Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Randomized, multicenter, open-label study of oxaliplatin plus fluorouracil/leucovorin versus doxorubicin as palliative chemotherapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma from Asia.

PURPOSE To determine whether FOLFOX4 (infusional fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) administered as palliative chemotherapy to patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provides a survival benefit and efficacy versus doxorubicin. PATIENTS AND METHODS This multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase III study in mainland China, Taiwan, Korea, and Thailand involved 371 patients age 18 to 75 years who had locally advanced or metastatic HCC and were ineligible for curative resection or local treatment. They were randomly assigned at a ratio of one to one to receive either FOLFOX4 (n = 184) or doxorubicin (n = 187). The primary end point was overall survival (OS); secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR) by RECIST (version 1.0), and safety. RESULTS At the prespecified final analysis, median OS was 6.40 months with FOLFOX4 (95% CI, 5.30 to 7.03) and 4.97 months with doxorubicin (95% CI, 4.23 to 6.03; P = .07; hazard ratio [HR], 0.80; 95% CI, 0.63 to 1.02). Median PFS was 2.93 months with FOLFOX4 (95% CI, 2.43 to 3.53), and 1.77 months with doxorubicin (95% CI, 1.63 to 2.30; P < .001; HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.79). RR was 8.15% with FOLFOX4 and 2.67% with doxorubicin (P = .02). On continued follow-up, the trend toward increased OS with FOLFOX4 was maintained (P = .04; HR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.99). Toxicity was consistent with previous experiences with FOLFOX4; proportions of grade 3 to 4 adverse events were similar between treatments. CONCLUSION Although the study did not meet its primary end point, the trend toward improved OS with FOLFOX4, along with increased PFS and RR, suggests that this regimen may confer some benefit to Asian patients, but an OS benefit cannot be concluded from these data.
Abstracts/Résumés

THIS PAPER IS CONCERNED with the resilience of socialist workers' movements during the early years of the Cold War in Canada. Our study compares she workers' movements on either side of the BC/Alberta border in the Crowsnest Pass through the Rocky Mountains between 1945 and 19S8. These are interesting movements because, although they were equally strong at the end of World War II , n the perrod in question one movement was very resilient (BC) and one suffered an electoral collapse. We found that the Cold War eroded the Labour Progressive Party's (LPP) electoral base in exactly the same way on the Alberta and BC sides of the Crowsnest Pass. Anti-communism was certainly promoted by extra-local sources of news and analysis such as newspapers, radio and movies, and was based upon international and national events. However, there were important local processes that amplified and concretized the more general forces, such as joint organizing against the LPP by a CCF leader and the Catholic Church i n the Alberta Crowsnest, the recruitment of anti-communist miners from Eastern Europe, and the anti-communist stance of a roster of ethnic organizations. The
Clarification of the Identity of the Tea Green Leafhopper Based on Morphological Comparison between Chinese and Japanese Specimens

Tea green leafhopper is one of the most dominant pests in major tea production regions of East Asia. This species has been variously identified as Empoasca vitis (Goëthe), Jacobiasca formosana (Paoli) and Empoasca onukii Matsuda in Mainland China, Taiwan and Japan, respectively. Recent study of DNA sequence data suggested that treatment of this pest as different species in these three adjacent regions is incorrect and that they were a single species; but the correct scientific name for the species has remained unclear. Consistent with the prior molecular evidence, morphological study shows that the male genital characters of Chinese specimens are the same as those of specimens from Japan, so the correct scientific name of tea green leafhopper in China is Empoasca (Matsumurasca) onukii Matsuda.
Clinically significant gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients in an era of prophylaxis

OBJECTIVE:Clinical studies examining stress-related gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients vary in their clinical definitions and assessment of clinical significance. Although there is evidence that routine prophylaxis decreases stress-related gastrointestinal bleeding, recent studies indicate a decreasing incidence, independent of the use of prophylactic medications. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for clinically significant, endoscopically proven gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients.METHODS:A database (prospectively collected data) of 8338 patients admitted to the surgical and medical intensive care units at major tertiary care center from July 1988 to April 1995 was examined. All patients with significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding as defined by a drop in hemoglobin of >20 g/L and endoscopic evidence of an upper GI tract source were identified. Risk factors for GI bleeding from stress ulceration were compared in bleeding and nonbleeding patients. A case-control study analyzing risk factors for bleeding in the abdominal aortic aneurysm subgroup was performed.RESULTS:After exclusion criteria, 12/7231 (0.17%) patients had clinically significant, endoscopically proven bleeding. Significant risk factors included age, septic shock, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, and nutritional support. Intensive care unit stay was prolonged in patients with stress-related bleeding. There was no difference in incidence of hypotension, clamp time, APACHE score, or operating room time in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm repair as compared with controls.CONCLUSIONS:In an intensive care unit where stress prophylaxis is widely used, clinically important gastrointestinal bleeding is uncommon. Further study is needed to define the optimal prophylaxis regimen and the role for its selective use in high-risk patients.
Bone Marrow Transplantation for Severe Aplastic Anemia : Influence of Conditioning and Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis Regimens on Outcome

