Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategic Uncertainty and Firm Performance: The Mediating Role of Competitive Intelligence Practices

This study aims to identify the strategic roles of competitive intelligence and to examine the mediating effect of competitive intelligence practices on the relationship between perceived strategic uncertainty and firm performance. Data are collected from 123 public listed companies in Malaysia using mail questionnaire survey. The study highlights the essential role of competitive intelligence in supporting strategic decision making and strategic planning as well as in identifying opportunities and threats. Results reveal that perceived strategic uncertainty relates positively to competitive intelligence practices, which in turn, relates positively to firm performance. This paper includes implications, limitations, and recommendations for future studies.
Gastric myoelectric activity in patients with end-stage liver disease.

BACKGROUND Abnormalities of gastrointestinal motility and transit time have been reported in association with end-stage liver disease. Motility abnormalities could be routinely studied if a simple noninvasive test were available. The electrogastrogram is a cutaneous measure of gastric myoelectric activity and correlates well with serosal recordings of gastric myoelectric activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate gastric myoelectric activity in patients with end-stage liver disease. METHODS Fourteen patients with end-stage liver disease had gastric myoelectric activity measured with the electrogastrogram. An electrogastrogram was considered abnormal when normal gastric slow waves were seen less than 70% of the time or there was no increase in the electrogastrogram amplitude after a meal. RESULTS Abnormal electrogastrograms were present in 8 of 14 (57%) end-stage liver disease patients. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal gastric myoelectric activity is common in end-stage liver disease.
Micro-entreprises du secteur informel dans le Mono (Bénin) : vers un approfondissement à travers une approche d’économie populaire

L’article presente la litterature traditionnelle sur le micro-entrepreuneuriat dans le secteur informel, en particulier la theorie des segments qui s’est developpee a partir des annees 1990. Dans un second temps, il confronte celle-ci, d’une part, aux resultats d’enquetes exploratoires de terrain menees dans le departement du Mono au Benin et, d’autre part, a la litterature sur l’economie populaire qui s’est developpee principalement en Amerique latine. Les conclusions degagees questionnent en retour les programmes de developpement traditionnels de soutien au micro-entreprenariat et d’acces au microcredit.
Preventing the Voltage Drop: Keeping Practice-based Research Network (PBRN) Practices Engaged in Studies

Introduction: Practice-based research continues to evolve and has become a major methodology for many pragmatic studies. While early practice-based network projects were usually short term, current studies often introduce or compare practice innovations that require long-term evaluation. That change requires that practice sites remain engaged in research work for up to 5 years, a time that can allow for a significant “voltage drop,” or decline in active participation. Methods: Over the past 15 years we have developed and adapted several strategies to facilitate and encourage the continued active engagement of practices in practice-based research network studies of up to 5 years' duration. The concepts, details, evaluation, and results (when available) of the strategies are described. Results: Eight strategies that enhance practice sites' attention to enrollment, data collection and continued use of the implemented practice change are described. Conclusion: The loss of momentum, or “voltage drop,” that happens in longer-term practice-based research network studies can be addressed using multiple strategies.
Students' Attitudes in Colleges of Education at the Jordanian Universities towards Mobile Phone Usage in University Education

The aim of this study was to investigate the students' attitudes in the colleges of education at the Jordanian universities toward the use of mobile phones in education, according to the University which is attended by the student, gender, and academic level of the student. The study sample consisted of (363) students selected randomly cluster from the colleges of education at the Jordanian universities: The Hashemite University, Yarmouk and University of Jordan for the academic year 2010-2011. The instrument was a questionnaire developed by the researchers. The results showed that the percentage of students who indicated positive attitudes towards mobile phone use in university education is high. The results also showed that there were significant differences in the attitudes of students of the colleges of education in Jordanian universities towards mobile phone use in university education attributed to the variable of the university and in favor of the Hashemite University. The results showed no significant differences in students' attitudes toward mobile phone use in university education attributed to gender. Findings also revealed that there presence of statistically significant differences in students' attitudes toward mobile phone use in university education attributed to the variable of academic level in favor of master degree students.
Decrease in oral bioavailability of ciclosporin by intravenous pulse of methylprednisolone succinate in rats

