Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Market Share Dynamics and the Persistence of Leadership Debate

This paper introduces a novel analysis of the classic "persistence of leadership" question, and applies it to a newly constructed dataset for Japanese manufacturing. The analysis rests on an appeal to an empirical "scaling relationship" between current market share and the variance of changes in market share. This relationship provides a powerful "model selection criterion" for candidate models of market share dynamics. It also makes it feasible, even in small datasets, to test directly for the properties of the "first passage times" corresponding to loss of leadership.
Deficiency in Clonogenic Endometrial Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Obese Women with Reproductive Failure – a Pilot Study

Objectives The mechanisms of obesity associated reproductive complications remain poorly understood. Endometrial mesenchymal stem-cells are critical for cyclic renewal and uterine function. Recently, W5C5+ cells, with high clonogenicity, capable of producing endometrial stroma in vivo, have been described. We sought to investigate the abundance and cloning efficiency of W5C5+ and W5C5− endometrial cells in relation to Body Mass Index, age and reproductive outcome. Design W5C5+ and W5C5− cells were purified from mid-luteal endometrial biopsies (n = 54) by magnetic bead separation and subjected to in vitro colony-forming assays. Results First trimester pregnancy losses were significantly higher in obese subjects (n = 12) compared to overweight (n = 20) and subjects with normal Body Mass Index (n = 22) (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). W5C5+ cells (%) were significantly lower in obese subjects compared to subjects with normal Body Mass Index (P<0.05). W5C5+ cloning efficiency was significantly lower in obese subjects compared to overweight and subjects with normal Body Mass Index (P<0.05, respectively). W5C5− cloning efficiency was significantly lower in obese subjects compared to subjects with normal Body Mass Index (P<0.05). Body Mass Index was significantly negatively correlated with W5C5+ cloning efficiency and W5C5− cloning efficiency (P<0.01, respectively), and positively correlated with first trimester loss (P<0.01). We found no significant results with age (P>0.05). Conclusions Our observations suggest that the regenerative capacity and plasticity of the endometrium of obese women is suboptimal, which in turn may account for the increased risk of reproductive complications associated with obesity.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF SCTP AND UDP OVER MOBILE AD HOC NETWORKS

Countless researchers have put efforts to conduct researchs about the performance of the traditional transport control protocols (TCP) and user datagram protocol (UDP). Recently new transport protocol had been designed called Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP). In this research, we will focus to study the effect of Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANET) on these two transport protocols SCTP and UDP and find out which one performs better over MANET. The transport protocol SCTP has more services and features compare to the traditional transport protocol. We also present some literatures on SCTP and UDP performance over MANET. The simulation parameters and the results of the simulation will also be discussed.
Stellar Age versus Mass of Early-Type Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster

The flux excess of elliptical galaxies in the far-ultraviolet can be reproduced by population synthesis models when accounting for the population of old, hot, helium-burning subdwarf stars. This has been achieved by Han and coworkers through a quantitative model of binary stellar evolution. Here, we compare the resulting evolutionary population synthesis model to the GALEX far − near ultraviolet colors (FUV–NUV) of Virgo Cluster early-type galaxies that were published by Boselli and coworkers. FUV–NUV is reddest at about the dividing luminosity of dwarf and giant galaxies, and becomes increasingly blue for both brighter and fainter luminosities. This behavior can be easily explained by the binary model with a continuous sequence of longer duration and later truncation of star formation at lower galaxy masses. Thus, in contrast to previous conclusions, the GALEX data do not require a dichotomy between the stellar population properties of dwarfs and giants. Their apparently opposite behavior in FUV–NUV occurs naturally when the formation of hot subdwarfs through binary evolution is taken into account.
The Effect Short-term foreign volunteer activity of Global Leadership on University Students

This research is to understand the effect of global leadership of university students due to short term foreign volunteer activity. It is 46 participant with experience in foreign volunteer activity in the 12 day short term foreign volunteer activity in the Philippines. The research is a One-Group Pretest-Posttest Disign. Received (March 27, 2017), Review Result (April 10, 2017) Accepted (April 17, 2017), Published (June 30, 2017) 39528 Dept. Nursing Science, Gimcheon Univ., 214 Daehack-ro, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk, Korea email: 20130013@gimcheon.ac. kr 2 39528 Dept. Nursing Science, Gimcheon Univ., 214 Daehack-ro, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk, Korea email: 20130076@gimcheon.ac. kr (Corresponding Author) 39528 Dept. Nursing Science, Gimcheon Univ., 214 Daehack-ro, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk, Korea email: hhy4237@gimcheon.ac. kr * 이 논문은 2016년도 김천대학교 학술연구비 지원으로 작성되었습니다. The Effect Short-term foreign volunteer activity of Global Leadership on University Students Copyright c 2017 HSST 74 The results out of the character field of experienced participants, nominal participation showed highest (4.40±.40) and showed statistical significance(p=.042). The experienced showed a increase in fields of character, duality and insight compared the inexperienced(p<.01). Also the total average of global leadership had a increase from Mean 3.32±. 50 to Mean 3.74±. 38 showing improvement of global(p<.01) leadership through short term foreign volunteer activity. Through this research, Foreign volunteer activity of University Students is showing improvement of global leadership of university students and programs that allow dominant participation of students should be developed.
Genetic risk assessment from an ethical point of view

