Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forefoot deformity, pain, and mobility in rheumatoid and nonarthritic subjects.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate how painful metatarsal arthritis affects foot and ankle mechanics and mobility. METHODS We studied 16 symptomatic forefeet in 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compared them with 14 asymptomatic forefeet in 7 nonarthritic subjects. RA limbs with significant disease at other locations were excluded. We measured pain and deformity of the foot using a visual analog scale and a modified articular index. A video based 3 dimensional gait analysis system and force platform were used to collect data on subjects walking barefoot at a self-selected pace according to an established protocol. Mobility level was quantified using the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) ambulation subscale. RESULTS We observed considerable pain and deformity of the forefeet of RA subjects. During gait, motion and force measures revealed that RA subjects significantly (p < 0.005) delayed and reduced forefoot loading, which minimized use of the foot as a rigid level for push off. As a result, stride lengths were shorter and gait was slower compared to nonarthritic subjects. SIP scores revealed that these changes in gait resulted in moderate disability in RA subjects (p=0.05). CONCLUSION Impairments of the forefoot due to RA include pain and deformity, which produce characteristic stance phase abnormalities in foot function, a slow walking speed, and moderate disability.
Farm Level Assessment of Irrigation Performance for Dairy Pastures in the Goulburn-Murray District of Australia by Combining Satellite-Based Measures with Weather and Water Delivery Information

Pasture performance of 924 dairy farms in a major irrigation district of Australia was investigated for their water use and water productivity during the 2015-2016 summer which was the peak irrigation period. Using satellite images from Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2, estimates of crop coefficient (Kc) were determined on the basis of a strong linear relationship between crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and vegetation index (NDVI) of pasture in the region. Utilizing estimates of Kc and crop water requirement (CWR), NDVI-dependent estimates of Irrigation Water Requirement (IWR) were derived based on the soil water balance model. In combination with daily weather information and seasonal irrigation water supply records, IWR was the key component in the understanding of current irrigation status at farm level, and deriving two irrigation performance indicators: (1) Relative Irrigation Water Use (RIWU) and (2) Total Irrigation Water Productivity (TIWP). A slightly higher proportion of farm irrigators were found to be either matching the irrigation requirement or under-watering (RIWU ≤ 1.0). According to TIWP, a few dairy farms (3%) were found to be in the category of high yield potential with excess water use, and very few (1%) in the category of limited water supply to pastures of high yield potential. A relatively high number of farms were found to be in the category where excess water was supplied to pastures of low-medium yield potential (27%), and farms where water supply compromised pastures with a sub-maximal vegetation status (15%). The results of this study will assist in objectively identifying where significant improvement in efficient irrigation water use can be achieved.
Integrating market and bilateral power trading in the South African Power

High levels of inflexible bilateral trade in southern Africa have limited the participation in the competitive short-term markets, leading to inefficient use of energy infrastructure and blocking the South African Power Pool's long-term goal of transitioning from a cooperative to competitive market. Under the current supply and investment climate, governments and market participants are unlikely to forego their preference for long-term contracts owing to concerns about security of supply and risk mitigation. In this paper, we demonstrate that the current method for integrating bilateral and market trading introduces inefficiencies in the use of generation and transmission infrastructure, reduces total trade, and increases system costs. We propose and test an alternative method based on contracts for differences and implicit auctions to ensure the same level of security of supply for contract holders while minimising market distortions.
Relationship between Financial Characteristics of Companies in Cement Industry and Their Stock Returns in Tehran Stock Exchange

The aim of investors for investment is gaining returns. To this end and for maximizing the return, investors seek for identifying factors effective on return so that they can use them for predicting their investment's return. In the current work, relationship between financial characteristics of the companies and stock return in Tehran Stock Exchange in 2004-2011 is investigated. Financial characteristics include firm size, return on equity (ROE), return on assets (ROA), price-earnings ratio , book – market equity ratio, profit margin, profitability and financial leverage. Panel data method was used for data analysis and the results showed that the variables of firm size, book- market equity ratio, return on assets, and return on equity are significantly related to stock returns, but no relationship was observed between margin profit, financial leverage, and priceearnings ratio with stock returns.
The assembly of the major outer membrane protein OmpF of Escherichia coli depends on lipid synthesis.