We examined the effects of high‐dose methylprednisolone on the bioavailability of orally administered ciclosporin in rats. To emulate the clinical protocol of methylprednisolone pulse therapy, methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPS), a prodrug of methylprednisolone, was intravenously administered as repeated doses (66.3 mg kg−1) for 3 days. The area under the blood ciclosporin concentration versus time curve after oral administration was significantly reduced by 60% by pulse treatment with MPS. Based on our previous finding that the total body clearance of ciclosporin was reduced by about 20% by the same methylprednisolone pulse protocol, the extent of reduction in the oral bioavailability of ciclosporin was estimated to be approximately 50%, indicating a drug interaction between high‐dose methylprednisolone and orally administered ciclosporin, which affected the absorption process. In rats treated with MPS, an in‐situ efflux experiment using rhodamine‐123 demonstrated that the reverse transport function of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) in the small intestine was significantly enhanced, although there was no significant increase in the intestinal microsomal activity of triazolam α‐ and 4‐hydroxylation, metabolic probes for CYP3A. In addition, a significant decrease was observed in the amount of secreted bile acids serving as an enhancer of gastrointestinal absorption of ciclosporin in MPS treatment. To directly estimate the absorptive capacity, an in‐situ absorption test was conducted using a closed‐loop of small intestine in control and MPS‐treated rats. Intestinal absorption of ciclosporin was significantly decreased, not only in the absence of bile flow but also by treatment with MPS, which well reflected the change in the in‐vivo pharmacokinetic behaviour of ciclosporin after methylprednisolone pulsing. These results demonstrate that bioavailability of ciclosporin is markedly reduced by MPS pulse treatment, and the mechanism of this interaction was confirmed to involve enhancement of small‐intestinal P‐gp function and decrease in bile secretion.
Cardiorenal Anemia Syndrome: Do Erythropoietin and Iron Therapy Have a Place in the Treatment of Heart Failure?

The cardiorenal anemia syndrome in congestive heart failure (CHF) is an independent risk factor for vascular morbidity and mortality. Several factors play a role in the pathogenesis of anemia in CHF, including inflammation, impaired renal function, use of certain antihypertensive or cardioprotective agents, and gastrointestinal or urinary losses of essential hemopoietic factors. Several trials evaluated the effects of administering erythropoietin (EPO) and/or iron to patients with CHF. Even though most of them were uncontrolled studies, their results suggest that EPO treatment might be beneficial in CHF. Nevertheless, more studies are needed and certain issues should be resolved, particularly the optimal hemoglobin level, before EPO can become part of the treatment of patients with CHF.
Associations between oral health-related quality of life and emotional statuses in children and preadolescents.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the associations between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and emotional statuses in children and preadolescents. METHODS One hundred and forty-five Brazilian students (8-14 years) were clinically examined for caries, gingivitis, fluorosis, malocclusions, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). OHRQoL was measured using two global ratings of oral health (OH) and overall well-being (OWB). The Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (R-CMAS) and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) were used to assess anxiety and depression, respectively. Saliva was collected 30 min after waking and at night to determine the diurnal decline in salivary cortisol (DDSC). The results were analyzed using non-paired t test/one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation test, and multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS 11-14-year-old participants had higher CDI scores (P < 0.01) and DDSC concentrations (P < 0.001). Participants with fewer caries and without gingivitis had higher DDSC concentrations (P < 0.05). TMD patients had higher DDSC concentrations and OWB ratings (P < 0.001). Girls had higher Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) scores (P < 0.01). There was positive correlation between RCMAS and CDI scores and OWB ratings (P < 0.05). The OH model retained age (β =0.312; P < 0.001) and the OWB model retained TMD (β = 0.271; P < 0.001) and CDI scores (β=0.175; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Children and preadolescents with poor emotional well-being are more sensitive to the impacts of OH and its effects on OWB.
Cross-Sector Collaboration and Information Integration in Local Government One-Stop Services Centres: The Experiences and Lessons from a Case Studies in China

The government of China is experiencing a transformation from the control-oriented government to a service-oriented government. And the one-stop service centers established by local governments at all levels are exactly the practice aiming to integrate administrative resources and provide citizen with more convenient services. E-government implementation and public information integration is generally looked as a driving force to promote the one-stop service transformation. However, the new pattern of one-stop service and related information integration have been impacted by benefits division and power structure of the traditional sectors. Based on the Bryson’s framework in collaborative public administration research, the study conducted a case analysis of administrative structure and operation process of an information integration project, named “Quan-chengdai-ban”, in one-stop service centers in Beijing, attempting to reveal the key determinants of crosssector collaboration and information integration in the local governments in China.
Recurrent Glomerulonephritis Under Rapid Discontinuation of Steroids

