Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term statin therapy could be efficacious in reducing the lipoprotein (a) levels in patients with coronary artery disease modified by some traditional risk factors.

BACKGROUND Lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] is a well-established risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). However, up till now, treatment of patients with higher Lp (a) levels is challenging. This current study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of short-, medium and long-term statin use on the Lp (a) reduction and its modifying factors. METHODS The therapeutic duration was categorized into short-term (median, 39 days), medium term (median, 219 days) and long-term (median, 677 days). The lipid profiles before therapy served as baselines. Patients at short-, medium or long-term exactly matched with those at baseline. Every patient's lipid profiles during the follow-ups were compared to his own ones at baselines. RESULTS The current study demonstrated that long-term statin therapy significantly decreased the Lp (a) levels in CAD patients while short-term or medium term statin therapy didn't. When grouped by statin use, only long-term simvastatin use significantly decreased the Lp (a) levels while long-term atorvastatin use insignificantly decreased the Lp (a) levels. Primary hypertension (PH), DM, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) could modify the therapeutic effects of statin use on the Lp (a) levels in CAD patients. CONCLUSIONS The long-term statin therapy could be efficacious in reducing the Lp (a) levels in CAD patients, which has been modified by some traditional risk factors. In the era of commercial unavailability of more reliable Lp (a) lowering drugs, our findings will bolster confidence in fighting higher Lp (a) abnormalities both for patients and for doctors.
Post‐16 options: young people's awareness, attitudes, intentions and influences on their choice

Abstract This paper reports a survey of the awareness of, and attitudes to, post‐16 options of young people reaching minimum school‐leaving age as they were assessing the various local opportunities open to them in the sixth form, further education colleges and youth training. Questionnaire data on post‐16 intentions and careers‐related experience were collected from 10 schools (seven maintained (12‐16 and 12‐18) and three independent) in one local education authority (LEA). Interviews which explored attitudes and influences on their choices were undertaken with a representative sample of young people with various intended post‐16 destinations, each paired with a friend. Their views are set in the context of their experience of careers education and guidance as reported by the schools’ heads of careers and attached careers officers. The research design thus enabled qualitative perceptual evidence to be presented within a quantitative framework related to attainment, gender and school type. The research fo.
Retinal Neurodegeneration in Type II Diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty Rats.

PURPOSE We evaluated whether diabetes causes longitudinal thinning of retinal layers as a sign of retinal neurodegeneration in a type II diabetic animal model, the Otuska Long-Evans Tokushima fatty rats (OLETF), using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and investigated the corresponding histology. METHODS Retinal thickness in OLETF and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka rats (LETO) was measured at 1300 μm from the center of the optic nerve head (ONH) at 12, 20, 28, and 36 weeks using SD-OCT. Total retinal thickness (TRT) was measured automatically by built-in software. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and other layers' thicknesses were measured manually. At 36 weeks, eyes were processed for morphometric analysis and detection of apoptosis based on active caspase-3(+) and TUNEL(+) analysis. RESULTS TRT was significantly thinner in OLETF at 28 and 36 weeks (236.26 ± 5.64 and 235.98 ± 5.42 μm, respectively) than in LETO (243.82 ± 7.36 and 239.58 ± 6.99 μm, respectively; P = 0.042 and P = 0.01). At 28 weeks, RNFL thickness was significantly lower in OLETF (21.52 ± 1.91 μm) than in LETO (24.75 ± 2.10 μm, P = 0.042). The change of TRT correlated significantly with change of RNFL thickness. At 36 weeks, OLETF (24.0 ± 3.1/cross-section) had significantly fewer ganglion cells than LETO (28.4 ± 6.7/cross-section, P = 0.028). Active caspase-3(+) and TUNEL(+) cells in RNFL were observed significantly more frequently in OLETF (6.8 ± 5.2/cross-section and 3.75 ± 0.96/cross-section, respectively) than in LETO (1.5 ± 2.3/cross-section, P = 0.008 and 1.0 ± 0.8/cross-section, P = 0.029, respectively). CONCLUSIONS OLETF exhibited a significantly reduced TRT, especially RNFL thickness, based on SD-OCT. Further, histology revealed increased apoptosis and a decrease in the number of ganglion cells. These results suggest that retinal neurodegeneration occurs in type II diabetic OLETF.
Interpretation and limits of sustainability tests in public finance

