Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Designing and Evaluating a Health Belief Model-Based Intervention to Increase Intent of HPV Vaccination among College Males

Since 2009, HPV vaccine has been approved by the FDA for use in boys and young men, but less than 1% of eligible males in the United States have taken this vaccine. This study developed and evaluated a Health Belief Model (HBM)-based intervention to increase vaccination rates in college men. In a randomized controlled trial, HBM-based intervention was compared with a traditional knowledge-based intervention in 90 U.S. college-aged men ages 18–25 years. Repeated measures of ANOVA indicated significant positive changes in the intervention group for knowledge and HBM constructs. Results from the pretest/posttest regression analysis indicated self-efficacy for taking the vaccine (p = 0.000), perceived barriers (p = 0.007), and perceived severity (p = 0.004) were significant positive predictors of vaccine acceptability. The model had an adjusted R2 of 0.351. Overall, the intervention proved to be effective in creating positive change toward HPV vaccine acceptability.
The determinants of students’ achievement: a multilevel analysis of new Italian data

The international comparisons about students’ achievements and competencies (OECD-PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS, etc.) showed a clear evidence about the poor performance of Italian students. In 2009, for the first time, the National Committee for the Evaluation of the Italian Educational System (Invalsi) released a new dataset, containing student scores obtained in a standardized test promoted at the end of the lower-secondary education (scholastic year: 2007/08). In this paper, I use a multilevel approach to study the relationship between math Scores and individual-level and school-level factors. As the Invalsi dataset does not include reliable information about schools, it was merged with the TIMSS2007 dataset, which instead include many relevant indicators. The results tell that individual characteristics related to performance are, mainly, the disabled status, the foreign nationality and the repetition of one or more years (late): all these factors are associated to lower scores in the test. When looking at the school-level variables, it turns out that composition of student body (in terms of socio-economic background) matters more than schools’ resources. In the last part of the paper, policy implications and methodological suggestions are formulated.
The Kiwi Connection: Reflections on Local Governance Policy Transfer between the UK and New Zealand

Abstract Local governance policy has been transferred between the United Kingdom and New Zealand since the mid-nineteenth century. In recent decades, however, the processes of exchange have become more complex and more bidirectional. This article argues that contemporary policy transfer is the product of a complex interchange involving three spheres of analysis: ideological and political forces, ideas in good currency and the roles of scholars in cross-national exchange. The article concludes by considering the changing roles of academics in international policy transfer. It suggests that scholarship in this area needs to be encouraged and developed.
The Effect of Competition on R&D Portfolio Investments

Although project portfolio management has been an active research area over the past 50 years, budget allocation models that consider competition are sparse. Faced with the competition, firms contemplating budget allocation for their project portfolio cannot limit their attention to the returns from their projects' target markets, as is the case for monopoly firms, but must also anticipate the competitive effects on these returns. Assuming firms allocate their budgets between projects offering incremental innovation targeting a mature market and projects offering radical innovation targeting an emerging market, we show that while the monopoly firm bases its budget allocation decision solely on the marginal returns of the markets, competing firms—as they take into account their counterparts' investment decisions—need to also consider the projects' average returns from their respective markets. This drives competing firms into incrementalism: faced with competition, firms invest larger portions of their budgets into projects targeting mature markets. This effect is amplified as the number of competing firms increases and firms allocate an even greater share of their budget into projects targeting a mature market. We further demonstrate the effects that changes to firms' individual budgets, as well as to market characteristics, have on firms' budget allocation decision.
Inflammatory bowel disease-specific pregnancy knowledge of gastroenterologists against general practitioners and obstetricians

Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) tend to have smaller family sizes. Health care professionals (HCPs) may inadvertently provide inaccurate advice to patients resulting in voluntary childlessness or unfavourable pregnancy outcomes. Objective The study aims to objectively measure IBD-specific pregnancy-related knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) and obstetricians/gynaecologists (OB/GYNs) in comparison with gastroenterologists (GEs) using the validated Crohn’s and Colitis Pregnancy Knowledge (CCPKnow) questionnaire. Methods GPs, OB/GYNs and GEs in two Australian states completed the CCPKnow (range 0–17) and demographic questionnaires. The CCPKnow addresses issues pertaining to conception, IBD inheritance, risk of congenital abnormalities, medication use in the peri-conceptual period, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and mode of delivery. Results In total, 337 HCPs responded. GPs (n = 188/2086) and OB/GYNs (n = 94/228) had significantly lower knowledge than GEs (n = 55/165) for the composite CCPKnow (medians 11, 13 and 17, respectively, p < 0.001), and almost all domains. GEs were the only group to attain a median CCPKnow score in the top category (14–17). More than 70% of GPs and OB/GYNs expressed discomfort with initiation of IBD medications around conception/pregnancy. GPs (43.6%) and OB/GYNs (45.7%) perceived thiopurine use to be unsafe during pregnancy and to cause serious harm to the baby. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that GPs and OB/GYNs have inadequate and variable IBD-specific pregnancy-related knowledge including use of IBD medications. These results support the need for GEs’ prime role in a team-based management for IBD patients who are pregnant or planning pregnancy.
Cerebral perfusion in the elderly with nocturnal blood pressure fall

Cerebrovascular disease may be linked with vascular autoregulation in aging. The aim of this study was to examine relation between nocturnal blood pressure (BP) fall and cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes in elderly men. The prospective ‘Men born in 1914’ cohort study has been in progress since 1968 and included 809 subjects. After 14 years from the last follow up, 97 subjects reached the age of 82 and underwent CBF measurement and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Diastolic BP at night decreased in 84 subjects with median 12.7% and increased in 13 subjects with median 3.7%. Relative diastolic BP fall at night was negatively associated to CBF in temporal and infero‐parietal areas. Higher proportion of subjects with increasing systolic BP during the 14‐year period was observed in the subgroup with extreme nocturnal diastolic BP dip, irrespectively of BP values or prevalence of hypertension. Extreme nocturnal diastolic BP fall in a cohort of elderly men is correlated with focal changes in CBF. Further studies could explain if increasing BP in the elderly is a cause or result of pathological autoregulation, and if antihypertensive treatment increases nocturnal BP dip.
Disability Retirement in a Welfare State

The increasing number of disability pensioners may put a strain on the welfare state. In this paper, we try to assess the effect of financial incentives on disability entrance. A sample of Norwegians on long-term sick leave at the beginning of 1989 is examined as of the end of 1989 and the exit routes are studied in a multinomial logit model.
Safety and efficacy of INCB018424, a JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, in myelofibrosis.

BACKGROUND Myelofibrosis is a Philadelphia chromosome–negative myeloproliferative neoplasm associated with cytopenias, splenomegaly, poor quality of life, and shortened survival. About half of patients with myelofibrosis carry a gain-of-function mutation in the Janus kinase 2 gene (JAK2 V617F) that contributes to the pathophysiology of the disease. INCB018424 is a potent and selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and JAK2 inhibitor. METHODS We conducted a phase 1−2 trial of INCB018424 in patients with JAK2 V617F−positive or JAK2 V617F−negative primary myelofibrosis, post–essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis, or post–polycythemia vera myelofibrosis. RESULTS A total of 153 patients received INCB018424 for a median duration of more than 14.7 months. The initial dose-escalation phase established 25 mg twice daily or 100 mg once daily as maximum tolerated doses, on the basis of reversible thrombocytopenia. A dose-dependent suppression of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a marker of JAK signaling, was demonstrated in patients with wild-type JAK2 and in patients with the JAK2 V617F mutation. We studied additional doses and established that a 15-mg twice-daily starting dose, followed by individualized dose titration, was the most effective and safest dosing regimen. At this dose, 17 of 33 patients (52%) had a rapid objective response (≥50% reduction of splenomegaly) lasting for 12 months or more, and this therapy was associated with grade 3 or grade 4 adverse events (mainly myelosuppression) in less than 10% of patients. Patients with debilitating symptoms, including weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, and pruritus, had rapid improvement. Clinical benefits were associated with a marked diminution of levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines that are commonly elevated in myelofibrosis. CONCLUSIONS INCB018424 was associated with marked and durable clinical benefits in patients with myelofibrosis for whom no approved therapies existed. (Funded by Incyte; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00509899.)
Corporate Governance and Board Composition: Diversity and Independence of Australian Boards

