Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PGPM_A_287688 221..228

*These authors contributed equally to this work Introduction: T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-4 (TIMD-4) are likely to impact autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis (RA)). It is hypothesized here that TIMD-4 gene polymorphism is likely to display a correlation with the RA risk. Methods: For examining the effect exerted by TIMD-4 genetic variant in the RA risk, a case–control study containing 379 RA cases and 432 healthy control groups in Chinese population was performed. This study conducted genotyping with the use of a custom-bydesign 48-Plex single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) ScanTM Kit. Blood serum conditions of TIMD-4 in RA cases and matched control groups were measured by enzyme-connected immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Our results demonstrated that the TIMD-4 rs7700944 polymorphism could increase the RA risk in Chinese population. According to stratification analyzing processes, the TIMD-4 rs7700944 polymorphism displayed the correlation to the elevated RA risk in the females, smokers and cases aged ≥55 years. Cross-over analyses also indicated that the combined effect of smoking or drinking and GA genotype of rs7700944 locus contributed to an elevated risk of RA. In addition, the TIMD-4 rs7700944 polymorphism was also related to RA cases with DAS ≥ 3.20, ESR ≥25.00 mm/h and positive anti-ccp. Moreover, compared with the control groups, the average expression level of TIMD-4 in the serum of RA cases was apparently increased. Conclusion: In conclusion, the TIMD-4 rs7700944 polymorphism may increase the sensitivity to RA in Chinese population.
ON THE EXISTENCE OF INVARIANT SUBSPACES AND REFLEXIVITY OF N-TUPLES OF OPERATORS

Recent results concerning the existence of a common nontrivial invariant subspace and reflexivity for families of commuting linear bounded Hilbert space operators will be presented; starting with the families of linear transformations on finite dimensional space, through families of isometries, jointly quasinormal operators and spherical isometries, finishing with N-tuples of contractions with dominating spectra. This paper is based On the notes for the series of lectures given in the Department of Applied Mathematics, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Republic of China in November and December of 1995.
Differences in Factors Associated With High- and Low-Risk Oral Human Papillomavirus Genotypes in Men

Background. Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes oral warts and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Human papillomavirus-attributable OPC incidence among men is significantly increasing worldwide, yet few studies have reported oral HPV across multiple countries or examined factors associated with low- and high-risk HPV separately. Methods. Oral gargles from 3095 men in the multinational HPV Infection in Men (HIM) Study were HPV genotyped. Multivariable models assessed factors independently associated with high-risk and low-risk HPV prevalence. Results. The prevalence of high-risk and low-risk HPV was 6.0% and 2.8%, respectively. Greater number of sexual partners was only associated with high-risk HPV (1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–2.90) prevalence. In multivariable models, residing in Mexico (1.66; 95% CI, 1.15–2.40) and smoking (1.66; 95% CI, 1.13–2.44) were significantly associated with high-risk HPV, and history of consistent gum bleeding (2.16; 95% CI, 1.35–3.45) was significantly associated with low-risk HPV. Gender of the sexual partner did not alter the results for either high- or low-risk HPV endpoints. Conclusions. Different factors were independently associated with high- and low-risk oral HPV. Oral sexual behaviors were associated with high-risk HPV, and oral health was associated with low-risk HPV. High-risk HPV prevalence differed by country of residence, highlighting the need for additional studies in multiple countries.
Incidence of some autoimmune diseases in Basrah Province

All the patients diagnosed as having autoimmune disease by the clinical examiner and confirmed the diagnosis by laboratory results. Serum samples obtained from patient’s blood and tested for the presence of specific autoantibodies using commercial ELISA kits. Out of 342 patients, 240(70.2%) were diagnosed with celiac disease, 94(27.5%) with Rheumatoid arthritis and 8(2.3%) with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Results of ELISA test indicated statistically significant increased level of antibodies specific to anti-gliadin (IgA and IgG) and anti-tTg (IgA and IgG) antibodies in patients with celiac disease (p-value< 0.001). Results indicated statistically significant level of (ANA) and (Anti-ccp) in individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Regarding to (anti-dsDNA), (anti-cardiolipin) and (anti-phospholipids), a statistically significant increased levels detected in individuals with SLE.
Development and Validation of the Outcome Expectancy Scale for COVID-19 Vaccination in the Adult General Population

