Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consumers' Perceptions of Health Care

Abstract The health care industry in Hong Kong has undergone major changes in organization as well as philosophy of operation since the 1970s. During this period, the Hong Kong government has also experienced a political transition from colonial status to a special administrative region of Mainland China. Because of the economic downturn in East Asia, including Hong Kong, contraction of public spending has compelled the government to reconsider the alternatives for health care provision in Hong Kong. A number of multinational health care providers have entered this market and operate mainly in the private sector, including solely-owned clinics and alliances with existing hospitals. This paper provides an understanding of the evolution and development of the health care industry in Hong Kong and, on that basis, suggests elements of quality health care from the findings of a survey of patients.
“Where Mitt Romney Takes His Family to Church”: Mike Huckabee’s GOP Convention Speech, the “Mormon Hurdle,” and the Rhetoric of Proportion

OnWednesday, August 29, 2012,MikeHuckabee, former Arkansas governor, 2008 presidential candidate, and ordained Southern Baptist minister, stood before the Republican National Convention gathered in Tampa, Florida, and declared, “I care far less as to where Mitt Romney takes his family to church than I do about where he takes this country. ” It was a remarkable statement, given the controversy Romney’s Mormon faith had engendered from themoment he declared his candidacy on June 2, 2011. The day after his announcement, aWashington Times front page headline announced, “Romney’s in; Mormon faith still seen as hurdle. ” Polls conducted that summer indicated that many voters, especially evangelical voters, were uncomfortable with the prospect of a Mormon president. Romney’s faith was the target of negative comments in conservative circles, among them Texas pastor Robert Jeffress’ claim, made while introducing Rick Perry at the Family Research Council’s Values Voter Summit that October, that the Mormon religion was a cult and that “every true born-again follower of Christ ought to embrace a Christian over a non-Christian. ” Romney’s stinging loss in the South Carolina primary the
Evaluating currency market efficiency: are cointegration tests appropriate?

This paper investigates the claim that the common finding of cointegration between spot and lagged forward exchange rates reflects the existence of covered interest arbitrage and not, as is generally accepted, long-run market efficiency. Breuer and Wohar's (1996) methodology is employed to match spot and one-month forward rates correctly for three major currencies; the Deutschmark, Sterling and the Yen, relative to the US dollar. Bi-variate analysis shows that spot and lagged forward rates are cointegrated with the vector (1,-1), a necessary condition for market efficiency. However, at variance with theory, in a tri-variate VECM estimation, the spot rate, lagged forward rate and lagged interest rate differential are shown to be cointegrated with the vector (1,-1,1) for the Mark and Sterling. The ‘cointegration’ paradox is explained by investigating the relative magnitudes of the forecast error and the interest rate differential. It is demonstrated that it is impossible to distinguish between the influence of covered interest arbitrage and the existence of market efficiency using cointegration-based tests.
Predictors of Outcome of Non–Muscle-Invasive and Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. At initial diagnosis, 75% of patients present with non—muscle-invasive disease and 25% of patients have muscle-invasive or metastatic disease.Patients with noninvasive disease suffer from a high rate of recurrence and 10–30% will have disease progression. Patients with muscle-invasive disease are primarily treated with radical cystectomy, but frequently succumb to their disease despite improvements in surgical technique. In non–muscle-invasive disease, multiplicity, tumor size, and prior recurrence rates are the most important predictors for recurrence, while tumor grade, stage, and carcinoma in situ are the most important predictors for progression. The most common tool that clinicians use to predict outcomes after radical cystectomy is still the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system, with lymph node involvement representing the most important prognostic factor. However, the predictive accuracy of staging and grading systems are limited, and nomograms incorporating clinical and pathologic factors can improve prediction of bladder cancer outcomes. One limitation of current staging is the fact that tumors of a similar stage and grade can have significantly different biology. The integration of molecular markers, especially in a panel approach, has the potential to further improve the accuracy of predictive models and may also identify targets for therapeutic intervention or patients who will respond to systemic therapies.
Inventory Control in a Spare Parts Distribution System with Emergency Stocks and Pipeline Information

Motivated by collaboration with a global spare parts service provider, we consider a two-echelon inventory system with multiple local warehouses, a so-called support warehouse, and a central warehouse with ample capacity. In case of stock-outs, the local warehouses can receive emergency shipments from the support warehouse or the central warehouse at an extra cost. Our focus is on using information on orders in the replenishment pipeline, i.e., pipeline information, to achieve cost-efficient policies for requesting emergency shipments. We introduce a policy where the request for an emergency shipment is based on the time until an outstanding order will reach the stock point considered. The goal is to determine how long one should wait for stock in the replenishment pipeline before requesting an emergency shipment, and the cost effects of using pipeline information in this manner. The analysis utilizes results from queuing theory and provides a decomposition technique for optimizing the policy parameters that reduces the complex multiechelon problem to more manageable single-echelon problems. The performance of our policy indicates that there can be a significant benefit in using pipeline information.
The effect of family business size as firms grow: a USA‐France comparison

