Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ARE PLANNERS DOERS? PRE-VENTURE PLANNING AND THE START-UP BEHAVIORS OF ENTREPRENEURS IN THE PSED (SUMMARY)

This contract was developed under a contract with the Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy, and contains information and analysis that was reviewed and edited by officials of the Office of Advocacy. However, the final conclusions of the report do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Advocacy. There are conflicting views on whether the process of pre-venture planning is beneficial to the success of starting new ventures. Some researchers suggest that pre-venture planning enables entrepreneurs to surface their assumptions about factors leading to success, reduces delays in implementing critical activities, and helps them communicate their vision to others. Others suggest, however, that planning is a distraction from the real work of creating and building a new enterprise. Establishing the value of pre-venture planning may be important to nascent entrepreneurs. Consequently, this study explores the relationship of business planning to the general activity levels of nascent entrepreneurs. It examines whether preventure planning appears to spur nascent entrepreneurs to engage in other venture creation activities, as engaging in planning may be the catalyst in taking further steps toward creating a business.
Macronutrient replacement options for saturated fat: effects on cardiovascular health

Purpose of review The purpose of this review is to discuss macronutrient replacement options for saturated fatty acids (SFAs) to optimize cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction. Recent findings Dietary recommendations advise decreasing SFAs. There is convincing evidence that replacing SFAs with unsaturated fat, both omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, reduces CVD risk. Monounsaturated fatty acid substitution for SFAs also decreases CVD risk. Replacing SFAs with refined carbohydrate does little to alter CVD risk, whereas whole-grain CHO or lean protein substitutions beneficially affect CVD risk. Summary Modifying the macronutrient composition of the diet by replacing SFAs with unsaturated fatty acids, as well as lean protein and carbohydrate from whole grains, all lower CVD risk. Research is needed to identify food sources of macronutrients that optimize CVD risk reduction.
Semantics With Algebra and Geometry

Historically, the standard semantics of modal logics were given by Saul Kripke in the 1960s in the form that is now known as ‘Kripke Semantics. ’ These semantics, while very successful for investigating propositional modal systems, fail to accomodate first-order semantics in a ‘natural’ fashion. In particular, consistent extensions of many first-order modal systems (including many systems extending S4) fail to be complete on any Kripke-style models ([2] chapters 14 and 15.) The main intention of this paper, then, is to give a substantial overhaul of semantics for S4 and its consistent extensions through the definition and application of sheaves and sheaf semantics. This framework is general enough and powerful enough to allow us to construct sound and complete models of predicate modal logics extending S4.
Overcoming policy cacophony on obesity: an ecological public health framework for policymakers

This paper was commissioned by the Foresight programme of the Office of Science and Innovation, Department of Trade and Industry © 2007 Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO; published with permission Journal compilation © 2007 The International Association for the Study of Obesity. obesity reviews 8 (Suppl. 1) , 165–181 165 OnlineOpen: This article is available free online at www.blackwell-synergy.com Blackwell Publishing LtdOxford, UKOBRObesity Reviews1467-7881© 2007 Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO; published with permission; Journal compilation © 2007 The International Association for the Study of Obesity ? 2007 8 165181 Review Article Overcoming policy cacophony on obesity T. Lang & G. Rayner
Liberal and Radical Democracies: The Swiss Cantons Compared

Abstract This article examines the widespread hypothesis that German-speaking Swiss cantons exhibit radical-democratic characteristics, while the Latin cantons possess stronger liberal-representative democratic profiles. Empirical and multi-dimensional measuring of the quality of democracy in the cantons shows that this hypothesis does not do the complexity of cantonal democracy justice. Today’s position of the cantons along the axes of liberal and radical democracy is best explained with reference to the strong liberal and democratic constitutional movements within the cantons during the middle of the 19th century.
Supply Chain Networks and Business Process Orientation: Advanced Strategies and Best Practices

An Overview of Business Process Orientation (BPO) and the e-Corporation BPO and the Supply Chain The Concept of Supply Chain Management The Extended Supply Chain - Results from Statistical Studies Supply Chain Opportunities in the Networked Economy Best Practice Components of a Networked Supply Chain The Challenges of Building a Networked Supply Chain Envisioning the Future if Networked Supply Chains
The effect of intense physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE To determine the effect of an intense physical therapy intervention on gross motor function, community walking and participation in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS A single group design was used with two pre-test and two post-test measures. Subjects were 17 ambulatory children with CP who participated in an intense intervention (i.e., four hours per day, five days per week, three weeks), a modified version of the TheraSuit protocol. Gross motor function measure (GMFM-66), Step watch activity monitor (SAM), Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM) and pediatric outcomes data collection instrument (PODCI) were tested twice at baseline, immediately following the intervention, and three months later. RESULTS Immediately following the intervention, GMFM-66, COPM and PODCI scores improved significantly (p < 0.001). At three months, improvements remained for GMFM-66 and COPM (p < 0.01). Walking amount or intensity (SAM) did not improve. CONCLUSIONS Participants improved gross motor skills and participation but not community ambulation following this intense physical therapy intervention.
Detection of serial changes in absolute myocardial perfusion with 82Rb PET.

