Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
One decade distinct features, morbidity and mortality of scleroderma: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES Conducting an epidemiologic study on scleroderma patients referred to hospitals and tertiary centres of rheumatologic diseases in Shiraz, located in south of Iran. METHODS A cross-sectional study was done on patients' records registered in scleroderma outpatient clinics as well as hospitals associated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Gathering data in pre-formed data sheets, descriptive analysis plus qualitative comparisons by chi-square test were done using SPSS 15. RESULTS In 533 medical records, female to male ratio was 7.3:1. The disease is mostly seen in 3rd and 4th decades of life. More patients had negative family histories (56.1%). 37.5% of the patients had diffuse form of the disease, 36.8% had limited one, and 17.3% had overlap syndrome, mostly, by lupus erythematosus (33%). Most common first presentation was Raynaud phenomenon (40.7%). Two most prevalent clinical manifestations were skin thickening (97.2%) and gastrointestinal involvement (68.9%). Clinical presentations were compared between three most common types of the disease plus various stages of life. Among recorded capillaroscopies, active form was the most prevalent one (38.3%). In documented serologic markers, the most common positive one was anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) (75.6%). Two most common etiologies of hospitalisation were digital ulcer (30.9%) and pulmonary fibrosis (5.7%). The most common cause of death (17) was pulmonary fibrosis (35.2%). CONCLUSION This study is the first epidemiologic survey on Iranian scleroderma patients with significantly large sample size compared to previous studies worldwide. It can thus provide some guidance for further multi-provincial, multinational and interracial studies on scleroderma.
An analysis of employees' expectations satisfaction levels and turnover in the Hong Kong hotel industry.

The purpose of the study is to explore the gaps between employees expectations and satisfaction levels and to identify employees' intention to leave in relation to their job satisfaction and demographics. A systematic sampling approach was employed, and 292 hotel employees from a variety of departments in 18 hotels in Hong Kong were surveyed. Eight negative and one positive significant gaps were found, and a definite relationship, between employees intention to leave and 10 satisfaction attributes were explored. Evidence was found that there was a definite relationship, between employees' intention to leave and their age, marital status, education, income and tenure.
C-Terminal Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein (PTHrP) (107-139) Stimulates Intracellular Ca2+ through a Receptor Different from the Type 1 PTH/PTHrP Receptor in Osteoblastic Osteosarcoma UMR 106 Cells.

Studies were undertaken to determine whether PTH-related protein (PTHrP) (107–139) mobilizes [Ca2+]i in osteoblastic osteosarcoma UMR 106 cells. PTHrP (107–139), in a manner similar to PTHrP (107–111), induced a rapid[ Ca2+]i response in these cells that was dose dependent (EC50 of ≈0.1 pm) and more efficient than that of PTHrP (1–36) (EC50 of ≈ 1 nm). This effect of PTHrP (107–139) was abrogated by micromolar doses of verapamil or nifedipine. However, it was unaffected by 10 μm U73122 (a phospholipase C inhibitor), 100μ g/ml heparin (an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor inhibitor), or 400 ng/ml pertussis toxin (a Gi inhibitor), which inhibited the [Ca2+]i response to PTHrP (1–36), or by either 25 nm bisindolylmaleimide I (BIM), a protein kinase (PK) C inhibitor, or 1 μm phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate preincubation (22 h). PTHrP (107–139) and PTHrP (1–36), at 100 nm, desensitized the[ Ca2+]i response to a second challenge with the same peptide, but not with the other peptide in these cells. PTHrP (7–.
Assessment of isoflurane-induced anesthesia in ferrets and rats.

