Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Notice of RetractionCorporate performance of board size and two-level state: Empirical evidence of panel data from Japan

Through empirical study, this paper tests the effect of board size and two-level state toward s corporate performance from over 800 manufacturing listed companies of Japan, and concludes that board size and corporate performance a re significantly positively correlated, one of two staff, board chairman and general manager, in high-growth enterprises is significantly positively correlated with corporate performance, whereas one of two staff has insignificant negative effect on corporate performance.
Temozolomide retreatment in a recurrent prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma: Hormonal and radiographic response

Background Temozolomide is an oral alkylating agent with schedule-dependent antitumor activity against high-grade malignancies including high-grade glioma. Increasingly, reports have suggested that temozolomide may have activity as a salvage therapy for aggressive, recurrent pituitary adenomas or carcinomas that fail surgery, radiation and other pharmacotherapy. To our knowledge, temozolomide retreatment following initial responsiveness has not previously been demonstrated. Case report A woman was diagnosed with a prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma in 1995 (age 44). Despite bromocriptine therapy, transphenoidal resection, radiotherapy, and cabergoline treatment she experienced continued clinico-radiographic progression, and temozolomide was initiated in 2011. She received three treatment cycles with rapid, dramatic clinico-radiographic response, and 99.3% reduction in serum prolactin. After three years of close observation, she developed recurrent radiographic progression and prolactin elevation. She was re-initiated on temozolomide, and after four cycles, clinical, radiographic and hormonal response was observed with a 92.2% reduction in serum prolactin. Conclusions/Summary Temozolomide is an increasingly described treatment option for refractory pituitary adenomas and carcinomas. In the current report, we document rapid biochemical response following retreatment with temozolomide in aggressive pituitary adenoma. When “off label” salvage therapy with temozolomide is offered for patients with recurrent prolactinomas, retreatment at the time of recurrence can be considered.
Securities Law Expertise and Corporate Disclosure

We examine whether securities lawyers involved in SEC comment letter inquiries act as client advocates by resisting disclosure changes or as gatekeepers by encouraging disclosure transparency. Consistent with an advocacy role, we find that securities lawyers' involvement in SEC comment letters is associated with resisting disclosure inquiries through redacting information from filings and issuing fewer amendments to previous disclosures. Our evidence also supports the view that the role of securities lawyers extends beyond the specific inquiry; their involvement is associated with improved readability and more cautionary language in the subsequent 10-K, and fewer future restatements and comment letters. Last, we find that securities lawyers serve more of an advocacy role when proprietary costs are high and when the inquiry involves a possible amendment, but more of a gatekeeper role when an inquiry is more complex. JEL Classifications: M41
Prospective study of alcohol consumption in the United States: quantity, frequency, and cause-specific mortality.

BACKGROUND Alcohol average volume (quantity multiplied by frequency) has been associated with mortality in drinkers. However, average volume may mask associations due to quantity or frequency alone. METHODS We prospectively assessed relationships between alcohol quantity and frequency, and mortality from all-causes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other-causes in a cohort created by linking the 1988 National Health Interview Survey (response rate 87%) to the National Death Index through 2002. Participants were 20,765 current drinkers age > or = 18 years. At 14-year follow-up 2,547 had died. RESULTS For quantity, among men who consumed > or =5 drinks (compared to 1 drink) on drinking days, adjusted relative risks (RR) of mortality were: for cardiovascular disease, 1.30 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-1.75; p for linear trend (p-trend) = 0.0295], for cancer, 1.53 (95% CI 1.11-2.09; p-trend = 0.0026), and for other-causes, 1.42 (95% CI 1.08-1.87; p-trend = 0.0029); among women for other-causes, 2.88 (95% CI 1.61-5.12; p-trend = 0.0010). For frequency, among men in the highest frequency quartile (compared to the lowest), RR were: for cardiovascular disease, 0.79 (95% CI 0.63-0.99; p-trend = 0.0330), for cancer, 1.23 (95% CI 0.95-1.59; p-trend = 0.0461), and for other-causes, 1.30 (95% CI 1.01-1.67; p-trend = 0.0070); among women, for cancer, 1.65 (95% CI 1.12-2.45, p-trend = 0.0031). Average volume obscured effects of quantity alone and frequency alone, particularly for cardiovascular disease in men where quantity and frequency trended in opposite directions. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol quantity and frequency were independently associated with cause-specific mortality. Accumulating evidence of their differential effects may, in the future, be useful for clinical and public health recommendations.
Defects in intracellular trafficking and endocytic/vacuolar acidification determine the efficiency of endocytotic DNA uptake in yeast

