Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Segregation and diversity measures in population distribution.

"The purposes of the present paper are to show the relationship between measures of population diversity and measures of segregation, to describe the salient properties of these indexes, and to demonstrate the empirical interrelationships among them. " Some measures not frequently used in population studies are considered, and empirical illustrations are given of the significance of using one measure rather than another. In particular, the author stresses proportional reduction of error interpretations for an index and considers its ability to handle more than two groups. The primary geographic focus is on the United States. The "introductory section of the paper treats conceptual issues in more detail. The second section reviews selected measures and recent critical viewpoints, while the third section tests their empirical performance. The conclusion makes some recommendations about the selection of an index. A detailed bibliography follows. "
Malnutrition, Inflammation, and Atherosclerosis in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

The clinical outcomes of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and the ongoing health and function of the peritoneum obviously depend on a number of genetic and non genetic systemic factors. During the last two decades, much of the emphasis in PD and in hemodialysis (HD) has been on improving dialysis adequacy, especially with regard to small-solute removal. That factor is definitely of importance to improved clinical outcomes, but systemic factors—such as the various nutrition, immunologic, and cardiovascular abnormalities in uremia, often aggravated by an underlying disease—are increasingly being recognized as even more important determinants of outcomes. Thus, the focus is now shifting from “dialysology” to studies of the pathophysiology of uremia and its complications. In this brief review, we focus on the so-called MIA syndrome (malnutrition, inflammation, and atherosclerosis), because the presence of this syndrome has a dramatic effect on patient survival as well as on the health and function of the peritoneum.
The Spanish Gas and Electricity Sector: Regulation, Markets and Environmental Policies

The European and Spanish gas and electricity markets are characterised by major policy challenges due to the complex and strategic nature of these markets. Public policy issues that are at stake in these markets include the challenge of introducing effective competition and regulation to ensure that market outcomes are competitive and the European market is successfully integrated; the need to manage the high levels of dependency of European energy markets on external sources of input (especially gas); and the difficulties posed by the transition to a more sustainable model in line with current European and global environmental objectives. This report seeks to contribute to the analysis of some of these issues, with specific attention paid to the competitive segments of the Spanish gas and electricity markets (i.e. gas procurement, electricity generation and the respective retail markets), and special emphasis placed on environmental issues.
Effects of antihypertensive drugs on autoregulation of RBF and glomerular capillary pressure in SHR.

The relationship between systemic blood pressure and glomerular capillary pressure (Pgc) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) during treatment with antihypertensive drugs is still unclear. The effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril), two calcium channel antagonists (nifedipine and verapamil), and an alpha1-receptor blocker (doxazosin) on renal blood flow (RBF) autoregulation, Pgc, and renal segmental resistances were therefore studied in SHR. Recordings of RBF autoregulation were done before and 30 min after intravenous infusion of the different drugs, and Pgc was thereafter measured with the stop-flow technique. When the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was reduced to approximately 120 mmHg by infusions of doxazosin or enalapril, the lower pressure limit of RBF autoregulation was reduced significantly. Nifedipine or verapamil abolished RBF autoregulation. Doxazosin did not change Pgc (43.6 +/- 1.4 vs. 46.7 +/- 1.5 mmHg in controls, P > 0.5), enalapril lowered (41.3 +/- 0.8 mmHg, P < 0.01), and the calcium channel antagonists increased Pgc [53.7 +/- 1.4 mmHg (nifedipine) and 54.8 +/- 1.2 mmHg (verapamil), P < 0.01]. When MAP was reduced to approximately 85 mmHg by drugs, Pgc was reduced to 43.3 +/- 1.7 mmHg after nifedipine (P > 0.2 vs. control), whereas Pgc after enalapril was 38.5 +/- 0.5 mmHg (P < 0.05 vs. control). Enalapril reduced Pgc mainly by reducing efferent resistance. During treatment with calcium channel antagonists, Pgc became strictly dependent on MAP. Monotherapy with nifedipine may increase Pgc and by this mechanism accelerate glomerulosclerosis if a strict blood pressure control is not obtained.
The Effects Of Business Strategy On The Association Between R&D Expenditure And Future Firm Performance