OBJECTIVE To characterize isoflurane (ISO)-induced anesthesia in ferrets and rats. ANIMALS 8 ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) and 8 Sprague-Dawley rats. PROCEDURE Ferrets and rats were anesthetized in a similar manner, using ISO in oxygen. Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) was determined, using the tail-clamp method. Immediately thereafter, assessments were recorded for 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 MAC (order randomized) of ISO. RESULTS MAC of ISO was (mean +/- SEM) 1.74 +/- 0.03 and 1.58 +/- 0.05% for ferrets and rats, respectively. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was 75.0 +/- 4.3 and 107.9 +/- 2.7 mm Hg at 0.8 MAC for ferrets and rats, respectively, and decreased in a parallel dose-dependent manner. Respiratory frequency decreased in rats as ISO dose increased; however, respiratory frequency increased in ferrets as ISO dose increased from 0.8 to 1.5 MAC but then decreased at 2.0 MAC. At 0.8 MAC, hypoventilation was much greater in ferrets (PaCO2 = 71.4 +/- 3.5 mm Hg), compared with rats (PaCO2 = 57.7 +/- 1.9 mm Hg). In both species, PaCO2 progressively increased as anesthetic dose increased. Eyelid aperture of ferrets increased in a dose-dependent manner. Pupil diameter in ferrets and rats increased as ISO dose increased. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The MAP and PaCO2 in ferrets and rats and eyelid aperture in ferrets consistently and predictably changed in response to changes in anesthetic dose of ISO. Magnitude of respiratory depression was greater in ferrets than rats. Changes in MAP and PaCO2 in ferrets and rats and eyelid aperture in ferrets are consistent guides to changes in depth of ISO-induced anesthesia.
Impact of “High Quality, Low Price” Appeal on Consumer Evaluations

Marketers frequently adopt a “high quality, low price” appeal in advertisements. However, the price–quality inference theory implies that this contextual appeal may not be well-accepted by consumers because it contains two contradictory cues: high quality and low price. This article investigates how consumers evaluate this appeal through two laboratory experiments. Study 1 shows that the appeal leads to favorable price perceptions and purchase intentions when the product price is high; it leads to high quality perceptions when the price is low. Study 2 shows that these effects are salient when consumers have a weak price–quality schema or a low need-for-cognition.
Bitcoin: Technical Background and Data Analysis

Broadly speaking, Bitcoin is a scheme designed to facilitate the transfer of value be- tween parties. Unlike traditional payment systems, which transfer funds denominated in sovereign currencies, Bitcoin has its own metric for value called bitcoin (with lowercase letter \b", and abbreviated as Btc1). Bitcoin is a complex scheme, and its implementa- tion involves a combination of cryptography, distributed algorithms, and incentive driven behaviour. Moreover, recent developments suggest that Bitcoin operations may involve risks whose nature and proportion are little, if at all, understood. In light of these con- siderations, the purpose of this paper is to provide the necessary technical background to understand basic Bitcoin operations and document a set of empirical regularities related to Bitcoin usage. We present the micro-structure of the Bitcoin transaction process and highlight the use of cryptography for the purposes of transaction security and distributed maintenance of a ledger.
Supplies of bushmeat for livelihoods in logging towns in the Congo Basin

The focus of this study is on the importance of bushmeat to the economies of 99 hunting households in two logging towns, northern boundary of the Lobeke National Park, East Province of Cameroon. In this area, bushmeat was the major source of daily animal protein and an estimated 37 960 wild animals were killed each year or 104 animals per day. In general, 62% of the hunted animals were sold for cash income while 38% were consumed by the hunters and their families. An annual gross income from the bushmeat to hunters was estimated at 234 058 548 CFA Francs (US$ 469 117) while gross revenue from 11 other income generating activities accessed by the hunters was only 4.5% of the income from hunting. Various costs represented 69.4% of the gross hunting revenues. Average hunting income was twice higher than the income of a junior technician and about the same as that of a senior technician working at SEFAC (logging company). The income of hunters at the higher end of the income range was comparable to those of mid-career SEFAC managers. Such a lucrative business provides economic incentives to hunting despite all the suppressive measures. Moreover, the importance of a large bushmeat market is rarely detected and seriously taken into account when designing conservation policies aimed at protecting wildlife and fighting against poaching. The study stresses the need for empathetic approaches that favour more deliberate development and conservation policies while dealing with bushmeat issues in logging towns of the region.
PRIVATE LABEL BRANDS IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS: DETERMINANTS OF THEIR CHOICE BY EMERGING MARKETS CONSUMERS