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a standard model system to study endocytosis. Here we describe the examination of a representative subset of deletion mutants to identify and locate steps in endocytic transport, endosomal/lysosomal acidification and in intracellular transport of hydrolases in non‐viral transfection processes. When transport in late endocytosis is inhibited, transfection efficiency is significantly enhanced. Similarly, transfection efficiency is enhanced when the pH‐value of the endosomal/vacuolar system is modified. Transfection efficiency is furthermore elevated when the Na+/K+ transport in the endosomal system is disturbed. Finally, we observe enhanced transfection efficiency in mutants disturbed in the CVT/autophagy pathway and in hydrolase transport to the vacuole. In summary, non‐viral transfection efficiency can be significantly increased by either (i) inhibiting the transport of endocytosed material before it enters the vacuole, or (ii) inducing a non‐natural pH‐value of the endosomal/vacuolar system, or (iii) slowing down degradative processes by inhibiting vacuolar hydrolases or the transport between Golgi and late endosome/vacuole. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 327–336, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Constructing identity through the consumption of counterfeit luxury goods

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the consumption of counterfeit luxury goods and identity construction. The argument is that through the consumption of counterfeit luxury goods consumers obtain real and symbolic benefits that allow them to express a desired social image and further their identity.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 37 in‐depth interviews were conducted with women who owned both originals and counterfeits of luxury fashion products.Findings – The findings highlight three main themes describing inner benefits that consumers attain with the purchase and consumption of counterfeit luxury goods: first, being efficient by optimizing their resources; second, having fun by experiencing adventure, enjoyment, and risk; and third, fooling others expecting not to be caught. But most important, through the accomplishment of these goals consumers of counterfeit luxury goods construct an identity in which they perceive themselves as “savvy” individuals.Orig.
The Influence of Customer Satisfaction Towards Positive Word-of-Mouth in Hospitality Industry

Providing high quality services and improving customer satisfaction are broadly known as basic factors enhancing the performances of businesses in the hotel and tourism industry. Essential of knowing customer satisfaction can help hotelier to identify the vital elements influencing customers' purchase and post-purchase experience from favorable word-of-mouth. This paper discusses the influence to recover customer satisfaction through the variable positive word-of-mouth. Many arguments from the previous researcher which is among of them believe that good or positive word-of-mouth is potential to influence of recovery customer satisfaction. Furthermore, this study also examine the elements that have includes in the positive word-of-mouth variable and recovery customer satisfaction.
Statistical models appropriate for designs often used in group‐randomized trials

Group‐randomized trials are characterised by the allocation of identifiable groups rather than individuals to study conditions; members within those groups are then observed to assess the effect of the intervention. It is convenient to categorize the designs employed in group‐randomized trials along two dimensions, each with two levels. The first distinguishes between designs having just one or two time intervals and those having three or more intervals. The second distinguishes between nested cohort and nested cross‐sectional designs. Following a brief review of the design and analytic issues common to group‐randomized trials, and their general solutions, this paper presents the adaptations of the mixed‐model analysis of covariance and random coefficients models that are required for the four combinations that result from this categorization scheme. The assumptions, strengths and weaknesses of each model are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thrombin Induces NF-κB Activation and IL-8/CXCL8 Expression in Lung Epithelial Cells by a Rac1-dependent PI3K/Akt Pathway*

We previously showed that thrombin induces interleukin (IL)-8/CXCL8 expression via the protein kinase C (PKC)α/c-Src-dependent IκB kinase α/β (IKKα/β)/NF-κB signaling pathway in human lung epithelial cells. In this study, we further investigated the roles of Rac1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and Akt in thrombin-induced NF-κB activation and IL-8/CXCL8 expression. Thrombin-induced IL-8/CXCL8 release and IL-8/CXCL8-luciferase activity were attenuated by a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002), an Akt inhibitor (1-l-6-hydroxymethyl-chiro-inositol-2-((R)-2-O-methyl-3-O-octadecylcarbonate)), and the dominant negative mutants of Rac1 (RacN17) and Akt (AktDN). Treatment of cells with thrombin caused activation of Rac and Akt. The thrombin-induced increase in Akt activation was inhibited by RacN17 and LY294002. Stimulation of cells with thrombin resulted in increases in IKKα/β activation and κB-luciferase activity; these effects were inhibited by RacN17, LY294002, an Akt inhibitor, and AktDN. Treatment of cells with thrombin induced Gβγ, p85α, and Rac1 complex formation in a time-dependent manner. These results imply that thrombin activates the Rac1/PI3K/Akt pathway through formation of the Gβγ, Rac1, and p85α complex to induce IKKα/β activation, NF-κB transactivation, and IL-8/CXCL8 expression in human lung epithelial cells.
Perceptions and utilization of primary healthcare services in Iraq: findings from a national household survey.

