Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical prediction of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture risk: Sensitivity analysis

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to determine the quantitative relationship between the peak wall stress of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and its clinical risk factors including its maximum diameter, asymmetry index, wall thickness and abnormal high blood pressure. Methods: The response surface experimental design with one response and four variables was used to design the experimental tests. Thirty experiments were performed through finite element analysis in order to obtain the designed response values. Results: A nonlinear multivariable regression function was developed based on the experimental data. Results demonstrated the inefficiency of traditional 5-cm criterion for estimating the rupture of AAA. The profound effect of wall thickness on the peak wall stress has been observed and validated by the existing publications. Conclusion: The conventional 5-cm criterion for estimating AAA rupture might induce biased prediction, and multiple clinical risk factors need to be considered in realistic clinical settings.
BANK CREDIT TO SMALL AND MEDIUM SPORTS GOODS MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES OF MEERUT - OBSTACLES IN FINANCING AND RECOVERY OF THE LOAN

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of corporate culture in organisational performance of commercial state corporations in Kenya. The study adopted descriptive and explanatory research designs with a statistical sample of 103 employees responsible for key result areas in 36 commercial state corporations in Kenya. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire as well as various reports. Corporate culture was measured using culture traits of Denison’s model while organizational performance was measured through Fisher’s measures with some modifications. The moderating variable was measured using scale of personal values in the Social Value Survey developed by Schwartz. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 for descriptive statistics, factor analysis, hypotheses testing and regression analysis. Secondary data was analyzed through the use of R-program. Results of the study show a positive significant role of corporate culture in performance of state corporations (R = 0.951). The study recommends that state corporations embrace positive corporate culture that promotes entrepreneurship and productivity for them to become competitive and remain successful.
α‐Adrenergic inhibition increases collateral circuit conductance in rats following acute occlusion of the femoral artery

This study evaluated whether α‐adrenergic activation contributes to collateral circuit vascular resistance in the hindlimb following acute unilateral occlusion of the femoral artery in rats. Blood pressures (BPs) were measured above (caudal artery) and below (distal femoral artery) the collateral circuit. Arterial BPs were reduced (15–35 mmHg) with individual (prazosin, rauwolscine) or combined (phentolamine) α‐receptor inhibition. Blood flows (BFs) were measured using microspheres before and after α inhibition during the same treadmill speed. α1 inhibition increased blood flow by ∼40% to active muscles that were not affected by femoral occlusion, whereas collateral‐dependent BFs to the calf muscles were reduced by 29 ± 8.4% (P < 0.05), due to a decrease in muscle conductance with no change in collateral circuit conductance. α2 inhibition decreased both collateral circuit (39 ± 6.0%; P < 0.05) and calf muscle conductance (36 ± 7.3%; P < 0.05), probably due to residual α1 activation, since renal BF was markedly reduced with rauwolscine. Most importantly, inhibiting α2 receptors in the presence of α1 inhibition increased (43 ± 12%; P < 0.05) collateral circuit conductance. Similarly, non‐selective α inhibition with phentolamine increased collateral conductance (242 ± 59%; P < 0.05). We interpret these findings to indicate that both α1‐ and α2‐receptor activation can influence collateral circuit resistance in vivo during the high flow demands caused by exercise. Furthermore, we observed a reduced maximal conductances of active muscles that were ischaemic. Our findings imply that in the presence of excessive sympathetic activation, which can occur in the condition of intermittent claudication during exertion, an exaggerated vasoconstriction of the existing collateral circuit and active muscle will occur.
Evaluating the quality of graph embeddings via topological feature reconstruction

