Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Glycemic Control Indicators and Safety Evaluation duringLinagliptin Treatment over 6 Months in Japanese Type 2 DiabeticPatients with and without Nephropathy

Objective: This retrospective study was undertaken to compare hemoglobin A1c and glycoalbumin levels as glycemic control indicators during linagliptin treatment in diabetic patients with or without nephropathy. The efficacy and safety of linagliptin were also examined. Methods: The subjects were 127 outpatients with type 2 diabetes, including 69 patients with nephropathy. The hypoglycemic effect of linagliptin and the factors contributing to its hypoglycemic effect were examined. Several clinical parameters were compared before and after the initiation of linagliptin to evaluate the drug’s safety. Results: Linagliptin significantly decreased hemoglobin A1c and glycoalbumin levels at 3 and 6 months after treatment initiation. At 6 months, changes in hemoglobin A1c levels from baseline were strongly correlated with changes in glycoalbumin levels in diabetic patients with and without nephropathy. Changes in hemoglobin A1c and glycoalbumin at 6 months were significantly greater in patients with higher baseline values and shorter diabetes duration. Linagliptin decreased both hemoglobin A1c and glycoalbumin levels, irrespective of the baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate. No changes in clinical parameters thought to indicate adverse events were noted. Conclusions: Glycoalbumin is an equivalent glycemic control indicator and predictor to hemoglobin A1c during linagliptin treatment. Linagliptin is safe and effective in diabetic patients with or without nephropathy.
Benthic communities of the argentine continental-shelf

The benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages of the Argentine continental shelf were studied from samples of molluscs, echinoderms and bryozoans collected by the RN Shinkai Maru. Two major faunal groups were distinguished: one inhabiting the warmer inner shelf off Buenos Aires and northern Patagonia, and the other occupying the colder middle and outer shelf off Buenos Aires and most of the Patagonian shelf. These results confirm the traditional biogeographic division of the Argentine continental shelf into two provinces: Argentine and Magellanic. Furthermore, the results suggest the possibility of subdividing the Atlantic sector of the Magellanic province into two districts: Patagonian and Malvinean, under the influence of the Patagonian and the Malvinas current, respectively.
Analysis of Factors Influencing Access to Credit Services by Women Entrepreneurs in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors influencing access to credit services by women entrepreneurs in Kenya; a case of Isiolo town. Entrepreneurship has been regarded as a major contributing factor to the economic growth and poverty alleviation both in urban and rural areas. Organizations for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports indicate growing phenomena of women entrepreneurship both in developed and developing countries. In some countries, women-owned businesses are increasing at a very rapid pace in terms of both numbers and turnover. The scope of the study was selected from financial lending institutions in Isiolo County and women entrepreneurs targeting those who are members or have accounts in these financial institutions. There are 6 registered FIs operating within the Isiolo town which has a total of 18 management employees and 20 registered women entrepreneurs. The researcher conducted a census on the FIs managers and as well as women entrepreneurs in Isiolo town from the target population. To analyze the data, the researcher applied the chi-square testing the hypothesis of the study. The study recommends that the financial institutions should establish lending procedures which will attract women entrepreneurs and accommodate them in access of credit. It also recommended that the financial institutions should encourage the use of affordable collaterals that will ensure that women entrepreneurs are able to access credit. Lack of affordability collateral was one of the challenges that was highlighted as hindrances to women accessing credit. The financial institutions should ensure that they train women entrepreneurs on investment opportunities in order to increase purposes of credit for women entrepreneurs. This will ensure women entrepreneurs will always have a purpose to do with credit advanced to them by financial institutions.
Assessing stiffness on finger-jointed timber with different non- destructive testing techniques

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a common method to determine the stiffness of timber before its utilisation for construction purposes. In this project a total of 188 pieces of 2” x 4” black spruce unjointed and finger-jointed timber (38 x 89 x 2438mm) were tested with different NDT techniques. Testing was applied on three main specimen groups: 1. ) unjointed timber, 2. ) finger-jointed timber with 2-3 joints and 3. ) finger-jointed timber with 5-7 joints. Three NDT techniques were chosen. These were stress wave propagation, transverse vibration and bending as applied by a grading machine. The stress wave technique was applied via a commercial machine (Timber Grader MTG) which is a hand-held device. Transverse vibration was applied by using a spectrum analyser, an accelerometer and an instrumented hammer. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the application of present NDT techniques to finger-jointed timber. The modulus predicted on unjointed sawn timber and timber with different number of finger joints were correlated with three-point bending test results, which are used as a reference for the “real” stiffness. The results showed that modulus values measured using the three NDT methods correlate well with three-point bending modulus for both unjointed and finger-jointed timber. The regression coefficient between NDT modulus and three-point bending modulus (R²) ranged from 0.80 to as high as 0.97. The grading machine provided the lowest R² values than stress wave and transverse vibration. Similar R² values were observed for both unjointed and finger-jointed timber, indicating that these NDT techniques can be used for grading fingerjointed timber with the same degree of accuracy as solid sawn timber. Furthermore, results show that modulus decreases with any increase in number of finger joints.
Cumulative Carbon Fluxes Due to Selective Logging in Southeast Asia

