Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serological reactivity to heat shock protein 70 in patients with hydatid disease

Heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) was chosen as a model antigen with which to investigate autoantibody production in humans with cystic hydatid disease. Levels of specific serum antibody were assessed in the sera of patients with surgically confirmed infection with E. granulosus and sera from non‐infected controls. Antigens used were human hsp70, obtained from K562 cells grown in culture, and E. granulosus hsp70 obtained by expression of the full length protein in Escherichia coli following cloning of the associated mRNA. Antibody reactivity to human hsp70 was detected in the sera of only a small proportion of hydatid patients (10%) as well as a similar proportion of sera from age matched controls. Specific antibodies reactive with E. granulosus hsp70 were detected in 60% of hydatid patients, although some samples (21%) from healthy controls also reacted with E. granulosus hsp70, the level of reactivity was significantly higher in hydatid patients. This report identifies E. granulosus hsp70 as an immunogen during human hydatid infection but, despite its having a predicted 81% protein sequence homology with human hsp70, it does not appear to induce autoimmune reactivity against the homologous human protein.
Multivariate Output Analysis for Markov Chain Monte

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) produces a correlated sample in order to estimate expectations with respect to a target distribution. A fundamental question is when should sampling stop so that we have good estimates of the desired quantities? The key to answering this question lies in assessing the Monte Carlo error through a multivariate Markov chain central limit theorem. However, the multivariate nature of this Monte Carlo error has largely been ignored in the MCMC literature. We provide conditions for consistently estimating the asymptotic covariance matrix via the multivariate batch means estimator. Based on this result, we present a relative standard deviation fixed-volume sequential stopping rule for terminating simulation. We show that this stopping rule is asymptotically equivalent to terminating when the effective sample size for the MCMC sample is above a desired threshold, giving an intuitive and theoretically justified approach to im∗Research supported by the National Science Foundation. †Research supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.
Coordination of specialty referrals and physician satisfaction with referral care.

OBJECTIVES To describe how physicians coordinate patient care for specialty referrals and to examine the effects of these activities on referring physicians' satisfaction with the specialty care their patients receive and referral completion. DESIGN AND METHODS Prospective study of a consecutive sample of referrals (N = 963) made from the offices of 122 pediatricians in 85 practices in a national practice-based research network. Data sources included a physician survey completed when the referral was made (response rate, 99%) and a physician survey and medical record review conducted 3 months later (response rate, 85%). Referral completion was defined as receipt of written communication of referral results from the specialist. RESULTS Pediatricians scheduled appointments with specialists for 39.3% and sent patient information to specialists for 50.8% of referrals. The adjusted odds of referral completion were increased 3-fold for those referrals for which the pediatrician scheduled the appointment and communicated with the specialist compared with those for which neither activity occurred. Referring physicians' satisfaction ratings were significantly increased by any type of specialist feedback and were highest for referrals involving specialist feedback by both telephone and letter. Elements of specialists' letters that significantly increased physician ratings of letter quality included presence of patient history, suggestions for future care, follow-up arrangements, and plans for comanaging care; only the inclusion of plans for comanaging patient care was significantly related to the referring physicians' overall satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS Better coordination between referring physicians and specialists increases physician satisfaction with specialty care and enhances referral completion. Improvements in the referral process may be achieved through better communication and collaboration between primary care physicians and specialists.
Does Foreign Ownership Improve Financial Constraints in Weak Corporate Governance Environment? Evidence from Malaysia

The issues of financial constraints emphasis that firms use internal cash rather than debt or equity for investments. In a country where family controlled are prominent this could lead to distortion of capital and economy growth. Hence, over rely on internal financing lead firms to invest inefficiently particularly in family controlled firms where agency problem is severe. Moreover, the issues of weak corporate governance such as duality and relationship based independent directors prevail in family firms than non-family firms in emerging economy. In view of reduced investment in Malaysia during global financial crisis in 2008-2009, this study investigates family controlled firms and the issues of financial constraints conditional on corporate governance variables. Apparently, family firms rely on internal cash flow rather than external debt market for investments especially in firms with the presence of CEO’s Duality. The presence of foreign ownership mitigate Duality weaknesses and enhancing investment via internal cash and external debt financing. However, independent directors as governance mechanism is rather weak as firms utilise less debt for investments, while the presence of foreign ownership does not exert any governance effects to improve financial constraints situation, rather there are possibilities of expropriating for private benefits. The findings is consistent when applying sample firms with low cash flows. Lastly, the findings suggest the ineffectiveness of governance especially on the role of independent directors towards efficient investments in Malaysia.
Determinants of Employee Retention: An Evidence from Pakistan

