALITY OF AUTHENTIC OPEN INQUIRY SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECTS

Problem finding is a creative process whereby individuals develop original ideas for study. Secondary science students who successfully participate in authentic, novel, open inquiry studies must engage in problem finding to determine viable and suitable topics. This study examined problem finding strategies employed by students who successfully completed and presented the results of their open inquiry research at the 2007 Connecticut Science Fair and the 2007 International Science and Engineering Fair. A multicase qualitative study was framed through the lenses of creativity, inquiry strategies, and situated cognition learning theory. Data were triangulated by methods (interviews, document analysis, surveys) and sources (students, teachers, mentors, fair directors, documents). The data demonstrated that the quality of student projects was directly impacted by the quality of their problem finding. Effective problem finding was a result of students using resources from previous, specialized experiences. They had a positive self-concept and a temperament for both the creative and logical perspectives of science research. Successful problem finding was derived from an idiosyncratic, nonlinear, and flexible use and understanding of inquiry. Finally, problem finding was influenced and assisted by the community of practicing scientists, with whom the students had an exceptional ability to communicate effectively. As a result, there appears to be a juxtaposition of creative and
International business cycles: G7 and OECD countries

The progressive globalization of markets has sparked a worldwide interest in using economic indicators to analyze cyclical fluctuations. Governments and the private sector seeking to conduct their activities in light of both national and international economic conditions could benefit from international indicators that serve as a warning system to detect recessions in major economic partners and in industrialized countries as a whole. ; This article constructs just such a warning system. Using a Markov-switching dynamic factor model with a self-adjusting variable-bandwidth filter, the authors construct business cycle indicators for G7 countries and for an aggregate measure of output by twenty-nine member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The model yields probabilities of the current business cycle phase for each G7 country and for the aggregate OECD and G7 output measures and reveals a common cycle underlying the OECD countries that characterizes an international business cycle. ; The proposed filter sorts out minor contractions and estimates only major economic recessions and expansions, thereby minimizing the occurrence of false turning points. This quality is especially important for central banks that may want to adjust monetary policy only in the event of major recessions affecting a broad set of economic sectors.
The struggle to implement teaching‐hospital mergers

: This paper presents some initial results from a longitudinal study of two major hospital mergers (involving three large institutions each). After examining the context of the two mergers and the cultures that must be integrated, we describe the processes of pre-merger negotiation, leadership development, strategic framing and operationalization. Despite very different processes that seem on the surface smoother in one organization than in the other, both organizations have experienced difficulties in achieving successful operationalization. We conclude that the context of limited resources, diffuse power and divergent cultures are largely responsible for the difficulties experienced. Sommaire: Cet article presente quelques resultats preliminaires tires d'une etude longitudinale de deux grandes fusions d'hopitaux (impliquant trois gros etablissements chacune). Apres avoir examine le contexte des deux fusions et les cultures a integrer, nous decrivons les processus de negociation precedant la fusion, de developpement du leadership, d'encadrement strategique et d'operationnalisation. Malgre des processus tres differents, dont l'un semble a prime abord plus harmonieux que l'autre, les dew organisations ont eprouve des difficultes a atteindre une operationnalisation reussie. Now en concluons que le contexte de ressources limitees, de pouvoir diffus et de cultures divergentes est largement a l'origine des difficultes eprouvees.
Cancer Chemopreventive Potential of Procyanidin

Chemoprevention entails the use of synthetic agents or naturally occurring dietary phytochemicals to prevent cancer development and progression. One promising chemopreventive agent, procyanidin, is a naturally occurring polyphenol that exhibits beneficial health effects including anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and antitumor activities. Currently, many preclinical reports suggest procyanidin as a promising lead compound for cancer prevention and treatment. As a potential anticancer agent, procyanidin has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of various cancer cells in “ in vitro and in vivo ”. Procyanidin has numerous targets, many of which are components of intracellular signaling pathways, including pro-inflammatory mediators, regulators of cell survival and apoptosis, and angiogenic and metastatic mediators, and modulates a set of upstream kinases, transcription factors, and their regulators. Although remarkable progress characterizing the molecular mechanisms and targets underlying the anticancer properties of procyanidin has been made in the past decade, the chemopreventive targets or biomarkers of procyanidin action have not been completely elucidated. This review focuses on the apoptosis and tumor inhibitory effects of procyanidin with respect to its bioavailability.
A Novel Murine Model of Graves’ Hyperthyroidism with Intramuscular Injection of Adenovirus Expressing the Thyrotropin Receptor

