Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disturbed lipoprotein composition in non-dialyzed, hemodialysis, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and post-transplant patients with chronic renal failure

Abstract Studies were carried out in 183 non-dialyzed, 123 hemodialysis, 81 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and 35 post-transplant patients and in 103 healthy subjects as a reference group. Lipids and apolipoprotein (apo)AI and apoB were determined using Roche kits. An anti-apoB antibody was used to separate apoB-containing apoCIII and apoE-triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TRL) in the non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) fraction from apoCIIInonB and apoEnonB in the HDL fraction in four groups of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and healthy subjects. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between triglyceride (TG) or HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations and lipoproteins. Dyslipidemia varied according to the degree of renal insufficiency, the type of dialysis and therapy regime in CRF patients. Lipoprotein disturbances were manifested by increased TG, non-HDL-C and TRL concentrations, and decreased HDL-C and apoAI concentrations, whereas post-renal transplant patients showed normalization of lipid and lipoprotein profiles, except for TG levels and total apoCIII and apoCIIInonB. The present study indicates that CRF patients have disturbed lipoprotein composition, and that hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-C concentrations in these patients are multifactorial, being secondary to disturbed lipoproteins. The method using anti-apoB antibodies to separate apoB-containing lipoproteins in the non-HDL fraction from non-apoB-containing lipoproteins in HDL can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with progression of renal failure or atherosclerosis. The variability of TG and HDL-C concentrations depends on the variability of TRL and cholesterol-rich lipoprotein concentrations, but the decreases in TG and increases in HDL-C concentrations are caused by apoAI concentration variability. These relationships, however, need to be confirmed in further studies.
Does structuring of human resource management processes enhance employee creativity? The mediating role of psychological availability

In this study, we develop a theoretical conceptualization and an operational definition of structuring of human resource management (HRM) processes and examine how this structuring enables employee creativity at work. Analyzing the data collected from employees and their managers in knowledge-intensive workplace settings, we examine a mediation model that suggests that the relationship between structuring of HRM processes and employee creativity is best explained in terms of the intervening variables of perceived uncertainty, stress, and psychological availability. Results suggest that structuring of HRM processes is negatively associated with perceived uncertainty and stress. These perceptions produce a sense of psychological availability, which in turn enhances employee creativity. This study offers new insights about diagnosing the level of structuring of HRM processes and the ways managers and HR directors facilitate its implementation in their organization. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Re-defining learning experience for kids

This paper presents a design case defining a shift in teaching methodology. On exploring the different teaching methods adapted by teachers in Indian schools, lack of interactivity and increasing disinterest was exposed. In order to overcome this, the focus was to introduce a fun and interactive environment in schools. While interviewing school students it was found that they face difficulties in visualizing the 3D solid shapes during blackboard teaching sessions. Hence, they are not able to grasp all the facts taught in the class. The design opportunities gathered after primary research lead to the key facts of this project. The target audience was middle school children and the aim was to teach 3D shapes such as cube, cuboid and cylinder using TUI (Tangible User Interface). The design constituted of tokens with fiducial markers, which were used as educational tools on interacting with the tabletop interface. The outcome of the design motivated students for viewing, sharing and presenting the concepts behind the 3D shapes.
How Should We Think About Earnings Quality? A Discussion of 'Earnings Quality: Evidence from the Field'

Dichev, Graham, Harvey and Rajgopal (DGHR 2013) survey CFOs to elicit their views on earnings quality, broader trends in financial reporting, and the prevalence of earnings management. They provide some interesting insights on these issues. We discuss how CFOs’ incentives in the financial reporting process are likely to affect what we can learn from them about earnings quality. We also discuss how DGHR’s methodological choices regarding survey sample and question design affect their inferences, including what we can infer about the prevalence and magnitude of earnings management.
DEHYDRATION INJURY AND RESISTANCE.

The causes of dehydration of cells are evaporation, frost, and the osmotic action of hypertonic solutions. In addition to loss of water and consequent diminution of cell volume, there are other effects peculiar to the respective agencies, so that we cannot assume on theoretical grounds that the injury which each of them may cause is effected in the same way. One type of frost injury indeed has no counterpart in the action of drought or hypertonic solutions; namely, disruption of the protoplasm by intracellular ice formation. This, however, occurs only under rather special conditions and at the moment of freezing. It is usually fatal to hardy as well as tender cells. The protection which is developed against intracellular freezing on hardening is an increase of cell permeability which tends to prevent its occurrence (7, 8). This type of freezing is necessarily absent when marked resistance is displayed. Usually ice forms in the intercellular spaces and it is possible that here too it may produce injury otherwise than by dehydration.
Durable Goods Pricing When Quality Matters