In this paper we study three state-of-the-art, but competing, approaches for generating graph embeddings using unsupervised neural networks. Graph embeddings aim to discover the ‘best’ representation for a graph automatically and have been applied to graphs from numerous domains, including social networks. We evaluate their effectiveness at capturing a good representation of a graph's topological structure by using the embeddings to predict a series of topological features at the vertex level. We hypothesise that an ‘ideal’ high quality graph embedding should be able to capture key parts of the graph's topology, thus we should be able to use it to predict common measures of the topology, for example vertex centrality. This could also be used to better understand which topological structures are truly being captured by the embeddings. We first review these three graph embedding techniques and then evaluate how close they are to being ‘ideal’. We provide a framework, with extensive experimental evaluation on empirical and synthetic datasets, to assess the effectiveness of several approaches at creating graph embeddings which capture detailed topological structure.
A new test equipment for high dynamic real-time measuring of contact resistances

It is well known that the resistance of a wearing contact may rise from less than a milliohm to more than a kiloohm within months or maybe in less than a microsecond. The automobile industry has considerable trouble with short-term intermittences of contacts under vibration stress. The vibration of the vehicle can be simulated quite well with a shaker. Measuring the long-term increase of the resistance can be done by switching off the shaker from time to time. But the electromagnetic field of the shaker prevents the measurement of the resistance-changes with standard equipment while the shaker is working. A test equipment and a test method have been developed that make it possible to measure contact resistances in real-time and over a resistance-range of six decades. As this can be done while the shaker is running, intermittences not only can be detected but also measured. This equipment can be used for finding out whether a certain contact system can be used for a concrete application. Also it assists the research work on the mechanisms of contact intermittences. A set of contacts has been tested and their electrical behaviour has been compared with the status of their contact surface.
Profiling Changes in Gene Expression during Differentiation and Maturation of Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells Using Both Oligonucleotide Microarrays and Proteomics*

Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that play a major role in initiating primary immune responses. We have utilized two independent approaches, DNA microarrays and proteomics, to analyze the expression profile of human CD14+ blood monocytes and their derived DCs. Analysis of gene expression changes at the RNA level using oligonucleotide microarrays complementary to 6300 human genes showed that ∼40% of the genes were expressed in DCs. A total of 255 genes (4%) were found to be regulated during DC differentiation or maturation. Most of these genes were not previously associated with DCs and included genes encoding secreted proteins as well as genes involved in cell adhesion, signaling, and lipid metabolism. Protein analysis of the same cell populations was done using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A total of 900 distinct protein spots were included, and 4% of them exhibited quantitative changes during DC differentiation and maturation. Differentially expressed proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and found to represent proteins with Ca2+ binding, fatty acid binding, or chaperone activities as well as proteins involved in cell motility. In addition, proteomic analysis provided an assessment of post-translational modifications. The chaperone protein, calreticulin, was found to undergo cleavage, yielding a novel form. The combined oligonucleotide microarray and proteomic approaches have uncovered novel genes associated with DC differentiation and maturation and has allowed analysis of post-translational modifications of specific proteins as part of these processes.
Lessons learned from a review of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) requests: a report from the UK PNH Network

