Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Line scan diffusion imaging of the spine.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Recent findings suggest that diffusion-weighted imaging might be an important adjunct to the diagnostic workup of disease processes in the spine, but physiological motion and the challenging magnetic environment make it difficult to perform reliable quantitative diffusion measurements. Multi-section line scan diffusion imaging of the spine was implemented and evaluated to provide quantitative diffusion measurements of vertebral bodies and intervertebral disks. METHODS Line scan diffusion imaging of 12 healthy study participants and three patients with benign vertebral compression fractures was performed to assess the potential of line scan diffusion imaging of the spinal column. In a subgroup of six participants, multiple b-value (5-3005 s/mm(2)) images were obtained to test for multi-exponential signal decay. RESULTS All images were diagnostic and of high quality. Mean diffusion values were (230 +/- 83) x 10(-6) mm(2)/s in the vertebral bodies, (1645 +/- 213) x 10(-6) mm(2)/s in the nuclei pulposi, (837 +/- 318) x 10(-6) mm(2)/s in the annuli fibrosi and ranged from 1019 x 10(-6) mm(2)/s to 1972 x 10(-6) mm(2)/s in benign compression fractures. The mean relative intra-participant variation of mean diffusivity among different vertebral segments (T10-L5) was 2.97%, whereas the relative difference in mean diffusivity among participants was 7.41% (P <.0001). The estimated measurement precision was <2%. A bi-exponential diffusion attenuation was found only in vertebral bodies. CONCLUSION Line scan diffusion imaging is a robust and reliable method for imaging the spinal column. It does not suffer as strongly from susceptibility artifacts as does echo-planar imaging and is less susceptible to patient motion than are other multi-shot techniques. The different contributions from the water and fat fractions need to be considered in diffusion-weighted imaging of the vertebral bodies.
Monitoring of Tetracycline Residues in Table Eggs Collected From Qassim Region, KSA

The present study was designed to monitor tetracycline residues in table eggs collected fromdifferent regions located in Al-Qassim region from January 2006 to October 2006 using HPLC with UVdetection and compare them with internationally acceptable maximum residue limits (MRLs) andassessing proper implementation of the proper withdrawal times. HPLC analysis showed thatgeographical and seasonal differences in OTC levels. The number of positive samples found in all regionsduring October 2006 were higher (n= 27) than that collected during January (n= 21), July (n= 19) andApril (n= 17). Moreover, the percentages of total occurrence of the positive samples collected from EionAl-Gawa (57.5) was higher than that in Al-Moznab (55), Buraidah (47.5), Al-Shamasia (27.5) and Oneiza(22.5) with 14, 12, 8, 5 and 5 samples exceeding MRLs, respectively. The results of present investigationindicate that there is widespread misuse of tetracycline by egg layer chicken farms in Al-Qassim regionreflecting a general lack of compliance with the recommended practices regarding the use ofantimicrobial agents.These findings pointed to the following recommendations: the need for a monitoring program fortetracycline residues in table eggs in Al-Qassim region at the national level to protect consumers’ health.Keywords: Tetracycline Residues, table eggs, Qassim, withdrawal period
Management of Acute Sigmoid Volvulus, using one stage resection and Anastomosis without Colonic Lavage

Background: One stage primary resection and anastomosis of left sided colonic obstruction with on-table antegrade colonic lavage is in vogue, to reduce the risk of postoperative infective complications and anastomotic dehiscence. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the safety of single-stage resection and anastomosis for acute left-sided colonic obstruction due to acute sigmoid volvulus, without intra operative colonic lavage. Material & Methods: This study was conducted in a consecutive series of patients admitted to our department with acute sigmoid volvulus. Patients with perforation and peritonitis at presentation were excluded from the study. Emergency resection was performed by consultant grade surgeon, followed by primary anastomosis without on-table colonic lavage, after a manual decompression. The data obtained was analyzed. Results: A total of 83 patients underwent resection and primary anastomosis of acute sigmoid volvulus. Four patients presented with gangrenous bowels, which were resected and primary anastomosis performed. One patient had caecal volvulus in addition to sigmoid. He had double resection and primary anastomosis. Post-operatively there were 7 superficial wound infections, 3 required surgical drainage. Death or clinical anastomotic failure was not recorded in the series. Mean hospital stay was 9.3 days. Conclusion: Our results suggest that resection of acute sigmoid volvulus and primary anastomosis after decompression is a safe procedure.
Quality of Work Life and Ego-Strength as a Predictor of Organizational Commitment: A Study of Managerial Personnel

