Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endocrine‐disrupting chemicals and obesity development in humans: A review

This study reviewed the literature on the relations between exposure to chemicals with endocrine‐disrupting abilities and obesity in humans. The studies generally indicated that exposure to some of the endocrine‐disrupting chemicals was associated with an increase in body size in humans. The results depended on the type of chemical, exposure level, timing of exposure and gender. Nearly all the studies investigating dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) found that exposure was associated with an increase in body size, whereas the results of the studies investigating polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure were depending on dose, timing and gender. Hexachlorobenzene, polybrominated biphenyls, beta‐hexachlorocyclohexane, oxychlordane and phthalates were likewise generally associated with an increase in body size. Studies investigating polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans found either associations with weight gain or an increase in waist circumference, or no association. The one study investigating relations with bisphenol A found no association. Studies investigating prenatal exposure indicated that exposure in utero may cause permanent physiological changes predisposing to later weight gain. The study findings suggest that some endocrine disruptors may play a role for the development of the obesity epidemic, in addition to the more commonly perceived putative contributors.
Financial and Non-financial Information Transfer and Communication within Small and Medium Enterprises

This participant-observation study explores the process of gathering and evaluating both financial and non-financial information and communication and transfer of that information within a medium-sized electrical service company in Christchurch, New Zealand. The previous literature has established the importance and the main characteristics of small and medium enterprises, mainly studying manufacturing companies. However, there has been little research done in New Zealand on the overall communication process and the financial and non-financial information usage in a small-medium enterprise. The Electrical Company has a flat structure which allows flexibility. The two owners understand the importance of financial management and use financial information extensively to ensure the business expenses are under control. The owners also gather and use non-financial information through talking to their accountant, their customers and people in the same industry and they keenly follow the news on the rebuilding of Christchurch after the recent earthquakes.
A long-term follow-up of forefoot arthroplasty.

1. Thirty-eight patients with sixty-two forefoot arthroplasties have been followed up from two to thirteen years after the operation. Eleven were free of pain, thirty-eight had some pain but were improved, and the rest were worse. 2. Patients over the age of fifty or with rheumatoid arthritis did best. 3. Kirschner wire fixation of the great toe often caused late painful stiffness of the metatarsophalangeal joint. 4. Previous interphalangeal fusion of a lesser toe was often the cause of metatarso-phalangeal dislocation of that toe and callous formation. 5. Arthrodesis of the metatarso-phalangeal joint of the great toe gave a high proportion of painless feet, apparently because it prevented both painful stiffness at that joint and dislocation of the same joint of the lesser toes.
Managing Knowledge in Professional Service Organizations Technical Consultants Serving the Construction Industry

Professional service organizations refine, package and sell knowledge. The aim of the present investigation is to create an understanding of how technical consultancy firms serving the construction industry manage knowledge. Sub-processes of knowledge transfer: acquisition, distribution, making meaning, organizational memory and retrieval are integrated in business service processes of such firms. Six enablers for learning and knowledge transfer were identified: organizational structure, communication and the monitoring of strategy, process, culture, systems for training and learning, and technology. Four Swedish construction consultancy groups with between 800 and 2,300 employees each were selected. Within each of these, one or more departments were surveyed in 1997-98 and again in 2000 using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Results were obtained in part by factor analysis of responses. Respondents consider market knowledge and project knowledge to be crucial, the former being stored mostly in the heads of people and the latter in several ways. While managers confirmed the existence of strategies for knowledge management, these remained largely unknown to employees, and no particular manager was identified as responsible for all knowledge management efforts. There was evidence of a shared business vision, but knowledge management tended to occur on the departmental level. Socialization in daily work, talking to colleagues in the department, was the dominating method for creating and transferring knowledge. Proximity to sources and informal media were preferred by respondents. Most IT tools in use were basic and related to design tasks, whereas tools enabling virtual meetings and knowledge combination had not been implemented. Reported obstacles to knowledge transfer include lack of time, lack of rewards for sharing knowledge and shortage of funding. Strong relations on the individual level were found between communicative problem solving, high functional position in the department and choice of traditional media. Age of consultants was found to influence knowledgeR transfer. Suggested implications for managers include translating business strategy into knowledge strategy, clarifying responsibility for knowledge management, supporting stronger intraorganizational interpersonal networks and improving career paths for younger consultants.
Chinese cultural values and total quality climate

