Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Discrimination value of the new western prognostic system (CLIP score) for hepatocellular carcinoma in 662 Japanese patients

To reliably estimate the prognoses of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), both liver function and tumor‐related factors should be accounted for. However, there are few worldwide staging systems that assess prognostic value in the context of selecting individual patients for randomized stratification in therapeutic and clinical trials. We investigated the value of known prognostic systems and verified the usefulness of the new scoring system proposed by the Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP), as determined from 662 Japanese patients. A retrospective analysis of the HCC diagnoses at 4 Japanese institutions from 1990 and 1998 was performed. Overall survival was the only end point used in the analysis. Discriminatory ability and predictive power of the CLIP score were compared with those of Okuda stage and AJCC TNM stage. Compared with the Okuda and AJCC staging systems, the CLIP score's enhanced discriminatory capacity, which was tested by the linear trend test and Harrels' c‐index, revealed a class of patients with an impressively more favorable prognosis and another class with a relatively shorter life expectancy. Moreover, the likelihood ratio test showed that the CLIP score had additional homogeneity of survival within each score above that of the Okuda stage or the AJCC stage. This was true for 3 subgroups of patients who received surgery, transcatheter arterial chemoembolizations, and percutaneous ethanol injections. Collectively, these findings indicate that the CLIP score has the highest stratification ability with regard to prognosis in patients with HCC. The CLIP score could be used internationally to stratify randomization groups in therapeutic and clinical trials. (HEPATOLOGY 2001;34:529‐534.)
Ab initio potential and rotational spectra of the CO-N2 complex.

Ab initio calculations of the intermolecular potential energy surface (PES) of CO-N2 have been carried out using the closed-shell single- and double-excitation coupled cluster approach with a non-iterative perturbative treatment of triple excitations method and the augmented correlation-consistent quadruple-zeta (aug-cc-pVQZ) basis set supplemented with midbond functions. The global minimum (De = 117.35 cm-1) of the four-dimensional PES corresponds to an approximately T-shaped structure with the N2 subunit forming the leg and CO the top. The bound rovibrational levels of the CO-N2 complex were calculated for total angular momenta J = 0-8 on this intermolecular potential surface. The calculated dissociation energies D0 are 75.60 and 76.79 cm-1 for the ortho-N2 (A-symmetry) and para-N2 (B-symmetry) nuclear spin modifications of CO-N2, respectively. Guided by these bound state calculations, a new millimeter-wave survey for the CO-N2 complex in the frequency range of 110-145 GHz was performed using the intracavity OROTRON jet spectrometer. Transitions not previously observed were detected and assigned to the subbands connecting the K = 0 and 1, (jCO, jN2 ) = (1, 0) states with a new K = 1, (jCO, jN2 ) = (2, 0) state. Finally, the measured rotational energy levels of the CO-N2 complex were compared to the theoretical bound state results, thus providing a critical test of the quality of the PES presented. The computed rovibrational wave functions were analyzed to characterize the nature of the different bound states observed for the two nuclear spin species of CO-N2.
Gender impact on the outcomes of critically ill patients with nosocomial infections*

Objectives:To investigate gender impact on the outcomes of severe nosocomial infections (pneumonia, bacteremia, catheter-related bloodstream infections, poststernotomy mediastinitis, urinary infections) occurring in a large cohort of patients hospitalized in a medical-surgical intensive care unit. Highly controversial data exist regarding gender-related differences in outcomes of severe nosocomial infections, reflecting potential confounders related to case-mixes or heterogeneity of populations evaluated. Design:Retrospective study of patients admitted to our intensive care unit. Multivariable logistic regression-analysis was used to control for confounders in the evaluation of gender impact on intensive care unit death post nosocomial infections. Setting:An 18-bed tertiary referral medical-surgical intensive care unit in a teaching hospital. Patients:Mixed population of patients who developed nosocomial infections in the intensive care unit. Measurements and Main Results:Among the 5081 patients admitted to our intensive care unit from 1995 to 2004, 1341 (34% women) developed nosocomial infections. Pneumonia and mediastinitis were more frequent in men (51% vs. 44%, p = .01 and 29% vs. 22%, p = .01, respectively) whereas urinary infections predominated for women (46% vs. 24%, p < .001). Durations of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stays and treatment intensity did not differ between genders. However, intensive care unit mortality was higher for women (37% vs. 32%, p = .06) and this excess mortality was statistically significant (odds ratio = 1.50, 95% Confidence Interval = 1.11–2.03), after controlling for other independent risk factors of intensive care unit death. Compared with those observed for men of the same subgroup, crude ICU death rates were significantly higher for women who developed pneumonia, who were <50 yrs old or had undergone heart surgery before intensive care unit admission. However, multivariable analyses retained feminine gender as significantly associated with mortality only for the last subgroup. Conclusions:Female intensive care unit patients developing nosocomial infections seem to be at increased risk of intensive care unit mortality, after carefully controlling for other prognostic factors. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiology underlying this gender-related difference, to devise tailored gender-specific therapies that might improve outcomes.
Competition, Contracts, and Entry in the Electricity Spot Market

