Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Volume-Outcome Effect, Scale Economies, and Learning-by-Doing

There is a large empirical literature documenting the existence of a positive correlation between the number of times a hospital performs a given surgical procedure and the rate of good health outcomes achieved by patients at that hospital receiving that procedure. Typically, it is found that mortality is lower in hospitals that perform more of a given procedure. This result has been found for a wide variety of different procedures, time periods, and locations (David M. Shahian and Sharon L. Normand, 2001; John D. Birkmeyer et al., 2002; Ethan A. Halm, 2002). The two leading explanations for this correlation are the “practice makes perfect” and “selective referral” effects (Harold S. Luft et al., 1987). In the practice-makes-perfect hypothesis, either learning-by-doing or qualityenhancing scale economies cause large hospitals to provide better quality care, improving outcomes. In the selective-referral hypothesis, hospitals with higher quality attract greater demand and therefore have a greater volume of patients. The direction of causality matters for policy. If volume causes outcome, then policies supporting centralization of procedures in a few facilities may make sense. Hospitals that specialize in treating one or a few conditions may have the benefit of producing better outcomes. Antitrust analysis of hospital mergers should probably consider any improved outcomes when evaluating the impact of the merger. If, on the other hand, causality runs from outcomes to volumes, then these issues are no longer relevant. Two recent papers have employed instrumentalvariables techniques using newly developed instruments to address this question. Both find that the direction of causation largely runs from volume to outcome (Gaynor et al., 2004; Gautam Gowrisankaran et al., 2004). These papers use instruments that exploit the geographical distribution of patients and hospitals and the well-established fact that patients strongly prefer hospitals closer to their homes (see Gaynor and Vogt [2000] for a review). If the causation runs from volume to outcome, then it also matters for policy whether the causation is mediated through a static scale economy, in which today’s volume affects today’s outcome, or via a learning-by-doing effect, in which today’s volume affects both today’s outcome and future outcomes. In the static story, it matters less at which hospital volume is concentrated: high volume at any hospital will generate good outcomes. In the learning-by-doing story, it matters more: shifting volume from one hospital to another will involve “stranding” the experience built up at the hospital losing volume. Thus, the benefits of the concentration of volume in one hospital would develop over time, reducing the net benefit. This would tend to make new specialty hospitals, mergers, or regulatory approaches that result in consolidation of volume in one hospital less attractive than they would be in the static story. † Discussants: Paul Gertler, University of California– Berkeley; Dana Goldman, RAND Corporation; Patricia Anderson, Dartmouth College.
Multinational Enterprises and Regional Economic Development

YOUNG S. , HOOD N. and PETERS E. (1994) Multinational enterprises and regional economic development, Reg. Studies 28, 657–677. This paper summarizes and synthesizes different strands of literature, to present conclusions on the potential role of multinational enterprises in regional economic development in the EC. The circumstances under which ‘developmental’ MNE subsidiaries may emerge in host regions are reviewed and possible routes to cluster formation and the generation of dynamic comparative advantage are explored. Policy issues are discussed, emphasizing the importance of investment in infrastructure, education and other public goods. YOUNG S. , HOOD N. et PETERS E. (1994) Les societes multinationales et l'amenagement du territoire, Reg. Studies 28, 657–677. Cet article resume et fait la synthese des differents fils de la documentation afin d'en tirer des conclusions sur le role eventuel que joueraient les societes multinationales quant a l'amenagement du territoire a l'interieur de la Communaute Euro.
Decision making over time and under uncertainty: a common approach

This paper considers a number of parallels between risky and intertemporal choice. We begin by demonstrating a one-to-one correspondence between the behavioral violations of the respective normative theories for the two domains (i.e., expected utility and discounted utility models). We argue that such violations (or preference reversals) are broadly consistent with three propositions about the weight that an attribute receives in both types of multiattribute choice. Specifically, it appears that: (1) if we add a constant to all values of an attribute, then that attribute becomes less important; (2) if we proportionately increase all values of an attribute, or if we change the sign of an attribute, from positive to negative, then that attribute becomes more important. The generality of these propositions, as well as the constraints they would impose on separable representations of multiattribute preferences, is discussed.
Human fallen pose detection by using feature selection and a generative model

In this paper we are interesting in knowing which features provide useful information for detecting a fall and how the set of selected characteristics impact the accuracy of detection. For this purpose two sets of features are used. The first one describes the shape of the detected person, and the second one, the change of the shape over the time. All of features are extracted from a cloud of points of a detected person by the Kinect device. To determinate a fallen pose, a generative model is used. Two experiments are carried out to analyze the effect of using two different subset of features, one of them selected by a Genetic Algorithm and the second by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The obtained results suggest that the success of detection of fall depends on the selected features, and the genetic algorithm is a good technique to select them, when compared with PCA.
Correlation between structure and pathogenicity of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV)

