Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of self-efficacy and self-rated health for older male inmates.

AIMS The aims of this study were to examine: (1) the relationships between self-efficacy for health management and (a) health-promoting behaviours, (b) health-monitoring behaviours, and (c) self-rated health status in older male prisoners; and (2) the variations in self-rated health status and self-efficacy for health management by inmate characteristics of older men in prison. BACKGROUND The greying of the inmate population around the globe can be attributed to increases in punitive crime control practices, life expectancy; and the ageing baby boom generation. Older inmates are typically not a healthy group. Therefore, the needs of burgeoning numbers of older, sicker inmates are issues of international significance. METHODS A descriptive, correlational, survey was conducted from late 2007 to mid-2008 with Bandura's self-efficacy model as the guiding framework. RESULTS/FINDINGS Participants were 131 male inmates, aged 50 and older. A statistically significant positive relationship was found between self-efficacy for health management and the indexes measuring health-promoting behaviours (r=0.550; P<0.001), health-monitoring behaviours (r=0.323; P=0.001), and the single item rating for self-rated health (τ(b)=0.411; P<0.001). There was a tendency for education to be positively related to self-rated health but not self-efficacy (τ(b)=0.140; P=0.054 and τ(b)=0.105; P=0.122, respectively). Years of incarceration was not significantly related to self-rated health or self-efficacy. CONCLUSION These research findings support Bandura's self-efficacy theoretical work and its applicability to health-related research in prisons. Nurses are front line healthcare providers in prison, who are in a key position to implement interventions that promote greater inmate self-efficacy for healthy behaviours and chronic disease management.
MANGIFERA INDICA LEAVES EXTRACT MODULATES SERUM LEPTIN , ASYMMETRIC DIMETHYLARGININE AND ENDOTHELIN-1 LEVELS IN EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES MELLITUS

Diabetes is a chronic disease that is relatively common throughout the world. The present study was carried out in an attempt to investigate the possible antidiabetic activity of Mangifera indica (mango) leaves extract in streptozotocin (STZ)–diabetic rats. In addition, the effect of extract on diabetes complications as cardio, vascular and endothelial dysfunction was also studied. 30 male adult albino rats were divided to three groups (10 rats each) and were studied as following scheme for 42 days, group (1) normal control, group (2) diabetic control rats were given distilled water daily by gastric incubation, and group (3) diabetic rats were treated orally with Mangifera indica leaves aqueous extract. Blood samples were collected at 21 and 42 day for different biochemical parameters estimations. The Mangifera indica extract administration to diabetic rats significantly decreased the level of blood glucose, leptin, asymmetric dimethylarginine and endothelin–1 as well as lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. The levels of insulin, C–peptide and nitric oxide were significantly increased. Further, the extract showed significant antihyperlipidemic activity. These findings demonstrated that Mangifera indica leaves extract possess antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic properties thus suggesting its beneficial effect in the treatment of diabetes mellitus associated with hyperlipidemia and related cardiovascular complications.
Pharmacotherapy of Interstitial Cystitis in Women

Interstitial cystitis is a condition that affects the urinary bladder and may be more prevalent than commonly thought. Symptoms range widely in severity and typically include urinary urgency, frequency and pelvic pain. Therapies usually target the known pathophysiology of this condition. Oral agents commonly include bladder surface mucin analogues, antihistamines, narcotics, tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants. Intravesical therapy is usually used as second-line treatment. Multiple forms of pharmacotherapy are often provided simultaneously to improve efficacy and time to response.
Robust Method of Stabilization of Optical Feedback Regime by Using Adaptive Optics for a Self-Mixing Micro-Interferometer Laser Displacement Sensor

A self-mixing (SM) micro-interferometer laser displacement sensor coupled with an adaptive liquid lens (ALL) system is proposed and implemented. This has been made possible by a new method of real-time estimation of the optical feedback coupling factor C. It is shown that such an estimation of C combined with an appropriate amplification of the SM signal Gain allows the ALL system to seek and maintain the SM signal in the moderate optical feedback regime in spite of variations in the optical feedback. The ALL system thus enables robust real-time displacement sensing in an unmanned autonomous manner. The implemented system has provided measurement precision better than 90 nm for different target surfaces and distances. The paper also investigates the impact of the weighting attributed to C and Gain on the retrieved displacement precision. As this autofocus is presently only performed once during the sensor initialization, so maximum displacement span after achieving optical feedback regime locking has also been investigated and tabulated. This proof of concept, thus paves the way for the deployment of autonomous SM sensors.
The Role of CSR in Sustainable Swedish Startups - Beyond Sustainability as an Exclusive Selling Poin