The board of directors is one of a number of internal governance mechanisms that are intended to ensure that the interests of shareholders and managers are closely aligned, and to discipline or remove ineffective management teams. Among the most significant governance issues currently faced by the modern corporation are those relating to diversity, such as gender and age, and independence of directors. Copyright (c) 2007 The Authors; Journal compilation (c) 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Business strategy and property strategy – how strong is the linkage?

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to investigate the strength of the link between overall business strategy and supporting property strategies in New Zealand organizations.Design/methodology/approach – Most organizations develop strategic business plans as a foundation and focus for decision‐making. These business plans ideally take account of the existing and potential operating environment and the strengths and weaknesses of the individual organization. An organization's management of its property assets can be either a strength, or a weakness, but does this aspect figure prominently in many organizations' strategic business plans? This research utilized e‐mail surveys of 313 organisations in New Zealand to determine the strength of the linkage between their overall business strategy and their property strategy.Findings – Nearly all organizations surveyed had a clearly defined overall business strategy but many did not put corresponding effort into real estate strategies. Even amongst those orga.
A Cross-National Comparison of the Gender Gap in Time-Use: Reanalyzing Data from Japan and Six Western Countries

A secondary analysis of comparable time-use data (arranged by the NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute; the survey dates vary from 1985 to 1990) from Japan, Canada, US, UK, Netherlands, Denmark, and Finland, is conducted by means of a new mathematical procedure to decompose time-use-by-sex arrays distinguishing between effects of marginal distribution and effects of equalization in lifestyle. Let a and y denote unpaid housework time by women and by men respectively; x and b denote paid work time by women and by men. Let the marginals be denoted as follows: F = a + x ; M = b + y ; T = F + M ; U = a + y. The index of sex-typed time-use, which is a variant of Yano Masakazu’s hubyoudou sisuu [inequality scale], is defined as d = T – 2 ( x + y ). Because of the empirical constraint that women’s and men’s amount of labor (F and M) should balance with each other, d cannot exceed C = T-2|F-U|; this C depends on the marginals and presents a structural constraint on individuals’ option. The appropriate estimator of the prevalence of the gender-equal lifestyle is E = (C-d)/C, a coefficient standardized to be margin-free. Finally a two-dimensional (E × C) scatterplot of the seven countries is interpreted with the aid of a welfare state typology by Alan Siaroff (1994): (1) the gender equality in time-use (E) corresponds to the gender equality in the paid labor market; (2) in the Netherlands and in Japan the ceiling of sex-typed time-use (C) depends on the length of the standard paid working time, whereas among the other five countries, to which Siaroff referred as Protestant welfare states, C diverges according to the family welfare orientation.
Judgments on Firm Valuation in Japan

The objective of this paper is to show how judgments are made in a more market-oriented environment of Japan. The article 116 of the Companies Act says that in the case listed in the certain items, dissenting stockholders may demand that the Stock Company purchase, at a fair price, the stocks prescribed in such items held by such stockholders. In order to determine the price, Japanese courts have adopted the market approach except a few cases. In 2012, considering the synergy effect, a district court took to this problem the discounted free cash flow model, one method of the income approach. The adoption of the income approach, the residual income model in particular, would make it possible to judge fairly the value inherent in the firm. As, in Japan as well as in the United States, accounting studies have obtained more effective evidences for the income approach, particularly the residual income model, so the court should more often apply such a method in the decision about a fair price.
Saturated hydrogen saline protects rats from acute lung injury induced by paraquat.