This article considers a durable goods monopolist's choice of price and durability in a setting where durability choice controls the speed with which quality deteriorates. This article derives three main results: the price at which old units trade on the secondhand market limits what the firm can charge for new units; because of this linkage between the prices for new and old units, the firm chooses a durability level that is below the socially optimal level; and the incentive to reduce durability can be sufficiently severe that the monopolist eliminates the market for secondhand goods. Copyright 1996 by University of Chicago Press.
It's been a hard day's night: The concentration and intensification of work in late 20th century Britain

I investigate evidence concerning two indicators of the pressure of work, namely work hours and the intensity of effort during work hours ("work effort"). Interest in both is motivated by efficiency and welfare considerations, but analysis is typically attenuated by poor measurement. I first show how it is possible to derive measures of changing work effort from survey responses. Then, for Britain, I examine the trend in the distribution of work hours since 1977, and present evidence on changing work effort and correlates thereof. My main findings are: (a) Average hours of work per worker levelled off at the start of the 1980s, following a long historic fall, but have not increased since. However, since 1981 the dispersion of hours has increased, and working hours have been concentrated into fewer households. (b) Work effort was intensified, especially in manufacturing, during the 1980s. (c) Across Britain from 1992 to 1997, there was an increase in "discretionary effort" and an even greater rise in "constrained effort", with the increases being somewhat faster for women than for men. (d) Between 1986 and 1997 there have been substantial increases in the number of factors inducing hard work from employees. The most notable proximate source of increased pressure for hard work has come from colleagues. (e) Both at the industry level, and at the establishment level, rises in effort have been associated with rises in productivity. (f) Increases in effort are associated with self-reported increases in stress.
Mortality in vegetarians and non-vegetarians: a collaborative analysis of 8300 deaths among 76,000 men and women in five prospective studies

Abstract Objective: To compare the mortality rates of vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Design: Collaborative analysis using original data from five prospective studies. Death rate ratios for vegetarians compared to non-vegetarians were calculated for ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, cancers of the stomach, large bowel, lung, breast and prostate, and for all causes of death. All results were adjusted for age, sex and smoking. A random effects model was used to calculate pooled estimates of effect for all studies combined. Setting: USA, UK and Germany. Subjects: 76, 172 men and women aged 16–89 years at recruitment. Vegetarians were those who did not eat any meat or fish (n = 27,808). Non-vegetarians were from a similar background to the vegetarians within each study. Results: After a mean of 10.6 years of follow-up there were 8330 deaths before the age of 90 years, including 2264 deaths from ischaemic heart disease. In comparison with non-vegetarians, vegetarians had a 24% reduction in mortality from ischaemic heart disease (death rate ratio 0.76, 95% CI 0.62–0.94). The reduction in mortality among vegetarians varied significantly with age at death: rate ratios for vegetarians compared to non-vegetarians were 0.55 (95% CI 0.35—0.85), 0.69 (95% CI 0.53–0.90) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.73–1.16) for deaths from ischaemic heart disease at ages <65, 65–79 and 80–89 years, respectively. When the non-vegetarians were divided into regular meat eaters (who ate meat at least once a week) and semi-vegetarians (who ate fish only or ate meat less than once a week), the ischaemic heart disease death rate ratios compared to regular meat eaters were 0.78 (95% CI 0.68–0.89) in semi-vegetarians and 0.66 (95% CI 0.53–0.83) in vegetarians (test for trend P<0.001). There were no significant differences between vegetarians and non-vegetarians in mortality from the other causes of death examined. Conclusion: Vegetarians have a lower risk of dying from ischaemic heart disease than non-vegetarians.
An Empirical Study of Corporate Entrepreneurship in Hospitality Companies

This study tests the model of the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and strategic management, developed for the manufacturing industry by Barringer and Bluedorn (1999), in the hospitality industry. The findings show some similar and different results from the research of Barringer and Bluedorn (1999). Like manufacturing companies, hospitality companies perceive that corporate entrepreneurship is influenced by four strategic planning practices: environmental scanning intensity, planning flexibility, planning horizon, and locus of planning. Hospitality companies, however, consider that financial controls, not strategic controls, positively influence corporate entrepreneurship intensity. These findings have practical applications for hospitality corporations that are attempting to become more entrepreneurial, and will also help researchers to better understand the relationship of corporate entrepreneurship and strategic planning.
Circulating Levels of Peroxiredoxin 4 as a Novel Biomarker of Oxidative Stress in Patients with Sepsis