Sequence analysis by primer‐extension at the level of their cDNA showed that the RNA genomes of various field isolates of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTV) of different virulence differ from each other only in a few nucleotides in two distinct regions of the rod‐shaped molecule. Despite insertions and deletions the chain length of 359 nucleotides is strictly conserved in all the isolates studied. Thermodynamic calculations revealed that due to the observed sequence differences the region located at the left hand part of the rod‐like secondary structure of the PSTV molecule, denoted ‘virulence modulating (VM) region’, becomes increasingly unstable with the increasing virulence of the corresponding isolate. Based on these data we propose in molecular terms a model for the mechanism of viroid pathogenicity. It implies that the nucleotides of the VM region specify and modulate the binding‐ and hence the competition‐potential of the PSTV RNA molecule for a still unknown host factor(s) and thus determine the virulence of PSTV.
Changing Sides or Changing Minds? Party Identification and Policy Preferences in the American Electorate

Scholars have long debated the individual-level relationship between partisanship and policy preferences. We argue that partisanship and issue attitudes cause changes in each other, but the pattern of influence varies systematically. Issue-based change in party identification should occur among individuals who are aware of party differences on an issue and find that issue to be salient. Individuals who are aware of party differences, but do not attach importance to the issue, should evidence party-based issue change. Those lacking awareness of party differences on an issue should show neither effect. We test our account by examining individuals' party identifications and their attitudes on abortion, government spending and provision of services, and government help for African Americans using the 1992-94-96 National Election Study panel study, finding strong support for our argument. We discuss the implications of our findings both for the microlevel study of party identification and the macrolevel analysis of partisan change.
Transforming growth factor‐alpha short‐circuits downregulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor

Transforming growth factor‐alpha (TGFα) is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand which is distinguished from EGF by its acid‐labile structure and potent transforming function. We recently reported that TGFα induces less efficient EGFR heterodimerization and downregulation than does EGF (Gulliford et al., 1997, Oncogene, 15:2219–2223). Here we use isoform‐specific EGFR and ErbB2 antibodies to show that the duration of EGFR signalling induced by a single TGFα exposure is less than that induced by equimolar EGF. The protein trafficking inhibitor brefeldin A (BFA) reduces the duration of EGF signalling to an extent similar to that seen with TGFα alone; the effects of TGFα and BFA on EGFR degradation are opposite, however, with TGFα sparing EGFR from downregulation but BFA accelerating EGF‐dependent receptor loss. This suggests that BFA blocks EGFR recycling and thus shortens EGF‐dependent receptor signalling, whereas TGFα shortens receptor signalling and thus blocks EGFR downregulation. Consistent with this, repeated application of TGFα is accompanied by prolonged EGFR expression and signalling, whereas similar application of EGF causes receptor downregulation and signal termination. These findings indicate that constitutive secretion of pH‐labile TGFα may perpetuate EGFR signalling by permitting early oligomer dissociation and dephosphorylation within acidic endosomes, thereby extinguishing a phosphotyrosine‐based downregulation signal and creating an irreversible autocrine growth loop. J. Cell. Physiol. 179:52–57, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of 360‐degree feedback on management skills development

This study investigated changes in the skill levels of managers which occurred two years following the managers' participation in 360-degree feedback. The major objective was to investigate how skill development, development efforts, and environmental support for development are related. The Management Skills Profile (MSP) was used to measure skills and to give feedback. Of the original 198 managers who received feedback, 48 accepted the opportunity to complete the instrument again two years later. At that time, they also completed a questionnaire surveying what development activities they had completed and the extent to which they received support for development from their supervisor and the organization. The first hypothesis was that, for the group, (a) participants' skills would increase following feedback, and (b) self–other agreement would be greater at Time 2 than at Time 1. This was supported. The second hypothesis was that management skills would be related to later advancement. This also was supported. The third hypothesis was that skill development would be related to both development efforts and environmental support, and that some development activities would be more effective than others. Hypothesis four was that those who put more effort into development (a) would have received at Time 1 ratings which were more favorable and more congruent with their self-ratings, and (b) would have received more environmental support. Hypotheses three and four were only partially supported. The results have implications for what managers can do to develop their skills and how others can support this development. © 1993 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Assisted reproductive technologies and the risk of birth defects--a systematic review.