The supply function model of the English electricity spot market is extended to include a contract market and contestable entry, both of which have dramatic effects on the determination of equilibrium. I present an analytically tractable model that can be solved with contracts, variable numbers of competitors, and capacity constraints. In the case of constant marginal costs and linear demand, two outcomes are possible: if new plant is the same as existing plant and incumbents have insufficient capacity, entry will occur, but if new plant has lower variable costs then incumbents can invest to deter entry.
Managing the tourist destination's image

A tourist destination's image is one of the most important strategic tools for creating and sustaining tourist destinations, yet images relating to tourist perceptions of regions and countries have been taken somewhat for granted in tourism marketing. This paper presents a comprehensive approach to image analysis and image management as the key tool for positioning, differentiating and promoting a tourist destination.
THE LONG-RUN RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OIL EXPORTS AND AGGREGATE IMPORTS IN THE GCC: COINTEGRATION ANALYSIS

This paper investigates the existence and nature of long-run relationships between oil exports and aggregate imports in four GCC members’ countries (Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), using the Johansen approach to cointegration. The investigation reveals a strong evidence of long-run relation between the two variables in three members of the GCC (Oman, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates). Furthermore, the slope coefficients in the cointegration regressions are found to be close to unity. This suggests that the above three member's trade policies were effective in sustaining long-run trade balance between oil exports and imports. Kuwait is the only country, which the Johansen method failed to recognize a unique cointegrating vector. This could be justified by the ability of Kuwait to finance its dependency on imports through its investment income from abroad.
Government Effectiveness, the Global Financial Crisis, and Multinational Enterprise Internationalization

This study examines the influence of national institutions on multinational enterprise entry mode behavior during economic downturns. Drawing on institutional and transaction cost theories, the authors propose (1) alternative hypotheses for the effect of host-country government effectiveness (a spatial institution) and (2) hypotheses for a direct and an indirect effect of a global financial crisis (a temporal event affecting all countries) on firms’ internationalization strategy. With a sample comprising 624 foreign expansion investments conducted by Dutch multinational enterprises between 2004 and 2009 into 66 countries, this investigation confirms that majority control more likely occurs when host-country government effectiveness is high or when the investment is made during a global financial crisis. The authors also find support for a hypothesized moderating effect of a global financial crisis. Concluding remarks discuss the implications of these findings for scholars and practitioners.
Profit-Sharing, Employment Stability, and Wage Growth

The authors conjecture that profit-sharing reduces turnover and thus increases expected returns to firm-specific human capital investments, so that the optimal levels of skill acquisition and investment in firm-specific skills rise and ultimately increase productivity. Empirical evidence from NLSY data on white men in nonunion jobs between 1988 and 1994 supports this hypothesis. Employees participating in profit-sharing plans were less likely than non-participants to separate from their jobs. They also received training more frequently and for longer durations. Finally, the authors show that profit-sharing was related to higher wage growth, indicating a faster rate of skill accumulation.
E‐Government in the Asia‐pacific region

Asia‐Pacific governments are only in the initial phases of adopting information and communications technology to improve financial management information and reporting, streamline the delivery of government services, enhance communication with the citizenry, and serve as a catalyst for empowering citizens to interact with the government. This article begins with a brief review of the potential benefits of e‐government in supporting public sector reform and poverty reduction. It then gives some examples of adoption of e‐government in recent years in the Asia‐Pacific region, to see the extent to which these benefits have materialised. It explains why the pace has been slower in the public sector than in the private sector, gives examples of six stages of e‐government, and reviews both the benefits and challenges of each stage. Finally, the article discusses three major, cross‐cutting challenges and suggests some directions for further research.
Deploying and evaluating multiattribute product recommendation in e-markets

