Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Short-term Effects of Date Palm Extract (Phoenix dactylifera) on Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Induced by Testicular Torsion/Detorsion in Rats

Background: Antioxidants are potent scavengers of free radicals and have beneficial effects on human health. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential protective antioxidant activity of the edible portion of date fruit extract in an experimental testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D) model in rats. Materials and Methods: To investigate the potential protective effects of date palm (DP), 30 male Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham-operated, T/D, and T/D + DP-treated (500 mg/kg, PO) groups. Testicular ischemia was induced via keeping the left testis under 720° clockwise torsion for 2 h (h), afterward, detorsion was performed. All rats were sacrificed 4 h after detorsion. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and histopathological damage score were evaluated. Results: Serum MDA, TOS, and OSI levels rose significantly in the T/D group. These values were lower in the T/D + DP group. TAS values decreased significantly in T/D group and rose in T/D + DP group. Severe injury was seen in the twisted testes of T/D group. In contrast, ipsilateral-twisted testicular tissue in the DP-treated group showed moderate-to-mild changes. Contralateral testicular tissue in the T/D group had a mild-to-moderate tissue injury; meanwhile, treated group revealed normal-to-mild changes. Spermatogenesis was significantly improved in DP-treated group when compared with the T/D group. Conclusion: The findings suggest a possible protective effect of DP against testicular oxidative damage induced by T/D; however, more detailed studies are warranted.
Determining strategies to increase response rates in transport surveys of small shop-based businesses

Increasing representation of small business perspectives in policy research would benefit from identifying strategies to increase response rates. Despite the significance of the issue, there is inconsistent reporting amongst small business research about issues such as sampling, recruitment and survey design. Reporting on such issues may help address the under-representation of small business respondents and help reduce wasting research resources on less effective strategies. For policy matters that have the potential to disrupt how small business owners run their business, this is of particular importance. This paper reports on a survey of small businesses about changes to the transport accessibility features of a town centre that have the potential to affect the supply of car parking. Based on a review of the available literature, strategies were adopted to reduce respondent burden and maximise engagement. The paper presents an analysis of recruitment approaches in the first wave of the survey and demonstrates how the refinements to the recruitment approach were successful in achieving an increase in response rate from 40% to 47%.
Sentiment analysis in Turkish at different granularity levels

Abstract Sentiment analysis has attracted a lot of research interest in recent years, especially in the context of social media. While most of this research has focused on English, there is ample data and interest in the topic for many other languages, as well. In this article, we propose a comprehensive sentiment analysis system for Turkish. We cover different levels of sentiment analysis such as aspect, sentence, and document levels as well as some linguistic issues such as conjunction and intensification in Turkish sentiment analysis. Our system is evaluated on Turkish movie reviews and the obtained accuracies range from sixty per cent to seventy-nine per cent in ternary and binary classification tasks at different levels of analysis.
Adaptive backstepping neural control for nonlinear systems with quantized input signals

The adaptive neural backstepping control for a class of multiple-input and multiple-output nonlinear systems with quantized input signals is studied in this paper. We design an output feedback adaptive control scheme using backstepping method based on a high-gain state observer, and use neural networks to approximate the unknown nonlinear functions. A new output feedback neural controller is proposed to ensure that the state trajectories in the quantized nonlinear systems are ultimately bounded. The control signals are quantized by the hysteretic quantizer that can avoid chattering. A simulation example is given to illustrate the usefulness of the new designed adaptive method.
Analysis of Foreign Reserves in the Arab Countries, 1980-2002

2 I – Introduction.3 II –International Reserves and Reserve Ratios . 6 III – Determinants of Optimal Reserves . 11 IV – Adjustment Coefficients and Optimal Reserves . 17 V – Conclusion . 23 Figures . 25 Tables . 39 Appendix.50 References.52 Analysis of Foreign Reserves in the Arab Countries, 1980-2002 Abstract The paper investigates questions relating to reserves adequacy, optimality, and adjustment for seventeen Arab countries during the period 1980-2002. In section II we analyze reserve adequacy from the vantage of three reserve ratios: reserves to imports, to capture current account sustainability; reserves to short-term debt, to assess debt sustainability; and reserves to broad money, to conjecture the extent of capital flight. The determinants of optimal reserves are discussed in section III, and we arrive at results that support the importance of both the transactions and precautionary motives for holding reserves. Section IV estimates adjustment coefficients for different groups of Arab countries, and also checks which Arab countries have their reserves depart the most from fundamentals. In this context, reform countries appear to have speedier adjustments, and Algeria stands out as the country with the largest excess in reserves. Section V concludes the paper with some policy recommendations. JEL Classification: F31; E60
Goals, Methods, and Progress in Neuroeconomics

