Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forecasting the Commercial Attractiveness of User-Generated Designs Using Online Data: : An Empirical Study within the LEGO User Community

Web 2.0 technologies and the rapid emergence of virtual user communities have created new challenges and opportunities for producer firms. The challenges concern the problem of idea overload when a large number of users are empowered to develop their own design creations. At the same time, opportunities arise because firm-hosted user communities offer a promising source of creativity outside the firms' boundaries. In this paper, we study which data present in firm-hosted online communities on user-generated designs and user-designers can be used to help a focal producer firm to reduce its workload in the selection phase by predicting which user-generated designs it would most likely perceive as commercially attractive. Prior research emphasizes that among the vast amount of ideas generated in online user communities, it is the lead users' ideas that tend to stick out in terms of commercial attractiveness. Our paper aims to provide the next step by developing a heuristic for filtering commercially attractive ideas that are generated in online user communities. Therefore, prior lead user research is used as a point of reference for our study. This research stream has produced rich insights into the characteristics of users who are capable of developing new products that are commercially attractive from the perspective of a focal producer firm, as well as the characteristics of artifacts that such users tend to develop. Based on prior lead user research, we use theories on problem solving, creativity, and new product adoption to develop hypotheses on the factors that might influence the attractiveness of user-generated designs from the focal producer firm's perspective in such a setting. Applying multilevel generalized linear modeling, 1799 designs from 116 user-designers in the LEGO user community are analyzed. Our findings show that three prominent variables, the complexity of a given design, positive feedback from the community on specific designs, and the intensity of design activity by a user-designer, can be used by a focal producer firm as filtering heuristics for the selection of promising user-generated designs. We find an inverted U-shaped relationship between the complexity of a user-generated design and its perceived commercial attractiveness. Furthermore, we find a positive relationship between the positive feedback received by a given user-generated design within the peer community and its perceived commercial attractiveness, as well as a U-shaped relationship between the intensity of a certain user-designer's activities and the likelihood that a given design by that user will be perceived as commercially attractive. The study is a first step toward a new Web-based marketing research approach that can enable firms to filter vast numbers of user-generated designs more effectively and efficiently.
Discriminative criteria for Neisseria meningitidis isolates that are moderately susceptible to penicillin and ampicillin

The prevalence of Neisseria meningitidis isolates that are moderately susceptible to penicillin and ampicillin has increased very quickly in Spain; the current prevalences in our hospital are 48.4 and 55.6%, respectively. We studied the reliability of the disk diffusion method for discriminating between fully susceptible (MIC, less than or equal to 0.06 microgram/ml) and moderately susceptible (MICs, 0.12 to 1.0 microgram/ml) isolates. Thirty-eight isolates (12 Pen(s) Amp(s), 18 Penr Ampr, and 8 Pen(s) Ampr) were assayed by the disk diffusion and plate dilution methods by use of disks of 1, 2, 5, and 10 U of penicillin, 2 and 10 micrograms of ampicillin, and 1 microgram of oxacillin on Mueller-Hinton agar with or without 5% sheep blood. Breakpoints were generated, and their discriminative values were determined with a collection of 195 meningococcal strains isolated consecutively from cerebrospinal fluid or blood. None of the strains produced beta-lactamase. Penicillin- and ampicillin-susceptible strains (MIC, less than or equal to 0.06 microgram/ml) had oxacillin inhibition zones of greater than or equal to 11 mm on blood agar. Moderate susceptibility to ampicillin and penicillin was suggested by an inhibition zone of less than or equal to 10 mm around the 1-microgram disk and an inhibition zone of less than or equal to 26 mm around the 2-U penicillin disk. We conclude that discrimination between fully susceptible and moderately susceptible populations of N. meningitidis can be accomplished by the disk diffusion method by use of Mueller-Hinton agar plus 5% sheep blood with the 1-microgram oxacillin disk (which is especially suited for screening methods) and the 2-U penicillin disk. The lack of an oxacillin inhibition zone indicates moderate susceptibility to either penicillin or ampicillin or both.
Effects of Shenmai Zhusheye on Qi and Yin deficiency non-small cell lung cancer patients