BACKGROUND Paraquat (PQ) intoxication causes lung oxidative stress damage. Saturated hydrogen saline, a newly explored antioxidant, has been documented to play a powerful antioxidant role in preventing oxidative stress damage. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and the possible mechanisms of intoxication on rats with acute lung injury (ALI) caused by paraquat poisoning. METHODS Thirty PQ poisoned rats were randomly divided into a PQ intoxication group (intoxication group), a saturated hydrogen saline intervention group (intervention group), and a control group, with 10 rats in each group. The first two groups accepted an intragastric administration of PQ at a dose of 50 mg/kg for every single rat, and the control group was fed with a same volume of normal saline. Five mL/kg of saturated hydrogen saline was given to the intervention group three times a day by peritoneal injection for three days after intoxication. Arterial blood gas was detected on the third day. The rats were executed and their lungs were taken for measurement of wet dry weight ratio, homogenate malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG). Histological changes of the lungs were also observed. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the intoxication group had more serious hypoxemia, greater wet/dry weight ratio, higher MDA level, higher expression of 8-OhdG and more severe lung damage (P<0.01 or P<0.05). However, after intervention with saturated hydrogen saline, poisoned animals turned to have lighter hypoxemia, smaller wet/dry weight ratio, lower MDA level, lower expression of 8-OhdG, and milder lung damage (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Saturated hydrogen saline is effective in preventing acute lung injury caused by PQ. Possibly, it can neutralize toxic oxygen radicals selectively and alleviate the oxidative stress injury induced by PQ.
Vastus lateralis NA+‐K+‐ATpase activity, protein, and isoform distribution in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

In this study we investigate the hypothesis that protein abundance, isoform distribution, and maximal catalytic activity of sodium–potassium–adenosine triphosphatase (Na+‐K+‐ATPase) would be altered in muscle of patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tissue samples were obtained from the vastus lateralis of 10 patients with COPD (mean ± SE: age = 67 ± 2.9 years; FEV1 = 39 ± 5.5%) and 10 healthy, matched controls (CON: age = 68 ± 2 years; FEV1 = 114 ± 4.2%). The samples were assessed for maximal catalytic activity (Vmax) of the enzyme using the K+‐stimulated 3‐O‐methylfluorescein‐phosphatase (3‐O‐MFPase) assay, enzyme abundance using the [3H]‐ouabain assay, and isoform content of both α (α1, α2, α3) and β (β1, β2, β3) using Western blot techniques. A 19.4% lower (P < 0.05) Vmax was observed in COPD compared with CON (90.7 ± 6.7 vs. 73.1 ± 4.7 nmol · mg protein−1 h−1). No differences between groups were observed for pump concentration (259 ± 15 vs. 243 ± 17 pmol · g wet weight). For the isoforms, α1 was decreased by 28% (P < 0.05), and α2 was increased by 12% (P < 0.05) in COPD compared with CON. No differences between groups were observed for α3 or for the β isoforms. We conclude that moderate COPD compromises Vmax, which occurs in the absence of changes in pump abundance. The reduction in Vmax could be due to a shift in isoform expression (α1, α2), alterations in intrinsic regulation, or to structural changes in the enzyme. The changes observed in the catalytic activity of the pump could have major effects on membrane excitability and fatigability, which are typically compromised in COPD. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Mothers determine offspring size in response to own juvenile growth conditions