Research Problem: Existent literature has predominantly focused on applying the concept of CSR on large corporations, disregarding the role of CSR in startups despite the fact that CSR related aspects especially in relation to sustainability provide a fruitful avenue for new ventures to base their competitive advantage on. Investigation of the link between CSR and startups is needed since emerging firms face different challenges in regard to CSR than established companies, mostly related to their constrained resources. Research Aims: This research aims to shed light on the role of CSR for sustainable Swedish startups. In particular, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of possible communication, market and stakeholder management strategies these companies make use of. Method: ​We deploy a qualitative case study approach, comparing the strategies deployed by four Swedish startups who derive the competitive advantage from offering innovative and environmentally-friendly product solutions. Results​Based on our analysis of the case studies, we arrive at four conclusions related to the non-exclusivity of sustainability as the exclusive selling point, the consequent association of the sustainability argument with accompanying selling points, the use of third-party endorsement as a source of legitimacy as well as the trade-off between sustainability and profitability. Implications: ​Our results provide theoretical contributions regarding the role of CSR in sustainable startups which fundamentally differs from the way it is being implemented in established corporations. Practical implications include insights into how managers of sustainable startups can strategically implement sustainability as a selling point by integrating it with related selling points.
Ectopic Pregnancy

During the past 25 years, the incidence of ectopic pregnancy has progressively increased while the morbidity and mortality have substantially decreased, and the treatment has progressed from salpingectomy by laparotomy to conservative surgery by laparoscopy and more recently to medical therapy. This therapeutic transition from surgical emergency to medical management has been attributed to early diagnosis through the use of sensitive assays for hCG and the high definition of vaginal ultrasound. By using these sensitive diagnostic tools, we are now able to select those patients who are most likely to respond to medical management versus those who are at high risk of rupture and require surgery. Besides being less invasive and associated with significantly lower risks, medical therapy with methotrexate results in significant cost savings, which have been calculated to be approximately $3,000 per treated patient. Our goal is to identify those patients with ectopic pregnancy who are most likely to respond to methotrexate therapy and least likely to develop significant side effects. Recent studies have helped us define the predictors of success with methotrexate treatment in women with ectopic pregnancy. The reported success rates of treating ectopic pregnancy with methotrexate vary from 71% to 100%. The highest success rates have been reported from institutions that have detailed diagnostic and therapeutic protocols, readily available assays for serum hCG levels, high‐resolution vaginal probe ultrasound, and support staff that can closely monitor clinical response. The importance of developing specific protocols to create a clinical environment that supports the effective use of medical therapy for ectopic pregnancy is confirmed by the associated cost savings, decreased morbidity, and patient preference. Modern diagnostic advances and minimally invasive treatments coupled with improved success rates for assisted reproductive technologies should reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with ectopic pregnancy and offer the affected couple a much more optimistic outlook for subsequent reproductive potential.
INFLUENCE OF HUMAN RESOURCE PLANNING ON EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY IN COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN KENYA

In today’s competitive labor market, a key concern of organizations is the need to achieve high levels of performance through people. Human Resource Planning is fast gaining a top priority for organizations across the world. To attract and retain the best talent anywhere in the world, an organization must have a strong and positive employer brand. Talented individuals drive companies forward through their outstanding competence and ability. Council of Governors operations rely on their employees’ ability to effectively respond when emergencies and crisis occurs. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of Human Resource Planning on Recruitment strategies on the performance of Council of Governors in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study had a population of 216 employees at COG in Nairobi who had supervisory responsibilities. Stratified sampling was adopted to pick a sample size of 55 respondents. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire with closed ended and open ended questions administered to the employees. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 was used to analyze data for descriptive data (frequencies, percentages, and mean), and inferential data (correlation, and regression). The major findings of the study revealed the existence of positive and significant relationship between recruitment and deployment, training and development of talent, talent retention, succession planning and performance of Council of Governors in Kenya. The study concluded that the relationship between recruitment and deployment, training and development of talent, talent retention, succession planning and Employee Productivity was statistically significant. The study recommended that Council of Governors should put mechanisms in place to enhance internal recruitment of talent, development of current talent training manuals, and conducting of talent surveys to ensure internal talent structures are relevant. Key Words: Human Resource Planning, Recruitment strategies, training and development, employee retention, succession planning
Effect of statistical uncertainties on Monte Carlo treatment planning

This paper reviews the effect of statistical uncertainties on radiotherapy treatment planning using Monte Carlo simulations. We discuss issues related to the statistical analysis of Monte Carlo dose calculations for realistic clinical beams using various variance reduction or time saving techniques. We discuss the effect of statistical uncertainties on dose prescription and monitor unit calculation for conventional treatment and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) based on Monte Carlo simulations. We show the effect of statistical uncertainties on beamlet dose calculation and plan optimization for IMRT and other advanced treatment techniques such as modulated electron radiotherapy (MERT). We provide practical guidelines for the clinical implementation of Monte Carlo treatment planning and show realistic examples of Monte Carlo based IMRT and MERT plans.
Naming strategies as a tool for communication: application to movie titles