Background: The effects of Shenmai Zhusheye on the expression of B7, CD28 and CTL-4 (CD152) in Qi and Yin Deficiency non-small cell lung cancer patient is surveyed in this study. Methods: 150 patients of Qi and Yin Deficiency non-small cell lung cancer are randomized into two groups with 75 patients in each group, the patients in control group is given symptomatic treatment, and the patients in treatment group is given symptomatic treatment plus Shenmai Zhusheye. Pre-treatment and post-treatment blood routine examination results, hepatic and renal function, and expression of CD4, CD8, CD28, CTLA-4 (CD152), B7(CD80, CD86) of the two group is compared respectively. Results: No significant difference of blood routine examination results and hepatic and renal function between the two groups is observed after 15 d of treatment. Immune index between the two groups are comparable and no significant difference before treatment is observed; While post-treatment CD4, CD8, CD28 and CD152 of the two groups showed statistical difference (P<0.05); all results except CB86 show intra-group difference (P<0.05) in the treatment group and all results except CD28 show intra-group difference (P<0.05) in the control group. Conclusions: Immune function of patient of deficiency of both QI and YIN type non-small cell lung cancer is improved by Shenmai Zhusheye.
Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of Sorbitol Transporters from Developing Sour Cherry Fruit and Leaf Sink Tissues 1

The acyclic polyol sorbitol is a primary photosynthetic product and the principal photosynthetic transport substance in many economically important members of the family Rosaceace (e.g. almond [ Prunus dulcis (P. Mill.) D.A. Webber], apple [ Malus pumila P. Mill. ], cherry [ Prunus spp. ], peach [ Prunus persica L. Batsch], and pear [ Pyrus communis ]). To understand key steps in long-distance transport and particularly partitioning and accumulation of sorbitol in sink tissues, we have cloned two sorbitol transporter genes ( PcSOT1 and PcSOT2 ) from sour cherry ( Prunus cerasus ) fruit tissues that accumulate large quantities of sorbitol. Sorbitol uptake activities and other characteristics were measured by heterologous expression of PcSOT1 and PcSOT2 in yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ). Both genes encode proton-dependent, sorbitol-specific transporters with similar affinities ( K m sorbitol of 0.81 m m for PcSOT1 and 0.64 m m for PcSOT2). Analyses of gene expression of these transporters, however, suggest different roles during leaf and fruit development. PcSOT1 is expressed throughout fruit development, but especially when growth and sorbitol accumulation rates are highest. In leaves, PcSOT1 expression is highest in young, expanding tissues, but substantially less in mature leaves. In contrast, PcSOT2 is mainly expressed only early in fruit development and not in leaves. Compositional analyses suggest that transport mediated by PcSOT1 and PcSOT2 plays a major role in sorbitol and dry matter accumulation in sour cherry fruits. Presence of these transporters and the high fruit sorbitol concentrations suggest that there is an apoplastic step during phloem unloading and accumulation in these sink tissues. Expression of PcSOT1 in young leaves before completion of the transition from sink to source is further evidence for a role in determining sink activity.
Board Independence, Board Diligence, Board Expertise and Impact on Audit Report Lag in Malaysian Market

This paper examines the association between corporate governance mechanisms and audit report lag among 288 companies listed at Bursa Malaysia for a three year period from 2007 to 2009. It examines on one of the corporate governance mechanisms, namely board of directors’ characteristics. Three characteristics of board of directors are examined namely, board independence, board diligence and board expertise. These characteristics are used to examine their effectiveness in assuring timeliness of audit report. In this study, audit report lag refers to the number of days from the company’s year end (financial year) to the date of auditor’s report. Based on the analysis, the results of this study show that audit report lag for the listed companies in Malaysia ranges from 36 days to 184 days for the three year period. The results of this study show that there are significant negative relationships between board diligence with audit report lag. This study found that the number of meetings held by the board of directors in a company is able to reduce audit report lag. A higher number of meetings being held indicated the board is discharging their roles towards the company. This study however could not provide any evidence on the link between board independence and board expertise on audit report lag.
Risk management for property casualty insurance companies

