Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decline in ischaemic heart disease in Iceland and change in risk factor levels.

OBJECTIVE--To monitor trends in mortality and morbidity due to ischaemic heart disease and compare these with observed levels of risk factors from population surveys. DESIGN--Analysis of trends in death rates from ischaemic heart disease in Iceland compared with expected rates computed from population surveys. Risk factor levels together with beta factors obtained from Cox's regression analysis were used to compute expected death rates. Trends in morbidity due to acute myocardial infarction were assessed and secular trends in dietary consumption compared with trends in cholesterol concentrations. SETTING--Reykjavik, Iceland (total population 250,000; over half the population live in Reykjavik). SUBJECTS--12,814 randomly selected residents in the Reykjavik area aged 45-64 (6623 men, 6191 women; 72% and 80% of those invited). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Age adjusted rates of myocardial infarction and deaths from ischaemic heart disease. Expected risk from risk factor levels (smoking, total serum cholesterol concentration, systolic blood pressure) at each unique survey visit. RESULTS--Mortality from ischaemic heart disease has decreased by 17-18% since 1970. During 1981-6 the myocardial infarction attack rate in men under 75 decreased by 23%. A decrease occurred in the level of all three major risk factors after 1968. The fall in the serum cholesterol concentration coincided with a reduction in consumption of dairy fat and margarine. The calculated reduction in risk for the age group 45-64 was about 35%, which was closely similar to the observed decrease in mortality due to ischaemic heart disease in that age group. CONCLUSION--The reduction in mortality from ischaemic heart disease was substantially due to a decreased incidence of myocardial infarction and could be attributed largely to the reduction in risk factors.
Nouvelles méthodes de calcul pour la prédiction des interactions protéine-protéine au niveau structural. (Novel computational methods to predict protein-protein interactions on the structural level)

Drug discovery is a multidisciplinary field which includes molecular biology, biophysics, biochemistry, and pharmacology. It usually starts with the identification of a biological target which is known to play a critical role in a particular disease. Therein, computational methods are increasingly used in the structure-based drug design from target identification and validation to the designing of new molecules. To identify molecules that inhibit desirable activity hundreds of thousands candidates generated with docking protocols are virtually screened to filter out top-scoring hits. The latter are then tested in biological environment and many cycles of optimization are performed to obtain the candidates for further clinical trials. The first algorithm dedicated to the docking of small molecules was applied to find new candidates against HIV-1 protease in 1990. Since then, using of docking pipelines has become a standard practice in drug discovery. Typically, a docking protocol comprises different phases. It starts with the exhaustive sampling of the binding site upon rigid-body approximation of monomers. Then, clustering algorithms are used in order to group similar binding candidates. Different refinement methods are applied in order to take into account flexibility of a molecular complex or to get rid of possible docking artefacts. Finally, binding candidates are scored with energy functions and top-ranked predictions are selected. The Thesis presents novel algorithms for docking protocols to facilitate structure prediction of protein complexes, which belong to one of the most important target class in the structure-based drug design. First, DockTrina a new algorithm to predict conformations of triangular protein trimers (i.e. trimers with pair-wise contacts between all three pairs of proteins) is presented. The method takes as input pair-wise contact predictions from a rigid-body docking program. It then scans and scores all possible combinations of pairs of monomers using a very fast root mean square deviation test. Finally, it ranks the predictions using a scoring function which combines triples of pair-wise contact terms and a geometric clash penalty term. Being fast and efficient, DockTrina outperforms state-of-the-art computational methods dedicated to predict structure of protein oligomers on collected benchmark of protein trimers. Second, RigidRMSD a C++ library which provides fast way to compute root mean
Dynamics of Openness in SMEs: A Business Model and Innovation Strategy Perspective

Purpose: In order to explore the dynamics of openness within SMEs, this study investigates how business model transformation relates to innovation strategy transformation. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research is conducted as a longitudinal qualitative single case study in order to fully follow transformation as a process. Findings: This research revealed that openness in SMEs is not about continuously increasing the level of openness, but SMEs can also begin to close their innovation strategy, even though the business model stays open. The level of openness varies based on strategic openness. Research limitations/implications: This study emphasizes that openness needs to be viewed as a continuum, where the level of openness may fluctuate during transformation. Furthermore, openness in business models and openness in innovation indeed are separate phenomena. Practical implications: Having an understanding how strategic openness guides business model transformation enables practitioners to better utilize open innovation as an innovation strategy. Originality/value: Through focusing on the relationship between business model transformation and innovation strategy transformation, we broaden the discussion on the dynamics of openness within SMEs.
Hypothalamic‐pituitary adrenal function in end‐stage non‐alcoholic liver disease