Employee retention is one of the biggest challenges for today’s managers and organization. It involves taking actions to motivate employees to stay in the organization for a longer period of time. Employees keep on looking for better work place and environment. While on the other side, employers use new tactics to retain best talent due to rigorous competition. In order to save turnover cost, the focal point of organizations has been shifted from turnover to retention. To compel people to stay in any organization, various factors are identified through research that includes environmental, motivational and succession planning. This research will indicate the effectiveness of retention strategies that the organizations use to retain people. It is conducted directly from employees to investigate the elements that make them committed to their organizations. An effort is made to discover the effectiveness of the retention strategies in Pakistani organizations and that how practical they are to retain people. The results of this research study have shown that employee retention is highly dependent and correlated with all the independent variables identified in this study.
Slope-Assisted Brillouin Optical Correlation-Domain Reflectometry: Proof of Concept

Exploiting the slope of the Brillouin gain spectrum, we develop a new configuration of Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry, which can measure strain (or temperature) and optical loss distributions simultaneously with a high sampling rate. The strain, temperature, and loss dependence coefficients of the output signal are measured to be 1.95 × 10-4 dB/με, 4.42 × 10-3 dB/K, and 0.191, respectively, which are consistent with the theoretical predictions. We also verify the basic operation of simultaneous measurement of the three parameters.
Notice of RetractionAdoption of e-commerce strategy in a private SME in China

Electronic commerce (EC) is expected to play an increasingly important role in the 21st century global market, especially in developing countries. This paper investigates adoption and development of e-commerce strategy in a private SME in the East Coastal Area of China. The findings help to explore the EC status, major contributing factors, and unique values of EC in adopting and developing e-commerce strategy in SMEs in China. The findings should also be important for studying EC trends in the emerging markets.
An evaluation of operational GOES‐derived single‐layer cloud top heights with ARSCL data over the ARM Southern Great Plains Site

Cloud top heights retrieved from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) data are evaluated using comparisons to 5 years of surface‐based cloud radar and lidar data taken at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program's site near Lamont, Oklahoma. Separate daytime and nighttime algorithms developed at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) applied to GOES imager data and an operational CO2‐slicing technique applied to GOES sounder data are tested. Comparisons between the daytime, nighttime and CO2‐slicing cloud top heights and the surface retrievals yield mean differences of −0.84 ± 1.48 km, −0.56 ± 1.31 km, and −1.30 ± 2.30 km, respectively, for all clouds. The errors generally increase with increasing cloud altitude and decreasing optical thickness. These results, which highlight some of the challenges associated with passive satellite cloud height retrievals, are being used to guide development of a blended LaRC/CO2‐slicing cloud top height product with accuracies suitable for assimilation into weather forecast models.
Effects of Counselling on In-School Adolescents' about HIV/AIDS in Malaysia

The study examined the effects of counselling on in-school adolescents about HIV/AIDS in Malaysia. A total of 100 male and female students were randomly chosen from three residential commercial areas located in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. A questionnaire on HIV/AIDS symptoms was administered. The findings of the study indicated that two thirds of the interviewed adolescents have high desires to live longer on the earth. Also, adolescents do not associate high death rates of youths with HIV/AIDS symptoms. This report has implications for HIV/AIDS counselling in the Malaysian school system. This is supported by the fact that with the success of retrovirus therapy, many of the infected now live healthier lives and are pursuing a wider range of activities. Many HIV/AIDS infected people today can participate in undergoing their daily life activities, with a significant chance of living longer on the earth. The authors conclude that collaborative partnership between HIV/AIDS services and HIV counselling as part of the integrated system will provide early intervention services to boast relief of anxiety for the young people in Malaysia who already live with HIV/AIDS.
CRISIS PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND THE EFFECT OF NATIONAL CULTURE UNDER CRISIS: A STUDY FROM TURKEY

Crisis management is a critical function in organizations, specifically developing and emerging countries dealing with crisis in a minor and major scale frequently. Crisis in projects should be handled immediately and professionally in where the projects threat the reputation of a company. In traditional organizations, most common organizational behavior under crisis seems to take the risk with no supported mechanism. Project management based organizations practice risk management under project management methodologies, surprisingly we cannot find many companies are prepared for crisis. This behavior may associate with national culture, especially Hofstede’s extensive work on national cultures. Therefore, this paper investigates cultural characteristics of Turkish business culture under crisis, and identifies the relationship with the natural culture dimensions and crisis project management. Two-stages survey questionnaires are employed and data analyzed using different statistical analysis. Our results indicate that power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientations are the national cultural dimensions observed significantly under crisis situations. Further investigation and recommendations are discussed
Oestrus Induction, Plasma Steroid Hormone Profiles and Fertility Response after CIDR and eCG Treatment in Acyclic Sahiwal Cows