Growing sales of Private Label Brands (PLBs) is a l arge and global phenomenon which increasingly draws scholars and managers’ interest. Simultaneously, re tailers are concentrating their effort at an intern ational level. The purpose of this study is to investigate the determining factors of PLBs purchase in emergin g markets (EMs) and to propose and discuss a model that integ rates these factors. So, we first review the literature regarding PLBs in relation with the international b rand and retail theory. We then derive some hypothe ses that will be assessed by an exploratory study in the Bra zilian retailing market in two product categories, grocery and home appliances. Findings reveal that three mai n factors - Acculturation to Global Consumer Cultur e (AGCC), Value Consciousness (VC) and store Country of Origin Image (COI) - may directly influence PLBs choice in emerging markets or indirectly via the me diator effect of PLB Purchase Intention. Important theoretical contributions of this study are proposi ng a model that depicts PLB choice in emerging coun tries. As for managerial implications, retailers must be awar e that determining factors of PLBs choice may diffe r depending on whether they are in Western countries or in emerging markets. The cultural dimension and the store country-of-origin image must be taken into ac count in consumers PLBs purchase in EMs as these consumers tend to develop strong preferences for fo reign products.
Piezoelectricity of Portland cement hydrates cured under the influence of electric field

Improvements on functions of construction materials through modifications of material properties from the nano-scale are major concerns in modern civil buildings and infrastructures nowadays. Portland cement (PC) hydrates are the massively applied construction materials, whose new usages have caught the continuously growing interests of current researchers. Though mechanically very robust with feasibility for massive application, PC hydrates have relatively lower piezoelectricity, meaning that constructional mechanical characteristics, such as vibrations and crack locations, cannot be easily detected by the associated piezoelectric signals. The limited piezoelectricity and the difficulty of embedding sensor networks over the entire civil structures induce great technical hurdles for the functional building material applications. Here, we report a novel technique for improving the piezoelectricity of PC hydrates, by applying the polarization process throughout curing of hydrated PC under the influence of an electric field. This technique is based on regulating displacements and reorientations of molecules under the nano-scale interactions between different charged elements consisted in PC hydrates. Results from AFM investigation show the polarized PC hydrates have the relatively more aligned morphology orientation at nano-scale. PC hydrates cured under an electric field has shown with an improved sensitivity of the generated electrical potential under mechanical loading. Our results indicate that the polarized PC hydrates shows improved piezoelectric properties, enabling potential civil applications of the polarized PC hydrates such as structural health monitoring and mechanical energy recycling.
Effects of co-branding on consumers' purchase intention and evaluation of apparel attributes

Brand alliances have been advocated as a strategy to appeal to consumers by capturing favorable associations of two separate brands. Sportswear and fashion designer brands have consequently formed partnerships, although co-branding effects are not always as anticipated, and the effects of co-branding on consumer evaluations of apparel are unknown. This study employed a 3 (sportswear brand) × 3 (fashion designer brand) experimental design to test the effects of co-branding on consumers' evaluations of apparel attributes (practical good looks, comfortable fit, and value for quality) and their purchase intentions. Males and females evaluated the products differently. Males preferred branded over unbranded polo shirts, but did not differentiate a co-branded polo shirt from a single-branded one. Females preferred fashion brands and disliked co-branded polo shirts. All three apparel attributes significantly affected the decision to purchase a shirt for oneself, but only practical good looks and value for quality affected the decision to purchase a shirt as a gift. Findings demonstrate that co-branding apparel may not improve its attractiveness to consumers, regardless of reason for purchase.
Diabetes mellitus promotes periodontal destruction in children.