Selective logging creates a large amount of wood residues in forests in addition to producing a small amount of sawnwood for use as source of construction materials. Although accounting for carbon fluxes in harvested wood products (HWPs) becomes necessary in the fight against climate change, previous studies focused mainly on carbon fluxes in HWPs in temperate and boreal forests. This report attempts to analyze carbon fluxes in various wood components created by selective logging in production forest in Southeast Asia during a hypothetical period of carbon project implementation between 2015 and 2050 under conventional (CVL) and reduced-impact logging (RIL). Study results suggest that CVL produced about 146.6 (±5.4) million m3 annually. Logging created annual carbon fluxes of about 0.23, 0.23, 0.20, 0.69, and 0.15 MgC ha-1·year-1 in sawnwood, wood wastes at sawmills (SWW), wood product wastes due to logging damages remained in the forests (WPW), branches and top logs (BRA), and belowground dead root (BLD), respectively. Cumulative carbon fluxes were estimated at 281.0, 506.6, and 87.4 TgC year-1 in sawnwood, onsite (WPW, BRA, BLD), and offsite (SWW) pools, respectively. Except in SW, cumulative carbon fluxes in onsite and offsite pools showed a decline trend in about 10 years after logging. Switching from CVL to RIL could increase fluxes in sawnwood 60% higher than that under CVL, while reducing fluxes in short-lived onsite and offsite wood residues. Not only RIL can increase carbon fluxes in sawnwood, it can also increase production of sawnwood and retain more carbon in standing forests.
Strengthening the Flow of Agricultural Knowledge among Agricultural Stakeholders: The Case of Morogoro Region in Tanzania

Effective agricultural knowledge exchange is important for increased access to agricultural knowledge. However, studies conducted in Tanzania indicate that access to agricultural knowledge among agricultural stakeholders is inadequate. This chapter investigates how to strengthen the exchange of agricultural knowledge can be strengthened. Specifically, the chapter assesses how agricultural knowledge flows, determines how communication channels are chosen and analyses critical factors for effective agricultural knowledge exchange. The study involved different agricultural stakeholders identified through stake- holders ’ analysis. Random and non-random sampling techniques were used in drawing the sample for the study. The study involved 371 respondents. Key findings indicate that agricultural knowledge sharing, exchange, transfer and dissemination which facilitate the flow of agricultural knowledge. Findings indicate that availability and accessibility of the communication channels, ICT infrastructure, affordability of communication tariffs and ownership of communication tools influenced the choice of communication channels. Likewise, membership in professional groups, accessibility of knowledge sources, affordability of tariffs for, access to agricultural extension services, availability of knowledge and ICT infrastructure influence the flow of agricultural knowledge. It is concluded that effective agricultural knowledge flow increases knowledge accessibility, usage and crea- tion. It is recommended that each agricultural stakeholder should be involved in conducting relevant agricultural knowledge roles so as to enhance the accessibility, shar- ing, exchange, dissemination and usage of agricultural knowledge. 13.4%) had secondary education; 38 (12.1%) had informal education; few (14, 4.5%) had adult education; while none had tertiary education. With respect to the level of education by sex of respondent, findings indicate that 112 (73.2%) male farmers as opposed to 108 (67.1%) female farmers had primary education, and 27 (17.6%) male farmers as opposed to 15 (9.3%) female farmers had secondary education. Findings also indicate that seven (4.6%) of the male farmers as opposed to seven (4.3%) of the female farmers had adult education, and the other seven (4.6%) male farmers as opposed to 31 (19.3%) female farmers had informal education.
Survey Expectations, Rationality and the Dynamics of Euro Area Inflation

This paper uses survey data in order to analyse and assess the empirical properties of consumers’ inflation expectations in the euro area and explores their role in explaining the observed dynamics of inflation. The probability approach is used to derive quantitative estimates of euro area inflation expectations from the qualitative data from the European Commission’s Consumer Survey. The paper subsequently analyses the empirical properties of the estimated inflation expectations by considering the extent to which they fulfil some of the necessary conditions for rationality. The results suggest an intermediate form of rationality. In particular, the surveyed expectations are an unbiased predictor of future price developments and they incorporate – though not always completely – the information contained in a broad set of macroeconomic variables. In addition, although persistent deviations between consumers’ expectations and the rational outcome have occurred, consumers are shown to rationally adjust their expectations in order to eventually “weed out” any systematic expectational errors.
Potential Hazards of Microbial Contamination Associated with Raw Eaten Salad Vegetables and Fresh Produces