Public debt is considered sustainable if discounted net repayments are expected to cover the initial debt issuance, i.e. if the government’s inter-temporal budget constraint is expected to hold. With risk-averse lenders and an uncertain economic environment, Bohn (1995) stresses that this constraint relies on a stochastic discount factor which depends on lenders’ preferences. To get round the difficulty related to the specification of private agents’ preferences in empirical analysis, Bohn (1998) suggests to estimate fiscal reaction functions describing how primary surplus reacts to indebtedness. After having solved the econometric issues arising when primary surplus and debt have a very different persistence (with a nonparametric approach) or are both integrated (with parametric tests), we estimate fiscal reaction functions for France and Greece. There remain important limitations and interpretation difficulties that are common to all econometric sustainability tests.
Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Moslem Kidney Transplant Recipients

This study was carried out to find out whether Ramadan fasting would affect the renal function in kidney transplant recipients with normal or impaired graft function. Twenty-three transplant recipients, 17 with a normal function and 6 with an impaired but stable function with plasma creatinine levels not exceeding 300 mmol/l, were included in this study. The mean posttransplant period was 2.0 (range 0.6–6.3) years. Urinary and serum biochemical parameters, ciclosporin A level, and hematocrit were checked weekly, during Ramadan as well as 1 week before and after. Statistical analysis showed no significant changes in all parameters before, during, and after Ramadan. In conclusion, our findings indicate that fasting during the month of Ramadan does not seem to be associated with any significant adverse effects in kidney transplant recipients with normal or impaired graft function and suggest that it is safe for those patients to fast during Ramadan after 1 year of renal transplantation.
Exploring factors influencing mobile users' intention to adopt multimedia messaging service

While short messaging service (SMS) is discussed often in recent literature, multimedia messaging service (MMS), a media rich successor of SMS, is seldom heard or understood by mobile users in Taiwan. The adoption rates of MMS are far from satisfactory, implying that there might be some factors keeping the potential users away from using MMS. This research integrates a qualitative method, the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique, with the quantitative questionnaire survey to elicit and validate underlying factors which influence potential users' attitude and intention toward the adoption of MMS. A research model together with eight hypotheses was formulated, and a questionnaire based survey was administrated to mobile users knowledgeable about mobile messaging services for empirically validating the research model and testing the hypotheses. Our research findings show that relative advantage and ease of use are important factors significantly influencing mobile users' adoption of MMS but the other two antecedents, facilitating conditions and previous experience, do not have significant and direct impacts on mobile users' intention to use MMS. These study results can be referenced by service providers for designing and developing successful business applications to catch the valuable opportunity and benefit of MMS.
Influences on Public Opinion of Unions and Industrial Relations

The article attempts to explore the complex question of media influence on public opinion of unions and industrial relations by using social survey techniques. The findings indicate a general acceptance of unionism and the worker's right to withhold labour coupled to the view that this right is exercised too frequernly. Opinions on unions originated in the mass media, first- or second-hand experience and personal contacts, in that order. Attitudes to unions are closely related to political views and respondents with differing political views used different informa tion sources. Anti-union bias by the media seems to emerge only with respect to Labor Party voters. Liberal Party voters influenced by the media and first- or second-hand experience are less anti-union than those influenced by personal net works. Data on politically polarised statements also support the view of the media as a moderating influence compared to personal neuvorks.
Age Differences in Sexual Partners and Risk of HIV‐1 Infection in Rural Uganda

Objectives: To assess whether differences in age between sexual partners affect the risk of HIV infection in female adolescents and young adults. Methods: A total of 6177 ever sexually active women aged 15 to 29 years completed a sociodemographic and sexual behavior questionnaire and provided a blood sample for HIV‐1 serology. The age difference between partners was categorized as men 0 to 4 years older (referent group), 5 to 9 years older and 10 or more years older. HIV prevalence and incidence were assessed, and adjusted RR was estimated by multivariate regression. Results: Prevalent HIV‐1 infection in female participants increased with older male sexual partners. Among women aged 15 to 19 years, the adjusted risk of HIV infection doubled (RR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.29‐3.22) among those reporting male partners 10 or more years older compared with those with male partners 0 to 4 years older; among women 20 to 24 years of age, the RR was 1.24 (95% CI: 0.96‐1.60). The attributable fraction (exposed) of prevalent HIV infection in women aged 15 to 24 years associated with partners 10 or more years older was 9.7% (95% CI: 5.2‐14.0). HIV incidence did not increase with differences in age of partners. Conclusion: The age difference between young women and their male partners is a significant HIV risk factor, suggesting that high HIV prevalence in younger women is caused, in part, by transmission from older male partners.
Effects of ageing on single muscle fibre contractile function following short‐term immobilisation

