Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Regulation of vascular tone: the fat connection.

The study of vascular tone regulation has been based traditionally on layer-specific mechanisms. Three different layers form the blood vessel wall: intima, media, and adventitia. The intima is a monolayer of endothelial cells, which separates circulating blood from the medial layer underneath. The media consists of concentric layers of smooth muscle cells and elastic lamella, varying in number depending on the vessel size. The outer layer of the vessel, the tunica adventitia, is formed of collagen bundles, elastic fibers, fibroblasts, and vasa vasorum. It also harbors perivascular nerve endings. The course of vascular function research has changed through the years. Most early functional studies characterized vasoconstrictor and vasodilator agents and their receptor types and subtypes. At the same time, a bulk of investigation focused on the neural regulation of medial function, characterized perivascular innervation in the adventitia and adventitial-medial border, and described both vasoconstrictor and vasodilator neurotransmitters. The identification in the 1980s of nitric oxide as an endothelium-derived relaxing factor reoriented vascular function studies of the next 2 decades. As a consequence, the endothelial layer is now considered as a paracrine tissue, which produces and releases a variety of contractile and relaxant factors that modulate medial function directly and indirectly through modulation of neurotransmitter release. During this time, the adventitia was regarded as a structural support for the media and its functional role was ignored. However, in recent years there is increasing evidence of …
Regular physical activity reduces the effects of Achilles tendon vibration on postural control for older women

The aim was to determine in what extent physical activity influences postural control when visual, vestibular, and/or proprioceptive systems are disrupted. Two groups of healthy older women: an active group (74.0 ± 3.8 years) who practiced physical activities and a sedentary group (74.7 ± 6.3 years) who did not, underwent 12 postural conditions consisted in altering information emanating from sensory systems by means of sensory manipulations (i.e., eyes closed, cervical collar, tendon vibration, electromyostimulation, galvanic vestibular stimulation, foam surface). The center of foot pressure velocity was recorded on a force platform. Results indicate that the sensory manipulations altered postural control. The sedentary group was more disturbed than the active group by the use of tendon vibration. There was no clear difference between the two groups in the other conditions. This study suggests that the practice of physical activities is beneficial as a means of limiting the effects of tendon vibration on postural control through a better use of the not manipulated sensory systems and/or a more efficient reweighting to proprioceptive information from regions unaffected by the tendon vibration.
A petrographic, chemical, and isotopic study of calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions and aluminum‐rich chondrules from the Axtell (CV3) chondrite

Abstract— Petrographic, compositional, and isotopic characteristics were studied for three calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs) and four plagioclase‐bearing chondrules (three of them Al‐rich) from the Axtell (CV3) chondrite. All seven objects have analogues in Allende (CV3) and other primitive chondrites, yet Axtell, like most other chondrites, contains a distinctive suite of CAIs and chondrules. In common with Allende CAIs, CAIs in Axtell exhibit initial 26Al/27Al ratios ((26Al/27Al)0) ranging from ∼5 × 10−5 to <1.1 × 10−5, and plagioclase‐bearing chondrules have (26Al/27Al)0 ratios of ∼3 × 10−6 and lower. One type‐A CAI has the characteristics of a FUN inclusion. The Al‐Mg data imply that the plagioclase‐bearing chondrules began to form >2 Ma after the first CAIs. As in other CV3 chondrites, some objects in Axtell show evidence of isotopic disturbance. Axtell has experienced only mild thermal metamorphism (<600 °C), probably not enough to disturb the Al‐Mg systematics. Its CAIs and chondrules have suffered extensive metasomatism, probably prior to final accretion. These data indicate that CAIs and chondrules in Axtell (and other meteorites) had an extended history of several million years before their incorporation into the Axtell parent body. These long time periods appear to require a mechanism in the early solar system to prevent CAIs and chondrules from falling into the Sun via gas drag for several million years before final accretion.
The impact of the financial crisis on innovation activity of public technology companies: evidence from Germany

This thesis aimed to explore the impact impaired by financial crisis 2008-2009 on innovation activities of public technology firms in Germany. Specifically, the analysis focused on the change in R&D intensity due to the crisis with respect to firm-specific characteristics (size and age). The research also investigated the resulting influence of this change on firms’ market-based performance. Through the longitudinal observation of a panel of 110 German public companies attributable to technology sector, the analysis rejected the suggestions of both pro-cyclicality in R&D investment and positive relationship between R&D intensity and firm value. The following findings were derived: 1) overall, public technology companies tend to persist their innovation investment in spite of the crisis; 2) younger and smaller firms in general are more R&D intensive that older and larger firms, in particular, smaller firms even increased their RD 3) there are found to be industrial differences in patterns of RD 4) market value is found to be negatively associated with R&D investment during the crisis. Limitations of the analysis and perspectives for future research are discussed.
Evaluating Local Strategic Partnerships: Theory and practice of change

