Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypoleptinemia in women athletes: absence of a diurnal rhythm with amenorrhea.

The possibility that chronic nutritional deficiency alters leptin regulation and its link to reproductive function was investigated by determining serum leptin levels during a 24-h period with controlled nutrient intake in highly trained athletes with and without menstrual cyclicity and in BMI-matched cycling sedentary controls (n = 8 per group). Our data show that 24th leptin levels were reduced equally (3-fold, P < 0.001) in both cyclic and amenorrheic athletes as compared to controls. Low leptin levels in the athletic groups were consistent with their reduction in body fat (r = 0.91, P < 0.0001) relative to BMI, but were also influenced by the presence of low insulin (r = 0.70, P < 0.001) and elevated cortisol (r = -0.65, P < 0.001) levels. A diurnal pattern of 24h leptin levels, with an approximate 50% rise (P < 0.001) from nadir (0900h) to peak (0100h), was present in normally cycling athletes and controls and was strikingly absent in amenorrheic athletes. The absolute increase in leptin levels from nadir to peak was directly related to insulin excursions in response to meals (r = 0.60, P = .002) and inversely related to the amplitude of the 24h cortisol rhythm (r = -0.70, P = .0002). These findings are consistent with a link between the functionality of adipocytes, nutritional status, and integrity of the reproductive axis in humans.
The management, measurement and the reporting of intellectual capital

The rise of the “new economy”, one principally driven by information and knowledge, international competitiveness and changing patterns of interpersonal activities is attributed to the increased prominence of intellectual capital (IC) as a management and research topic. There is indeed much to support the assertion that IC in the new century will be instrumental in the determination of enterprise value and national economic performance. Stemming from this awareness of the value of know‐how is a drive to establish new metrics that can be used to record and report the value attributable to knowledge within an organisation. The task has been given impetus by the fact that early work appearing in the accounting financial reports of Swedish companies involves the application of non‐financial metrics and focuses on intangible assets. This represents a significant departure from traditional financial and management accounting orthodoxy.
A new production function estimate of the euro area output gap

We develop a new version of the production function (PF) approach for estimating the output gap of the euro area. Assuming a CES (constant elasticity of substitution) technology, our model does not call for any (often imprecise) measure of the capital stock and improves the estimation of the trend total factor productivity using a multivariate unobserved components model. With real-time data, we assess this approach by comparing it with the Hodrick-Prescott (HP) filter and with a Cobb-Douglas PF approach with common cycle and implemented with a multivariate unobserved components model. Our new PF estimate appears highly concordant with the reference chronology of turning points and has better real-time properties than the univariate HP filter for sufficiently long time horizons. Its inflation forecasting power appears, like the other multivariate approach, less favourable than the statistical univariate method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of a Microscale Device for Detection of Nitroaromatic Compounds

Polymer layers displaying a specific swelling response in the presence of nitroaromatic compounds are integrated into microscale sensors. Blanket layers of the polymer are grown using initiated chemical vapor deposition, and lithographic techniques are used to define microscale polymer lines. A nanoscale metal line is perpendicularly overlaid across each polymer line. Exposure to nitroaromatic analytes causes the polymeric device component to expand, resulting in plastic deformation of the metal and a permanent change in the resistance measured across the device. The response is rapid and selective for nitroaromatic compounds; additionally, the small area, simplicity, and interchangeability of the device design facilitate the fabrication of sensors selective for other analytes and device arrays. Calculated limits of detection for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene are 3.7 ppb at 20°C or 0.8 pg in a proof-of-concept device; methods for optimization are explored.
Serum levels of interleukin-10 and tumour necrosis factor-α in chronic periodontitis.

AIMS To investigate, using a cross-sectional study design, whether the extent of periodontal inflammation associates with the serum levels of cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and their ratio. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study group consisted of 61 subjects with chronic periodontitis and 30 control subjects with minimally inflamed periodontal tissues. Probing pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and periodontal attachment level (AL) were measured. The serum IL-10 (pg/ml) and TNF-α (U/l) levels were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. After categorization of the subjects, associations between serum IL-10 and TNF-α levels and the extent of periodontal inflammation were studied using linear regression models adjusted for age, gender, body mass index and smoking. RESULTS A negative, partly dose-dependent association existed between the extent of BOP, PD ≥ 4 mm and AL ≥ 4 mm and serum IL-10 level. The subjects in the periodontitis group presented significantly higher serum TNF-α levels and their TNF-α/IL-10 ratio was approximately threefold when compared with the ratio in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The significantly higher serum TNF-α/IL-10 ratio in the subjects with chronic periodontitis when compared with the ratio in the controls is indicative of a stronger systemic pro-inflammatory state in chronic periodontitis.
The Hypoglycemic Phenotype Is Islet Cell–Autonomous in Short-Chain Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase–Deficient Mice