In this work we report a novel method to efficiently induce a murine model of Graves’ hyperthyroidism. Inbred mice of different strains were immunized by i.m. injection with adenovirus expressing thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) or β-galactosidase (1 × 1011 particles/mouse, three times at 3-wk intervals) and followed up to 8 wk after the third immunization. Fifty-five percent of female and 33% of male BALB/c (H-2d) and 25% of female C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice developed Graves’-like hyperthyroidism with elevated serum thyroxine (T4) levels and positive anti-TSHR autoantibodies with thyroid-stimulating Ig (TSI) and TSH-binding inhibiting Ig (TBII) activities. In contrast, none of female CBA/J (H-2k), DBA/1J (H-2q), or SJL/J (H-2s) mice developed Graves’ hyperthyroidism or anti-TSHR autoantibodies except SJL/J, which showed strong TBII activities. There was a significant positive correlation between TSI values and T4 levels, but the correlations between T4 and TBII and between TSI and TBII were very weak. TSI activities in sera from hyperthyroid mice measured with some chimeric TSH/lutropin receptors suggested that their epitope(s) on TSHR appeared similar to those in patients with Graves’ disease. The thyroid glands from hyperthyroid mice displayed diffuse enlargement with hypertrophy and hypercellularity of follicular epithelia with occasional protrusion into the follicular lumen, characteristics of Graves’ hyperthyroidism. Decreased amounts of colloid were also observed. However, there was no inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, extraocular muscles from hyperthyroid mice were normal. Thus, the highly efficient means that we now report to induce Graves’ hyperthyroidism in mice will be very useful for studying the pathogenesis of autoimmunity in Graves’ disease.
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Baltic population: experience from Latvia (1996–2000)

Better knowledge of clinical epidemiology and course of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (ASAH) is essential for dedicated planning of the need for services. The aim of the study was to obtain a picture of epidemiology and clinical course of ASAH in Riga City (the capital of Latvia). A retrospective population‐based study included residents of Riga City who suffered their first ASAH during a 5‐year period from the beginning of 1996 till the end of 2000. The total number of ASAH events in the population during the study period was 292, of which 56 (19%) were fatal before reaching the hospital. There was no significant difference between age‐specific incidence rates in men and women. The mean ASAH rates per 100 000 per year were 10.3 for age‐adjusted incidence (in the population aged 20–79 years) and 7.2 for crude incidence. The mean age‐adjusted case fatality rates were 57% for all ASAH events and 45% for those who survived admission. Our data suggest that incidence of ASAH in Baltic population can be recognized as average compared with other European regions. However, the case fatality rate of ASAH in the study population was higher than those of SAH reported from MONICA Collaborating Centers.
Combined partial exon skipping and cryptic splice site activation as a new molecular mechanism for recessive type 1 von Willebrand disease

Summary We describe the complex picture associated with a mutated splice junction in intron 13 of von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene. The proband, characterized by a marked decrease in plasma and platelet VWF and near normal multimer organization, was classified as recessive type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD). Genetic analysis demonstrated that he was homozygous for the 1534–3C>A mutation in the consensus sequence of the acceptor splicing site of intron 13 of the VWF gene. Platelet mRNA analysis documented three VWF transcripts: a wild type generated by the correct recognition of the mutated splice site, a smaller transcript not containing exon 14, and a longer one that, in addition to exons 13 and 14, included a 62bp fragment corresponding to the end of intron 13. The small transcript derives from the skipping of exon 14, the long one from the activation of a cryptic splice site in intron 13; both show a premature stop codon inVWF propeptide, so the probandVWF derives entirely from the correct splice site recognition. Combined incomplete exon skipping and cryptic splice site activation are first recognized in VWD. Since the 1534–3C>A mutation does not abolish the normal processing of mRNA, it is unlikely to be found in type 3VWD. This mutation therefore appears to be peculiar to type 1 VWD.
Under the Kremlin's Thumb: Does Increased State Control in the Russian Gas Sector Endanger European Energy Security?