Abstract Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) are a major recent innovation in English local governance. As the ‘partnership of partnerships’ in a locality, the ability of the LSP to provide an arena for community leadership and joined up service delivery is vital to the Local Government Modernisation Agenda. Drawing on material from the national evaluation of LSPs, this paper assesses their progress. A theory of change (ToC) approach was adopted in the evaluation, and the paper shows how this approach was developed and utilised. The main findings from the evaluation are then presented and discussed. In conclusion, the article draws some wider conclusions both about the strengths and weaknesses of the ToC approach and about LSPs themselves.
Contact allergy to corticosteroids: the results of a two‐centre study

Summary We report a comparative study of the patch‐test results obtained with a corticosteroid series, added to the standard series, in two centres, one in Belgium and the other in the Netherlands. The frequencies of positive reactions to the corticosteroids differed considerably between the two centres, and we suggest several reasons for this.
Optimal cut‐off age in the TNM Staging system of differentiated thyroid cancer: is 55 years better than 45 years?

Age >45 years is included as a variable in the tumor, node, metastases (TNM) staging of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), but a higher cut‐off value has been suggested to be more clinically relevant and prevent over‐staging. We evaluated the optimal age cut‐off to predict disease‐specific survival (DSS) in patients with DTC.
Targeting the tcdA Gene: Is This Appropriate for Detection of A and/or B Clostridium difficile Toxin-Producing Strains?

In a recent article ([3][1]), Noren et al. reported an extensive evaluation of illumi gene Clostridium difficile compared with the cell culture cytotoxin B assay (CTBA) and/or toxigenic culture (TC) of cytotoxin-producing C. difficile isolates. The illumi gene assay utilizes loop-mediated
Debt Heterogeneity and Covenants

Coordination failure among the owners of heterogeneous debt types can increase expected distress costs. Covenants can help reduce these costs by lowering the probability of liquidity defaults. We show that loans are indeed subject to more covenants when the borrowers' debt structures are more heterogeneous. Our findings suggest that covenants are used to reduce not only creditor-shareholder conflicts but also the expected costs of coordination failure among creditors holding different types of debt. Further, our results indicate a dynamic component missing from static debt structure models: Debt heterogeneity leads to additional covenants (i.e., constraints) when raising future debt.
Anesthetic and hemodynamic effects of single bolus versus incremental titration of hyperbaric spinal lidocaine through microcatheter.

This study examined anesthetic development and hemodynamic changes during two techniques of hyperbaric lidocaine administration through 27-gauge intrathecal catheters for continuous spinal anesthesia in 55 elderly patients undergoing transurethral prostatic resection. Twenty-five patients were randomly assigned to receive hyperbaric lidocaine 5% solution in a single bolus of 75 mg to achieve blockade to approximately T6, and 30 patients to receive hyperbaric lidocaine 2.5% solution in increments of 25 mg to achieve T6 or to a maximum of three doses. Hemodynamic measurements of arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, and ejection fraction were made serially after the induction of spinal anesthesia. Anesthesia failed to spread beyond the sacral region in 9/25 (36%) patients in the single-dose group (SD), but was successfully induced in all patients given titrated doses (TD) at total doses of 50 mg (n = 15) (TD50) and 75 mg (n = 15) (TD75). The mean maximal level of sensory block in all three groups was comparable: T5, T4, and T6 in groups SD, TD50, and TD75, respectively. The onset and progression of sensory block were rapid and similar in the SD and TD50 groups, in contrast to a gradual, stepwise development of block in group TD75. Grade 3 motor block occurred in response to the first dose of 25 mg lidocaine in 7/30 (23%) patients receiving titrated doses, but the overall incidence of leg paralysis did not differ among the three groups by the end of lidocaine dosing. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased significantly relative to baseline in all three groups. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Optimising OFDM based visible light communication for high throughput and reduced PAPR

In order to circumvent the throughput limitation imposed on visible light communication (VLC) systems by the limited LED bandwidth, optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with non-uniform bit-loading is studied in this paper. By using lower order modulation on subcarriers that suffer the most distortion, we show that it is possible to establish a high throughput and reliable OFDM based VLC link at a sampling rate of six times the available system bandwidth. The high signal peak-to-average-power-ratio (PAPR) that accompanies the OFDM signal is however reduced by adopting the pilot symbol phase rotation technique previously proposed by the authors. With this, over 4 dB reduction in the electrical PAPR is attainable. This combined approach thus make it possible to achieve high throughput without incurring the high PAPR penalties.
Business Models for Internet Based E-Commerce

