Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antenatal Corticosteroids for Reducing Adverse Maternal and Child Outcomes in Special Populations of Women at Risk of Imminent Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background This study synthesizes available evidence on antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) use among special subgroups of women at risk of imminent preterm birth, including those (1) with pregestational and gestational diabetes mellitus, (2) undergoing elective caesarean section (CS) in late preterm (34 to<37 weeks), (3) with chorioamnionitis, and (4) with growth-restricted fetuses. Methods A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, POPLINE, and World Health Organization Regional Databases was conducted for all comparative studies. Two reviewers independently determined study eligibility, extracted data, and assessed study quality. Pooled mean differences and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated from available data, based on fixed- and random-effects models, as appropriate. Results No eligible studies were identified for ACS use in diabetic pregnant women or those undergoing elective CS at late preterm. Nine studies each on ACS use in women with chorioamnionitis and in women with fetal growth restriction met inclusion criteria; eight studies were separately included in the meta-analyses for the two subpopulations. For ACS administration in women with chorioamnionitis, pooled analyses showed reductions in neonatal mortality (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.34–0.73), respiratory distress syndrome (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.44–0.76), intraventricular haemorrhage (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.24–0.69), and severe intraventricular haemorrhage (OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24–0.69). Maternal and long-term newborn outcomes were not reported. Effects of ACS use were inconclusive for cases with fetal growth restriction. Conclusion Direct evidence on the effectiveness and safety of ACS is lacking for diabetic pregnant women at risk of preterm birth and those undergoing elective late-preterm CS, though this does not necessarily recommend against their use in diabetic women. While evidence remains inconclusive for women with growth-restricted preterm neonates, ACS appears to benefit preterm neonates delivered by women with chorioamnionitis. High-quality studies on maternal and long-term child outcomes in more diverse settings are needed to establish the balance of potential harms versus benefits in using ACS for these understudied subgroups.
A Leopard Does Not Change His Spots – Evidence of Activism Persistence in the Hedge Fund Industry

This paper investigates hedge fund performance persistence through examination of actual fund behavior rather than self-reported returns. We propose new activism indexes. We show that past activism is positively correlated with fund orientation toward confrontational activist behavior with respect to future purchases. We show that hedge fund activism is positively correlated the size of required minimum investment and manager graduation from a top MBA program.
Peritoneal lavage cytology findings as prognostic factor for gastric cancer.

The validity of lavage cytology for accurate gastric cancer staging is demonstrated in this study. Between 1988 and 1996, 29 cases (8. 4%) were revealed as positive among 347 patients with resectable gastric cancer in whom peritoneal lavage cytology was performed. The survival rate of cytology-positive patients in each stage was found to be worse than that of all other patients in the same stage. The prognostic factors selected by the univariate analysis were enrolled for multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional hazards model with the backward stepwise procedure. As a result, although cytology finding was selected as an independent prognostic factor, macroscopic finding of dissemination was not selected. Our data indicate that positive cytology findings indicated a poor prognosis, and therefore the results of peritoneal lavage cytology should be included as a factor in gastric cancer staging.
Migration transitions: A theoretical and empirical inquiry into the developmental drivers of international migration

This paper aims to advance a conceptual framework on the developmental drivers of international migration processes and to provide an empirical test drawing on the global migrant origin database. Conventional ideas that development in origin countries will reduce international migration are ultimately based on “push-pull”, neoclassical and other equilibrium models which assume an inversely proportional relationship between absolute levels and relative differences of wealth and migration. By contrast, another group of theories postulate that development leads to generally increased levels of migration and that societies go through migration transitions characterised by an inverted U-shaped pattern of emigration. The paper discusses as yet unobserved conceptual parallels and differences between separately evolved ‘transition’ theories. It subsequently amends and synthesises prior theories, based on a criticism of their evolutionary character and sedentary bias, their inclination towards demographic determinism, their limited conceptualisation of structure and agency as well as the causal mechanisms underlying the correlations they describe. Sen’s capabilities-based development concept is applied to migration to create analytical room to analyse most forms of migration within a single perspective. Structure and agency are incorporated by conceptualising migration as a function of (1) capabilities, (2) aspirations and, on a macro-level, (3) opportunity rather than income differentials. Because of the contested nature of migration transition theory, the paper provides an empirical test. Drawing on the World Bank/University of Sussex global migrant origin database, it estimates the effect of theoretically relevant development indicators on immigrant, emigrant, net immigrant and total migrant stocks. The results largely confirm transition theory. Higher levels of economic and human development are associated to higher overall levels of migration and have the predicted U-curve effect on emigration. The results also suggest that demographic factors do not have a direct effect on migration. Although several empirical puzzles remain, particularly on the effects of political freedoms, the results suggest that take-off development in the least developed countries is likely to lead to take-off emigration. The analysis exemplifies the need to conceptualise migration as an integral part of broader development processes rather than as problem to be “solved”.
Impulsive Control of Dynamical Networks