Congenital hyperinsulinism of infancy (CHI) can be caused by inactivating mutations in the gene encoding short-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCHAD), a ubiquitously expressed enzyme involved in fatty acid oxidation. The hypersecretion of insulin may be explained by a loss of interaction between SCHAD and glutamate dehydrogenase in the pancreatic β-cells. However, there is also a general accumulation of metabolites specific for the enzymatic defect in affected individuals. It remains to be explored whether hypoglycemia in SCHAD CHI can be uncoupled from the systemic effect on fatty acid oxidation. We therefore transplanted islets from global SCHAD knockout (SCHADKO) mice into mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. After transplantation, SCHADKO islet recipients exhibited significantly lower random and fasting blood glucose compared with mice transplanted with normal islets or nondiabetic, nontransplanted controls. Furthermore, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance was improved in animals receiving SCHADKO islets compared with those receiving normal islets. Graft β-cell proliferation and apoptosis rates were similar in the two transplantation groups. We conclude that hypoglycemia in SCHAD-CHI is islet cell–autonomous.
Effects of interactions between cadmium and zinc on phytochelatin and glutathione production in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

It has been proposed that phytochelatins (PCs) act as a biomarker for the evaluation of metal toxicity. Little attention has been paid to the effects on metal combinations and glutathione (GSH), the most abundant cellular thiol. In the present study the effects of interactions between cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) on PC and GSH production were examined in wheat tissue over 14 days' exposure. The results showed that the presence of Zn alleviated Cd toxicity, accompanied by a reduction of Cd uptake. Cd and Zn exposure increased PC‐SH levels in concentration‐, tissue‐ and time‐dependent manners. Of the two metals, Cd was more effective than Zn in PC‐SH production. Interactions of Cd and Zn with respect to PC‐SH production may be synergistic or inhibitory, strongly depending on duration of exposure and concentration of the metal combinations. Cd also stimulated GSH production in concentration‐, tissue‐ and time‐dependent manners, whereas Zn had no significant effects on GSH levels. Compared to the presence of Cd alone, the presence of Zn reduced GSH levels in a tissue‐dependent manner over the growth period. The results of the study suggest that metal interactions should be highly considered in the application of PCs and GSH as potential biomarkers for the evaluation of metal toxicity, as most metal‐polluted natural environments are contaminated with more than one metal. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 20: 195–201, 2005.
From listening to the customer to controlling with customer focus: facing the barriers in Nordic financial services

Increasing competition and demanding customers in the financial retail sector challenge the monitoring and control systems in banks and insurance companies, because traditional systems seem to be of little help in focusing on profitable customers. This article compares how Danish and Finnish financial companies are responding to the information-processing challenge of getting and using customer-related data. Results based on two nation-wide surveys among accounting managers indicate that companies are confronted with different barriers to customer-oriented management control, as Danish companies seem to have the more sophisticated market intelligence and control systems while the Finnish companies have the more focused customer-oriented strategies. Nevertheless, differences between companies seem more important than differences between countries. In both countries access to advanced information technology plays a basic but minor role in the development of the technology of listening and control, which in turn may lead to increased competitive advantages. Despite the differences, most companies are faced with major obstacles related to organisation and poor use of market research and it is argued that ‘supported empowerment’ is a viable road to improvement.
Organizing Flexibility: The Flexible Firm in a New Century

Research on organizational flexibility should examine the linkages between numerical and functional flexibility. Unfortunately, studies of each type of flexibility generally neglect the other. Moreover, the most popular conception of the interplay between these two forms of flexibility — the core–periphery model — is incomplete in important ways. I discuss evidence and limitations of the core–periphery model of the flexible firm, and outline some promising attempts to conceptualize how organizations may combine functional and numerical flexibility. I focus mainly on the USA and the UK, though I also review evidence and issues involved in cross‐national differences in organizational flexibility.
The Prevalence of Symptoms of Depression in An Australian General Population

The prevalence of depressive symptoms was estimated in a random sample of an Australian general population by administration of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (S.D.S.). Rates, calculated according to criteria derived from a previously studied clinical sample, were somewhat higher in this population than had been reported in similar studies elsewhere. It was reasoned that this finding related to the relative laxity of criteria employed in the present study. Socio-demographic influences on the reporting of depressive symptoms were evident, the most prominent of these being the sex of the subject. It was suggested that these influences may underlie socio-demographic differences in rates of recognized depressive states occurring within clinical samples.
The global financial crisis: origin, contagion and impacts on Ethiopia