Evaluation of proposed recommender systems before their final deployment, under experimental conditions close to the actual e-market ones, can prove of significant added value for system developers. The objective of this paper is to present the results of a pilot evaluation experiment for a product recommendation system of an electronic market (e-market). More specifically, it first presents the design of a product recommendation algorithm that is based on MultiAttribute Utility Theory (MAUT). Then it describes its implementation and evaluation for supporting consumers' wine selection in agricultural e-markets. This takes place through a small-scale experiment that engages a variety of evaluation measures and which involves both simulated data, as well as, data from a focus group of real wine consumers. This pilot evaluation may serve as a useful case study for e-market operators and developers who wish to evaluate multiattribute product recommendation systems before they deploy them online.
Quasi-min-max MPC algorithm for constraint LPV system based on time-varying one-step invariant set

This paper considers a quasi-min-max model predictive control (MPC) problem for constrained linear parameter varying (LPV) systems with polytopic description. A method based on invariant set is proposed to reduce the computational complexity of designing the stable controller. The proposed method constructs the one-step invariant set comprises an interpolation between several pre-computed invariant sets at each time instant. Then control law is obtained by solving a constrained QP problem, and ensures constraint satisfaction and asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system if the SDP problem is feasible. Compared with the robust MPC approach based on single invariant set implementations, this proposed approach has the advantage of combining the merits of having a large domain of attraction and good asymptotic behavior. The performances of the approach are presented via an example.
Three Perspectives on the Bretton Woods System

The twenty years that have passed since the collapse of the Bretton Woods System provide sufficient distance to safely assess the operation of the post-World War II international monetary system. This paper considers the history and historiography of Bretton Woods from three perspectives. First, I ask how the questions posed today about the operation of Bretton Woods differ from those asked twenty years ago. Second, I explore how today's answers to familiar questions differ from the answers offered in the past. Third, I examine the implications of Bretton Woods experience for international monetary reform.
Drivers of Voluntary Intellectual Capital Disclosure in Listed Biotechnology Companies

Purpose – The paper seeks to investigate the key drivers and level of voluntary disclosures in biotechnology company annual reports.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses an intellectual capital disclosure index score of voluntary disclosures in a large sample of listed biotechnology companies, and tests the relationship between voluntary disclosures of intangible firm value with traditional agency theory variables. The relationships are tested statistically using correlation and multiple‐regression analysis.Findings – The key drivers of voluntary intellectual capital disclosures were the level of board independence, firm age, level of leverage and firm size. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that board independence, leverage and size had a significant relationship with the level of voluntary intellectual capital disclosure. Separate regression controlling for large‐sized and small‐sized firms demonstrated that voluntary intellectual capital disclosure was only driven by board independence a.
Consequences, risk factors, and geography of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)

This paper summarises key findings from a study into the consequences, risk factors, and geographies of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) over the past two decades. The study uses the Scottish Longitudinal Study (SLS) which links anonymised individual records from the 1991, 2001, 2011 Censuses and a wide range of data from a variety of sources. Scotland’s censuses are also used in the analysis of the geographies of NEET.
Frequency Domain Fluorometry with Pulsed Light‐Emitting Diodes

We present a simple way to extend the time resolution of a standard frequency domain (FD) fluorometer by use of pulsed light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) as an excitation source. High temporal resolution of the multifrequency FD method requires the excitation light to be modulated up to the highest possible frequencies with high modulation depth. We used harmonic content of subnanosecond‐pulsed LEDs for generation of modulated excitation light. By a replacement of the light source, the upper frequency limit increased to 500–600 MHz, which is almost triple the frequency limit of the standard FD fluorometer equipped with an ordinary photomultiplier tube and an electro‐optical modulator. Besides the increased time resolution, this approach allowed for elimination of a light modulator with an associated synthesizer and radio frequency power amplifier that are normally required for FD measurements with continuous wave light sources. Performance of the instrument with pulsed LED excitation is demonstrated on several examples of ultraviolet‐excited fluorescence decays. We show that pulsed LEDs can serve as an inexpensive alternative to pulsed laser sources for FD fluorescence spectroscopy.
High precision semiautomated computed tomography measurement of lumbar disk and vertebral heights.

