Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of neuro‐ and adenohypophysectomy on retrograde degeneration in hypothalamic nuclei of the rat

Abundant evidence now exists that retrograde degeneration of cells of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei follows destruction of their axons in the pituitary stalk or their axon terminals in the neurohyp~physis. ~ Unfortunately, the method of retrograde degeneration has not as yet made possible a more detailed analysis of the relation of the nuclei of origin of pituitary nerve fibers to different parts of the gland. First of all, clean-cut lesions of the hypophysis are difficult to achieve, and secondly, the delimitation of the cells of one of the nuclei of origin, the paraventricular nucleus, is also difficult (O'Connor, '47). During an investigation of the antidiuretic effects of substituted cinchoninic acids (Maren and Rodian, W ) , we found that in a series of 6 rats where a clean adenohypophysectomy had been performed (ablation of anterior and intermediate lobe), but where 42-76% of the neurohypophysis remained intact, there was almost complete loss of the large cells of
How should individuals with a false‐positive fecal occult blood test for colorectal cancer be managed? A decision analysis

Several industrialized nations recommend fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) to screen for colorectal cancer (CRC), but corresponding screening guidelines do not specify how individuals with a prior false‐positive FOBT result (fpFOBT) should be managed in terms of subsequent CRC screening. Accordingly, we conducted a decision analysis to compare different strategies for managing such individuals. We used a previously developed CRC microsimulation model, SimCRC, to calculate life‐years and the lifetime number of colonoscopies (as a measure of required resources) for a cohort of 50‐year‐olds to whom FOBT‐based CRC screening is offered annually from 50 to 75 years. We compared three management strategies for individuals with a prior fpFOBT: (i) resume screening in 10 years with 10‐yearly colonoscopy (SwitchCol_long); (ii) resume screening in 1 year with annual FOBT (ContinueFOBT_Short) and (iii) resume screening in 10 years (i.e., the recommended interval following a negative colonscopy) with annual FOBT (ContinueFOBT_long). We performed sensitivity analyses on various parameters and assumptions. When using different management strategies for individuals with a prior fpFOBT, the variation in the number of life‐years gained relative to no screening was <2%, whereas the variation in the lifetime number of colonoscopies was 23% (percentages are calculated as the maximum difference across strategies divided by the lowest number across strategies). The ContinueFOBT_long strategy showed the lowest lifetime number of colonoscopies per life‐year gained even when key assumptions were varied. In conclusion, the ContinueFOBT_long strategy was advantageous regarding both clinical benefit and required resources. Specifying an appropriate management strategy for individuals with a prior fpFOBT may substantially reduce required resources within a FOBT‐based CRC screening program without limiting its effectiveness.
Discretionary Accounting Decisions and Income Normalization

The purpose of this paper is to report on another study aimed at determining whether the motive of income smoothing or income normalization can explain management's selection of accounting alternatives.1 Like Dascher and Malcom (see pages 253-59 in this issue), I designed the study to avoid some of the methodological problems discussed by Copeland.2 In particular, this study covers a longer timespan (10 years) and includes the effect on income of more accounting variables than found in the majority of the previous studies reported.3
An Empirical Investigation of Key Antecedents of Customer Preference of Internet Banking in Indian Context

With the advent of e-banking and globalization, the banking sector in India is getting fierce day-by-day, making it difficult for the banking organization to manage the competition effectively. The key lies in gaining competitive advantage in today's era of competition, paying attention to more critical service quality attributes as a part of customer service management with respect to the internet banking. Though many studies have been undertaken to address the issue of identification of determinants of internet banking service quality, but research on the examination of key attributes of internet banking service quality fostering customers' preference towards internet banking offerings of a particular bank seems to be virtually unexplored. Against this backdrop, the present study aims at exploring key antecedents of e-service quality that can lead customer preference towards internet banking offerings of a particular bank. To achieve this objective, the study conducts discriminant analysis to screen the perception of customers towards public sector bank's and private sector bank' internet banking service quality and to find out which variables are relatively better in predicting customers' preference towards internet banking offerings of a particular bank. This research has implications for bank marketers as well as for researchers interested in online marketing.
The nature of the pi1 colour mechanism of W.S. Stiles.