This thesis addresses the need to reduce inefficiencies in management of insurance company risk capital. The laxity in managing the cost of capital is a result of dysfunctional property/casualty risk classification and capital accumulation practices in the insurance industry. We reclassify risk based on both peril and financial functional features, in order to capture all the facets of risk affecting a firm and ultimately to achieve optimal capital allocation. With the purpose of reducing inefficiencies in mind, we explore and isolate the impact of regulation on insurance company profitability. We use barrier option pricing models to mimic the impact of solvency requirements on firm-wide risk. This methodology of measuring risk is better than plain vanilla option pricing models, in that, through the option to an early default, we are able to capture the economic significance of financial distress, and allocate firm-wide risk capital. The firm-wide risk is incidentally used to empirically test the impact of risk on the cost of carry, the quality of operational profitability and forward asset commitment per unit of liabilities. Our empirical test confirms a strong relationship between firm-level risk, and the cost of carry, return on policyholders' surplus and the cost of capital per contract underwritten. The results are better than previous results obtained using plain vanilla option-pricing models and reveal the importance of incorporating solvency requirements in defining the economic significance of insolvency. The results also points to the importance of advised risk classification procedures to the whole process of integrated risk measurement and financing, which we explore in this study.
Phosphate Transport in Pig Proximal Small Intestines during Postnatal Development: Lack of Modulation by Calcitriol.

The role of calcitriol in the intestinal absorption of inorganic phosphate (Pi) during postnatal development was studied in newborn [ 6 weeks pp) control piglets (con) and piglets suffering from inherited calcitriol deficiency (def). In addition, a number of def piglets were treated with vitamin D3 (def-D3). Regardless of age, plasma calcitriol concentrations in def piglets were unphysiologically low (16–21 pg/ml) and differed significantly from those in respective con animals (60–69 pg/ml) and vitamin D3-treated def piglets (50–56 pg/ml). However, newborn and suckling def piglets had normal Ca (∼3.0 mmol/liter) and Pi (∼2.8 mmol/liter) plasma levels. Def piglets became hypocalcemic (1.9 mmol/liter) and hypophosphatemic (1.9 mmol/liter) between 4–6 weeks pp. Treatment with vitamin D3 significantly increased plasma Ca (3.2 mmol/liter) and Pi (2.7 mmol/liter) levels in weaned def animals. Regardless of calcitriol status, net Pi flux rates (activ.
Platinum-based chemotherapy plus cetuximab in head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND Cetuximab is effective in platinum-resistant recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck. We investigated the efficacy of cetuximab plus platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck. METHODS We randomly assigned 220 of 442 eligible patients with untreated recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck to receive cisplatin (at a dose of 100 mg per square meter of body-surface area on day 1) or carboplatin (at an area under the curve of 5 mg per milliliter per minute, as a 1-hour intravenous infusion on day 1) plus fluorouracil (at a dose of 1000 mg per square meter per day for 4 days) every 3 weeks for a maximum of 6 cycles and 222 patients to receive the same chemotherapy plus cetuximab (at a dose of 400 mg per square meter initially, as a 2-hour intravenous infusion, then 250 mg per square meter, as a 1-hour intravenous infusion per week) for a maximum of 6 cycles. Patients with stable disease who received chemotherapy plus cetuximab continued to receive cetuximab until disease progression or unacceptable toxic effects, whichever occurred first. RESULTS Adding cetuximab to platinum-based chemotherapy with fluorouracil (platinum-fluorouracil) significantly prolonged the median overall survival from 7.4 months in the chemotherapy-alone group to 10.1 months in the group that received chemotherapy plus cetuximab (hazard ratio for death, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.64 to 0.99; P=0.04). The addition of cetuximab prolonged the median progression-free survival time from 3.3 to 5.6 months (hazard ratio for progression, 0.54; P<0.001) and increased the response rate from 20% to 36% (P<0.001). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events in the chemotherapy-alone and cetuximab groups were anemia (19% and 13%, respectively), neutropenia (23% and 22%), and thrombocytopenia (11% in both groups). Sepsis occurred in 9 patients in the cetuximab group and in 1 patient in the chemotherapy-alone group (P=0.02). Of 219 patients receiving cetuximab, 9% had grade 3 skin reactions and 3% had grade 3 or 4 infusion-related reactions. There were no cetuximab-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS As compared with platinum-based chemotherapy plus fluorouracil alone, cetuximab plus platinum-fluorouracil chemotherapy improved overall survival when given as first-line treatment in patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00122460.)
Analysis of the Advantages of Using Tablet PC in e-Learning