BACKGROUND After many years of sanctions and conflict, Iraq is rebuilding its health system, with a strong emphasis on the traditional hospital-based services. A network exists of public sector hospitals and clinics, as well as private clinics and a few private hospitals. Little data are available about the approximately 1400 Primary Health Care clinics (PHCCs) staffed with doctors. How do Iraqis utilize primary health care services? What are their preferences and perceptions of public primary health care clinics and private primary care services in general? How does household wealth affect choice of services METHODS A 1256 household national survey was conducted in the catchment areas of randomly selected PHCCs in Iraq. A cluster of 10 households, beginning with a randomly selected start household, were interviewed in the service areas of seven public sector PHCC facilities in each of 17 of Iraq's 18 governorates. A questionnaire was developed using key informants. Teams of interviewers, including both males and females, were recruited and provided a week of training which included field practice. Teams then gathered data from households in the service areas of randomly selected clinics. RESULTS Iraqi participants are generally satisfied with the quality of primary care services available both in the public and private sector. Private clinics are generally the most popular source of primary care, however the PHCCs are utilized more by poorer households. In spite of free services available at PHCCs many households expressed difficulty in affording health care, especially in the purchase of medications. There is no evidence of informal payments to secure health services in the public sector. CONCLUSIONS There is widespread satisfaction reported with primary health care services, and levels did not differ appreciably between public and private sectors. The public sector PHCCs are preferentially used by poorer populations where they are important providers. PHCC services are indeed free, with little evidence of informal payments to providers.
Does strategic planning influence the performance of ICT SMEs in Kenya

th May, 2013 Most countries acknowledge the critical role that ICT SMEs contribute to their economies, both as an engine of growth and sustainable development. However, many questions remain unanswered as to the determination of the critical challenges facing SMEs in the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) and how these challenges could be addressed to improve their performance and sustainability. Theoretical literature suggests that strategic planning is an essential activity that generates positive outcomes for firms of all sizes. However, the results of the previous studies examining the relationship between strategic planning and firm performance have been inconclusive and has had mixed results. These challenges have increased the need for empirical information which is essential for decision making in addressing issues that are likely to enhance ICT SMEs survival and growth in Kenya. The objective of this study was to establish the effect of strategic planning on the performance of ICT SMEs in Kenya. Descriptive survey research design was used. Two hundred and thirty nine (239) responses were received from 123 ICT firms hence achieving a response rate of 55 % and 84.2 % respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to test the statistical significance of the independent variable (strategic planning combined processes) on the dependent variable of performance. Performance was measured by multidimensional performance factors of learning and growth, internal business processes, competitive advantage and firm profitability. The study results revealed that strategic planning has significant and positive influences on performance of ICT SME’s in Kenya. The test of hypotheses of the specific objectives revealed that strategic planning has positive and significant influence on learning and growth and explain 24.1 % of learning and growth in ICT SMEs business performance. This study has developed a general framework that integrates key strategic planning practices and characteristics and its link with the multidimensional measures of performance and the moderating effects of the environmental factors and organisational characteristics. The study justifies that strategic planning as a key driver of business performance of ICT SMEs and effective strategic planning processes result in improved learning, business processes, and enhanced business competitiveness. It is apparent that entrepreneurs of ICT SMEs cannot ignore strategic planning as significant changes in learning and growth, internal business processes, and competitive advantage are the result of change or effective application of strategic planning. Policy makers and academicians may need to address the capacity needs of SMEs and develop strategic planning model that address the challenges that SMEs encounter in a dynamic environment.
A study on domestic small-medium sized company's case of assimilation with global value chain

Abstract The proliferation of GVC(Global Value Chain) requires the changes of paradigm on national industrial strategy and trade. It also provides multiple implications on business strategy. The business itself is the main agent which recognizes environmental change and establishes counterstrategy. This study is based on the necessity of support for small-medium sized companies in governmental level, since they are personally and materially vulnerable. This study is emphasize on deriving matching tasks of supporting globalization of companies at governmental level. The spread of GVC requires policy makers' comprehensive view and inspires us that we should focus and provide strategic supports on not only manufacturing business but also high valued service industry as well. The government should provide supporting policies for expansion of globalization of companies. The proliferation of GVC means to enter into the chain which creates high values. This is exactly the same as the paradigm of creative economy which our government pursues constantly.
DETECTING CUSTOMER DEFECTIONS: AN APPLICATION OF CONTINUOUS DURATION MODELS

