Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
One-year observation of inflammatory markers in patients with aortic valve stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY The study aim was to conduct an annual evaluation of plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae during a 12-month period following the natural course of aortic valve stenosis (AVS). METHODS A total of 60 patients with AVS and 14 control subjects underwent echocardiographic examinations at the start of the study period, and again after a 12-month follow up period. Subsequently, the AVS patients were allocated retrospectively to two groups (n = 30 in each) according to their echocardiographic parameters: patients who showed a progressive deterioration of valvular function (PAVS group); and those who showed a lack of such progression (LPAVS group). Plasma concentrations of CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and antichlamydial IgA, IgG, and IgM antibodies were evaluated at the start of the study, and again during the 12th month. RESULTS During the study, CRP levels were increased only in the AVS group. TNF-alpha and IgM levels were higher in the AVS group compared to controls, at both the initial visit and the final observation. During the 12-month observation period the TNF-alpha level was increased in the PAVS group, whereas CRP levels in the LPAVS group were decreased. TNF-alpha levels were higher in the PAVS group than the LPAVS group, at both the initial visit and after 12 months; CRP levels did not differ between these groups. In the PAVS group, the IL-6 level was higher after 12 months, but the IgM level was higher at the initial visit. The results of a factorial analysis identified the main factors responsible for the decrease in aortic valve area to be TNF-alpha and CRP. CONCLUSION TNF-alpha, CRP, and IgM antichlamydial antibodies should be further investigated as potential predictive factors for the progression of AVS.
Investor Sentiment and Accounting Conservatism

This paper investigates the association between investor sentiment and accounting conservatism. We find that managers recognize economic losses in earnings in a more timely manner during periods of high investor sentiment. Further, the sentiment-conservatism relation is stronger for firms with greater sentiment-price sensitivity. We also find that the sentiment-conservatism association is stronger for firms with higher litigation risk and financial expert CEOs, and is weaker for firms with retiring CEOs. Overall, our results suggest that firms report earnings more conservatively in response to higher investor sentiment in order to mitigate potential litigation costs. These findings have implications for regulators and standard setters who have deemphasized accounting conservatism in recent years.
Does formal instruction about the BI-RADS ultrasound lexicon result in improved appropriate use of the lexicon?

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to determine whether formal instruction regarding the BI-RADS ultrasound lexicon results in improved appropriate use of the lexicon. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety test questions depicting the features outlined by the 2003 BI-RADS lexicon were identified in our PACS. Informed consent was obtained from 34 radiology residents. The participants took the preinstruction test and then had 1 hour of formal instruction regarding the BI-RADS ultrasound lexicon, which included images depicting the different sonographic features and final assessment (including subcategories 4a, 4b, and 4c). The participants then completed the postinstruction test, which examined the same content. Test scores were calculated for both the pre- and postinstruction tests and then were compared by a linear mixed model and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. RESULTS The participants' postinstruction test scores showed significant improvement in the overall use of the BI-RADS ultrasound lexicon (p < 0.0001). There was also significant improvement in the following specific areas: final assessment (p = 0.0005), margin (p = 0.0003), orientation (p = 0.0104), and lesion boundary (p = 0.0050). The categories for which test scores did not show significant improvement were echo pattern (p = 0.07), posterior acoustic features (p = 0.50), shape (p = 0.98), and subset of the final assessment (p = 0.24). CONCLUSION Formal instruction regarding the BI-RADS ultrasound lexicon results in improved lesion characterization and final assessment.
Elimination behavior and soil mineral nitrogen load in an organic system with lactating sows – comparing pasture-based systems with and without access to poplar (Populus sp.) trees

ABSTRACT Innovative strategies in free-range pig production are needed to improve the environmental performance of the system. Based on previous studies, inclusion of trees was hypothesized to improve the system’s nitrogen efficiency. We investigated sow elimination behavior, feces load, and localization as well as soil mineral nitrogen load in pasture-based individual paddocks with and without access to two rows of poplar (Populus sp.) trees. In contrast to what was expected, sows showed no preference for eliminating in the zone with poplars but clearly avoided defecating near the hut, feed, and water. Soil mineral nitrogen load showed a heterogeneous pattern as also found in previous studies. In comparison to grass, our results indicated that the poplars had an increased winter uptake of nitrate from deeper soil layers.
Influence of Pain Distribution on Gait Characteristics in Patients With Low Back Pain: Part 1: Vertical Ground Reaction Force

