Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Retrospective Study of Seven Cases of Candida Parapsilosis Peritonitis in CAPD Patients: The Therapeutic Implications

Background Candida peritonitis accounts for the majority of fungal peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), but the Candida species were not routinely subtyped in previous studies. The clinical course and the outcome of Candida parapsilosis peritonitis remain unclear. Objective To study the clinical course and outcome of C. parapsilosis peritonitis in CAPD patients. Setting Peritoneal dialysis unit in a regional hospital. Patients and Design A retrospective study on seven cases of C. parapsilosis peritonitis occurring in a single center over 3 years. Results The 7 patients included 4 males and 3 females. Their mean age was 62 ± 11.5 years. Two (29%) were diabetic. Three (43%) had a history of preceding peritonitis and 5 (71%) had received broad spectrum antibiotic within the previous 1 month. All presented with cloudy dialysate, abdominal pain, and fever. The mean dialysate white cell count was 300 ± 168/mm3 with a predominance of neutrophils (81.4% ± 13.1%). The mean time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 5.7 ± 3.1 days. All had been treated with immediate catheter removal within 24 hours of diagnosis and antifungal therapy, including oral fluconazole, intravenous (IV) amphotericin, or their sequential combination. Environmental samplings were negative for C. parapsilosis. The overall complication rate was exceptionally high (71%), with three (43%) complicated by abscess formation requiring surgical drainage, one peritoneal adhesion (14%), and one mortality (14%). In the end, only two (29%) could resume CAPD. Conclusions The outcome of this study group appeared worse than those previously described in the literature, and the optimal treatment for this group of patients remains unclear.
A Life History Theory of Father Absence and Menarche: A Meta-Analysis

Is the absence of biological fathers related to their daughters' earlier age at menarche? Drawing on evolutionary psychology and life history theory, prior research has suggested such a relationship (Belsky, Steinberg, and Draper, 1991; Draper and Harpending, 1982; Ellis, 2004). Although qualitative reviews have shown narrative support for this relationship (Allison and Hyde, 2013; Ellis, 2004; Kim, Smith, and Palermiti, 1997; Susman and Dorn, 2009), no quantitative review exists to provide empirical support for this relationship or to explain mixed results. Thus, we conducted a random-effects meta-analysis of correlations (Card, 2012) on father absence and daughter menarcheal age (k = 33; N = 70,403). The weighted mean correlation was . 14, 95% CI [. 09, . 19], suggesting that father absence was significantly related to earlier menarche; effect sizes were heterogeneous. Egger's regression (Egger, Smith, Schneider, and Minder, 1997) showed no evidence of publication bias (file-drawer effect; r = .34, p = .052). Outcome measure differences (menarcheal age vs. menarcheal age embedded in a multi-item pubertal timing scale) did not moderate effect sizes. Study year effects (Schooler, 2011) were also non-significant. Our findings support one aspect of the life history model and provide groundwork for subsequent examination of other pathways in the model.
SAR Automatic Target Recognition Based on Shadow Contour

Due to special imaging mechanism, shadow contour of SAR image is not as clear as that of optical image. Aiming at target recognition, this paper presents a SAR image segmentation method based on Partial Differential De-noising and Marker-Controlled, and carries out automatic target recognition on result of image segmentation. Experimental results show that, using the method of this paper, segmentation result of SAR image can classify target effectively.
The design of Jauman absorbers

The paper presents a critical review of available solutions and design techniques. It then outlines three new and efficient algorithms, dedicated to the Jauman problem, which synthesize absorbers with Butterworth, equiripple or Chebyshev absorption characteristics'. Upper limits exist on the spacer dielectric constant for these solutions to be realizable, and are tabulated. An example of the results obtained, in the form of a design table for practical Chebyshev absorbers, is also presented. These designs are optimal in the sense of maximum bandwidth for fixed passband reflection coefficient magnitude. <<ETX>>
Fuzzy rule-based stock trading system

Our study investigates the generalization capability of fuzzy rule-based trading systems and conducted an empirical study on Taiwan's stock market during 1991/1/1–2010/12/31. The empirical conclusions are as follows (1) The investment performance in the training period is much better than that in the testing period, which exhibits over-learning. (2) The symmetry rules approach demonstrates that the pure price trend trading system is better than the pure volume trend trading system and hybrid price-volume trend trading system. The pure volume trend trading system is the poorest system. (3) The asymmetry rules approach demonstrates that the trading system optimized in one period may be performed poorer in another period. The pure price trend buy-rule combined with the pure volume trend sell-rule has good performance in 1991–2000 but acts poorly in 2001–2010.
Expatriates and Corporate-Level International Strategy: Governing with the Knowledge Contract

