Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does ageing influence deep brain stimulation outcomes in Parkinson's disease?

We sought to define the influence of ageing in clinical, cognitive, and quality‐of‐life outcomes after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN‐DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD). We performed motor assessment (UPDRS), mood tests, cognitive, and quality of life evaluation (PDQ‐39) on PD patients before surgery, and 12 and 24 months after, and we recorded adverse events. The variations of these parameters after surgery were correlated with age using regression statistical tests. Cerebral bleeding risk was evaluated by a nonparametric test. We enrolled 45 patients (mean age 60 ± 9 years, range 40–73). No significant correlation was found between age and motor scores and PDQ‐39 improvements at 12 months. At 24 months, there was a significant negative correlation between age and the improvement of three dimensions of PDQ 39 (mobility, activities of daily life, and cognition). Cognitive impairment showed no correlation, but apathy and depression were positively correlated with age. Significant statistical difference was observed between cerebral bleeding and age. STN‐DBS is an effective treatment for elderly patients with advanced PD. A longer follow‐up duration and a larger population seem necessary to better assess the quality of life perception in elderly patients and to determinate the real risk of hemorrage. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Factors Affecting the Usefulness of Social Networking in e-Learning at German University of Technology in Oman

In the Sultanate of Oman the social networking to be used in the classroom is still a big issue. If this technology will be utilized wisely, it will provide a good avenue for learning. This study aims to identify some of the main factors that affect the usefulness of social networking in e-learning by extending the technology acceptance model (TAM). The research paper reports the results of survey with students studying at German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech). The main categories used to analyze the data were derived from prior studies using the TAM and the literature on IT systems' acceptance in general and in the specific e-learning domain. The main categories that were used to analyze qualitative data were perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, intention to use the system, subjective norms, extrinsic motivation, system interactivity, technology experience, intrinsic motivation, and information privacy.
Colony sex ratios vary with queen number but not relatedness asymmetry in the ant Formica exsecta

Split–sex–ratio theory assumes that conflict over whether to produce predominately males or female reproductives (gynes) is won by the workers in haplodiploid insect societies and the outcome is determined by colony kin structure. Tests of the theory have the potential to provide support for kin–selection theory and evidence of social conflict. We use natural variation in kinship among polygynous (multiple–queen) colonies of the ant Formica exsecta to study the associations between sex ratios and the relatedness of workers to female versus male brood (relatedness asymmetry). The population showed split sex ratios with about 89% of the colonies producing only males, resulting in an extremely male–biased investment ratio in the population. We make two important points with our data. First, we show that queen number may affect sex ratio independently of relatedness asymmetry. Colonies producing only males had greater genetic effective queen number but did not have greater relatedness asymmetry from the perspective of the adult workers that rear the brood. This lack of a difference in relatedness asymmetry between colonies producing females and those producing only males was associated with a generally low relatedness between workers and brood. Second, studies that suggest support for the relatedness–asymmetry hypothesis based on indirect measures of relatedness asymmetry (e.g. queen number estimated from relatedness data taken from the brood only) should be considered with caution. We propose a new hypothesis that explains split sex ratios in polygynous social insects based on the value of producing replacement queens.
Urological complications following kidney transplantation in pediatric age: A single‐center experience

Surgical complications during kidney transplantation can seriously affect renal outcomes. We assess occurrence, risk factors, and results of all urological complications in a series of renal transplants in a single center. Children who underwent renal transplant between January 2008 and December 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Postoperative urological complications were reviewed. Demographic details, cause of ESRD, donor type, and surgical procedures at transplant were analyzed. For statistical analysis, the chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test were used as appropriate. One hundred and twenty‐one kidney transplants were performed in 117 children (median age 12 yr). Sixty‐two of 121 (53%) had an underlying urological malformation. At a median follow‐up of three yr, 28 urological complications were recorded (23%): 12 lymphocele (10%), 10 ureteral obstruction (8%), three urinary leakage (2.5%), two symptomatic VUR (1.7%), and one hydropyonephrosis. When lymphocele was excluded, the complication incidence rate dropped to 13%. Ureteral obstruction mostly occurred late after transplant (more than six months). Presence of urological malformation was the only factor related to increased occurrence of urological complication (p = 0.007) and, in particular, ureteral obstruction (p = 0.018). Children with urological malformations presented a statistically significant risk of developing urological complications after kidney transplantation, ureteral obstruction being the most common complication.
Study of pulmonary function tests in diabetics with COPD or asthma

