Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Raised intracranial pressure and cerebral blood flow

Pressure changes within the venous outflow tract from the brain were studied in anaesthetized baboons. Segmental vascular resistance changes were also calculated and the results correlated with the changes in cerebral blood flow, measured by the 133Xenon clearance method. Three different methods were used to raise intracranial pressure: cisterna magna infusion, a supratentorial subdural balloon, and an infratentorial subdural balloon. A close correlation was found between the cortical vein pressure and intracranial pressure with all methods of raising intracranial pressure: the overall correlation coefficient was 0·98. In the majority of animals sagittal sinus pressure showed little change through a wide range of intracranial pressure. In three of the six animals in the cisterna magna infusion group, however, sagittal sinus pressure increased to levels approaching the intracranial pressure during the later stages of intracranial hypertension. Jugular venous pressure showed little change with increasing intracranial pressure. The relationship between cerebral prefusion pressure and cerebral blood flow differed according to the method of increasing intracranial pressure. This was due to differing patterns of change in prevenous vascular resistance as venous resistance increased progressively with increasing pressure in all three groups. The present results confirm, therefore, the validity of the current definition of cerebral perfusion pressure—that is, cerebral perfusion pressure is equal to mean arterial pressure minus mean intracranial pressure—by demonstrating that intracranial pressure does represent the effective cerebral venous outflow pressure.
An Assessment of Rural Poverty: The Case of Selected Kebeles of Shashemane Woreda, Ethiopia

This study explores the three dimensions of rural poverty: deprivation, exclusion and vulnerability, and household coping mechanism in the case of selected kebeles of Shashemane woreda in a micro-level perspective. Each of these dimensions are examined individually, and it is shown that the complexity of poverty emerges from the interplay of all the three. The study area is found to be impoverished in all the three dimensions and have employed weak and temporary coping mechanisms. The result of this rural poverty assessment clearly indicates that poverty needs to be understood in a multifaceted manner and its interventions need to focus on the multi-dimensional nature of poverty. Effective and appropriate interventions, such as improved access to basic services, social protection, participation, empowerment, integration, better access to productive resources, and expanded and diversified livelihood opportunities are indispensable conditions to alleviate the multi-dimensional domains of poverty. BACKGROUND Poverty is defined as a multi-dimensional phenomenon. The first dimension is material deprivation, measured by an appropriate concept of income or consumption. The second dimension is low achievement in education and health (low capabilities). The third and fourth dimensions of poverty are vulnerability (exposure to risk or low level of security) and voicelessness. An estimated 2.5 billion of the 3 billion rural inhabitants are involved in agriculture, 1.5 billion of them living in smallholder households and 800 million of them working in smallholder households. Furthermore, in most parts of the world, poverty remains mainly a rural and agricultural phenomenon so that most of the poor depend on the rural sector for their livelihoods. The large and persistent gap between agriculture’s shares in GDP and employment suggests that poverty is concentrated in agriculture and rural areas and that as nonagricultural growth accelerates, many of the rural poor are likely to remain poor. The Human Development Index (HDI) for SSA countries is the lowest among all developing countries. In 2004, the HDI of SSA stood at 0.472, compared to 0.599 for South Asia and 0.795 for Latin America and the Caribbean Countries (Regional Development Dialogue (RDD), 2007). Statement of the Problem
A ship navigator's mental workload using salivary NO3- concentration for simulator-based experiment

AbstractWe challenge an evaluation of a ship bridge teammate’s mental workload. If we are able to evaluate using a quantitative index for a veteran navigator, it means we get more essential skill for practical education, for example, the educators show students the detail suggestion of skill of ship maneuvering for simulator-based and real ship handling. We think that the both of performance and mental workload are important to evaluate the skill of ship maneuvering; however, the mental workload doesn’t use yet. Regarding the index of mental workload, the heart rate variability (HRV) is popular for a lot of research fields. We usual use HRV, nasal temperature, and try saliva. The saliva is possible to evaluate the mental workload on the spot for ship maneuvering. We hope simple measurement and clear result for the index, and it is practical method in a classroom. The spot measurement is one of research target.In this study, we aim salivary NO3− concentration for simulator-based experiment. We show the res.
Study on the Open Innovation Practices in Romanian SMEs