Research and Development (R&D) expenditure is one of the most essential factors for firm’s sustainable growth. Business strategy describes long-term business planning of a company, and chosen business strategy will have a significant impact on the financial status and performance of a firm. This study examines whether the business strategy affects the association between R&D and firm performance, defined as earnings persistence, earnings growth, and firm value. Like Jermias (2008), product differentiation and cost leadership strategies are classified by the cluster analysis using three ratios: R&D intensity, asset turnover, and profit margin ratio. Our findings are as follows. (1) the effect of R&D expenditure on earnings persistence according to the business strategy appeared to be almost insignificant. (2) the effects of R&D expenditure on earnings growth up to three consecutive years are stronger in firms with product differentiation strategy than in firms with cost leadership strategy. These results indicate that R&D are more important and have greater impacts on future performance for product differentiation firms than for cost leadership firms. (3) R&D expenditure of product differentiation firms are more closely related to the firm value than R&D expenditure of cost leadership firms. The results of this study will be useful to practitioners when they are making R&D-related decisions based on their business planning. Also, this study provides useful empirical results to financial analysts and accounting academics when they are analyzing profitability and firm value.
Detection of preclinical body fluid retention in established heart failure patients during follow-up by a digital weight scale incorporating a bioelectrical impedance analyzer.

This study examined the characteristics of asymptomatic worsening heart failure (HF) events and validated the role of a novel HF monitoring method (measuring body weight [BW] and percent body fat [BF%]) to identify such worsening HF events. A clinician determined worsening HF status by evaluating symptoms, physical signs, and pleural effusion on ultrasonography. A criterion of significant fluid weight gain was defined as BW gain ≥1.5 kg with a concomitant decrease in BF%. A total of 74 HF patients were included. During a mean follow-up of 20.8 months, 1588 visits were evaluated. A total of 79 worsening HF events occurred in 50 patients, in which worsening was symptomatic in 46 events (58%) and asymptomatic in 33 events (42%). Novel method eliminated 42 of 73 (58%) false-positive indications of worsening HF events based only on the BW criterion (≥1.5 kg) without excluding true worsening HF events. The test characteristics of this method in the diagnosis of overall HF events were sensitivity 65.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54.3-76.1), specificity 97.9% (95%, CI 97.1-98.6), positive predictive value 62.7% (95% CI, 51.3-73.0), and negative predictive value 98.2% (95% CI, 97.4-98.8). Preclinical fluid retention occurs frequently in established HF patients, and novel monitoring method can specifically identify preclinical worsening HF.
Work-Life Balance As A Tool For Stress Management In Selected Banking Institutions In Ghana

In Ghana, there is a growing concern of occupational stress, especially in the private sector, where some organizations saddle their employees with long working hours without consideration to other aspects of their lives. This study therefore sought to investigate into the policy and practice of work-life balance in selected banking institutions in Ghana and how these practices are able to help in managing the stress levels of employees. The study used quantitative method for collecting primary data, which were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings from the study revealed that even though work-life balance is practiced in the selected banking institutions, some of the practices that connote an effective work-life balance culture are nonexistent. It was also discovered that respondents held an almost polarized view of the effectiveness of work-life balance in managing their stress levels. Majority of respondents also agreed that work-life balance is effective in enhancing their performance at work and finally, female respondents demonstrated a greater need for worklife balance than their male counterparts. It is recommended that a review of existing work-life balance policies in the banking institutions are undertaken to ensure that policies regarding the concept are consistent with employees’ actual experience. This can be achieved by making sure that employees across different levels of the organization have easy access to the use of work-life balance initiatives without suffering any adverse career consequences.
Positional Signaling Mediated by a Receptor-like Kinase in Arabidopsis