The study was conducted on 30 true acyclic Sahiwal cows (15 cows, ≥90 days postpartum; 15 postpubertal heifers, ≥30 months of age) and a similar 20 untreated controls (10 cows, 10 heifers). An 'Eazi' breed Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) device (containing 1.38 g progesterone) was inserted intravaginally for 7 days (days 0 to 7) followed by 500 IU eCG i.m. at CIDR removal in all the treated animals. Heifers also received 5 mg oestradiol valerate i.m at CIDR insertion. The reproductive performance of these animals was recorded in terms of oestrus induction response, conception and pregnancy rates. Plasma progesterone (P4) and oestradiol-17β (E2) profiles of 4 representative animals from each treatment group before, during and after CIDR treatment were also monitored. An oestrus induction response of 100% was observed in treated cows and heifers. The majority of cows (53.3%) and heifers (60%) were induced to oestrus within 24-36 and 36-48 h, respectively after CIDR withdrawal; with mean intervals of 44±3.18 and 48±2.35 h, respectively. The conception rate at induced oestrus was higher in cows (40%) than heifers (20%). The final pregnancy rates after 2 subsequent oestruses were 80 and 60% in cows and heifers, respectively (overall 70% for all treated animals). In comparison, only 10% of control animals (2 cows only, 2/20) showed oestrus and become pregnant (10%) during theentire study period. The pretreatment (day 0) mean plasma P4 levels were statistically (p>0.05) similar in cows and heifers (0.40±0.04 and 0.49±0.11 ng/ml, respectively). The peak P4 levels were observed on day 1 in cows (13.94±1.41 ng/ml) and day 2 in heifers (19.15±3.30 ng/ml) with a progressive decline up to the day of CIDR withdrawal (3.35±0.92 and 8.79±1.71 ng/ml, respectively). Mean P4 levels on day 9 and 10 in cows and heifers did not differ significantly from their respective day 0 values and the lowest values were recorded on day 10 both in cows and heifers (0.13±0.03 and 0.14±0.02 ng/ml, respectively). Wide variations in individual pretreatment E2 levels were observed both in the cows (range = 4-26, mean = 13.00±4.65 pg/ml) and heifers (range = 10-14, mean = 11.50±0.96 pg/ml). Thereafter also, E2 levels in cows showed variation and reached a peak level (53.50±2.99 pg/ml) on day 8. In heifers, peak mean E2 level (111.25±39.81 pg/ml) was recorded on day 1, followed by a non-significant decline on day 2, a significant fall on day 6 and a non-significant increase on day 9 and 10. However, mean E2 levels on days 7 (p<0.05), 8 and 9 (p<0.01) were significantly higher in cows compared to heifers. The post-CIDR withdrawal mean highest P4 and lowest E2 levels coincided with the period when the majority of animals were induced to oestrus. CIDR and eCG treatment resulted in effective induction of oestrus with satisfactory pregnancy rates in true acyclic Sahiwal
Assessment of Adequacy of Supplementation of Vitamin D in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES To compare the effect of 400 IU and 1000 IU vitamin D for 6 weeks in very low birth weight preterm neonates. DESIGN Randomized, double-blinded controlled trial in a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS Fifty very low birth weight preterm neonates. INTERVENTION Vitamin D 400 IU/day (Group 1) or 1000 IU/day (Group 2). OUTCOME MEASURES Change in serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD), parathormone, incidence of skeletal hypomineralization and growth. RESULTS After 6 weeks of supplementation, the mean serum calcium and 25-OHD levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001 each), while ALP and parathormone levels significantly lower (p < 0.001 each) in group 2. Skeletal hypomineralization was lesser and growth better in group 2. CONCLUSION Vitamin D supplementation in a dose of 1000 IU/day is more effective in maintaining serum calcium, phosphate, ALP, 25-OHD and parathormone levels with lower incidence of skeletal hypomineralization and better growth.
Oxidative stress and DNA damage induced by spinosad exposure in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells

ABSTRACT Spinosad, a neurotoxic insecticide, is widely used for crop protection. In order to elucidate the effects of spinosad on oxidative stress and genotoxicity in Sf9 cells, the levels of lipid peroxidation, the activity of antioxidative enzymes, and DNA damage were measured. The results showed that spinosad caused a time-dependent increase in the formation of malondialdehyde and decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Further studies confirmed that spinosad induced 8-oxoguanine accumulation in Sf9 cells, which is accompanied by increased expression of DNA repair enzymes (OGG1 and MTH1). The neutral comet assay revealed that spinosad induced significant time-related increases of DNA double-strand breaks in Sf9 cells. Our results indicate that spinosad effectively induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in Sf9 cells.
Understanding the Rotating Snakes illusion