The safety of raw eaten salad vegetables and fresh produce is a global issue covering both the countries that import fresh fruits and vegetables and the countries that supply them. Salad vegetables and fresh produce have become more attractive, because of its nutritional benefits and the fact that it is made in very short time, mostly it is consumed as raw or after minimal processing. In-spite of its great nutritional value, it’s become harbour of microbes due to untreated irrigation and poor handling after harvesting of these crops. A study was carried out to determine themicrobial quality of raw eaten salad vegetable raw eaten salad vegetables. Food-borne pathogen such as Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella sp. , Shigella sp. , Campylobacter sp. , Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium botulinum and E. coli O157:H7 has been noticed that main cause of illness during the past decade. Measures to minimize the risk of microbial contamination at all points from the field to the table thorough good agricultural practices, good manufacturing practices would be the most effective strategy to assure that raw eaten salad vegetables is safe forhuman consumption. The study revealed the potential hazards of raw eaten salad vegetables and suggested the importance of proper lethal treatments before consumption and the need of adoption of hygienic practices by food processors vendors.
Proximity matters: synergies through co-location of logistics establishments

Although anecdotal evidence suggests that co-location of logistics establishments can bring about several benefits for the co-located logistics firms. These benefits have not been widely researched. This article seeks to contribute to an understanding of the spatial concentration of logistics establishments by empirically analysing the synergies they achieve through co-location. A survey of managers of 507 logistics establishments in the south of the Netherlands tested for differences in behaviour and circumstances between co-located and non-co-located establishments. The results show that synergies arise through co-location of logistics establishments: co-located logistics establishments more often combine transport capacity, have better availability of truck drivers, are better accessible, have better availability of repair and maintenance facilities, and have better expansion opportunities than do non-co-located logistics establishments. This means that regional aspects can be important variables in the location decisions of logistics firms.
Teacher–child relationships narrated by parents of children with difficulties in self-regulation

ABSTRACT This study addresses the relationships between teachers and children (four to six years old) with difficulties in self-regulation from the parent's point of view. Narratives were constructed in 21 interviews with parents of children who have difficulties in self-regulation. The study focused on two questions: (i) What kinds of teacher–child relationships can be identified in the parents’ narratives? and (ii) How is the child positioned in this relational context? The teacher–child relationships found were labelled neutral, problematic and caring. Within these categories, the child was positioned in nine ways ranging from the child as troublesome to the child as unique. The study offers tools for analysing the teacher–child relationship. It helps to understand this relationship from the parental point of view, thereby contributing to the objective of supporting the development and well-being of children in the early childhood education context in cooperation with their parents.
A new cryptic ground beetle species from the Alps characterised via geometric morphometrics

The European Alps support several ground beetle Nebria (Nebriola) species, which are morphologically similar. A study conducted on a Nebriola population located between the Eastern Pennine and Western Lepontine Italian Alps revealed the presence of two species, Nebria (Nebriola) cordicollis and N. (Nebriola) gosteliae, and some individuals that possibly represented an unknown taxonomic unit (UTU). Therefore, to further elucidate and characterise the morphological units at the site, we completed a comparative analysis using geometric morphometrics applying the semilandmarks approach. We examined the pronotum, the right elytron, and the median lobe of aedeagus. The quantitative analysis evaluated the overall variation in shape and size of the three structures. Results supported the hypothesised presence of three distinct groups of individuals, with different morphologies for the anatomical traits examined. The pronotum and median lobe of aedeagus exhibited more marked differences among the groups, while the right elytron showed reduced differentiation. These results confirmed that the three groups were separate taxa, and were therefore correctly classified. Based on our findings, we considered the UTU a new species, which is here described as Nebria (Nebriola) casalei sp. nov.
A non-linear Granger-causality framework to investigate climate–vegetation dynamics

Satellite Earth observation has led to the creation of global climate data records of many important environmental and climatic variables. These come in the form of multivariate time series with different spatial and temporal resolutions. Data of this kind provide new means to further unravel the influence of climate on vegetation dynamics. However, as advocated in this article, commonly used statistical methods are often too simplistic to represent complex climate-vegetation relationships due to linearity assumptions. Therefore, as an extension of linear Granger-causality analysis, we present a novel non-linear framework consisting of several components, such as data collection from various databases, time series decomposition techniques, feature construction methods, and predictive modelling by means of random forests. Experimental results on global data sets indicate that, with this framework, it is possible to detect non-linear patterns that are much less visible with traditional Granger-causality methods. In addition, we discuss extensive experimental results that highlight the importance of considering non-linear aspects of climate-vegetation dynamics.
Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography # 15 . 17 On firms ’ product space evolution : the role of firm and local product relatedness

