Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity in vivo limits glucocorticoid exposure to human adipose tissue and decreases lipolysis.

CONTEXT The pathophysiological importance of glucocorticoids (GCs) is exemplified by patients with Cushing's syndrome who develop hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance. At a cellular level, availability of GCs to the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors is controlled by the isoforms of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD). In liver and adipose tissue, 11beta-HSD1 converts endogenous, inactive cortisone to active cortisol but also catalyzes the bioactivation of the synthetic prednisone to prednisolone. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to compare markers of 11beta-HSD1 activity and demonstrate that inhibition of 11beta-HSD1 activity limits glucocorticoid availability to adipose tissue. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a clinical study. PATIENTS Seven healthy male volunteers participated in the study. INTERVENTION Intervention included carbenoxolone (CBX) single dose (100 mg) and 72 hr of continuous treatment (300 mg/d). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Inhibition of 11beta-HSD1 was monitored using five different mechanistic biomarkers (serum cortisol and prednisolone generation, urinary corticosteroid metabolite analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and adipose tissue microdialysis examining cortisol generation and glucocorticoid-mediated glycerol release). RESULTS Each biomarker demonstrated reduced 11beta-HSD1 activity after CBX administration. After both a single dose and 72 hr of treatment with CBX, cortisol and prednisolone generation decreased as did the urinary tetrahydrocortisol+5alpha-tetrahydrocortisol to tetrahydrocortisone ratio. Using adipose tissue microdialysis, we observed decreased interstitial fluid cortisol availability with CBX treatment. Furthermore, a functional consequence of 11beta-HSD1 inhibition was observed, namely decreased prednisone-induced glycerol release into adipose tissue interstitial fluid indicative of inhibition of GC-mediated lipolysis. CONCLUSION CBX is able to inhibit rapidly the generation of active GC in human adipose tissue. Importantly, limiting GC availability in vivo has functional consequences including decreased glycerol release.
Applying the technology acceptance model to the online retailing of financial services

– Extant research has examined consumer acceptance of the internet in various contexts mainly as a dichotomy (adoption/non‐adoption), thus ignoring the process underlying adoption. This paper aims to provide insights into factors determining the extent to which an innovation is adopted. , – The paper reviews the literature on the technology acceptance model (TAM), and justifies the use of this model to explore the factors contributing to the extent to which consumers use the internet as a distribution channel for financial services (FS). Data are collected through telephone interviews with 300 UK consumers responding to a questionnaire. , – The application of the TAM model is helpful but additional links need to be included. The key drivers of extent of use are past experience with the internet as a purchasing channel (for non‐FS) and attitudinal aspects, i.e. positive emotions towards the internet as a distribution channel for FS. Insecurity about this channel does not appear to be an obstacle and perceived usefulness is not directly linked to extent of use but fully mediated via attitude towards the channel. Consumers with computer access from home, those with an active interest in FS, as well as consumers who have general online purchasing experience tend to find this channel easy to use, which, jointly with perceived usefulness, leads to a positive attitude toward this distribution channel. , – The findings are limited to the FS online retail context and may not be generalisable beyond this context. Future research should be considered using a longitudinal approach. , – FS retail providers should consider prior experience with the internet as a distribution channel and product category involvement as segmentation bases, and also provide more opportunities for consumers to try and observe the internet as a distribution channel. , – This research explores the determinants of consumer acceptance of online retailing from a process‐based rather than a binary view of adoption of an innovation.
Competition and Marketing Strategy

Processes of competition lie at the heart of the literature of marketing strategy. Indeed, it could be argued that competitors and sustainable competitive advantage are to marketing strategy what customers and the marketing concept are to marketing. The principle of sustainable competitive advantage argues that a firm can only be successful in the marketplace if its products and services have a competitive edge over those of its rivals. This edge should be one that is both important to customers and sustainable by the firm in the long run.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI PENGUNGKAPAN MODAL INTELEKTUAL DAN DAMPAKNYA TERHADAP NILAI PERUSAHAAN