Cerulenin, a drug which specifically blocks lipid synthesis, prevented both the trimerization of OmpF monomers and their assembly into the outer membrane of Escherichia coli B cells. A monoclonal antibody directed against a surface‐exposed epitope of the trimer was used to probe the assembly of OmpF in the presence or absence of the drug. An inhibition level of 80% was reached 16 min after the addition of cerulenin. The accumulated monomeric form could not be assembled even after lipid synthesis was restored. Instead, it was slowly degraded. It was further shown that the inhibition of assembly resulted in a rapid inhibition of OmpF synthesis. These data demonstrate that there is a direct relationship between the synthesis of lipid (most likely lipopolysaccharide) and the correct export of OmpF. This coupling is required to promote the trimerization of the porin monomer and its assembly into the outer membrane.
Financial Performance Impacts of Corporate Entrepreneurship

This paper examine about the effect of four sub-dimensions of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) on firms’ financial performance in Indonesia. The four sub-dimensions are innovativeness, risk-taking, pro-activeness, and competitive aggressiveness. This study will use primary data by the way spread some questioner in the company. To test the financial performance effects of CE, the scale for the dimensions of CE and financial performance have been adopted from the existing literature. A series of reliability and validity tests are conducted for the measurement of the scales. Validity and reliability test and multiple regression analysis have been conducted to test the hypotheses. The results of this research will provide guidelines to help investors, managers, and also academicians to comprehend the importance of CE well on the way to create financially successful firm performance and sustain it in markets. Keywords: Financial Performance, Corporate Entrepreneurship
International Values of Central Pachymetry in Normal Subjects by Rotating Scheimpflug Camera

PurposeIn corneal refractive surgery, postoperative ectasia risk assessment routinely includes pachymetric analysis at the apex and thinnest point. We examined whether these data differ worldwide and constructed preliminary country-specific normative thresholds. DesignThis was a multicenter, cross-sectional study. MethodsUsing the Pentacam Eye Scanner (OCULUS GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), we examined 1 randomly selected eye from each of 555 normal adults (8 countries, 6 continents), measuring the thinnest point location, central pachymetry (thinnest point, pupillary center, and apex), and the apex-thinnest point difference. International differences were assessed by 1-way analysis of variance. Normative thresholds were defined by 2- and 3-SD gates or Tukey method. ResultsThe thinnest point averaged 0.44 mm temporal and 0.29 mm inferior to the apex. Individual thinnest points located more than 1.0 mm inferior represented fewer than 0.5% of normal corneas (>0.76 mm in the US subgroup). The mean thinnest-point pachymetry was 536 &mgr;m overall, and values less than 469 or 435 &mgr;m (−2 or −3 SD, respectively) would be expected in less than 2.5% or 0.15% of normal corneas, respectively. The thinnest-point pachymetry averaged 2 to 3 &mgr;m thinner than apical (range, 0–32 &mgr;m). Differences of greater than 8.5 &mgr;m would be expected in less than 0.5% of normal corneas overall. ConclusionsInternational differences were largely clinically insignificant. Nevertheless, it remains preferable to establish racial/geographic-specific normative values. We defined preliminary generalized and country-specific thresholds useful to the corneal refractive surgeon for identifying potentially abnormal corneas based on common pachymetric parameters, particularly the thinnest point by tomography.
Direct interpretation of near‐field optical images

The interpretation of the detection process in near‐field optical microscopy is reviewed on the basis of a discussion about the possibility of establishing direct comparisons between experimental images and the solutions of Maxwell equations or the electromagnetic local density of states. On the basis of simple physical arguments, it is expected that the solutions of Maxwell equations should agree with images obtained by collecting mode near‐field microscopes, while the electromagnetic local density of states should be considered to provide a practical interpretation of illumination mode near‐field microscopes.
Flight to Gold: Extreme Weather Events and Stock Returns

Using an event study approach at the stock level, we examine the effect of North Atlantic hurricanes on U.S. stock returns over the period January 1990 to December 2014. We document a substantial economic impact of hurricanes on the aggregate market: an accumulated loss of 0.522% (6.264% annualized) to 30 days post-landfall. For Industry Portfolios encompassing the entire U.S. stock market, we document several patterns. Many manufacturing-based and consumer-focused Industry Portfolios exhibit consistently negative abnormal returns over the event window from formation of the hurricane to 30 days post-landfall. Although the market tends to incorporate the foreseen loss related to the hurricane before landfall, there is no recovery post-landfall and the losses continue to accumulate. One industry in particular reacts differently, namely Gold. Gold-related stocks experience substantial positive abnormal returns during these extreme weather events, which suggests that this commodity acts as an endogenous safe asset during the market disruption caused by such meteorological phenomenon. We also show that degradation in liquidity of Gold stocks' is of the same magnitude as other industries which fairly rule out a flight to liquidity.
MAX‐DOAS O4 measurements: A new technique to derive information on atmospheric aerosols—Principles and information content