UNLABELLED Serial changes in myocardial perfusion may represent an important marker of disease progression or regression or the effects of therapy for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Quantitative methods have not been developed for the assessment of serial changes in perfusion. The objective of this study was to use receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine the sensitivity and specificity of direct paired comparisons (DPCs) to detect changes in absolute myocardial perfusion measured with 82Rb PET. METHODS Repeated dynamic 82Rb PET scans were obtained on 8 dogs at rest and during hyperemia induced with dobutamine (n = 4) or atrial pacing (n = 4). Radiolabeled microspheres were used to verify perfusion changes. Polar maps of absolute 82Rb retention and associated SD were estimated from the dynamic images. Paired comparisons were then performed using a t test on each of the 532 polar map sectors. Rest-rest and stress-stress differences were used to assess specificity and reproducibility, and stress-rest differences were used to assess sensitivity. RESULTS 82Rb retention differences of 20% over baseline were detected with 85%-90% sensitivity and specificity, using the optimal DPC probability value and image smoothness. The average 82Rb retention differences correlated well with microspheres (r = 0.74; P = 0.001). Reproducibility of the mean retention values was 4.7% +/- 2.1%. As reproducibility varies, the DPC probability value can be adjusted to maintain specificity. These ROC results are directly applicable to other image modalities that produce measurements with similar SEs (3.7% +/- 0.9%). CONCLUSION The developed method of DPCs is sensitive and specific for the detection of changes in absolute myocardial perfusion measured with 82Rb PET.
Ablation of Systemic Phosphate‐Regulating Gene Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (Fgf23) Compromises the Dentoalveolar Complex

Fibroblast growth factor‐23 (FGF23) is a hormone that modulates circulating phosphate (Pi) levels by controlling Pi reabsorption from the kidneys. When FGF23 levels are deficient, as in tumoral calcinosis patients, hyperphosphatemia ensues. We show here in a murine model that Fgf23 ablation disrupted morphology and protein expression within the dentoalveolar complex. Ectopic matrix formation in pulp chambers, odontoblast layer disruption, narrowing of periodontal ligament space, and alteration of cementum structure were observed in histological and electron microscopy sections. Because serum Pi levels are dramatically elevated in Fgf23−/−, we assayed for apoptosis and expression of members from the small integrin‐binding ligand, N‐linked glycoprotein (SIBLING) family, both of which are sensitive to elevated Pi in vitro. Unlike X‐linked hypophosphatemic (Hyp) and wild‐type (WT) specimens, numerous apoptotic osteocytes and osteoblasts were detected in Fgf23−/− specimens. Further, in comparison to Hyp and WT samples, decreased bone sialoprotein and elevated dentin matrix protein‐1 protein levels were observed in cementum of Fgf23−/− mice. Additional dentin‐associated proteins, such as dentin sialoprotein and dentin phosphoprotein, exhibited altered localization in both Fgf23−/− and Hyp samples. Based on these results, we propose that FGF23 and (Pi) homeostasis play a significant role in maintenance of the dentoalveolar complex. Anat Rec 293:1214–1226, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of Bartonella henselae antibodies in pet cats throughout regions of North America.

Cat exposure has been directly associated with the development of human Bartonella henselae infections, resulting in cat-scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, or bacteremia. The prevalence of serum antibody titers to B. henselae was determined for selected pet cats from 33 geographic locations throughout the United States and several areas in western Canada. Seroprevalences paralleled increasing climatic warmth (P < .02) and annual precipitation (P < .03). These warm, humid areas with the highest seroprevalence would also have the highest number of potential arthropod vectors. The southeastern United States, Hawaii, coastal California, the Pacific Northwest, and the south central plains had the highest average prevalences (54.6%, 47.4%, 40.0%, 34.3%, and 36.7%, respectively). Alaska, the Rocky Mountain-Great Plains region, and the Midwest had low average prevalences (5.0%, 3.7%, and 6.7%, respectively). Overall, 27.9% (175/628) of the cats tested were seropositive. The seroprevalence of B. henselae in cats varies throughout the United States and appears to be influenced by climate.
Prediction-based resource allocation in clouds for media streaming applications