This paper relates to the effect of tablet PCs in e-learning. We performed analysis based on the “dual channel model”, which models the information processing capabilities of humans. More specifically, we provided paper media, keyboards, pen tablets, and tablet PCs as input devices used for annotations during e-learning, measured the gaze point of each learner by an eye-mark recorder, and evaluated each device by setting memory and comprehension tests, giving questionnaires, and evaluating the note-taking. As a result, we have shown that the use of tablet PCs in e-learning 1) enables concentration on the content, 2) reduces the extraneous cognitive load imposed by making annotations, 3) increases learners’ comprehension and memory retention, and 4) enables efficient note-taking, thus increasing the accuracy of notes as learning aids.
THE PREDICTION OF CORPORATE FINANCIAL DISTRESS AND BANK CREDIT DECISIONS: HONG KONG EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE

This is the first study in Hong Kong to investigate the usefulness of financial distress prediction models in bank credit decisions. Using data from a sample of solvent and insolvent firms in Hong Kong, the predictive ability of a distress classification model is examined. This model, as distinct from the models based on multiple discriminant analysis, is simple and easy to use and can be applied to firms of all sizes and in different industries. Evidence indicates a high predictive power of the model which should therefore be an aid to the credit decision-making process of the bankers in Hong Kong and possibly also in other countries. This should in turn facilitate the financial intermediation process in the economy.
Prevalence of spondyloarthropathy in Lithuania: comment on the article by Adomaviciute et al

Adomaviciute et al about the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in Lithuania (1). In their carefully designed epidemiological study, the authors reported a relatively high prevalence of SpA (0.84%), as in German (1.72%), Italian (1.06%), and Turkish (1.05%) populations (2–4). Moreover, they estimated an almost identical prevalence of SpA in men and women, consistent with some recent studies that have challenged the traditional view that considered SpA as a predominantly male disease (2, 4, 5). However, it needs to be explained how the authors estimated the ageand sex-adjusted prevalence of SpA of 0.84% in the general Lithuanian adult population, when the ageadjusted prevalences in men and women were 1.36% and 1.34%, respectively. If the total population of men and women aged 18 years and over in Lithuania is 1 196 113 and 1 441 701, respectively (6), then there should be approximately 16 267 male (1 196 11361.36%), 19 319 female (1 441 7016 1.34%), and a total 35 586 SpA patients in the country. This estimate by far exceeds the total number of patients (22 158) calculated by using the overall prevalence of 0.84% among the 2 637 814 adult Lithuanian population (2 637 81460.84%). I believe the authors should revise their prevalence estimates or explain in detail how they obtained these estimates.
Correlation Between Immunohistochemical Biomarkers Expression and Prognosis of Ovarian Carcinomas in Tunisian Patients