AIM The association between diabetes mellitus and periodontal attachment and bone loss is well established. Most of the prior literature has focused on adults, and studies in children have mostly reported gingival changes. Our aim was to assess the periodontal status of a large cohort of children and adolescents with diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS We examined 350 children with diabetes (cases) and 350 non-diabetic controls (6-18 years of age). Using three different case definitions for periodontal disease, which incorporated gingival bleeding and/or attachment loss findings, multiple logistic regression analyses adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, frequency of prior dental visits, dental plaque, and examiner were performed. RESULTS Subjects with diabetes had increased gingival inflammation and attachment loss compared with controls. Regression analyses revealed statistically significant differences in periodontal destruction between cases and controls across all disease definitions tested (odds ratios ranging from 1.84 to 3.72). The effect of diabetes on periodontal destruction remained significant when we separately analysed 6-11 and 12-18 year old subgroups. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate an association between diabetes and an increased risk for periodontal destruction even very early in life, and suggest that programmes to address periodontal needs should be the standard of care for diabetic youth.
Evidence Contrary to the Disposition Effect Amongst UK Managed Funds

We investigate the prevalence of the disposition effect (DE) amongst UK managed fund by using the Citywatch database of their daily holding positions in all equity stocks over the period September 2001 through to September 2004. In contrast to Odean's (1998) finding for clients of a discount brokerage house, we find that at once stock's capitalisation is taken into account UK managed funds tend to sell losers rather than winners. The most influential variable shaping funds' propensity to sell a stock is its market capitalisation, a proxy for liquidity. Other significant variables positively correlated with the sell decision include market-to-book ratio and recent performance of the stock. UK funds tend to sell stocks that have had a recent reduction in price. We conclude UK managed funds do not exhibit the behavioural bias associated with the DE.
The Efficacy of Electronic Communication in the Business School: Marketing Students’ Perceptions of Virtual Teams

One of the new technologies currently used by many business school instructors is electronic communication, which has allowed virtual teams to develop. This paper addresses perceptions of student teams that meet electronically as opposed to face-to-face, arguing that perceptions of team success and participation vary little between students on virtual teams and students on face-to-face teams. This exploratory study reports on the results of a study of 32 teams. Three success variables were measured: Perception of Group Cohesiveness, Perception of Satisfactory Group Interaction Process, and Perception of Satisfactory Group Outcomes. These findings suggest that virtual teams are efficient educational tools and are just as satisfying to students as face-to-face teams.
Changes of fatty acid composition during the processing of fish.

Since the 70's a special attention has been paid to fish oil for its beneficial nutritive effects [1]. Fish products are an important source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) especially n-3 (ω-3) fatty acids - eicosapentaenoic (20:5, n-3) and docosahexaenoic (22:6, n-3) acid which are believed to cause the lowering of the incidence of thrombosis and atherosclerosis [2]. Due to the chemical properties all PUFAs undergo oxidative changes yielding products without any positive nutrition effects. Therefore, the processed fish - preserved, marinated or smoked - differ in the n-3 PUFAs content from the fresh fish meat. The present work aims to compare the effect of smoking and marinating on the n-3 fatty acids content of mackerel meat.
Diversity in Career Preferences of Future Health Workers in Rwanda: Where, Why, and for How Much?

The Government of Rwanda has identified human resources for health as one of its Policy priorities. This study aims to contribute to building a better understanding of health worker choice and behavior, and to improve evidence based policies. The work was undertaken by The Ministry of Health in a collaborative effort with the World Bank, building on the results of qualitative pre research, and is the first wave of a cohort survey with medical and nursing students. In comparison with other African countries, migration of health workers abroad may be less of a problem for Rwanda. The study finds that 80 percent of nursing and medical students report to have no intention to migrate abroad in the coming five years. Using a contingent valuation method to measure the reservation wage to migrate, we find that at the current public sector starting salary more than half the students will choose a job in Kigali instead of going abroad. But there is considerable heterogeneity in the willingness to work abroad. For example, students who are married or engaged are less likely to move abroad. Younger medical students require a higher average salary to stay in Rwanda compared to older students. Although Rwanda has a relatively low HIV prevalence compared to other African countries, there are problems with attitudes to HIV/AIDS, although the attitudes differ greatly between students, with medical students consistently more positive than nurses. Medical students score higher than nurses on medical knowledge related to HIV/AIDS, have higher levels of self reported knowledge on AIDS, and are also more familiar with HIV. Health students are generally averse to taking up work in high HIV prevalence areas but preferences vary widely, as is reflected in the wide span of reservation wages to accept a job in a high HIV prevalence area. Students are less willing to work in high HIV prevalence areas than to take up rural service.
ATTITUDES THAT AFFECT THE ABILITY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN PREADOLESCENT GIRLS AND THEIR MOTHERS TO TALK OPENLY ABOUT SEX