Background. Recurrent glomerulonephritis (GN) remains an important cause of kidney allograft loss and whether rapid discontinuation of steroids (RDS) is associated with a higher risk of recurrence is not known. Methods. We studied recurrence rate, and graft and patient survival in four groups of recipients: 216 recipients with GN transplanted under RDS (group 1), 978 concurrent non-GN recipients transplanted under RDS (group 2), 260 historic comparator group transplanted for GN between 1994 and 1999 with steroid maintenance (group 3), and 950 recipients who were also transplanted between 1994 and 1999 for non-GN and also maintained on steroids (group 4). Regression analysis adjusting for donor and recipient factors, steroid and sirolimus use, and also GN type was used to address factors associated with recurrent disease. Results. The 1-, 5-, and 7-year recurrence rate in the GN group under RDS was 6.7%, 13.7%, and 19.2% and in historic GN recipients maintained on steroids it was 2.4%, 3.8%, and 5.3%, respectively (P<0.0001). RDS was associated with a higher adjusted risk of recurrent disease for all GN types (hazard ratio 4.86; 95% confidence interval 2.34–10.07; P<0.0001). Graft and patient survival were similar in the two GN groups and both were highest among all groups. Notably, death-censored graft survival was not different among the groups. Conclusion. Steroid avoidance may be associated with a higher rate of recurrent GN but no apparent increase in risk of graft loss. This group of recipients needs to be studied more carefully, in larger numbers, and for a longer time period.
Perspective - Professional Work: The Emergence of Collaborative Community

This paper traces the main lines of evolution of the organization of professional work. The argument is illustrated with material on the case of doctors and hospitals. While market and hierarchy principles have become progressively more salient in professional work, we argue that, in parallel, the community principle has been growing more influential, too. We further argue that professional community is mutating from a Gemeinschaft, craft guild form, via Gesellschaft forms, toward a new, collaborative form. This evolution, however, is a difficult one, and the outcome is uncertain. We identify some implications for future research.
Depositional history of the fluvial Lower Carboniferous Sortebakker Formation, Wandel Sea Basin, eastern North Greenland

The Lower Carboniferous non-marine Sortebakker Formation is restricted to the south coast of Holm Land. It is estimated to exceed 1000 m in thickness and is subdivided by a low-angle disconformity into a lower mudstone-dominated unit (c. 335 m) and an upper sand-dominated unit (c. 665 m). The lower mudstone-dominated succession consists of stacked 0.5–6 m thick fining-upward cycles of fineto medium-grained sandstone and mudstone. Cycles in the upper part of the formation are up to 20 m thick. They are dominated by thick tabular sandstones up to 13 m thick overlain by shaly units that resemble those in the lower mudstone dominated cycles. Six facies associations are identified and together describe a fluviatile–lacustrine depositional system. Five of the facies associations characterise different parts of a meandering riverdominated flood plain whereas the sixth facies association represents more permanent lakes.
High‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB‐1) and serum soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in children affected by vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic disease affecting conjunctiva even though the immunopathogenetic mechanisms underlying this inflammation are unclear. The aim of our study is to investigate serum levels of HMGB1 and circulating sRAGE in children affected by VKC before and after treatment with cyclosporine A (CsA) eye drops and in a group of healthy children.
No evidence for the involvement of the multidrug resistance-associated protein and/or the monocarboxylic acid transporter in the intestinal transport of fluvastatin in rats

Fluvastatin, an amphiphilic anion, shows a nonlinear increase in effective intestinal permeability (Peff) with increasing lumenal concentrations in rats. The main objective of this study was to investigate whether or not this observation could be attributed to an efflux-mediated transport by the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP). In parallel, we investigated the possible involvement of the monocarboxylic acid transporter (MCT) in the rapid intestinal absorption of fluvastatin. Single-pass perfusions were performed in the ileum and colon of the rat, with and without the presence of well-established inhibitors/substrates for the MRP (probenecid) and the MCT (nicotinic acid). The results suggest that neither the MRP nor the MCT are involved to any significant extent in the absorption process of fluvastatin in the rat intestine. Thus, the previously reported concentration-dependent Peff of fluvastatin in these intestinal regions of the rat is probably not attributable to saturation of any efflux mediated by MRP.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TAXES AND GROWTH AT THE STATE LEVEL: NEW EVIDENCE

The effects of state tax policy on economic growth, entrepreneur ship, and employment remain controversial. Using a framework that in prior research generated significant, negative, and robust effects of taxes on growth, we find that neither tax revenues nor top income tax rates bear stable relationships to economic growth or employment across states and over time. While the rate of firm formation is negatively affected by top income tax rates, the effects are small in economic terms. Our results are inconsistent with the view that cuts in top state income tax rates will automatically or necessarily generate growth.
Influence of developmental environment on male‐ and female‐mediated sperm precedence in Drosophila melanogaster

Length of the sperm flagellum and of the female's primary sperm‐storage organ, the seminal receptacle (SR), exhibit a pattern of rapid correlated evolution in Drosophila and other lineages. Experimental evolution studies with Drosophila melanogaster indicate that these traits have coevolved through sexual selection, with length of the SR representing the proximal basis of female sire discrimination, biasing paternity according to sperm length. Here, we examine the impact of experimentally varying the developmental environment, including larval density and larval and adult nutrition, on sperm length, SR length and on the pattern of sperm precedence. Expression of SR length was far more sensitive to variation among developmental environments than was sperm length. Nevertheless, there was striking co‐variation in sperm and SR length. The developmental environment of both females and second males, but not first males, significantly contributed to variation in male competitive fertilization success.
Apically extruded debris during root canal preparation using Vortex Blue, K3XF, ProTaper Next and Reciproc instruments.