Background Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynaecological malignancies. Newer biological prognostic factors and predictors of response to therapy are needed. Our study was designed to evaluate the expression of p53, Bcl-2, Estrogen receptor (ER) and Progesterone receptor (PR) in ovarian carcinoma and to compare it with other prognostic parameters such as age, FIGO stage, size of residual tumor, histological type and grade. Methods This is a retrospective study conducted in the department of pathology at Sfax University Hospital. Confirmed 57 cases of ovarian carcinoma were reviewed in the period between January 1995 and December 2006. We used immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of p53, Bcl-2, ER and PR receptors and Chi-Square and Student test to correlate immunohistochemical findings with some prognostic parameters of ovarian carcinoma. Results The percentage of expression of p53, Bcl-2, ER and PR was 73,7; 47,4; 35,1 and 33,3 % respectively. p53 overexpression correlated with an advanced FIGO stage (p = 0,026) and presence of ascitis (p < 10-4). The expression of PR was associated with an early stage (FIGO I and II), a non serous histologic type and a low tumour grade (p = 0,045; 0,010 and 0,036 respectively). No correlation was found between Bcl-2 and ER and prognostic parameters. Survival analysis revealed that Bcl-2 status, FIGO stage, presence of ascites, peritoneal cytology, and residual disease were significant predictive factors of survival. Conclusion p53 expression correlates with a worse prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer, whereas Bcl-2 expression is related to a better outcome. For hormonal status, expression of PR is found to be an independent indicator of favourable prognosis. These results should be supported by more and larger studies.
Institutional Incentives And Sustainable Development: Infrastructure Policies In Perspective

Integrating recent research in the fields of public administration, public finance, institutional economics, and policy analysis, this book shows how institutional arrangements and the incentives they generate can help or hinder development efforts. The authors present a method for systematically comparing alternative institutional arrangements for the development of rural infrastructure. Their analysis reveals the special strengths and weaknesses of polycentric as compared to centralized or decentralized institutional arrangements. Descriptions of a variety of infrastructure projects--including roads, bridges, and irrigation systems--in geographical settings as diverse as Africa, Asia, and Latin America are used to illustrate key concepts. The book is organized in ten chapters as follows: (1) The Role of Infrastructure in Development; (2) The Problem of Sustainable Infrastructure; (3) Individuals, Incentives, and Transaction Costs; (4) Provision and Production of Rural Infrastructure; (5) Evaluating Institutional Performance; (6) Analyzing Institutional Arrangements; (7) Centralized Institutional Arrangements; (8) Decentralized Institutional Arrangements; (9) Polycentric Institutional Arrangements; and (10) Implications of an Institutional Approach to Sustainable Development. An Index is provided.
Correlation of Parkinson's disease severity and duration with 123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT striatal uptake

The variability in clinical features and the masking effects of drug therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD) can affect clinical assessment of disease severity. The aim of this study was to assess the imaging of dopamine transporters using 123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT and its correlation with disease staging, severity, and duration. Differences between the clinical severity of the onset and non‐onset side and the corresponding striatal uptake ratios were also examined. Forty‐one patients with PD (nine unilateral, 32 bilateral clinical features) were studied. Clinical severity was determined by using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Score (UPDRS). Unilateral UPDRS was calculated from unilateral arm and leg resting and action tremor, rigidity, finger taps, hand movements, alternating movements, and leg agility. 123I‐FP‐CIT striatal uptake was expressed as the ratio of specific:nonspecific (SP:NS) uptake for defined brain areas. Patients with PD who had unilateral symptoms showed a significant difference between the ipsilateral and contralateral SP:NS ratios in both the caudate and putamen, but there was a considerable overlap between between the two sides. This result was repeated in patients with bilateral symptoms and there was overlap of SP:NS ratios between the two groups. For the whole group of patients with PD, striatum, caudate, and putamen SP:NS ratios correlated with disease severity assessed by UPDRS and duration of disease. The SP:NS ratios correlated with the bradykinesia subscore but not with rigidity or tremor subscore. In conclusion, this study provides further evidence that the SP:NS ratio is a robust measure of disease severity correlating with duration of PD. However, variability in uptake values suggest that factors other than nigrostriatal degeneration may contribute to disease severity. Correlation with bradykinesia but not with tremor may indicate an origin for tremor outwith the dopamine transporter system. 123I‐FP‐CIT SPECT offers significant potential in defining the nigrostriatal changes in PD.