Approximately 50% of new HIV infections in the US occur in teenagers, with African American females making up a disproportionate number. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that could encourage delaying sexual debut. Twenty-eight African American mothers and their early adolescent daughters were recruited from four inner-city community centers. Seven separate focus groups were conducted for mothers and daughters using principles of Participatory Action Research. Four codes emerged from the data: social norms regarding sex, males, self-esteem, and family structure. These codes support the importance of an intervention to facilitate sexual communication between a mother and her daughter.
Two Novel Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormones (GnRHs) from the Urochordate Ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi: Implications for the Origin of Vertebrate GnRH Isoforms

Three forms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) are found in vertebrates; these differ in amino acid sequence, localization, distribution, and embryological origin. We used northern blot analysis, and in situ hybridization to detect GnRH transcripts in various tissues in the large ascidian Halocynthia roretzi. We cloned a cDNA encoding two novel GnRHs, termed tGnRH-10 and tGnRH-11, from H. roretzi, with deduced amino acid sequences of QHWSYGFSPG and QHWSYGFLPG, respectively. Both GnRHs are highly similar to those of teleosts and tetrapods. For example, the tGnRH-10 sequence is 90% identical to seabream GnRH1, and tGnRH-11 is 90% identical to salmon GnRH3. The primary structure of the deduced preprotein is similar to that of chordate GnRHs and consists of a signal peptide, two decapeptides, up- and downstream processing sequences (containing lysine and arginine), and a GnRH-associated peptide. The transcripts of the H. roretzi GnRH gene were expressed in all tissues examined. Comparison of the signal peptide of the lamprey GnRH-II precursor with those of three forms from representative vertebrates revealed homology to GnRH2 precursors. These novel ascidian GnRHs offer a new perspective on the origin of vertebrate GnRH subtypes. We hypothesize that gnathostome GnRH2 was derived only from lamprey GnRH-II and that ancestral gnathostome GnRH, which produces neurons that originate in peripheral organs, gave rise to vertebrate GnRH1 and GnRH3 through whole-genome duplication.
Bone Mineral Density in Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Purpose Childhood cancer and its treatment can affect normal bone accretion. In this study, bone mineral density (BMD) in young adult survivors of childhood cancer is assessed to determine what cancer-related factors, patient characteristics, or treatment-related complications correlate with reductions in BMD. Patients and Methods The study population consisted of 40 (24 women) long-term survivors of childhood cancer treated at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for a solid tumor (n = 16), lymphoma (n = 14), or acute leukemia (n = 10) at a mean age of 12.7 ± 0.96 years and evaluated at a mean age of 25.8 ± 0.7 years. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total body and single photon absorptiometry was used to determine BMD of the distal radius. Results The mean BMD standard deviation score (SDS) for the patients was significantly reduced compared to controls at the distal radius (-1.57 ± 0.18, p = 0.0001), femoral neck (-0.68 ± 0.20, p = 0.00014), and total body (-0.33 ± 0.15, p = 0.03) but not at the lumbar spine (-0.22 ± 0.22, p = 0.33). Univariate analysis revealed that gonadal dysfunction (i.e., estrogen or testosterone insufficiency) (p = 0.018) was the only variable that correlated with a reduced BMD. Conclusion Young adult survivors of childhood cancer have reduced BMD. Because age at study coincides with the normal age of attainment of peak bone mass and peak bone mass is a major determinant of BMD later in life, many of these patients are at increased risk for osteoporosis and fractures.