Non‐Technical Summary The contractile function of human single muscle fibres is of particular importance for whole muscle contractile function. Yet, whereas ageing and short‐term disuse (immobilisation) separately have been shown to impair single fibre contractile function, very little attention has been given to their combined effects. We show that 2 weeks of lower limb immobilisation reduces force and specific force (force per cross‐sectional area) of both slow and fast single muscle fibres and that this occurred to a similar extent in young and old individuals. In contrast, disuse led to reduced Ca2+ sensitivity in fast fibres of young and in slow fibres of old, respectively. These results help us to better understand the underlying physiological mechanisms responsible for the deleterious effects of short‐term disuse on whole muscle contractile function in both young and old.
Effect of the Brain Integration Technique ( BIT ) on Cortical Activity , Auditory Short-term Memory Performance and Reading Comprehension

This pilot study describes, for the first time, changes in SSVEP topography associated with the performance of an attentional and a decision making task before and after acupressure treatment designed to improve learning abilities. Five subjects demonstrated predominantly occipitoparietal SSVEP activity prior to acupressure treatment which changed to predominantly prefrontal activity following treatment on both tasks which suggests increases in attentional and decision making abilities. Averaged digit span for subjects increased from 5 ±0.6 digits forwards to 7.4 ±0.5 and from 3.8 ±0.4 digits backwards to 6.8 ±0.8. Reading comprehension on the Neale Reading Ability Test increased from 35% ±20 S.D. to 100% ±0 S.D. The clinical significance was confirmed by post-treatment interviews with all subjects who stated significant improvements had occurred in their learning abilities. The results suggest the SSVEP measures of changes in cortical activities are correlated with quantitative improvement in digit span and reading comprehension.
The Underpricing of "Second" Initial Public Offerings

The underpricing of initial public offerings (IPOs) of equity represents a well-documented empirical phenomenon. One prominent explanation for this underpricing relies on the uncertainty investors feel about the value of the issue. In this paper, this asymmetric information hypothesis is tested by examining the underpricing of IPOs of seventy-four firms for which the uncertainty about the value of the firm is likely to be substantially reduced. These firms were once publicly owned, then taken private, and subsequently returned to public ownership. Findings show that the IPOs of these "reverse leveraged buyouts" are significantly less underpriced than typical IPOs. These results support the asymmetric information hypothesis.
Governance and Accountability of Public Risk

Risk represents the unknown future: an intangible commodity. Public risk may affect any part of society and government is expected to respond, implying a need for governance and accountability. Public risk governance though is complicated by the multiplicity of different stakeholders and the network of interactions. We explore public risk governance through the actors involved in public risk governance and accountability. Through synthesis of the related and theoretically consistent concepts of governance, stakeholder theory and social network theory we develop the concept and underlying principles of ‘knowledgeable supervision’ as a means of public risk governance.
Synthetic pharmacotherapy for lupus nephritis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Lupus nephritis is a frequent complication and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Area covered: The main characteristics and mechanisms of action of the synthetic drugs more frequently used in lupus nephritis are described. Possible strategies aimed to reduce the potential adverse events without affecting efficacy are reported. Expert opinion: Many synthetic immunosuppressive drugs used in lupus nephritis have a low therapeutic index. Good knowledge of their pharmacologic characteristics, mechanisms of action, and drug-to-drug interactions, coupled with a strategy aimed to increase immunosuppression in the active phases of SLE while reducing the dosage in quiescent periods can reduce the iatrogenic morbidity while maintaining efficacy. Biologic agent may allow to reduce the use or the dosage of synthetic immunosuppressive drugs.
Psychological ownership as a requisite for talent retention: the voice of highly skilled employees

The aim of this paper is to identify and clarify the elements and possible role of psychological ownership in highly skilled employees' retention. The methodology encompasses a qualitative research design. Data were analysed through thematic analysis and compared with the theoretical elements of psychological ownership. The findings indicate that highly skilled employees identify with the elements of psychological ownership. Contextual factors, especially structural aspects, including clear communication, relationship building, clear direction and goal alignment, ethical conduct, recognition and acknowledgement and leadership, surfaced more explicitly as requisites for talent retention.
Iontophoretic delivery of apomorphine. II: An in vivo study in patients with Parkinson's disease.