[1] Multi AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) observations of the oxygen dimer O4 which can serve as a new method for the determination of atmospheric aerosol properties are presented. Like established methods, e.g., Sun radiometer and LIDAR measurements, MAX-DOAS O4 observations determine optical properties of aerosol under atmospheric conditions (not dried). However, the novel technique has two major advantages: It utilizes differential O4 absorption structures and thus does not require absolute radiometric calibration. In addition, O4 observations using this method provide a new kind of information: since the atmospheric O4 profile depends strongly on altitude, they can yield information on the atmospheric light path distribution and in particular on the atmospheric aerosol profile. From O4 observations during clear days and from atmospheric radiative transfer modeling, we conclude that our new method is especially sensitive to the aerosol extinction close to the ground. In addition, O4 observations using this method yield information on the penetration depth of the incident direct solar radiation. O4 observations at different azimuth angles can also provide information on the aerosol scattering phase function. We found that MAX-DOAS O4 observations are a very sensitive method: even aerosol extinction below 0.001 could be detected. In addition to the O4 absorptions we also investigated the magnitude of the Ring effect and the (relative) intensity. Both quantities yield valuable further information on atmospheric aerosols. From the simultaneous analysis of the observed O4 absorption and the measured intensity, in particular, information on the absorbing properties of the aerosols might be derived. The aerosol information derived from MAX-DOAS observations can be used for the quantitative analysis of various trace gases also analyzed from the measured spectra.
Risk factors for moderate-to-severe chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Among 810 consecutive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients, 679 survived more than 3 months and were evaluated for chronic GVHD. The aim of this study was to find predisposing factors increasing the risk of development of moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD. Many of the donors were HLA-identical siblings or related (n = 435), 185 were HLA-matched unrelated, and 59 were mismatched related or unrelated donors. Most of the patients had a hematological malignancy (n = 568), but 111 patients with a nonmalignant disease were included. Two hundred twenty-three patients (33%) developed mild, 41 (6%) moderate, and 15 (2.2%) severe chronic GVHD. The 5-year probability of development of moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD was 10%. We analyzed 30 potential risk factors for chronic GVHD. In the multivariate analysis, acute GVHD) grades II to IV (relative hazard [RH], 2.30; 95% CI, 1.29-4.10; P = .005), CML diagnosis (RH, 2.37; CI, 1.38-4.08; P = .002) and transplantation from an immunized female donor to a male recipient (RH, 2.16; CI, 1.14-4.11; P = .02) were independent risk factors for moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD. Recipient age also was significant (RH, 2.42; CI, 1.23-4.77; P = .01) if CML was not included in the analysis. In patients with no risk factors, the 5-year probability of development of moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD was 5%. In patients with 1 risk factor, the probability was 13%; 2 risk factors, 23%; and 3 risk factors, 45%. Among patients who developed chronic GVHD (n = 279), acute GVHD grades II to IV (RH, 2.18; CI, 1.23-3.86; P < .01) was the only predictive factor for moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD versus mild disease. Patients with previous acute GVHD grades II to IV may benefit from more aggressive initial treatment. This possibility would have to be examined in clinical trials.
Investigating board of directors’ perceptions on corporate governance practice in cooperatives

This study investigated 56 Board of Directors of the Malaysian budget hotel and accommodation cooperatives perceptions on corporate governance practice.They were asked to provide their perceptions regarding nine aspects of cooperatives governance – principles and values, responsibilities and accountability, appointment, management, communication, assessment, information, remuneration and also auditing and control.They were approached through questionnaire survey and were asked to return the questionnaire within three weeks using a stamped - envelope provided. The findings indicated that majority of the Board have positive perceptions regarding the corporate governance practice.This eventually contributes to the management of cooperatives to sustain the economy and community wealth particularly within the tourism and hospitality industry in Malaysia .
Embryonic catalase protects against endogenous and phenytoin‐enhanced DNA oxidation and embryopathies in acatalasemic and human catalase‐expressing mice

Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is detoxified by catalase, are implicated in fetal death and birth defects. However, embryonic levels of catalase are only ~5% of adult activity, and its protective role is not understood completely. Herein, we used mutant catalasedeficient mice [acatalasemic (aCat)] and transgenic mice expressing human catalase (hCat), which, respectively, exhibited 40‐50% reductions and 2‐fold elevations in the activities of embryonic and fetal brain catalase, to show that embryonic catalase protects the embryo from both physiological oxidative stress and the ROS‐initiating anti‐epileptic drug phenytoin. Compared to wild‐type (WT) catalase‐normal controls, both untreated and phenytoinexposed aCat mice exhibited a 30% increase in embryonic DNA oxidation and a >2‐fold increase in embryopathies, both of which were completely blocked by protein therapy with exogenous catalase. Conversely, compared to WT controls, untreated and, to a lesser extent, phenytoinexposed hCat mice were protected, with untreated hCat embryos exhibiting a 40% decrease in embryonic DNA oxidation and up to a 67% decrease in embryopathies. Embryonic catalase accordingly plays an important protective role, and both physiological and phenytoin‐enhanced oxidative stress can be embryopathic. —Abramov, J. P., Wells, P. G. Embryonic catalase protects against endogenous and phenytoin‐enhanced DNA oxidation and embryopathies in acatalasemic and human catalase‐expressing mice. FASEB J. 25, 2188‐2200 (2011). www.fasebj. org
Single dose regime of mebendazole in the treatment of polyparasitism in children.