Data for 595 patients with severe aplastic anemia receiving HLA-identical sibling bone marrow transplants were analyzed to determine the effect of pretransplant conditioning and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis on outcome. Transplants were performed between 1980 and 1987 and reported to the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry. Three conditioning regimens (cyclophosphamide alone, cyclophosphamide plus limited field radiation, and cyclophosphamide plus total body radiation) were studied; none was associated with superior long-term survival. Three GVHD prophylaxis regimens (methotrexate, cyclosporine, and methotrexate plus cyclosporine) were studied. Recipients of cyclosporine with or without methotrexate had a
Determinants of sexual satisfaction in a sample of German women.

INTRODUCTION The literature provides little information about the meaning of sexual satisfaction in women despite debates on new concepts of female sexual experience and on modifications in the classification systems of female sexual dysfunction. Often, not even a differentiation is made between satisfaction with one's sex life or sexual relationship in general and sexual satisfaction related to a specific sexual activity. AIM To differentiate between satisfaction with sex life in general and sexual satisfaction from sexual intercourse, petting, or masturbation. To gain a deeper understanding of the meaning and experience of sexual satisfaction derived from these specific sexual activities. METHODS A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 102 German women of different age groups (median age group: 31-35) and education levels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A multidimensional questionnaire addressing the subjective feelings that constitute sexual satisfaction in women. RESULTS The analysis of sexual satisfaction from sexual intercourse yielded two dimensions: (i) feeling close to one's partner; and (ii) positive bodily and emotional experiences. Regarding satisfaction with one's sex life in general, 70% of the variance could be explained by sexual satisfaction through sexual intercourse and frequency of sexual intercourse. Sexual satisfaction and orgasm frequency proved to be interdependent but not identical. CONCLUSIONS As a contribution to a better understanding of the complex nature of female sexual satisfaction, our results indicate that sexual intercourse is a far more important activity and source of satisfaction in female sexual life than petting or masturbation.
Chinese-English translation of public signs for tourism

Bilingual public signs are extensively used in Chinese-speaking regions such as Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. This article concentrates on issues relating to Chinese public signs at tourist attractions and their translation into English. Based on examples collected from these three regions, it finds that Chinese public signs in tourist areas constitute a special genre and tend to use a descriptive and/or figurative language style to convey a simple message, which creates challenges for translation. The data analysis indicates that three translation strategies are employed in translating public signs—i.e. literal translation, semi-literal and semi-adaptive translation, and free adaptation—and that literal translation is the most common strategy. It is found that all three strategies have limitations in conveying the message meaningfully and naturally. The article concludes that the unique nature of public signs in tourist areas suggests a need for further investigation of the language styles used in such signs in both languages and the most appropriate strategies for their translation.
Explaining Incivility in the Workplace: The Effects of Personality and Culture

This study examines individual and cultural antecedents of incivility in the workplace, using a sample of MBAs and EMBAs from Taiwan and the United States. We predicted that individual achievement orientation would enhance incivility, based on Dollard’s frustration aggression hypothesis, and that those who were higher in direct conflict self-efficacy (i.e., beliefs in one’s skills in managing direct conflict) would be higher in incivility. These predictions were supported. We also predicted, and found, that collectivism orientation constrains these main effects, so that for those high in collectivism, the impact of achievement orientation and direct conflict self-efficacy is weak or nonexistent. Implications for conflict management are discussed.
Gender in post-Mao China

Post-Mao gender discourse readjusts a politicized vision of gender based on Maoist ethics. While rejecting revolutionary concepts of sex equality, contemporary Chinese women embrace a notion of femininity through the revision of a traditional conception of womanhood as well as the construction of new role models. Women poets participate in this construction process with a fresh, powerful voice to express their gender consciousness. In their efforts to (re-)define womanhood, they present by poetic means radically gendered perspectives.
Intent to pursue further studies among Chinese Students