Dynamical networks (DNs) consist of a large set of interconnected nodes with each node being a fundamental unit with detailed contents. A great number of natural and man-made networks such as social networks, food networks, neural networks, World Wide Web, electrical power grid, etc., can be effectively modeled by DNs. The main focus of the present thesis is on delay-dependent impulsive control of DNs. To study the impulsive control problem of DNs, we firstly construct stability results for general nonlinear time-delay systems with delayed impulses by using the method of Lyapunov functionals and Razumikhin technique. Secondly, we study the consensus problem of multi-agent systems with both fixed and switching topologies. A hybrid consensus protocol is proposed to take into consideration of continuous-time communications among agents and delayed instant information exchanges on a sequence of discrete times. Then, a novel hybrid consensus protocol with dynamically changing interaction topologies is designed to take the time-delay into account in both the continuous-time communication among agents and the instant information exchange at discrete moments. We also study the consensus problem of networked multi-agent systems. Distributed delays are considered in both the agent dynamics and the proposed impulsive consensus protocols. Lastly, stabilization and synchronization problems of DNs under pinning impulsive control are studied. A pinning algorithm is incorporated with the impulsive control method. We propose a delay-dependent pinning impulsive controller to investigate the synchronization of linear delay-free DNs on time scales. Then, we apply the pinning impulsive controller proposed for the delay-free networks to stabilize time-delay DNs. Results show that the delay-dependent pinning impulsive controller can successfully stabilize and synchronize DNs with/without time-delay. Moreover, we design a type of pinning impulsive controllers that relies only on the network states at history moments (not on the states at each impulsive instant). Sufficient conditions on stabilization of time-delay networks are obtained, and results show that the proposed pinning impulsive controller can effectively stabilize the network even though only time-delay states are available to the pinning controller at each impulsive instant. We further consider the pinning impulsive controllers with both discrete and distributed time-delay effects to synchronize the drive and response systems modeled by globally Lipschitz timedelay systems. As an extension study of pinning impulsive control approach, we investigate the synchronization problem of systems and networks governed by PDEs.
Pengaruh Lingkungan Eksternal, Lingkungan Internal, Strategi Kepemimpinan Biaya, Strategi Diferensiasi, Terhadap Nilai Pelanggan, dan Keunggulan Bersaing

Abstract: The objectives of this research is to know: (1) The impack of external and internal environment on the low cost strategy, differentiation strategy, and competitive advantage. (2) The impack of low cost strategy and differentiation strategy on the customer value and competitive advantage. (3) The impack of customer value on competitive advantage. The population of this research are consist of 150 industries manufacture which have Go Public at Bursa Effect Jakarta. Its research’s sampling are 125 industries manufacture. The data collected were questionnaires and interview. The method analysis used was structural equation modeling (SEM). The result of this research shows that: (1) The external environment variable has a positively and significantly influence on the low cost strategy and differentiation strategy, but has not significantly influence on competitive advantage. (2) The internal variable has a positively and significantly on the low cost strategy, but has not significantly influence on the differentiation strategy and the competitive advantage. (3) The low cost strategy variable has a positively and significantly on the customer value variable and competitive advantage variable. (4) The differentiation variable has not significantly influence on the customer value variable and competitive advantage variable. (5). The customer value variable has not significantly influence on the competitive advantage. Keywords: external environment, internal environment, low cost strategy, differentiation strategy, customer value and competitive advantage .
Vascular reactivity of isolated perfused kidneys from male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats.

SUMMARY We investigated vascular reactivity in isolated, Tyrode perfused kidneys from male (blood pressure, 222.6 mm Hg) and female (blood pressure, 178.5 mm Hg) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, 4-6 months age) and sex and weight matched normotensive Kyoto Wistar and Wistar control rats. Optimal perfusion flows and basal pressures were similar in sex-matched SHR and control rats. Subraaximal constrictor responses to renal nerve stimulation were normal in SHR kidneys, but responses to exogenous norepinephrine were greater than control. Cocaine potentiated nerve stimulation responses more in SHR than control kidneys, while exogenous norepinephrine responses were potentiated to a similar extent. Dose-response curves in SHR kidneys were to the left of control with the following order of shift magnitude; 5-hydroxytryptamine > angiotensin II > norepinephrine > barium. In SHR kidneys, the ED 20 (dose of agonist that evoked a 20% maximal response) for norepinephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and angiotensin, but not for barium, was significantly lower than control; response duration was normal for norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine but prolonged for barium and angiotensin. SHR kidneys developed 5hydroxytryptamine tachyphylaxis more slowly than control. Dose-response curve shifts were greater in kidneys from male than female SHR, maximal responses were always increased in the former, but only for 5-hydroxytryptamine and angiotensin in the latter. These results indicate that in the SHR kidney (1) structural vascular changes may contribute to hyperreactivity in the male; (2) renal vessels of male and female SHR are supersensitive to receptorstimulating agonists and exhibit impaired relaxation; (3) normal nerve stimulation response amplitude is due to a more efficient, cocaine sensitive, neurotransmitter disposition masking increased norepinephrine sensitivity; and (4) the large increase in 5-hydroxytryptamine reactivity is partly due to attenuated tachyphylaxis.
Examining SNS Adoption through Motivational Lens