Introduction: The diagnosis of obstructive airway disease in diabetic patients may pose difficulties due the superimposition of restriction associated with diabetes on the pure obstructive pattern predominantly found in these patients. Aims: To evaluate the status of pulmonary function in diabetics (NIDDM – Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) or asthma. Methods: 45 Subjects (15 Diabetics with COPD, 15 Diabetics with Asthma & 15 healthy non diabetic, non smoking subjects with no chest complaints taken as the control group) underwent clinical evaluation, biochemical assessment of glycemic control, pulmonary function tests (Spirometry, DLCO and plethysmography lung volume measurements). Results: Spirometry showed pure obstruction in 20% patients whereas 66.67% patients had restriction which was confirmed in 20% on plethysmography. COPD patients had decreased DLCO/VA% (% Diffusion Lung Capacity of Carbon Monoxide corrected for Alveolar Volume) (P<0.0001), increased TLC % (Total Lung Capacity) (P<0.05), RV/TLC % (Residual Volume/ Total Lung Capacity %) (P<0.0001) along with increased severity of airflow limitation (measured by FEV1% (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1st second)) which correlated with DLCO/VA % (P<0.05). Asthmatics had near normal DLCO/VA%, TLC%, increased RV/TLC% (P<0.05) & also demonstrated correlation of FEV1% with duration of diabetes (P<0.05) and RV/TLC% (p<0.05) & also of FVC % (Forced Vital Capacity %) with duration of diabetes (P<0.05). Conclusion: Diabetics with COPD or asthma showed variable pulmonary function findings rather than the expected pure obstructive pattern and FEV1% and FVC% decline associated with diabetes might be responsible for these variable spirometric findings in addition to the severity of the airway disease.
ORGANIZATIONAL DUALISM AND QUALITY CIRCLES

This paper argues that organizational dualism, of which quality circles are only one manifestation, has general applicability and that an organization with a well-designed dualistic structure should outperform one with a well-designed monostructure. The literature on quality-circle design is not entirely consistent with the theory of organizational dualism, and this might explain why some applications of quality circles have failed. Changes that could improve the basic design of quality circles are suggested.
Safety and Efficacy of Radiofrequency Wire Recanalization of Chronic Central Venous Occlusions

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using a radiofrequency wire (RF) for central venous occlusion (CVO) recanalization after failure using conventional techniques. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis of all central venous recanalization procedures using an RF wire from January 2007 to December 2012 was performed. This comprised 13 consecutive procedures in 12 patients. The electronic medical record and radiologic imaging studies were reviewed to obtain information regarding patient demographics, indication for revascularization, duration of vascular occlusion, procedure outcome, and complications. Results Technical success was achieved in nine of 13 (69%) occluded vessels in nine of 12 (75%) patients. Lengths of successfully crossed lesions (mean 29.8 ± 29.3 mm) were significantly less than those of unsuccessfully crossed lesions (mean 90 ± 73.7 mm), p = 0.039. Of the nine patients with technically successful procedures, three died with patent stents of causes unrelated to the procedure, one had a patent stent at 547 days, two had stent patency of 94 days and 345 days, and three were lost to follow-up. One patient (8.3%) experienced a major complication wherein tracheal perforation by the RF wire contributed to the patient's death. Conclusions RF recanalization is a viable option in patients with central vein occlusion refractory to traditional procedures. However, it does not guarantee successful revascularization and is not without the potential for harm.
Factors influencing hotel customers’ intention to use a fingerprint system

Purpose – This paper aims to extend the technology acceptance model (TAM) to explore the factors influencing a hotel customer’s intention to use a fingerprint system instead of a traditional keycard system and the moderating factors (i.e. gender and age) on the relationships between the proposed factors and the customer’s intention to use fingerprint technology. When hotels add new technologies, the potential vulnerability of their systems also increases. Underestimating such risks can possibly result in massive losses from identity theft and related fraud for hoteliers. Customers who are aware of these risks may become more open to innovative methods of identification or verification, such as biometrics. Design/methodology/approach – The online survey instrument was developed based on TAMs. The authors collected complete 526 responses from hotel customers and tested the hypotheses using structural equation modeling. Findings – This study found seven factors (i.e. perceived usefulness, perceived ease of u.
Determinants of Customer Intention to Use Mobile Banking: An Empirical Research Based on Extended Technology Acceptance Model

