Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Normal and Diseased Vascular Pattern of Myocardium of Human Heart I. Normal Pattern in the Left Ventricular Free Wall

During the past 40 years investigations into the blood supply of the ventricles of the human heart have concentrated mainly on the problem of atheroma of the main portions of the coronary arteries and on arterial anastomoses. Little attention has been paid to the finer details of the normal and diseased patterns of arteries, arterioles, and capillaries within the myocardium. Consequently, a study was carried out to establish the variations that exist within the normal pattern and then the changes that occur in hearts from patients with long-standing heart disease and, in particular, myocardial scarring or infarcts. In order to do this a technique was devised which made possible the uniform injection of the smallest vessels of the heart, including capillaries, with radiopaque media, and a method of taking microradiographs was used which allowed considerably greater magnification of x-rays of these small vessels than had hitherto been possible. This present paper describes the normal arterial pattern seen in the left ventricle of the human heart.
National Pharmacare, Reference-Based Pricing, and Drug R&D: A Critique of the National Forum on Health's Recommendations for Pharmaceutical Policy

In February 1997, the Canadian National Forum on Health presented its recommendations for a pharmaceutical policy for Canada. These recommendations include moving towards a universal coverage, publicly funded drug plan; support for reference-based pricing as a method of containing drug plan costs; and requiring that pharmaceutical companies turn over a portion of their research funds to the national research granting agencies. This paper provides a critical assessment of these policy recommendations, with a focus on whether they are likely to achieve long-term reductions in pharmaceutical and health care expenditures in Canada.
The minimum clinically important improvement in the incremental shuttle walk test following cardiac rehabilitation

Background The aim was to establish the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) following cardiac rehabilitation. Design This was a service evaluation, utilising anchor- and distribution-based methods. Methods Two hundred and twenty patients performed an ISWT following a six-week cardiac rehabilitation programme comprising supervised aerobic exercise, secondary prevention education and a home exercise programme. Primary outcome Patient perception of change in ISWT distance following cardiac rehabilitation. After completing cardiac rehabilitation, subjects were asked to identify, from a five-point Likert scale, their perceived change in exercise performance (range: from ‘better’ to ‘worse’). Two distribution-based methods were also employed (standard deviation (SD) and effect size). The agreement between all measures was observed. Results Mean (SD) age was 65.0 (10.5) years, body mass index 28.4 (5.1), 170 male. The baseline ISWT was 390.8 (173.1) metres (m), which increased to 456.0 (186.7) m (mean change 65.2 (95% confidence interval 55.4–74.9) m after cardiac rehabilitation (p < 0.001)). In those rating their exercise tolerance as ‘slightly better’, the mean improvement was 70.0 (95% confidence interval 51.5–88.5) m. The SD method yielded a minimum clinically important difference value of 36.65 m and the effect size for the change was 0.38. The agreement between the patients’ perception of change and distribution-based methods was poor. Conclusions The minimum clinically important difference for the ISWT following cardiac rehabilitation is 70 m. This patient-reported value is a more sensitive measure and has poor agreement with distribution-based estimates. This value may help clinicians interpret ISWT change in patients, help researchers estimate sample size and aid comparison between studies, when the ISWT is the primary outcome.
Smoking in Chronic Schizophrenic Inpatients in Taiwan

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of smoking and its association with the clinical characteristics of Chinese inpatients with chronic schizophrenia. Method: Schizophrenic patients hospitalized in chronic wards were assessed using Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale (AIMS) and Folstein Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) testing. Results: Of 257 patients, 105 smoked and 4 had ceased. Males exhibited a higher prevalence of smoking than females (p < 0.001). Smoking was not significantly associated with age at onset (AAO), chlorpromazine equivalents, MMSE, AIMS, BPRS positive symptom subscale, BPRS negative symptom subscale or total BPRS scores. Smokers had higher BPRS general subscales. Conclusion: Compared to the general population, smoking prevalence was slightly higher in schizophrenic males, double in schizophrenic females, but no difference in refractory schizophrenic clozapine users. Smoking did not affect patient AAO or daily antipsychotic dose. Patients with a higher BPRS general subscale may smoke to relieve affective symptoms.
Phlebotomus papatasi Saliva Inhibits Protein Phosphatase Activity and Nitric Oxide Production by Murine Macrophages

