Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Investment Value of Fund Managers’ Experience Outside the Financial Sector

We document that prior work experience of mutual fund managers outside of the asset management industry is valuable from an investment perspective in that it provides managers with a stock picking and industry timing advantage. Fund managers' stock picks from industries where they previously worked outperform stock picks from their non-experience industries by about three percent annually. Also, fund managers are better at timing the returns of their experience industries than those of other industries. Moreover, the investment value of managers' prior work experience is greater for industries comprised of stocks that are harder to value.
Transient Limb Ischemia Induces Remote Preconditioning in Liver among Rats: The Protective Role of Heme Oxygenase-1

Background. We have reported the protective role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the mechanism of hypoxic preconditioning. We wish to investigate the role of HO-1 in remote preconditioning (RP) against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Methods. The remote preconditioning was produced by four cycles of 10-min ischemia-reperfusion of the hind limb of rats. Partial hepatic ischemia was produced in the left lobes for 45 min followed by 240 min of reperfusion. Zinc-protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), a specific inhibitor of HO enzymatic activity, was intra-peritoneally injected 1 hr before the ischemia-reperfusion injury in separate groups of RP rats. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, expression of hepatic HO-1 protein and mRNA, immunohistochemical staining and HO enzymatic activity were measured. Results. HO-1 was induced in the livers of rats 4 hr after the RP stimuli, and the overexpression persisted for 24 hr. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated induction of HO-1 in the hepatocytes. The peripheral lymphocytes did not express HO-1 after RP. RP diminished the elevation of serum ALT levels 4 hr after I/R injury (283.7±167.4 U L−1) when compared with controls (1297.7±729.3 U L−1) and RP+ ZnPP pretreated groups (1429.9±750.9 U L−1). The heme oxygenase activity in treated rats also correlated these results (286.8±34.3 pmol mg−1 protein hr−1 for the RP group, 156.3±27.5 pmol mg−1 protein hr−1 for the RP+ ZnPP pretreated group, and 170.6±19.4 pmol mg−1 protein hr−1 for the control group, 144.8±7.8 pmol mg−1 protein hr−1 for the control+ ZnPP pretreated group). Conclusion. Our results indicated that the induction of HO-1 in remote preconditioning played a protective role against hepatic I/R injury.
Do parents and grandparents of patients with achondroplasia have a higher cancer risk?

Several studies, performed according to hypotheses based on teratogenesis and carcinogenesis have tried to answer the question: Do parents of children with congenital anomalies have a higher cancer risk? If the general answer is no, however, a higher risk for cancer was reported in the parents of children with cleft lip/palate (Zhu et al. [2002: Br J Cancer 87:524–528]). In achondroplasia, the neo‐mutations are from paternal origin raising the hypothesis of the existence of a “mutator” gene acting in male meiosis and in somatic, mitotic cells in both sexes which may favor also the occurrence of cancer. In order to test this hypothesis, a questionnaire was sent to people with non‐familial achondroplasia, asking for cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia in their parents and grandparents. In the hypothesis tested, the maternal lineage was the control. One hundred forty eight answers were obtained from 76 males and 72 females with achondroplasia. Out of them 68 had parents and/or grandparents with cancer. Among the grandparents of people with achondroplasia there were 36 cancers including two lymphomas in the paternal grandparents, 20 cancers including two chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the paternal grandmothers, 22 cancers including two CML in the maternal grandfathers, and two cancers in the maternal grandmothers. Paternal grandfathers and grandmothers had significantly more cancers (56) than maternal grandfathers and grandmothers (24) (χ2‐test = 14.80, P < 0.001). In conclusion, paternal grandfathers and grandmothers of people with achondroplasia had significantly more cancers than maternal grandfathers and grandmothers. This result raises hypotheses in relationship with the paternal origin of neo‐mutations in achondroplasia. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sensitivity of different dose scoring methods on organ-specific neutron dose calculations in proton therapy

Scattered doses, e.g. neutron doses in proton therapy, are of concern in radiation therapy. Although measured data are the gold standard, Monte Carlo simulations allow a more realistic consideration of patient anatomy via whole-body phantoms. When calculating neutron doses with Monte Carlo techniques, the dose can be scored in different ways because neutrons deposit dose indirectly. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in neutron dose predictions when using different dose scoring methods. Two methods were tested. In the first method, the organ dose was calculated by accumulating dose from each individual dose deposition event with a particle-specific radiation weighting factor applied. Alternatively, we applied a method where the calculation was done by averaging the dose over the total number of events irrespective of particle type and applying average neutron radiation weighting factors. In addition, we assessed the sensitivity of different neutron quality factor assignments based on two recommendations by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). We found that the scoring procedure can lead to differences in the organ equivalent dose of about 25%. As to the ICRP definition of neutron quality factors, the most recent recommendation results in about 10% higher organ doses.
Self-employment dynamics of the independent contractor in the direct selling industry

