Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining the Moderating Effects of MNCs' Country of Origin in the Relationship between Degree of Inter-Firm Technology Transfer and Local Firms' Performance

The main objective of this paper is to empirically examine the moderating effect of MNCs’ country of origin (Western vs. Asian MNCs) in the relationships between degree of inter-firm technology transfer and two dimensions of local firms’ performance: corporate and human resource performances. Using the moderated multiple regression (MMR) analysis, the theoretical models and hypotheses in this study were tested based on empirical data gathered from 128 joint venture companies registered with the Registrar of Companies of Malaysia (ROC). The results revealed that MNCs’ country of origin has significantly affected the relationships between degrees of technology transfer and local firms’ corporate performance; where the relationship was found stronger for Asian MNCs as compared to Western MNCs. However, MNCs’ country of origin did not significantly moderate the relationship between degree of technology transfer and local firms’ human resource performance. The study has bridged the literature gaps in such that it offers empirical evidence and new insights on the significant moderating effects of MNCs’ country of origin in the relationships between degree of inter-firm technology transfer and local firms’ performance technology using the Malaysian sample.
Self-Regulated Learning in Younger and Older Adults: Does Aging Affect Metacognitive Control?

ABSTRACT Two experiments examined whether younger and older adults' self-regulated study (item selection and study time) conformed to the region of proximal learning (RPL) model when studying normatively easy, medium, and difficult vocabulary pairs. Experiment 2 manipulated the value of recalling different pairs and provided learning goals for words recalled and points earned. Younger and older adults in both experiments selected items for study in an easy-to-difficult order, indicating the RPL model applies to older adults' self-regulated study. Individuals allocated more time to difficult items, but prioritized easier items when given less time or point values favoring difficult items. Older adults studied more items for longer but realized lower recall than did younger adults. Older adults' lower memory self-efficacy and perceived control correlated with their greater item restudy and avoidance of difficult items with high point values. Results are discussed in terms of RPL and agenda-based regulation models.
The Effects of a Motivational General-Mastery Imagery Intervention on the Sport Confidence of High-Level Badminton Players

Abstract A multiple-baseline across-participants design was used to examine the effects of a Motivational General-Mastery imagery intervention on the sport confidence of 4 high-level junior badminton players. Sport confidence data were collected once a week for 21 weeks prior to international and county matches. The imagery intervention consisted of six imagery sessions (two per week for 3 weeks) and was administered using a multiple-baseline design with interventions commencing at Weeks 5, 7, 9, and 11 for Participants 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Results of visual inspection and Binomial tests suggested significant increases in sport confidence for Participants 1 and 2, a significant decrease in sport confidence for Participant 3, and a delayed increase in sport confidence for Participant 4. The results are discussed in terms of the implications of using mastery imagery and the usefulness of multiple-baseline designs for furthering imagery research.
Enhanced intracellular uptake and inhibition of NF‐κB activation by decoy oligonucleotide released from PLGA microspheres

Nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) transcription factor regulates the expression of genes involved in immune response and inflammation. NF‐κB activity can be efficiently inhibited by double‐stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs). In the present study, we investigated the potential of poly(DL‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres as delivery system for an ODN against NF‐κB in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Title of Dissertation: AN EXAMINATION OF SCIENCE TEACHERS' LEARNING IN A LABORATORY-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Title of Dissertation: AN EXAMINATION OF SCIENCE TEACHERS’ LEARNING IN A LABORATORY-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Melissa Lynn Kiehl Doctor of Education 2008 Dissertation Directed By: Dr. J. Randy McGinnis Department of Curriculum and Instruction Science Professional development generally refers to the collection of activities that systematically increase teachers’ knowledge of academic subjects and advance teachers’ understanding of instructional strategies. Given the complexity of the reform initiatives for science education in the United States of America as set forth by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996), professional development might provide a bridge for aligning teacher practice with national standards (Loucks-Horsley, 1995). However, the current model of professional growth, focused largely on expanding a repertoire of skills, is not adequate (Little, 1993). Understanding teacher learning theory and utilizing research on pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) could be the differentiating factor for science teacher professional development; if utilized in design and evaluation, they may promote both knowing science in context and knowing how to tailor science learning to the needs of students (Shulman, 1987). The purpose of this study was to investigate how the Laboratory Science Teacher Professional Development Program (LSTPD), a three year professional development model that immerses teachers in learning science content through inquiry, impacts teachers’ learning and classroom practice. It first aimed to analyze teacher learning and PCK; second, it examined their views on professional development; and third, whether they anticipate adapting their practice to include facets of their laboratory experience. Participants were teachers in their second or third year of participation in LSTPD. The study followed a qualitative case study design and made use of in-depth interviews and observations to examine teachers’ knowledge, beliefs, and practice. The study drew on a constructivist framework. Findings demonstrated that teachers’ understanding of content, inquiry, and science as a living enterprise were greatly increased, and that teachers generated goals for practice that echoed their new understandings. Further, teachers articulated how they connected LSTPD to their classrooms, fueling further discussion of the role of PCK in their experience. This study has greater implications for the design of sustained research-based professional development experiences in promoting learning in teachers, and inquiry techniques in classrooms. AN EXAMINATION OF SCIENCE TEACHERS’ LEARNING IN A LABORATORY-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Pharmacological treatment and the prospect of pharmacogenetics in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson disease (PD) is a progressive movement disorder marked by tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. Levodopa (l‐dopa), usually combined with a peripheral dopa decarboxylase inhibitor, has been proved to provide the best symptomatic benefit for PD. However, its long‐term efficacy is limited because of motor complications and drug‐induced dyskinesia. Dopamine agonists, catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibitors and monoamine oxidase‐B inhibitors are anti‐parkinsonian (anti‐PD) drugs that have been found to further improve the potency of l‐dopa and prevent the onset of motor complications. However, as PD is a progressive disorder, all the drugs used for its therapy, manifest reduced efficacy and adverse effects with time. Research on the field of pharmacogenetics has pointed out that the genetic variability of each individual determines to a large extent the inter‐individual variability in response to anti‐PD drugs. Clinicogenetic trials show that drug efficacy or toxicity or susceptibility to side effects are features governed by genetic principles. This article is a review of the present pharmacological treatment of PD and current pharmacogenetic data for PD.
Perceived substitutability between digital and physical channels: the case of newspapers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the main motivations that influence readers to read newspapers, and, to analyse their influence on the level of perceived substitutability between digital and traditional channels in the newspaper business.Design/methodology/approach – First, qualitative studies were carried out which allowed reader motivations to be identified and the hypotheses to be established. Subsequently an online survey was applied to a representative sample of users. The scales were validated and refined, after which the hypotheses were tested by way of a structural equation model.Findings – Results confirm that readers motivated by aspects related mainly to differential attributes of the internet versus traditional channels perceive them both as information conduits and not as substitutive products. Meanwhile, motivations that could be satisfied through both channels positively affect the level of perceived substitutability between digital and traditional newspapers. Nevertheles.
BSR and BHPR guideline for the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis (including ankylosing spondylitis) with biologics.

Axial SpA (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory condition predominantly involving the spine and sacroiliac joints (SIJ), with or without extra-spinal manifestations including peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, iritis, psoriasis and IBD. Individuals with axSpA experience significant pain, stiffness and lack of function, which translates into important health care costs and increased mortality. AxSpA can be classified into two subgroups: radiographic axSpA, commonly referred to as AS, and non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA). The primary difference between these two subgroups is the presence or absence of defined structural changes in the SIJ as detected on plain radiography. A diagnosis of AS can be made according to the modified New York criteria when radiographs show at least grade 2 sacroiliitis bilaterally or grade 3 unilaterally, in the presence of appropriate clinical symptoms [1]. In contrast, SIJ radiographs may be completely normal in nr-axSpA. The radiographic changes of AS may take 8 10 years to manifest, with a progression rate from nr-axSpA to AS of 12% every 2 years [2], although some patients with nr-axSpA never develop AS. Disease progression is predicted most strongly
First, Do No Harm: Welfare Gains and Welfare Losses from Environmental Taxation