The meteoric growth of Internet based E-commerce at the turn of the last century is truly baffling. During the last one decade, this market space has grown in several directions. In its first generation, it saw the emergence of portals and search engines. However, in due course more and more organisations began to cater to the Business to Customer (B2C) market. In the last two years, there is significant growth in the Business to Business (B2B) segment. As several organisations began to operate in the Internet market space, they innovated unique propositions to create value in the process. These were either not found or difficult to replicate in the traditional brick and mortar operation.
Molecular basis of NMDA receptor functional diversity

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) form glutamate‐gated ion channels widely expressed in the central nervous system and highly permeable to calcium ions. NMDARs have always attracted much attention because of their central implications in numerous physiological and pathological processes including synaptic plasticity and excitotoxicity. Ever since the discovery of NMDARs three decades ago, it has been acknowledged that native NMDARs do not form a homogeneous population of receptors but rather exist as multiple subpopulations that differ in their functional properties and, presumably, physiopathological roles. NMDARs are in fact large multi‐subunit complexes arranged into heteromeric assemblies composed of four homologous subunits within a repertoire of over 10 different subunits: eight GluN1 isoforms, four GluN2 subunits (A–D) and two GluN3 subunits (A and B). This review gives an overview of our current knowledge of the molecular basis underlying NMDAR functional heterogeneity. The modular architecture and expression profile of NMDAR subunits together with the basic principles of NMDAR operation are first introduced. The influence of subunit composition on receptor functional properties is then described, with emphasis put on the impact of differential incorporation of GluN1 and GluN2 subunits (the roles of GluN3 subunits being less well understood). The final part presents recent studies revealing the central, and largely unsuspected, role of the extracellular N‐terminal region in generating functional diversity of NMDARs. Indeed, the identity of this region, which is distal to the membrane and precedes the agonist‐binding domains, determines key biophysical and pharmacological attributes of the various NMDAR subtypes.
Market Volatility and the Timing of IPO Filings

We investigate how aggregate IPO filing volume responds to changes in stock market volatility. The filing volume consists of all non-financial firms that filed with the SEC between 1984 and 2004. Controlling for factors shown in the literature to impact primary market activity, notably stock market returns, we find filing volume positively related to changes in market volatility, and the relation is especially pronounced when stock market return is at ‘normal’ levels, i.e. neither too high nor too low. The relation also holds at the industry level, in a pooled time-series cross-industry regression context. The relation is more pronounced for IPO filings in ‘new’ industries (computers, software, electronic equipment, and telecommunications) relative to traditional industries. These results are consistent with our hypothesis that the ability to discover investor valuations before deciding to sell shares gives firms filing with the SEC an ‘option’ on the uncertain offer price. This option has value not only in a strong stock market but also in a volatile market. Furthermore, option theory implies that the marginal effect of volatility on this option is highest in ‘normal’ stock markets.
Caspofungin for Refractory Fungal Infections in Infants and Children

nvasive fungal disease is a life-threatening infection in immunocompromised children and premature infants. On January 29, 2001, the Food and Drug Administration approved caspofungin acetate, a new antifungal for the treatment of Candida sp. infections. It is also indicated for the empirical treatment of fungal infections in febrile, neutropenic patients and the treatment of invasive aspergillosis in patients refractory to amphotericin or itraconazole. In clinical trials of adults, caspofungin has demonstrated an overall efficacy rate similar to amphotericin for the treatment of invasive candidal infections or fluconazole for the treatment of esophageal candidiasis. Although not yet approved for use in children, caspofungin has been reported to be an effective therapy in infants and children with infections resistant to traditional antifungals.
Financial Information effects on the measurement of Commercial Banks¿ Efficiency

Using Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) in a sample of commercial banks from 107 countries for the period 1996-2003, we obtain a mean cost efficiency score of 0,84, which supports the evidence found in other works, suggesting an improvement of efficiency scores over the ones obtained in the previous decade. Adding some data on the financial information framework (Bank Regulation and supervision Database), our study shows that financial information rules produce significant bias in reported efficiency. Following less conservative standards, IAS or USGAAP, banks show lower levels of efficiency than banks in countries with more conservative standards. Also, in countries where disclosure of risk management policies is mandatory, banks seem to be less efficient.
A Review of the Reform Legislation relating to Medical Schemes in South Africa - 1994 to 2007