Oxidative stress, a situation with increased reactive oxygen species production and/or decreased antioxidant defense mechanisms, is evident in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Peroxiredoxin 4 (Prx4) is a hydrogen peroxide degrading peroxidase recently found circulating in blood of septic patients and potentially reflecting an antioxidant system in imbalance. We studied Prx4 serum levels of 79 consecutively enrolled medical intensive care unit patients. The diagnostic and prognostic performance of Prx4 was compared with other biomarkers, the APACHE II score and the SOFA score. Median Prx4 serum levels gradually increased with disease severity in patients classified on admission as having systemic immune response syndrome (2.32 arbitrary [arb.] U/L), sepsis (5.02 arb. U/L), severe sepsis (11.7 arb. U/L), or septic shock (11.4 arb. U/L). A positive correlation was found with the severity score Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation II (r = 0.27, P < 0.05) and the organ failure score Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (r = 0.55, P < 0.0001). Peroxiredoxin 4 correlated with the sepsis marker procalcitonin (r = 0.61, P < 0.0001), the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (r = 0.65, P < 0.0001) and interleukin 6 (r = 0.62, P < 0.0001), and antioxidant blood compounds total bilirubin (r = 0.37, P < 0.001) and albumin (r = −0.54, P < 0.0001). Peroxiredoxin 4 distinguished noninfectious from infectious inflammatory response syndrome with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.83. High Prx4 serum levels were associated with a poor prognosis of septic patients and revealed an area under the ROC curve of 0.76 in prediction of in-hospital mortality. In this study, elevated serum levels of the antioxidant Prx4 were associated with an increased disease severity and adverse outcome of critically ill patients with sepsis. Peroxiredoxin 4 may therefore be a helpful new biomarker for diagnosing, monitoring, and risk assessing these patients. The pathophysiological mechanisms behind the observed increase remain to be elucidated.
Exit, Survival, and Competitive Equilibrium in Dealer Markets

In this study we analyze dealer exit, survival, and competitive equilibrium in the NASDAQ Stock Market using data from a unique period that entails major changes in regulatory and competitive environments. We decompose the forces that affect dealer survival into market factors and dealer attributes. Market factors encompass those variables that affect the demand for and profitability of dealer services as a whole. Variation in survival probability across dealers results mainly from their competitive advantages in business strategies, information, quote aggressiveness, access to order flow, and economies of scale. On the whole, our results suggest that dealer markets exhibit a Darwinian survival of the fittest.
Xiphoid lower-sternotomy approach for multivessel revascularization of the left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery and right internal mammary artery inflow to the other vessels.

BACKGROUND We describe the technical details and the preliminary results of a new surgical approach for multivessel disease that involves using a lower T sternotomy, grafting of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and use of the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) as inflow to the other vessels. OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE The sternotomy was made from the xiphoid up to the fourth intercostal space and then was continued transversally (T incision). The LIMA was harvested for a length of approximately 8 cm, with preservation of the distal part. The vein was simultaneously taken from the leg. The RIMA was dissected for a length of approximately 5 cm, and the distal part was occluded. Then, 3 mg/kg heparin was given. The anastomosis between the vein and the RIMA was performed. The distal venous anastomoses were done either singly or sequentially. The anterior or posterior route was chosen according to the patient's anatomy. The LIMA was then anastomosed to the LAD. One drain was placed. The sternum was closed with 4 wires, 2 for the T incision and 2 for the sternum. RESULTS Between September and December 2008, 9 patients underwent their operations with this technique. The mean age was 60 years (range, 55-68 years). The mean number of grafts was 2.8. The mean hospital stay was 5.2 days. Operative mortality was 0%. All patients were reevaluated with 16-slice multislice computed tomography, and all grafts were patent. At the 3-month follow-up, all patients were alive and free of symptoms. CONCLUSION This minimally invasive technique is a useful alternative for complete revascularization. The sternal mammary supply and the upper part of the sternum are preserved.
Facilitating coordination in customer support teams: a framework and its implications for the design of information technology

The management of coordination gaps is critical to the effective functioning of a customer support team. To address the managerial challenge of designing Information Technology (IT) to facilitate coordination in customer support teams, this paper develops a framework describing the drivers of coordination gaps in customer support teams. Measures for the characteristics of problem resolution processes, the characteristics of IT that assist in the management of coordination gaps, and coordination gaps are developed and validated. Results from a field study administered to 399 respondents from 41 teams in Apple, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Seton Hospital, and Southwestern Bell support the proposition that coordination gaps arise from a lack of fit between the characteristics of problem resolution processes used and the characteristics of IT used. What is more important, the results also indicate that processes with differing characteristics require different kinds of IT.
Increased productivity and quality through management by values: a case study of Manpower Scandinavia

