Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EP4 agonist alleviates indomethacin-induced gastric lesions and promotes chronic gastric ulcer healing.

AIM To investigate EP4-selective agonist effect on indomethacin-induced gastric lesions and on the spontaneous healing of chronic gastric ulcers. METHODS In a mouse model of gastric bleeding with high dose of indomethacin (20 mg/kg), an EP4-selective agonist was administered orally. Stomach lesions and gastric mucous regeneration were monitored. In a mouse model of chronic gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid, EP4 agonist effect on the healing of chronic gastric ulcer was evaluated in the presence or absence of low dose indomethacin (3 mg/kg). In cultured human gastric mucous cells, EP4 agonist effect on indomethacin-induced apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS The EP4-selective agonist reduced high dose indomethacin-induced acute hemorrhagic damage and promoted mucous epithelial regeneration. Low-dose indomethacin aggravated ulcer bleeding and inflammation, and delayed the healing of the established chronic gastric ulcer. The EP4 agonist, when applied locally, not only offset indomethacin-induced gastric bleeding and inflammation, but also accelerated ulcer healing. In the absence of indomethacin, the EP4 agonist even accelerated chronic gastric ulcer healing and suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration in the granulation tissue. In vitro, the EP4 agonist protected human gastric mucous cells from indomethacin-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSION EP4-selective agonist may prevent indomethacin-induced gastric lesions and promote healing of existing and indomethacin-aggravated gastric ulcers, via promoting proliferation and survival of mucous epithelial cells.
Renal diseases in the elderly underwent to percutaneous biopsy of native kidneys.

INTRODUCTION The elderly population is growing and aging in better clinical conditions than in the past. However, the distribution and course of kidney diseases in elderly patients are not well known partially due to reluctance to indicate renal biopsies in those patients. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the distribution, clinical features, and outcomes of nephropathies diagnosed by biopsy in the elderly. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-one patients (47 males, 24 females) aged 60 years or older (67.3 ± 6.5 years), undergoing biopsy from January 1990 to December 2006, were evaluated. They were grouped according to their clinical syndromes. RESULTS Nephrotic syndrome was observed in 35 patients (49.3%), mainly associated with membranous nephropathy (17 patients), followed by amyloidosis and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (seven patients each). Acute kidney injury (AKI) was diagnosed in 19 patients, and the main histopathological diagnoses were acute tubular necrosis (six patients) and cast nephropathy (three patients). Of those 19 patients, only two had a favorable course, while the others died early or progressed toward advanced chronic kidney disease. Twelve patients undergoing biopsy because of asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria had different diagnoses, but most of them already had significant chronic nephropathy. In five patients with nephritic syndrome, the biopsies also showed several diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Nephrotic syndrome was the major indication for renal biopsy, and membranous nephropathy was the most frequent diagnosis. Among patients with AKI and asymptomatic hematuria or proteinuria, different diagnoses were found with high levels of advanced chronic nephropathy.
The pathogenesis of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHS): a possible role for ovarian renin

Two patients with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome are described. Increased plasma concentrations of immunoradlometrically determined total renin are shown, together with greatly increased plasma levels of active renin and aldosterone. These very high values for total renin, renin activity and aldosterone were not suppressed when extracellular compartments were greatly expanded; the values subsequently declined to normal levels, despite the use of diuretics. This suggested that the renin was of non‐renal origin since its production was apparently unaffected by influences which control juxtaglomerular secretion. The high concentrations of the rennin—angiotensin—aldosterone system suggest that it contributes to the genesis of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
A Study on the Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction amongst Employees of Fast Food Restaurants

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting job satisfaction at fast food restaurants. In this study the population targeted employees of fast food restaurants. The restaurants include Alor Setar and Penang’s KFC, McDonalds, and MYFC. The data was collected and administered by means of a structured questionnaire based on the Minnesota job satisfaction questionnaire (MSQ). The study showed that organizational factors such as work conditions, pay, fairness,and promotion significantly influenced employee job satisfaction in fast food restaurants. However, individual factors such as age and gender did not significantly influence employee job satisfaction in fast food restaurants.The research provided a better understanding regarding the factors affecting job satisfaction in fast food restaurants. Thus, it emphasizes that there is still a need to conduct additional research to filling the gaps that have not been solved in the current study. In the final chapter, some recommendations were provided for future use to any researcher in this academic field.
Evaluation of developmental competence, nuclear and ooplasmic maturation of calf oocytes