Study Design. In a cross-sectional study, vertical ground reaction force (GRF) during 2 speeds of walking were compared between 3 age- and sex-matched groups: back pain only (BPO) group, back pain with referred leg pain (LGP) group, and a control group. Objective. The purpose was to evaluate the influence of pain distribution on vertical GRF of patients with low back problems during 2 walking speed conditions: preferred and fastest speeds. Summary of Background Data. People with low back pain often have difficulty walking. A better understanding of how pain distribution differentially affects walking will facilitate clinicians’ assessment and enhance treatment in patients with low back pain problems. Methods. All participants walked on a 7.62-m walkway. Vertical GRF parameters were recorded during stance phase using a force platform for each walking speed condition. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used for statistical analysis, with gait velocity as the covariate. Results. The BPO and control groups did not differ significantly in vertical GRF during both walking speed conditions (P ≥ 0.11). All vertical GRF parameters of the LGP group, except the peak loading force (P = 0.374), were significantly less than those of the control group during preferred walking speed condition (P ≤ 0.008). However, there was no significant difference in the vertical GRF components between LGP and control groups during the fastest walking speed condition (P ≥ 0.07). Conclusions. Pain distribution of people with low back problems differentially influences the vertical GRF they experience during walking. When walking at preferred speed, those with referred leg pain seem to use additional strategies besides walking slowly to attenuate the amount of force imposed on their painful leg. When challenged to walk at their fastest speed, people with back pain only walk as fast and withstand comparable amount of force as their pain-free counterparts.
Housing, Savings and Bequests Over the Life Cycle

In the present context of ageing of population and pension system reforms, this thesis aims at answering several research questions concerning wealth accumulation and saving motives of older individuals. Chapter 2 tackles the question of whether individuals view their housing wealth as a vehicle to save for retirement. Chapter 3 investigates the evolution of housing wealth during retirement, and links that to the bequest motive for saving. Chapter 4 leaves the focus on housing and pays full attention to the question of whether individuals save due to a bequest motive. Chapter 5 sticks to the topic of bequests but shifts the perspective from the donor to the receiver, asking how inheritance receipt affects the economic situation of individuals around the retirement age. Several findings come out of the studies contained in this thesis. The main finding is that individuals do not generally view housing wealth as an instrument to save for retirement. Careful analysis suggest that is because individuals tend to view their home as an asset to be passed on to their children. Furthermore, this thesis shows that the bequest motive for saving is specially important at the top of the wealth distribution, that rich individuals tend to rely on inter-vivos transfers to avoid paying inheritance taxes, and that receipt of an unexpected inheritance does not have large effects on labour supply decisions of individuals around the retirement age
Pengaruh PDRB, Pendidikan, Kesehatan, Dan Pengangguran Terhadap Tingkat Kemiskinan Di Jawa Tengah (2011-2015)

Abstrak Tingginya tingkat kemiskinan di Jawa Tengah menunjukkan perkembangan yang tidak dapat diandalkan yang masih belum dapat meningkatkan kesejahteraan secara merata. Oleh karena itu diperlukan analisis untuk mengidentifikasi beberapa faktor yang mempengaruhinya. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui beberapa faktor yang mempengaruhi tingkat kemiskinan di 35 Kabupaten / Kota Provinsi Jawa Tengah dari tahun 2011 sampai 2015. Penelitian ini menggunakan data sekunder yang meliputi 35 Kabupaten / Kota di Jawa Tengah berdasarkan data cross section dan dari 2011 sampai dengan 2015 pada data time series. Metode analisis dari penelitian ini adalah Fixed Effect Model (FEM) atau Least Square Dummy Variable (LSDV). Cross section dummy diperlukan karena perbedaan karakteristik dan sumber daya pada masing-masing Kabupaten dan Kota. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pertumbuhan PDRB berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap tingkat kemiskinan. Tingkat rata-rata lama sekolah dan tingkat harapan hidup memberikan pengaruh negatif dan signifikan terhadap tingkat kemiskinan. Di sisi lain, tingkat pengangguran memberi pengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap tingkat kemiskinan. Kata kunci: kemiskinan, pertumbuhan PDRB, rata-rata lama sekolah, tingkat harapan hidup, pengangguran Abstract The high level of poverty in Central Java shows unreliable development that still cannot increase prosperity equally. Hence, analysis is required to identify several factors that affect. This research’s purpose is to identify several factors that affect the poverty level of the poverty level of 35 Districts/Cities of Central Java Province from 2011 until 2015. This research use secondary data containing 35 Districts/Cities of Central Java on cross section data and 2011 until 2015 on time series data. The analytical method of this research is Fixed Effect Model (FEM) or Least Square Dummy Variable (LSDV). Cross section dummy is required due the differences of characteristics and resources on each Districs and Cities. The results of this research show that Growth of PDRB gives positive and significant effect for poverty level. The Average School Year and Life Expectancy Rate give negative and significant effect for poverty level. On the other side, Unemployment Level give positive and significant effect for poverty level. Keywords : Poverty, Growth of PDRB, Average School Year, Life Expectancy Rate, Unemployment, Fixed Effect Model.
Foreign Land Acquisitions and Institutional Distance