Abstract Product naming is regarded as one of the most important communication decisions for firms to deliver information on their new products, particularly in the case of products with unobservable attributes, such as motion pictures, music, books, and games. Despite its importance, there has been little research on “how to name a product” as a communication decision. Hence, we propose a conceptual framework to describe naming decisions as two-stage strategic decisions. The first-stage decision involves “what kind of information to be communicated via product names,” which we call the “information choice” strategy. The second-stage decision is how to express this information through product names, which we call the “expression” strategy. We applied a two-level hierarchical Bayesian model to a data set consisting of opening weekend box-office sales, names, and release dates for 393 movies released in seven countries. Our empirical study provides useful findings on movie naming. First, the information choice for movie titles significantly impacts movies’ viewership. Second, the effects of “what to choose” depend on “how to express”. Third, significant interaction effects occur between information choice strategies and product characteristics, which implies that naming strategies depend on the product’s characteristics. One particularly noteworthy finding in this study is that although it is common sense to avoid negative wording in product names in most industries, negative content in movie titles positively impacts box-office sales.
The normal antidiuretic mechanism in man and dog; its regulation by extracellular fluid tonicity.

The work of Verney (1, 2) has clearly demonstrated that the antidiuretic mechanism of the posterior pituitary is sensitive to changes in total effective solute concentration of the extracellular fluid. He postulates osmoreceptors which cause out-pouring of antidiuretic hormone of the posterior pituitary in response to an increased concentration of solute in the serum and inhibition of antidiuretic hormone production with dilution of the extracellular fluids. Others have demonstrated antidiuretic activity in the urine or serum of rats (3, 4), cats (5) and dogs (6-8) following dehydration or after infusions of hypertonic saline solutions. Following water administration or hypophysectomy no antidiuretic activity is present in urine or serum. The purpose of this paper is to further describe the mechanism in normal man and dogs which acts to preserve the total solute concentration of the serum within narrow limits, and to present the methods and form of presentation which will be used in an accompanying paper (9).
Acute turpentine inflammation and kinin release in rat-paw thermic oedema.

Livers from rats at 2-3 days after s.c. injection of turpentine, when perfused, synthesized prekallikrein nearly 3 times faster than did livers from normal rats. On the other hand paw oedema, produced by heating to 46 degrees, in rats injured in this way was less marked. Likewise in such rats the amount of bradykinin release by 50 min. of coaxial perfusion of the paw was only 13.6 +/- 4.6 compared with 63.1 +/- 13.4 ng in normal rats. A possible explanation for the observed reduction in production of bradykinin may be inhibition of kallikrein due to an increased concentration of alpha 2-macroglobulin.
Customer Experience Marketing (CEM), Customer Satisfaction and Customer Trust Affects Customer Loyalty: A Study on Star Hotels in Jakarta Province

This study aims to examine customer experience marketing (CEM), customer satisfaction, consumer trust affects customer loyalty for star hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia. This study employs a causal and descriptive research using a survey research method. This study hypothesizes that (1) CEM has a significant effect on customer loyalty, (2) CEM has a significant effect on customer satisfaction, (3) customer satisfaction has a significant effect on customer loyalty, (4) customer satisfaction has a significant effect on customer trust and (5) customer trust has a significant effect on customer loyalty. The sample used is 200 respondents that were obtained from the star hotels’ guests in Jakarta. A structural equation modelling (SEM) is employed and the results reveal that only CEM has a significant impact on customer loyalty meanwhile customer satisfaction and customer trust have no impact on customer loyalty.
The Edible Mushroom Pleurotus spp.: II. Medicinal Values

Mushrooms health benefit was recognized in the Orient from several thousand years ago as globally consumption and has third largest commercially production. The genus Pleurotus (oyster mushroom) is an organoleptic fast growing fungus which belongs to basidiomycota group. Although 70 species is discovered until now for this genus, but only few of them are available in market such as Pleurotus florida, P. sajor-caju and P. ostreatus. They have been used in human diet throughout the world due to their rich nutrients such as protein, fiber carbohydrate, minerals, vitamins and lipid. It should be noted that low amount calories, Sodium, fat and cholesterol is reported in this genus. Many pharmaceutical companies in the Far East and China are viewing the medicinal mushrooms as a rich source of innovative biomedical molecules. These molecules can be extracted from different part of oyster mushroom such as fruiting body, mycelia and culture broth. Mainly they are biopolymers including polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids as they are more variable to carry biological information. The medicinal properties of Pleurotus spp studied by several authors, as a result antitumor, immunomodulating, antiviral, antibacterial, antigenotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolamic, antihypertensive, antiinociceptive, anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-platelet-aggregating, antihepatoma, anti poliferative and antiatherosclerotic. In this chapter, biodivertsity of genus Pleurotus will be discussed regarding nutritional and bioactive compounds. Furthermore the prospective of oyster mushroom for therapeutic application and concept will be highlighted.
NKX2.2 is a Useful Immunohistochemical Marker for Ewing Sarcoma

