Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Should the Preservation of Residual Renal Function Cost Volume Overload and Its Consequence Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in New Hemodialysis Patients?

Background. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an important predictor of mortality in dialysis patients. The loss of residual renal function (RRF) appears to occur more rapidly in hemodialysis than continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). It is more likely that volume expansion in patients on CAPD may preserve RRF. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a cause–effect relationship between volume overload and preserving RRF in new hemodialysis patients. Methods. Nineteen patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) starting hemodialysis therapy were included in the study. At the beginning, their elevated blood pressures (BP) were treated with antihypertensive drugs. Thereafter, until normovolemia and normal BP were obtained, strict volume control was applied. The effects of both treatment modalities on the loss of RRF and LVH were evaluated prospectively. Results. At the initial examination, all of the patients were hypertensive and had markedly increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI). The daily urine production was 1575 ± 281 mL. At the end of drug treatment period lasting three months, although BP significantly decreased, daily urine production and LVMI only decreased by 12% and 6%, respectively. At the end of the period in which strict volume control was applied, the body weight significantly decreased (from 60 ± 5 to 55 ± 8 kg, p < 0.0001). This decrease in body weight was accompanied by marked decreases in dilated cardiac chamber size and more importantly daily urine production. At the end of this period, while 7 of 19 patients had no residual urine production, residual urine production was below 200 mL/d in the remaining 12 patients. Although the period of volume control was short, there was significant reduction in the LVMI (decreased from 251 ± 59 to 161 ± 25 gr/m2, p < 0.0001). Conclusion. The results of our prospective study have clearly shown that the persistence of residual renal function in patients with ESRD starting hemodialysis therapy may largely depend on volume overload. Equally interesting was the finding that despite significantly reduced BP level with hypotensive drugs, there was no marked regression in LVMI. In the contrary, after the volume control period, LVMI was significantly decreased. Our results support the hypotheses that decrease in volume may be more important than pressure reduction in regressing the left ventricular hypertrophy.
Distribution channel in hospitality and tourism: Revisiting disintermediation from the perspectives of hotels and travel agencies

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reexamine several issues about disintermediation from the perspectives of tourism product/service suppliers (hotels) and traditional intermediaries (travel agencies), considering the move of the current distribution landscape toward disintermediation. Internet and mobile technologies offer various tools for consumers to search and purchase products/services from suppliers directly. Consequently, the necessity and role of traditional intermediaries in the industry become questionable. Design/methodology/approach – In all, six focus group interviews were conducted to collect primary data from ten managers of three traditional travel agencies and 11 managers from three business hotels in Hong Kong, which is a major travel destination in Asia with many world-class hotels and tourism facilities. Findings – Despite their different business backgrounds, the interviewees agreed on the increasing importance of Internet technology in the distribution of tourism products. Th.
Entrepreneurial pursuits of self‐ and collective interests

Entrepreneurs are often portrayed as rugged individualists who go it alone to build new organizations and programs that maximize their self-interests. This portrayal is incomplete, because it does not account for the fact that entrepreneurs also pursue collective interests. It fails to recognize a basic paradox in human beings of simultaneously seeking individual and collective interests. We argue that an appreciation of the dialectical nature of human beings leads to fundamentally different conceptions of entrepreneurship than those commonly found in literature on entrepreneurship theory and practice. To illustrate our central premise, we focus on entrepreneurial opportunity realization, resource mobilization, and running in packs. Copyright © 2008 Strategic Management Society.
Pelvic floor disorders 5-10 years after vaginal or cesarean childbirth.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate differences in pelvic floor disorders by mode of delivery. METHODS: We recruited 1,011 women for a longitudinal cohort study 5–10 years after first delivery. Using hospital records, we classified each birth as: cesarean without labor, cesarean during active labor, cesarean after complete cervical dilation, spontaneous vaginal birth, or operative vaginal birth. At enrollment, stress incontinence, overactive bladder, anal incontinence, and prolapse symptoms were assessed with a validated questionnaire. Pelvic organ support was assessed using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification system. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the relative odds of each pelvic floor disorder by obstetric history, adjusting for relevant confounders. RESULTS: Compared with cesarean without labor, spontaneous vaginal birth was associated with a significantly greater odds of stress incontinence (odds ratio [OR] 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–5.5) and prolapse to or beyond the hymen (OR 5.6, 95% CI 2.2–14.7). Operative vaginal birth significantly increased the odds for all pelvic floor disorders, especially prolapse (OR 7.5, 95% CI 2.7–20.9). These results suggest that 6.8 additional operative births or 8.9 spontaneous vaginal births, relative to cesarean births, would lead to one additional case of prolapse. Among women delivering exclusively by cesarean, neither active labor nor complete cervical dilation increased the odds for any pelvic floor disorder considered, although the study had less than 80% power to detect a doubling of the odds with these exposures. CONCLUSION: Although spontaneous vaginal delivery was significantly associated with stress incontinence and prolapse, the most dramatic risk was associated with operative vaginal birth.
Can International Transfers Be Problematic? Honduran Remittances and Labor Supply Decisions