A study using 200 mg of mebendazole in a single dose regimen in the treatment of 52 children who had ascaris as common infection was undertaken. The age range of the children was 2-10 years. A single dose of 200 mg mebendazole was administered orally any time of the day and usually on the spot during attendance at the clinic. Stools were examined every 10th day for 1 month. The number of worms passed side effects and acceptability by the children were recorded. In the case of ascaris infection the cure rate was 100% during the follow-up period of 1 month. In trichuris the stool was negative in 12 out of 14 cases (85.71%) on the 10th day and 13 out of 14 cases on the 20th and 30th days (92.85%). No further treatment was given after the 1st treatment. The average time required for the expulsion of the ascaris with feces was 3.50 days. No clinical side effects were observed. Study results support the observation that mebendazole in 200 mg dose is highly effective against ascaris and trichuris. In this series there was only 1 case of hookworm which became negative after 1 dose. The results support the hypothesis that subsequent drug administration is superfluous and unnecessary as the drug blocks the nutrient uptake mechanism of the parasite with the 1st dose. In this series all the stools remained negative from the 10th-30th day after treatment except in 1 case of trichuris.
Fibronectin‐adherent monocytes express tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor whereas endotoxin‐stimulated monocytes primarily express tissue factor: physiologic and pathologic implications

Background: Monocytes are critical cells in initiating physiologic and/or pathologic tissue factor (TF)‐induced intravascular and extravascular coagulation. Monocytes constitutively express small amounts of TF and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI). Non‐adherent lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated monocytes express significant amounts of TF; however, increased expression of TFPI by these cells is controversial. Further, whether fibronectin‐adherent monocytes (mimicking conditions in the extravascular space) express sufficient TFPI to inhibit TF‐procoagulant activity (PCA) is unknown.Objective: To compare TF and TFPI expression by fibronectin‐adherent and LPS‐stimulated non‐adherent monocytes.Methods: Monocytes were isolated from normal peripheral blood, adhered to fibronectin or stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) under non‐adherent conditions and examined for expression of TF and TFPI using quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), ELISA and factor X (FX) activation.Results: Under LPS‐free conditions, the fibronectin‐adherent monocyte TF mRNA, antigen and activity were markedly upregulated. Notably, cell and microparticle (MP)‐associated TF and alternatively spliced TF (asTF) were all upregulated. TFPI mRNA and antigen were also upregulated in the fibronectin‐adherent monocytes, which significantly inhibited TF‐PCA. TFPI mRNAs for both alpha and beta forms were detected. The peak in TFPI activity occurred in tandem with the peak in TF‐PCA. In contrast, LPS‐stimulated monocytes, which expressed cell and MP‐associated TF and asTF, demonstrated only minimal expression of TFPI as determined by mRNA, antigen or inhibition of TF activity.Conclusion: Both LPS‐stimulated and fibronectin‐adherent monocytes demonstrate a procoagulant phenotype by expressing TF but only fibronectin‐adherent monocytes express significant amounts of TFPI to control thrombin generation and fibrin formation in the context of extravascular space.
Expression and localisation of dynamin and syntaxin during neural development and neuromuscular synapse formation

The expression and subcellular localisation of dynamin and syntaxin were examined during the periods of motor neuron development and neuromuscular synaptogenesis in the mouse embryo. Both dynamin and syntaxin could be detected by immunoblotting in the spinal cord at embryonic day 10 (E10; 2 days before axon outgrowth) and at all subsequent ages examined. Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) identified low levels of all three carboxy‐terminal splicing forms of dynamin I in spinal cord from as early as E10. During the period of maturation of spinal neurons, from E10 to the first postnatal day (P0), the short carboxy‐terminal splicing form of dynamin I (dynamin I*b) was up‐regulated, as was dynamin III, relative to dynamin II mRNA. Syntaxin immunostaining became colocalized with the synaptic vesicle protein, SV2, at neuromuscular synapses within 12 hours of the commencement of synapse formation and throughout subsequent development. In contrast, dynamin, which is important for activity‐dependent synaptic vesicle recycling and, thus, sustained neurotransmission, could not be detected at most newly formed synapses until several days after synapse formation. The delayed appearance of dynamin at the synapse, thus, heralds the neonatal development of robust synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction. J. Comp. Neurol. 410:531–540, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.