The present research intends to understand the influence of manager’s perception of quality of work life and Ego-Strength on their Organizational commitment. The study was carried out in different private and public organizations located in Delhi. Data were collected from 300 managers. Analysis of the data was done using stepwise multiple regression analysis and t-test. Results revealed that only Quality of work life has predicted Organizational Commitment in both the measured groups of managers. Results further revealed significant difference between managers of private and public undertakings on all the measured variables. The findings imply that the organizations in both the sectors need to understand and manage managers’ Ego-Strength and provide them with suitable interpersonal atmosphere to strengthen their ego so that their level of Organizational commitment could be enhanced. Results are explained in the light of present scenario in existing private and public undertakings.
An Evaluation of Value Relevance of Consolidated Earnings and Cash Flow Reporting in India

This study examines the value relevance of consolidated financial statements and cash flow statements in the Indian Stock market. In the recent years several new disclosures have been mandated in India including the cash flow statement and the preparation of consolidated financial statements. The motivation for the additional disclosures has been internationalization of accounting standards as well as better transparency. Very few countries provide information on both stand alone as well as consolidated financial statements, which makes it unique in the Indian context to study the relative importance of these statements. This study provides evidence on consolidated financial statements and the preparation of cash flow statement.Our findings are that consolidated accrual earnings and cash flows statements have no significant association with market adjusted stock return. On the contrary, the parent only earnings show significant positive relationship with the stock returns. Our results are quite contrary to the existing literature on value relevance from other counties and throws light on the way markets react to the information in an emerging market like India. These results have a policy implication for the regulators especially as we are moving towards adopting the International Financial reporting standards.
The control of fracture healing and its therapeutic targeting: Improving upon nature

Fracture repair is a complex process involving timed cellular recruitment, gene expression, and synthesis of compounds that regenerate native tissue to restore the mechanical integrity, and thus function of injured bone. While the majority of fractures heal without complication, this takes time and a subset of patients (∼10%) experience healing delays, extending their morbidity and treatment costs. Consequently, there is a need for efficacious therapeutics for the intervention of fracture healing. Recent studies into the molecular control of fracture repair and advances in the understanding of the skeleton as a whole have resulted in the identification of numerous novel targets and compounds for such intervention. These include traditional agents such bone morphogenetic proteins and other growth factors, but also relatively newer compounds such as parathyroid hormone and modulators of the Wnt signaling pathway. These agents, along with others, are discussed in the current article in terms of their investigative status and potential for clinical implementation. Hopefully, these agents, as well as others yet to be discovered, will demonstrate sufficient clinical utility for successful intervention of fracture healing. This may have significant implications for the duration of morbidity and costs associated with traumatic bone fractures. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 302–311, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Democratization and War

T H E IDEA that democracies never fight wars against each other has become an axiom for many scholars. It is, as one scholar puts it, "as close as anything we have to an empirical law in international relations. " This "law" is invoked by American statesmen to justify a foreign policy that encourages democratization abroad. In his 1994 State ofthe Union address. President Clinton asserted that no two democracies had ever gone to war with each other, thus explaining why promoting democracy abroad was a pillar of his foreign policy. It is probably true that a world in which more countries were mature, stable democracies would be safer and preferable for the United States. But countries do not become mature democracies overnight. They usually go through a rocky transition, where mass politics mixes with authoritarian elite politics in a volatile way. Statistical evidence covering the past two centuries shows that in this transitional phase of democratization, countries become more aggressive and war-prone, not less, and they do fight wars with democratic states. In fact, formerly authoritarian states where democratic participation is on the rise are more likely to fight wars than are sta-
Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury Stimulates Subventricular Zone Proliferation and Neurogenesis in the Neonatal Rat

Neurogenesis persists throughout life in the rodent subventricular zone (SVZ) and increases in the adult after brain injury. In this study, postnatal day 7 (P7) rats underwent right carotid artery ligation followed by 8% O2 exposure for 90 min, a lesioning protocol that resulted in ipsilateral forebrain hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury. The effects of HI injury on SVZ cell proliferation and neurogenesis were examined 1–3 wk later by morphometric measurement of dorsolateral SVZ size; by immunoassays to detect incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in proliferating cells; and by immunoassays of doublecortin, a microtubule-associated protein expressed only by immature neurons. For determining the cell phenotypes of newly generated cells, tissue sections were double labeled with antibodies to BrdU and markers of mature neurons (neuronal nuclear protein), astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein), or oligodendroglia (RIP). HI injury resulted in enlargement of the ipsilateral SVZ at P14–28 and a corresponding increase in BrdU cell numbers both in the ipsilateral SVZ and striatum at P21. HI injury also stimulated SVZ neurogenesis, based on increased doublecortin immunostaining in the SVZ ipsilateral to lesioning at P14–28. However, 4 wk after HI injury, in the lesioned striatum, although BrdU/glial fibrillary acidic protein and BrdU/RIP-labeled cells were identified, no BrdU/neuronal nuclear protein double-labeled cells were found. These results suggest that although acute neonatal HI injury stimulates SVZ proliferation and neurogenesis, there is inadequate trophic support for survival of newly generated neurons. Identification of the trophic factors that enhance maturation and survival of immature neurons could provide important clues for improving recovery after neonatal brain injury.
A caspase inhibitor fully protects rats against lethal normothermic liver ischemia by inhibition of liver apoptosis