The considerable increase of business competition in the Portuguese fixed telecommunications industry for the last decades has given rise to a phenomenon of customer defection, which has serious consequences for the business financial performance and, therefore, for the economy. As such, researchers have recognised the importance of an in-depth study of customer defection in different industries and geographic locations. This study aims to understand and predict customer lifetime in a contractual setting in order to improve the practice of customer portfolio management. A duration model is developed to understand and predict the residential customer defection in the fixed telecommunications industry in Portugal. The models are developed by using large-scale data from an internal database of a Portuguese company which presents bundled offers of ADSL, fixed line telephone, pay-TV and home-video. The model is estimated with a large number of covariates, which includes customer’s basic information, demographics, churn flag, customer historical information about usage, billing, subscription, credit, and other. The results of this study are very useful to the computation of the customer lifetime value
Automating lexical cross-mapping of ICNP to SNOMED CT

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of automating lexical cross-mapping of a logic-based nursing terminology (ICNP) to SNOMED CT using the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Methods: A two-stage approach included patterns identification, and application and evaluation of an automated term matching procedure. The performance of the automated procedure was evaluated using a test set against a gold standard (i.e. concept equivalency table) created independently by terminology experts. Results: There were lexical similarities between ICNP diagnostic concepts and SNOMED CT. The automated term matching procedure was reliable as presented in recall of 65%, precision of 79%, accuracy of 82%, F-measure of 0.71 and the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve of 0.78 (95% CI 0.73–0.83). When the automated procedure was not able to retrieve lexically matched concepts, it was also unlikely for terminology experts to identify a matched SNOMED CT concept. Conclusions: Although further research is warranted to enhance the automated matching procedure, the combination of cross-maps from UMLS and the automated procedure is useful to generate candidate mappings and thus, assist ongoing maintenance of mappings which is a significant burden to terminology developers.
Environmental Valuation and Decision Making for Water Project Investment and Operations

Throughout its history, the Institute for Water Resources (IWR) has invited preeminent water resources academicians and practitioners to take up residence at the Institute to foster scholarly exchange. At any given time, IWR frequently has faculty from universities spending time in residence at the Institute. Both IWR and the Corps benefit from such faculty engaging in ongoing water resources studies and research on a reimbursable basis. Visiting scholars are expected to help infuse new energy and ideas to the IWR program, while the practical work environment at IWR and/or the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) provides a stimulating context for mutual exploration of potential advances in hydrologic engineering and planning analysis. Such experiences have proven to be intellectually invigorating for both the Institute staff and the visitors themselves. Program, IWR sponsors post-doctoral and senior fellows to work on water resource policy issues such as analyzing the linkages between water resources development and water resources problems (e.g. drought, floods) and the economies of developing nations. Individuals with a systems engineering, economics, public participation or water resources background are especially encouraged to apply. This highly selective fellowship program gives scientists and engineers a real-world introduction to how science interacts with policy in Washington. Leo R. Beard Visiting Scholar Program For many years, the Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC) has invited prominent hydrologic and hydraulic professionals to take up residence at HEC in Davis, CA to foster scholarly exchange. Faculty from a number of universities have spent some of their sabbatical with HEC and on occasion HEC has also had prominent engineers from other agencies join the Center in the same capacity. The experience and the exchange of ideas that these scholars bring to HEC have proven to be intellectually satisfying and productive for both HEC staff and the visitors themselves. Such scholars in residence are known as "Leo R. Beard Visiting Scholars. " Maass-White Visiting Scholar Fellowship The Maass-White Visiting Scholar Fellowship is designed to ensure that today's water resources challenges benefit from innovative thinking of the nation's top academics, and to promote a deeper understanding of real-world water resource problems by those in academia. The fellowship honors the late Arthur Maass and Gilbert F. White–two scholars who had a revolutionary impact on the practice of water resources planning and management. sponsors postdoctoral and senior research awards to conduct relevant research for one to two years at one of IWR's locations. Fellowships are given for …
Persuasive Talk: Is It What You Say or How You Say It?

ABSTRACT This article introduces a new framework for copy testing. It reveals how the quality of advertising-specific elements (as perceived by the viewer) function to trigger persuasion. Building on McGuire's general theory of personality and persuasion, the proposed model suggests that delivery quality engenders emotional response, whereas dialogue quality elicits attitudinal and behavioral response. In general, preliminary findings support the proposed model.