This paper investigates whether and how the distance in institutional quality between investing and target country affects the pattern of foreign land acquisitions. We estimate a panel gravity-like equation to assess the impact of the institutional distance on the amount of land acquired and the number of contracts signed. Our results show that the institutional distance significantly affects both the number of contracts and the amount of land, but that the direction of these effects varies according to the geographical region and the relative strength of institutions in the target countries, with Africa following a pattern of its own. (JEL Q15)
Magnetoencephalographic parietal delta dipole density in mild cognitive impairment: preliminary results of a method to estimate the risk of developing Alzheimer disease.

BACKGROUND Subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at a higher risk of experiencing Alzheimer disease (AD). Magnetoencephalographic temporoparietal dipole densities of low-frequency activity are good predictors of individuals' cognitive status, and might be a useful tool to investigate the conversion from MCI to AD. OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of low-frequency dipole densities as predictors of the risk of developing AD. DESIGN Whole-head magnetoencephalographic recordings were obtained from 19 probable AD patients, 17 MCI patients, and 17 healthy control subjects. The generators of focal magnetic slow waves were located using a single moving dipole model. RESULTS Left parietal delta dipole density permitted a reliable classification of AD and MCI patients. The MCI patients were divided into 2 groups based on the median left parietal delta dipole density, and were followed up for 2 years. The estimated relative risk of conversion to AD was increased by 350% in those MCI patients with high left parietal delta dipole density scores. CONCLUSIONS Results confirmed the important role of parietal delta dipole density in the evaluation of AD and MCI. A magnetoencephalographic-based assessment of AD and MCI patients might be considered a useful clinical test in the near future.
Implementation and Evaluation of a Three-Legged Six-Degrees-of-Freedom Parallel Mechanism as an Impedance-Type Haptic Device

The Monash Epicyclic Parallel Manipulator (MEPaM) is a three-legged six-degrees-of-freedom (dof) parallel mechanism with base mounted actuators. Due to the architecture of MEPaM, a closed form solution to the direct geometric problem was obtained. The concepts of Z-Width and transparency were used to analyze the performance of MEPaM as a haptic device. It was found that the Z-Width is superior to two out of three commercially available six-dof haptic devices. Closed-loop control was found to provide the most transparent interaction.
Reverse Transfer Credit: A Case Study of the Perceived Influence on Degree Recipients.

Researchers have consistently attested that those who earn a college degree experience numerous personal and professional benefits that can greatly influence their lives. Degree completion has been linked to multiple individual benefits including financial benefits, overall health benefits, increased civic engagement, social mobility, and overall job satisfaction (Baum, Ma, & Payea, 2013). In addition to the benefits indicated in the research, degree completion has also become more important than ever as institutions of higher education work to respond to President Barack Obama’s administration completion agenda which set a goal to increase the nation’s degree attainment rate to 60% by 2020 (Kanter, Ochoa, Nassif, & Chong, 2011), and adding at least “. 10 million more graduates from community colleges and four year colleges and universities” (Kanter et al., 2011). The reverse transfer credit agreement has been increasingly looked at as one opportunity to increase degree completion numbers. The new reverse transfer is defined as students who transfer from a two-year college to a four-year institution and retroactively receive an associate’s degree with their newly earned four-year college credits (Friedel & Wilson, 2015). As the implementation of the new reverse transfer program has been revamped in higher education institutions across the U.S., many students have participated and received their associate’s degree through this program. Although students have completed their associate’s degree through the new reverse transfer credit agreement, little research has been completed to explore the influence the receipt of a degree through reverse transfer has had from the perspective of the student. The purpose of this case study was to explore the perceived influence the receipt of an associate’s degree through the new reverse transfer credit agreement had on a student’s
From Poverty to Economic Independence: An Examination of Factors Contributing to Success and Self-Sufficiency among Black Male Family Self-Sufficiency Program Participants