Abstract This article examines the effect of increased state control over the Russian gas sector and its ultimate impact on energy security in Europe. The various mechanisms by which the state has acquired ownership (or quasi-ownership) over several independent gas producers as well as the potential dangers this poses for European energy supplies are scrutinised. Due to the demonstrated inefficiency of Russian state-controlled companies, negative consequences, such as slowed production growth, are likely to result. The few remaining independent gas producers are still hampered in their development due to the government's reluctance to implement structural reforms in the Russian gas sector.
Efforts to Improve the Images from 67 Ga Whole-Body Scintigraphy

The acquisition method for planar 67Ga imaging has hardly changed for 30 years. In this study, in order to improve image quality and diagnostic accuracy, we take steps to optimize the acquisition method, and to choose a scatter correction. First, we acquired individual images from the 93 keV, 185 keV, and 300 keV photopeak; then the images were added together and compared to the individual images. Second, we compared results from a low-medium-energy (LME) collimator with those from a conventional medium-energy (ME) collimator. Also, we examined whether to combine the data from all three of the usual window locations (set about 93 keV, 185 keV, and 300 keV) or to use the data from only two. Third, we compared results from a conventional photopeak ± 10％ window with those from a photopeak ± 9 keV window. Fourth, for scatter correction we compared results using the triple energy window (TEW) method with those using the multi-photopeak dual window (MDW) method. The phantoms studied were cold rods in a uniform background, and hot spheres within a cylinder containing uniformly radioactive water. The clinical study involved 22 patients with lung lesions. By the comparison by the contrast ratio in cold rods phantom, 15.6% is improved in LME (2 peaks) than ME (3 peaks), and 3.2% is improved in photopeak ± 9 keV than photopeak ± 10%, 10.2% is improved in TEW than MDW. However, the TEW scatter correction method recognized unstable to the contrast ratio in a clinical study. In addition, a body outline might disappear.
Risk, Volatility, and the Global Cross-Section of Growth Rates

We reconsider the empirical links between volatility and growth between 1970 and 2007. There is a strong and significant correlation between individual country growth rates and global factors that are arguably exogenous with respect to their economies. The amount of volatility driven by these external factors is highly correlated, cross-sectionally, with the overall amount of volatility in GDP growth. There is also a strong correlation between a country's average growth rate and the magnitude and sign of its exposure to global factors. We interpret our findings as a partial answer to the question "Why doesn't capital flow from rich to poor countries? " We argue that low-income countries that grow slowly are riskier from the perspective of the marginal international investor.
Group Session Rating Scale: Preliminary psychometrics in substance abuse group interventions

Background: Although ultra-brief outcome and process measures have been developed for individual therapy, currently there are no ultra-brief alliance measures for group therapy. Method: The current study examined 105 clients in group therapy for issues related to substance abuse or with issues related to the substance abuse of a significant other. We tested whether a newly developed group therapy alliance measure – the Group Session Rating Scale would be related to other commonly used group process measures (Working Alliance Inventory, Group Cohesion, Group Climate) and early change (change over the first four sessions of group therapy). Results: The findings provided support for reliability based on Cronbach alphas and test-retest coefficients. Additionally, the GSRS was a one-factor measure that was related to other group process measures as well as predicted early change. Discussion: Clinical implications for how to utilise ultra-brief outcome and alliance measures are provided.
Fifty Years of Finance Research in the Asia Pacific Basin

type="main" xml:id="acfi12081-abs-0001"> In this paper, we review the history of scholarly finance research in the Asia Pacific Basin. We do this by analysing the four leading regional finance journals – Accounting and Finance, Australian Journal of Management, International Review of Finance and the Pacific-Basin Finance Journal – along five dimensions. The five dimensions are the most cited papers, noted authors, impact in terms of practice, research areas and a breakdown in terms of the development of the field according to Kuhnian concepts of normal science, anomalies and extraordinary science. We show that the Asia Pacific journals make a crucial contribution to research and practice both in the region and internationally.