Values, meanings, and attitudes are deep motivators and controllers of human feelings, thinking, speech and action. In management by values, the primary focus is on developing, maintaining, and ensuring that the organization members have healthy and productive values. In other words the pivotal strategy is to ensure that the culture is strong. The idea is that once this criterion has been satisfied, the empowered employees will be self‐managing and intrinsically motivated to make sure they serve the customers well, productivity and quality are high, and the economic results are sound. Presents a case study of the service company Manpower Scandinavia, where this concept has been implemented practically since 1984. Shows this has led to sustainable practical benefits in terms of a considerable long‐term growth in gross turnover, high customer satisfaction, low employee turnover, virtually nil control in the traditional sense, and high market share. Several of these factors have a direct positive bearing on .
Role Stress, Emotional Exhaustion, and Turnover Intentions: Does Organizational Tenure in Hotels Matter?

The purpose of the present study was to investigate organizational tenure as a moderator of the relationships between role stress (role conflict and role ambiguity) and emotional exhaustion and turnover intentions. Data were gathered from a sample of full-time frontline hotel employees in Northern Cyprus to test the previously mentioned relationships. Results of hierarchical moderated regression analysis demonstrated that the positive effects of role conflict and emotional exhaustion on turnover intentions were weaker among frontline employees with longer tenure. Contrary to the study predictions, the results did not provide any empirical support for the rest of the relationships. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are presented in the study.
Telmisartan attenuates progression of steatohepatitis in mice: role of hepatic macrophage infiltration and effects on adipose tissue

Background/Aims: Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. However, its therapeutic strategy has not been established. Recently, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, telmisartan (Tel), has received a great deal of attention as a therapeutic tool for metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of Tel on a murine NASH model.
Support for Democracy in Times of Crisis: Diffuse and Specific Regime Support in Portugal and Greece

In the context of a cross-national economic crisis, questions about democratic legitimacy are again topical. We explore the question of democratic legitimacy in Portugal and Greece by employing the conceptual differentiation between diffuse and specific regime support. Our findings indicate that while specific support has fallen in both countries, only Greece has experienced a precipitous fall in diffuse support, suggesting a link between regime performance and support for democracy. Individual-level analyses do not reveal any clear patterns concerning the impact of long-term societal factors or short-term economic considerations. Due to data quality limitations the paper has a predominately exploratory nature.
Board Composition in New Zealand: An Agency Perspective

This paper looks at board composition determinants in New Zealand. We document that the proportion of outside board members is inversely related to insider equity ownership supporting the notion that these variables are substitute mechanisms in controlling agency problems. We also find that board composition is directly related to debt, ownership concentration, and profitability and inversely related to growth and firm size. There is evidence that firms with influential CEOs have lower outside board representation. Finally, we document that the passage of the legislation reforming company and securities laws in 1993 was associated with increased outside members on the board. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd 2002.
Non-word repetition: The relationship between weak syllables and the omission of grammatical morphemes in children with specific language impairment

Abstract Non-word (NW) repetition in children with specific language impairment (SLI) is a skill related to, but genetically separate from, grammatical ability. Prosodic structure of the syllables may bridge the gap between these two abilities. A NW repetition task was compared in a group of 15 preschool Italian children with SLI (ranged in age from 3;11 to 5;8) and 15 younger typically developing children (aged from 2;11 to 3;7) matched for mean length of utterance (TD-MLU). Grammatical ability was tested through a probe for direct-object clitic pronouns which is one of the most useful clinical markers in the Italian language. In NW repetition, children with SLI deleted more syllables than the TD-MLU children. The omission of weak syllables in a pre-stress position was a significant predictor of the omission of clitic pronouns. The present study shows that the link between grammar and NW is due to a prosodic characteristic that is more universally challenging in children with SLI.
Does Trade with China Have an Impact on African Countries' Growth?

type="main" xml:lang="en"> The results of growth regressions using panel data econometric models for 37 African countries from 1985 to 2012 show that trade with China has had a positive impact on African GDP, but only during the final decade of that period. They also suggest that during this period, trade with China tended to have more impact on African economies than trade with the EU. Furthermore, several robustness tests are performed and confirm these conclusions.