PURPOSE Evaluation of treatments of many spine disorders requires precise measurement of the heights of vertebral bodies and disk spaces. The authors present a semiautomated computer algorithm measuring those heights from spine computed tomography (CT) scans and evaluate its precision. METHODS Eight patients underwent two spine CT scans in the same day. In each scan, five thoracolumbar vertebral heights and four disk heights were estimated using the algorithm. To assess precision, the authors computed the differences between the height measurements in the two scans, coefficients of variation (CV), and 95% limits of agreement. Intraoperator and interoperator precisions were evaluated. For local vertebral and disk height measurement (anterior, middle, posterior) the algorithm was compared to a manual mid-sagittal plane method. RESULTS The mean (standard deviation) interscan difference was as low as 0.043 (0.031) mm for disk heights and 0.044 (0.043) mm for vertebral heights. The corresponding 95% limits of agreement were [-0.085, 0.11] and [-0.10, 0.12] mm, respectively. Intraoperator and interoperator precision was high, with a maximal CV of 0.30%. For local vertebral and disk heights, the algorithm improved upon the precision of the manual mid-sagittal plane measurement by as much as a factor of 6 and 4, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The authors evaluated the precision of a novel computer algorithm for measuring vertebral body heights and disk heights using short term repeat CT scans of patients. The 95% limits of agreement indicate that the algorithm can detect small height changes of the order of 0.1 mm.
Clinical course and characterisation of lymphangioleiomyomatosis in a Brazilian reference centre.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease that promotes pulmonary cystic destruction and impairs pulmonary function. We aim to describe features and clinical course of LAM patients from Brazil. METHODS We described the clinical and functional features, performance in six minute walk test (6MWT), management details, survival and clinical course of 84 LAM patients followed in a Brazilian reference centre. RESULTS All subjects were women, the average age at onset of symptoms was 38 years, and the average at diagnosis was 42 years. The major symptoms during the course of the disease were dyspnoea and pneumothorax. The patients experienced impaired quality of life, with worse scores in the physical and emotional domains. The most common abnormalities in pulmonary function tests were an obstructive pattern and reduced diffusion capacity, whereas a quarter of the patients had normal spirometric results. In the 6MWT, although patients had preserved exercise capacity, more than half of the patients had significant desaturation. Hormonal blockage and doxycycline were the most common treatment modalities employed in our patients. The survival probability from diagnosis was 90% at 5 years, whereas the mean annual rate of decline in FEV1 was 60 ± 78 mL. CONCLUSIONS Clinical and functional features of the LAM patients from our centre are similar to those from other countries. Our sample showed preserved exercise capacity, with desaturation in the 6MWT, and impaired quality of life. Survival was similar, whereas the annual rate of decline of FEV1 was slightly lower than in recent studies.
Tourism-Led Growth Hypothesis in Malaysia: Evidence Based Upon Regime Shift Cointegration and Time-Varying Granger Causality Techniques

This article examines the tourism-led growth (TLG) hypothesis in Malaysia based upon quarterly data from 1991:Q1 to 2014:Q1. The Johansen–Juselius cointegration and the regime shift cointegration tests consistently show evidence of cointegration. In addition, we find evidence of unidirectional causality from tourism to economic growth in Malaysia. Furthermore, the rolling Granger causality test confirms that the TLG hypothesis is generally valid and stable in Malaysia. Therefore, tourism is an effective long-term engine of growth. Policies to promote tourism would effectively invigorate Malaysia's long-term economic growth and development in Malaysia.
Discriminative Nonlinear Analysis Operator Learning: When Cosparse Model Meets Image Classification

A linear synthesis model-based dictionary learning framework has achieved remarkable performances in image classification in the last decade. Behaved as a generative feature model, it, however, suffers from some intrinsic deficiencies. In this paper, we propose a novel parametric nonlinear analysis cosparse model (NACM) with which a unique feature vector will be much more efficiently extracted. Additionally, we derive a deep insight to demonstrate that NACM is capable of simultaneously learning the task-adapted feature transformation and regularization to encode our preferences, domain prior knowledge, and task-oriented supervised information into the features. The proposed NACM is devoted to the classification task as a discriminative feature model and yield a novel discriminative nonlinear analysis operator learning framework (DNAOL). The theoretical analysis and experimental performances clearly demonstrate that DNAOL will not only achieve the better or at least competitive classification accuracies than the state-of-the-art algorithms, but it can also dramatically reduce the time complexities in both training and testing phases.
The effects of external shocks to business cycles in emerging Asia: A Bayesian VAR approach

In this paper we analyze the effects of external shocks on countries in Emerging Asia. For that purpose, we estimate a Bayesian Vector Auto-Regressive model (BVAR) with an informative prior on the steady state, including variables representing world economic activity, financial conditions, Chinese GDP and an aggregate GDP index of eight East Asian countries. We show that almost half of the forecast error variance of Emerging Asia's real GDP growth can be explained by external factors. We also conduct an estimation of a classical VAR using maximum likelihood estimation and a traditional BVAR. An out-of-sample forecast evaluation shows that the BVAR with an informative prior on the steady-state outperforms both, the classical VAR and the traditional BVAR. Finally, we simulate a double dip scenario for the world economy and a muted growth path of the Chinese economy using conditional forecasts and show that the economic outlook in Emerging Asia highly depends on the growth path of the world economy and remarkably little on business cycle fluctuations in China.