This paper explores potential mechanisms underlying Rotating Snakes a piece of Op-Art by Kitaoka evoking a striking apparent motion illusion. The Op-Art is based on an illusion developed by Kitaoka & Ashida (2003) and is similar to previous illusions developed by Fraser & Wilcox (1979), Faubert & Herbert (1998) and Naor-Raz & Sekuler (2000). The subsequent illusions, including Rotating Snakes are considered by their authors to be related to the original Fraser & Wilcox "Escalator" illusion and are collectively termed Peripheral Drift illusions. Despite their similarities, none of the mechanisms proposed to date can explain both the "single gradient" members of this class of illusion (exemplified by the Faubert & Herbert illusion) and the "double gradient" members of this class (namely the Rotating Snakes illusion). A mechanism based on luminance-dependent latency proposed by Faubert & Herbert explains the "single gradient" illusions well but does not explain the "double gradient" illusions. It is also not clear how biologically plausible such a mechanism is given the centre-surround structure of retinal ganglion cell receptive fields. Two similar mechanisms based on contrast-dependent latency explain the "double gradient" illusions but fail to explain the single gradient illusions. Conway et al (2005) describe the effect of this latency in terms of forward and reverse phi motion, while Backus and Oruc (2005) explicitly model the temporal response of V1 neurons as a function of contrast. It is likely that these two approaches are describing the same underlying mechanism. Johnston et al (1998; 2003) have developed a high-level Gaussian derivative model of motion, which has successfully detected "illusory" contrast-driven second order motion in moving patterns. The contrastdependent latency described above could be considered a gradual switch from an input dominated by highcontrast elements to one dominated by low-contrast elements. Therefore a simplified Rotating Snakes pattern was contrast-modulated and passed through the Gaussian derivative model to see if any motion was detected. Despite preliminary theoretical analysis suggesting that the model would detect motion in the direction of the illusion for a stimulus decreasing in contrast over time, the motion reported by the model was excessively large and inconsistent in direction. It seems likely that any perceived motion is an artefact of the model. Further work will be necessary to identify and eliminate any causes of any anomalous motion before conclusions can be drawn regarding whether a Gaussian derivative based motion model will see the Rotating Snakes Illusion.
IMPACT CASH FLOW RIGHT LEVERAGE OF CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDER ON PERFORMANCE IN INDONESIA

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of cash flow rights leverage of controlling shareholder on performance. The ownership of common stock has some rights such as control rights and cash flow rights. Control rights are the rights of common shareholders to elect board of directors and other company’s policies, such as the issuence of securities, stock split and substansial changes in company’s operation (Du and Dai, 2005). Cash flow rights are the financial claims of shareholders on the companies (La Porta et al., 1999). Case in Indonesia, commonly there are differences between control rights and cash flow rights. It is called cash flow right leverage. The large leverage indicates the large agency conflict between controlling shareholder and non-controlling shareholders. The low leverage indicates the low agency conflict. It will impact on performance. If the control rights are greater than cash flow rights, it indicates the larger agency problem. It indicates that the power of the controlling shareholder in the company is larger than claim to the firm. It is incentive for a controlling shareholder to expropriate non-controlling shareholders through utilizing assets of company for his/her private benefit. This study uses the sample of the manufacturing companies listed in the Indonesian Stock Exchange during the period 2001-2007. Performance is measured by Return on Assets (ROA). The results of this study show that the cash flow right leverage of controlling shareholder has negative impacts on performance. It means the large agency conflict (cash flow right leverage) between controlling and non-controlling shareholders reduce performance. The results of this study can give contribution for Indonesia Financial Service Authority (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK)) to monitor public companies in Indonesia. This institution more focus for companies which has large cash flow right leverage. Because, it indicates the large agency problem between controlling and non-controlling shareholders.
Identification and Characterization of a High Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Harboring VanA Gene Cluster Isolated from Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Objective(s) Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of human infection, and emergence of vancomycin-resistance S. aureus is a great concern for treatment of methicillin-resistant S. aureus,(MRSA) in recent years (MRSA). Here, we report the isolation of high-level VRSA. Materials and Methods S. aureus was isolated from foot ulcer of a diabetic woman in Tehran, Iran. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined according to CLSI guidelines. VanA gene cluster PCR was carried out and PCR amplicon of vanA was sequenced. Results S. aureus had high-level vancomycin-resistant (MIC 512 ≥ µg/ml). Patient's history revealed that VRSA isolate was acquired through community transmission. Only vanA, vanR and vanS genes were amplified in our isolate. Sequencing revealed that the vanA sequence had high similarity to the vanA sequence of Tn1546. Conclusion Although VRSA infection continues to be rare, isolation of community–acquired VRSA is a significant issue and it needs the efforts of public health authorities.