The ppi1 colour mechanism was isolated by means of Stile's auxiliary field technique: that it is pi1 which is isolated is proven by both test and field action spectra. 2. The fundamental mechanisms of human trichromatic colour vision must satisfy Grassman's law of additivity. The hypothesis that pi1 is one of the three fundamentals is tested by experiments in which pairs (u1, u2) of monochromatic adapting fields are mixed 3. When two fields with wave‐lengths in the neighbourhood of its primary mode (mu1, mu2 less than or equal to 500 nm) are combined, pi1 is field‐additive, consistent with the hypothesis that this portion of the pi1 action spectrum is that of the short‐wave‐length‐sensitive photoreceptors. 4. When a short‐wave‐length adaptation field (mu1 less than or equal to 500 nm) is mixed with a longer wave‐length field (mu2 greater than or equal 550 nm) i1 is strongly non‐additive. This result proves that the long‐wave‐length portion of the pi1 field spectrum is generated at least in part by a signal originating in the long‐ or middle‐wave‐length sensitive cones. 5. Analysis of the additivity failures supports a model of pi1 in which the signal to be detected is generated in the short‐wave‐length cones, and must pass serially through two gain stages: the gain in the first stage is controlled by the short‐wave‐length cones alone; the gain in the second stage is controlled by a signal originating in the middle, or long‐wave‐length cones, or both.
Auditory Brainstem and Middle Latency Evoked Responses in the Clinical Evaluation of Diabetes

The measurement of auditory brainstem evoked responses and middle latency evoked responses may improve the evaluation of diabetic neuropathy. Twenty diabetic patients were studied (12 males, 8 females), aged 21 to 63 years with normal hearing, together with 20 age‐ and sex‐matched normal subjects (10 males, 10 females). Auditory brainstem evoked responses were induced by rarefaction clicks of 0.1 ms at a repetition rate of 21.1 CPS and an intensity of 75 dB hearing level. Middle latency evoked responses were induced with clicks of 0.1 ms, a repetition rate of 7.7 CPS and an intensity of 75 dB hearing level. Diagnostic criteria were: a I‐V interval latency shift > 2SD of the control group for the auditory brainstem evoked response test or the interval difference of wave V > 0.2 ms. Middle latency evoked response was diagnostic if the latency of the Pa component was > 2SD of normals. Twenty‐five per cent of subjects had retrocochlear impairment (absence of I wave) even in the absence of symptoms. The combined technique of auditory brainstem evoked response and middle latency evoked response improved the detection rate of central nervous system dysfunction. Auditory brainstem response is important for detecting desynchronization of the auditory response, whereas middle latency evoked response detects abnormalities in the more rostral regions of the central nervous system. In conclusion, there is a role for auditory brainstem evoked response and middle latency evoked response in the global assessment of diabetic neuropathy.
Expatriate Return on Investment : A Definition and Antecedents

Expatriate return on investment (ROI) is undoubtedly an important topic, as evidenced by the considerable efforts of multinational corporations (MNCs) to find cost-reducing alternatives to long-term international assignments. Yet no studies exist examining how expatriate ROI may be calculated and what factors may increase or decrease expatriate ROI for the firm. The purpose of this article is to advance our understanding of expatriate ROI by examining the following: (1) What is expatriate ROI, and how can it be defined, and (2) What are the antecedents of expatriate ROI in terms of the human resource (HR) activities that would increase or decrease ROI. In addressing the research questions, the article formulates hypotheses to guide future research to develop an understanding of expatriate ROI. It does so by adopting a multidisciplinary approach and considering the context of an assignment's purpose. The article covers the following: (1) a proposed definition of expatriate ROI, (2) the importance of an effective system of HR activities and its expected impact on ROI, (3) factors that should be considered in order to improve the accuracy of ROI calculations, and (4) why "one best" ROI formula may not result in a meaningful rate of return. It is intended that the findings of this article will enable scholars and practitioners to have a framework by which to advance research in this important area.
Beneficial Effect of Intermittent Cyclical Etidronate Therapy in Hemiplegic Patients Following an Acute Stroke

Significant decreases in bone mineral density (BMD) occur on the hemiplegic side in chronic stroke patients, which correlate with the degree of paralysis and hypovitaminosis D. In this double‐blind, randomized, and prospective study of 98 patients with hemiplegia involving both an upper and lower extremity (55 males and 53 females; mean age, 71.4 ± 0.6 years) after an acute stroke, 49 were given etidronate for 56 weeks and 49 received a placebo. The BMD was measured by computed X‐ray densitometry (CXD) of the second metacarpal bone bilaterally. Forty age‐matched control subjects were followed for 56 weeks. At baseline, both groups had 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] insufficiency, increased serum ionized calcium and pyridinoline cross‐linked carboxy‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), and low serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D], suggesting immobilization‐induced hypercalcemia and inhibition of renal synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D. The BMD on the hemiplegic side decreased by 2.3% and 4.8% in the etidronate and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.0003). After treatment, the serum 1,25(OH)2D concentration increased by 62.2% in the etidronate group and decreased by 12.4% in the placebo group. The etidronate group had significant decreases in the serum ionized calcium and ICTP and increases in PTH and bone Gla protein (BGP), whereas the placebo group had higher serum calcium and ICTP concentrations but stable PTH. These results suggest that etidronate can prevent decreases in the BMD in hemiplegic stroke patients because it decreases the serum calcium through inhibition of bone resorption and causes a subsequent increase in the serum 1,25(OH)2D concentration.
Potent and Broadly Reactive HIV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies Elicited by a Vaccinia Virus Vector Prime-C2V3C3 Polypeptide Boost Immunization Strategy

ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) infection affects about 1 to 2 million individuals, the majority living in West Africa, Europe, and India. As for HIV-1, new strategies for the prevention of HIV-2 infection are needed. Our aim was to produce new vaccine immunogens that elicit the production of broadly reactive HIV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Native and truncated envelope proteins from the reference HIV-2ALI isolate were expressed in vaccinia virus or in bacteria. This source isolate was used due to its unique phenotype combining CD4 independence and CCR5 usage. NAbs were not elicited in BALB/c mice by single immunization with a truncated and fully glycosylated envelope gp125 (gp125t) or a recombinant polypeptide comprising the C2, V3, and C3 envelope regions (rpC2-C3). A strong and broad NAb response was, however, elicited in mice primed with gp125t expressed in vaccinia virus and boosted with rpC2-C3. Serum from these animals potently neutralized (median 50% neutralizing titer, 3,200) six of six highly divergent primary HIV-2 isolates. Coreceptor usage and the V3 sequence of NAb-sensitive isolates were similar to that of the vaccinating immunogen (HIV-2ALI). In contrast, NAbs were not reactive on three X4 isolates that displayed major changes in V3 loop sequence and structure. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that broadly reactive HIV-2 NAbs can be elicited by using a vaccinia virus vector-prime/rpC2-C3-boost immunization strategy and suggest a potential relationship between escape to neutralization and cell tropism.
Standards of English in Higher Education: Issues, Challenges and Strategies

The student demographic of universities today has changed quite dramatically from even a decade ago. As universities seek to internationalise, widen participation and derive attendant reputational and financial benefits, along with greater opportunities for research collaborations and industry links, they also face a growing challenge associated with what Neil Murray terms 'the English language question'. In particular, as the proportion of students of non-English speaking backgrounds entering universities increases, there is growing concern over levels of language proficiency and what this can mean for educational standards, the student experience and, ultimately, institutional standing. Standards of English in Higher Education unpacks a number of key and interrelated issues - for example, the assessment of proficiency and the structure and nature of provision - that bear on the question of English language standards and in doing so offers a frank critical appraisal of English language in higher education today. - Draws together in a single volume a number of key and interrelated issues around English language proficiency in today’s higher education context. - Provides a framework for ongoing discussion and debate on a critical area in higher education. - Highlights the potential tension between the maintenance of educational standards in higher education and the need to reflect an international orientation, widen participation and maintain financial buoyancy.
The Coexistence of Competing Parasites. Part II-Hyperparasitism and Food Chain Dynamics.

Hyperparasitism is a widespread interaction in natural communities, but has to date received little attention in the theoretical literature. In this paper, we compared canonical models for food chains (resource-prey-predator systems) and host-parasite-hyperparasite interactions. We focus on microparasites, so the dynamical variables are the abundances of host individuals in different classes (e.g. with or without a particular parasite), and assume that the parasite is the only factor regulating a host population. Analysis of a "donor-controlled" model in which the primary parasite regulates host population growth, but with no additional demographic impact of the hyperparasite, suggests that intrinsic growth rate r of the host population is a fundamental parameter governing persistence of the hyperparasite. We then examine a model in which the hyperparasite can affect host births, deaths, and rate of recovery from the primary parasite. A wide range of outcomes are possible. For instance, hyperparasites can stabilize inherently unstable host-parasite systems, or destabilize stable systems. Persistence at a stable equilibrium often requires that the host intrinsic growth rate r lie within defined bounds; at low r, the hyperparasite may not be able to persist (in stable systems), whereas at high r the system is unstable and the host population grows in an unbounded fashion. We conclude by sketching directions for future work, and suggesting some possible practical implications of our results.Copyright 1998 Academic Press
Testing Wagner's Law For The European Union Economies