In this study we evaluated nuclear and ooplasmic maturation of prepuberal calf oocytes to determine a possible cause for their low developmental competency. Calf oocytes resumed meiosis and arrested at the MII stage at rates similar to that of adult animals; however, zygotes derived from calf oocytes cleaved and developed at significantly lower rates. Ooplasmic maturation was assessed during oocyte maturation and fertilization. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that a majority of calf oocytes exhibited some delay in organelle migration and redistribution following maturation. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that following IVF, a higher percentage of calf oocytes had abnormal chromatin and microtubule configurations than those of adult cattle. These anomalies were characterized by delayed formation of sperm aster and asynchronous pronuclear formation. Microfluorometry was used to characterize the Ca2+ responses of calf oocytes to the addition of agonists or after IVF. The addition of thimerosal demonstrated the presence of Ca2+ stores in calf oocytes. Injection of near threshold concentrations of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (InsP3), used to test the sensitivity of the InsP3R, released significantly less Ca2+ in calf than in cow oocytes, whereas higher concentrations of InsP3 (500 μM) released maximal [Ca2+]i in both oocytes. These results suggested that the Ca2+ content of intracellular stores was similar, but the sensitivity of the InsP3R may be different. Following insemination, calf oocytes exhibiting [Ca2+]i oscillations displayed comparable amplitude and intervals to cow oocytes; however, a significantly higher number of fertilized calf oocytes failed to show oscillations. Our findings suggest that the low developmental competence of calf oocytes can be attributed, at least in part, to incomplete or delayed ooplasmic maturation. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of Short-Term Refractive Surgery Outcomes after Wavefront-Guided versus Non-Wavefront-Guided LASIK

Purpose To evaluate and compare visual and refractive outcomes after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery for the correction of myopia or myopic astigmatism using 3 different treatment protocols. Methods We included 736 eyes of 369 patients (age 18-62 years) divided into 3 groups: 235 eyes of 118 patients (MEL80 group) undergoing LASIK using optimized aspheric ablation profiles (MEL80 excimer laser; Carl Zeiss Meditec), 248 eyes of 124 patients (Wavescan group) undergoing wavefront-guided (WFG) LASIK (STAR S4IR excimer laser + Wavescan aberrometer; Abbott Medical Optics), and 253 eyes of 127 patients (iDesign group) undergoing WFG LASIK (STAR S4IR excimer laser + iDesign system; Abbott Medical Optics). Visual and refractive outcomes were evaluated 2 months after surgery. Results A total of 91% (215/235), 95% (237/248), and 99% (251/253) of eyes achieved a postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity of 0.0 logMAR (≈20/20) in the MEL80, Wavescan, and iDesign groups, respectively. Postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was within ±0.5 D in 95% (223/235), 98% (242/248), and 100% (253/253) of eyes in these same 3 groups, respectively. Likewise, manifest cylinder was below 0.50 D in 95% (223/235), 97% (241/248), and 100% (253/253) of eyes. Significant differences in postoperative SE and cylinder were found between the MEL80 and iDesign groups (p<0.05). Conclusions All evaluated LASIK treatment protocols are predictable and effective for the correction of myopia. The treatment planned with a high resolution aberrometer obtained the best postoperative refractive outcomes.
Low-Power Loop Parallelization onto CGRA Utilizing Variable Dual VDD

Coarse Grained Reconfigurable Architectures (CGRAs) are promising platform based on its high-performance and low cost. Researchers have developed efficient compilers for mapping computeintensive applications on CGRA using modulo scheduling. In order to generate loop kernel, every stage of kernel are forced to have the same execution time which is determined by the critical PE. Hence non-critical PEs can decrease the supply voltage according to its slack time. The variable Dual-VDD CGRA incorporates this feature to reduce power consumption. Previous work mainly focuses on calculating a global optimal VDDL using overall optimization method that does not fully exploit the flexibility of architecture. In this brief, we adopt variable optimal VDDL in each stage of kernel concerning their pattern respectively instead of the fixed simulated global optimal VDDL. Experiment shows our proposed heuristic approach could reduce the power by 27.6% on average without decreasing performance. The compilation time is also acceptable. key words: loop mapping, software pipelining, Dual-VDD, low power, Graph Minor
Evaluation of a Porcine Lens and Fluorescence Assay Approach for In Vitro Ocular Toxicological Investigations