Promotion of COVID-19 vaccination requires understanding its determinants, an important one of which is outcome expectancy. However, reliable and valid measurement tools are absent. This study thus developed and validated an Outcome Expectancy Scale for COVID-19 Vaccination (OES-COVID-19). An inductive approach was used for scale development; content validity of the items was then assessed by an independent evaluation expert panel. Iteratively, 17 scale items were created and validated in a population-based telephone survey conducted among 500 adults of the general population in Hong Kong, China, from August to September 2021. Using half of the sample (n = 249), exploratory factor analyses identified four factors of the OES-COVID-19, including (a) positive contribution to society, (b) functional benefits, (c) protective effect, and (d) negative impacts. Confirmatory factor analysis of these factors conducted on the second subsample (n = 251) was satisfactory. The OES-COVID-19 showed good psychometric properties in terms of internal consistency, absence of floor/ceiling effects, and concurrent validity. The newly created and validated OES-COVID-19 is deemed suitable for application. It may advance future studies related to COVID-19 vaccination behavior and intention, and potentially allows for comparisons across studies. Further validation with modifications across countries, populations, and phase of the pandemic are warranted.
Cyber Sexual Harassment among Adolescent Girls: A Qualitative Analysis

Background: Research efforts are increasingly recognizing young girls’ experiences of technology facilitated sexual harassment, which includes sexual harassment via electronic technology and social networking sites. The current study aimed to qualitatively describe experiences of cyber sexual harassment (CSH), as well as its effects, among a sample of sexually active adolescent girls. Methods: Qualitative interviews (n = 25) were conducted among a sub-group of adolescent girls at risk for CSH (those who reported experiencing sexual or dating violence) who participated in a larger cross-sectional clinic-based study on sexual health. Participants were asked to describe their experiences or peers’ experiences of CSH. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and a thematic analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative findings. Results: Participants reported experiencing several different types of CSH, including (a) being forced or pressured to send sexual photos, (b) receiving unwanted sexual messages/photos, and (c) having sexual photos posted or shared without the sender’s permission. Findings also highlighted the consequences of experiencing CSH, including social isolation and negative effects on girls’ education. Conclusions: These scenarios of CSH described by participants highlight the multiple ways in which girls experience CSH. Our findings begin to inform the development of quantitative survey measures that reflect these specific types of CSH experiences reported by adolescents. The consistent use of such measures will be critical to establish the prevalence and consequences of CSH in future studies on this topic.
Solitary Sexual Desire: Its Relation to Subjective Orgasm Experience and Sexual Arousal in the Masturbation Context within a Spanish Population

The tridimensional sexual desire proposal (i.e., dyadic to partner, dyadic to attractive other and solitary) has been empirically supported. However, solitary sexual desire and its relationship to other dimensions of sexual functioning has received less attention. Hence, we examined the capacity of solitary sexual desire to explain the subjective orgasm experience (Study 1) and sexual arousal (Study 2) in the context of solitary masturbation. Study 1, composed of 2406 heterosexual adults (M age = 39.72, SD = 11.81), assessed for solitary sexual desire, dyadic sexual desire, and the intensity of the subjective orgasm experience obtained through solitary masturbation, along with other associated parameters. Study 2, consisting of 41 heterosexual young people (M age = 22.49, SD = 3.17), evaluated the genital response (penile circumference/vaginal pulse amplitude) and subjective arousal to sexually explicit films related to solitary masturbation. In both men and women, solitary sexual desire accounted for a significant percentage of the subjective orgasm experience obtained through solitary masturbation. In addition, in women, the propensity for sexual arousal was explained by solitary sexual desire. It is concluded that solitary sexual desire -as opposed to dyadic- is important to explain sexual arousal and orgasm in the solitary masturbation context. These results highlight the importance of addressing sexual desire in the solitary context, given its implications with other dimensions of sexual functioning.
Working Paper Series in Finance 02-03 a Law and Finance Analysis of Venture Capital Exits in Emerging Markets a Law and Finance Analysis of Venture Capital Exits in Emerging Markets*

We analyze a sample of 336 venture capital exits from 12 Asia -Pacific countries: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. The data also comprise these countries’ venture capitalists’ investments in U.S.-based entrepreneurial firms. We consider the determinants of the types of entrepreneurial firms receiving venture capital finance, the choice of exit vehicle (IPO, acquisition, secondary sale, buyback and write -off), the extent of exit (full or partial), and the determinants of the IRRs with Heckman controls for selection effects. Among other things, the data highlight the importance of legal and institutional factors in the disposition of venture capital investments. * Cumming is Assistant Professor of Finance, Economics & Law at the University of Alberta School of Business, and Visiting Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of Amsterdam Graduate School of Business (2002, 2003); Fleming is Senior Lecturer, Australian National University, Australia and Vice -President, Wilshire Australia Pty Ltd. We owe special thanks to Wilshire Associates, Inc. for providing the data for this paper and to Kate Humphreys and Corrine Sellars for research assistance. Douglas Cumming has benefited from working with Jeffrey MacIntosh on related research. The views expressed in this paper do not represent those of Wilshire Australia Pty Ltd and Wilshire Associates, Inc.
Forest community structure and composition along an elevational gradient of Parshuram Kund area in Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh, India.