This research aims to analyze and get empirical evidence, the influence of the relationship the company size, the degree of leverage, and the type of industry to the level of disclosure of intellectual capital and intellectual capital disclosure levels influence the value of the company. The dependent variable is the value of the company as measured by Tobin's Q. In addition, the level of disclosure of intellectual capital is also dependent variables and independent variables using a measurement of intellectual capital disclosure index. Simple content analysis technique is a technique used to quantify intellectual capital disclosure index. The population in this study is that companies that were listed in the Indonesia stock exchange (BEI) in 2013. The sample used in this study is measured by proportionate stratified random sampling and calculation of Slovin. The total number of samples in the study was 100. Analytical techniques used is multiple regression analysis and simple regression analysis. Results of analysis showed that the size of the company and the kind of influential industry significantly to positive levels of disclosure of intellectual capital. However, significant levels of leverage has no effect on the level of disclosure of intellectual capital. In addition, the level of intellectual capital disclosure positive effect significantly to the value of the company.
Non-uniform and non-constant transaction costs as determinants of dispersed agricultural trade flows

In a 1952 article, Samuelson developed the theory that the problem of price relations between two spatially separated markets, described by him as a ‘purely descriptive problem in non-normative economics’, can be formulated as an optimization problem and be related to the Koopmans (1949) Hitchcock (1941) minimum-transport-cost problem. We refer to this theory throughout the manuscript as the spatial price equilibrium (SPE) theory. The corresponding Enke – Samuelson – Takayama – Judge (ESTJ, Enke 1951; Samuelson 1952; Takayama and Judge 1964) SPE model has been widely applied in the past by agricultural economists for ex-ante analysis of agricultural trade policies. Some recent examples include (Abbassi et al. 2008; Anania 2006; Butt and McCarl 2005; Djunaidi and Djunaidi 2007; Helming and Reinhard 2009; Nolte et al. 2010; Sobolevsky et al. 2005; Weaver 2009; Wilson et al. 2008). In its most basic shape, it is a recursive combination of demand and supply models of various regions and a cost minimizing transport model between these regions. The transport module being normative and usually linear
Institutional Investors and Payout Policy Trends

This paper seeks to determine if institutional investors influence corporate payout policies. Specifically, this study tests whether institutional investors contribute to a growth in stock repurchases as a percentage of total payout. Firm and year fixed effect regressions and difference-GMM regressions examining the effect of changes in institutional investor levels to subsequent changes in dividend, stock repurchase, and total payout levels are used. An increase in institutional ownership leads to an increase in the proportion of total payout going towards repurchases and consequently a decrease in the proportion of payout going towards dividends. The rise in institutional ownership of corporations appears to be one of the causes of the rising preference for using stock repurchases as a means of shareholder payout. The results in this paper indicate that institutional shareholders are a significant impetus behind the growing preference of U.S. corporations for using repurchases as a payout method.
Impact of the Basel I Accord on Credit Expansion in Developing Countries

In this paper, we have attempted to conduct a mean-test to determine if the Basel I Accord had any significant effect on bank activities. The mean-test indicates that it had significant impact on bank activities. We find that the Accord was successful in raising the capital ratios and equity of banks, paving the way for the financial soundness of commercial banks. Our findings also show limited evidence supporting the “risk-retrenchment” hypothesis. Given that our samples consist of both developed and developing countries, the study finds some evidence of “credit crunch” in developing countries also. Capital regulations resulted in a decline in bank lending.
Compact UWB Bandpass Filter With Dual Notched Bands Using Defected Ground Structures

This letter proposes a novel ultra-wideband (UWB) bandpass filter (BPF) with dual notched bands using triangular defected ground structures (DGS). Two symmetrical dumbbell-shaped interdigital capacitors are formed to improve the BPF's performance. Three pairs of tapered defected ground structures are studied and adopted to suppress the spurious passband by assigning their transmission zeros towards the out of band signal. A small UWB BPF is obtained by combining these two structures. One of the arms in coupled-line sections is extended and folded to create a notched band at 5.3 GHz, and a meander line slot is developed to create another notched band at 7.8 GHz. Simulated and measured results are in good agreement indicating that the proposed BPF has a passband from 2.8 to 11.0 GHz and a wide stopband bandwidth with 20 dB attenuation up to 30.0 GHz.
Quality of Work-Life practice in chemical industries - Cuddalore (SIPCOT)