PURPOSE Transdermal transport rates of the dopamine agonist R-apomorphine were determined in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). Apomorphine was applied by iontophoresis at two current densities. METHODS In ten patients apomorphine was applied passively for one hour. Thereafter, in the first five patients, a current density of 250 microA.cm-2 was applied for one hour and a current density of 375 microA.cm-2 in the second group. The individual pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained separately following a 15-minute zero-order intravenous infusion of 30 micrograms.kg-1. Skin resistance was measured during current delivery. Current-induced irritation was measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF). The pharmacodynamics were quantified by a unilateral tapping score. Qualitative clinical improvements (decreased tremor, rigidity or cramp) were also recorded. RESULTS In all patients increasing plasma concentrations of R-apomorphine were found during the interval of current application. The maximum concentrations that were attained were related to the applied current density: 1.3 +/- 0.6 ng.ml-1 at 250 microA.cm-2 and 2.5 +/- 0.7 ng.ml-1 at 375 microA.cm-2. When the current was switched off all concentrations returned to baseline values in about 90 minutes. By mathematical deconvolution of the profiles it was shown that steady-state fluxes were reached within the one-hour interval of current driven transport Steady-state fluxes were calculated to be 69 +/- 30 nmol.cm-2.h-1 at 250 microA.cm-2 and 114 +/- 34 nmol.cm-2.h-1 at 375 microA.cm-2. Individual drug input rates were inversely related to the overall resistance. Significantly elevated LDF values were found after patch removal, indicating mild current induced erythema. Only subtherapeutic plasma concentrations were obtained in all patients except for one. CONCLUSIONS The results show that current-dependent delivery of apomorphine is possible in vivo at acceptable levels of skin irritation. Excellent correlation was found between the calculated in vivo transport rates and the rates that were previously obtained in vitro.
The Circulation of Corporate Control: Selection of Functional Backgrounds of New CEOs in Large U.S. Manufacturing Firms, 1981–1992

We develop a conceptual model of the circulation of corporate control—the instability in formal authority at the top of large corporations. According to our model, chief executive officer (CEO) selection is both a political contest for the top executive position and an ideological struggle among members of the firm's political coalition over defining the corporate agenda and strategy. We apply the model to analyze the selection of functional backgrounds of 275 new CEOs in large U.S. manufacturing firms from 1981 to 1992. Results show that the circulation of control adds to previous explanations based on strategic contingencies and institutional isomorphism. Furthermore, we find evidence of an ideological and political obsolescence of financial CEOs and a change in the strategic contingencies that previously favored finance and the financial conception of control. Results suggest that conceptions of control are best understood as styles, rather than institutions, as these conceptions are neither taken for granted nor isomorphic across industries or the manufacturing sector, but are subject to sectoral variation, contestation, and change.
Tourism Planning in Historic Districts: Attitudes Toward Tourism Development in Charleston

Abstract In the last 30 years, community perceptions of negative impacts from tourism have encouraged research from several different fields into community attitudes, with the goal of overcoming opposition to tourism development. Drawing on a study of Charleston, SC, this article explores the relationships between community attachment, existing through such bonds as friendship and kinship, and resident attitudes toward tourism development. We studied Charleston to understand the differences in attitude toward tourism development among its neighborhoods, based on community attachment variables, and to explore the role of community attachment in predicting these attitudes, especially regarding residents of historic residential districts. This research has implications for tourism planning in Charleston and other tourism cities with historic residential districts.
Careers of Women Managers in the Retail Industry

This paper reports on the aspirations, ambitions and careers of women managers in retailing. Questionnaires were distributed to women managers awaiting promotion to senior positions, and interviews were carried out with women store managers and also head office personnel managers. Findings reveal that women are recruited to retail management programmes in equal proportions to men and are reaching deputy management positions. However, few women achieve the position of store manager, the senior operational position in retail, in spite of their expressed ambitions and commitment to the job. Possible factors which emerged from the questionnaire and interview data were: promotional procedures and criteria; persistent perceptions of management as male; networking, political awareness and mentoring.
Odor Cues During Slow-Wave Sleep Prompt Declarative Memory Consolidation

Sleep facilitates memory consolidation. A widely held model assumes that this is because newly encoded memories undergo covert reactivation during sleep. We cued new memories in humans during sleep by presenting an odor that had been presented as context during prior learning, and so showed that reactivation indeed causes memory consolidation during sleep. Re-exposure to the odor during slow-wave sleep (SWS) improved the retention of hippocampus-dependent declarative memories but not of hippocampus-independent procedural memories. Odor re-exposure was ineffective during rapid eye movement sleep or wakefulness or when the odor had been omitted during prior learning. Concurring with these findings, functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed significant hippocampal activation in response to odor re-exposure during SWS.
Analysts’ and Investors’ Reactions to Consistent Earnings Signals

We investigate (1) whether the trajectory of the current-quarter earnings expectation path (defined by the signs of the forecast revision and the earnings surprise) provides information about future firm performance, and (2) the extent to which analysts and investors react to that information. Our results indicate that analysts underreact more to earnings information revealed by consistent-signal earnings expectation paths than to earnings information communicated by inconsistent-signal expectation paths. We also find that the current earnings expectation path provides incremental explanatory power for future abnormal returns, even after controlling for the sign and magnitude of the earnings surprise. Overall, our evidence is consistent with underreaction stemming from analysts’ and investors’ bias in processing the information in consistent-signal earnings expectation paths.