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how family businesses change as they grow in size, and to compare differences between the USA and France.Design/methodology/approach – The research design is survey research, statistically t‐testing 12 hypothesized differences between smaller and larger firms in the USA (n=159) and in France (n=116). Findings – The research finds that both countries' larger firms have significantly (p < 0.05) more non‐family members within top management and make greater use of outside consultants, advisors, and professional services than smaller firms. However, family businesses in France had no other significant differences, while those in the USA had four. Larger US firms have a smaller percentage of women family members working in the firm and less conflict and disagreement between family members; they also spend more time in strategic management activities, and use more sophisticated methods of financing.Research limitations/implications – There are some variations.
Foreign Assistance: Objectives and Consequences

Many changes will take place, and must take place, for an underdeveloped country steadily to increase the material well-being of its citizens. These changes can be encouraged or hindered by groups within the country or without; when the encouragement or hindrance comes from without, it is commonly called foreign assistance or foreign aid. Our aim in this essay is to ask which countries lend assistance to which other countries, for what purposes do they lend, and what are the consequences of their aid. As economists addressing ourselves to this subject we should be wary, for we are students who have ignored the teachings of our masters, disciples who have lost our faith. Our discipline seems of little use, our theories unrevealing, or even irrelevant, and our evidence fragmentary and inadequate. Yet it is economists who have generally addressed themselves to these topics, perhaps because foreign assistance initiates a flow of resources, and resources are economic phenomena. But because of our ignorance of subjects other than economics, we may say little of consequence about foreign assistance; and because of our skepticism, what we do say may be what Sheridan called "a string of uncharitable sentiments. " Nevertheless, we shall proceed, first, by considering who aids whom; second, by discussing the motives and objectives of the donors; and, finally, by examining the consequences of foreign assistance on economic development. Our method will be largely unscientific and suggestive rather than assertive, consisting of a few ideas, some of which will be defended, others of which will rest only on their plausibility. We should be as happy if our hypotheses were rejected as we would be if they were accepted, for their implications are not generally pleasing.
Seaport Research: A Decadal Analysis of Trends and Themes Since the 1980s

This paper uses a structured literature review approach to investigate how seaports have been studied during the last three decades (1980s–2000s), and to provide a detailed analysis of seaport-related research during this period. To this end, 840 academic papers of relevance were identified. This paper develops a structured analysis of the relevant literature with general trends and research sub-themes being analysed on a decadal basis. In addition, consideration is given as to how the identified trends and research themes have reflected the evolution of seaports. It is shown that the scale of research related to seaports increased substantially during the 2000s, and that seaport research has become a dominant theme in the area of maritime economic studies. It is also clear that there has been a diversification of research with several new themes emerging, reflecting the evolution of the port industry such as the changing role of seaports in supply chains and logistics.
Public Administration Reform in Europe. Views and Experiences from Senior Executives in 10 Countries. COCOPS WP3 Cross-national Report

markdownabstract__Abstract__ Coordinating for Cohesion in the Public Sector of the Future (COCOPS), as one of the largest comparative public management research projects in Europe, intends to provide a comprehensive picture of the challenges facing the European public sector of the future and to systematically explore the impact of New Public Management (NPM)-style reforms in Europe. The project brings together public administration scholars from eleven universities in ten countries1 and is funded as part of the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme; it runs from January 2011 until June 2014.2 The research is comparative and evidence-based, drawing on both existing data and innovative new quantitative and qualitative data collection. A cornerstone of the project is the COCOPS Executive Survey on Public Sector Reform in Europe, an original survey of public sector senior executives in ten European countries, and currently the largest of its kind implemented in Europe. The survey explores the executives’ perceptions, experiences and opinions with regard to their work context and public administrative reforms and the impact of these factors on public sector performance more generally; particular attention is given to the employment and health policy sectors.
How does Turkish stock market respond to the external shocks? Pre- and post- crises analyses

This paper analyzes the impact of current financial crisis on Turkish stock market movements and external linkages with selected developed countries. We employ the multivariate co-integration method and structural break analyses using daily stock market indices of Turkey, the US, England and Germany. Our empirical result indicates that Turkish stock market has significant co-integration relationship with selected developed countries’ stock markets in the crises free period. However, the Turkish stock market deviated during crises using its own financial dynamics. The current financial crisis in the US has no impact on the development of Turkish stock market. Our result has important implication that portfolio investors can capitalize on this feature of Turkish stock market in the case of financial crises in the developed countries.
Inclusive Financial Markets: Is Transformation Under Way in Kenya?