The position-dependent specification of root epidermal cells in Arabidopsis provides an elegant paradigm for cell patterning during development. Here, we describe a new gene, SCRAMBLED (SCM), required for cells to appropriately interpret their location within the developing root epidermis. SCM encodes a receptor-like kinase protein with a predicted extracellular domain of six leucine-rich repeats and an intracellular serine-threonine kinase domain. SCM regulates the expression of the GLABRA2, CAPRICE, WEREWOLF, and ENHANCER OF GLABRA3 transcription factor genes that define the cell fates. Further, the SCM gene is expressed throughout the developing root. Therefore, SCM likely enables developing epidermal cells to detect positional cues and establish an appropriate cell-type pattern.
Endocrine phenotype of children and adults with Fanconi anemia

Features of Fanconi anemia (FA) are well known, including bone marrow failure, congenital anomalies such as radial anomalies, renal and ear anomalies, tracheo‐esophageal fistula, imperforate anus, and elevated risk for cancer. We sought to further characterize the endocrine phenotype in children and adults with FA.
Deep Learning Meets Cognitive Radio: Predicting Future Steps

Learning the channel occupancy patterns to reuse the underutilised spectrum frequencies without interfering with the incumbent is a promising approach to overcome the spectrum limitations. In this work we proposed a Deep Learning (DL) approach to learn the channel occupancy model and predict its availability in the next time slots. Our results show that the proposed DL approach outperforms existing works by 5%. We also show that our proposed DL approach predicts the availability of channels accurately for more than one time slot.
Physiological quality of coffee seeds produced under different levels of solar radiation and maturation stages

In Brazil, although the coffee plantations are predominantly grown under full sunlight, the use of agroforestry systems can lead to socioeconomic advantages, thus providing a favorable environment to the crop by promoting its sustainability as well as environmental preservation. However, there is a lack of information on physiological quality of the coffee seeds produced under different levels of solar radiation. Within this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different levels of solar radiation and maturation stages on the physiological quality of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) seeds, cv. Acaia Cerrado MG-1474. Three levels of solar radiation (plants grown under full sunlight; under plastic screens of 35% shading; and under plastic screens of 50% shading) and three maturation stages (cherry, greenish-yellow and green) were assessed. Physiological quality of seeds was assessed by using germination test, first count of germination, abnormal seedlings, dead seeds, and seedlings with open cotyledonary leaves. Electrophoretic analysis of isoenzymes catalase, esterase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase was also performed. With the evolution of development the coffee seeds presents increases on physiological quality, and at its beginning the seeds show improvements on quality with the reduction of solar radiation.
Fetal head and abdominal circumferences: I. Evaluation of measurement errors

Several sources of error associated with the measurement of fetal head and abdominal circumferences (HC, AC) were examined using dynamic image ultrasound. Statistically significant systematic intraobserver errors were not seen unless technical differences in the images were present (HC only) and the range for random errors was 4–5% (2 SD) for both measurements. Although differences in the procedures used to acquire images for measurement had some effect on accuracy (HC only), the primary source of variations in measurements made by different investigators was the measurement methods. Different measuring devices gave different results and different investigators used the same devices differently. Under optimal measuring conditions, the interobserver error for experienced investigators was 1.2 (±4.3 SD)% for HC and 2.4 (±1.6 SD)% for AC. Comparison of prenatal and postnatal measurements indicated that there were no systematic differences for HC but for AC, the prenatal measurements were 6% greater. Random differences were ±6% (2 SD) for HC and ±13% (2 SD) for AC.
Posttraumatic intestinal stenosis: clinical and radiographic features in four patients.