Cell biology, as monitored with the fluorescent indicator dyes Alamar Blue™ and 5-carboxy-fluorescein diacetate acetoxymethyl ester (CFDA-AM), and lens optical quality, as measured with an in vitro scanning laser system, have been used to evaluate in vitro the condition of porcine lenses after being placed in a culture medium. The measurements, beginning from week one of culture, were compared statistically. Optical quality and cellular viability, as measured with either dye, were unchanged in lenses that had been maintained for 6 weeks in modified M199 medium. Some lenses were treated with 0.152J/cm2 UVB radiation, and a decline was observed after 48 hours in both optical and metabolic capabilities, as indicated by a decreased capacity of the lenses to reduce Alamar Blue. The measurements with CFDA-AM did not show complete concordance with the other indicators of lens health after UV treatment, making this dye less reliable as applied currently to lens cultures. Overall, the findings suggest that porcine lenses can be maintained for weeks in culture, and that their condition can be evaluated quantitatively by assays that probe cellular functions and optical properties. Such a system should prove valuable for in vitro ocular pharmacotoxicological research.
“It's Not that Simple”: A Collaborative Comparison of Sea Ice Environments, Their Uses, Observed Changes, and Adaptations in Barrow, Alaska, USA, and Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada

Abstract The Arctic environment, including sea ice, is changing. The impacts of these changes to Inuit and Iñupiat ways of life vary from place to place, yet there are common themes as well. The study reported here involved an exchange of hunters, Elders, and others from Barrow, Alaska, USA, and Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada, as members of a larger research team that also included visiting scientists. Although the physical environments of Barrow and Clyde River are strikingly different, the uses of the marine environment by residents, including sea ice, had many common elements. In both locations, too, extensive changes have been observed in recent years, forcing local residents to respond in a variety of ways. Although generally in agreement or complementary to one another, scientific and indigenous knowledge of sea ice often reflect different perspectives and emphases. Making generalizations about impacts and responses is challenging and should therefore be approached with caution. Technology provides some potential assistance in adapting to changing sea ice, but by itself, it is insufficient and can sometimes have undesirable consequences. Reliable knowledge that can be applied under changing conditions is essential. Collaborative research and firsthand experience are critical to generating such new knowledge.
Impact of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction: Evidences from the Restaurant Industry in Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the literature of service quality importance in restaurant industry. The study has been based upon the Servqual technique and Dineserv tool of improving the quality by the service providing organizations. The study is undertaken from the perspective of Pakistani Restaurant Industry and the customers' perceptions vis-a-vis restaurant dining. Two variables of Servqual, i.e. Tangibles and Responsiveness, have been examined to demonstrate the significance of service quality on customer satisfaction. The results endorse the importance of enhanced complementary service standards in restaurant industry. Finally, the findings provide an insight for the Pakistani restaurant service providing establishments and suggestion have been made for the caretakers of the industry on ways to improve service quality.
A Conceptual Model of Entrepreneurship as Firm Behavior

This article outlines a conceptual model of entrepreneurship as an organizational-level phenomenon. The model is intended to depict the organizational system elements that relate to entrepreneurial behavior among larger, established firms, but may also be applicable in varying degrees to many smaller firms. Entrepreneurship is described as a dimension of strategic posture represented by a firm's risk-taking propensity, tendency to act in competitively aggressive, proactive manners, and reliance on frequent and extensive product innovation. The proposed model delineates the antecedents and consequences of an entrepreneurial posture as well as the variables that moderate the relationship between entrepreneurial posture and firm performance. The advantages of a firm-behavior perspective on entrepreneurship are discussed, as are the theoretical and managerial implications of such a perspective.
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation With the Edwards SAPIEN Versus the Medtronic CoreValve Revalving System Devices