The present study was conducted in natural Himalayan forests of Parsuram Kund area in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh to understand the effect of altitudinal variation on structure and composition of the vegetation. Three altitudinal zones viz., upper zone (U) = 550-850 m asl, middle zone (M) = 500-700 m asl and lower zone (L) = 350-450 m asl were selected for the study. Tree Species richness (SR) was recorded to be highest (26) on the middle altitude followed by lower (21) and upper altitude (13). Species diversity (richness) and dominance (Simpson Concentration of dominance index) were found to be inversely related to each other. Shrub and herb species richness were also recorded to be higher on middle altitude followed by lower and upper altitudes. (Nature and Science 2010;8(2):27-35). (ISSN: 1545-0740).
Under Consideration for Publication in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming an Abstract Interpretation Framework for Verification of Timed Concurrent Constraint Languages

The Timed Concurrent Constrain programming (tccp in short) is a concurrent logic language obtained by extending the cc paradigm with the notion of time and a suitable mechanism to model time-outs and preemptions. Thanks to these features, tccp is a suitable language to model both concurrent and reactive systems. The existing formal techniques for the verification of tccp are based on model checking. Given a program P and a temporal formula φ, model checking essentially works by browsing the structure of some form of model M (which represents the behavior of P) to check if φ is valid. This implies that the model M has to be built and, especially in presence of concurrency, this model is quite huge. This problem is well known in the literature and it is called state-explosion problem. The core of my research is the definition of a semantic framework for tccp for the formal verification of complex concurrent and reactive systems by using abstract interpretation theory. This approach is based on the definition of a concrete semantics for tccp which is suitable to be approximated by using standard abstract interpretation results. In this way, it is possible to define debugging and verification tools for tccp without the burden of modeling the system first. Thus, abstract interpretation becomes a valid alternative to model checking, since it overcomes the state-explosion problem.
Meek Males and Fighting Females: Sexually-Dimorphic Antipredator Behavior and Locomotor Performance Is Explained by Morphology in Bark Scorpions (Centruroides vittatus)

Sexual dimorphism can result from sexual or ecological selective pressures, but the importance of alternative reproductive roles and trait compensation in generating phenotypic differences between the sexes is poorly understood. We evaluated morphological and behavioral sexual dimorphism in striped bark scorpions (Centruroides vittatus). We propose that reproductive roles have driven sexually dimorphic body mass in this species which produces sex differences in locomotor performance. Poor locomotor performance in the females (due to the burden of being gravid) favors compensatory aggression as part of an alternative defensive strategy, while male morphology is coadapted to support a sprinting-based defensive strategy. We tested the effects of sex and morphology on stinging and sprinting performance and characterized overall differences between the sexes in aggressiveness towards simulated threats. Greater body mass was associated with higher sting rates and slower sprinting within sexes, which explained the greater aggression of females (the heavier sex) and, along with longer legs in males, the improved sprint performance in males. These findings suggest females are aggressive to compensate for locomotor costs of reproduction while males possess longer legs to enhance sprinting for predator evasion and mate finding. Sexual dimorphism in the metasoma (“tail”) was unrelated to stinging and sprinting performance and may best be explained by sexual selection.
Myopia: a growing global problem with sight-threatening complications

Globally, myopia is the leading cause of distance refractive error, affecting 1.45 billion or 27% of the world's population in 2010 (myopia being defined as more than or equal to 0.50 D of myopia). 1 The number of people with myopia is expected to continue to rise both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of the population.2 In certain age groups in several Asian countries, the prevalence of myopia is over 80%. Among late teenagers and young adults in Korea, Taiwan and China the prevalence is now between 84% and 97%. 3–5 In addition to the increase in prevalence, there is evidence of a rise in the severity of myopia.3 A study by Vitale et al.6 in the United States found that the prevalence of moderate myopia, defined as between −2.00 D and −7.9 D, nearly doubled (from 11.4% in 1971–1972 to 22.4% in 1999–2004), and that the prevalence of high myopia, which was defined as more than 8.00 D of myopia for this study, had increased eightfold during the same period (from 0.2% to 1.6%). The global prevalence of high myopia (commonly defined as greater than or equal to 5.00 D of myopia) was 2.9% (224 million people) in 2010.7
Prediction of radiological outcome in early rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice: role of antibodies to citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP)