PURPOSE To characterize posttraumatic intestinal stenosis clinically and radiographically. MATERIALS AND METHODS The clinical records and radiographic and pathologic findings were reviewed in four patients with posttraumatic stenosis. RESULTS The patients experienced abdominal symptoms from 1 to 18 weeks after the trauma. While the small intestine was affected in two patients with ileus, the colon was involved in the other two patients with rectal bleeding or diarrhea. Barium studies showed an irregular contour within the severely narrowed intestine in three patients, even 25 weeks after the trauma. In these three patients, pathologic examinations of the resected specimens revealed a circumferential, open ulcer, whereas a scarred ulcer was present in the other patient. CONCLUSION Posttraumatic intestinal stenosis is clinically characterized by a delayed onset of symptoms that differ according to the site of involvement. This condition should be included in the differential diagnosis of intestinal stenosis.
The Role of Plant–Microbe Interactions and Their Exploitation for Phytoremediation of Air Pollutants

Since air pollution has been linked to a plethora of human health problems, strategies to improve air quality are indispensable. Despite the complexity in composition of air pollution, phytoremediation was shown to be effective in cleaning air. Plants are known to scavenge significant amounts of air pollutants on their aboveground plant parts. Leaf fall and runoff lead to transfer of (part of) the adsorbed pollutants to the soil and rhizosphere below. After uptake in the roots and leaves, plants can metabolize, sequestrate and/or excrete air pollutants. In addition, plant-associated microorganisms play an important role by degrading, detoxifying or sequestrating the pollutants and by promoting plant growth. In this review, an overview of the available knowledge about the role and potential of plant–microbe interactions to improve indoor and outdoor air quality is provided. Most importantly, common air pollutants (particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and inorganic air pollutants) and their toxicity are described. For each of these pollutant types, a concise overview of the specific contributions of the plant and its microbiome is presented. To conclude, the state of the art and its related future challenges are presented.
Effectiveness of resilience capabilities in mitigating disruptions: leveraging on supply chain structural complexity

Purpose This study aims to investigate the influence of supply chain (SC) complexity on the effectiveness of resilience capabilities in mitigating SC disruptions. Hypotheses about direct and moderating influences of complexity on resilience capabilities and performance change after disruption are built and quantitatively tested. Design/methodology/approach Partial least square-based structural equation modelling with formative constructs was used as an overall approach. Secondary data on SC disruptions, related performance change and resilience practices were collected from multiple sources through a predefined procedure. The collected data were systematically encoded prior to performing statistical analysis. Findings SC structural complexity is found to have a significant positive relation with performance improvement after disruption, along with resilience capability; it also positively moderates the resilience–performance link. Research limitations/implications The SC complexity factors the authors considered in this study do not include dynamic forms because of the nature of data collected. Future research may attempt to include and test whether the results of this study also hold when additional complexity parameters are taken into account. Practical implications Managers are often trying to reduce SC complexity. This study implies that some level of complexity is beneficial also for a better recovery of operational performance affected because of disruption. Resilience capabilities become more effective when leveraged on complexity in the SC. Originality/value This is the first study to empirically investigate the influence of SC complexity on the resilience–performance link.
Sexual maturation of the cold-exposed male rat: alterations in secondary sexual organ sensitivity to testosterone.