type="main" xml:id="coep12092-abs-0001"> Declining work force participation rates are a potentially important public policy issue for governments in countries with large capital inflows. Here we consider remittances as both a household and individual characteristic to estimate the impact of this nonwage transfer on labor supply decisions in Honduras. Although an initial view suggests moderate reductions across the working-age population, we find evidence of increased participation through a reallocation of labor time across work categories. Our inclusion of the individual nature of remittance reception suggests less emphasis on the unified household perspective is warranted . ( JEL O15, O12, J29)
Order Imbalance and its Impact on Market Performance: Order-Driven Vs. Quote-Driven Markets

The behavior of order imbalance and its impact on market performance at the two Taiwan stock index futures markets, the TAIFEX and the SGX-DT, is investigated. The TAIFEX is an order-driven call market, while the SGX-DT uses a quote-driven continuous trading system. Our empirical results show that for the TAIFEX order-driven market, the spread is minimized when order imbalance is high. In contrast, for the SGX-DT quote-driven market, the spread is highest when order imbalance is high. For both markets, order imbalance has an impact on market liquidity and volatility. The impact is larger and more significant for SGX-DT futures. This suggests that the order-driven market mechanism of TAIFEX futures is superior in absorbing order imbalance and in reducing the resulting price impact. Copyright 2007 The Authors Journal compilation (c) 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Thermodynamics and energy coupling in the bacteriorhodopsin photocycle.

Time-resolved absorption changes of photoexcited bacteriorhodopsin were measured with a gated multichannel analyzer between 100 ns and 100 ms at six temperatures between 5 and 30 degrees C. The energetics of the chromophore reaction cycle were analyzed on the basis of a model containing a single cycle and reversible reactions. The calculated thermodynamic parameters provide insights to general principles of the active transport. They indicate that in this light-driven proton pump the free energy is retained after absorption of the photon as the enthalpy of the pKa shift in the chromophore which allows deprotonation of the Schiff base. Part of the excess free energy is dissipated at the "switch" step where the reaction and transport cycles are coupled, and the rest at the chromophore recovery step. All other reactions take place near equilibrium. The "switch" step is the M1----M2 transition in the reaction cycle [Váró, G. , & Lanyi, J. K. (1991) Biochemistry (preceeding paper in this issue)]. It provides for return of the chromophore pKa to its initial value so the Schiff base will become a proton acceptor, for reordering access of the Schiff base from one side of the membrane to the other, and for unidirectionality of the proton transfer. Conformational energy of the protein, acquired during the "switch" step, drives the completion of the photocycle.
Establishment of a Quality-Management System for Service Industries

Abstract Excellent service quality generates a competitive advantage for service organizations, but firms must implement a comprehensive system of quality management if they are to develop effective and reliable service quality. In contrast to manufacturing industries, most service industries lack a well-managed and comprehensive system of quality management. The present study develops a holistic quality-management system for service organizations – based on sound theoretical and pragmatic considerations. The feasibility and effectiveness of this quality-management system for service organizations is demonstrated by using the HP and IBM companies in Taiwan as case studies. In addition, the results of a separate empirical case study reveal that the insurance, hotel, and airline industries are well advanced in implementing quality management. However, other service industries need to make improvements in some aspects of quality management. These analytical results represent a useful benchmarking reference for those service organizations that have lower implementation levels in some quality-management practices. The present study thus presents an innovative and comprehensive quality-management system for service industries and demonstrates its theoretical and practical application in a number of service industries.
Biochemical and Biophysical Evidence for γ2 Subunit Association with Neuronal Voltage-activated Ca2+Channels*

A novel gene (Cacng2;γ2 ) encoding a protein similar to the voltage-activated Ca2+ channel γ1 subunit was identified as the defective gene in the epileptic and ataxic mouse, stargazer. In this study, we analyzed the association of this novel neuronal γ2 subunit with Ca2+ channels of rabbit brain, and the function of the γ2 subunit in recombinant neuronal Ca2+ channels expressed inXenopus oocytes. Our results showed that the γ2 subunit and a closely related protein (called γ3) co-sedimented and co-immunoprecipitated with neuronal Ca2+ channel subunits in vivo. Electrophysiological analyses showed that γ2co-expression caused a significant decrease in the current amplitude of both α1B(α12.2)-class (36.8%) and α1A(α12.1)-class (39.7%) Ca2+channels (α1β3α2δ). Interestingly, the inhibitory effects of the γ2 subunit on current amplitude were dependent on the co-expression of the α2δ subunit. In addition, co-expression of γ2 or γ1 also significantly decelerates the activation kinetics of α1B-class Ca2+channels. Taken together, these results suggest that the γ2 subunit is an important constituent of the neuronal Ca2+ channel complex and that it down-regulates neuronal Ca2+ channel activity. Furthermore, the γ2 subunit likely contributes to the fine-tuning of neuronal Ca2+ channels by counterbalancing the effects of the α2δ subunit.
The Economic Viability of Frequency Reward Programs in a Strategic Competitive Environment