Abstract Patients with end‐stage liver disease have significant mortality often associated with intercurrent episodes of bleeding or sepsis. Intact adrenal function is essential in such situations. In order to test the hypothesis that adrenal insufficiency might be present in severe liver disease, hypothalamic‐pituitary adrenal function was evaluated in patients with end‐stage liver disease awaiting transplantation.
Relationship between the stress distribution and the shape of the alveolar residual ridge--three-dimensional behaviour of a lower complete denture.

PURPOSE For a complete denture to function effectively, the denture must be stabilized during mastication. The alveolar ridge has various forms, and we must choose the artificial tooth arrangement that is most suitable to the form of the alveolar ridge. The purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to examine the relationship between the alveolar ridge form and the stress distribution on the mucosa, and (ii) to model the contact condition between the denture base surface and mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, the three-dimensional finite element method was used for the analysis. Four types of alveolar ridge were prepared. As a loading condition, three load places were prepared: the mesial position, the central position and the distal position. We utilized the 'contact option (MARC)' to simulate the true behaviour of the denture. RESULTS We were able to model the contact condition by using the 'contact option'. Maximum stresses were distributed on the alveolar ridge in which the absorption is severe. And, the distal load produced large compressive stresses on the inclined plane of posterior alveolar ridge in which alveolar form.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Strategic and Managerial Implications

What does corporate social responsibility (CSR) actually mean to mid-level organizational business managers? This question concerning CSR is explored by analyzing data obtained from interviews with 102 managers with offices located primarily in Northern Chicago suburbs and Southeast Wisconsin. Strategic considerations regarding CSR, and varying theoretical frameworks are discussed. Eight major categories of CSR emerged from analysis of the managers’ responses concerning their individual definitions. Many different conceptualizations exist. Companies need to be as concerned with communicating and promoting a shared understanding of corporate social responsibility internally among organizational managers similar to approaches used in communicating with external stakeholders.
Night-time positioning equipment: A review of practices

The use of night-time positioning equipment is a relatively new occupational therapy intervention and little is known about its value. This audit was undertaken to review usage and effectiveness over a two year period using information gathered from postural management outreach clinics. A survey was used to gather information on clients' experiences with night-time positioning equipment and their reasons, if any, for abandoning it. The surveys were returned by 16 clients ranging in age and disability. They reported changes in the ability to lie straight, improved pressure and reduced spasm, when using the equipment.
Neuropathy in Parkinson disease

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence and determinants of neuropathy in patients with Parkinson disease (PD), in particular, the roles of vitamin B12 and levodopa exposure. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 37 patients with PD and 37 age- and gender-matched controls, using a sensitive and validated neuropathy scale. The prevalence of neuropathy was determined and compared between groups. We then ascertained the role of vitamin B12 by a separate case-control analysis 1) comparing numbers of patients in whom the neuropathy was directly attributable to vitamin B12 deficiency and 2) comparing serum vitamin B12 levels in patients with PD with neuropathy with a second control group consisting of age- and gender-matched consecutive patients with neuropathy without PD. We also determined correlations between cumulative levodopa exposure, PD duration, neuropathy status and score, and vitamin B12 status and levels in all patients with PD and, specifically, in those with neuropathy. Results: Fourteen of 37 (37.8%) patients with PD and 3 of 37 (8.1%) control subjects had neuropathy (p = 0.005), corresponding to an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for neuropathy, of 6.9 (1.78–26.73). Vitamin B12 deficiency was a significantly more common cause of neuropathy (p = 0.024) and vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower (p = 0.002) in patients with PD with neuropathy than in age- and gender-matched consecutive control subjects with neuropathy without PD. Cumulative levodopa exposure correlated with PD duration (p = 0.001) and vitamin B12 levels (p = 0.044), in patients with PD with neuropathy. Conclusions: Neuropathy is more prevalent in patients with PD than in control subjects. This may be predominantly due to vitamin B12 deficiency, which could relate to cumulative levodopa exposure in susceptible individuals. Vitamin B12 monitoring and supplementation, as well as serial clinical assessment for neuropathy, may be advisable in patients with PD.
Study of Parameters Affecting Employee Satisfaction