The WestminsterResearch online digital archive at the University of Westminster aims to make the research output of the University available to a wider audience. Copyright and Moral Rights remain with the authors and/or copyright owners. Users are permitted to download and/or print one copy for non-commercial private study or research. Further distribution and any use of material from within this archive for profit-making enterprises or for commercial gain is strictly forbidden.
Influence of activation on the multipoint immobilization of penicillin G acylase on macroporous silica

Penicillin G acylase is the second most important enzyme used by industry in an immobilized form. Penicillin hydrolysis is its main application. This reaction is used to produce 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA), an intermediate in the synthesis of semisynthetic antibiotics. This work aims to compare catalytic properties of different penicillin G acylase (PGA) derivatives obtained by multipoint immobilization of the enzyme on macroporous silica. Enzyme amino groups react with different aldehyde groups produced in the support using either glutaraldehyde or glyoxyl activation. In the former method, silica reacts with g-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (g-APTS) and glutaraldehyde; in the latter, a reaction with glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) is followed by acid hydrolysis and oxidation using sodium periodate. This work determines the influence of degree of activation, using glutaraldehyde, on immobilization parameters. PGA was immobilized on these two different supports. Maximum enzyme load, immobilized enzyme activity (derivative activity), rate of immobilization and thermal stability were checked for both cases. For glutaraldehyde activation, the results showed that 0.5% of the g-APTS is sufficient for all the hydroxyl groups in the silica to react. They also showed that degree of activation only affects immobilization yield and reaction velocity and that reduction of the glutaraldehyde derivatives with sodium borohydride does not affect their thermal stability. In comparing the derivatives obtained using glyoxyl and glutaraldehyde activation, it was observed that the glyoxyl derivatives presented better immobilization parameters, with a maximum enzyme load of 264 IU/g silica and a half-life of 20 minutes at 60 °C.
Know Thy Customer? Know Thy Research! Comparison of Web-Based and Telephone Responses to a Public Service Customer Satisfaction Survey

Although internet surveys using online panels are common, a literature review found no studies comparing their sample representativeness and data quality with telephone surveys involving a general population. This oversight motivated research conducted as part of the Chicago Transit Authority’s 2006 Customer Satisfaction Survey. In addition to its telephone-administered survey, the CTA commissioned equivalent internet surveys from four providers of online panels. Survey responses were compared in terms of the final demographics, transit usage, transit satisfaction and access to technology. The internet survey respondents were younger, contained more students but included fewer Hispanics and reported several transit usage differences. Also, the online panels expressed less overall satisfaction with their transit service and less likelihood of continued ridership and recommending the CTA to others. Regarding access, online panel respondents reported having the same number of landline telephones but were more likely to have a computer and high speed access at home. Given these results, transit agencies should consider the likely tradeoff between the lower cost and quicker completion times of internet surveys using online panels with their potential over-representation of certain population segments (e.g., students and non-Hispanics) and introducing a bias in reported behavior and satisfaction responses. While they may be effective in reaching population segments that can be under-represented in telephone surveys (e.g., students and younger people), limitations in reaching those without internet access and inexplicably low satisfaction measures suggest caution in relying solely on internet surveys of the general population that have policy implications.
Refractory suffering: The impact of team dynamics on the interdisciplinary palliative care team

Abstract Objective: This qualitative study aimed to describe the skill sets that experienced palliative care clinicians possess when managing refractory suffering. Method: Thirteen tape recorded semi-structured interviews and four online questionnaires were completed by participants with at least two years clinical palliative care experience. The research team undertook cross sectional thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews. Results: In the face of refractory suffering, team cohesion was identified as a key requirement to support the interdisciplinary team. However, team cohesion was found to be undermined by philosophical differences between team members, a paradigm shift concerning cure versus care and individual opinions regarding the chosen approach and levels of respect between the individual disciplines involved in the care of a person with a life limiting illness. Significance of results: The findings of this study highlight the precarious nature of the interdisciplinary team when significant challenges are faced. As a result of witnessing refractory suffering the division and fracturing of teams can easily occur; often team members are completely unaware of its cause. The findings of this study contribute to the limited literature on the nature of refractory suffering from the perspective of the interdisciplinary team.
Breaking records in blood transfusion safety