This paper highlights some of the results of the study carried out by the authors within the research project “Integrated system for innovation management in SMEs”, code PN-II-PTPCCA-2013-4-1319, under way at the Business Administration Research Centre of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. The objective aimed at was to show the progress made by Romanian SMEs in adopting the open innovation principles. In order to reach this objective, the authors analysed the available statistical data for the period 2002-2012 concerning the trend of the SMEs’ weight in the total innovation businesses compared to the weight of the large companies, the trend of the number of innovation projects started but unfinished or abandoned, and the trend of the ratio between the weight of the expenses on internal innovation activities and the expenses on external innovation activities for these businesses. The performed study highlighted the fact that within the analysed period, the weight of innovative SMEs in the total SMEs doubled. Within the same period of time the number of Romanian SMEs that initiated research-development-innovation projects unfinished and/or abandoned went up significantly, which proves that the initiatives of these businesses in developing ever more complex and riskier research projects multiplied. Under these circumstances, the authors’ opinion is that focus is needed on external innovation sources that are typical to open innovation, with an important role in enhancing the performance of the innovation process.
Cerebral microcirculation during mild head injury after a contusion and acceleration experimental model in sheep

Abstract Background: Cerebral microcirculation after head injury is heterogeneous and temporally variable. Regions at risk of infarction such as peri-contusional areas are vulnerable to anaemia. However, direct quantification of the cerebral microcirculation is clinically not feasible. This study describes a novel experimental head injury model correlating cerebral microcirculation with histopathology analysis. Objective: To test the hypothesis that cerebral microcirculation at the ischaemic penumbrae is reduced over time when compared with non-injured regions. Methods: Merino sheep were instrumented using a transeptal catheter to inject coded microspheres into the left cardiac atrium, ensuring systemic distribution. After a blunt impact over the left parietal region, cytometric analyses quantified cerebral microcirculation and amyloid precursor protein staining identified axonal injury in pre-defined anatomical regions. A mixed effect regression model assessed the hourly blood flow results during 4 hours after injury. Results: Cerebral microcirculation showed temporal reductions with minimal amyloid staining except for the ipsilateral thalamus and medulla. Conclusion: The spatial heterogeneity and temporal reduction of cerebral microcirculation in ovine models occur early, even after mild head injury, independent of the intracranial pressure and the level of haemoglobin. Alternate approaches to ensure recovery of regions with reversible injury require a targeted assessment of cerebral microcirculation.
Utilizing quantized feedback information in orthogonal space-time block coding

Previously, space-time codes have been developed that achieve a large portion of the capacity available in communication systems equipped with multiple transmit and receive antennas. These codes are designed under the assumption that the transmitter has no knowledge about the channel. In this work, on the other hand, we consider how the presence of vector quantized channel information obtained from a feedback link may be utilized for improving the performance of a space-time code. The transmission scheme we propose takes the non-perfect nature of the channel information into account while combining the benefits of conventional beamforming with those given by orthogonal space-time block codes. Simulation results demonstrate significant gains over conventional methods and also robustness to feedback channel errors.
Analysis of Factors Affecting Investors’ Perception of Mutual Fund Investment

Consumer behavior is an important area of research studies. To evaluate the prospects of any kind of product irrespective of its nature, one should be aware of the behavior of the consumer. If we look into the financial market in general, the research studies have been conducted based on statistical observation, technical analysis and fundamental analysis. Investor’s expectation is a very important factor in this regard that needs to be analyzed by all alternative investment avenues. The success of any mutual fund, a popular means of investment, depends on how effectively it has been able to meet the investor's expectation. The present study focuses on measuring the investors' expectation and their preference. It also attempts to gauge the factors that they take into consideration before making any investment in mutual fund as well as the awareness level among individual investors regarding mutual fund investment. The sample survey has been conducted in Kolkata city during the period November 2008-January 2009. A sample of 100 individual mutual fund investors has been surveyed through a pre-tested questionnaire. The individual investors include people who have invested in mutual funds and have some knowledge about the basic terminologies involved with mutual funds. An attempt has been made to identify the factors perceived to be important by the investors before investing in any mutual fund. This study will add value to the body of knowledge in this field, from the point of view of researchers and academicians.
2-Arachidonoylglycerol Reduces Proteoglycans and Enhances Remyelination in a Progressive Model of Demyelination

The failure to undergo remyelination is a critical impediment to recovery in multiple sclerosis. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) accumulate at demyelinating lesions creating a nonpermissive environment that impairs axon regeneration and remyelination. Here, we reveal a new role for 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), the major CNS endocannabinoid, in the modulation of CSPGs deposition in a progressive model of multiple sclerosis, the Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease. Treatment with a potent reversible inhibitor of the enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase, which accounts for 85% of the 2-AG degradation in the mouse CNS, modulates neuroinflammation and reduces CSPGs accumulation and astrogliosis around demyelinated lesions in the spinal cord of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-infected mice. Inhibition of 2-AG hydrolysis augments the number of mature oligodendrocytes and increases MBP, leading to remyelination and functional recovery of mice. Our findings establish a mechanism for 2-AG promotion of remyelination with implications in axonal repair in CNS demyelinating pathologies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The deposition of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans contributes to the failure in remyelination associated with multiple sclerosis. Here we unveil a new role for 2-arachidonoylglycerol, the major CNS endocannabinoid, in the modulation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan accumulation in Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-induced demyelinating disease. The treatment during the chronic phase with a potent reversible inhibitor of the enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase, which accounts for 85% of the 2-arachidonoylglycerol degradation in the mouse CNS, modulates neuroinflammation and reduces chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan deposition around demyelinated lesions in the spinal cord of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus-infected mice. The increased 2-arachidonoylglycerol tone promotes remyelination in a model of progressive multiple sclerosis ameliorating motor dysfunction.
Understanding consumer purchasing behaviour regarding luxury fashion-related goods in China