Alaide Chieffo, MD,* Gill Louise Buchanan, MBCHB,* Nicolas M. Van Mieghem, MD,† Didier Tchetche, MD,‡ Nicolas Dumonteil, MD,§ Azeem Latib, MD,* Robert M. A. van der Boon, MSC,† Olivier Vahdat, MD,‡ Bertrand Marcheix, MD, PHD,§ Bruno Farah, MD,‡ Patrick W. Serruys, MD, PHD,† Jean Fajadet, MD,‡ Didier Carrié, MD, PHD,§ Peter P. T. de Jaegere, MD, PHD,† Antonio Colombo, MD* Milan, Italy; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; and Toulouse, France
Leveraged Buyouts, Long Term Relationship and Financial Contracting

OF THE DISSERTATION Leveraged Buyouts, Long Term Relationship and Financial Contracting by Lei Gao Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration Washington University in St. Louis, 2010 Professor Ohad Kadan, and Professor David K. Levine, Chairperson(s) Abstract: In the first chapter of my dissertation, I study private equity sponsored leveraged buyouts. In this study, I identify and estimate two components of the created value: benefits of debt and influence of private equity. In the second chapter of my dissertation, I study repeated games with private monitoring in continuous time. I apply stochastic filtering theory to characterize the evolution of players’ beliefs, which is difficult to do in discrete time. In the third chapter of my dissertation, I study the connection between financial contracting and staged financing in venture capital. In the first chapter of my dissertation, I study private equity sponsored leveraged buyouts. In this study, I identify and estimate two components of the created value: benefits of debt and influence of private equity. In the second chapter of my dissertation, I study repeated games with private monitoring in continuous time. I apply stochastic filtering theory to characterize the evolution of players’ beliefs, which is difficult to do in discrete time. In the third chapter of my dissertation, I study the connection between financial contracting and staged financing in venture capital.
The Rapid Biophysical Profile for Assessment of Fetal Well‐being

Objective: To determine the efficacy of the rapid biophysical profile (BPP), the combination of amniotic fluid index (AFI) and sound‐provoked fetal movement (SPFM) detected by ultrasound, in predicting intrapartum fetal distress in high‐risk pregnancies, compared with the nonstress test (NST).
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Using the Original Periosteum-Cover Technique versus Matrix-Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

Background Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is frequently used to treat symptomatic defects of the articular cartilage. Purpose To test whether matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation or the original periosteal flap technique provides superior outcomes in terms of clinical efficacy and safety. Study Design Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods Twenty-one patients (mean age, 29.3 ± 9.1 years) with symptomatic isolated full-thickness cartilage defects (mean 4.1 ± 09 cm2) at the femoral condyle were randomized to matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation or the original periosteal flap technique. The primary outcome parameter was the postoperative change in knee function as assessed by the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score at 12 months after ACI. In addition, the IKDC score was assessed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Secondary outcome parameters were postoperative changes in health related quality of life (Short Form-36 Health Survey), knee functionality (Lysholm and Gillquist score), and physical activity (Tegner Activity Score) at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after ACI. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to evaluate the cartilage 6, 12, and 24 months after ACI and rated using the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue score. Adverse events were recorded to assess safety. Results The primary outcome parameter showed improvement of patients 1 year after autologous chondrocyte implantation, but there was no difference between the periosteal flap technique and matrix-associated ACI (P = .5573); 2 years after ACI, a similar result was found (P = .4994). The study groups did not show differences in the Short Form-36 categories and in knee functionality as assessed by Tegner Activity Score 12 months (P = .4063) and 24 months (P = .1043) after ACI. There was a significant difference in the Lysholm and Gillquist score at 12 months (P = .0449) and 24 months (P = .0487) favoring the periosteal flap technique group. At 6 months after surgery, a significantly lower Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair score was obtained in the matrix-associated ACI group (P = .0123), corresponding to more normal magnetic resonance imaging diagnostic findings. Twelve and 24 months after ACI, the differences between the 2 groups were not significant (12 months, P = .2065; 24 months, P = .6926). Adverse events were related to knee problems such as transplant delamination, development of an osseous spur, osteochondral dissection, and transplant hypertrophy. Systemic (allergic, toxic, or autoimmune) reactions did not occur. Conclusion There was no difference in the efficacy between the original and the advanced ACI technique 12 and 24 months after surgery regarding International Knee Documentation Committee, Tegner Activity Score, and Short Form-36; however, with respect to the Lysholm and Gillquist score, better efficacy was observed in the periosteal flap technique group.
The Role of Dynamic Capabilities in Outsourcing Sales and Marketing Functions: A Resource-Advantage Perspective in the Context of Consumer Packaged Goods