The aim of the study is to measure employee satisfaction at three different branches of Reliance Life Insurance viz. Karol Bagh, Jhandewalan and Connaught Place, and to analyze which branch needs to work upon which parameters. The study also analyzes whether Rewards and Recognition play an important role in determining overall employee satisfaction. It is a descriptive research. The sample size is 90. Non Comparative Scaling Technique has been used in the study. The study shows that rewards and recognition play a very significant role in determining employee satisfaction. The overall Employee Satisfaction can be said as relatively on the positive side for all the three branches. The employees of Jhandewalan branch show less inclination towards rewards and recognition programme as compared to other two branches. Rewards and recognition play a very significant role in determining employee satisfaction. This also proves that employees are extremely motivated when it comes to such recognition programmes.
Review Article: A Systematic Review of Cancer-Related Fatigue Measurement Questionnaires

Purpose: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common symptom experienced by patients in all stages and in cancer survivors. The main objectives of this review were to identify validated CRF instruments, and populations in whom these tools have been validated. Methods: We used a systematic review methodology. Three separate searches were performed using different MeSH terms in Pub Med and Ovid databases. Articles were analyzed for validation and reliability. Results: A total of 1453 papers from 3 different searches identified 40 instruments (3 unidimensional and 37 multidimensional). Instruments varied by psychometric properties, items, scale, dimension, cancer site, and population. Five were optimally tested for validity and reliability. Completion rates, sensitivity to change, and test—retest reliability were reported for a few. Discussion: Most tools had been validated in mixed populations and are relatively insensitive to differences in fatigue to cancer stage. Most instruments are burdensome for those with advanced cancer. The Brief Fatigue Inventory and 3 fatigue items of the European Organization for Research and Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire Fatigue Scale (EORTC QLQ-C30) are optimal instruments in advanced cancer. Conclusions: In all, 40 CRF instruments were identified. Validity and reliability varied by questionnaire. The ideal item numbers, scale, and domains are not established and may be population dependent.
How knowledge transfer and absorption impact on the profitability of foreign affiliates in Transition Economy? The case of Poland: 1993-2002

Using a unique database on industry variables (wages, employment, foreign capital share, investments, sales, etc.) of foreign-owned companies in Poland covering the years 1993-2002, this paper analyses the determinants of the performance of foreign affiliates. Based on industry external (GDP) and internal factors (number of foreign affiliates), the statistical analysis has been divided into three time spans: “uncertainty”, “expansion”, and “maturity”. The results show the association between foreign control and profitability to change over time: in the expansion stage, the association is positive while, in the uncertain and mature stages, it is negative. Labour compensation, which is seen as an indicator for the absorptive capacity, tends to be positively associated with profitability in the uncertainty stage. High investment activity is associated with a high level of profitability only during maturity: in the other stages, there is no evidence of any relationship. Consequently, the paper illustrates the stepwise approach to efficient behaviour characteristic of foreign companies operating in a transition economy. The managerial implications of the findings are clear: at first foreign affiliates improve their absorptive capacity (labour compensation), then they transfer distinct tacit knowledge (increasing foreign control) and, eventually, they transfer production technology embodied in production equipment (increasing investment outlays relative to sales).
Detection of nephropathia epidemica (Puumala virus)-specific immunoglobulin M by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Nephropathia epidemica (NE), a less severe form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, is caused by Puumala virus (PUU). This communication reports the development of a mu-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to PUU virus in human sera. Acute- and early-convalescent-phase sera (collected 1 to 41 days after disease onset) from 29 Swedish patients with clinical NE were tested for PUU virus-specific IgG and IgM antibodies by the indirect immunofluorescence test and ELISA, respectively. Late-convalescent-phase serum was also collected from 18 of these patients 3 to 24 months postinfection and assayed. The IgM ELISA values were strongly positive in sera collected during the first 2 months; at 3 to 9 months, they were negative or in the lower range of significance, and at 24 months all sera were negative. Paired sera from NE patients often fail to show seroconversion or a significant titer rise when tested by indirect immunofluorescence. Since all acute- and early-convalescent-phase sera were positive by IgM ELISA, this test could become an important tool for early diagnosis of acute human NE infections.
Comparative utility of sero ascites albumin gradient and ascitic fluid total protein for differential diagnosis of ascites.