II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . IV TABLE OF CONTENTS . V LIST OF FIGURES . IX LIST OF TABLES . X CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 RESEARCH BACKGROUND . 1 1.2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES . 4 1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS . 5 1.4 OUTLINE OF THE THESIS . 5 1.5 RESEARCH JUSTIFICATION. 7 1.6 ASSUMPTIONS, DELIMITATIONS AND LIMITATIONS . 8 1.7 CHAPTER SUMMARY . 9 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.
Is Ethical Money Financially Smart?

Little is known about how investors select socially responsible investment (SRI) funds.Investors in SRI funds may care more about social or ethical issues in their investment decisions than about fund performance.This paper studies the money-flows into and out of the SRI funds around the world.We find that ethical money chases past returns.In contrast to conventional funds' investors, SRI investors care less about the funds' riskiness and fees.Funds characterized by shareholder activism and by in-house SRI research attract more stable investors. Membership of a large SRI fund family creates higher flow volatility due to the lower fees to reallocate money within the fund family.SRI funds receiving most of the money-inflows perform worse in the future, which is consistent with theories of decreasing returns to scale in the mutual fund industry.Finally, funds employing a higher number of SRI screens to model their investment universe receive larger money-inflows and perform better in the future than focused funds.
To Pay or Not to Pay: How Do We Determine Participant Payment for a Clinical Study?

Prior to initiating a human subject study protocol, issues such as methods, recruitment and retention, budget and logistics must be evaluated and determined. One essential area is deciding whether reimbursement or payment will be made to the research participant. The mechanism for determining participant payment is not established and guidelines and clinical practice are vague at best. The investigators must determine the payment and then the Institutional Review Board (IRB) must approve of the payment. Ripley has previously reviewed the practices and guidelines. for paying participants. 1 The guidelines and regulations agree that the payment must not be coercive or provide undue influence, but how can this be determined? A 2006 survey of IRB members at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) showed various opinions about why research participants should be paid as well as marked variations in the quantity and type of payment appropriate for different types of studies. 1 Although several studies have looked at the impact of payment on the participant,
Association of Polymorphisms in Toll-Like Receptors 4 and 9 with Risk of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Meta-Analysis

Background Findings regarding the association of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs4986790 and rs4986791 in Toll-like receptor 4 and rs187084, rs574386, and rs352139 in Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) susceptibility are inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis to systematically summarize and clarify the association between these SNPs and PTB susceptibility. Material/Methods A systematic literature search for relevant studies up to December, 2014 was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases. Information was gathered from each eligible study. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to pool the effect size. Results Finally, a total of 16 case-control studies on these polymorphisms were enrolled in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results suggest there was no association between these polymorphisms and PTB risk PTB risk in all the genetic models overall. However, for TLR4 rs4986791, a significant increased PTB risk was found in Africans, and for TLR9 rs352139 a significant increased PTB risk was found in Asians after subgroup analysis by ethnicity, although the enrolled studies were limited. Conclusions There was no association between the polymorphisms in TLR4 and 9 and PTB risk overall, but TLR4 rs4986791 and TLR9 rs352139 might be associated with increased PTB risk in Africans and Asians, respectively. Additional well-designed, larger-scale epidemiological studies are needed to validate our results.
Tribal mattering spaces: Social-networking sites, celebrity affiliations, and tribal innovations

Abstract In this paper, we explore the opportunities and possibilities of Web 2.0 through the theoretical lens of tribes and fandom, arguing that social-networking sites centring on iconic celebrities provide a rich context to explore notions of tribal identities and their forms of interaction, connectivity, and creativity. Employing what we term a Netnographic Imagination, we seek to explore the nature and character of this tribal context to provide insights into the tribal mattering spaces that are constructed around celebrity brands. Our analysis highlights the passions and enthusiasms within such emotional communities and the investments they make in celebrity brands, along with the forms of critique they construct around their associated marketing practices. Finally, we draw attention to the tribal innovations that emerge from the sense of togetherness and belonging made explicit through such tribal affiliations.
Independence Day

