Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interactions between comorbidity and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: results of German Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Study Group trials

This study investigated the impact of comorbidity in 555 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia enrolled in two trials of the German Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Study Group on first-line treatment with fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide, fludarabine, or chlorambucil. Patients with two or more comorbidities and patients with less than two comorbidities differed in overall survival (71.7 versus 90.2 months; P<0.001) and progression-free survival (21.0 versus 31.5 months; P<0.01). After adjustment for other prognostic factors and treatment, comorbidity maintained its independent prognostic value in a multivariate Cox regression analysis. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia was the major cause of death in patients with two or more comorbidities. Disease control in patients with two or more comorbidities was better with fludarabine plus cyclophosphamide than with fludarabine treatment, but not with fludarabine compared to chlorambucil treatment. These results give insight into interactions between comorbidity and therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and suggest that durable control of the hematologic disease is most critical to improve overall outcome of patients with increased comorbidity. The registration numbers of the trials reported are NCT00276848 and NCT00262795.
Forecasting long-term demand of largest Finnish sea ports

Investments in large scale logistical infrastructure are significant and they require a long time and as such good forecasts play an important part. In this research, we combine advanced forecasting methods with system dynamics to study the development of Finnish sea ports. We use regression and ARIMA models in conjunction with a system dynamic Monte Carlo simulation model to estimate the development of Finnish sea ports. Based on long-term data, industrial production was found to be the driving factor behind sea port demand development in Finland. GDP is generally regarded as the explanatory variable, but at least in Finland, industrial production drives the growth. Russian oil exports also explain transit traffic through Finland to Russia, and four scenarios were generated to estimate the development of Finnish sea ports.
Coordination Boundary Identification with Similarity and Replaceability

We propose a neural network model for coordination boundary detection. Our method relies on the two common properties - similarity and replaceability in conjuncts - in order to detect both similar pairs of conjuncts and dissimilar pairs of conjuncts. The model improves identification of clause-level coordination using bidirectional RNNs incorporating two properties as features. We show that our model outperforms the existing state-of-the-art methods on the coordination annotated Penn Treebank and Genia corpus without any syntactic information from parsers.
Telomerase-immortalized human mammary stem/progenitor cells with ability to self-renew and differentiate

There is increasing evidence that breast and other cancers originate from and are maintained by a small fraction of stem/progenitor cells with self-renewal properties. Whether such cancer stem/progenitor cells originate from normal stem cells based on initiation of a de novo stem cell program, by reprogramming of a more differentiated cell type by oncogenic insults, or both remains unresolved. A major hurdle in addressing these issues is lack of immortal human stem/progenitor cells that can be deliberately manipulated in vitro. We present evidence that normal and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-immortalized human mammary epithelial cells (hMECs) isolated and maintained in Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 1 (DFCI-1) medium retain a fraction with progenitor cell properties. These cells coexpress basal (K5, K14, and vimentin), luminal (E-cadherin, K8, K18, or K19), and stem/progenitor (CD49f, CD29, CD44, and p63) cell markers. Clonal derivatives of progenitors coexpressing these markers fall into two distinct types—a K5+/K19− type and a K5+/K19+ type. We show that both types of progenitor cells have self-renewal and differentiation ability. Microarray analyses confirmed the differential expression of components of stem/progenitor-associated pathways, such as Notch, Wnt, Hedgehog, and LIF, in progenitor cells compared with differentiated cells. Given the emerging evidence that stem/progenitor cells serve as precursors for cancers, these cellular reagents represent a timely and invaluable resource to explore unresolved questions related to stem/progenitor origin of breast cancer.
Top Management Turnover Following Mergers and Acquisitions: Solid Research to Date but Still Much to Be Learned

It is commonly believed that retaining target company executives is an important determinant of post-acquisition success. We review existing research, paying particular attention to the different micro-, group-, meso-, and macro-level factors that motivate acquisitions. We conclude that the link between turnover and post-acquisition performance is more complex than implied by existing studies. Retaining executives may lead to higher performance in some acquisitions, as existing studies suggest. However, there are good theoretical arguments for the opposite view; namely, replacing executives may be an equally important source of value creation in other acquisitions. We develop a framework that provides guidelines for understanding when and under what conditions retaining or replacing target executives may contribute to acquisition success. A research agenda that considers acquisition context and the short-, intermediate-, and long-term performance consequences of leadership instability in acquired firms is.
The Association between Audit-Partner Quality and Engagement Quality: Evidence from Financial Report Misstatements