From an age of 35 days, male rats were raised at either 23#{176}C or 4#{176}C under identical Pghting schedules (LD:14:10). On Day 49, animals were castrated and a testosterone-filled capsule implanted s.c. Capsule number and size were adjusted to provide 25, 50, 100, 200 or 300 mm2 implant surface area/100 g body weight. Control animals received empty capsules. Animals were decapitated on Day 52. One group of rats was left intact and killed on Day 50. Prostates and seminal vesicles were weighed and serum LH, FSH and prolactin (PRL) determined by radioimmunoassay. Cold-exposed intact animals had significantly (P<0.05) smaller prostates and seminal vesicles than controls. There were no differences in LH, FSH or PRL in intact rats. Secondary organs were less sensitive to testosterone in cold-exposed castrated animals. Control animals showed maximum growth of both accessory structures with capsules of 50 mm2 or larger. Cold-exposed animals required 100 mm2 capsules for maximum prostate growth and 300 mm2 implants were required for maximum seminal vesicle growth. All sizes of capsules suppressed LH and FSH. No differences were found in serum PRL. These data suggest that the delay in sexual maturation experienced by cold-exposed male rats is the result of a reduced secondary organ sensitivity to androgen. Changes in gonadotropin and/or PRL secretion do not seem to be involved in this response.
Aggressive treatment of 119 open fracture wounds.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine whether immediate primary closure of open fracture wounds can be performed without increasing the incidence of infections and delayed unions/nonunions. Although the traditional management of these injuries has been open treatment, a trend toward immediate primary closure has evolved on our service. METHODS All open fractures presenting to an urban Level I trauma center during a 42-month period were reviewed. Of the 127 patients with open fractures, 90 patients (119 open fractures) were initially treated at the above institution within 24 hours of injury, had fractures proximal to the carpus or tarsals, and were followed-up until fracture union. All patients underwent emergent wound irrigation and debridement. The method of fracture immobilization and timing of wound closure was left to the discretion of the attending orthopedic surgeon. Immediate primary closure was used in 22 of 25 Grade I open fractures (88%), 37 of 43 Grade II fractures (86%), 24 of 32 Grade IIIa fractures (75%), 4 of 12 Grade IIIb fractures (33%), and 0 of 7 Grade IIIc fractures (0%). RESULTS Eight fractures (7%) were complicated by a deep wound infection/osteomyelitis, and 19 fractures (16%) developed a delayed union/nonunion. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in delayed/nonunion and infection rates between immediate and delayed closures. CONCLUSION Immediate primary closure of open fracture wounds after a thorough debridement by an experienced fracture surgeon appears to cause no significant increase in infections or delayed union/nonunions. In addition, early closure may decrease the requirement for subsequent debridements and soft-tissue procedures, thereby minimizing surgical morbidity, shortening hospital stays, and reducing costs. We feel that a randomized, prospective study of this aggressive approach to open fracture care is warranted.
Production and secretion of adrenomedullin in cultured rat cardiac myocytes and nonmyocytes: stimulation by interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

The present study investigated the secretion level and gene expression of adrenomedullin (AM), a novel vasorelaxant peptide, in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes and nonmyocytes, and the effects of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) on its production and secretion in these cells. Under serum-free conditions, both myocytes and nonmyocytes secreted immunoreactive (ir-) AM into the culture medium in a time-dependent manner. The secretion rates of ir-AM from myocytes and nonmyocytes per 10(5) cells were almost equivalent. The expression of AM messenger RNA was also observed in cultured myocytes and nonmyocytes. The peptide secretion and messenger RNA level of AM in cardiac myocytes were increased after stimulation with IL-1beta. In nonmyocytes, IL-1beta and TNF alpha remarkably augmented both the release of ir-AM into the medium and AM gene expression after 24 and 48 h of incubation. These observations indicate that cardiac ventricular cells (i.e. myocytes and nonmyocytes) actively produce AM and also suggest that cytokines such as IL-1beta and TNF alpha regulate the gene expression and secretion of this peptide in the ventricles. On the basis of these results and the findings that IL-1beta and TNF alpha are involved in heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy, AM may play a role as an autocrine/paracrine modulator in some cardiac disorders.
Do Bankers on the Board Reduce Crash Risk?

Commercial banker-directors (CBDs) bring both financial expertise in risk management and conflicts of interest between shareholders and debtholders. The burgeoning literature on stock price crash risk generates important questions of whether CBDs reduce crash risk. Using BoardEx data from 1999 to 2009, we find supporting evidence that the firms with CBDs experience lower stock price crash risk. Moreover, the reduction of crash risk is more pronounced for high-risk firms under the monitoring of affiliated banker-directors (ABDs). The results of this study are robust to the Heckman selection model, propensity score matching, and alternative measures of crash risk.