Neuroeconomics shares the main goals of microeconomics: to understand what causes choices, and the welfare properties of choice. The novel goal is linking mathematical constructs and observable behavior to mechanistic details of neural circuitry. Several complementary methods are used. An initial insight from neuroscience is that distinct systems guide choice: Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning (learning) of state-value and response-value associations, overlearned habits, and model- (or goal-) directed value that requires deliberation. These systems can differ economically from rational choice—for example, habitual choices have low utility and price elasticities, whereas model-directed values are often constructed preferences. Neuroeconomics also provides evidence of situations in which utility maximization either works well (in simple binary choice) or benefits from the introduction of behavioral constructs. Neuroeconomics is well equipped to guide the theory of how choices depend on mental states, such as fear or cognitive load. Examples include extensive studies of risk and time preference, finance, and neural decoding of private information.
Socio-technical Systems, Public Space and Urban Fragmentation: The Case of ‘Cybercafés’ in China

The geography of Internet access places is constructed by the interaction of the stakeholders, not only by the negotiation of local regulatory policies but also by the uses of these technologies. It differentiates urban space, contributes to urban fragmentation and the fragmentation into archipelagos of social groups, in a relationship which is not one-to-one. The new socio-technical practices of the city in interaction with infrastructures linked to mobility and accessibility produce urban forms which intensify social fragmentation. This work is based on field surveys conducted in China combining face-to-face questionnaires and in-depth interviews with operators (of cybercafés, local managers, etc.) and their users.
Efficacy of Bisphosphonates on Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Rate in Patients With Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Epidemiological evidence suggests that bisphosphonates are the most promising drugs for patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). However, data on this issue are controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of bisphosphonates on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture rate in patients with OI. Electronic databases were searched to find relevant studies. Two reviewers independently identified relevant randomized controlled trials, which evaluated the efficacy of bisphosphonates in patients with OI. Outcome measures were fracture incidence and BMD changes in different skeletal sites. A total of 9 randomized controlled trials including 557 patients were identified. Meta-analysis demonstrated a beneficial effect of bisphosphonates on spine BMD Z-score and area BMD (in grams per square centimeter) %. Patients treated with bisphosphonates had a lower risk of fracture [risk ratio (RR) = 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66–0.97] compared with those in control groups. In children, bisphosphonates were efficacious in reducing fractures (RR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.66–0.97), where in adults, bisphosphonates seemed equivalent to placebo in that respect (RR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.42–1.59), although no significant difference was noted between these 2 RRs (test of interaction, z = −0.07; P = 0.94). There was also no significant difference in reducing fractures between oral and intravenous bisphosphonates (P = 0.23). This study showed that bisphosphonates could increase the BMD and reduce the risk of facture in patients with OI. There was no enough evidence to identify any differences in efficacy between oral and intravenous bisphosphonates on fracture reduction, as well as between children and adults.
Emerging Escherichia coli O25b/ST131 clone predicts treatment failure in urinary tract infections.

BACKGROUND We described the clinical predictive role of emerging Escherichia coli O25b/sequence type 131 (ST131) in treatment failure of urinary tract infection. METHODS In this prospective observational cohort study, the outpatients with acute cystitis with isolation of E. coli in their urine cultures were assessed. All the patients were followed up for clinical cure after 10 days of treatment. Detection of the E. coli O25:H4/ST131 clone was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for phylogroup typing and using PCR with primers for O25b rfb and allele 3 of the pabB gene. RESULTS In a cohort of patients with diagnosis of acute urinary cystitis, 294 patients whose urine cultures were positive with a growth of >10(4) colony-forming units/mL of E. coli were included in the study. In empiric therapy, ciprofloxacin was the first choice of drug (27%), followed by phosphomycin (23%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) (9%), and cefuroxime (7%). The resistance rate was 39% against ciprofloxacin, 44% against TMP-SMX, and 25% against cefuroxime. Thirty-five of 294 (12%) isolates were typed under the O25/ST131 clone. The clinical cure rate was 85% after the treatment. In multivariate analysis, detection of the O25/ST131 clone (odds ratio [OR], 4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.51-10.93; P = .005) and diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, .99-4.79; P = .05) were found to be significant risk factors for the treatment failure. In another multivariate analysis performed among quinolone-resistant isolates, treatment failure was 3 times more common among the patients who were infected with ST131 E. coli (OR, 3; 95% CI, 1.27-7.4; P = .012). CONCLUSIONS In urinary tract infections, the E. coli ST131 clone seems to be a consistent predictor of treatment failure.
Sonography and Computed Tomography of the Mimics of Appendicitis