of Syk with fostamatinib disodium has significant clinical activity in non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood, 115, 2578–2585. Herman, S.E. M. , Gordon, A.L. , Wagner, A.J., Heerema, N.A. , Zhao, W. , Flynn, J.M. , Jones, J., Andritsos, L. , Puri, K.D. , Lannutti, B.J., Giese, N.A. , Zhang, X. , Wei, L. , Byrd, J.C. & Johnson, A.J. (2010) Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-d inhibitor CAL-101 shows promising preclinical activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia by antagonizing intrinsic and extrinsic cellular survival signals. Blood, 116, 2078–2088. Hisamichi, H. , Naito, R. , Toyoshima, A. , Kawano, N. , Ichikawa, A. , Orita, A. , Orita, M. , Hamada, N. , Takeuchi, M. , Ohta, M. & Tsukamoto, S. (2005) Synthetic studies on novel Syk inhibitors. Part 1: synthesis and structure–activity relationships of pyrimidine-5-carboxamide derivatives. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 4936–4951. Liddle, J., Atkinson, F.L. , Barker, M.D., Carter, P.S. , Curtis, N.R. , Davis, R.P., Douault, C. , Dickson, M.C. , Elwes, D. , Garton, N.S. , Gray, M. , Hayhow, T.G. , Hobbs, C.I. , Jones, E. , Leach, S. , Leavens, K. , Lewis, H.D. , McCleary, S. , Neu, M. , Patel, V.K. , Preston, A.G. , Ramirez-Molina, C. , Shipley, T.J., Skone, P.A. , Smithers, N. , Somers, D.O. , Walker, A.L. , Watson, R.J. & Weingarten, G.G. (2011) Discovery of GSK143, a highly potent, selective and orally efficacious spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 21, 6188–6194. Quiroga, M.P., Balakrishnan, K. , Kurtova, A.V. , Sivina, M. , Keating, M.J., Wierda, W.G. , Gandhi, V. & Burger, J.A. (2009) B-cell antigen receptor signaling enhances chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell migration and survival: specific targeting with a novel spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, R406. Blood, 114, 1029–1037. Sharman, J., Hawkins, M. , Kolibaba, K. , Boxer, M. , Klein, L. , Wu, M. , Hu, J., Abella, S. & Yasenchak, C. (2015) An open-label phase 2 trial of entospletinib (GS-9973), a selective spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood, 125, 2336–2343. Spurgeon, S.E. , Coffey, G. , Fletcher, L.B. , Burke, R. , Tyner, J.W. , Druker, B.J., Betz, A. , DeGuzman, F. , Pak, Y. , Baker, D. , Pandey, A. , Hollenbach, S.J., Sinha, U. & Loriaux, M.M. (2013) The Selective Syk Inhibitor P505-15 (PRT062607) inhibits B Cell signaling and function in vitro and in vivo and augments the activity of fludarabine in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 344, 378–387. Yamamoto, S. , Dunn, C.J., Deporter, D.A. , Capasso, F. , Willoughby, D.A. & Huskinsson, E.C. (1975) A model for the quantitative study of Arthus (immunologic) hypersensitivity in rats. Agents and Actions, 5, 374–377.
The Rise in Dividend Payments

Dividends paid by Australian listed companies have grown substantially since the global financial crisis, most notably among large resources companies and the banks. These increases have occurred alongside modest growth in earnings. Dividend-paying companies appear to generally smooth these payments, having been reluctant to reduce their dividend payments in particular. The increase in dividends over recent years could reflect an increase in shareholder preferences to receive income payments or a perception among company managers that there are fewer viable investment opportunities; the data offer some modest support to both of these hypotheses.
Bloodless medicine: clinical care without allogeneic blood transfusion

Bloodless medicine refers to emerging clinical strategies for medical care without allogeneic blood transfusion and is a well-defined area in blood management. The circular of information distributed with blood and blood components recommends that all physicians be familiar with the alternatives that are a part of bloodless medicine. The circular states on p. 11 that “red cell-containing components should not be used to treat anemias that can be corrected with specific medications . ” 1 The purpose of this article is to present an overview of these alternatives and to discuss how their appropriate use can achieve a goal of bloodless medicine. Bloodless medicine has traditionally been considered in a number of clinical settings: when patients object to transfusion for religious reasons (e.g., Jehovah’s Witnesses), when blood may be in short supply or not available, or when safe (i.e., screened and tested) blood is not available. Trauma, military field casualties, and massive transfusion settings are examples of the need for bloodless medicine when blood may be in short supply or not available. Additionally, an estimated 13 million units of donated blood worldwide are not tested for the HIV or hepatitis viruses, settings in which safe blood is not available. 2 Finally, compatible blood transfusion may be unobtainable for patients with multiple antibodies or may be undesirable for patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, particularly in the setting of autoerythrocyte sensitization. 3
Natural Hybridization between Diploid Crucian Carp Species and Genetic Independence of Triploid Crucian Carp Elucidated by DNA Markers