This paper proposes a methodology for governing expatriate assignments in the context of corporate-level objectives.The approach taken is to envisage expatriate managerial assignments within the theoretical framework of agency theory and the knowledge-based view of the firm. The paper begins with the view that knowledge acquisition and integration is a primary goal for most expatriate assignments. The relationship between expatriate managers and multinational corporation (MNC) headquarters from an agency perspective are considered and the notion of a 'knowledge contract' as a means of governing that relationship is discussed. Four corporate-level international strategies available to MNCs (global, international, transnational, and multidomestic) are then examined and the extent of agency problems under each strategy is discussed. The paper makes specific predictions about the type of knowledge contract that is most likely to address agency problems for each corporate strategy. This research extends agency theory by introducing the knowledge contract as a means of managing agency concerns. This offers a broader range of contract alternatives, moving researchers beyond traditional agency theoretic prescriptions. The research also contributes to the literature on expatriate management by integrating assignment success with research on corporate-level international strategy. Few authors have recognized organizational strategy as an important unit of study in international human resource management. Doing so, however, has yielded a unique set of contingency relationships that would otherwise be obscured.
The changing role of the corporate HR function in global organizations of the twenty-first century

The primary focus of this paper is to examine how the increased demand for global corporate strategic consistency and flexibility redefines the roles of the corporate human resource function and its venues of influence. In particular, we analyse possible causal linkages among strategic international HR management, strategic leadership of corporate top management team (i.e. TMT), and alternative global assignment options. As globalization significantly changes not only the operating boundaries but also the symbolic context of the global organization, we argue that corporate HR function can play more influential roles in global organizations than it has in the past.
Notice of Violation of IEEE Publication PrinciplesOptimizing energy consumption in hierarchical clustering algorithm for wireless sensor networks

Data dissemination strategies and communication protocols that minimize the use of energy can significantly prolong the lifetime of a sensor network. Sensor network is a distributed event-based system that differs from traditional communication network. Transporting information in an energy efficient manner is critical in operating this network for a long period of time. Hierarchical routing protocols are actively studied in terms of the energy usage, packet latency, and security in the presence of node compromise attacks. In this paper, we focus on hierarchical routing protocols and networks with homogeneous nodes are used to design an energy efficient wireless sensor network.
Mutant p53 tumor suppressor alleles release ras-induced cell cycle growth arrest

Overexpression of an activated ras gene in the rat embryo fibroblast line REF52 results in growth arrest at either the G1/S or G2/M boundary of the cell cycle. Both the DNA tumor virus proteins simian virus 40 large T antigen and adenovirus 5 E1a are able to rescue ras induced lethality and cooperate with ras to fully transform REF52 cells. In this report, we present evidence that the wild-type activity of the tumor suppressor gene p53 is involved in the negative growth regulation of this model system. p53 genes encoding either a p53Val-135 or p53Pro-193 mutation express a highly stable p53 protein with a conformation-dependent loss of wild-type activity and the ability to eliminate any endogenous wild-type p53 activity in a dominant negative manner. In cotransfection assays, these mutant p53 genes are able to rescue REF52 cells from ras-induced growth arrest, resulting in established cell lines which express elevated levels of the ras oncoprotein and show morphological transformation. Full transformation, as assayed by tumor formation in nude mice, is found only in the p53Pro-193-plus-ras transfectants. These cells express higher levels of the ras protein than do the p53Val-135-plus-ras-transfected cells. Transfection of REF52 cells with ras alone or a full-length genomic wild-type p53 plus ras results in growth arrest and lethality. Therefore, the selective event for p53 inactivation or loss during tumor progression may be to overcome a cell cycle restriction induced by oncogene overexpression (ras). These results suggest that a normal function of p53 may be to mediate negative growth regulation in response to ras or other proliferative inducing signals.
A Redistribution Model with Set-Up Charge

This paper considers the problem of redistributing stock among several user activities within the period between regular deliveries of new supplies to the system. The cost of redistribution is assumed to be proportional to the number of shipments among the activities. A procedure based on minimizing total redistribution and shortage costs within the period is given for determining the amounts (if any) to be shipped among activities.
Features of malignant biliary obstruction affecting the patency of metallic stents: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND Although placement of a metallic stent is an established therapeutic option for the palliation of patients with malignant biliary obstruction, it remains unclear which stricture-related or stent-related factors influence stent patency. METHODS Metallic stents were inserted endoscopically in 68 patients (38 men, 30 women; mean age 70.2 plus minus 8.5 years) with malignant biliary obstruction. Patency rates were prospectively analyzed according to malignant stricture characteristics, including length, morphologic type, and degree of narrowing. Furthermore, patient age, initial serum bilirubin level, length of stent, time to adequate expansion, and the location of the distal end of the stent were evaluated as possible factors affecting the stent patency. Stent patency was assessed by using the survival analysis of the Kaplan-Meier estimation and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS Median overall stent patency was 231 days (range 27-379 days) and the overall rate of stent occlusion 41.2% (28/68). The causes of occlusion were tumor ingrowth in 23 patients (33.8%), distal overgrowth in 3 (4.4%), proximal overgrowth in 1 (1.5%), and encrustation with sludge in 1 patient (1.5%). No significant differences in patency rates according to patient age, initial serum bilirubin level, primary tumor type, length and morphologic type of stricture, and length and location of the distal end of the stent were found. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the degree of narrowing assessed by cannula or guidewire passage and the time to adequate expansion of the stent were independent factors associated with stent patency. CONCLUSION Early expansion of the stent and easy passage of larger-caliber instruments through the stricture were favorable factors for long-term patency of the Wallstent.
Rights Offerings and Corporate Financial Condition