In 2012, the Olympics returns to London where we see new records set in athletic achievement. Can we set new records in transfusion safety? Prior to the establishment of the Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) UK Haemovigilance Scheme in October 1996 there were few data regarding the incidence of major hazards of blood transfusion in the UK. In 2011, with almost universal participation in SHOT, the risks of transfusionrelated death and major morbidity were 2·7 and 39·9 per million components issued respectively (SHOT, 2012a,b,c). Furthermore, whilst reported adverse incidents have increased almost 13-fold since SHOT’s launch, from 141 reports in 1996/1997 to a total of 1815 reports in 2011 (excluding the 1080 ‘near misses’ and 159 ‘right blood right patient’ events which, by definition, caused no harm), the proportion of reported deaths and major morbidity related to transfusion continues to decrease: 34% in 1996/1997, 7·8% in 2010 and 6·9% in 2011. Set against the approximately three million components issued by the UK Blood Services each year, and with half these incidents pathological reactions, many of which may not be preventable, these figures represent the achievement of a remarkable record of blood safety. How have we achieved this level of safety and can we do better? SHOT, through provision of haemovigilance data and evidence-based recommendations, has underpinned several key national safety initiatives. These have led to substantial reductions in the potentially preventable pathological reactions that are ‘product’ related with two notable examples. First, the UK Blood Services have implemented risk-reduction strategies since 2003–2004 for transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), then the leading cause of transfusion-related mortality and major morbidity. These include the use of male donors to provide fresh frozen plasma (FFP), male plasma for suspension of platelet pools, preferential recruitment of male apheresis platelet donors and screening of female donors for HLA/HNA antibodies. As a result, observed rates of TRALI have declined and remained consistently below previous levels (Chapman et al., 2009; SHOT, 2012a).
Global Financial Crisis and Challenges for China

This book provides an overview on the global financial crisis and a detailed study of its impact on China. It covers topics such as China's response to tackling the crisis and its impact on her once mighty manufacturing industry. Standing Up to the Challenge will also investigate its effect on China's property and stock markets, and explore whether the crisis will have a positive effect with regard to China's overseas investments thus acting as an impetus for its Western development process. Written in a simple and accessible manner, this book can be used as a reference source by students and academics interested in China's economy and the global financial crisis.
Impact of Simplemux Traffic Optimisation on MMORPG QoE

This paper studies the impact of a trafﬁc optimisation method called Simplemux, on Quality of Experience (QoE) of Mas-sively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG). Simplemux allows a number of header-compressed packets of different ﬂows to travel together, sharing the overhead of a common end-to-end tunnel. As a result, signiﬁcant reductions in terms of bandwidth usage and packet rate can be achieved, but with a trade-off of introducing additional delay and delay variation. In the presented subjective studies we combine artiﬁcially created network ﬂows of an MMORPG with trafﬁc of real users, and this mix is sent through an implementation of Simplemux. In this way we simulate a case scenario in which a number of ﬂows share a common network path. Two parameters are modi-ﬁed: the number of active game ﬂows, and the multiplexing period. We examine if the players notice any degradation in their game experience, by comparing two situations: when Simple-mux is active or not. Our goal is to investigate whether users’ QoE is degraded by using Simplemux.
Measurement of Individual Preferences

Women in two Ontario cities were asked to express their preferences about a medical decision: A fictitious patient with cancer was to be treated either conservatively without hope of cure, or radically, by a risky treatment having cure or immediate death as possible outcomes. Situation-specific variables were varied systematically across the sample by varying the levels of the fictitious patient's physical and psychosocial health and achievement motivation. The results obtained indicate that individual preferences shift in response to changes in the situation in which the decision is made. These findings raise questions about the uses to be made of measurements of preferences, especially in relation to what is meant by a "best decision. "
The risk less known: female-to-male transgender persons’ vulnerability to HIV infection

Studies have consistently found high levels of HIV infection among male-to-female (MTF) transgender people, particularly MTF sex workers. Due to lack of empirical data, HIV/AIDS risk among female-to-male (FTM) transgender people, however, is not well understood. This study analysed data from two needs assessment surveys to compare risk for HIV infection between 122 MTF and 62 FTM transgender people. Results show that there was a significant gender difference in HIV risk among the survey respondents. Compared to MTFs, FTMs were significantly less likely to have used protection the last time they had sex and significantly more likely to have engaged in recent high risk sexual activity. The gender difference existed even after controlling for demographic variables, AIDS knowledge, perceived AIDS knowledge, perceived effectiveness of condom usage, perceived susceptibility to AIDS and self-esteem. Findings from this study suggest that a thorough examination of HIV risk factors among FTMs is necessary.
DEMENTIA WITH LEWY BODIES