Policy emphasis on financial-sector development has shifted away from microfinance and towards the development of ‘inclusive financial markets’. But, for inclusion to take place, policy must address barriers to access. This article analyses the socio-economic, demographic and geographical factors associated with financial-service use across formal, semi-formal and informal financial services in Kenya between 2006 and 2009, including the new and rapidly growing mobile-phone-based payments service – M-PESA. It finds that, despite an expansion of services, evidence of access barriers is now clearer than it was in 2006. However, there is some evidence that M-PESA is reversing age as a barrier to inclusion, but, as yet, it is more of a complement than a substitute for formal services.
ANALYSIS OF SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITIES AND TISSUE EXPRESSION OF RAT UDP-GLUCURONOSYLTRANSFERASES UGT1A7 AND UGT1A8

The UGT1 complex codes for a subfamily of homologous “1A7-like” UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), including UGT1A7 and UGT1A8. Little information is available regarding either the substrate specificities or regulation of the UGT1A7-like forms from rats. We compared the activities and tissue expression of UGT1A7 and UGT1A8, which exhibit 77% identity in their amino terminal sequence. UGT1A7 shows broad specificity, catalyzing the glucuronidation of 31 of 40 randomly selected substrates (100 μM) at rates >0.1 nmol/mg/min. UGT1A7 substrates included both planar and nonplanar compounds, mono- and polycyclic aromatics, and compounds with bulky side chain ring substitutions. UGT1A8 exhibited a narrower substrate specificity that completely overlapped with UGT1A7. UGT1A8 was most active toward the 1-OH, 4-OH, 5-OH, 6-OH, 7-OH, 10-OH, 11-OH, and 12-OH derivatives of benzo[a]pyrene. Other effective UGT1A8 substrates (>0.1 nmol/mg/min) included 9-OH-benzo[a]pyrene, 1-naphthol, 4-methylumbelliferone, 7-hydroxycoumarin, chrysin, quercetin, 4-nitrophenol, and estriol. In general, substrates preferred by UGT1A8 were polyaromatic planar structures with nonbulky substituents and a superimposable 1-naphtho ring structure. Studies of the tissue expression of the UGT1A7 and 1A8 mRNAs using RNase protection analysis suggested that each is expressed in liver and kidney of control rats. A major difference is the higher expression of UGT1A7 mRNA in intestine. These studies suggest complementary functions of the UGT1A7 and UGT1A8 forms in xenobiotic metabolism. Further studies are necessary to determine whether their relative contributions change as a function of development, hormonal status, or exposure to inducing agents.
Effects of industrial tomato paste processing on ascorbic acid, flavonoids and carotenoids and their stability over one-year storage.

BACKGROUND The effects of industrial tomato paste processing and long-term (12 months) ambient storage on the content and stability of quercetin, kaempferol, ascorbic acid (AA), dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA), β-carotene and lycopene were evaluated in a commercially produced tomato paste. RESULTS The initial thermal treatment (hot break; 93 °C for 5 min) resulted in significant reductions in quercetin (54%), kaempferol (61%), AA (63%) and β-carotene (30%), whereas subsequent processing steps (e.g. evaporation and sterilization) did not result in marked changes in these compounds. Lycopene was stable during hot break but decreased by 20% through evaporation and sterilization. The ratio of DHAA:vitamin C increased during hot break to 23%, whereas the ratio of DHAA:vitamin C remained relatively low in subsequent processing steps, indicating that AA was not oxidized. AA decreased with prolonged storage, with only 13% remaining at 12 months. The carotenoids and quercetin remained stable through 12 months of ambient storage. CONCLUSIONS Tomato pomace contained significant amounts of carotenoids and flavonoids, indicating that it may be an underutilized processing byproduct.
Institutional Environments and Mode of Entry

Mode of entry studies the international behavior of multinational firms and the factors that impact their international behavior. This study examines the impact the macro level institutions of a host country on the entry strategy of a foreign multinational enterprise (MNE). The framework developed in the study focuses on two sets of institutions, formal institutions which comprise the political and judicial rules and informal institutions which are comprised of cultural and business practices that are not formally codified. The results of the study provide further empirical evidence that the institutional environment influences MNE behavior. In particular this study found that, for a constant level of informality, the increased degree of formality of an institutional environment encourages multinational firms to choose acquisitions over joint ventures. Meanwhile the increased degree of formality and informality makes MNEs more likely to choose joint ventures over acquisitions and strategic alliances as modes of entry.
Effects of exercise on lymphocytes and cytokines