SUMMARY: We study whether audit-partner quality influences the probability of annual report misstatements (measured by restatements) and whether various levels of quality control attenuate such influences. We measure audit-partner quality with audit failure rate (i.e., the total number of audit failures associated with an audit partner divided by the total number of audit reports signed by the same partner). We report the following key findings. First, an audit partner's past audit failure rate is positively associated with the probability that the current year annual report that he/she audits is subsequently restated. This positive association is more pronounced for engagement partners (i.e., partners who actually conduct the audits) than for review partners (i.e., partners who review the audits). Incorporating audit-partner audit failure rates substantially increases the predictive power for future financial report restatements. Second, neither engagement-team-level nor audit-firm-level quality controls.
Sex and the ballot box: perception of ballot measures regarding same-sex marriage and abortion in California

Abstract Voters in many American states have considered important social policies that redefine civil liberties within their state through the initiative and referendum. An important question remaining is, are voters knowledgeable enough to make decisions on these social policies that have far-reaching effects? The common wisdom is that voters rely on information shortcuts in lieu of extensive knowledge about the issues. Unlike candidate elections, however, ballot measures lack some prominent and useful information shortcuts (i.e. party identification). We test the hypothesis that voters use shortcuts to inform their decisions on two ballot measures central to today's policy debates: California's Proposition 4 on parental notification for abortion and Proposition 8 on same-sex marriage. We show that voters do not use cues universally, and, furthermore, factual information has a limited effect on voters’ decisions. In particular, we find that the persuasiveness of an endorsement is conditional on whether an individual trusts the source.
Differences in liquor prices between control state-operated and license-state retail outlets in the United States.

AIMS This study aims to compare the average price of liquor in the United States between retail alcohol outlets in states that have a monopoly ('control' states) with those that do not ('licence' states). DESIGN A cross-sectional study of brand-specific alcohol prices in the United States. SETTING We determined the average prices in February 2012 of 74 brands of liquor among the 13 control states that maintain a monopoly on liquor sales at the retail level and among a sample of 50 license-state liquor stores, using their online-available prices. MEASUREMENTS We calculated average prices for 74 brands of liquor by control versus license state. We used a random-effects regression model to estimate differences between control and license state prices-overall and by alcoholic beverage type. We also compared prices between the 13 control states. FINDINGS The overall mean price for the 74 brands was $27.79 in the license states [95% confidence interval (CI): $25.26-30.32] and $29.82 in the control states (95% CI: $26.98-32.66). Based on the random-effects linear regression model, the average liquor price was approximately $2 lower (6.9% lower) in license states. CONCLUSIONS In the United States monopoly of alcohol retail outlets appears to be associated with slightly higher liquor prices.
Kirznerian and Schumpeterian entrepreneurial‐oriented behavior in turbulent export markets

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the mechanisms by which entrepreneurial‐oriented behaviours (EOB) enhance international business performance. In so doing, the authors demonstrate that different dimensions of EOB may need to be emphasized or dampened, depending on the environmental conditions facing the firm.Design/methodology/approach – A survey of 783 Finnish exporters is undertaken, and the relationships between the dimensions of EOB and business performance are assessed.Findings – It is found that Kirznerian manifestations of EOB have stronger positive relationships with export profits when markets are relatively stable, whereas Schumpeterian manifestations of EOB have stronger positive relationships with export profits when markets are more dynamic.Research limitations/implications – The study has implications for researchers studying multidimensional strategic orientations. The approach adopted is novel, in that instead of adopting a fully aggregated or fully disaggregated app.
Factors Affecting Customer Satisfaction in Responses to Negative Online Hotel Reviews

An analysis of three types of responses to negative hotel reviews finds that the response generally should follow the same principles as answering a customer complaint in person. Based on a series of hypothetical responses to a negative review, this study finds that inserting an empathy statement in response to the negative review improved the ratings of the response among a sample of university students. Likewise, this group of 176 potential customers rated the response more favorably when the response included a paraphrase of the complaint, thus making the response more personal and less generic. Interestingly, contrary to popular belief, our results indicate that the speed with which the hotel responds to an online complaint did not influence the survey participants’ rating of the response. The theoretical implications of these findings are that the online response should include same theoretical anchorings based on interactional justice and active listening that apply to face-to-face customer complaints. The major difference between an in-person complaint and an online review is that, in the review, the guest is not on premises waiting for a response, which changes the importance of the timing of a response and alters the perception of procedural justice, which supports the idea of a prompt response. This study further implies that hotel managers should include empathy or paraphrasing statements in their responses to online reviews.
InP HBT with 55-nm-wide emitter and relationship between emitter width and current density