The purpose of this study was to acquire accurate information concerning the motivations and methods utilized by Black males who have successfully achieved economic independence, as well as the ways in which they maintain their economic independence. The scope of this study was to examine adult Black males who had successfully completed a Family Self-Sufficiency program and are currently economically independent. Using a phenomenological methodology, their experiences and a description of the relationship connecting the problem statement, research question, theory and study design was completed. This study revealed perceptions that were contrary to popular mainstream beliefs about impoverished Black males. Family and an intrinsic motivation to succeed were echoed by the participants as the driver that leads them to economic independence. This study found three major implications; the first implication was participants expressed a belief that discrimination is a legitimate problem which can hinder one’s opportunities for employment and upward mobility. The second implication was that participants believe they are viewed as threatening and dangerous, especially to law enforcement. The last implication of this study was that the participants were conservative in their ideological perspective. Though their political affiliation was Democrat, ideologically their views were fundamentally conservative. Most importantly, these participants did not allow societal hindrance to deter them from their ultimate goal of economic independence for themselves as well as their families. Document Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Education (EdD) Department Executive Leadership First Supervisor Guillermo Montes Subject Categories Education This dissertation is available at Fisher Digital Publications: https://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_etd/321 From Poverty to Economic Independence: An Examination of Factors Contributing to Success and Self-Sufficiency among Black Male Family Self-Sufficiency Program Participants
In Vitro Activity of the New Triazole Voriconazole (UK-109,496) against Opportunistic Filamentous and Dimorphic Fungi and Common and Emerging Yeast Pathogens

ABSTRACT The in vitro antifungal activity of a new triazole derivative, voriconazole, was compared with those of itraconazole and amphotericin B against 67 isolates of Aspergillus flavus,Aspergillus fumigatus, Bipolaris spp. ,Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani,Pseudallescheria boydii, Rhizopus arrhizus,Blastomyces dermatitidis, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Sporothrix schenckii. The in vitro activities of voriconazole were also compared with those of amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole against 189 isolates of emerging and common yeast pathogens of Blastoschizomyces capitatus, Candida (13 species), Cryptococcus neoformans, Hansenula anomala, Rhodotorula rubra, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Sporobolomyces salmonicolor, and Trichosporon beigelii. MICs were determined according to a procedure under evaluation by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) for broth microdilution testing of filamentous fungi and by the NCCLS M27-A broth microdilution method for yeasts. The in vitro activities of voriconazole were similar to or better than those of itraconazole and amphotericin B against Aspergillus spp. ,Fusarium spp. , and P. boydii as well as againstB. dermatitidis and H. capsulatum. The activities of voriconazole were also comparable to or better than those of amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole against most species of yeasts tested. Exceptions were certain isolates of R. rubra and S. salmonicolor. These results suggest that voriconazole has a wide spectrum of activity in vitro; its effectiveness in the treatment of human mycoses is under evaluation in clinical trials.
Collaboration in Recall: Do Pairs of People Cross-cue Each Other to Produce New Memories?

When people collaborate over their recall of a shared experience, it might be expected that they could “cross-cue” each other so as to produce new memories not available to either member of the pair on their own. In a previous series of experiments (Meudell et al., 1992), we found that pairs of people always recalled more than one person, but we failed to show that social interaction facilitated performance so as to produce such “emergent” new memories. However, a phenomenon akin to cross-cuing was employed by Tulving and Pearlstone (1966) in their classic study of the availability and accessibility of memories; accordingly, in this study, we repeated Tulving and Pearlstone's work directly in a social context. So as to assess whether new memories emerged in collaborating pairs, a sequential design was employed. People learned categorized lists of words, and then all the subjects recalled the items strictly on their own. Subjects then recalled again in pairs (collaboratively) or once more on their own. The results showed that even when the opportunity for cross-cuing was directly manipulated through the provision of categorized lists, no additional new memories emerged in the collaborating groups. Possible mechanisms for the results are considered.
Optimal firm's policy under lead time-and price-dependent demand: interest of customers rejection policy

Considering a lead-time-and price-sensitive demand, we investigate whether a client rejection policy, modeled as M/M/1/K system, can be more profitable than an all-client acceptance policy, modeled as M/M/1 system. We provide analytical insights for the cases with and without holding and penalty costs by comparing M/M/1/1 to M/M/1 models.
MEANING OF WORK FOR MANAGERS IN THE BRAZILIAN CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS CONTEXT

ABSTRACT Purpose: To examine how professionals in managerial positions in Brazil define the meaning of work and thereby initiate a reflection on organizational implications and consequences. Originality/value: This study addresses two research opportunities. It develops the thematic meaning of work beyond professional categories, emphasizing organizational and management positions and approaches in a complementary way, the research on managers that focuses primarily on personal development and execution of the organizational role. Design/methodology/approach: The research approach uses mixed methods-both qualitative and quantitative methods (interview, questionnaire, and focus group). Across all phases, 316 managers and executives participated in the research. Variables of the Meaning of Work (MOW) model supported the data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics and multivariate data analysis were used for data treatment. Findings: Although recognized as a pleasant, paid activity of high centrality in life, fulfilling intrinsic values (recognition, autonomy, learning opportunities), work has different interpretations based on where it is executed, whom it benefits, extrinsic values expectations, and ability to handle stress factors. Different from other international studies, this work has found possible relationships between the meaning of work and organizational culture. The meaning of the work of managers has organizational implications by impacting daily work, managerial styles, and the implementation of people management practices.