Technology takes years to evolve but the people take more time to accept it. Lack of user acceptance remains a big challenge for the success of new technology. Now a day, the banks are facing the same situation regarding Mobile Banking. Advancement to internet banking, now the customers can access to their bank accounts and process multiple type of financial transaction with the use of their mobile phones. The current study investigates the influence of perceived compatibility, perceived relative advantage and perceived ease of use in forming of attitude of the customers towards mobile banking. Furthermore, the current study also examines the influence of attitude, trust and credibility on intentions of customers to use mobile banking. Based on previous literature, a comprehensive model has been developed to check the causal relationships of these variables. The study utilizes the self- administered questionnaire approach to collect the primary data from the respondents. The questionnaire was prepared by using the previously established scales and distributed among 600 respondents (clients of different banks). 564 completed questionnaires were used for further analysis. Before conducting the final analysis, the data has been verified for reliability and validity concerns. According to results of the study, perceived compatibility, perceived relative advantage and perceived ease of use significantly affect attitude and further attitude, trust and credibility significantly affect customer intentions to use mobile banking. All the hypotheses are supported and further discussion is provided.
The Impact of Ownership Structure on Intellectual Capital Efficiency: Evidence from Polish Emerging Market

This study examines how ownership structure affects the intellectual capital efficiency. It is conducted in an emerging market and uses data on Polish companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. We find that ownership by management board members negatively affects intellectual capital efficiency and especially structural capital efficiency. We also find the negative relationships between ownership by foreign investors and capital employed efficiency. Moreover, our study shows that the interactions between ownership structure and intellectual capital efficiency are different in high-tech and non-high-tech industries. This findings suggest that ownership structure plays a significant role in intellectual capital creation and efficiency.
Business-Unit-Level Relationship Between Employee Satisfaction,

Based on 7,939 business units in 36 companies, this study used meta-analysis to examine the relationship at the business-unit level between employee satisfaction– engagement and the business-unit outcomes of customer satisfaction, productivity, profit, employee turnover, and accidents. Generalizable relationships large enough to have substantial practical value were found between unit-level employee satisfaction– engagement and these business-unit outcomes. One implication is that changes in management practices that increase employee satisfaction may increase business-unit outcomes, including profit.
From molecular to continuum modelling of bistable liquid crystal devices

ABSTRACT We study nematic equilibria on a square with tangent Dirichlet conditions on the edges, in three different modelling frameworks: (i) the off-lattice Hard Gaussian Overlap and Gay–Berne models; (ii) the lattice-based Lebwohl–Lasher model; and the (iii) two-dimensional Landau-de Gennes model. We compare the modelling predictions, identify regimes of agreement and in the Landau-de Gennes case, find up to 21 different equilibria. Of these, two are physically stable. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Financial Performance

In the recent decade, the study of the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CRS) and firm’s financial performance has been a hot topic in the academic world. This study examines the linkage between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance. In this study, we investigate the relationship by analyzing the correlation of the corporate social responsibility rating based on KLD scores and several financial performance measurements based on accounting measures. The result indicates that there are significant correlations between corporate social responsibility and corporate financial performance. Though, this study does not explore the direction of the causality between them, where further research can be done to have a better understanding of the relationship.
A predator–prey based mathematical model of the bone remodelling cycle: Exploring the relationship between the model parameters and biochemical factors

Bone remodelling is a vital process which enables bone to repair, renew and optimize itself. Disorders in the bone remodelling process are inevitably manifested in bone-related diseases, such as hypothyroidism, primary hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis. In our previous work, a predator–prey based mathematical model was developed to simulate bone remodelling cycles under normal and two pathological conditions, hypothyroidism and primary hyperparathyroidism, for trabecular bone at a fixed point. However, the biochemical meanings of the model parameters were not fully explored. This article first extends the previous work by proposing relationships between the model parameters and biochemical factors involved in the bone remodelling process and by examining whether those relationships do predict the behaviours observed in vivo. The model is then applied to the simulation and investigation of bone remodelling of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The proposed connections are supported by good agreement between the model simulations and published experimental observations for the normal condition and all three pathological variations in bone remodelling.
Consumer ethnocentrism in the German market