Media streaming applications have recently attracted large number of users in the Internet. With the advent of these bandwidth-intensive applications, it is difficult to provide streaming distribution with guaranteed QoS relying only on central resources at the content provider. Cloud computing offers an elastic infrastructure that media content providers (e.g., VoD provider) can use to obtain resources on-demand. Since a media content provider is charged for amount of resources (bandwidth) rented from the cloud, an open problem is to decide on the right amount of resources allocated in the cloud and their reservation time such that the financial cost on the content provider is minimized. We consider a practical pricing model that is based on a non-linear tariff (i.e., a pricing scheme that depends non-linearly on the resources purchased or time reserved). We formulate the optimization problem based on prediction of future streaming demand. We then propose a simple (easy to implement) algorithm for resource allocation that exploits the non-linearity in the price contract, while ensuring that sufficient resources is reserved in the cloud without incurring wastage. The results of our numerical evaluation and simulations show that the proposed algorithm mimics the optimum solution very well.
Synthetic Toll-Like Receptor 4 Agonist Enhances Vaccine Efficacy in an Experimental Model of Toxic Shock Syndrome

ABSTRACT The development of new protein subunit vaccines has stimulated the search for improved adjuvants to replace traditional aluminum-containing products. We investigated the adjuvant effects of a synthetic Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist on vaccine efficacy in an experimental model of toxic shock syndrome. The TLR4 agonist E6020 has a simplified structure consisting of a hexa-acylated acyclic backbone. The vaccine examined is a recombinantly attenuated form of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (STEBVax). Using cells stably transfected with TLRs, E6020 transduced signals only through TLR4, suggesting monospecificity, while Escherichia coli 055:B5 lipopolysaccharide activated both the TLR2/6 heterodimer and TLR4. Coadministration of E6020 with STEBVax, by the intramuscular or intranasal route, induced significant levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in BALB/c mice. Further, increased IgG production resulted from the combination of E6020 with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant (AH). The antibody response to the vaccine coadministered with E6020 was a mixed Th1/Th2 response, as opposed to the Th2-biased response obtained with AH. Mice vaccinated with STEBVax coadministered with AH, TLR4 agonists, or a combination of both adjuvants were protected from toxic shock. Our data demonstrate the effectiveness of the synthetic TLR4 agonist E6020 as an alternative adjuvant for protein subunit vaccines that may also be used in combination with traditional aluminum-containing adjuvants.
Market Opening, Downstream Access, and Competition in the Market for Mail

Market opening in the postal sector invites competition, but it may also present challenge to financing the universal service obligation (USO) currently in place. USO financing under entry is challenged both by the loss of revenues and scale economies in combination with the affordability constraints on pricing. The incumbent and the entrants would benefit from downstream access as compared to end-to-end competition if the access price is set according to avoided cost. This is due to a better cost allocation between operators. At lower access prices, the incumbent loses margin and therefore incurs losses. Concerning overall welfare implications of downstream access, the simulations reported here yield robustly negative results with bypass. Positive effects can be expected with a worksharing regime and access prices oriented at avoided cost.
Three essays on health care utilization, governance and provider reimbursement in urban China

The first essay uses a model of profit-maximizing hospitals to examine hospital responses to global budgeting in the forms of dumping and cost shifting. The main findings include: (1) Hospitals dump insured patients when the covered services are priced under costs. Whetherthe budget target is binding depends on its size relative to the mandated fees and productioncosts of insured services. (2) Only when hospitals operate at full capacity and the uninsured patients have inelastic demand do providers shift costs to the uninsured. (3) When revenue shocks dominate, cost shifting lowers the income from the insured while increasing that fromthe uninsured patients. When cost shocks dominate, incomes from the two groups may bepositively correlated.In the second essay, I use insurance claims data in a difference-in-differences model toempirically investigate the effects of global budgeting on providers' selection and skimpingagainst high-cost patients in China. It finds that non-last resort (LR) hospitals respond toglobal budgeting by avoiding unprofitable patients as well as selectively reducing the intensity of their treatment. Interestingly, I did not find evidence of skimping for LR providers. This indicates that non-LR hospitals achieve at least part of the adverse selection by making services inadequate for high-cost patients.In the third essay, we use survey data in an endogenous switching regression model toanalyze the price gap between state and private hospitals in China. Our analysis finds strongevidence that outpatient care is not only much more expensive at the public sector, but moreexpensive to a greater extent for certain disadvantaged social groups than for the generalpopulation. We explain this finding by noting that the private sector can price discriminatewith greater iaexibility than the tightly regulated public sector. We also find that the bigger the share of physicians working in the private sector, the lower the public-private price gap as well as the overall average price. These results indicate that increasing competition in the market for physicians may significantly lower the price of health care by enabling private providers to enhance their reputation through attracting well-trained physicians.
Pain Catastrophizing and EEG-Alpha Asymmetry