We clarify the relationship between the “double dividend” (associated with a marginal change from the existing tax system) and the situation in which the optimal environmental tax rate is greater than the Pigouvian tax rate. These two situations are generated by rather similar combinations of parameters. We also show that, if environmental taxes are increased beyond their second-best optimal level, there is a rapid increase in the non-environmental costs of tax distortions. Our calculations suggest that, for typical parameter combinations, there will be overall welfare losses when the tax rate is increased to somewhat more than twice the optimal level.
Trade Openness and the Weak-Form Efficiency of Emerging Stock Markets

Basu and Morey [Trade opening and the behavior of emerging stock market prices, Journal of Economic Integration 20(1), 2005, 68-92] develop a theoretical model that predicts financial opening without trade reform does not lead to higher weak-form efficiency. The present paper brings their proposition to the data of 23 emerging stock markets. In general, the key results from fixed effects panel regressions support their prediction that trade liberalization, rather than financial openness, matters the most for informational efficiency. However, our empirical findings are not consistent with their postulated mechanisms through which it occurs. Firstly, it is not the official removal of non-tariff barriers that leads to higher stock price informativeness. What really matters for stock market investors is the actual level of economy integration in the reforming country with the world. Secondly, it is not the actual gain in productive efficiency in the real sector that leads to higher weak-form market efficiency. Instead, stock prices incorporate information about the expected gain from trade openness, such as higher future profitability or greater future productivity growth.
Governing the Market: Economic Theory and the Role of Government in East Asian Industrialization

Published originally in 1990 to critical acclaim, Robert Wade's Governing the Market quickly established itself as a standard in contemporary political economy. In it, Wade challenged claims both of those who saw the East Asian story as a vindication of free market principles and of those who attributed the success of Taiwan and other countries to government intervention. Instead, Wade turned attention to the way allocation decisions were divided between markets and public administration and the synergy between them. Now, in a new introduction to this paperback edition, Wade reviews the debate about industrial policy in East and Southeast Asia and chronicles the changing fortunes of these economies over the 1990s. He extends the original argument to explain the boom of the first half of the decade and the crash of the second, stressing the links between corporations, banks, governments, international capital markets, and the International Monetary Fund. From this, Wade goes on to outline a new agenda for national and international development policy.
A Progestin and an Estrogen Regulate Early Stages of Oogenesis in Fish1

Abstract Using two species of teleost fish, Japanese huchen (Hucho perryi) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio), we investigated whether sex steroids are involved in early oogenesis in vitro. Ovarian fragments were cultured to examine the effects of a progestin, 17alpha, 20beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP), and an estrogen, estradiol-17 beta (E2). DHP and E2 significantly promoted DNA synthesis in ovarian germ cells, as judged by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation into these cells. Furthermore, to detect the initiation of the first meiotic division of early oogenesis, we assessed ultrastructurally the occurrence of synaptonemal complexes (SCs) and analyzed by immunohistochemistry the expression of a meiosis-specific marker, Spo11. In huchen, a higher percentage of oocytes with SC was seen in DHP-treated ovarian fragments than in control or E2-treated ovarian fragments. Spo11 was expressed in germ cells after DHP treatment of carp ovarian explants. These data suggest that the progression of germ cells through early oogenesis involves two sex steroids: E2, which acts directly on oogonial proliferation, and DHP, which acts directly on the initiation of the first meiotic division of oogenesis.
Adult height and cancer mortality in Asia: the Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration.