There are numerous entities that can mimic acute appendicitis. Ultrasound and computed tomography are the most common first-line, cross-sectional imaging modalities in the acute care setting. Ideally, imaging will either confirm appendicitis or exclude it by identifying a normal appendix. In the latter scenario, an alternate diagnosis can frequently be established that range from genitourinary, gastrointestinal, to even abdominal wall processes. Imaging is especially helpful in cases of patients presenting with atypical signs/symptoms for acute appendicitis and those presenting with a classic presentation where an alternative diagnosis is determined. The correct diagnosis will allow the most appropriate clinical management and therapy; specifically, avoiding nonindicated surgery is essential. Common and uncommon mimics of acute appendicitis are discussed with specific attention to their sonographic and computed tomographic appearances.
Weight gain measures in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and excessive gestational weight gain have significant implications for the health of both mother and child. Our objective was to detail gestational weight gain in women in relationship to GDM. METHODS Data were collected by retrospective reviews of medical records in women who delivered between January and December 2007 at the Laval University Medical Center (Quebec, Canada). The analysis included 294 women (55 GDM and 239 controls) for whom gestational weight gain was calculated by the difference between maternal weight measured at delivery, or at the last prenatal visit (≥37th week), and prepregnancy self-reported weight. Gestational weight gain and rate of weight gain were also calculated for each trimester and until GDM screening. Gestational weight gain was compared to the 2009 recommendations by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Women with GDM were diagnosed and treated according to the Canadian Diabetes Association guidelines. RESULTS Weight gain in the first trimester was significantly higher in GDM patients compared to controls (3.40 ± 0.42 vs. 1.87 ± 0.16 kg, p ≤ 0.01) and was above IOM recommendations, whereas weight gain in the third trimester was significantly lower in GDM patients compared to controls (4.11 ± 0.36 vs. 6.35 ± 0.18 kg, p ≤ 0.0001). Prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and first trimester weight gain were both significant and independent predictors of GDM (odds ratio [OR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.17, and OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.10-1.42, respectively). CONCLUSIONS First trimester gestational weight gain may need more clinical attention, as it has been identified as an independent and significant risk factor for GDM independent of traditional risk factors, including preconception obesity.
Decision Making and Behavioral Strategy: The role of regulatory focus in corporate innovation processes

markdownabstract__Abstract__ This dissertation makes use of the behavioral strategy perspective in order to examine a number of constructs pertaining to innovation in corporate settings. In particular, the dissertation consists of four studies; one conceptual and three empirical. The conceptual paper introduces the regulatory focus theory and forms a linkage between an individual’s regulatory focus and motivation towards exploration and exploitation. Furthermore, by means of the Motivation-Ability-Opportunity (MAO) schema, this study also provides insight into the concepts moderating this relationship. The first empirical paper tests the relationship between an individual’s (i.e. manager’s) regulatory focus and activities of exploration and exploitation. Moreover, it takes an initial step in understanding the organizational and contextual antecedents of regulatory focus, and thus, of exploration and exploitation at the individual level. The second empirical study, examines the collective regulatory focus of a management team, and its effects on the exploratory innovation level of the organization unit. Moreover, it investigates three primary organizational coordination mechanisms (i.e. centralization, formalization and connectedness) as a mediator of this relationship. Finally, the last study addresses the gap regarding the lack of knowledge about the positive effects of prevention focus in organizational settings. All in all, the contributions and findings of this study have a number of implications for behavioral strategy theory and practice, and presents areas of future research.
Optimal Portfolio Strategy to Control Maximum Drawdown - The Case of Risk Based Dynamic Asset Allocation