This study examines the relation between employees perceived Quality of Work Life (QWL) with life domains using spillover theory. For this study the subjects were employees from chemical industries at Cuddalore (SIPCOT). The QWL was measured using need satisfaction variables. The questionnaire was developed as to capture the needed information of the study variables. The sample size for this study was 227. The questionnaire was administered and reliability test was used to validate it. The regression analysis was done to find the level of influence on the dependent variables. The results showed that the employees who sensing higher level of QWL were sensing high level of job satisfaction, life satisfaction and general well-being. Fulfilling the needs of the employees by the organization can achieve higher level of QWL and organizational commitment from the employees. In the fast changing global market, all organizations have to face challenges and able to grab the opportunities; the dynamic organizations are surviving in the competition by making necessary changes in the working environment and policies. The organizations need to have competent work force for constant improvement for achieving higher productivity. For any organization the success depends upon recruitment of individual, motivating and retaining of current workforce to maintain the organizational status in the competitive environment. Quality of Work Life (QWL) is the favorable working conditions and workplace environment that enhance employee satisfaction by providing growth opportunity, job security and with rewards. QWL can be defined as the process of employees needs were addressed by an organization and the employees were included in the decision making process. QWL can be expressed as the degree to which organizational members able to satisfy their important needs through with their experiences in the organization. QWL emphasizes to identify and to improve the quality of professional and personal life of the employees. QWL can be viewed as an individual's evaluation of working life. When the employees has positive feelings towards the job and his prospects, is motivated and performs well. Many researchers experienced and demonstrated that improvement in quality of work life will increase in productivity and overall organizational effectiveness as also reducing absenteeism, grievances and industrial accidents.
A comparative risk assessment for South Africa in 2000: towards promoting health and preventing disease.

2on the basis of additional data to estimate the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for single causes for the first time in South Africa. DALYs are a comprehensive measure of the disease burden combining the years of life lost (YLLs) as a result of premature mortality and years lived with disability (YLDs) related to illness or injury. 3 Compared with the use of mortality as a measure of disease burden, DALYs also capture the contributions of conditions that do not result in large numbers of deaths. For example, mental health disorders have a large disability component relative to the number of deaths. The SA NBD study highlighted the fact that despite levels of uncertainty there is important information to guide public health responses to improve the health of the nation.
From Bonding to Avoiding: Evidence from ADR Delisting

This paper examines the impact of the delisting of Level II and Level III ADRs on the home stock market. The specially constructed sample allows us to examine the bonding hypothesis without the self-selection bias. I find that both voluntary and involuntary delisting announcements result in a negative (market) impact over a 31-day event window (from the announcement date to 30 trading days after). However, this market reaction diverges over a longer event window. The negative impact is transitory for involuntary delisting but persistent for voluntary delistings. I further examine the proportion of adverse selection cost in the post-delisting bid/ask spread and document the market maker's increased concern of agency cost from voluntarily delisted firms, even after controlling for the degree of integration between the ADR market and the home stock market. Most importantly, the spread due to adverse selection cost explain a significant portion of cross-sectional variation in the cumulative abnormal return around delisting.
Susceptibility to Boredom of Jailers and Law Enforcement Officers

Patrolmen and Sheriff's Deputies in semirural areas spend vast amounts of their working time on preventive patrol by themselves, frequently with rninima1 stimulus variety. Jailers, on the other hand, are usually guaranteed some variety on the job; failing all else there are usually prisoners or coworkers to relieve boredom. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that law enforcement officers whose primary responsibility is semirural preventive patrol are less susceptible to boredom than are jailers in the same locale. Subjects were 42 pauolmen and 31 jailers who were attending mandatory classes at the Central Shenandoah Criminal Justice Training Center. Subjects were given Zuckerman's ( 1971) Sensation-Seeking Scale. Mean scores on the Boredom Susceptibility subscale were 5 . 3 9 f 2.62 for 31 jailers and 4.88k2. 03 for 42 patrolmen. A t ratio for independent groups did not allow rejection of the null hypothesis ( t < 1.00, df = 71) . The mean age of the 31 jailers ( M = 39.13215.29) was significantly higher ( t = 4.91, df = 71, p < .001) than that of the 42 patrolmen ( M = 26.07f6.98). Pearsonian rs between age and boredom susceptibility scores were -0.196 within each group and -0.10 combined; none was significant ( p > .05). Analysis of covariance was considered but rejected because of gross nonlinearity. Instead, members of each group were matched for age -I 1 yr. This matching criterion reduced the sample to 17 pairs. Mean age of the 17 patrolmen was 27.2426. 36 and of the 17 jailers was 27.29-1-6.29. Mean subscale scores were 4.29k2. 08 for 17 patrolmen and 6.29-1-2.26 for 17 jailers. A t ratio for paired comparisons on the subscale scores was 2.69 (df = 16, p < .02) and supports the present hypothesis.
Performance improvement of two hop decode-and-forward relay systems using dual polarized antenna