BACKGROUND The observation that taller people experience an increased risk of selected cancers is largely restricted to Caucasian cohorts. These associations may plausibly differ in Asian populations. For the first time, we make direct comparison in the same analyses of the associations between height and a series of malignancies in Australasian (Caucasian) and Asian populations. METHODS Analyses were based on the Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration of 506 648 study participants (408 381 Asia, 98 267 Australasia) drawn from 38 population-based cohort studies. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the relationship between height and cancer rates. RESULTS A total of 3 272 600 person-years of follow-up gave rise to 7497 cancer deaths (4415 in Asia; 3082 in Australasia). After multiple adjustments and left censoring, taller individuals experienced increased rates of carcinoma of the intestine (men and women); all cancers, liver, lung, breast, 'other' malignancies (all women); and cancers of the prostate and bladder (men). No consistent regional (Asia versus Australasia) or sex differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, taller men and women had an elevated risk of selected malignancies. These associations did not differ appreciably between Asian and Caucasian populations.
Family literacy—predictors of program participation and goal attainment in Kentucky.

FAMILY LITERACY—PREDICTORS OF PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AND GOAL ATTAINMENT IN KENTUCKY Zelma Renae Stewart Harrison August, 2004 The purpose of this study was to investigate how various components of family literacy programs such as operational characteristics (enrollment procedure, hours of operation, time of class, curriculum selection, type of instruction, and age of child served) and staff characteristics (gender, full or part time status, and educational attainment level) influence the recruitment, and goal attainment of adults in family literacy programs. This research investigated factors that could help educational administrators improve family literacy programs through increased enrollment, and improvement of goal attainment of participants. This exploratory, quantitative study utilized 2002-03 data submitted by family literacy programs in Kentucky. Two hierarchical multiple regressions and three Pearson Correlation’s were conducted.
Self-financing of an R and D project

Traditional internal financing of industrial research and development (R and D) is examined in terms of the empirical evidence that it may not be conducive to innovation. A theoretical case study of an established firm considering new product development indicates that cash would only be constrained for projects involving significant innovation or excessive new profits. Most R and D projects can be financed from current profits. When cash is constrained, the balance is single-peaked and declines to zero when the project is completed. The results also indicate that financial limitations would not be the deciding factor in the case of an unrivaled innovation, although the pace of R and D might be slower. R and D was found to accelerate in the case of large anticipated reward and minimal effort. 9 references.
Real-Time Measurement of Functional Tumor Volume by MRI to Assess Treatment Response in Breast Cancer Neoadjuvant Clinical Trials: Validation of the Aegis SER Software Platform.

PURPOSE To evaluate the Aegis software implementation for real-time calculation of functional tumor volume (FTV) in the neoadjuvant breast cancer treatment trial setting. METHODS The validation data set consisted of 689 contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations from the multicenter American College of Radiology Imaging Network 6657 study. Subjects had stage III tumors ≥3 cm in diameter and underwent MRI before, during, and after receiving anthracycline-cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Studies were previously analyzed by the University of California San Francisco core laboratory using the three-timepoint signal enhancement ratio (SER) FTV algorithm; FTV measurement was subsequently implemented on the Hologic (formerly Sentinelle Medical Inc) Aegis platform. All cases were processed using predefined volumes of interest with no user interaction. Spearman rank correlation was evaluated for all study sites and visits. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to compare predictive performance of the platforms for recurrence-free survival (RFS) time. RESULTS Overall agreement between platforms was good; ρ varied from 0.96 to 0.98 for different study visits. Site-by-site analysis showed considerable variation, from ρ = 0.54 to near perfect agreement (ρ = 1.000) for several sites. Mean absolute difference between platforms ranged from 1.67 cm(3) pretreatment to 0.2 cm(3) posttreatment. The two platforms showed essentially identical performance for predicting RFS using pretreatment or posttreatment FTV. CONCLUSION Implementation of the SER FTV algorithm on a commercial platform for real-time MRI volume assessments showed very good agreement with the reference core laboratory system, but variations by site and outlier analysis point out sensitivities to implementation-specific differences.
Effects of Different Equilibration Conditions on Cryopreserved Bovine Sperm Quality