Through non-genetic maternal effects, mothers can tailor offspring phenotype to the environment in which young will grow up. If juvenile and adult ecologies differ, the conditions mothers experienced as juveniles may better predict their offspring's environment than the adult environment of mothers. In this case maternal decisions about investment in offspring quality should already be determined during the juvenile phase of mothers. I tested this hypothesis by manipulating juvenile and adult maternal environments independently in a cichlid fish. Females raised in a poor environment produced larger young than females raised without food limitations, irrespective of the feeding conditions experienced during adulthood. This maternal boost was due to a higher investment in eggs and to faster larval growth. Apparently, mothers prepare their offspring for similar environmental conditions to those they encountered as juveniles. This explanation is supported by the distribution of these fishes under natural conditions. Juveniles live in a different and much narrower range of habitats than adults. Therefore, the habitat mothers experienced as juveniles will allow them to predict their offspring's environment better than the conditions in the adult home range.
Trade Preference Erosion: Measurement and Policy Response

The multilateral trade system rests on the principle of nondiscrimination. The most-favored-nation (MFN) clause embodied in article one of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was the defining principle for a system that emerged in the post, Second World War era, largely in reaction to the folly of protectionism and managed trade that contributed to the global economic depression of the 1930s. From its origins, however, the GATT has allowed for exemptions from the MFN rule in the case of reciprocal preferential trade agreements. It also permits granting unilateral (nonreciprocal) preferences to developing countries. To provide some background for the debate on the potential extent and implications of preference erosion, the chapters in this volume review the value of preferences for beneficiary countries, assess the implications of preference erosion under different global liberalization scenarios, and discuss potential policy responses. One set of chapters focuses on the nonreciprocal preference schemes of individual industrial countries, particularly, Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States, and the member states of the European Union (EU). A second set of chapters considers sectoral features of these preference schemes, such as those applying to agricultural and nonagricultural products, and the important arrangements for textiles and clothing. A final set of chapters considers the overall effects of preferences and the options for dealing with preference erosion resulting from nondiscriminatory trade liberalization.
TECHNOLOGY, COOPERATION AND STOCK MARKET VALUE: AN EVENT STUDY OF NEW PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES

We use the event study methodology to investigate the share price responses to the formation of 281 partnerships in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry over the years 1995–2000. The average stock price response is positive, more so than in previous empirical works, which could be interpreted as evidence that interfirm collaboration is particularly valuable in high-technology industries. Research and development (R&D) partnerships also generate higher abnormal returns (relative to production or marketing agreements). On average, smaller firms in the partnership seem to appropriate a very significant share of the cooperative surplus, especially when they receive large technology payments or when the partnership is concluded in the R&D stage. On the other hand, partnership announcements of more profitable firms tend to be associated with higher abnormal returns.
Extracellular Adherence Protein from Staphylococcus aureus Enhances Internalization into Eukaryotic Cells

ABSTRACT In this study we have shown that Eap (extracellular adherence protein) plays a role in the internalization process of Staphylococcus aureus into eukaryotic cells. Eap is a protein that is mostly extracellularly and to a lesser extent is bound to the bacterial surface as a result of rebinding. Eap is able to bind to several plasma proteins, such as fibronectin, fibrinogen, and prothrombin. It has the capacity to form oligomers and is able to agglutinate S. aureus. A mutant strain, Newman mAH12 (eap:: Eryr), with a deficient eap gene was used in the present study. We have demonstrated that (i) strain Newman mAH12 could adhere to and become internalized to a higher extent by eukaryotic cells than the isogenic mutant, (ii) strain Newman mAH12 complemented with the eap gene displayed restoration of the internalization level, (iii) externally added Eap enhanced the internalization of laboratory and clinical S. aureus strains as well as of S. carnosus (a coagulase-negative species devoid of proteins important for internalization), and (iv) antibodies against Eap were able to block the internalization process in strain Newman mAH12 and clinical isolates. Eap, with its broad binding capacity and its surface localization, thus seems to contribute to the internalization of S. aureus into eukaryotic cells. We therefore propose a novel internalization pathway for S. aureus in which Eap plays an enhancing role.