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a discrete quantitative trading strategy to directly control a portfolio's maximum percentage of drawdown losses while trying to maximize the portfolio's long-term growth rate. Design/methodology/approach - The loss control target is defined through a Rolling Economic Drawdown (REDD) with a constant look-back time window. The authors specify risk aversion in the power-law portfolio wealth utility function as the complement of maximum percentage loss limit and assume long-term stable Sharpe ratios for asset class indexes while updating volatility estimation in dynamic asset allocation implementation. Findings - Over a test period of the past 20 years (1992-2011), a risk-based out-of-sample dynamic asset allocation among three broad based indexes (equity, fixed income and commodities) and a risk free asset, is robust against variations in capital market expectation inputs, and out-performs the in-the-sample calibrated model and traditional asset allocation significantly. Research limitations/implications - The current proposal can lead to a new mathematical framework for portfolio selection. Besides investors' liquidity and behavioural constraints, macroeconomic and market cycle, and the potential of central bank interventions following a market crash, could be additionally considered for a more rigorous dynamic asset allocation model. Practical implications - Besides the benefit of a clear mandate to construct suitable client portfolios, the portfolio approach can be applied to design invest-able securities, such as principal-guaranteed investment products, target risk asset allocation ETFs, and target-date mutual funds with a glide path, etc. The formulation can also be implemented as a managed futures hedge fund portfolio. Originality/value - The paper introduces the Rolling Economic Drawdown (REDD) concept and specifies risk aversion as the floor of maximum percentage loss tolerance. Dynamic asset allocation is implemented through updating estimation of asset class volatilities.
Information and decision-making needs of psychiatric patients: the perspective of relatives

Background Mental illness may strongly affect relatives’ lives. Therefore, it is important to empower relatives by providing health information according to their preferences. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was conducted using a purpose-designed questionnaire on online health information and decision-support needs. Results Prevalent reasons for online health information search of the 185 participating relatives were the need for general information and the insufficiency of the information given by the health care provider. The most difficult treatment decisions concerned the treatment setting (inpatient or outpatient) as well as the psychopharmacological treatment. Discussion Since psychiatric patients’ relatives report extensive information and decision-support needs, it is essential to address their needs in health information material. Assessment of relatives’ needs when developing health information materials is recommended.
Compact Balanced Dual- and Tri-Band BPFs Based on Coupled Complementary Split-Ring Resonators (C-CSRR)

Two multi-band balanced bandpass filters (BPFs) are proposed by embedding multi-band coupled complementary split- ring resonators (C-CSRRs) into a balanced stepped-impedance microstrip-slotline transition structure. The proposed C-CSRR is made from two or three nested CSRRs with a pair of coupling slotlines in the open end of each ring, which can result in dual-band or tri-band bandpass responses, respectively. It is found that a high and wideband common-mode (CM) suppression can be achieved for the proposed filters. Moreover, the center frequencies of the differential-mode (DM) passbands are independent from the CM responses, which significantly simplify the design procedure. In order to validate its practicability, two balanced BPFs with two and three DM passbands are fabricated and good agreement between simulated and measured results is observed.
Leadership in education: Effective U.K. college principals

College leaders face increasing challenges to manage complex responsibilities. They must possess a wide variety of managerial and leadership skills to be successful in academic environments, which are beginning to resemble more traditional organizational frameworks. The study examined in this article explored the relationships among managerial style, organizational climate, and several measures of college-student performance with a sample of British further education college principals (similar to U.S. community college presidents). While considering the influence of various background factors, such as the size of the college, student funding, and years of experience, several significant relationships emerged demonstrating a significant association between principals' managerial behaviors and measures of college and student performance.
The field of strategic management within the evolving science of strategic organization

The Strategic Management field has matured over the last decade. We now face a number of critical issues that, taken together, suggest that now is the time to take hold of new ideas for explaining and predicting organizational performance. First, our courses--once among the most exciting and innovative in the business school curriculum--are waning at some flagship schools. We need to revitalize our teaching effectiveness through new materials and pedagogy. Second, the theoretical base in our field has developed in a number of specific directions. The opportunity today is to generate new integrative theory based on the empirically validated insights that we have obtained over the past several decades. This new integrative theory emphasizes property rights and carries implications for the strategic organization of both institutions and markets. Third, we can provide insights on the most pressing strategic issues confronting managers today and those that are likely to be pressing in the future. Some of these strategic issues--such as the depletion of natural energy resources, the relationships between political and corporate control, distributive justice, and the emergence of new forms of corporate governance--are theoretically knotty, and yet they are so pervasive and important that they must command our research attention. By tripping off a new cycle of integrative knowledge creation and scientific discovery about the strategic organization of both institutions and markets, the field will better serve the needs of students, executives, scholars (including those in the social-science disciplines) and society.