Objectives: Pain catastrophizing is thought to play a causal role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain and its negative impact on functioning. However, few studies have examined the factors that might contribute to the development and maintenance of catastrophizing. The anterior asymmetry and emotion (AAE) model hypothesizes that more activity in left anterior brain regions is associated with a tendency to engage in approach responses (often, but not always, associated with positive valance), and that more right anterior activity is associated with a tendency to engage in more withdrawal responses (often associated with negative valance). Given the consistent associations found between catastrophizing and both (1) approach vs avoidance pain coping styles and (2) affective responses to pain, the AAE model would predict that more left (versus right) anterior brain activity would prospectively predict future catastrophizing. Methods: Anterior asymmetry measures computed using electroencephalogram data from 30 individuals with spinal cord injury were correlated with catastrophizing scores obtained two years after the EEG recording. Results: Consistent with the AAE model, anterior asymmetry scores reflecting greater left than right anterior activity were negatively associated with subsequent catastrophizing. Conclusions: The study findings identify a biological factor that may be associated with greater vulnerability to pain-related catastrophizing. If replicated in future research, the findings suggest new possibilities for treating catastrophizing, which may then contribute to improved pain treatment outcomes.
A study of sustainability in the oil and gas supply chain

There is a general consensus that human activity has significant impact on global climate change with significant consequences to the environment. Although there has been relatively limited research on the relationship between corporate environmental performance and corporate financial performance, empirical of the relationship between proactive corporate climate change strategies and economic performance is still in need of clear delineation. It is in light of this hat this research examines the impacts of sustainability adoption on competitive performance of oil and gas companies. The research explores the notion of market driven sustainability by establishing an empirical link between sustainable supply chains characteristics and organisational competitiveness. The overall aim is to develop an empirical model of sustainable supply chain characteristics that improves resource utilisation, profit maximization and competitiveness in the oil and gas industry. The research reviews existing literature on supply chain management, sustainability and competitive objectives in order to generate an appropriate and adequate context for relevant analytical investigations. Primary data on sustainability and its impacts on organisational performance were collected from UK and gas industry through survey by questionnaire. The results show that the most significant drivers of sustainability are the desire to conserve energy, increase market share and improve competiveness. However, legal and regulatory pressure, in contrast to common perspectives in the literature, was not seen as strong drivers of sustainability. The most significant inhibitors of sustainability are inappropriate infrastructural facilities, higher take-up costs, shortage of information on sustainability and employees lack of environmental awareness. The results further indicate that, though sustainability strategies implemented by the respondent firms varied in scopes, these strategies were being extensively and successfully implemented. Generally, the adoption of sustainability in oil and gas supply chain leads to improved economic performance and environmental performance, which, in turn, positively impact organisational competitiveness. These results are of particular importance to managers, government policy makers environmentalists and researchers.
Effects of Intermittent Noise on the Performance of a Complex Psychomotor Task

Manual image-motion compensation, a complex psychomotor task involved in certain photographic activities from orbit, was investigated as a function of the temporal pattern (aperiodic, periodic, or continuous) and intensity level (50, 70, or 90 db.) of white noise. Performance was measured in terms of the total amount of time image motion was held at or below a 40-microradians/second criterion for specific blocks of trials. The results of the investigation showed that white noise had a detrimental effect on image motion compensation performance, and that the magnitude of the decrement varied as a function of both the temporal pattern and intensity level of this noise.
The Relative Asset Pricing Model: Incorporating Liabilities and Delegation to Chief Investment Officers — Version 0.1

This paper makes a simple but bold argument that because mean-variance optimization (MVO) and the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) were derived from a theoretical construct rather than reality, they represent a specialized case of a more general theory. We suggest a theory based on the liability to be serviced by an investment portfolio that is managed by a delegated decision maker. From this perspective, all decisions are relative; hence we present a relative asset pricing model (RAPM) as the true starting point for asset pricing theory. RAPM accommodates the fact that real investors are concerned about the relative return of their portfolios (relative mean) and the relative risk of their portfolios (composed of two independent variables — relative variance and correlation). Moreover, investors are concerned about their agents’ skill to generate alpha. Turning off these features gives us CAPM; hence our claim that CAPM is a stylized model of a more general theory. Because current theory was derived from the assumptions that investors are concerned about their absolute wealth and that they know the return distribution, which is characterized by mean and variance, it misses an important part of real-life decision making. When investors are concerned about the relative return of their portfolios and do not know the return distribution that is generated by their agents, correlation matters in addition to mean and variance. Therefore investment decision making will occur in three-dimensional space rather than the mean-variance two-dimensional plane. A decision maker forced to choose only two of three or more independent variables would get a limited result. This is exactly what happens with investment theory. This paper provides the foundation for adding a correlation dimension. We hope that other talented academics will help develop RAPM, which will provide better recommendations for asset pricing, asset allocation, rebalancing, risk-adjusted performance calculations, and manager compensation.