The number of students pursuing graduate qualifications has increased, especially in Asian countries and cities, such as China, Macao and Hong Kong. This paper examines the intent to pursue further studies among Chinese students according to the theory of planned behaviour. Based on responses from 321 final-year students in higher education institutions in Macao, Hong Kong and mainland China, path analysis shows that subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and attitude toward graduate studies owing to intrinsic motivation significantly affects the intent to pursue further studies. The paper also identifies the important attributes that influence students’ choice of a graduate programme. These findings can help higher education management improve the effectiveness of graduate recruitment and address the concerns of Chinese students.
Using the prevalence of an elevated serum alanine aminotransferase level for identifying communities with a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND Antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) is a widely accepted method for the diagnosis of HCV infection. However, it is too expensive to use in large-scale health surveys. OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level to predict the prevalence of HCV infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS A sample of 6095 residents aged 35 years old or older in a small township of southern Taiwan, Republic of China, were examined in a community health survey. These persons were walk-ins to the government-sponsored stations after an intensive health promotion for this survey. Blood samples were obtained and analyzed for serum ALT levels. The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-HCV were determined by enzyme immunoassay methods. RESULTS The overall prevalences of hepatitis B surface antigens(+), anti-HCV(+), and elevated ALT levels were 11.8%, 15.0%, and 7.5%, respectively. Among the 13 villages in this community, the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen(+) ranged from 6.8% to 17.3%, anti-HCV(+) ranged from 7.2% to 37.6%, and an elevated ALT level ranged from 5.8% to 16.5%. A strong positive correlation was found between the prevalence of an elevated ALT level and anti-HCV(+) (r= 0.91, Spearman rank correlation; P<.001). However, nearly 0 correlation (r= -0.05, P=.87) was obtained between the prevalence of an elevated serum ALT level and hepatitis B surface antigen(+). CONCLUSION The prevalence of an elevated serum ALT level in a community is a strong indicator of its prevalence of anti-HCV(+), even in areas where there is a similar prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection. This result is useful for economically identifying hyperendemic communities with HCV infection.
Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients and their association with rheumatoid factor

Objectives: To evaluate levels of anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to determine their association with serological parameters and disease activity. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 105 multiethnic RA patients (48 rheumatoid factor [RF]-positive and 57 RF-negative patients) was conducted at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, from January 2015 to February 2016. Fifty healthy controls (HCs) were included. C-reactive protein (CRP), RF, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and anti-CarP antibodies were measured. A health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) was administered to the study participants and 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) were obtained. Results: The level of anti-CarP antibodies was significantly increased in the RA patients compared with HCs (p=0.042). The presence of anti-CarP antibodies was significantly associated with RF (p=0.019) and the HAQ (p=0.010). A significant association between the presence of anti-CarP antibodies and the DAS28 was not found (p=0.632). Conclusion: Our study provides further evidence that the level of anti-CarP antibodies is significantly elevated in RA patients.
Exploring the Correlates of Individual Willingness to Engage in Ideologically Motivated Cyberattacks

ABSTRACT In the last few years, there has been an increase in the use of Web defacements, where individuals post political or ideological messages on websites in place of the original content. There is generally little research on the predictors of Web defacements against either domestic or foreign targets. This study addresses this gap by examining the attitudinal and behavioral correlates of willingness to engage in defacements using a sample of university students in Taiwan and the United States. The findings demonstrate that political attitudes toward marginalized groups and support for cybercrime increase individuals’ willingness to engage in defacements.
Securitization theory : how security problems emerge and dissolve

1. A Theory of Securitization: Origins, Core Assumptions, and Variants Thierry Balzacq 2. Enquiries Into Methods: A New Framework for Securitization Analysis Thierry Balzacq Part 1: The Rules of Securitization 3. Reconceptualizing the Audience in Securitization Theory Sarah Leonard and Christian Kaunert 4. Securitization as a Media Frame Fred Vultee 5. The Limits of Spoken Words: From Meta-narratives to Experiences of Security Claire Wilkinson 6. When Securitization Fails: The Hard Case of Counter-terrorism Programmes Mark B. Salter Part 2: Securitization and De-securitization in Practice 7. Rethinking the Securitization of Environment: Old Beliefs, New Insights Julia Trombetta 8. Health Issues and Securitization: HIV/AIDS as a US National Security Threat Roxanna Sjostedt 9. Securitization, Culture and Power: Rogue States in US and German Discourse Holger Stritzel and Dirk Schmittchen 10. Religion Bites: The Securitization of - and Desecuritization Moves by - Falungong Practitioners in the People's Republic of China Juha A. Vuori 11. The Continuing Evolution of Securitization Theory Michael C. Williams
A Reconsideration of Import Substitution