This paper studies performance of two-hop decode-and-forward (DF) relay system with the implemented polarization diversity at the receiver. Two correlated and non-identical Ricean fading channels are assumed for the relay to destination link, and maximal ratio combining (MRC) of the received signals is performed at the receiver. Communication between source and relay is also assumed to be over the Ricean fading channel. In order to determine the level of improvement introduced through the implementation of polarization diversity, performances of the considered system are compared with the standard DF relay system with single antenna terminals. The obtained results show that, using polarization diversity, the same BER (Bit Error Rate) values can be obtained with significantly lower SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio), despite a certain level of correlation and power unbalance between the diversity branches. In that manner, compared to the system with no diversity, the total needed transmit power for achieving the same level of system performances is reduced, and thus more energy efficient communication is enabled.
In utero and early childhood exposure to arsenic decreases lung function in children

The lung is a target organ for adverse health outcomes following exposure to As. Several studies have reported a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms and diseases in subjects highly exposed to As through drinking water; however, most studies to date has been performed in exposed adults, with little information on respiratory effects in children. The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between urinary levels of As and its metabolites with lung function in children exposed in utero and in early childhood to high As levels through drinking water. A total of 358 healthy children were included in our study. Individual exposure was assessed based on urinary concentration of inorganic As. Lung function was assessed by spirometry. Participants were exposed since pregnancy until early childhood to an average water As concentration of 152.13 µg l–1. The mean urinary As level registered in the studied subjects was 141.2 µg l–1 and only 16.7% had a urinary concentration below the national concern level. Forced vital capacity was significantly decreased in the studied population and it was negatively associated with the percentage of inorganic As. More than 57% of the subjects had a restrictive spirometric pattern. The urinary As level was higher in those children with restrictive lung patterns when compared with the levels registered in subjects with normal spirometric patterns. Exposure to As through drinking water during in utero and early life was associated with a decrease in forced vital capacity and with a restrictive spirometric pattern in the children evaluated. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Occupation and Obesity: Effect of Working Hours on Obesity by Occupation Groups

Despite leveling off, United States is faced with high prevalence of obesity. Obesity epidemic is an important public health concern imposing pressures on social support schemes, leading to productivity losses and threatening quality of life of the people living with it. As occupations take up good portion of adult's daily life and have close relations with socio-economic factors and behavioral traits, understanding the relationships between occupations and obesity aids efforts fighting with the epidemic. In this respect, taking working hours into consideration, present study investigates the probability of being obese in 40 occupational groupings and identifies six occupation groups reducing the risk of obesity. This study is a first attempt to examine the effect of working hours on obesity by occupation groups in the United States.
Measuring equity in household's health care payments (Tehran-Iran 2013): technical points for health policy decision makers

Background: Households’ financial protection against health payments and expenditures and equity in utilization of health care services are of the most important tasks of governments. This study aims to measuring equity in household’s health care payments according to fairness in financial contribution (FFC) and Kakwani indices in Tehran-Iran, 2013. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014.The study sample size was estimated to be 2200 households. Households were selected using stratified-cluster sampling including typical families who reside in the city of Tehran. The data were analyzed through Excel and Stata v.11software. Recall period for the inpatient care was 1 year and for outpatient1 month. Results: The indicator of FFC for households in health financing was estimated to be 0.68 and the trend of the indicator was ascending by the rise in the ranking of households’ financial level. The Kakwani index was estimated to be a negative number (-0.00125) which indicated the descending trend of health financing system. By redistribution of incomes or the exempt of the poorest quintiles from health payments, Kakwani index was estimated to be a positive number (0.090555) which indicated the ascending trend of health financing system. Conclusion: According to this study, the equity indices in health care financing denote injustice and a descending trend in the health care financing system. This finding clearly shows that deliberate policy making in health financing by national health authorities and protecting low-income households against health expenditures are required to improve the equity in health.
Oral proliferative verrucous leucoplakia: are there particular features for such an ambiguous entity? A systematic review

Proliferative verrucous leucoplakia (PVL) is a distinct, particularly aggressive form of oral leucoplakia. Given the low prevalence of PVL, data are sparse and are mostly from case reports, case series and only a few case–control studies, meaning that the literature is able to provide only weak evidence.