Certain American industrial firms still use equity rights offerings. Most of these offerings are uninsured. I examine firms’ financing decisions, and develop the explanation that rights offerings are used by firms in financial distress with difficulty accessing underwriting services. These firms have little to lose from the costs of adverse selection that accompany the lack of underwriter certification of uninsured rights offerings. Probit analysis of 660 seasoned NYSE, Amex, and Nasdaq equity issues between 1983-1999 yields results consistent with my explanation. There is no evidence that variables previously linked to rights usage (e.g., ownership concentration) continue to be relevant to the issue method choice.
Structural and functional abnormalities in the sex organs of male offspring of mothers treated with diethylstilbestrol (DES).

The in utero effects of DES (Diethylstilbestrol) on the human male genital tract are reported in this follow-up study of male offspring of DES-treated mothers. Both anatomical and functional abnormalities were significantly greater in the DES-exposed males as compared to control males whose mothers were all participants in a prospective, randomized double blind study of the effects of DES on pregnancy at the Chicago Lying-in Hospital during the early 1950s. Epididymal cysts, hypotrophic testes and capsular induration of the testes were among the more common genital lesions found in 27% of 134 DES-exposed males as compared to a 7% incidence in 119 control males. Spermatozoa analyses revealed severely pathologic changes (Eliasson score greater than 10) in 29% of 28 DES-exposed males and 0% of 18 control males (with or without genital i.e., physical abnormalities). Abnormal findings on physical examination combined with sperm abnormalities (Eliasson score greater than or equal to 5) were found in 29% of DES-exposed males versus 0% of 18 control males. Cytologic examinations did not reveal malignant cells from the following materials: urines before and after prostatic massage or ejaculation, prostatic fluids and aspirates from epididymal cysts.
THE COLOMBIA-CANADA FREE TRADE AREA: A PARTIAL EQUILIBRIUM SIMULATION

This paper uses disaggregated trade data for 2010 and applies ex-ante partial equilibriummodeling to calculate the impact of the preferential trade agreement between Canadaand Colombia. The simulations carried out show aggregate trade creation could be oneand a half times larger than trade diversion; trade between the two countries in the firstyear of the agreement could grow by approximately ten percent and will be focussed ona small number of goods; trade diversion is stronger with the largest trading partner ofeach signatory, namely the United States; and trade diversion is not strong in the caseof Colombia’s neighbors with which there was significant trade prior to the agreement
Citizens, Accountability, and Service Satisfaction

Understanding how citizen-consumers form evaluations of public services is critical to understanding account ability in democratic governance. The task of using citizens’ assessments of service quality as an accountability mechanism, however, may be more complex than is commonly understood. In particular, little research has examined how citizens’ expectations about the quality of services may influence their levels of satisfaction with public services. In this article, we examine empirically the relationship between perceived performance, expectations, and satisfaction. We examine these relationships across three service areas: trash, police, and schools, relying on survey data from a statewide survey of Georgia residents. Our results suggest higher subjective assessments of service quality are positively related to satisfaction. They also suggest, however, that an “A” service is not always associated with the same level of satisfaction; holding citizens’ assessments of service quality constant, positive disconfirmation of expectations increases citizen-consumers’ levels of satisfaction with services.
High-Performance Vertical Gate-All-Around Silicon Nanowire FET With High- $\kappa $ /Metal Gate

We present a vertical gate-all-around Si nanowire (SiNW) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor with high-κ dielectric and TiN metal gate. The process flow is fully compatible with CMOS technologies. SiNWs are fabricated by deep Si reactive ion etching, gate-stack is formed by atomic layer deposition, and metal salicide is utilized as drain contact. The fabricated p-type gate-all-around SiNW metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors that have a gate length of 320 nm exhibit excellent characteristics with ION/IOFF > 104, subthreshold slope of 87 mV/decade, and 25 mV/V of drain-induced barrier lowering. Low-temperature characteristics are also presented. The demonstrated devices have potential applications in novel low-power logic circuits and as selection transistors for 4F2 cross-point memory cells.
A review of frontier approaches to efficiency and productivity measurement in urban water utilities