In view of the scarcity of studies on the relationship between national culture and total quality management (TQM), this paper examines the impact of Chinese cultural values on the total quality climate. Using a sample of 189 ISO 9000 certified companies in Taiwan, results from structural equation modeling indicate that Chinese cultural values do have a positive and statistically significant influence on these organizations’ quality climate. Given the results from a quantitative viewpoint, some congruencies among Chinese values and quality climate elements are suggested. Although using the case of Chinese culture, the theoretical proposition raised should gain generalizability in other national cultures towards a culturalist approach to the theorization of TQM.
The interaction domains of the DnaA and DnaB replication proteins of Escherichia coli

The initiation of chromosome replication in Escherichia coli requires the recruitment of the replicative helicase DnaB from the DnaBC complex to the unwound region within the replication origin oriC, supported by the oriC‐bound initiator protein DnaA. We defined physical contacts between DnaA and DnaB that involve residues 24–86 and 130–148 of DnaA and residues 154–210 and 1–156 of DnaB respectively. We propose that contacts between DnaA and DnaB occur via two interaction sites on each of the proteins. Interaction domain 24–86 of DnaA overlaps with its N‐terminal homo‐oligomerization domain (residues 1–86). Interaction domain 154–210 of DnaB overlaps or is contiguous with the domains known to interact with plasmid initiator proteins. Loading of the DnaBC helicase in vivo can only be performed by DnaA derivatives containing (in addition to residues 24–86 and the DNA‐binding domain 4) a structurally intact domain 3. Nucleotide binding by domain 3 is, however, not required. The parts of DnaA required for replication of pSC101 were clearly different from those used for helicase loading. Domains 1 and 4 of DnaA, but not domain 3, were found to be involved in the maintenance of plasmid pSC101.
The use of glowing wood as a source of luminescent culture of fungus mycelium

In studies of fungal bioluminescence, not only fruiting bodies and spores of the fungus, but also samples of luminescent wood, leaf litter or soil may need to be used to derive pure mycelial culture. This study describes an approach to isolating the culture of luminescent fungal mycelium from samples of light-emitting wood found on Borneo Island in November-December 2013. A GelDoc XR Imaging System (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., U.S.) was used for the first time to monitor luminescence and select luminous samples. This study shows that for successful isolation of the culture of luminescent mycelium out of the luminescent wood found in the forest, it is imperative to keep the samples moist (mycelium alive until there is water), while immediate and aseptic delivery of the samples to the laboratory is not a crucial condition (inner layers of wood is "sterile"). Investigation of the growth features of the isolated mycelium in various growing conditions revealed some peculiar properties of its luminescence in comparison with the known luminescent cultures of basidiomycetes. When grown on solid nutrient media, mycelium exhibits low growth rates, long-lasting luminescence (140 days or longer), and emergence and disappearance of local zones with high levels of light emission. Mycelium produced in submerged culture does not emit light, and this effect must be caused by the absence or a very low level of the luminescent reaction substrate in the biomass. The luminescence system isolated from mycelial biomass did not induce luminescent reaction in vitro upon the addition of NADPH (recording intensity is 60 – 100 URL/sec). We found that enzymes of the luminescence systems isolated from mycelium pellets retained their activity and catalyzed luminescent reaction when a hot extract of the luminous fungus Armillaria sp. (IBSO 2360) was added (near 1900 URL/sec). The same effect was obtained after addition of hot extracts from the fruiting bodies of nonluminous higher fungi Pholiota squarrosa, Cortinarius sp. , Hypholoma capnoides and Chroogomphus rutilus (near 3500 URL/sec). The pure culture of luminescent mycelium has been registered in the Culture Collection of IBP SB RAS as IBSO 2371; now it can be used for various in vivo and in vitro studies, including identification of the fungus.
Expression of follicular helper T cell markers in nodal peripheral T cell lymphomas: a tissue microarray analysis of 162 cases