We explore the role of firm and local product-specific capabilities in fostering the introduction of new products in the Turkish manufacturing. Firms’ product space evolution is characterised by strong cognitive path dependence which, however, is relaxed by firm heterogeneity in terms of size, efficiency and international exposure. The introduction of new products in laggard Eastern regions, which is importantly related to the evolution of their industrial output, is mainly affected by firm internal product specific resources. On the contrary, product innovations in Western advanced regions hinge relatively more on the availability of suitable local competencies. JEL: D22, O53, O12
Initial human capital or the rule of law: what matters for the income convergence of poor countries?

The article analyses conditional β-convergence among the low income countries using a panel data framework covering the period 1960 to 2008. The estimation of conditional income convergence is based on the augmented Solow model with system GMM technique for the dynamic panel data. More importantly, the article assesses the role of initial human capital stock and the rule of law in the income convergence of poor countries by considering further categorizations of the poor countries based on these two variables. This is the first study on the comparative properties of human capital and the rule of law in the income convergence of poor countries utilizing a dynamic panel framework. The full sample of low income countries does not show any evidence of conditional income convergence. The categorizations on the basis of initial human capital stock do not alter the conclusion of no income convergence. However, the subsample of low income countries with a better rule of law exhibits positive evidence of convergence towards the steady states. The article concludes that there exists a greater role of the rule of law, than initial human capital stock, in the income convergence of poor countries and vice versa for the high and middle income countries.
An aged rodent model of stroke recovery: examining the role of the medial prefrontal cortex

Covert and recurrent strokes increase during aging, emphasizing the importance of using aged rodent models of recurrent stroke. In experiment 1, 25 young and 16 middle-aged Sprague Dawley rats underwent medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) or sham ischemia. There was no overt motor effect of mPFC ischemia, making it a valid model of covert stroke. Notably, middle-aged rats showed decreased overall performance in the staircase reaching test, relative to younger rats. In experiment 2, 34 young and 33 middle-aged rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) +/- mPFC ischemia. Unlike experiment 1, there was no effect of age on baseline performance. The middle-aged group, however, had less motor impairments and significantly smaller striatal infarcts, suggesting the MCAo strokes were suboptimal. These results highligh important age-related differences in post-stroke performance. Behavioural outcome measures, motivation level and the ischemic model must be carefully considered in developing older animal models of stroke.
Cyanobacteria Community Dynamics and Trophic Status of Intensive Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) Farming Pond in Situbondo East Java Indonesia

The objective of this study was to analyze the dynamics community structure of Cyanobacteria and trophic status in ponds of intensive shrimp culture ( Litopenaeus vannamei ) in Situbondo based on Trophic Diatom Index (TDI). The ex post facto research was conducted in situ in the hamlet of Pond Mutiara Mas III Klatakan Situbondo East Java Indonesia. Observation of Cyanobacteria and Diatoms community structure were done every week during four cycles of shrimp farming ponds. Cycle of shrimp farming ponds is the times for enlargement process of the shrimps from seed to mature which ranges from 90-120 days. The dependent variables were the density of Cyanobacteria and Diatoms community, as well as chemical parameters nitrite and orthophosphate. Trophic status was determined from TDI be counted from data of diatom density. All of the data were then classified using cluster and biplot analysis program PAST Ver. 3.11 to discribe the profile of ecosystem quality. The research results showed that there were four taxa of Cyanobacteria during farming cycle which the highest density was found from the genus of Oscillatoria . Based on the value of TDI, we found that the trophic status of water in shrimps pond during the production process was eutrophic until hyper-eutrophic. The water quality was decreases along with the length of incubation time.
Enhancing Relationship Quality: The Case of Franchises

What circumstances enhance franchise relationship quality is not well understood. We help to fill this research gap by developing and testing a model of the sources of relationship quality using constructs from the transactions cost literature, including idiosyncratic investment and interdependence. A survey was conducted successfully to 550 franchise owners or managers of Taiwanese small and medium enterprises. We find that idiosyncratic investment directly enhances trust and indirectly reinforces trust via interdependence. Franchisees’ idiosyncratic investment cannot directly influence opportunistic behavior but indirectly influence it via trust or interdependence. Moreover, franchisees with lower opportunistic behavior and higher trust have higher commitment.