We fabricated an InP heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) with a 55-nm-wide emitter. For an emitter width of 55 nm and that greater than 300 nm, the maximum gain was around 15 and around 120, respectively. To confirm the relationship between the acceptable current density and the emitter width, we measured the current density when the current gain was half its maximum value. The measured current density Jhalf increased with a decrease in the emitter width. The highest observed current density was approximately 5 MA/cm2 and was nearly equal to the highest reported current density of InP HBTs.
Delusional Misidentification Syndromes and Dementia

The delusional misidentification syndromes (DMSs) are psychopathologic phenomena in which a patient consistently misidentifies persons, places, objects, or events. Although often described in relation to psychotic states including schzofrenia, it is, nevertheless, widely considered that these syndromes have an anatomical basis because of their frequent association with organic brain disease; studies have pointed to the presence of identifiable lesions, especially in the right frontal lobe and adjacent regions, in a considerable proportion of patients. The purpose of this article is to examine the phenomenon in people with dementia. We searched the electronic databases for original research and review articles on DMS in patients with dementia using the search terms “Delusional Misidentification Syndrome, Capgras syndrome, Fregoli syndrome, reduplicative paramnesia, and dementia. ” The DMSs are a frequent problem in dementia. The violence and dangerousness in patients with dementia having these syndromes are well documented, and forensic aspects are highlighted. Pathogenetic viewpoint and management are considered.
Vibrio cholerae biofilm growth program and architecture revealed by single-cell live imaging

Significance Biofilms are surface-associated bacterial communities embedded in an extracellular matrix. Connections between biofilm architectural, material, and mechanical features have never been systematically studied at the individual cell level due to inadequate optical resolution. Here, we develop imaging, experimental, and modeling tools to analyze living, growing bacterial biofilms at single-cell resolution. We discover that Vibrio cholerae biofilms undergo a 2D-to-3D transition as a consequence of directional cell division and anisotropic pressure caused by cell-to-surface adhesion. Moreover, deletion of a single gene responsible for cell-to-cell adhesion changes the biofilm growth mode from directional cell growth to expansion caused by the extracellular matrix. The technology reported here enables future studies of single-cell gene expression in bacterial communities. Biofilms are surface-associated bacterial communities that are crucial in nature and during infection. Despite extensive work to identify biofilm components and to discover how they are regulated, little is known about biofilm structure at the level of individual cells. Here, we use state-of-the-art microscopy techniques to enable live single-cell resolution imaging of a Vibrio cholerae biofilm as it develops from one single founder cell to a mature biofilm of 10,000 cells, and to discover the forces underpinning the architectural evolution. Mutagenesis, matrix labeling, and simulations demonstrate that surface adhesion-mediated compression causes V. cholerae biofilms to transition from a 2D branched morphology to a dense, ordered 3D cluster. We discover that directional proliferation of rod-shaped bacteria plays a dominant role in shaping the biofilm architecture in V. cholerae biofilms, and this growth pattern is controlled by a single gene, rbmA. Competition analyses reveal that the dense growth mode has the advantage of providing the biofilm with superior mechanical properties. Our single-cell technology can broadly link genes to biofilm fine structure and provides a route to assessing cell-to-cell heterogeneity in response to external stimuli.
Hemodynamic Effects of Methoxamine in Mitral Valve Disease

The hemodynamic changes following elevation of systemic arterial pressure and total systemic resistance by methoxamine were studied by right heart catheterization in 18 patients with mitral valve disease and 4 patients with no significant cardiovascular abnormality. This is the first detailed report of the circulatory effects of this drug in man. Changes in oxygen consumption, arterial oxygen saturation, stroke index and pulmonary artery to pulmonary “capillary” mean pressure gradient were insignificant. Forward cardiac index and heart rate decreased significantly while arteriovenous oxygen difference increased markedly in all groups of patients. The hemodynamic mechanisms involved in the changes observed during methoxamine infusion are discussed. Characteristic of patients with mitral insufficiency were significant increments of pulmonary arterial mean, pulmonary “capillary” mean, and pulmonary “capillary” V peak pressures. These subjects also had significantly greater increments in “left heart” resistance than patients without mitral insufficiency. An elevation of pulmonary “capillary” V peak pressure of 35 per cent or more of the elevation of systemic arterial systolic pressure was found to be a useful index of the presence of mitral insufficiency. Study of the pulmonary “capillary” pressure records during methoxamine infusion may obviate the necessity of left heart catheterization in the detection of significant mitral insufficiency.
Obstetric brachial plexus injuries: assessment protocol and functional outcome at age 5 years