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) describes a range of heterogeneous clinical disorders that are characterized broadly by increased inflammation and autoimmunity, which promote fibrosis in visceral organs and the pulmonary and systemic circulatory beds. The pattern of scleroderma (ie, skin thickening) categorizes patients further as limited cutaneous SSc (which includes the CREST [calcinosis, Raynaud phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia] syndrome) or diffuse cutaneous SSc. Involvement of the myocardium, pericardium, cardiac conduction system, or pulmonary vasculature is observed in up to 25% of affected patients but may contribute to the constellation of clinical findings accompanying either disease subtype.1 However, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), which in this patient population is attributable to effacement of pulmonary arterioles primarily from severe hypertrophic and fibrotic remodeling, occurs more commonly in patients with limited cutaneous SSc.2 Article, see p 2413 There is important overlap between SSc and primary pulmonary vascular disease, including idiopathic PAH (iPAH). Hyperinflammation, dysregulated humoral autoimmunity, and platelet overactivation are common to both and in each case mediate endothelial dysfunction, fibrillar collagen deposition, and intimal thickening of pulmonary arterioles. Increased vascular reactive oxygen species accumulation and abnormalities to pathways that involve Wnt ligands, connective tissue growth factor, endothelin-1, and the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ represent just a minority of pathogenetic mechanisms implicated in the development of SSc and the pulmonary vasculopathy of iPAH.3–6 This overlap is likely to account for elevated PAH prevalence in SSc that by some estimates reaches 12%, which is a substantially higher rate compared with other at-risk subgroups such as those with sickle cell anemia and HIV, of whom PAH affects 3% and 0.5% of patients, respectively.7 On the basis of similarities in vascular pathophenotype, it may also …
Decision to casting a vote: An ordinal regression statistical analysis

The aim of this paper is to explore on essential factors that influence the decision of eligible voters to cast their vote during the general election if it is conducted as electronic voting (e-voting) in Indonesia. It is Indonesian government plan to implement the electronic voting mechanism as a way to minimize the high cost of conducting general election. Thus, there has been call for research to assess the feasibility to implement such mechanism and identify any factors that influence the level of participation of the eligible voters in this important event. A number of demographic factors were analyze, such as gender, age, working, education and earnings influence. It is believe that the finding of this study will complement any earlier and ongoing study in the domain of privacy protection. A statistical analysis, namely ordinal regression, is used to measure the tendency and direction of the demographic data from citizen towards the social norm items.
Lesions of the Mandibular Condyle in Juvenile Chronic Arthritis

A total of 371 serial dental panoramic radiographs from 71 children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) were examined to determine the presence and extent of radiographically detectable condylar abnormalities. The series included 12 children with so called ‘bird face’ deformity and 55 in whom facial growth was judged to be normal. By the age of 15 years, 27 patents (38 per cent), showed lesions of the TMJ, of which 14 (55 per cent) were bilateral. Of those cases with unilateral destruction, the left condyle was affected nine times more frequently than the right. All of the children with ‘bird face’ deformity had condylar abnormality, but these facial characteristics should not be condidered pathognomomic of juventile chronic arthritis. Moderate to severe condylar abnormality was detectable in 10·9 per cent of children with normal facial growth, and where condylar destruction is present it can often be established as early as 8 years. Systemic corticosteroids appear to have little or no effect on the condyle or mandibular growth.
Effect of Using Mouth Guard on Anaerobic and Aerobic Performance of Combat Sport Athletes

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of using mouth guard on anaerobic and aerobic performance of combat sport athletes. Design and Method: Eight highly active experienced male senior combat sport athletes accustomed to use mouth guard (mean ± SD, age: 22.0±2.2yr, height: 173.5±3.38cm, body weight: 70.45±8.14kg and training year: 8.37±4.24yr) were participated in this study as volunteers. In a randomized crossover manner hand grip strength (right and left hands), peak power, average power, fatigue index, maximum oxygen consumption and the total running time were measured via Wingate 30s Anaerobic test and Bruce protocol with and without mouth guard. Paired samples t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: No significant difference was found between the performance with and without using mouth guard regarding to hand grip strength (t=-0.08; p=0.931 and t=064;p=0.532 respectively right and left hand), peak power(t= -0.82; p=0.439), average power(t= -0.39;p=0.708), fatigue index (t=-0.93; p= 0.381), maximum oxygen consumption(t= -0.27; p=0.790) and the total running time (t= -1.56; p= 0162). Conclusions: As a conclusion, mouth guard usage had no adverse effect on the athletic performance of male senior combat sport athletes’ accustomed to use mouth guard.