Abstract The population structure of genus Carassius in Lake Koyama, southeast Japan, was analyzed by genetic markers as microsatellite DNA, mtDNA RFLP and isozymes. Based on the ploidy level and morphological analysis, four Carassius groups were detected. The triploid group was identified as Ginbuna (C. langsdorfii). In the diploid group, Nagabuna (C. burugeri sp) and Gengoroubuna, (C. cuvieri) were identified. Remaining diploid individuals had morphological traits that were intermediate between Nagabuna and Gengoroubuna. These were considered as hybrids and their descendants. From the results of mtDNA RFLP and isozyme patterns, the triploid population was considered to be independent from the gene pools of diploid. The hybrids had the mtDNA haplotypes which were common to Gengoroubuna and Nagabuna populations. Based on the three microsatellite loci, Ginbuna was classified into six clonal lines. In the diploid population, substitution of the major alleles of Nagabuna and Gengoroubuna were found. The hybrids had alleles that were common in Nagabuna and Gengoroubuna. The values of the hybrid index (IH) which are ranged from 0.771 to 0.964 in Nagabuna, from 0.102 to 0.806 in the hybrids and from 0.068 to 0.157 in Gengoroubuna. The hybrid population was verified to be derived from crossbreeding between the Gengoroubuna and Nagabuna populations. Evidence of backcrossing in nature by microsatellite DNA markers was also obtained in the diploid populations.
A potential role for triglyceride as an energy source during bovine oocyte maturation and early embryo development

The potential role of endogenous triglyceride in bovine oocyte maturation and preimplantation development has been investigated. Bovine immature oocytes were recovered from abattoir‐derived ovaries, matured and fertilised in vitro and the zygotes grown to the blastocyst stage in SOFaaBSA. Methyl palmoxirate (MP) blocks the oxidation of fatty acids by inhibiting mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase A. The development of zygotes exposed to MP during oocyte maturation, and of zygotes exposed to MP during embryo culture has been assessed in terms of oxygen consumption by oocytes and embryos during a 4–6 hr incubation period in the presence of MP and as blastocyst formation and cell number. Immature oocytes exposed to MP during maturation had reduced capacity to form blastocysts after fertilisation; the same effect was apparent, but to a lesser extent, in zygotes exposed to MP during embryo development. Oxygen consumption values of oocytes and blastocysts in the absence of exogenous substrates were similar to those in control medium containing nutrients. MP‐inhibited oxygen consumption of immature oocytes, mature oocytes, cleavage stages embryos and blastocysts by 64, 45, 12 and 13%, respectively. The data are consistent with a role for triglyceride as a key energy source during bovine oocyte maturation and potentially, during preimplantation embryo development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 1195–1201, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND VALUE CREATION IN BRAZILIAN AND CHILEAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES.

Intangible assets disclosure, even with recent obligation, has brought benefits to companies value and financial performance assistance. This study aims at analyzing the relationship between financial performance, intangible assets disclosure and value creation within Brazilian and Chilean information technology companies. In order to carry out the survey a descriptive analysis through both documentary research and quantitative approach was used. Descriptive statistics analysis, t-test and Pearson's correlation helped confirm that Chilean companies disclose more intangible assets and make greater value through reaching good results in financial performance. Thus, the higher the financial performance, the greater the value creation, and the greater the intangible assets disclosure within Chilean information technology companies.
Acute Mountain Sickness at Moderate Altitudes