Ekilibrasyon, spermanin sicakliginin dusuruldugu ve faz degisimlerinin meydana geldigi asama olarak, sperma dondurulmasinda en onemli basamaklardan biridir. Ekilibrasyonun gerceklestirildigi ortam cogu zaman goz ardi edilmekte, ekilibrasyon kosullarinin basarisi ampirik tecrubelere dayanmaktadir. Bu calismanin amaci farkli ekilibrasyon ortamlarinin toplam motilite (TMOT), progresif motilite (PMOT), spermatozoa hareket parametleri (VCL, VSL, VAP, LIN, STR, WOB, ALH, BCF), plazma membran ve akrozom butunlugu (PMAI) ve DNA fragmentasyon indeksi (DFI) uzerine etkisinin arastirilmasidir. Calismada 4 bas bogadan iki kez sperma alinarak uc esit hacme bolundu. Andromed® ile sulandirilan spermalar 24 saat 4°C’de payet icinde (Deneme 1), kapta (Deneme 2) ve calkalayicida (Deneme 3) ekilibrasyona birakildi. Cozum sonu sperma kalitesi TMOT, PMOT, VCL, VSL, VAP, LIN, STR, WOB, ALH, BCF, PMAI ve DFI parametreleri degerlendirilerek belirlendi. Farkli ekilibrasyon kosullari arasinda, hareket ozellikleri olan TMOT, PMOT, VSL, VAP, BCF ve morfolojik ozellikler olan PMAI ve DFI acisindan istatistiki bir farklilik bulunamadi (p>0,05). En yuksek VCL degeri Deneme 3’te, en yuksek LIN, STR, WOB ve ALH degerleri Deneme 2’de gozlendi (p<0,05). Bu sonuclar farkli kolullarda yapilan ekilibrasyonun cozum sonu spermatolojik degerler uzerinde herhangi bir zararli etkisi olmadigini gostermektedir. Ayrica boga spermasinin calkalayicida ekilibre edilmesinin kap ve payet icinde ekilibre edilmesine gore spermatozoa hareket ozellikleri acisindan daha yararli oldugu soylenebilir.
Self-reported Adjustment to Implanted Cardiac Devices

Background and Research Objective: Although implantations of devices to support cardiovascular function are increasing, little is known about the factors involved in adjusting psychologically to having an implanted device. This study provides factor analysis of the Implanted Device Adjustment Scale (IDAS) and self-reported data on quality of life, mood states, and global adjustment. Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional correlational design study included 174 subjects (46 women and 128 men). A convenience sample was recruited from electrophysiology practices in 2 large Midwestern cities. Subjects completed the IDAS, the SF-36 quality-of-life measure, the Profile of Mood States, and a device adjustment visual analog scale. Results and Conclusions: The factor analysis produced 4 subscales for the IDAS: fear/anxiety, attitude, preparation, and body awareness. Perceived adjustment was "good" for 89% of persons and was unrelated to age, sex, type of device, and whether a shock was received. All 4 subscales of the IDAS correlated negatively with adjustment (higher IDAS score means poorer adjustment). The overall IDAS was internally consistent with a Cronbach α = . 89. Adjustment, as measured by the overall IDAS, had a weak but significant relationship with measures of quality of life including the mental component summary scale of the SF-36 (r = 0.19), but not the physical component summary scale of the SF-36. All the Profile of Mood States subscales correlated positively with the IDAS subscale anxiety/fear with the exception of vigor/activity which had a negative correlation. No sex differences in total adjustment were seen in this group of patients, although there were differences in body awareness, physical functioning, and fatigue. Although patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillator were more fearful/anxious than patients with pacemaker only, no differences in total adjustment were seen between the 2 groups. A better understanding of the experience of adjusting to an implanted device is foundational to the development of appropriate interventions.