The financial crisis that erupted in September 2008—following more than two years of financial turmoil has become global crisis for the world economy. An attempt is made in this study to assess the possible causes of the origin, contagion and impact of the current global financial crisis with particular emphasis on Africa and Ethiopia. It also provides a summarized historical overview of past global financial crises in view of the economic theories of financial crises. The study utilizes the fundamental economic theories related to financial crisis to depict and illustrate the bigger picture. The paramount importance of this study is a detailed analysis of the current global financial crisis, and its wide ranging impacts by creating a clear link with past financial crises in different regions of the world. The method followed throughout this paper is qualitative and descriptive in nature. The transmission channels for the Ethiopian economy in the study are the knock on effects, external sector and commodity prices, investment, official transfers and remittance and the impact on the flower industry. Keywords: Global Financial Crisis, recession, Investment, Ethiopia.
Working Hard for More Money or Working Hard to Make a Difference? Efficiency Wages, Public Service Motivation, and Effort

The issue of how much to pay government employees to ensure optimum effort level is a complex one. Government employees are generally reported to be less motivated by high wages than their private sector counterparts. There is substantial empirical evidence that many performance-based pay schemes are either meaningless or dysfunctional in the public sector. Yet, it is common knowledge that most people do not seek employment without expecting some sort of remuneration for their effort. Drawing on the efficiency wage theory and public service motivation (PSM) literature, this article constructs a model to examine the relationship of wages and PSM in determining the effort levels of the public sector workforce in 15 countries that include the United States, Great Britain, and Australia.
The Endodermal Sinus Tumor: Special Features

Eight cases of endodermal sinus tumor, two extragonadal and six gonadal, seen at the American University of Beirut are reviewed. Three of them present special clinical and pathologic features that further substantiate the extraembryonic origin of this teratoid tumor and its association with dysgenetic gonads. We consider the two histologic types, endodermal sinus pattern and polyvesicular vitelline architecture, to be part of the same tumor. The prognosis in this series was unfavorable.
Age-specific contributions to changes in the period and cohort life expectancy

Period life expectancy has increased more slowly than its cohort counterpart. This paper explores the differences between life expectancies at a given time (the gap) and the time required for period life expectancy to reach the current level of cohort life expectancy (the lag). Additionally, to understand the disparity between the two life expectancies we identify and compare age-specific contributions to change in life expectancy. Using mortality models and historical data for Sweden, we examine the effect of mortality changes over time. Our results indicate that the widening of the gap between the two life expectancies is primarily a consequence of the dramatic mortality decline at older ages that occurred during the twentieth century. These results imply that the divergence between the two measures is likely to become even greater in the future as reductions in deaths are concentrated at older ages.
The impact of mergers and acquisitions on corporate performance in India

Purpose – While going for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) management smell financial synergy or/and operating synergy in different ways. But actually are they able to generate that potential synergy or not, is the important issue. The aim of this study is to find out whether the claims made by the corporate sector while going for M&As to generate synergy, are being achieved or not in Indian context.Design/methodology/approach – This empirical study is based on secondary financial data and tabulation, ratio analysis, correlation etc. is being used for analysis.Findings – The results indicate that in many cases of M&As, the acquiring firms were able to generate synergy in long run, that may be in the form of higher cash flow, more business, diversification, cost cuttings etc.Research limitations/implications – The research shows that management cannot take it for granted that synergy can be generated and profits can be increased simply by going for mergers and acquisitions. A case study based research parall.
Application of iTRAQ to catalogue the skeletal muscle proteome in pigs and assessment of effects of gender and diet dephytinization

In this study iTRAQ was used to produce a highly confident catalogue of 542 proteins identified in porcine muscle (false positive<5%). To our knowledge this is the largest reported set of skeletal muscle proteins in livestock. Comparison with human muscle proteome demonstrated a low level of false positives with 83% of the proteins common to both proteomes. In addition, for the first time we assess variations in the muscle proteome caused by sexually dimorphic gene expression and diet dephytinization. Preliminary analysis identified 19 skeletal muscle proteins differentially expressed between male and female pigs (≥1.2‐fold, p<0.05), but only one of them, GDP‐dissociation inhibitor 1, was significant (p<0.05) after false discovery rate correction. Diet dephytinization affected expression of 20 proteins (p<0.05). This study would contribute to an evaluation of the suitability of the pig as a model to study human gender‐related differences in gene expression. Transgenic pigs used in this study might also serve as a useful model to understand changes in human physiology resulting from diet dephytinization.
Use of IC information in Japanese financial firms