TO THE EDITOR: Scientific research in alpine medicine has dealt primarily with small groups of healthy, athletic persons in high altitude, even though most mountain tours are in medium-high altitude and most mountaineers are not trained athletes. Honigman and colleagues' study of the incidence of acute mountain sickness in a general tourist population at moderate altitude [1] is important because of the impressive number of participants and the identification of easily evaluable predictors for acute mountain sickness such as the height of permanent residence. Nonetheless, we have serious reservations about the methods and conclusions of this study. The reported incidence of acute mountain sickness at moderate altitudes ranges from 1.4% to 25%, a variability mainly related to the different instruments used. Whereas this study used a questionnaire, Hackett and colleagues [2] based the diagnosis of acute mountain sickness on a scoring system (structured interview and a short physical examination by an experienced investigator). Using only a questionnaire may result in classifying acute mountain sickness through nonspecific signs such as a maladaptation to travel or to unusual surroundings. The reported 25% incidence of full-blown acute mountain sickness at 9700 feet in altitude is far from alpine medical or aeromedical experience and much higher than that reported in two recent studies of the incidence of acute mountain sickness in leisure alpinists in the European Alps. Our data show an increase in the incidence of acute mountain sickness from 3.1% at 6600 feet, to 3.4% at 7514 feet, to 6.3% at 8299 feet, to 9.5% at 10 246 feet. The most common signs and symptoms of acute mountain sickness were insomnia and peripheral or periorbital edema [3]. These results correspond well to those of a study done in the Swiss Alps, in which an incidence of 9% at 9405 feet, increasing to 53% at 15 044 feet, was reported [4]. In short, we believe that the incidence of acute mountain sickness was overestimated by Honigman and colleagues.
A novel imaging‐based high‐throughput screening approach to anti‐angiogenic drug discovery

The successful progression to the clinic of angiogenesis inhibitors for cancer treatment has spurred interest in developing new classes of anti‐angiogenic compounds. The resulting surge in available candidate therapeutics highlights the need for robust, high‐throughput angiogenesis screening systems that adequately capture the complexity of new vessel formation while providing quantitative evaluation of the potency of these agents. Available in vitro angiogenesis assays are either cumbersome, impeding adaptation to high‐throughput screening formats, or inadequately model the complex multistep process of new vessel formation. We therefore developed an organotypic endothelial‐mural cell co‐culture assay system that reflects several facets of angiogenesis while remaining compatible with high‐throughput/high‐content image screening. Co‐culture of primary human endothelial cells (EC) and vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMC) results in assembly of a network of tubular endothelial structures enveloped with vascular basement membrane proteins, thus, comprising the three main components of blood vessels. Initially, EC are dependent on vSMC‐derived VEGF and sensitive to clinical anti‐angiogenic therapeutics. A subsequent phenotypic VEGF‐switch renders EC networks resistant to anti‐VEGF therapeutics, demarcating a mature vascular phenotype. Conversely, mature EC networks remain sensitive to vascular disrupting agents. Therefore, candidate anti‐angiogenic compounds can be interrogated for their relative potency on immature and mature networks and classified as either vascular normalizing or vascular disrupting agents. Here, we demonstrate that the EC‐vSMC co‐culture assay represents a robust high‐content imaging high‐throughput screening system for identification of novel anti‐angiogenic agents. A pilot high‐throughput screening campaign was used to define informative imaging parameters and develop a follow‐up dose‐response scheme for hit characterization. High‐throughput screening using the EC‐vSMC co‐culture assay establishes a new platform to screen for novel anti‐angiogenic compounds for cancer therapy. © 2009 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Negative user adoption behaviors of mobile commerce: An empirical study from Chinese college students

This study aims to examine the positive and negative factors that can significantly explain user acceptance of mobile commerce (m-commerce) in China. A technology acceptance model for m-commerce with five factors is constructed. The proposed model is tested using data collected from 156 college students in Macau. Exploration factor analysis is performed to examine the reliability and validity of the model and regression analysis is performed to access the relationship between behavior intention and each factor. The acceptance of m-commerce is influenced by the factors including performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and disturbance concerns; while effort expectancy is insignificant in this case. The results of the study are useful for m-commerce service providers to adjust their strategies for promoting m-commerce services. This study contributes to the practice by providing a user technology acceptance model for m-commerce that can be used as a foundation for future research.