Despite the rapid global revitalisation of urban water policy, and the universal need to measure and improve organizational efficiency and productivity in all suppliers as a means of ensuring the sustainability of this key resource, only recently have the most advanced econometric and mathematical programming frontier techniques been applied to urban water utilities. This paper provides a synoptic survey of the comparatively few empirical analyses of frontier efficiency and productivity measurement in urban water utilities in Australia, the UK, Spain, the US, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Malaysia and Slovenia, among others. The survey examines both estimation and measurement techniques and the non-discretionary structural and regulatory determinants of efficiency and productivity. There is particular focus on how the results of past studies inform regulatory policy and managerial behaviour and key directions for future research.
Nature, Wild Animals and Tourism: An Experiential View

An experiential view of wildlife tourism concerns the emotional, psychological and physical benefits of taking a wildlife holiday, and provides a different and important understanding of a significant and growing market. Key authors in this field of tourism studies agree that the nature of the tourist experience is a major research priority for the ultimate sustainable management of wildlife-based tourism attractions and destinations. What are the common attributes of a wildlife tourism experience? How does such an experience contribute to the overall psychological well-being of the visitor and what implications might this have for wildlife and wildlife operators? The purpose of this paper is to review the experiential aspects of wildlife tourism consumption that have been revealed to date. It highlights the ethnocentric and anthropomorphic attraction of animals; the human desire to interact with and interpret animal behaviour, and how urbanisation has had a profound affect on our psychological and physical relationship with nature. Particular attention is given to the notions of place, existential space, authenticity and anthropomorphosis. Understanding such concepts in relation to wildlife tourism implies a new phenomenological framework for research to further explore the experiences of wildlife tourists.
A hybrid topology for reducing DC link voltage rating in DSTATCOM applications

In this paper a hybrid topology for Distribution Static Compensator (DSTATCOM) applications is proposed. The compensating capability of DSTATCOM mostly depends on the capacity of the DC link voltage. The proposed topology enables DSTATCOM to have a reduced DC link voltage without any compromise on the performance. This proposed topology uses a series capacitor along with the interfacing inductor. With the reduction in DC link voltage the topology also reduces the average switching frequency of the IGBT switches of the DSTATCOM. Consequently, the switching losses in the inverter comes down. Detailed design aspects of the series capacitor have been discussed in the paper. A simulation study of the proposed topology has been carried out using PSCAD simulator and the results are presented.
In Search of Sustainability: British Columbia Forest Policy in the 1990s

The forests of British Columbia have become a battleground over sustainable resource development, setting environmentalists against the forest industry and forestry workers and communities. In an effort to broker peace, British Columbia's NDP government launched a number of promising new forest policy initiatives in the 1990s. These policies are analyzed by a group of political scientists who focus on how and why change has occurred. They examine land use, forest practices, tenure, Aboriginal issues, timber supply, pricing, and jobs to find that while environmental values have acquired a more central place in BC forest policy, they have not displaced timber production as the dominant force in policy making. The authors conclude that despite the astonishing level of activism, the government's search for sustainability - whether measured by environmental, social, economic, or political indicators - has ultimately failed. The authors are Benjamin Cashore, Auburn University; George Hoberg, University of British Columbia; Michael Howlett, Simon Fraser University; Jeremy Rayner, Malaspina University College; and Jeremy Wilson, University of Victoria.
Effects of educational outreach visits on prescribing of benzodiazepines and antipsychotic drugs to elderly patients in primary health care in southern Sweden.

BACKGROUND Different methods have previously been tested to affect GPs' prescribing habits. Attention has been drawn to benzodiazepines and antipsychotic drugs that are associated with several adverse effects in the elderly. OBJECTIVE To evaluate if educational outreach visits to GP practices can affect the prescribing of benzodiazepines and antipsychotic drugs to the elderly and to evaluate the opinions of the participating GPs on such education. METHODS In the county of Skåne, Sweden, 41 GP practices were invited to participate in educational outreach visits. Fifteen GP practices accepted the invitation. Practices were randomised to active (8 practices, 23 physicians) and control group (7 practices, 31 physicians). After the educational outreach visits prescribing of benzodiazepines and antipsychotic drugs to patients 65 years or older were measured for 1 year. The control group participated in the education after the study period. The opinions of GPs on educational outreach visits were evaluated. RESULTS One year after the educational outreach visits there were significant decreases in the active group compared to control group in the prescribing of medium- and long-acting benzodiazepines and total benzodiazepines but not so for antipsychotic drugs. CONCLUSIONS Educational outreach visits can be effective in modifying GPs' prescribing habits. We have shown this to be so for prescribing of benzodiazepines to elderly patients in primary health care. Educational outreach visits are also very well appreciated by participating GPs.