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of: how Japanese financial firms (JFF) acquire and use company intellectual capital (IC) information in their common routine equity investment decisions, how this activity contributes to knowledge creation in the JFFs, and how investee company knowledge creation is affected by the JFFs.Design/methodology/approach – The research employed a multi‐case design, using four JFF cases. The investigation was performed in terms of Nonaka and Toyama's “theory of the knowledge creating firm”. Findings – IC information contributed to earnings estimates and company valuation. Emotional information contributed to JFF feelings and confidence in their information use and valuation. JFF knowledge was an important component of the key interacting and informed contexts used by JFFs. This generated opportunities to improve disclosure and accountability between JFFs and their investee companies. Common patterns of behaviour across the JFFs were counterbalanced b.
The Impact of Openness on Economic Growth: Case of Indian Ocean Rim Countries.

This paper analyse the relationship between openness and economic growth for Indian Ocean Rim Countries in a panel data framework. The panel consists of 15 countries over the time period 1997 to 2011. Three measures of openness are used namely trade as a percentage of GDP, exports as a percentage of GDP and imports as a percentage of GDP. We adopt panel unit root and panel cointegration technique in this paper. All the variables are stationary in first difference. The statistics of Pedroni (2004) reveal the presence of long run relationship among the variables. Given the presence of cointegration, we use the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) to estimate our model. Ultimately, it is found that the three measures of openness positively affect economic growth.
Implications of Keeping‐Up‐with‐the‐Joneses Behavior for the Equilibrium Cross Section of Stock Returns: International Evidence

This paper tests the cross-sectional implications of "keeping-up-with-the-Joneses" (KUJ) preferences in an international setting. When agents have KUJ preferences, in the presence of undiversifiable nonfinancial wealth, both world and domestic risk (the idiosyncratic component of domestic wealth) are priced, and the equilibrium price of risk of the domestic factor is "negative. " We use labor income as a proxy for domestic wealth and find empirical support for these predictions. In terms of explaining the cross-section of stock returns and the size of the pricing errors, the model performs better than alternative international asset pricing models. Copyright (c) 2009 the American Finance Association.
Equiprobable Subcarrier Activation Method for OFDM With Index Modulation

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with index modulation (OFDM-IM) conveys additional information bits via the indices of active subcarriers. Consequently, the determination of the active subcarriers according to the incoming bits arises as a challenging problem. The existing solution resorts to the lexicographic ordering, which leads to a low implementation complexity but an unequal subcarrier activation probability. This letter proposes a distinct solution that allows the equiprobable activation of all OFDM-IM subcarriers with comparable implementation complexity. The signal-to-noise ratio gain achieved by the proposed solution is also analyzed. Computer simulations reveal the advantages of the proposed solution.
A typology of solo independent women travellers

This paper aims to profile solo independent women travellers in Tropical North Queensland, describe their key motivations for travel and behaviours, and locate this group on a typology of solo independent travellers in Australia. Previous research has painted solo independent women at one end of a travel spectrum as fearful and risk-adverse and at another end, as risk-takers who have few concerns about safety within the destination. This analysis is based on visitor surveys completed over 21 months at Cairns Airport (n = 2,618). The results indicated that solo independent women travellers (n = 228) felt safe in the destination and participated in a wide variety of activities including those with some degree of risk.
Continuous measurement of blood gas tensions in the fetal guinea pig by mass spectrometry

Recent progress in the measurement of intravascular blood gas tensions by mass spectrometry [8, 13] is of potential interest in the study of placental gas exchange, because the mass spectrometer allows continuous measurement of both p02 and pC02. The determination of blood gases by conventional techniques, which mostly require blood sampling, has contributed significantly to the investigation of placental gas exchange [6, 11, 16]. Mass spectrometry, however, can give important additional Information about the kinetics of transplacental gas exchange. The guinea pig is an important model in placental research, because its discoid, haemomonochorial placenta resembles that of man [7]. Hitherto, the study of placental gas exchange in this species has been limited, because conventional methods of gas analysis require blood samples that are large in relation to the blood volume of the fetus. In the present study, we have investigated the feasibility of monitoring the blood gases of fetal guinea pigs by mass spectrometry, using an intravascular probe developed for this purpose [13]. Simultaneous and continuous measurements of p02 and pC02 in the right atrium of the fetuses were made before, during and after an acute change in maternal placental blood flow provoked by an infusion of noradrenaline. Curriculum vitae