The impact of social networking has become a focal point for Information Systems researchers; however, its potential benefits and impact have not been fully explored. Membership in social networks has been increasing steadily within the last decade but at the same time some members have abandon their accounts or use them minimally. To understand the differences in usage among members the adoption process needs to be evaluated. Existing adoption models evaluated technology adoption from a utilitarian perspective and are deemed inadequate to evaluate social networking systems (SNS). This is because SNS are classified as social information systems whose adoption, based on the literature, should be evaluated from a motivational perspective. The purpose of this research, therefore, is to propose a social information system research model that will explain the adoption process of social networking and similar technologies.
Comparison of immune responses to a killed bivalent whole cell oral cholera vaccine between endemic and less endemic settings

Studies on safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of the killed, bivalent whole cell oral cholera vaccine (Shanchol) have been conducted in historically endemic settings of Asia. Recent cholera vaccination campaigns in Haiti and Guinea have also demonstrated favourable immunogenicity and effectiveness in nonendemic outbreak settings. We performed a secondary analysis, comparing immune responses of Shanchol from two randomised controlled trials performed in an endemic and a less endemic area (Addis Ababa) during a nonoutbreak setting. While Shanchol may offer some degree of immediate protection in primed populations living in cholera endemic areas, as well as being highly immunogenic in less endemic settings, understanding the characteristics of immune responses in each of these areas is vital in determining ideal dosing strategies that offer the greatest public health impact to populations from areas with varying degrees of cholera endemicity.
Analgesic and antiinflammatory activity of Cyclamen repandum S. et S.

According to folk medicine some species belonging to the genus Cyclamen were used for their biological activities. Early investigation of the different species of the genus resulted in the isolation of triterpenic saponins. No phytochemical and biological data are available on C. repandum. As part of a series of phytochemical investigations for bioactive compounds from medicinal plants, Cyclamen repandum S. et S. was investigated. The present study sought to find the antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of C. repandum tubers in rats and mice. A preliminary screening was conducted with three different extracts in the tests used, particularly the paw edema and the writhing tests. Subsequently some saponins isolated from the ME extract, the more effective one, have been identified.
Molecular similarities between spermatozoa and bacteria : A fluorescent microscopy study

The origin of natural anti-sperm antibodies in the serum of human virgin pre-pubertal girls and boys has been linked to the existence of inflammatory gastrointestinal entities; as a result of disease, cross reactive antibodies produced against gastrointestinal flora binds spermatozoa. Also, nonspecific bacterial vaccination (bacterial cell lysates), which are widely used to stop chronic childhood respiratory tract infections, may result in persistent infertility in some individuals, suggesting some form of molecular similarities between bacteria and sperm. These observations suggest that common antigenic determinants are shared by infectious organisms and reproductive system components.
Prevalence and severity of periodontal disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus (non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) patients in Bangalore city: An epidemiological study

Background: Our objective was to study the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in Bangalore city. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and eight type 2 DM patients (Study Group) and 100 non-diabetic patients (Control Group) among the age group of 35-75 years were included in the study. The study group was divided based on Glycated hemoglobin levels into well, moderately and poorly controlled. Relevant information regarding age, oral hygiene habits and personal habits was obtained from the patients. Diabetic status and mode of anti-diabetic therapy of the study group was obtained from the hospital records with consent from the patient. Community periodontal index (CPI) was used to assess the periodontal status. The results were statistically evaluated. Results: The mean CPI score and the number of missing teeth was higher in diabetics compared with non-diabetics, and was statistically significant (P=0.000), indicating that prevalence and extent of periodontal disease was more frequent and more severe in diabetic patients. The risk factors like Glycated hemoglobin, duration of diabetes, fasting blood sugar, personal habits and oral hygiene habits showed a positive correlation with periodontal destruction, whereas mode of anti-diabetic therapy showed a negative correlation according to the multiple regression analysis. The odds ratio of a diabetic showing periodontal destruction in comparison with a non-diabetic was 1.97, 2.10 and 2.42 in well, moderately and poorly controlled diabetics, respectively. Conclusion: Our study has made an attempt to determine the association between type 2 DM (NIDDM) and periodontal disease in Bangalore city. It was found that type 2 DM (non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM]) subjects manifested relatively higher prevalence and severity of periodontal disease as compared with non-diabetics.
The Determinants of Customer Perceptions in a Dynamic Business Environment: An Exploratory Analysis of the ASP Business Model