ABSTRACT Leishmania parasites, transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies, are obligate intracellular parasites of macrophages. The sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi is the vector of Leishmania major, a causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World, and its saliva exacerbates parasite proliferation and lesion growth in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. Here we show thatP. papatasi saliva contains a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 and protein phosphatase 2A of murine macrophages. We further demonstrate that P. papatasi saliva down regulates expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene and reduces nitric oxide production in murine macrophages. Partial biochemical characterization of the protein phosphatase and nitric oxide inhibitor indicated that it is a small, ethanol-soluble molecule resistant to boiling, proteolysis, and DNase and RNase treatments. We suggest that the P. papatasi salivary protein phosphatase inhibitor interferes with the ability of activated macrophages to transmit signals to the nucleus, thereby preventing up regulation of the induced nitric oxide synthase gene and inhibiting the production of nitric oxide. Since nitric oxide is toxic to intracellular parasites, the salivary protein phosphatase inhibitor may be the mechanism by whichP. papatasi saliva exacerbates cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Sustainable community water: managing supply systems in the mid-hills of Nepal

This study examines the sustainability of rural drinking water supply (DWS) projects installed by non government organizations (NGOs), international non government organizations (INGOs) and government organizations (GOs) in two districts in the mid-hill region of Nepal. Comparative analyses of different systems installed by NGOs, INGOs and GOs, which portray the work and improvements needed for sustainability, are determined. This study shows that INGO installed projects are moving forward to sustainability in terms of performance compared to NGOs and GOs. One of the prime reasons of failure to maintain sustainability is poor involvement of women from the projects' early stages. A systematic random household survey was conducted of selected projects in the study area and this showed that most of the rural DWS projects need to improve management practices and gender equality during planning as well as operation and maintenance phases. Rural people are satisfied with DWS project water availability in their communities. Results indicate that water accessibility fails to have significant impacts on rural livelihood especially for the rural poor.
BUSINESS MODEL INNOVATION: TOWARDS AN INTEGRATED FUTURE RESEARCH AGENDA

Motivated by the high ubiquity of the term "business models" and its increasing proliferation in terms of the transition from a measure to commercialise innovations to the subject of innovations, this paper provides a systematic review of extant academic literature on business model innovation. The particular characteristics of business model innovation are discussed and three distinct research streams addressing prerequisites, process and elements, and effects of business model innovation are identified. A tentative theoretical framework emphasising the need to distinguish between developing and innovating business models as well as to apply an entrepreneurial perspective for further research on business model innovation is proposed. An integrated research agenda emphasising the need to further enhance our understanding of the process and elements of business model innovation as well as its enablers and effects in anticipation and response to increasing environmental volatility is suggested.
Running to Stand Still? – The Value of R&D, Patents and Trade Marks in Innovating Manufacturing Firms

Abstract We have constructed a novel panel dataset of UK manufacturing firms to examine how innovation, proxied by R&D and intellectual property (IP, covering both patents and trade marks), increases firm performance, as measured by firm net output (value added). Knowledge has public good characteristics of non‐depletability and non‐excludability. So, even with protection using intellectual property to exclude, imitation and inventing around novel products and processes is possible by competitors. We examine the size and duration of benefits to doing R&D and obtaining IP protection through both patents and trade marks. If non‐depletability within the firm is correct, this implies that their absolute R&D effort and total IP assets are important. We examine this hypothesis against the alternative of depletability, where innovative intensity relative to firm size matters. Also if IP offers only weak protection against competition, then the duration of returns to these intangible assets will be short. The empirical results support depletability within firms and poor ability to exclude imitation, which implies that firms have to continually renew their portfolios of R&D‐created knowledge and their IP assets to maintain their position in the market. Splitting the sample into industries designated as ‘high’ and ‘low’ technology, suggests a higher intensity of competition in high‐technology sectors, as an increase in the intensity of patents and trade marks commands no premium in this sector, although persistent differences between firms are positively affected by whether or not firms are acquiring these IP assets.
The Optimal Approach to Futures Contract Roll in Commodity Portfolios

This article discusses the necessity of managing the futures contract roll and argues that most commodity index providers set futures rollover rules in an inefficient manner. Generally, most index providers roll futures by replacing the next futures contract to reach maturity with the subsequent futures contract to do so. Depending on the curvature of the commodity futures term structure, such a practice might be acceptable or might lead to automatic losses. This article presents an optimal approach that maximizes gains with a term structure in backwardation and minimizes losses with a term structure in contango. The proposed approach is independent of the position held by the investor, i.e., it dictates the optimal way to roll a short or a long position. The benefits of this approach are illustrated by comparing the performance using this approach to that of the standard approach to rollover. The comparison is done both at the individual commodity level and at the portfolio level. Results confirm the crucial importance of handling roll operations in commodity futures investing and show that an optimized approach to roll could improve performance.
Proximal and distal influences on hip and knee kinematics in runners with patellofemoral pain during a prolonged run.

STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional experimental laboratory study. OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationships between hip strength and hip kinematics, and between arch structure and knee kinematics during prolonged treadmill running in runners with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). BACKGROUND Hip weakness can lead to excessive femoral motions that adversely affect patellofemoral joint mechanics. Similarly, foot mechanics, which are influenced by foot structure, are also known to influence patellofemoral joint mechanics. Thus, proximal and distal factors should be considered when studying individuals with PFPS. METHODS AND MEASURES Twenty recreational runners with PFPS (5 male, 15 female) and 20 matched uninjured runners participated in the study. Hip abduction and hip external rotation isometric strength measurements were collected before and after a prolonged run, while the arch height index was recorded on all runners before the run. Lower extremity kinematic data were collected at the beginning and end of the run. Two-way repeated-measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used for analysis. RESULTS Both groups displayed decreases in hip abductor and external rotator strengths at the end of the run. The PFPS group displayed significantly lower hip abduction strength [(kg x cm)/body mass] compared to controls (PFPS group: begin 15.3, end 13.5; uninjured group: begin 17.3, end 15.4). At the end of the run, the level of association between hip abduction strength and the peak hip adduction angle for the PFPS group was statistically significant, indicating a strong relationship (r = -0.74). No other associations with hip strength were observed in either group. Arch height did not differ between groups and no significant association was observed between arch height and peak knee adduction angle during running. CONCLUSIONS Runners with PFPS displayed weaker hip abductor muscles that were associated with an increase in hip adduction during running. This relationship became more pronounced at the end of the run. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapy, level 5.
Risk management disclosure

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of voluntary risk management disclosure (VRMD) on firm value (FV). Design/methodology/approach - – This study uses content analysis approach to collect the VRMD data. FV is represented by three variables: market capitalization, Tobin’s Findings - – Based on the regression analysis, this study found that the VRMD has a positive and significant relationship with FV. Even though the authors hypothesize that damaging voluntary risk management disclosure (DVRMD) will have a negative and significant relationship with FV, the regression analysis shows that the DVRMD is not significantly related to FV. As expected, the relationship between beneficial voluntary risk management disclosure (BVRMD) and FV is positive and significant. The findings provide evidence that should be of interest especially to firms in terms of deciding upon whether to provide or avoid disclosing voluntary risk management information to their stakeholders. Research limitations/implications - – Notwithstanding the critical empirical findings, this study is limited to only focusing on a one year data. The authors acknowledge the fact that findings from a one year data might not be easily generalized to other time periods. The authors believe a stronger argument could be obtained from evidence based on a longitudinal study or data that incorporate multiple economic conditions. The study highlights the fact that risks management information is important to investors in Malaysia when they make their investments decisions. Practical implications - – To date, regulatory bodies emphasize more on financial risk management disclosure through the enforcement of MFRS 7; while non-financial risk information is less emphasized in current guidelines such as Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG) (2012) and Recommended Practice Guide 5 (Revised), which only requires firms to disclose information about non-financial risk management without specific details. As this study has provided evidence on the significance of non-financial risk management disclosures in the capital market, this study could be useful for the regulatory bodies to develop more detailed guidelines on non-financial risk management disclosure in the future. Originality/value - – Most of prior literatures are found to focus on the study of factors that influence the VRMD (such as Linsley and Shrives, 2006; Abraham and Cox, 2007; Hassan
Organisational commitment and job satisfaction : a quantitative study at the Durban office of the Department of Labour.