Objectives—To review results on exercise induced changes in the immune system following strenuous and moderate exercise. Methods—A literature search over the past 15 years was conducted using Medline and selected papers. Results—After intense long term exercise, the immune system is characterised by concomitant impairment of the cellular immune system and increased inflammation. Thus low concentrations of lymphocytes, suppressed natural immunity, suppressed lymphocyte proliferation, and suppressed levels of secretory IgA in saliva are found simultaneously with high levels of circulating proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The underlying mechanisms are multifactorial and include neuroendocrinological and metabolic factors. The clinical consequences of the exercise induced immune changes have not formally been identified, but the exercise effect on lymphocyte dynamics and immune function may be linked to the exercise effects on resistance to infections and malignancy and the cytokine response may be linked to muscle damage or muscle cell growth. Conclusions—Moderate exercise across the life span seems to increase resistance to upper respiratory tract infections, whereas repeated strenuous exercise suppresses immune function. It is premature to offer advice on nutrition to athletes in order to alter the exercise induced immunosuppression found after exercise.
Effect of a continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (C.E.R.A.) on stable haemoglobin in patients with CKD on dialysis: once monthly administration*

ABSTRACT Aims: This Phase II study aimed to determine the optimal dose and administration schedule of continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (C.E.R.A.) given subcutaneously (SC) in patients receiving dialysis converting directly from SC epoetin therapy 1–3 times/week. An extension phase examined long-term safety and efficacy. Methods: Patients were assigned to one of three C.E. R.A. dose groups determined by multiplying the previous weekly dose of epoetin by one of three ratios (0.4/150, 0.8/150, 1.2/150 for groups A, B and C, respectively). Within each group, patients were randomized to once weekly (QW), once every 3 weeks (Q3W) and once monthly (Q4W) schedules. Dose adjustments were not permitted for the first 6 weeks. The core study period was 19 weeks (21 weeks in the Q4W cohorts). Patients could enter a 12‑month extension period at the same schedule, aiming to maintain haemoglobin (Hb) at 11–12 g/dL. Results: 137 patients entered the core period, and 62 continued into the extension period. A dose-dependent relationship was seen in the primary efficacy variable, change in Hb standardized to a 6 week period ( p < 0.0001), but effect was independent of schedule. Hb levels were maintained throughout the study, with few dose changes. C.E. R.A. was generally well tolerated and the most frequent adverse event was hypotension. Conclusion: The results suggest that SC C.E. R.A. at up to once monthly intervals provides stable maintenance of Hb levels in dialysis patients converting directly from epoetin 1–3 times/week. Achieving tight Hb control with few dose adjustments at extended administration intervals may offer health benefits and improvements in resource management. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00364832.
Verifying sensitivity of RFID tags manufactured by conductive ink printed on paper versus an RFID tag made of copper on hard substrate

In this work, a dipole antenna printed on paper as flexible substrate using conductive silver ink for RFID tags operating at 915 MHz is presented. For comparison purposes, another printed antenna was built on hard substrate, and the tag's sensitivities for both antennas are compared. Thus, a technique to determine those sensitivities also is presented and consists of a small and low-cost GTEM cell that provides an environment immune to electromagnetic radiation for the measurements.
ALTERNATIVES FOR URBAN BUS SERVICES: AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE BRITISH REFORMS

Around the world, a variety of methods have been employed for providing urban bus services ranging from public monopolies at one extreme to unregulated private firms at the other extreme; the intermediate alternatives usually involve private firms with some degree of public regulation over fares and entry. Public monopoly is common in the developed world while private provision with some form of regulation is the norm among developing countries. The British reforms of 1986 pioneered two schemes for bus provision. First, outside of the London metropolitan area the government created one of the few largely unregulated private regimes in the world (the most notable other recent examples being in Sri Lanka and Chile); second, within London it allowed local public authorities to retain control of the design of the route network and fares but forced them to tender all services to private firms (a scale of tendering heretofore unknown). The most obvious conclusion from the experience of Britain and elsewhere is .
How the Country-of-Origin Image and Brand Name Redeployment Strategies Affect Acquirers’ Brand Equity After a Merger and Acquisition

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to examine the country-of-origin (COO)'s effect on brand equity, especially when the acquirer brand is afflicted by a low COO image and the acquired brand enjoys a high COO image. The authors also examine the impact of brand redeployment strategies on brand equity. An online questionnaire in Taiwan was an integral part of the study, and the results indicate that brand redeployment strategies have a positive influence on every dimension of brand equity, while the target dominant strategy has the greatest impact. Regarding the COO effect, the high variance of COO after mergers and acquisitions has more influence on dimensions of brand equity than low variance. In addition, COO variance has the greatest impact on brand loyalty.