This paper examines the validity of Wagner’s law in the EU-15 member-states for the time period 1949-1998. For investigating the existence of a long run and causal relationship between government expenditure and national income, three of the most advanced econometric methods, the Engle-Granger cointegration test, the Johansen maximum likelihood method and the Granger causality test have been applied to six alternative functional interpretations of the law. The results are very ambiguous and our main findings suggest that the validity or invalidity of Wagner’s law is very sensitive to the method applied.
Individual commitment over time : tensions and paradoxes of making meaning within the context of ecological sustainability

This thesis investigates individual change over time and provides vital clues to the difficulties and opportunities of sustaining commitment within social, business and political complexity. Critique of the deterministic accounts of the organisation and management literature has led to new pathways of understanding in how individuals make meaning. These areas of investigation advance theory of how individuals adapt and respond to technical and adaptive change. The study draws from literature on selfidentity, sensemaking and commitment to build deeper understanding of synergies and disconnections as applied to the area of sustainability and change management. The research adopted a social constructionist approach where data was collected from 31 individuals in their commitment to environmentally friendly practices in small and medium businesses. Study of the influence of sensegiving on sensemaking of individuals was undertaken in the context of a government funded program designed to improve the level of ecological sustainability in industry. The primary source of data came from reflective glances that included memories of past events and experiences, and current and prospective accounts were analysed to build theory. The findings indicate that individual commitment over time is a highly temporal and ephemeral phenomenon that is heavily interconnected with personal desires for stability and becoming. These investigations provide important contributions to the field of sustainability, and new perspectives on how personal change manifests within ambiguity and why the morphing of language and relationships makes commitment difficult to sustain. The capacity to adapt quickly to complexity requires a skilful mix of personal desire in overcoming obstacles, being able to create compelling scripts for change, and finally being able to modify leadership and management strategies to secure lasting engagement and compliance. The central finding of this research is that individuals morph over time in relationship to multiple commitments and readings of what is occurring around them. Centrally important to these determinations are the perceived levels of power and authority to take action in the particular context.
Estimating occupational risks associated with roadside automobile vulcanizing trade in a part of southwestern Nigeria

This study investigated occupational risks associated with roadside vulcanizers in Ife Central Local Government Area, Southwestern Nigeria. The objectives of the study included the determination of spatial distribution pattern of vulcanizers, examination of location factors as well as the assessment of risks that vulcanizers were exposed to. High resolution imagery (IKONOS) was downloaded and roads of interest were extracted from the imagery to produce a map of the distribution of vulcanizers. Nearest Neighbour Analysis was carried out to determine the spatial pattern of distribution of vulcanizers in the study are. Factor analysis was carried out to extract most manageable factors of location choice, other descriptive statistics were conducted to determine risks factors that vulcanizers were exposed to in the study area. Results revealed that vulcanizers were distributed in a dispersed pattern in the study area given the NNI of 3.489. Also, proximity to traffic, distance from home, nearness to motor park, low competition, high traffic volume and opportunity for shelter were extracted factors which contributed a total of 61.314% of variance explained by the variables. However, traffic noise, exposure to weather condition and dust and smoke formed the major risks that vulcanizers were exposed to in the study area. The study concluded that most roadside vulcanizers were exposed to risks and actions be taken to relocate them from roadside to reduce mortality that may arise from unsafe trade location.
Primary family caregivers' observations and perceptions of their older relatives' knee osteoarthritis pain and pain management: a qualitative study.

AIM To explore primary family caregivers' observations and perceptions of their older relatives' knee osteoarthritis pain and pain management. BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint disorders in older people. Studies have mainly focused on spouses' or partners' perceptions of older individuals' osteoarthritis pain. DESIGN Qualitative description. METHODS Primary family caregivers of older outpatients with osteoarthritis (N = 28) were recruited by convenience from one medical centre in northern Taiwan and two regional hospitals in northern and eastern Taiwan in 2012. Data were collected in individual interviews using a semi-structured guide and analysed by content analysis. RESULTS Primary family caregivers observed that their older relatives commonly mentioned that osteoarthritis pain interfered with their walking ability, daily activities, moods, sleep and social activities. Older adults commonly shared their pain with their family members. Participants observed that their older relatives with osteoarthritis used limited pain-management strategies to relieve pain, but participants provided few pain-management strategies to help their relatives. Most participants had limited knowledge about osteoarthritis pain. Some participants and their older relatives held negative attitudes towards using pain medicines. Most participants suggested that other families should bring their older relatives with osteoarthritis pain to see a doctor as soon as possible. CONCLUSION Our results show that family caregivers were the main support for older people with osteoarthritis. Interventions should educate patients and family members about osteoarthritis causes, common misconceptions about osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis pain medicines and treatment and encourage family members' support.