We examine the conditions that enhance the economic viability of frequency reward programs in a strategic competitive environment. We focus particularly on conditions related to consumer behavior, namely the extent to which consumers value the future benefits offered by the reward, the expandability of the category, and consumers preferences for competing brands. Consumers maximize utility over a long-term time horizon, taking into account the value of the reward. Two firms maximize profits over a long-term time horizon. They first decide between implementing a frequency reward program or a traditional pricing policy (a constant price), and then decide on the specific prices. We numerically solve for the sub-game perfect equilibrium for this two-stage game. We find that a brand is more likely to find reward programs to be viable strategies if consumers value future benefits, if reward programs can expand the market, and if the brand has a higher preference. The market expandability finding is particularly interesting. If the sales increases generated by reward programs represent category growth, the power of frequency reward programs makes them an effective vehicle for generating profits. However, if gains come mainly from competitors, the power of frequency reward programs precipitates a strong competitive response that erodes profits in a classic prisoners dilemma. We use the airline industry to explore our market expandability finding. We find evidence that the major airlines introduced reward programs to counter-act a stronger outside category (new entrants), and in doing so, they expanded their market.
Investment Bank Reputation, Information Production, and Financial Intermediation

The authors model reputation acquisition by investment banks in the equity market. Entrepreneurs sell shares in an asymmetrically informed equity market either directly or using an investment bank. Investment banks, who interact repeatedly with the equity market, evaluate entrepreneurs' projects and report to investors in return for a fee. Setting strict evaluation standards (unobservable to investors) is costly for investment banks, inducing moral hazard. Investment banks' credibility, therefore, depends on their equity-marketing history. Investment banks' evaluation standards, their reputations, underwriter compensation, the market value of equity sold, and entrepreneurs' choice between underwritten and nonunderwritten equity issues emerge endogenously. Copyright 1994 by American Finance Association.
Impact assessment of farmer institutional development and agricultural change: Soroti district, Uganda

This article is based on participatory development research conducted in Soroti district of Uganda with the aim of assessing the impact of agricultural development among poor farmers. The central argument is that a combination of farmer empowerment and innovation through experiential learning in farmer field school (FFS) groups, changes in the opportunity structure through transformation of local government staff, establishment of new farmer-governed local institutions, and emergence of a private service provider has been successful in reducing rural poverty. Based on an empirical study of successful adaptation and spread of pro-poor technologies, the study assesses the well-being impact of agricultural technology development in Soroti district. The study concludes that market-based spread of pro-poor agricultural technologies requires an institutional setting that combines farmer empowerment with an enabling policy environment.
Effects of host plant development and genetic determinants on the long-distance movement of cauliflower mosaic virus in Arabidopsis.

During systemic infections, viruses move long distances through the plant vascular system. The long-distance movement of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) in Arabidopsis has been examined using a whole plant in situ hybridization technique called plant skeleton hybridization. CaMV moves long distance through the phloem largely following the flow of photoassimilates from source to sink leaves. During the course of plant development, sink-source relationships change and the region of the plant that CaMV can invade is progressively reduced. In Arabidopsis, we have found that conditions that influence the rate of plant development dramatically impact the long-distance movement of CaMV, because under normal conditions the rate of plant development is closely matched to the kinetics of virus movement. Ecotypes and mutants of Arabidopsis that flower early show a form of resistance to systemic CaMV infection, which we call "developmental resistance. " Developmental resistance results from the fact that the rosette leaves mature early in the life of an early flowering plant and become inaccessible to virus. On the other hand, if the development of early flowering plants is retarded by suboptimal growth conditions, inoculated plants appear more susceptible to the virus and systemic infections become more widespread. We have found that other Arabidopsis ecotypes, such as Enkheim-2 (En-2), show another form of resistance to virus movement that is not based on developmental or growth conditions. The virus resistance in ecotype En-2 is largely conditioned by a dominant trait at a single locus.
Glucose Up-regulates Thrombospondin 1 Gene Transcription and Transforming Growth Factor-β Activity through Antagonism of cGMP-dependent Protein Kinase Repression via Upstream Stimulatory Factor 2*

Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) transcription is stimulated by glucose, resulting in increased TGF-β activation and matrix protein synthesis. We previously showed that inducible expression of the catalytic domain of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) inhibits glucose-regulated TSP1 transcription and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β activity in stably transfected rat mesangial cells (RMCs(tr/cd)). However, the molecular mechanisms by which PKG represses glucose-regulated TSP1 transcription are unknown. Using a luciferase-promoter deletion assay, we now identify a single region of the human TSP1 promoter (–1172 to –878, relative to the transcription start site) that is responsive to glucose. Further characterization of this region identified an 18-bp sequence that specifically binds nuclear proteins from mesangial cells. Moreover, binding is significantly enhanced by high glucose treatment and is reduced by increased PKG activity. Gel mobility shift and supershift assays show that the nuclear proteins binding to the 18-bp sequence are USF1 and -2. USF1 and USF2 bound to the endogenous TSP1 promoter using a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Glucose stimulates nuclear USF2 protein accumulation through protein kinase C, p38 MAPK, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways. Increased PKG activity down-regulates USF2 protein levels and its DNA binding activity under high glucose conditions, resulting in inhibition of glucose-induced TSP1 transcription and TGF-β activity. Overexpression of USF2 reversed the inhibitory effect of PKG on glucose-induced TSP1 gene transcription and TGF-β activity. Taken together these data present the first evidence that USF2 mediates glucose-induced TSP1 expression and TSP1-dependent TGF-β bioactivity in mesangial cells, suggesting that USF2 is an important transcriptional regulator of diabetic complications.
Splendid Isolation: Does Networking Really Increase New Product Success?

This paper presents the case for and against the involvement of external organizations in new product development projects. It examines both the frequency of interaction of firms with their customers, suppliers, universities, research institutes and competitors, and also the correlation between such interaction and new product success. Empirical data were collected from 60 electronics firms in Ireland and the UK using a well-established framework (Souder, et al., 1998). The analysis examines small and large, Irish and UK firms and concludes that the impact of networking and collaboration on new product success is dependent on a range of factors and should not be viewed as a panacea for product development problems.
Failure of chronic aspirin treatment to inhibit urinary prostaglandin excretion in spontaneously hypertensive rats: comparison with indomethacin and flurbiprofen.

The inability of chronic treatment with aspirin to cause sustained inhibition of urinary prostaglandin (PG) excretion observed previously prompted us to compare the effects of 9-day treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats with aspirin, 200 mg/kg/day s.c. , flurbiprofen, 2.5 mg/kg/b.i. d. s.c. and indomethacin, 2.5 mg/kg/b.i. d. s.c. on the excretion rate of radioimmunoassayable PGE2 and PGF2 alpha. Conversion of 1-[14C]arachidonic acid and the release of PGs from endogenous substrate by the renal papilla were also examined. In vehicle-treated control rats, PGF2 alpha excretion ranged from 32.2 +/- 6.2 (mean +/- S.E.M.) to 41.6 +/- 7.3 ng/6 h, and was 2- to 4-fold higher than that of PGE2. Within 6 h of administration all three drugs reduced excretion of PGF2 alpha and PGE2 to less than 20% and 35% of control rats, respectively. Thereafter, PGF2 alpha and PGE2 excretion in aspirin-treated rats returned to values similar to the vehicle-treated group, whereas inhibition of PG excretion in indomethacin and flurbiprofen groups was sustained. Urine volume was doubled by aspirin throughout the study. In contrast, urine volume in flurbiprofen- and indomethacin-treated rats was unaffected. Paradoxically, metabolism of 1-[14C]arachidonic acid to PGs by renal papilla dissected on day 10, 2 to 4 h after the last drug dose, was reduced markedly by aspirin as was the release of immunoreactive PGs but was unaffected by flurbiprofen or indomethacin. The failure of long-term aspirin treatment to inhibit urinary PG excretion and the disparity between in vivo and ex vivo indices of PG release emphasize the need to verify their intended action by measuring PGs in biological fluids.
Diagnosis of Whooping Cough: Comparison of Serological Tests with Isolation of Bordetella Pertussis

Antibody titres for Bordetella pertussis in paired sera from 223 children with suspected whooping cough showed good correlation by complement fixation and agglutination techniques. The patient's age was related to serological responses and in a different way to B. pertussis isolations: in 73 children under 6 months of age B. pertussis was isolated from nasopharyngeal secretions in 42% and serological findings were positive in 19%; in 11 patients over 1 year of age serological tests were positive in 65% and cultures in 19%. B. pertussis was isolated from 59 out of 210 patients, while rising antibody titres were found in a further 43 from whom no isolations were made; thus 102 (49%) out of 210 showed evidence of infection with B. pertussis. Serotype 1,3 was the commonest serotype isolated from both immunized and unimmunized children. Previous immunization appeared to reduce the chances of isolating B. pertussis.