Aims To evaluate the role of the follicular helper T (TFH) cell markers, CD10, BCL6, programmed death-1 (PD-1) and CXCL13, in the differential diagnosis of nodal peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCLs) and to determine whether PTCL subtypes other than angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) express TFH cell markers. Methods 162 nodal PTCL specimens and 53 other lymphoid pathology specimens were collected. Immunohistochemistry for CD10, BCL6, PD-1 and CXCL13 was performed on tissue microarray sections. Morphological feature analysis and double labelling assay were also performed. Results For AITL cases, the rate of CD10, BCL6, PD-1 and CXCL13 expression was 75.0% (36/48), 66.7% (32/48), 93.8% (45/48) and 97.9% (47/48), respectively. Expression of CD10, PD-1 and CXCL13 in the AITL group was significantly higher than in other nodal PTCLs and the control group (p<0.05). The rate of coexpression of three or four (≥3) markers was 83.3% for AITL cases, which was significantly higher than that for any of the non-AITL cases (0–4.9%; p<0.05). The rate of coexpression of PD-1 and CXCL13 (91.7%, 44/48) was significantly higher than that of CD10 and BCL6 (56.3%, 27/48) (p=0.000) in the AITL group. Seventeen cases of PTCL not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS) expressed CXCL13, including both cases of the follicular variant of PTCL, NOS (FVPTCL, NOS), three of the four cases of the lymphoepithelioid variant of PTCL, NOS (LVPTCL, NOS), and the remaining 12 cases which displayed one or more features of AITL. Conclusions The combined detection of CD10, BCL6, PD-1 and CXCL13 has high specificity and sensitivity for the differential diagnosis of AITL. PD-1 and CXCL13 are more sensitive, superior diagnostic markers for AITL than CD10 and BCL6. Currently, TFH cell markers are the only available markers that show high specificity for AITL. LVPTCL, NOS and/or FVPTCL, NOS may also arise from TFH cells and fall within the spectrum of AITL.
OPTIMAL CONTROL THEORY APPLIED TO HYBRID FUEL CELL POWERED VEHICLE

Abstract This paper focuses on the energy management control strategy for a hybrid fuel cell powered vehicle. A method based on optimal control theory is presented. This control strategy has been applied to a representative hybrid PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell mid-size vehicle. Simulation results on a priori known driving cycle are presented and compared to a sub-optimal strategy.
Why businesses succeed or fail: a study on small businesses in Pakistan

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to examine the factors that lead to either success or failure of small firms in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach – This study methodology is a survey research applying the Lussier Model of business success and failure with a sample of 143 small businesses to better understand the reasons of their success or failure using logistic regression statistical analysis. Findings – Results indicate that business planning, proper employee staffing, adequate capital inflows and partnerships are important for the viability and success of small businesses in Pakistan. Practical implications – Results provide further support for the validity of the Lussier Model in Pakistan and globally. Thus, small business owner/managers can use the model to help improve their chances of success and to avoid failure. Other stakeholders, including parties that assist and advise them, investors and institutions who/that provide them with capital and other resources and communities and society by .
Persistence of neurological symptoms due to neuroleptic drugs.

The author examines the problem of extrapyramidal symptoms attributable to neuroleptic drugs. Thirty-nine patients with tardive dyskinesia and/or pseudoparkinsonism did not receive neuroleptics for six to 24 months. At the end of this time, 36 patients manifested symptoms consistent with tardive dyskinesia. In five of 12 patients who had pseudoparkinsonism, alone or with tardive dyskinesia, parkinsonian symptoms persisted for six months or longer.
Does Tax Deferral Enhance Firm Value?

Recent research provides evidence that corporate tax departments and tax directors have incentives to reduce financial statement effective tax rates, but little or no incentive to reduce cash taxes paid. The lack of managerial incentives to reduce cash taxes paid provides a stark contrast to the benefits of tax deferral espoused by tax professionals and academics, raising the question: Does tax deferral actually enhance firm value? We examine whether the difference between financial statement tax expense and current taxes paid (i.e., current year tax deferral) is associated with a firm’s change in future profitability and market returns. We find positive associations between current year tax deferral and both the change in next period profitability and stock returns in months around the Form 10-K release date. We also find that these associations increase for firms with greater investment opportunities, financial constraints, and, to a lesser extent, strong corporate governance. These results suggest both profitability and market return benefits associated with tax deferral, consistent with tax deferral enhancing firm value.
Homelessness in female-headed families: childhood and adult risk and protective factors.

OBJECTIVES To identify risk and protective factors for family homelessness, a case-control study of homeless and low-income, never-homeless families, all female-headed, was conducted. METHODS Homeless mothers (n = 220) were enrolled from family shelters in Worcester, Mass. Low-income housed mothers receiving welfare (n = 216) formed the comparison group. The women completed an interview covering socioeconomic, social support, victimization, mental health, substance use, and health domains. RESULTS Childhood predictors of family homelessness included foster care placement and respondent's mother's use of drugs. Independent risk factors in adulthood included minority status, recent move to Worcester, recent eviction, interpersonal conflict, frequent alcohol or heroin use, and recent hospitalization for a mental health problem. Protective factors included being a primary tenant, receiving cash assistance or a housing subsidy, graduating from high school, and having a larger social network. CONCLUSIONS Factors that compromise an individual's economic and social resources are associated with greater risk of losing one's home.
Scoring : the next breakthrough in microcredit ?