This paper studies the origins of an import substitution strategy of development, summarizes the consequences of that strategy, and reviews the problems that led to its failure. The fundamental difficulty was its discouragement of the indigenous social learning necessary for sustained, independent development. The emergence of an outward-oriented, minimal-government strategy is due to the success of Korea and Taiwan. This strategy fails to recognize that social learning requires a strong role for national agents and that this role can be penalized by undue openness. An effective strategy must protect and induce domestic learning without penalizing exporting.
Do Big 4 audit firms improve the value relevance of earnings and equity

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between audit quality and value relevance of representative accounting measures, such as earnings and book value of equity. Design/methodology/approach - The authors estimate the standard value relevance equations and the modified equations by ordinary least square regressions and use two ways to compare the difference in the value relevance of earnings and book value of equity audited by Big 4 auditors and non-Big 4 auditors, as characterized by the coefficient of determination, Findings - Some evidence was found that, in the Taiwan capital market, in general, the earnings and book value of equity audited by Big 4 auditors explain more variations in stock return than those audited by non-Big 4 auditors. The results are robust to different empirical models and measurements of value relevance and control for risk and growth factors. Consequently, both earnings and book value audited by Big 4 audit firms are generally more relevant than those audited by non-Big 4 audit firms. Originality/value - Assuming that the Big 4 audit firms provide a higher level of assurance and credibility, the overall results are generally consistent with the authors' prediction that audit quality, as captured by size of audit firms, improves the value relevance of earnings and book value of equity.
Chinese Enterprise Reforms: Convergence with the Japanese Model?

This paper explores Chinese efforts to join the ranks of the East Asian developing economies of South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. It describes Chinese efforts to emulate the Japanese model of industrial management rather than American management schemes, and it notes the compatibilities between certain legacies of Maoist socialism in China's state enterprises and the Japanese model. In particular, the paper traces the development of the Chinese employment system in the state sector. Compatibilities include indications that the Chinese workers could become company men, that they prefer paternalistic managers, that their work responds to appreciation, and that they do not regard management and worker interests as necessarily conflictual. Granted the evolution of greater autonomy for Chinese state enterprises, the paper concludes that an organization-oriented system can develop within Chinese state enterprises and that a shift to a market economy need not be accompanied by a market-oriented employment system. Copyright 1995 by Oxford University Press.
Managerial Decision Making: Comparison of Participative Decision Methods in Australian and Singaporean/Hong Kong Chinese Samples

This exploratory study compares the decision-making styles of Singaporean and Hong Kong Chinese (SHK) managers and Australian (AUS) managers. On hypothetical standardised problems, these managers appear to use similar levels of participation in response to similar situational contingencies. However, on actual problems the decision-making effectiveness of SHK managers appears to be more sensitive to variations in leader infor Mation than in leader power, and viceversa for Australian managers. This finding is consistent with reported differences in value dimensions across the two samples. Subjects are 93 managers from Singapore and Hong Kong and 99 managers from Australia.
What part does democracy play in the future of China

This paper is concerned with the progression of democratic values in China. It will be argued that despite much publication of elite government suppression of social movement and political despotism, liberalisation of authority through greater rule of law, dispersion of power and human rights are developing. In 1980 China saw major reform, opening up the state from a planned to a socialist-market economy, allowing liberalism in consumer behaviour. In 1989 China saw the social uprising of its young and affluent populations in Tiananmen Square, demanding political change. After the authoritarian response to that demonstration and the repression of movements that have followed, politically unreformed China has been a pressure cooker for intensifying tensions in all levels of society, a pressure that is being felt politically with growing demands for a loosening of the strangle-hold of authority. With the upcoming decennial transfer of political leadership to a new administration, prominent questions are being asked about its direction for the country. As party elders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) wane with age, along with their control, the new generation of the party are the catalyst for the first serious debate in 20 years over what is required of the political system to govern modern China (Anderlini 2011a: 1). Through the exploration of events leading to this transition; this paper starts by deciphering the various demands of the general population, using the examples in public activity to make sense of what is necessary for accord and relating that to democratic values which they encompass. After which, I will investigate the posture of the government, discerning its receptivity to democratic values through its bureaucratic activity. This culminates in an understanding of what is to be expected for democracy in the up-coming administration handover of the People’s Republic of China.