This contribution provides analyses of four ethically problematic issues in genetic risk assessment and management. First, should we require a positive risk-benefit balance for each concerned individual, or is it sufficient that the total sum of benefits outweighs the total sum of risks? Secondly, should sensitive groups have special protection, and in that case with what types of measures? Thirdly, what types of measures should be taken to protect against the risks associated with teratogenic, embryotoxic and foetotoxic agents? Fourthly, how should we deal with the new issues relating to equity and to group-based risk assessment that genomic medicine gives rise to?
Teachers' Assessments of Students' Achievements: The Ecological Validity of Studies Using Case Vignettes

ABSTRACT In two studies, we investigated the extent to which research using case vignettes of fictitious students is able to yield research results that are ecologically valid representations of teachers' assessments of students' educational achievement in their real classrooms. The type of assessment was teachers' tracking decisions from primary to secondary school. In Study 1, which was conducted in the German educational system, teachers decided which secondary school track their own students would attend and were subsequently confronted with the same decision for fictitious students described in vignettes. Study 2 was a replication in the Luxembourgish educational system. Ordinal and logistic regression models were used to compare decision making in the two conditions of actual students versus case vignettes. No major differences were found between the two conditions. Results are discussed with respect to the ecological validity of research designs that use case vignettes.
Tempol, an Intracellular Antioxidant, Inhibits Tissue Factor Expression, Attenuates Dendritic Cell Function, and Is Partially Protective in a Murine Model of Cerebral Malaria

Background The role of intracellular radical oxygen species (ROS) in pathogenesis of cerebral malaria (CM) remains incompletely understood. Methods and Findings We undertook testing Tempol—a superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic and pleiotropic intracellular antioxidant—in cells relevant to malaria pathogenesis in the context of coagulation and inflammation. Tempol was also tested in a murine model of CM induced by Plasmodium berghei Anka infection. Tempol was found to prevent transcription and functional expression of procoagulant tissue factor in endothelial cells (ECs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This effect was accompanied by inhibition of IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) production. Tempol also attenuated platelet aggregation and human promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cells oxidative burst. In dendritic cells, Tempol inhibited LPS-induced production of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12p70, downregulated expression of co-stimulatory molecules, and prevented antigen-dependent lymphocyte proliferation. Notably, Tempol (20 mg/kg) partially increased the survival of mice with CM. Mechanistically, treated mice had lowered plasma levels of MCP-1, suggesting that Tempol downmodulates EC function and vascular inflammation. Tempol also diminished blood brain barrier permeability associated with CM when started at day 4 post infection but not at day 1, suggesting that ROS production is tightly regulated. Other antioxidants—such as α-phenyl N-tertiary-butyl nitrone (PBN; a spin trap), MnTe-2-PyP and MnTBAP (Mn-phorphyrin), Mitoquinone (MitoQ) and Mitotempo (mitochondrial antioxidants), M30 (an iron chelator), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG; polyphenol from green tea) did not improve survival. By contrast, these compounds (except PBN) inhibited Plasmodium falciparum growth in culture with different IC50s. Knockout mice for SOD1 or phagocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (gp91phox–/–) or mice treated with inhibitors of SOD (diethyldithiocarbamate) or NADPH oxidase (diphenyleneiodonium) did not show protection or exacerbation for CM. Conclusion Results with Tempol suggest that intracellular ROS contribute, in part, to CM pathogenesis. Therapeutic targeting of intracellular ROS in CM is discussed.
Impact of Yoga and Meditation on Cellular Aging in Apparently Healthy Individuals: A Prospective, Open-Label Single-Arm Exploratory Study