The challenge of micro-credit is to judge the risk of whether the self-employed poor will repay their debts as promised. Is scoring-a new way to judge risk-the next breakthrough in micro-credit? Scoring does reduce arrears and so reduces time spent on collections; this greater efficiency improves both outreach and sustainability. Scoring, however, is not for most micro-lenders. It works best for those with a solid individual lending technology and a large database of historical loans. Even when scoring works, it is only a marked improvement, not a breakthrough. In particular, scoring will not replace loan officers in micro-credit because much of the risk of the self-employed poor is unrelated to the information available for use in scoring. This paper discusses how scoring works, what micro-lenders can expect from it, how to use it, and what data is required. Success comes not from technical wizardry but rather from painstaking training of users: loan officers and branch managers will trust scoring to help them make choices only if they understand how it works and only if they see it work in tests. Most importantly scoring changes how micro-lenders think, fostering a culture of analysis in which managers regularly seek to mine their databases for information that addresses business questions.
Linking public housing, employment, and disability benefits for working-age people with disabilities

Since the 1990s, US housing policy has emphasized increasing the economic self-sufficiency of assisted households. However, an estimated 41% of working-age public housing tenants have a disability, and many participate in multiple public benefit programs. We explore this policy dilemma by asking: (1) do levels of employment vary between people with disabilities who are and who are not residing in public housing, and (2) do the types of disabilities vary by those who are and who are not residing in public housing? We also consider whether or not answers vary based on household receipt of public disability benefits. Results from the Current Population Survey suggest that working-age people with disabilities who live in public housing but do not receive disability program benefits are significantly less likely to be employed than disabled non-beneficiaries who do not reside in public housing. No differences in employment levels are noted between Social Security disability program participants who do and do not live in public housing. Some significant differences in types of disabilities were noted among disability program participants who do and do not reside in public housing. We discuss policy implications and suggestions for further research.
Determinants of competitiveness of agriholdings and independent farms in Ukrainian arable production

Agriholdings are large horizontally and/or vertically integrated corporate farming businesses which are characterized by having multiple operations under a central management. This organizational form has been developing in Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine since the late 1990s and has since then gained a considerable market share, especially in arable production. Ukraine is one of the three countries in which the development of agriholdings was very pronounced. While the competition for arable land in Ukraine has been weak so far, it is expected to increase in the future. In order to be able to assess whether agriholdings or independent farms will then be more competitive on the land market also under changing conditions, (a) competitive advantages and disadvantages of the two organizational forms in Ukrainian arable production are identified in this thesis, (b) their impact on competitiveness is quantified, and (c) likely future adaptations of both organizational forms in order to maintain or increase their competitiveness are explored.
Study of Etiology of Neonatal Jaundice at tertiary care centre in Maharashtra

Jaundice is the commonest abnormal physical finding during first week of life. 25-50% of all term newborns and higher percentage of premature infants develop clinical jaundice. The objectives of present study were to know various etiology of neonatal jaundice. The present prospective descriptive study was conducted in GMC, Akola (Maharashtra-India). All neonates admitted in neonatal intensive care unit from period 1 May 2014 to 31 October 2014 were considered for study. Cases which fit in definition of physiological jaundice were not investigated further. Out of 108 jaundiced babies, 60.19% were boys and 39.81 % girls. Out of total, 32.40% were preterm and 67.61% were full term. Physiological jaundice was seen in 44.4% of cases and 55.6% were having pathological cause. Among them sepsis (12%), ABO incompatibility (11.1%), Rh incompatibility (4.6%) were three most common causes observed in present study. The higher the bilirubin level rises, the more justified are additional efforts to determine its cause. Therefore at least newborns presenting with jaundice should be screened for its deficiency of various factors. Screening for G6PD deficiency and other common hemoglobinopathies in neonatal jaundice can be adopted as a non mandatory nationwide screening similar to immunization programme in different regions in India.
Institutional Owners and the Return on Investments

Examining a large number of Swedish listed firms, this paper analyses how institutional owners affects the investment decisions and firm performance. During the last decades the ownership structure of Swedish firms has undergone dramatic changes: institutional and foreign investors have been increasing their stakes, whereas Swedish households have decreased in importance. Controlling owners, often founding families, remain in control by resorting to an extensive use of dual-class shares. To measure investment performance Mueller and Reardon’s (1993) marginal q is used. Marginal q measures the ratio of the return on investments to the cost of capital. We find that institutional and foreign owners positively influence the performance of firms. Furthermore a non-liner relation between ownership concentration and performance is found. This is consistent with positive incentive effects and negative entrenchment effects. The practice of dual-class shares which separate cash-flow rights and control rights is also found to be an important determinant of firm performance.