Apoptosis is activated during the early phase of reperfusion after liver ischemia and after liver transplantation in animals. However, the molecular basis of ischemia‐induced cell death remains poorly understood. In this study we show that hepatocytes from ischemic liver lobes undergo apoptosis after reperfusion. In vivo pretreatment of rats with a specific inhibitor of caspases abrogates the apoptotic response in ischemic liver lobes. Inhibition of apoptosis can be accounted for by total inhibition of caspase activation as assessed in an enzymatic assay and by specific affinity labeling. Treatment with a caspase inhibitor fully protects rats from death induced by ischemia/ reperfusion. These findings indicate that liver injury after ischemia/reperfusion can be prevented by inhibition of caspases. Thus, caspase inhibitors may have important therapeutic implications in liver ischemic diseases and after liver transplantation. —Cursio, R. , Gugenheim, J., RicciJ, E. , Crenesse, D. , Rostagno, P., Maulon, L. , Saint‐Paul, M. ‐C. , Ferrua, B. , Auberger, P. A caspase inhibitor fully protects rats against lethal normothermic liver ischemia by inhibition of liver apoptosis. FASEB J. 13, 253–261 (1999)
China's Labour Market in the Wake of Economic Restructuring

In China’s gradual approach to economic transition, the difficult process of restructuring state owned enterprises (SOEs) was deferred until the mid-1990s. When restructuring of large scale SOEs began in earnest in 1997, China witnessed sharp declines in employment of urban residents. While some dislocated state sector workers made a tra nsition to work in the non-state sector, large shares of laid off workers spent long spells unemployed or even out of the labor force. This was likely a function of both the generosity and duration of laid -off worker benefits, and reluctance of workers to move to private sector firms that were not willing to make required pension and health insurance contributions for their employees. Much of the transition out of the state sector occurs through early retirement and exit from the labor force, while workers entering the private sector tend to be young, with many taking their first job in private sector firms. In analyses of unem ployment duration, we find that subsidies used to support dislocated workers create a disincentive for return to the work force. Younger workers with higher educational attainment find new employment more quickly, while workers with smaller family networks and fewer sources of information and job referral take longer to find new employment. On the other hand, we also find evidence suggesting that exit from the labor force reflects a choice. Women exited the labor force in great numbers after 1996, but those women with adult children of college age are 60 percent more likely than other women to be re-employed within a year.
Role of H2O2 in hypertension, renin‐angiotensin system activation and renal medullary disfunction caused by angiotensin II

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Activation of the intrarenal renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) and increased renal medullary hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contribute to hypertension. We examined whether H2O2 mediated hypertension and intrarenal RAS activation induced by angiotensin II (Ang II).
The Human Estrogen Receptor-α Is a Ubiquitinated Protein Whose Stability Is Affected Differentially by Agonists, Antagonists, and Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators*

The human estrogen receptor α-isoform (ERα) is a nuclear transcription factor that displays a complex pharmacology. In addition to classical agonists and antagonists, the transcriptional activity of ERα can be regulated by selective estrogen receptor modulators, a new class of drugs whose relative agonist/antagonist activity is determined by cell context. It has been demonstrated that the binding of different ligands to ERα results in the formation of unique ERα-ligand conformations. These conformations have been shown to influence ERα-cofactor binding and, therefore, have a profound impact on ERα pharmacology. In this study, we demonstrate that the nature of the bound ligand also influences the stability of ERα, revealing an additional mechanism by which the pharmacological activity of a compound is determined. Of note we found that although all ERα-ligand complexes can be ubiquitinated and degraded by the 26 S proteasome in vivo, the mechanisms by which they are targeted for proteolysis appear to be different. Specifically, for agonist-activated ERα, an inverse relationship between transcriptional activity and receptor stability was observed. This relationship does not extend to selective estrogen receptor modulators and pure antagonists. Instead, it appears that with these compounds, the determinant of receptor stability is the ligand-induced conformation of ERα. We conclude that the different conformational states adopted by ERα in the presence of different ligands influence transcriptional activity directly by regulating cofactor binding and indirectly by modulating receptor stability.
Clinical Manifestation of Calreticulin Gene Mutations in Essential Thrombocythemia without Janus Kinase 2 and MPL Mutations: A Chinese Cohort Clinical Study