This study used a quantitative, correlational survey method to examine the relationship between organisational commitment and job satisfaction, and between organisational commitment and each of the five facets of job satisfaction (work, pay, promotion, supervision and co workers). A biographical questionnaire, the Job Descriptive Index and the Occupational Commitment Questionnaire were administered to 56 employees at the Department of Labour in Durban to gather the data. Descriptive statistics revealed that while levels of job satisfaction were above average for this sample, organisational commitment was above average. Inferential statistics using the Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient showed that organisational commitment was correlated at the 99% level of confidence (p<0.01) with job satisfaction, and with the facets of work, supervision and co-workers; it was also correlated with promotion at the 95% level of confidence (P<0.05). There was no correlation between organisational commitment and pay. The results have implications for the retention of skilled workers in the public sector.
Aggregate Risk Sharing Across US States and Across European Countries.

The paper analyzes risk sharing across US States and across European countries. The empirical literature on this subject has failed to recognize that, as long as agents can borrow and lend, risk sharing should be measured with respect to shocks to the overall level of wealth, and not to current income. The contribution of this paper is to build an appropriate empirical measure of risk sharing focused on shocks to the expected present value of resources. My main ndings are: i) in the US private capital markets allow states to share 40% of shocks to overall domestic wealth; ii) however, risk sharing relative to shocks to the present value of labor income is low (only 5-7%); iii) the amount of risk sharing through the federal system is likely to be less than estimated by Sachs and Sala-i-Martin (20-30% vs 40%); iv) in Europe the extent of risk sharing through private capital markets is almost zero. Since my approach encompasses the approaches of Sachs and Sala-i-Martin and of other contributions in the literature, I am also able to explain the apparent dierences in their results.
Effect of prophylactic dexamethasone on nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic gynecological operation: meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Sex of female and laraproscopic surgery are both risk factors related to postoperative nausea and vomiting, and dexamethasone is used as anti-emetic in some operations. A meta-analysis of randomized trials was performed to determine the effect of prophylactic dexamethasone administration on postoperative nausea and vomiting, pain and complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological operation. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted to identify all randomized clinical trials. The primary outcome was the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The secondary outcomes include postoperative pain and complications. RESULTS Totally 1801 patients were enrolled in 11 eligible randomized trials comparing effect of prophylactic dexamethasone administration on postoperative nausea and vomiting with placebo. The pooled incidence of nausea, vomiting, nausea and vomiting, and rescue anti-emetic was significantly lower in dexamethasone group than placebo group during post-anesthesia care unit (10.5% vs. 18.2%, OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31-0.84; 6.5% vs. 17.1%, OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.17-0.56; 17.0% vs. 35.4%, OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.21-0.50; 6.7% vs. 23.3%, OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.49, P < 0.00001) and within the first postoperative 24 hours (25.2% vs. 40.3%, OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.32-0.66; 14.4% vs 36.6%, OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.19-0.40; 33.0% vs. 69.0%, OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.13-0.26; 21.0% vs 51.1%, OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.16-0.41, P < 0.00001). No significant difference was found about the incidence of rescue analgesia between dexamethasone group and placebo group (48.5% vs 56.4%, OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.40-1.18, P = 0.17). CONCLUSION Prophylactic dexamethasone administration decreases the incidence of nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic gynecological operations during post-anesthesia care unit and within the first postoperative 24 hours. (286 words) Postoperative nausea and vomiting are the most common complications after anesthesia and surgery, and both sex of female and type of laparoscopic operation are risk factors. It is certain of a remarkably high incidence after laparoscopic gynecological surgery, which is reported as nearly 70% within the first postoperative 24 hours. It is very important to find an effective treatment to alleviate postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization Pricing-to-Market versus Residual Demand Elasticity Analysis of Imperfect Competition in Food Exports : Evidence from Germany

This paper examines the exercise of market power by German food and beverage export industries over international markets. Two approaches are used: pricing-to-market (PTM) and residual demand elasticity (RDE). We find that, while in some cases the PTM approach indicates market power, the RDE approach does not. Competitive conduct seems to prevail in these industries. The occurrence of PTM in some cases might be explained by fixed contracts, which are often used in the food and beverage export market.
THE MARKET FOR MOTION PICTURES: RANK, REVENUE, AND SURVIVAL

Every motion picture is an innovation that competes for theater screens and audiences during its brief life against a changing array of imperfect substitutes. We analyze a large sample of motion pictures as an evolving rank tournament of survival and death. The results indicate that the failure rate of motion pictures is time-dependent and survival time is strongly related to the number of initial bookings. Weekly box office revenue is highly convex in rank, which is consistent with Rosen's superstar phenomenon. Our results have implications for motion picture licensing arrangements, which have been severely restricted by U.S. court decisions.