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Preferred Choice (prefer + choice)
Selected AbstractsHome Bias in Leveraged Buyouts,INTERNATIONAL FINANCE, Issue 3 2009Peter Cornelius In this paper, we examine cross-border investments in 2,260 portfolio companies by 102 buyout funds raised between 1995 and 2004. Using proprietary data compiled by AlpInvest Partners, we calculate the aggregate home bias of these funds as well as their home bias at the fund level. We find significant variation across funds. While UK-based funds are on average least home-biased, they show a high degree of intra-European bias. In comparison, US funds are found to be least home-biased in terms of inter-regional acquisitions, with Europe being the most important destination for US buyout capital. Furthermore, we find that buyout funds tend to be less home-biased than portfolio investors and, more specifically, mutual funds. This finding is consistent with the optimal ownership theory of the home bias, which predicts that foreign direct investment , as opposed to portfolio investment , represents the preferred choice of entry in countries where the quality of governance is perceived to be inferior, promoting insider ownership. [source] From quantum chemistry and the classical theory of polar liquids to continuum approximations in molecular mechanics calculations,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2005Sergio A. Hassan Abstract Biological macromolecules and other polymers belong to the class of mesoscopic systems, with characteristic length scale of the order of a nanometer. Although microscopic models would be the preferred choice in theoretical calculations, their use in computer simulations becomes prohibitive for large systems or long simulation times. On the other hand, the use of purely macroscopic models in the mesoscopic domain may introduce artifacts, with effects that are difficult to assess and that may compromise the reliability of the calculations. Here is proposed an approach with the aim of minimizing the empirical nature of continuum approximations of solvent effects within the scope of molecular mechanics (MM) approximations in mesoscopic systems. Using quantum chemical methods, the potential generated by the molecular electron density is first decomposed in a multicenter-multipole expansion around predetermined centers. The monopole and dipole terms of the expansion at each site create electric fields that polarize the surrounding aqueous medium whose dielectric properties can be described by the classical theory of polar liquids. Debye's theory allows a derivation of the dielectric profiles created around isolated point charges and dipoles that can incorporate Onsager reaction field corrections. A superposition of screened Coulomb potentials obtained from this theory makes possible a simple derivation of a formal expression for the total electrostatic energy and the polar component of the solvation energy of the system. A discussion is presented on the physical meaning of the model parameters, their transferability, and their convergence to calculable quantities in the limit of simple systems. The performance of this continuum approximation in computer calculations of amino acids in the context of an atomistic force field is discussed. Applications of a continuum model based on screened Coulomb potentials in multinanosecond simulations of peptides and proteins are briefly reviewed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005 [source] Utilization of the Edge-to-Edge Valve Plasty Technique to Correct Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation in Patients with Congenital Heart DiseaseJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 6 2009Yong-chao Cui Significant morbidity and mortality are related to tricuspid valve replacement. Tricuspid valve plasty is still a preferred choice. This report deals with our surgical experience in using the edge-to-edge valve plasty technique to correct severe tricuspid regurgitation in patients with congenital heart disease. Methods: From December 2002 to August 2007, severe tricuspid regurgitation was corrected with a flexible band annuloplasty and edge-to-edge valve plasty technique in nine patients with congenital heart disease. The age ranged from 7 to 62 years (average 24.4 years). Congenital cardiac anomalies included atrioventricular canal in five cases, secundum atrial septal defect in three cases, and cor triatriatum in one case. Results: No hospital death or postoperative morbidity occurred. No or trivial tricuspid regurgitation was present in six cases and mild tricuspid regurgitation in three cases at discharge. The follow-up ranged from 12 months to 70 months (average 39.3 months). No tricuspid stenosis was found. No to mild tricuspid regurgitation was present in eight cases, and moderate tricuspid regurgitation in one case at the latest follow-up. Conclusions: Edge-to-edge valve plasty is an easy, effective, and acceptable additional procedure to correct severe tricuspid regurgitation in patients with congenital heart disease. [source] Review article: the treatment of hepatitis C virus recurrence after liver transplantationALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2007R. R. ARJAL Summary Background Recurrent hepatitis C represents a major challenge for the liver transplant community. Given the potentially significant impact that hepatitis C recurrence has on graft and patient survival, several treatment strategies have been utilized to prevent/slow the progression to hepatitis C-related graft failure. Aim To review the efficacy and applicability of treatment strategies for managing recurrent hepatitis C. Methods Search of MEDLINE (1990 to December 2006) and national meeting abstracts. Search terms included hepatitis C, liver transplantation, treatment, sustained virological response (SVR), and end of treatment virological response. An emphasis was placed on randomized trials. Results The largest study of treatment prior to liver transplantation (n = 124) achieved SVR in 24%. Eight randomized trials (n = 383) examined the efficacy of preemptive therapy with SVR ranging from 0,33%. Eligibility for treatment was low and dose reduction common. Four randomized trials (n = 245; all abstracts) have reported SVR from 33,42% for treating those with histological evidence of recurrent disease. Conclusions Therapies for treating hepatitis C recurrence have limited applicability and tolerability, and they have a low SVR. Based on available results, preemptive therapy is not recommended. Pegylated interferon and ribavirin is currently the preferred choice for treating established recurrence. There is an urgent need for safer and more effective anti-viral therapy in this situation. [source] Ascertaining women's choice of title during pregnancy and childbirthAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Angela S Denning ABSTRACT Methods A questionnaire was administered to 958 women attending the antenatal clinic at Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, to ascertain their choice of title during pregnancy. Midwifery, nursing and medical staff (376 in total) were also invited to respond to a similar questionnaire. Results The response rate was 73.6% from the survey of all women who were overwhelmingly in favour of being called ,patient' as their first choice (34%), followed by ,other' (20%) and then ,mother' (19%). Virtually all women requesting ,other' wished to be called by their name. Women wishing to be called ,patient' for first choice did not significantly differ from the remainder of the study group in age, gestation, number of previous pregnancies, or number of children. When women from the Family Birth Centre (FBC) were analysed as a separate group, they had a clear preference to be called ,other' (unanimously, by their name) than the general antenatal population (odds ratio (OR) 5.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.1, 8.3; p < 0.0001). The staff survey, with a response rate of 84%, also demonstrated that ,patient' was the most popular first choice for patient title. Medical staff were significantly more likely to choose ,patient' (OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.3, 7.7; p < 0.0001), though the term ,patient' was the preferred choice of all staff. [source] Randomized-controlled study comparing post-operative pain between coblation palatoplasty and laser palatoplasty,CLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Belloso A. Objectives:, This study aimed to evaluate differences in post-operative pain comparing KTP laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty without tonsillectomy (LAUP) with a new described surgical method: coblation uvulopalatoplasty with tonsillectomy (CP). We also evaluate the impact of each surgical technique in reduction of snoring loudness. Material and methods:, Single blind randomized-controlled trial. From a population of 41 consecutive patients on the waiting list for uvulopalatoplasty for simple snoring, the study group was reduced to 17 CP and 13 LAUP. Post-operative pain and reduction of snoring loudness were recorded using visual analogue scales (VAS) during the first 15 post-operative days. Post-operative snoring loudness was documented for 1-year period. Results:, Both groups had similar post-operative pain during the first seven post-operative days. A statistically significant reduction in post-operative pain was observed in the CP group after day 8, and maintained until the end of the study. Reduction of snoring loudness was significant in both groups, but no differences were observed between them. Discussion:, Coblation uvulopalatoplasty compared with LAUP demonstrates a reduction in post-operative pain, significant after the first post-operative week. The collateral thermal injury caused by laser is responsible for the slow-healing rate and maintained post-operative pain. Coblation dissociates tissue at lower temperatures with minimal collateral thermal injury and consequently faster and less painful recovery. Both surgical procedures have significant and similar reduction in snoring loudness. Conclusions:, Both methods are adequate treatment options for snoring. The less painful recovery in CP promotes this surgical technique as our preferred choice for palate surgery. [source] | ||||||||||