13 CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION . 15 Purpose of the Study . 17 Contributions of the Study . 18 CHAPTER 2 – LITERATURE REVIEW . 20 Outsourcing Defined . 20 Major Theories of Outsourcing . 21 Transaction Cost Theory . 21 Resource-Based View . 24 Resource-Based Theories for Differential Performance . 26 The Role of Dynamic Capabilities in the Relationship between Potential . 31 Complementarities and Performance . 31 CHAPTER 3 – MODEL DEVELOPMENT AND HYPOTHESES . 37 Conceptual Model and Propositions . 37 Empirical Model and Hypotheses . 43 CHAPTER 4 – RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY . 45 Field Interviews . 45 Operationalization of the Constructs . 47 Task-Related Resources . 48 Structural Social Capital . 49 Potential Complementarities . 51 Learning Dynamic Capabilities . 52 Outsourcing Partnership Performance . 54 Sampling Plan and Data Collection . 54 Sampling Plan . 54 Data Collection . 55 Method of Analysis . 57 CHAPTER 5 – DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS . 59 Respondents` Profile . 59 Response Bias . 61 Measurement Model . 61 Common Method Bias . 64 Structural Model . 66 11 Findings. 68 CHAPTER 6 – DISCUSSION . 72 TABLES . 79 TABLE 1: INITIAL SCALE FOR TASK-RELATED RESOURCES . 79 TABLE 2: FINAL SCALE FOR TASK-RELATED RESOURCES . 80 TABLE 3: INITIAL SCALE FOR STRUCTURAL SOCIAL CAPITAL . 81 TABLE 4: FINAL SCALE FOR STRUCTURAL SOCIAL CAPITAL . 82 TABLE 5: FINAL SCALE FOR POTENTIAL COMPLEMENTARITIES . 83 TABLE 6: FINAL SCALE FOR LEARNING DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES . 84 TABLE 7: INITIAL SCALE FOR OUTSOURCING PARTNERSHIP PERFORMANCE . 85 TABLE 8: FINAL SCALE FOR OUTSOURCING PARTNERSHIP PERFORMANCE . 86 TABLE 9: SMA ANNUAL SALES REVENUE . 87 TABLE 10: SMA COMPANY SIZE . 88 TABLE 11: CPG COMPANY SIZE . 89 TABLE 12: CPG ANNUAL SALES REVENUE . 90 TABLE 13: YEARS OF WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SMA AND CPG . 91 TABLE 14: DEPENDENCY CHARACTERISTICS OF HQ SELLING . 92 TABLE 15: FIRST MEASUREMENT MODELOVERVIEW . 93 TABLE 16: FIRST MEASUREMENT MODELITEM LOADINGS . 94 TABLE 17: FIRST MEASUREMENT MODELCONSTRUCT CORRELATIONS AND SQUARE ROOT AVES. 95 TABLE 18: FIRST MEASUREMENT MODELCROSS LOADINGS . 96 TABLE 19: FIRST MEASUREMENT MODELT-STATISTICS FOR ITEM LOADINGS . 97 TABLE 20: SECOND MEASUREMENT MODELOVERVIEW . 98 TABLE 21: SECOND MEASUREMENT MODELITEM LOADINGS . 99 TABLE 22: SECOND MEASUREMENT MODELCONSTRUCT CORRELATIONS AND SQUARE ROOT AVES . 100 TABLE 23: SECOND MEASUREMENT MODELCROSS LOADINGS . 101 TABLE 24: SECOND MEASUREMENT MODELT-STATISTICS FOR ITEM LOADINGS . 102 TABLE 25: COMMON METHOD BIASSIGNIFICANCE OF ITEM LOADINGS (BOOTSTRAP OUTPUT) . 103