The democratic Government of South Africa inherited a healthcare system that was fragmented and inequitable. The Department of Health was mandated by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to implement a system whereby quality, affordable healthcare could become available to all citizens of the country within the constraints of the available resources. The objective of government, through reform legislation, is to establish a social health insurance (SHI) system for the country which will ultimately lead to the implementation of a national health insurance (NHI) system in order to achieve universal coverage. Medical schemes have been identified as an important component of this transformation process. The private healthcare industry, represented largely by medical schemes, acknowledges that SHI is the ideal pathway chosen by government to achieve universal coverage, but is concerned with the process being used to achieve this aim, the pace at which transformation is occurring, and the effect of this on medical schemes. The movement towards an equitable healthcare system required the introduction of reform legislation necessary for the establishment of an enabling environment. The implementation of community rating, open enrolment and prescribed minimum benefits (PMBs) reforms, succeeded in ending the risk-rating of those medical schemes that were excluding members who were considered vulnerable. However, these legislations were not followed by a risk equalisation mechanism in the form of a proposed risk equalisation fund (REF) for the South African environment. The main purpose of this fund is to ensure that equity within the medical schemes industry is maintained through the equalisation of the risks that had resulted from the implementation of the first components of reform legislation. The research into the experiences of other countries shows that South Africa is
Donor gonadal vein reconstruction for extension of the transected renal vessels in living renal transplantation

Introduction: Donor gonadal vein is a readily available vascular reconstruction material for vascular reconstruction, for difficult situations, in living related renal transplantation. Vein extension with the gonadal vein has been described as a simple and safe method to elongate renal vein especially in right living donor kidneys. We applied the donor gonadal vein for lacerated accessory renal artery and renal vein reconstruction. Materials and Methods: The donor gonadal vein was used to reconstruct the lacerated accessory renal artery in one patient. The donor gonadal vein was isolated, used as an interposition graft to bridge the gap between transected accessory renal artery and external iliac artery of the recipient. In another patient, gonadal vein was used to reconstruct short right renal vein, which got damaged during retrieval. Results: This technique resulted in a tension-free anastomosis. There were no procedure related complications. The ischemia time remained within acceptable limits and grafts showed excellent outcomes. Conclusions: The use of gonadal vein for renal vascular reconstruction seems to be an acceptable option during living related renal transplantation, lest the need arise, with no increased graft morbidity.
MNDWSN for Helping People with Different Disabilities

This paper introduces a monitoring and navigation system to help people with disabilities ( MND WSN ). The proposed system is based on wireless sensor networks. In the MND WSN system, each disabled person uses a handheld smart phone device. Three types of disabilities are studied in this paper: (1) blind, (2) deaf, and (3) on wheelchair. We experimented with a three-floor university building. Sensor nodes and cameras are scattered in all rooms and hallways. Smart phones are used to communicate with the sensor nodes to take instructions to navigate through the appropriate path. Dijkstra's algorithm is used for navigation. MND WSN also monitors the disabled person while navigating. The proposed system is compared to a baseline reference experiment. Results show improvement of 34% compared to the baseline reference experiment.
The resolution of banking crises and market discipline: international evidence

This paper analyzes the effect of banking crises on market discipline in a sample of 101 banking crises over the 1989-2007 period. We control for unobservable bank, country, and time specific effects using an international panel data set of 3,254 banks from 87 countries. We also evaluate how bank regulation, supervision, institutions, and crisis management policies shape the effect of banking crises on market discipline. Our results suggest that on average market discipline diminishes after a banking crisis. The reduction of market discipline is, moreover, higher in countries where bank regulation, supervision, and institutions promote market discipline before the banking crisis, and where a more accommodating kind of intervention is used. Specifically, forbearance and recapitalizations are the two kinds of interventions that have the most negative effect on market discipline.
Empty Spaces and the Value of Symbols: Estonia's ‘War of Monuments’ from Another Angle

Abstract Taking as its point of departure the recent heightened discussion surrounding publicly sited monuments in Estonia, this article investigates the issue from the perspective of the country's eastern border city of Narva, focusing especially upon the restoration in 2000 of a ‘Swedish Lion’ monument to mark the 300th anniversary of Sweden's victory over Russia at the first Battle of Narva. This commemoration is characterised here as a successful local negotiation of a potentially divisive past, as are subsequent commemorations of the Russian conquest of Narva in 1704. A recent proposal to erect a statue of Peter the Great in the city, however, briefly threatened to open a new front in Estonia's ongoing ‘war of monuments’. Through a discussion of these episodes, the article seeks to link the Narva case to broader conceptual issues of identity politics, nationalism and post-communist transition.
Determinants of Islamic Bond (Sukuk): Evidence in Malaysia

The virtual isolation of Islamic financial markets from 2008’s financial crisis prompted a quest to find the underlying determinants that stabilise the market’s liquidity. Utilising data from the Malaysian bond market, the paper first provides insight into the trend and liquidity of the sukuk market before analysing sukuk’s liquidity level by using the latent liquidity measurement. This is followed by a random effect regression to determine the liquidity drivers for sukuk. Four variables (issuance amount, maturity, coupon rate and age) are found to be significant drivers of sukuk’s liquidity level. The conclusions drawn from the regression results indicate that sukuk’s investors favour to match long term sukuk with their long term liabilities. In addition they also like to keep their sukuk to amortise the return.