Background: Recently, calreticulin (CALR) gene mutations have been identified in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET). A high-frequency of ET cases without Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) mutations contain CALR mutations and exhibit clinical characteristics different from those with mutant JAK2. Thus, we investigated the frequency and clinical features of Chinese patients of Han ethnicity with CALR mutations in ET. Methods: We recruited 310 Chinese patients of Han ethnicity with ET to analyze states of CALR, JAK2V617F, and MPLW515 mutations by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. We analyzed the relationship between the mutations and clinical features. Results: CALR, JAK2V617F, and MPLW515 mutations were detected in 30% (n = 92), 48% (n = 149), and 1% (n = 4) of patients with ET, respectively. The mutation types of CALR involved deletion and insertion of base pairs. Most of them were Type 1 (52-bp deletion) and Type 2 (5-bp insertion, TTGTC) mutations, leading to del367fs46 and ins385fs47, respectively. The three mutations were exclusive. Clinically, patients with mutated CALR had a lower hemoglobin level, lower white blood cell (WBC) count, and higher platelet count compared to those with mutated JAK2 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant difference was found in WBCs between wild-type patients (triple negative for JAK2, MPL, and CALR mutations) and patients with JAK2 mutations. Patients with CALR mutations predominantly clustered into low or intermediate groups according to the International Prognostic Score of thrombosis for ET (P < 0.05). Conclusions: CALR mutations were frequent in Chinese patients with ET, especially in those without JAK2 or MPL mutations. Compared with JAK2 mutant ET, CALR mutant ET showed a different clinical manifestation and an unfavorable prognosis. Thus, CALR is a potentially valuable diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in ET.
Board characteristics and firm performances in emerging economies. Lessons from Romania

Abstract This study investigates correlations between board characteristics and firm performances. For this purpose, six board characteristics were chosen: (1) equilibrium between non-executive and executive members of the board of directors; (2) independence of board members; (3) selection of board members by the assistant role of the Nomination Committee; (4) training the members’ competences; (5) remuneration policy of board members by the assistant role of the Remuneration Committee; (6) improuving the accountability and transparency of financial information by the assistant role of the Audit Committee. The financial performances are represented by Return on assets (ROA) and Tobin’s Q. The present study sample consists of 55 Romanian non-financial companies which are listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BSE) in 2012. We found the following characteristics in the majority of boards of directors: equilibrium between non-executive and executive members, independence of the members and concerns on training competences. On the other hand, the majority of companies do not have, within their governance system, advisory committees (such as Nomination, Remuneration or Audit Committees), which are meant to help the board in its decision-making. No statistically significant association was found between any of the board characteristics and performances represented either by Tobin’s Q or ROA, but the findings are in line with numerous studies conducted in developing countries and may be explained by various shortcomings which characterise the lagging of transition economies.
Analisa Pengaruh Customer Value dan Customer Experience terhadap Customer Satisfaction di De Kasteel Resto Surabaya

Penelitian ini membahas tentang customer value dan customer experience , yang diduga mempengaruhi customer satisfaction di De Kasteel Resto. Dalam penelitian ini, variabel customer value diukur melalui dimensi emotional value, social value, quality/performance value, dan price/value of money. Sedangkan variabel customer experience diukur melalui dimensi sense, feel, think, act, dan relate . Data penelitian diolah dengan menggunakan analisa faktor dan regresi linier berganda. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa variabel customer value dan customer experience secara simultan berpengaruh signifikan dan positif terhadap kepuasan konsumen. Namun secara parsial, dari variabel customer value , hanya dimensi emotional value, performance value , dan value of money yang berpengaruh signifikan, dengan dimensi emotional value yang pengaruhnya paling besar. Dan pada variabel customer experience , hanya dimensi sense dan relate yang berpengaruh signifikan, dengan dimensi sense yang pengaruhnya dominan terhadap kepuasan konsumen De Kasteel Resto.
Stigum's Money Market

The Most Widely Read Work on the Subject _ Completely Updated to Cover the Latest Developments and Advances In Today's Money Market! First published in 1978, Stigum's Money Market was hailed as a landmark work by leaders of the financial, business, and investment communities. This classic reference has now been revised, updated, and expanded to help a new generation of Wall Street money managers and institutional investors. The Fourth Edition of Stigum's Money Market delivers an all-encompassing, cohesive view of the vast and complex money market! offers careful analyses of the growth and changes the market has undergone in recent years! and presents detailed answers to the full range of money market questions. Stigum's Money Market equips readers with: A complete overview of the large and ever-expanding money market arena Quick-access to every key aspect of the fixed-income market A thorough updating of information on the banking system Incisive accounts of money market fundamentals and all the key players In-depth coverage of the markets themselves, including federal funds, government securities, financial futures, Treasury bond and note futures, options, euros, interest rate swaps, CDs, commercial paper, and more Expert discussions of the Federal Reserve, the Internet and electronic trading, and the new roles of commercial banks and federal agencies This updated classic also includes hundreds of helpful new illustrations and calculations, together with an improved format that gives readers quick access to every major topic relating to the fixed-income market.