This study was designed to explore the impact of Yoga and Meditation based lifestyle intervention (YMLI) on cellular aging in apparently healthy individuals. During this 12-week prospective, open-label, single arm exploratory study, 96 apparently healthy individuals were enrolled to receive YMLI. The primary endpoints were assessment of the change in levels of cardinal biomarkers of cellular aging in blood from baseline to week 12, which included DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OH2dG), oxidative stress markers reactive oxygen species (ROS), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and telomere attrition markers telomere length and telomerase activity. The secondary endpoints were assessment of metabotrophic blood biomarkers associated with cellular aging, which included cortisol, β-endorphin, IL-6, BDNF, and sirtuin-1. After 12 weeks of YMLI, there were significant improvements in both the cardinal biomarkers of cellular aging and the metabotrophic biomarkers influencing cellular aging compared to baseline values. The mean levels of 8-OH2dG, ROS, cortisol, and IL-6 were significantly lower and mean levels of TAC, telomerase activity, β-endorphin, BDNF, and sirtuin-1 were significantly increased (all values p < 0.05) post-YMLI. The mean level of telomere length was increased but the finding was not significant (p = 0.069). YMLI significantly reduced the rate of cellular aging in apparently healthy population.
Violence as Work: Ethnomethodological Insights Into Military Combat Operations

Objective: The objective of this article is to outline an ethnomethodological approach to the study of professionalized violence or violence as work. It focuses primarily on violence in the context of military combat operations and the “situational” analyses and assessments military personnel themselves undertake when engaging in violent action. Method: We use a video from one incident (WikiLeaks’ Collateral Murder release) as a demonstration case to set out the methodological bases of ethnomethodological studies of combat violence. As part of this study, we show how transcripts can be used to document the interactions in which situational analyses feature as part of coordinating and executing linked attacks. Results: Based on the video and our transcripts, we explicate how the military personnel involved collaboratively identified, assessed, and engaged a group of combatants. We show that the incident consisted of 2 attacks or engagements, a first and a follow-up, treated as connected rather than distinct by those involved on situational grounds. Conclusion: Moving beyond controversy, causal explanations, and remedies, the article describes how structures of practical military action can be investigated situationally from an ethnomethodological perspective using video data. By treating collaborative military methods and practices as a focus for inquiry, this article contributes to our understanding of violence as work more broadly.
Sex-specific prenatal stress effects on the rat reproductive axis and adrenal gland structure

Abstract Social stress during pregnancy has profound effects on offspring physiology. This study examined whether an ethologically relevant social stress during late pregnancy in rats alters the reproductive axis and adrenal gland structure in post-pubertal male and female offspring. Prenatally stressed (PNS) pregnant rats (n=9) were exposed to an unfamiliar lactating rat for 10 min/day from day 16 to 20 of pregnancy inclusive, whereas control pregnant rats (n=9) remained in their home cages. Gonads, adrenal glands and blood samples were obtained from one female and one male from each litter at 11 to 12-weeks of age. Anogenital distance was measured. There was no treatment effect on body, adrenal or gonad weight at 11–12 weeks. PNS did not affect the number of primordial, secondary or tertiary ovarian follicles, numbers of corpora lutea or ovarian FSH receptor expression. There was an indication that PNS females had more primary follicles and greater ovarian aromatase expression compared with control females (both P=0.09). PNS males had longer anogenital distances (0.01±0.0 cm/g vs 0.008±0.00 cm/g; P=0.007) and higher plasma FSH concentrations (0.05 ng/mL vs 0.006 ng/mL; s.e.d.=0.023; P=0.043) compared with control males. There were no treatment effects on the number of Sertoli cells or seminiferous tubules, seminiferous tubule area, plasma testosterone concentration or testis expression of aromatase, FSH receptor or androgen receptor. PNS did not affect adrenal size. These data suggest that the developing male reproductive axis is more sensitive to maternal stress and that PNS may enhance aspects of male reproductive development.
Thoracic and lumbar vertebrae morphology in Lenke type 1 female adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients

Background Pedicle screws are widely used in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgeries. Pedicle screw malposition may lead to serious vascular and neurologic complications. Knowledge of the morphometric anatomy of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae is essential for the surgeon while implanting pedicle screws. It has been reported that there is a reduction of pedicle width at the concavity of the curve in AIS patients. However, it is unclear if gender plays a role in this pedicle width pattern. The goal of this study is to assess the vertebrae morphology in a more homogeneous group of AIS patients - female patients with Lenke type 1 curve. Methods The thoracic and lumbar vertebra and pedicle morphometry of 17 consecutive Lenke type 1 female AIS patients was analyzed based on 1mm fine cut CT scans. Morphometric anatomy of 539 pedicles from T1 to L5 was studied. Measurements included pedicle length, chord length, transverse pedicle width, transverse pedicle angle and vertebral rotation angle. Results The mean age of the patients was 14 years old (range 12-18). The mean Cobb angle was 56° (range 43° -88°) and the mean angle of vertebral rotation varied between 4-13.8°. The apical vertebra was between T7 and T11. The transverse pedicle width was significantly smaller (p < 0.05) on the concave side in the apical region of the thoracic spine (T7 and T8), measuring between 2.1-2.2 mm on the concave side and 2.7-3.1 mm on the convex side. Meanwhile, in some upper thoracic vertebrae (T3, T4, T5), the width was significantly bigger (p < 0.05) on the concave side than on the convex side, measuring between 2.8-4 mm on the concave side and 1.8-2.4 mm on the convex side. In the lumbar spine, the width varied between 4.1-9.9 mm without significant differences between the concave and convex sides (p > 0.05). The pedicle length varied between 15.4-28.7 mm and was significantly smaller (p < 0.05) on the concave side at T4, T5 and L2. The chord length was shortest at T1, measuring 32.4 mm and increased gradually to 54.3 mm at L3 but no statistical difference was found between the concave and convex sides. The transverse pedicle angle varied between 11.8° and 35° and was significantly bigger on the concave side at T7 and on the convex side at L1 (p < 0.05). Conclusions The vertebrae morphology in Lenke type 1 female AIS patients is substantially different from the vertebrae in normal spines especially at the apex and in the upper thoracic region. This is consistent with some previous reports which did not distinguish between male and female patients. Our findings suggest that gender does not play a major role in the vertebrae morphology pattern of AIS patients. Furthermore, recognizing this pattern is critical in order to optimize pedicle screw instrumentation and may allow for some leeway adjustments in the pedicle screw trajectory regardless of the methods of implantation.
Transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behavior: Mediating role of affective commitment

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between transformational leadership style, affective commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior in the athletic director–coach relationship. This study particularly focused on the mediating effect of affective commitment on the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behavior. Athletic head coaches in NCAA Division II programs (N = 244) completed the questionnaires measuring perceptions of the transformational leadership style of their athletic directors, their affective commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior. The results revealed that perceived transformational leadership was positively associated with affective commitment, which, in turn, was positively associated with organizational citizenship behaviors. Further, the result of this study supported full mediation among the proposed variables in that affective commitment served as the underlying psychological mechanism in the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational citizenship behaviors. Implications for athletic departments in fostering head coaches’ affective commitment and organizational citizenship behavior were discussed.
Stable Teichmüller quasigeodesics and ending laminations

We characterize which cobounded quasigeodesics in the Teichmueller space T of a closed surface are at bounded distance from a geodesic. More generally, given a cobounded lipschitz path gamma in T, we show that gamma is a quasigeodesic with finite Hausdorff distance from some geodesic if and only if the canonical hyperbolic plane bundle over gamma is a hyperbolic metric space. As an application, for complete hyperbolic 3-manifolds N with finitely generated, freely indecomposable fundamental group and with bounded geometry, we give a new construction of model geometries for the geometrically infinite ends of N, a key step in Minsky's proof of Thurston's ending lamination conjecture for such manifolds.
Narcissism and Relationship Satisfaction from a Dyadic Perspective: The Mediating Role of Psychological Aggression

ABSTRACT The mediating effect of psychological aggression between narcissism and relationship satisfaction was investigated among 128 nonclinical heterosexual couples (N = 256) in enduring relationships, using the actor–partner interdependence model. The results indicated two mediation paths affecting men’s relationship satisfaction: the higher men’s narcissism, the higher their perpetration of psychological aggression, which, in turn, was negatively linked with their own relationship satisfaction and the higher women’s narcissism, the higher their perpetration of psychological aggression, which, in turn, was negatively linked with their male partner’s relationship satisfaction. The analyses also revealed one mediation path affecting women’s relationship satisfaction: the higher their narcissism, the higher the perpetration of psychological aggression, which, in turn, was linked with lower women’s relationship satisfaction. Recommendations for further research and clinical implications are discussed.
Bmc Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Different Measures of Low Back Pain among Female Nursing Aides in Taiwanese Nursing Homes

Background: Although low back pain (LBP) among nursing staff, especially in nursing aides (NAs), has been a major health problem around the world, there is limited information on its prevalence in Taiwan. In addition, various measurements have been used to determine LBP; understanding the risk factors for each measurement of LBP is essential for prevention. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for different measures of LBP among NAs in Taiwan.