AIM To assess the amount of debris extruded apically during root canal preparation using various nickel-titanium instrumentation systems. METHODOLOGY Sixty extracted single-rooted mandibular premolar human teeth were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 15 teeth for each group). The canals were then instrumented with the following instrument systems: Vortex Blue (VB; Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA), K3XF (SybronEndo, Orange, CA, USA), Reciproc (VDW, Munich, Germany) and ProTaper Next (PTN; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). Apically extruded debris during instrumentation was collected into pre-weighed Eppendorf tubes. The Eppendorf tubes were then stored in an incubator at 70 °C for 5 days. The weight of the dry extruded debris was established by subtracting the pre-instrumentation and post-instrumentation weight of the Eppendorf tubes for each group. The data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (anova) and Tukey's post hoc tests. RESULTS Vortex Blue and PTN files were associated with significantly less apically extruded debris than the K3XF and Reciproc files (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the VB and PTN files or between the K3XF and Reciproc files (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS All instruments were associated with apical extrusion of debris. VB and PTN files were associated with less debris extrusion compared to the other systems.
Slow Light Enhanced Nonlinear Optics in Silicon Photonic Crystal Waveguides

We present a summary of our recent experiments showing how various nonlinear phenomena are enhanced due to slow light in silicon photonic crystal waveguides. These nonlinear processes include self-phase modulation (SPM), two-photon absorption (TPA), free-carrier related effects, and third-harmonic generation, the last effect being associated with the emission of green visible light, an unexpected phenomenon in silicon. These demonstrations exploit photonic crystal waveguides engineered to support slow modes with a range of group velocities as low as c/50 and, more crucially, with significantly reduced dispersion. We discuss the potential of slow light in photonic crystals for realizing compact nonlinear devices operating at low powers. In particular, we consider the application of SPM to all-optical regeneration, and experimentally investigate an original approach, where enhanced TPA and free-carrier absorption are used for partial regeneration of a high-bit rate data stream (10 Gb/s).
Orthostatic Hypotension as a Risk Factor for Stroke: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, 1987–1996

Background and Purpose The association between orthostatic hypotension (OH) and stroke has rarely been investigated in longitudinal studies. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether OH predicts ischemic stroke in a middle-aged, biethnic population after adjustment for known stroke risk factors. Diastolic, systolic, and consensus OH were evaluated for baseline associations and for the ability to predict stroke. Methods In 11 707 persons from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort who were free of stroke and overt heart disease at baseline, Cox proportional hazards analyses modeled the association between OH at baseline and incident ischemic stroke over 7.9 years of follow-up. OH was defined as a systolic blood pressure drop ≥20 mm Hg (systolic OH), a diastolic blood pressure drop ≥10 mm Hg (diastolic OH), or a drop in either (consensus OH) when a person changed from a supine to standing position. Results OH was predictive of ischemic stroke, even after adjustment for numerous stroke risk factors (consensus OH: hazard ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.2). While the baseline characteristics associated with OH varied depending on the type of OH, all types of OH had a similar risk of stroke. Conclusions OH is an easily obtained measurement that may help to identify middle-aged persons at risk for stroke.
Schistosoma mansoni diagnostic antigens (Sm 31/12): a sero-epidemiological study in the Sudan.

A cross-sectional study was performed in a Sudanese village endemic for intestinal schistosomiasis and not located in a control area. Immunological and parasitological diagnosis were compared in 156 individuals. Sera were tested with defined diagnostic Schistosoma mansoni antigens (Sm 31/32, i.e. hemoglobinase and cathepsin), and repeated stool examinations were performed. In immunoblots, 98% of the egg excretors were correctly identified. On the other hand, 75% of the parasitologically negative individuals had anti-Sm 31/32 antibodies. Cross-reactivity of these antigens with other parasites was excluded earlier, and the patients had not received previous chemotherapy. It is concluded that the sensitivity of these defined antigens to detect immunologically infections with S. mansoni compares favourably with stool examinations.