Purpose - International marketing researchers have long been concerned with determining whether consumers are predisposed towards a preference for domestic products, as opposed to foreign products. The purpose of this paper is to assess such a domestic-country bias (DCB) in the German market. Design/methodology/approach - This study empirically investigates DCB across six countries and 14 product categories in the Germany market. By so doing, it replicates an earlier study conducted in the UK. Ordered logit analysis was employed as well as multidimensional unfolding to present results. Findings - As in the study conducted in the UK, there is in general a strong DCB in the German market. However, it differs largely across the 14 product categories. Results indicate that consumer preference rankings can best be explained by a combination of demographic variables and country-of-origin effects. Practical implications - Results indicate that domestic firms in Germany can well rely on a safeguarding effect when marketing their products. At the same time, managers from foreign countries cannot rely on consumer ethnocentrism as a reliable indicator of the inclination of consumers to downgrade their products. Originality/value - This study confirms some findings from the UK. However, results from Germany indicate that at least economic competitiveness of the country-of-origin plays a role in determining respondents' judgments. This study underlines the value of replication studies in cross-cultural settings in particular.
The emergence of co-occurring adolescent polysubstance use and depressive symptoms: A latent growth modeling approach

Abstract This study tests competing models of the relation between depression and polysubstance use over the course of adolescence. Participants included a nationwide sample of adolescents (N = 3,604), ages 12 to 17 at study Wave 1, assessed annually for 3 years. Models were tested using cohort-sequential latent growth curve modeling to determine whether depressive symptoms at baseline predicted concurrent and age-related changes in drug use, whether drug use at baseline predicted concurrent and age-related changes in depressive symptoms, and whether initial levels of depression predicted changes in substance use significantly better than vice versa. The results suggest a transactional model such that early polysubstance use promotes early depressive symptoms, which in turn convey elevated risk for increasing polysubstance use over time, which in turn conveys additional risk for future depressive symptoms, even after accounting for gender, ethnicity, and household income. In contrast, early drug use did not portend risk for future depressive symptoms. These findings suggest a complicated pattern of interrelations over time and indicate that many current models of co-occurring polysubstance use and depressive symptoms may not fully account for these associations. Instead, the results suggest a developmental cascade, in which symptoms of one disorder promote symptoms of the other across intrapersonal domains.
Spectrum-Sharing Transmission Capacity with Interference Cancellation

This paper analyzes large-scale networks that share the spectrum with interference cancellation (IC). The efficiency of spectrum sharing is determined primarily by interference, which in turn depends on the spatial densities, the interference cancellation method, and the spectrum sharing method, i.e., underlay or overlay. By assuming the Poisson distribution for transmitters, equal transmission power in the same system, and an interference-limited environment, this paper finds the performance gain from IC in terms of spectrum-sharing transmission capacity (S-TC), defined as the number of successful transmissions per unit area while guaranteeing the target outage probabilities of all coexisting systems. The effectiveness of IC is characterized by the coefficient of cancellation (CoC), and specific CoC values are derived for two simple IC scenarios, the strong interferer and the close interferer cancellation, with the assumption of having perfect information for channel states of interfering links and interferer locations. The sum S-TC optimal spatial densities of the two systems are given. Finally, CoC conditions to determine the superiority of an underlay or overlay method are presented. We verify that the underlay method could be preferred depending on the CoCs of coexisting systems; that is starkly different from the case without IC, in which the overlay method is always better.
Single-needle acupuncture alleviates gag reflex during transesophageal echocardiography: a blinded, randomized, controlled pilot trial.

OBJECTIVES To study the effect of single-needle acupuncture in suppressing gag-reflex in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). DESIGN Prospective, blinded trial. Settings/locations: Patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack undergoing TEE because of presumed cardioembolic origin in a specialized stroke unit of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Subjects/Study interventions: Forty-one (41) patients were studied. Patients received single-needle acupuncture with a 0.2 x 13 mm disposable acupuncture needle (Suzhou Medical Appliances, China), 10-mm deep either at Chengjiang (midline between lower lip and chin) or superficially at a sham point (tip of the chin) during TEE or no acupuncture for alleviating gag reflex. OUTCOME MEASURES Severity of gagging was rated on a visual-analogue scale. RESULTS The acupuncture group experienced significantly less gagging than the sham group (p = 0.037) or the nonacupuncture group (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture of CV24 is an easy to apply and effective method to reduce gag reflex during TEE.