i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii TABLE OF CONTENTS iv LIST OF TABLES xii LIST OF FIGURES xvi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 BACKGROUND OF CUSTOMER PERCEPTION STUDY 1 1.2 ASP OUTSOURCING MARKET 6 1.3 RESEARCH GAP 8 1.4 THEORETIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH QUESTIONS 12 1.4. 1 Business Position Context 13 1.4. 2 Service Quality Context 13 1.5 RESEARCH METHOD 14 1.6 RESEARCH IMPLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS 16 1.7 RESEARCH SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS 17 1.8 THESIS OUTLINE 17 1.9 CHAPTER SUMMARY 20 CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL REVIEW: PERCEPTION OF SATISFACTION AND SERVICE QUALITY 21 2.1 CUSTOMER PERCEPTION OF SATISFACTION 21 2.1.1 A Definitive Framework for Consumer Satisfaction 22 2.1.2 Conceptualizations for Evaluating Satisfaction Level 23 2.2 CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND SERVICE QUALITY 24 2.2.1 The Characteristics of Service Quality 25 2.2.2 Service Quality Satisfaction Theories 27
Computed tomography findings of pneumatosis and portomesenteric venous gas in acute bowel ischemia.

AIM To use more representative sample size to evaluate whether computed tomography (CT) scan evidence of the concomitant presence of pneumatosis and portomesenteric venous gas is a predictor of transmural bowel necrosis. METHODS Data from 208 patients who were referred for a diagnosis of bowel ischemia were retrospectively reviewed. Only patients who underwent a surgical intervention following a diagnosis of bowel ischemia who also had a post-operative histological confirmation of such a diagnosis were included. Patients were split into two groups according to the presence of histological evidence of transmural bowel ischemia (case group) or partial bowel ischemia (control group). CT images were reviewed for findings of ischemia, including mural thickening, pneumatosis, bowel distension, portomesenteric venous gas and arterial or venous thrombi. RESULTS A total of 248 subjects who underwent surgery for bowel ischemia were identified. Among the 208 subjects enrolled in our study, transmural bowel necrosis was identified in 121 subjects (case group), and partial bowel necrosis was identified in 87 subjects (control group). Based on CT findings, including mural thickening, bowel distension, pneumatosis, pneumatosis plus portomesenteric venous gas and presence of thrombi or emboli, there were no significant differences between the case and control groups. The concomitant presence of pneumatosis and porto-mesenteric venous gas showed an odds ratio of 1.95 (95%CI: 0.491-7.775, P = 0.342) for the presence of transmural necrosis. The presence of pneumatosis plus porto-mesenteric venous gas exhibited good specificity (83%) but low sensitivity (17%) in the identification of transmural bowel infarction. Accordingly, the positive and negative predictive values were 60% and 17%, respectively. CONCLUSION Although pneumatosis plus porto-mesenteric venous gas is associated with bowel ischemia, we have demonstrated that their co-occurrence cannot be used as diagnostic signs of transmural necrosis.
Effect of Inactivation of the HtrA-Like Serine Protease DegQ on the Virulence of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium in Mice

ABSTRACT DegQ is a serine protease that is highly homologous to HtrA, an important virulence determinant of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. We examined if DegQ is involved in serovar Typhimurium pathogenesis. A serovar Typhimurium degQ mutant was as virulent as the wild-type strain in mice. However, a serovar Typhimurium htrA degQ mutant survived less well in murine organs, particularly in the liver, than a serovar Typhimurium htrA mutant. DegQ is not essential for serovar Typhimurium pathogenesis but may play a small role during salmonella growth at systemic sites.
Two-Dimensional Face Recognition Methods Comparing with a Riemannian Analysis of Iso-Geodesic Curves

In this paper, the authors performed a comparative study of two-dimensional face recognition methods. This study was based on existing methods PCA, LDA, 2DPCA, 2DLDA, SVM. and 2D face surface analysis using a Riemannian geometry. The last system uses the representation of the image at gray level as a 2D surface in a 3D space where the third coordinate represent the intensity values of the pixels. The authors' approach is to represent the human face as a collection of closed curves, called facial curves, and apply tools from the analysis of the shape of curves using the Riemannian geometry. Their application has been tested on two well-known databases of face images ORL and YaleB. ORL data base was used to evaluate the performance of their method when the pose and sample size are varied, and the database YaleB was used to examine the performance of the system when the facial expressions and lighting are varied.