Objective: To investigate the role of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) for the prediction of radiological outcome in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Anti-CCP was assessed at baseline in 379 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (disease duration <1 year). Radiological joint damage and progression were assessed by Larsen score after two years of follow up (end point) and used as outcome variables. The prognostic value of anti-CCP and other demographic and disease related baseline variables were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses, including calculation of odds ratios (OR), predictive values, and multiple logistic regression models. Results: The presence of anti-CCP was associated with significantly higher Larsen score both at baseline and at end point. Univariate predictor analysis showed that anti-CCP had the highest significant OR for radiological joint damage and progression after baseline Larsen score, followed by rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein, age, smoking status, and sex. In stepwise multiple regression analyses, baseline Larsen score, anti-CCP, and ESR were selected as significant independent predictors of the radiological outcomes. Conclusions: There is good evidence for an association of anti-CCP with radiological joint changes in rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-CCP is an independent predictor of radiological damage and progression. Though prediction in early rheumatoid arthritis is still far from perfect, the use of anti-CCP in clinical practice should make it easier for rheumatologists to reach judicious treatment decisions.
Time-Varying Risk Premium and Contagion in Foreign Exchange Markets : Evidence from the 1997 Asian Crisis

In this paper, I examine simultaneously whether time-varying risk premium can explain the predictable excess return puzzle (Lewis (1994)), and whether there are contagion effects among foreign exchange markets during the 1997 Asian crisis. I use a conditional version of international CAPM (ICAPM) in the absence of purchasing power parity (PPP) to derive a measure of the risk premium. To incorporate time-varying feature of the risk premium into the model, I allow not only the second moments of asset returns to change over time by utilizing multivariate GARCH-in-mean (MGARCH-M) modeling strategy, but also the prices of risks to evolve through time based on some predetermined information variables. Estimation results show significant time-varying risk premia in deviations from uncovered interest parity (UIP), and these risk premia mainly compensate currency speculators for bearing not just market risk but currency risk. Overall, the conditional ICAPM with MGARCH-M structure is able to explain/predict on average more than 26% (26.138%) of the return variations in foreign exchange markets, a very high return predictability compared to previous studies. Therefore, I can conclude that the time-varying risk premium is a very strong candidate in explaining the predictable excess return puzzle since the risk premia detected in this paper are not only statistically significant but also economically significant. As for the tests of contagion, I find strong pure contagion effects in both conditional means and volatilities of foreign exchange markets after systematic risks have been accounted for. Specifically, the contagion-inmean effects are mainly driven by the past innovations in Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. As for contagion in volatility, the lead/lag relationships appear to be multidirectional with Hong Kong playing the dominant role in generating contagion effects at volatility level since all the other three markets are significantly influenced by the past innovations in Hong Kong. JEL Classifications: C32; F31; G12
Association of Hypoglycemia With Incident Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

AbstractThis article aims to investigate the long-term risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with hypoglycemia.This nationwide, population-based, propensity score (PS)-matched cohort study involved 2 cohorts: a hypoglycemic cohort and a matched cohort without hypoglycemia. Data from 1.3 million patients with newly diagnosed T2DM between 2000 and 2010 were extracted from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Hypoglycemic events were collected using inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department diagnoses. Patients aged <20 years and those with previous histories of CKD were excluded. The association between hypoglycemia and subsequent CKD risk in patients with T2DM was examined using Cox regression analysis after PS matching.During the mean follow-up period of 4.2 years, a total of 15,036 (1.7 %) patients experienced at least 1 episode of hypoglycemia and 15,036 matched controls without hypoglycemia were identified among 906,368 eligible patients. The incidence rates of subsequent CKD were 26.1 and 14.8 events per 1000 person-years in the hypoglycemic and matched cohorts, respectively. The hazard ratio (HR) of hypoglycemia for incident CKD was 1.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63–1.92; P < 0.001). Compared with those without hypoglycemia, HRs for 1 to 3 and ≥4 episodes of hypoglycemia for CKD were 1.65 (95% CI, 1.50–1.81) and 1.75 (95% CI, 1.34–2.29), respectively (P for trend <0.001). Our study supports the association of hypoglycemia with CKD development among patients with T2DM, possibly in a dose-dependent relationship.
Paternalistic leadership in Chinese organizations: Research progress and future research directions

P aternalistic leadership (PL) is an indigenous Chinese leadership style that is rooted in China's patriarchal tradition and has been found to be prevalent in overseas Chinese family businesses. Farh and Cheng (2000) proposed a model of PL that has three components: authoritarianism, benevolence, and moral leadership. Since then, a series of empirical studies have been conducted by Cheng and his colleagues to examine the validity of Farh and Cheng's PL model using a variety of samples from Taiwan and mainland China. In this chapter, we review this body of research and identify promising areas for future research. Introduction In the second half of the twentieth century, entrepreneurship among overseas Chinese exploded not only in Chinese-dominated communities such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan, but also in South-east Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, where the Chinese are in the minority (Weidenbaum, 1996). Scholars who were intrigued by this phenomenon embarked on a series of studies of the practices of overseas Chinese businesses. They discovered a distinct management/leadership style called paternalism, widely practiced among the owners/managers of overseas Chinese family businesses (e.g. Cheng, 1995c; Redding, 1990; Silin, 1976; Westwood, 1997). Paternalism, which is rooted in the traditional Chinese family structure, has crossed the boundary of families and generalized to the workplace.