Ascites can be defined as the abnormal accumulation of fluid inside the peritoneal cavity. Earlier ascites was classified as transudative and exudative based on the total protein concentration of the ascitic fluid. The traditional concept of high protein ascites(> 2.5 g/dl) as exudate was questioned because: (a) the normal peritoneal fluid protein concentration is some times > 4 g/dl(1); (b) the ascitic fluid protein concentration increases in cirrhotic patients with diuresis and albumin infusion^); (c) some transudative ascites like cardiac ascites have high protein concentration while some traditionally exudative ascites like malignant ascites have low concentration of protein(3); and (d) moreover cirrhosis may be the most frequent cause of high protein ascites(4).
The Cittaslow Movement: Opportunities and Challenges for the Governance of Tourism Destinations

Abstract This Research Note analyses the contribution of Cittaslow (slow city) to the governance of tourism destinations by promoting the “slowness” perspective and the concept of sustainable development at the local level. This movement strongly encourages policy-makers to orient its various efforts essentially to define and implement policies, activities and initiatives for sustaining economic development, social well-being and environmental sustainability. In this way, it stimulates the improvement of quality of life for inhabitants and tourists of the involved destinations. Based on a qualitative analysis focused on “Cittaslow Association”, this study concentrates on opportunities and challenges for certified destinations as well as the linkages between practices defined by the Cittaslow Association and sustainable development. From a theoretical point of view, the Research Note contributes to destination development literature, offering significant highlights on the governance of tourism destinations. From a managerial point of view, it supports policy-makers underlining the main opportunities and challenges for a tourism destination in being certified as Cittaslow.
Organizational culture, HRM and firm performance: Examining relationships using the competing values framework in call centres.

Organizational culture, HRM and firm performance: Examining relationships using the competing values framework in call centres. By: Wendy R. Carroll The role of organizational culture in strategic human resource management (SHRM) research was examined in call centres in Canada. Two concurrent studies were conducted using the business unit level of analysis with multiple-level respondents. Study 1 involved a sample of manager respondents from National call centres across Canada and Study 2 included two field studies involving both customer service representatives (CSR) and managerial employees as respondents. Both studies supported past arguments that organizational culture is an important consideration in SHRM research. The conventional aspects of the. SHRM relationship model, such as HR horizontal alignment and the relationship between HRM and firm performance, were tested in both studies and the findings were consistent with past research, demonstrating the validity of the measures. Cameron and Quinn's (2006) Competing Values Framework (CVF) was used to assess organizational culture. This framework defines four culture types which are referred to as clan (i.e., social), adhocracy (i.e., entrepreneurial), market (i.e., competitive) and hierarchy (i.e., bureaucratic). The results from the studies showed that two culture types, clan and adhocracy, were positively associated with firm performance, and two, market and hierarchy, were negatively associated with firm performance. In addition, both the clan and market culture types were found to partially mediate the relationship between HRM and employee performance in both studies, and HRM and operational performance in Study 1. Further analysis of intermediate linkages showed that HRM, employee performance and operational performance were all significantly and positively associated with financial performance. In addition, organizational culture types were found to have both direct and indirect associations with financial performance. Whereas adhocracy and hierarchy cultures were significantly associated with financial performance in Study 1, clan and market were not significant with financial performance for either study. These findings suggest that culture is directly associated with financial performance with two culture types and indirectly associated with financial performance by the association of clan and market cultures with employee performance and operational performance. Finally, to address past issues raised by researchers about SHRM research almost exclusively being conducted with managers, an examination of multiple-level respondents was undertaken in Study 2. The analysis showed no significant differences in CSR and manager perceptions about HRM and business strategy, with some differences in culture and firm performance perceptions. Date: December 15, 2008
Competency Signals in a Crowded Political Context

Our results suggest that the net implications of globalization for democratic accountability depend on whether greater exposure to the international economy occurs in a context with an extensive as opposed to more limited state sector. A larger government sector may in fact moderate the negative social consequences of globalization but our competency theory suggests that broadening the scope of government’s involvement in the economy reinforces the democratic deficit resulting from trade openness. Paradoxically, countries responding to increased exposure to global economic forces by privatizing and liberalizing their economies are more likely to counteract the erosion of democratic accountability associated with globalization. Our analyses suggest that democracies fall along a single dimension characterized by open economies with an expansive state sector at one extreme and closed economies and a limited state sector at the other. This implies that as globalization increases we can expect declining levels of economic voting and a growing crisis of democratic accountability.