Ewing sarcoma is a high-grade round cell sarcoma that affects bones and soft tissues in children and young adults. Its diagnosis can be challenging, and the differential diagnoses include a wide variety of small round cell tumors. CD99 and FLI-1 are the currently accepted immunohistochemical markers for Ewing sarcoma, but their accuracy has been controversial. NKX2.2 is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor that plays a critical role in neuroendocrine/glial differentiation. The NKX2.2 gene was recently identified as a target of EWS-FLI-1, the fusion protein specific to Ewing sarcoma, and was shown to be differentially upregulated in Ewing sarcoma on the basis of array-based gene expression analysis. However, the immunohistochemical diagnostic potential of this marker has not been tested. We immunostained representative sections of 30 genetically confirmed Ewing sarcomas and 130 non-Ewing small round cell tumors by using an antibody to NKX2.2. Nuclear staining in at least 5% of the cells was deemed positive. Twenty-eight (93%) of the 30 Ewing sarcomas were positive for NKX2.2. The staining was diffuse (>50%) in all the positive cases and was moderate or strong in intensity for most cases (25 of 28). NKX2.2 was also positive in 14 non-Ewing tumors, including all the olfactory neuroblastomas and a minor subset of small cell carcinomas, synovial sarcomas, mesenchymal chondrosarcomas, and malignant melanomas. All the other non-Ewing tumors tested were negative for this marker. NKX2.2 is a valuable marker for Ewing sarcoma, with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 89%, and aids in the differential diagnosis of small round cell tumors.
Agricultural mechanization for sustainable agriculture and food security in Zimbabwe: a case of Bindura District in Mashonaland Central Province

iv LIST OF TABLES . ix LIST OF FIGURES . x ACRONYMS . xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Background and Context of the study . 1 1.2 Problem Context . 3 1.3 Research Objective . 5 1.4 Justification of the study . 7 1.5 Delimitations of the project . 8 1.6 Definition of terms . 9 1.7 Outline of Dissertation . 10 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 11 2.
Couples' experiences of predictive testing and living with the risk or reality of Huntington disease: A qualitative study

A qualitative study, based on family systems theory, was undertaken in order to gain a better understanding of the impact of predictive testing and of living with the risk or reality of Huntington disease (HD), on couple relationships. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 14 couples; in 9 couples the at‐risk partner had undergone testing, and of these, 4 were already affected with HD. At‐risk partners in the remaining five couples had not been tested. Interview transcripts were analyzed to obtain a range of themes, which reflect the salient experiences of these couples in relation to HD. Most couples reported that receiving a predictive test result had little or no adverse effect on their relationship. However for two couples who separated after the at‐risk partner received a non‐carrier result, emotional factors associated with years of living with the HD risk, rather than the result itself, were regarded as having caused irreparable damage to the relationship. For two couples who have remained together since the diagnosis of one partner, loyalty was identified as the main factor contributing to the continuance of the relationship. The separations of the other two couples in which one partner was diagnosed were attributed to emotional distancing, and to the obsessive behavior of the affected partner. The findings of this study highlight both the individuality and the complexity of psychological effects on the intimate relationships of couples who live with the risk or reality of HD, and provide important insights for professionals offering support to these couples. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University Disentangling greenhouse warming and aerosol cooling to reveal Earth's climate sensitivity

Earth’s climate sensitivity has been the subject of heated debate for decades, and recently spurred renewed interest after the latest IPCC assessment report suggested a downward adjustment of the most likely range of climate sensitivities (1). Here, we present an observation-based study based on the time period 1964 to 2010, which is unique in that it does not rely on global climate models (GCMs) in any way. The study uses surface observations of temperature and incoming solar radiation from approximately 1300 surface sites, along with observations of the equivalent CO 2 concentration (CO 2,eq ) in the atmosphere, to produce a new best estimate for the transient climate sensitivity of 1.9K (95% confidence interval 1.2K – 2.7K). This is higher than other recent observation-based estimates (2, 3), and is better aligned with the estimate of 1.8K and range (1.1K – 2.5K) derived from the latest generation of GCMs. The new estimate is produced by incorporating the observations in an energy balance framework, and by applying statistical methods that are standard in the field of Econometrics, but less common in climate studies. The study further suggests that about a third of the continental warming due to increasing CO 2,eq was masked by aerosol cooling during the time period studied.