BACKGROUND The risk of birth defects in infants born following assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment is a controversial question. Most publications examining the prevalence of birth defects in ICSI and IVF infants compared to spontaneously conceived infants have serious methodological limitations; despite this, most researchers have concluded that there is no increased risk. METHODS We carried out a systematic review to identify all papers published by March 2003 with data relating to the prevalence of birth defects in infants conceived following IVF and/or ICSI compared with spontaneously conceived infants. Independent expert reviewers used criteria defined a priori to determine whether studies were suitable for inclusion in a meta-analysis. Fixed effects meta-analysis was performed for all studies and reviewer-selected studies. RESULTS Twenty-five studies were identified for review. Two-thirds of these showed a 25% or greater increased risk of birth defects in ART infants. The results of meta-analyses of the seven reviewer-selected studies and of all 25 studies suggest a statistically significant 30-40% increased risk of birth defects associated with ART. CONCLUSIONS Pooled results from all suitable published studies suggest that children born following ART are at increased risk of birth defects compared with spontaneous conceptions. This information should be made available to couples seeking ART treatment.
Comparative study of various growth factors and cytokines on type I collagen and hyaluronan production in human dermal fibroblasts

Dermal fibroblast is a primary cell type responsible for synthesis and remodeling of extracellular matrix in human skin. Type I collagen and hyaluronan are main components that have roles in skin fibrosis, wound healing, tissue remodeling as well as skin aging. Several studies have reported cytokine‐dependent changes in collagen expression or hyaluronan production; however, the cytokines’ effect was controversial in human dermal fibroblasts.
Borrowing in a Developing Country: Who can Access Credit and at What Cost in Chile?

This paper presents novel evidence on access to credit markets for households in Chile in a period of financial deepening between 1988 and 2004. Defining creditconstrained households as those whose marginal credit is obtained from the most expensive source of credit, we find that 41% of households appear to be credit constrained. Credit constrains are found especially linked to current income levels, and low levels of education of household heads, suggesting that low socio-economic groups are more likely to be credit constrained. Middle-aged households seem to be more likely to be unconstrained, against life-cycle predictions, implying financial markets incompleteness may be present.
Solution conformation of wild-type E. coli Hsp70 (DnaK) chaperone complexed with ADP and substrate

DnaK is the canonical Hsp70 molecular chaperone protein from Escherichia coli. Like other Hsp70s, DnaK comprises two main domains: a 44-kDa N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) that contains ATPase activity, and a 25-kDa substrate-binding domain (SBD) that harbors the substrate-binding site. Here, we report an experimental structure for wild-type, full-length DnaK, complexed with the peptide NRLLLTG and with ADP. It was obtained in aqueous solution by using NMR residual dipolar coupling and spin labeling methods and is based on available crystal structures for the isolated NBD and SBD. By using dynamics methods, we determine that the NBD and SBD are loosely linked and can move in cones of ±35° with respect to each other. The linker region between the domains is a dynamic random coil. Nevertheless, an average structure can be defined. This structure places the SBD in close proximity of subdomain IA of the NBD and suggests that the SBD collides with the NBD at this area to establish allosteric communication.
The Resting Electrocardiogram in the Management of Patients with Congestive Heart Failure: Established Applications and New Insights

The resting electrocardiogram (ECG) furnishes essential information for the diagnosis, management, and prognostic evaluation of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Almost any ECG diagnostic entity may turn out to be useful in the care of patients with CHF, revealing the non‐specificity of the ECG in CHF. Nevertheless a number of CHF/ECG correlates have been proposed and found to be indispensable in clinical practice; they include, among others, the ECG diagnoses of myocardial ischemia and infarction, atrial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy/dilatation, left bundle branch block and intraventricular conduction delays, left atrial abnormality, and QT‐interval prolongation. In addition to the above well‐known applications of the ECG for patients with CHF, a recently described association of peripheral edema (PERED), sometimes even imperceptible by physical examination, with attenuated ECG potentials, could extend further the diagnostic range of the clinician. These ECG voltage attenuations are of extracardiac mechanism, and impact the amplitude of QRS complexes, P‐waves, and T‐waves, occasionally resulting also in shortening of the QRS complex and QT interval duration. PERED alleviation, in response to therapy of CHF, reverses all above alterations. These fresh diagnostic insights have potential application in the follow‐up of patients with CHF, and in their selection for implantation of cardioverter/defibrillator and/or cardiac resynchronization systems. If sought, PERED‐induced ECG changes are abundantly present in the hospital and clinic environments; if their detection and monitoring are incorporated in the clinician's “routine,” considerable improvements in the care of patients with CHF may be realized.
The Glass Cliff: Evidence that Women are Over-Represented in Precarious Leadership Positions

There has been much research and conjecture concerning the barriers women face in trying to climb the corporate ladder, with evidence suggesting that they typically confront a ‘glass ceiling’ while men are more likely to benefit from a ‘glass escalator’. But what happens when women do achieve leadership roles? And what sorts of positions are they given? This paper argues that while women are now achieving more high profile positions, they are more likely than men to find themselves on a ‘glass cliff’, such that their positions are risky or precarious. This hypothesis was investigated in an archival study examining the performance of FTSE 100 companies before and after the appointment of a male or female board member. The study revealed that during a period of overall stock-market decline those companies who appointed women to their boards were more likely to have experienced consistently bad performance in the preceding five months than those who appointed men. These results expose an additional, largely invisible, hurdle that women need to overcome in the workplace. Implications for the evaluation of women leaders are discussed and directions for future research are outlined.
Evaluation of Colon Cancer–Specific Antigen 2 as a Potential Serum Marker for Colorectal Cancer