One hundred and five children with the whole spectrum of obstetric brachial plexus (OBP) injuries, from severe to full recovery, were examined at the age of 5 years with regard to motor and sensory functions as well as to use of the affected limb. Since root involvement level does not fully reflect the degree of disability, a classification based on range of motion and grip‐strength was formulated and found to correspond well with functional abilities. The results from this study indicate that the eventual outcome in upper‐plexus lesions is more complex than is commonly believed. Hand function is affected due to the effect of limited shoulder movements on hand positioning. Grip strength was also reduced in many of these children. All the children with total‐plexus lesions had diminished grip strength and half of them had impaired tactile sensibility. In most children with total‐plexus lesions, performance of activities in daily life was affected as were bimanual activities requiring use of the involved limb. Hand preference was affected in children with a right‐sided injury. From a clinical perspective, as well as for research, it is important to describe OBP injuries not only in terms of impairment but also of disability.
PERSONAL-BANKRUPTCY CYCLES

This paper estimates the dynamics of the personal-bankruptcy rate over the business cycle by exploiting large cross-state variation. We find that bankruptcy rates are significantly above trend during a recession and rise as a recession persists. After a recession ends, there is a hangover in which bankruptcy rates begin to fall but remain above trend for several more quarters. Recovery periods see a strong bounce-back effect, with bankruptcy rates significantly below trend for several quarters. Despite the significant increases in bankruptcies during recessions, the largest contributor to rising bankruptcies during these periods has tended to be the longstanding upward trend.
The Determinants of Taxation in Britain: An Empirical Test

ABSTRACT The effects of political and macroeconomic influences in determining the principal taxes in the United Kingdom since 1948 are examined here. Basic models of tax determination – policy initiative, macroeconomic determination and consumer preference – are tested. Causal path analysis is used to answer the question: Which is more important in determining tax revenues: the policy initiatives of governments, or circumstances in the economy which in the short term may be outside governmental control? The results demonstrate that for most taxes policy initiatives to alter tax rates and bases are much less important to revenue yield than underlying trends in the economy. The continuing strength of these macroeconomic secular trends circumscribes attempts by British policymakers to depart radically from the existing pattern of taxation.
Compensation Practices and Plan Effectiveness in Saudi Arabia

This article identifies current compensation practices in Saudi Arabia, relates these practices to the local culture and compares the results with practices in the United States. The authors collected data from 130 human resources professionals. This study provided concrete insights about employees’ views of compensation systems and highly useful information about compensation practices for organizations across the world with business interests in Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations.
A Review of the Historical Return-Volatility Relationship

Over the past few years, low volatility investment strategies have emerged as an alternative to traditional active and passive strategies. With the goal of providing market-type returns with lower risk, they seek to capitalize on the so-called low volatility anomaly whereby stocks with lower volatility historically have realized higher returns than predicted by theoretical models such as the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). Unlike traditional investment strategies that focus on generating excess returns through stock selection, investment style or risk factors (e.g. value, size or momentum), low volatility investing seeks to capitalize on a fundamental underpricing of risk in equity markets. Given the surge in popularity of such strategies in recent years, it's logical to ask if this is just a recent phenomenon. While the low volatility effect is supported by a growing body of academic literature, some suggest that it is due primarily to the falling interest rate environment, which favours specific sectors and will fade out as soon as interest rates start to rise. Others suggest that low volatility is just another value strategy. Which hypothesis is confirmed by the historical evidence? To determine this, we must go back in time as far as possible.
High-Skilled Immigrants: How Satisfied Are Foreign-Born Scientists and Engineers Employed at American Universities?

The growing numbers of foreign-born scholars in the academy has triggered interest in investigating the contributions made by foreign-born to the economy of the United States. However, only a handful of studies have examined the work lives of these scientists; this study is a step in that direction. The central question under investigation is “How does job satisfaction of foreign-born faculty members belonging to various citizenship categories compare with native-born citizens? ” Understanding the behavior, attitudes, and satisfaction levels of foreign-born faculty members is important to retain them and not lose them to other nations or industry. After controlling for various job, organizational, personal, and cultural factors, the findings of this study indicate that foreign-born faculty members across all citizenship categories express lower job satisfaction than native-born faculty members.
Firm resources and joint ventures: what determines zero‐sum versus positive‐sum outcomes?

In this study, we are concerned with the resources that are brought to joint ventures, and whether or not the way in which those resources are combined can improve parent-firm performance. We are also interested in whether or not the exposure of valuable resources through the permeable membrane of the joint venture can have an adverse effect on performance. These questions are explored using a sample of 74 domestic, dyadic joint ventures, and our findings suggest that the strategy can have zero-sum and positive-sum outcomes. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.