The diagnosis and management of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are challenging. This chapter will (1) review the terms and nomenclature associated with DLB and Lewy body disease (LBD), (2) review which studies are most informative in the diagnostic workup of suspected DLB, (3) review the clinical, neuropsychologic, electrophysiologic, and radiologic features characteristic of DLB, (4) review the spectrum of features and disorders that can precede the development of DLB, (5) review the key management strategies most likely to improve symptomatology in patients with DLB, and (6) discuss some of the controversies and uncertainties in DLB phenomenology.
Unified cognitive theory: You can't get there from here

s The book presents the case that cognitive science should turn its attention to developing theories of human cognition that cover the full range of human perceptual, cognitive, and action phenomena. Cognitive science has now produced a massive number of high-quality regularities with many micro theories that reveal important mechanisms. The need for integration is pressing and will continue to increase. Equally important, cognitive science now has the theoretical concepts and tools to support serious attempts at unified theories. The argument is made entirely by presenting an exemplar unified theory of cognition both to show what a real unified theory would be like and to provide convincing evidence that such theories are feasible. The exemplar is SOAR, a cognitive architecture, which is realized as a software system. After a detailed discussion of the architecture and its properties, with its relation to the constraints on cognition in the real world and to existing ideas in cognitive science, SOAR is used as theory for a wide range of cognitive phenomena: immediate responses (stimulus-response compatibility and the Sternberg phenomena); discrete motor skills (transcription typing); memory and learning (episodic memory and the acquisition of skill through practice); problem solving (cryptarithmetic puzzles and syllogistic reasoning); language (sentence verification and taking instructions); and development (transitions in the balance beam task). The treatments vary in depth and adequacy, but they clearly reveal a single, highly specific, operational theory that works over the entire range of human cognition, SOAR is presented as an exemplar unified theory, not as the sole candidate. Cognitive science is not ready yet for a single theory there must be multiple attempts. But cognitive science must begin to work toward such unified theories. Keywords^ artificial intelligence; chunking; cognition; cognitive science; computation; problem solving; production systems; SOAR; symbol systems The book begins by urging on psychology unified theories of cognition: Psychology has arrived at the possibility of unified theories of cognition theories that gain their power by positing a single system of mechanisms that operate together to produce the full range of human cognition. I do not say they are here, but they are within reach and we should strive to attain them. My goal is to convince the reader that unified theories of cognition are really worth striving for now, as we move into the nineties. This cannot be done just by talking about it. An exemplar candidate is put forth to illustrate concretely what a unified theory of cognition means and why it should be a goal for cognitive science. The candidate is a theory (and system) called SOAR (Laird et al. 1987). The book is the written version of the William James Lectures, delivered at Harvard University in spring 1987. Its stance is personal, reflecting the author's thirty years of research in cognitive science, although this precis will be unable to convey much of this flavor.
Differential Regulation of Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Expression during Ovarian Development and under Sexual Steroid Feedback in the European Eel

Pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are, in teleosts as in mammals, under the control of hypothalamic factors and steroid feedbacks. In teleosts, feedback regulations largely vary depending on species and physiological stage. In the present study the regulation of FSH and LH expression was investigated in the European eel, a fish of biological and phylogenetical interest as a representative of an early group of teleosts. The eel FSHβ subunit was cloned, sequenced and together with earlier isolated eel LHβ and glycoprotein hormone α (GPα) subunits used to study the differential regulation of LH and FSH. In situ hybridization indicated that FSHβ and LHβ are expressed by separate cells of the proximal pars distalis of the adenohypophysis, differently from the situation in mammals. The profiles of LHβ and FSHβ subunit expression were compared during experimental ovarian maturation, using dot-blot assays. Expression levels for LHβ and GPα increased throughout ovarian development with a positive correlation between these two subunits. Conversely, FSHβ mRNA levels decreased. To understand the role of sex steroids in these opposite variations, immature eels were treated with estradiol (E2)and testosterone (T), both steroids being produced in eel ovaries during gonadal development. E2 treatment induced increases in both LHβ and GPα mRNA levels, without any significant effect on FSHβ. In contrast, T treatment induced a decrease in FSHβ mRNA levels, without any significant effect on the other subunits. These data demonstrate that steroids exert a differential feedback on eel gonadotropin expression, with an E2-specific positive feedback on LH and a T-specific negative feedback on FSH, leading to an opposite regulation of LH and FSH during ovarian development.