Purpose: A blood test to detect colon cancer at a preventable stage would represent a major advancement. We have previously identified colon cancer–specific markers using focused proteomics analysis of nuclear structural proteins. Two of these markers, colon cancer–specific antigen (CCSA)-3 and CCSA-4, have been developed into blood-based markers that are able to distinguish individuals with colorectal cancer from those without. CCSA-2 is a distinct novel colon cancer marker identified using focused proteomics. Experimental Design: Using an indirect ELISA on serum samples obtained from two institutions, we evaluated CCSA-2 as a serum-based colon cancer marker. A total of 111 serum samples from individuals who underwent colonoscopy and were subsequently diagnosed as either being normal or having hyperplastic polyps, nonadvanced adenomas, advanced adenomas, and colorectal cancer were evaluated. A diverse control population that consisted of 125 serum samples was also included in this study. Results: Receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to measure the sensitivity and specificity of CCSA-2. CCSA-2 at a cutoff of 10.8 μg/mL has overall specificity of 78.4% [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 67.3-87.1%] and sensitivity of 97.3% (95% CI, 85.8-99.5%) in separating individuals with advanced adenomas and colorectal cancer from normal, hyperplastic, and nonadvanced adenoma populations. The receiver operating characteristic curve for CCSA-2 has an area under the curve of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.83-0.95). Conclusion: Our initial study shows that CCSA-2 is a potential serum-based marker for colon cancer detection with high sensitivity and specificity.
Collaborative pull innovation: origins and adoption in the new economy

This article argues that collaboration has been a key piston in the engine that is driving economic growth in the new millennium. Innovation in information technology, institutions, and strategic reorientation of technological change has opened opportunity, and competition has put strong imperatives in play for collaborative innovation. First, these imperatives have forced a reorientation of private enterprise from push to pull systems. Second, they have catalyzed a strategic unbundling of integrated firms to create specialized enterprises with enhanced productivity and flexibility, though with increased demand for virtual integration through less formal relationships to establish and manage collaboration. This article presents the hypothesis that these changes induced a fundamentally new dynamic in innovation processes that we label as collaborative pull innovation. This new form of innovation encompasses and directs product, process, and organizational innovation toward fulfilling consumer demand. To examine this hypothesis, the nature of private-sector innovation is assessed within the context of the food sector. This sector is of special interest due to important roles played by small- to medium-sized enterprises. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Physiologic and Pharmacologic Factors Influencing Glyceroneogenic Contribution to Triacylglyceride Glycerol Measured by Mass Isotopomer Distribution Analysis*

An imbalance between triacylglycerol synthesis and breakdown is necessary for the development of obesity. The direct precursor for triacylglycerol biosynthesis is α-glycerol phosphate, which can have glycolytic and glyceroneogenic origins. We present a technique for determining the relative glyceroneogenic contribution to triacylglyceride glycerol by labeling the glycerol moiety with 2H2O. The number of hydrogen atoms (n) incorporated from H2O into C–H bonds reflects the metabolic source of α-glycerol phosphate and can be calculated by combinatorial analysis of the distribution of mass isotopomers in triacylglyceride glycerol. Three physiological settings with potential effects on glyceroneogenesis and glycolysis were studied in rodents. Adipose tissue acylglyceride glycerol in mice fed a low carbohydrate diet had significantly higher values of n than in mice fed a high carbohydrate diet, suggesting an increased contribution from glyceroneogenesis of from 17 to 50% on the low carbohydrate diet. Similarly, mice administered rosiglitazone had a significant relative increase in glyceroneogenesis (from 17 to 53%), indicated by an increase in adipose acylglyceride glycerol n. Fructose infusion in overnight fasted rats rapidly lowered plasma triacylglyceride glycerol n, reflecting a decreased contribution from glyceroneogenesis (from 66 to 34%) presumably because of increased glycolytic input. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the number of C–H atoms derived from cellular H2O in triacylglyceride glycerol is an informative indicator of α-glycerol phosphate origin and, ultimately, triacylglycerol metabolism. Under certain physiological conditions, glyceroneogenesis can be up-regulated in adipose (e.g. low carbohydrate diet) or down-regulated in liver (e.g. fructose infusion). Additionally, stimulation of glyceroneogenesis by rosiglitazone in adipose tissue may be an important factor in the antilipolytic actions of thiazolidinediones.