Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Initial results of the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in Lithuania

The aim of the present study was to review the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (the Program) in Lithuania according to the criteria set by the European Union. In Lithuania, screening services are provided free of charge to the population. The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) reimburses the institutions for performing each service; each procedure within the Program has its own administrative code. All the information about the performance of the Program is collected in one institution – the NHIF. The results of the Program were retrieved from the database of NHIF from the start of the Program from 1 July 2009 to 1 July 2012. Descriptive analysis of epidemiological indicators was carried out. Results were compared with the references in the guidelines of the European Union for quality assurance in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and diagnosis. Information service [which involves fecal immunochemical test (FIT)] was provided to 271 396 of 890 309 50–74-year-old residents. The screening uptake was 46.0% over 3 years. During this period, 19 455 (7.2%) FITs were positive and 251 941 (92.8%) FITs were negative. Referral for colonoscopy was performed in 10 190 (52.4%) patients. Colonoscopy was performed in 12 864 (66.1%) patients. Colonoscopy did not indicate any pathological findings in 8613 (67.0%) patients. Biopsies were performed in 4251 (33.0%) patients. The rate of high-grade neoplasia reported by pathologists was 3.9%; the rate of cancer was 3.1% of all colonoscopies. The rate of CRC detected by the Program was 0.2%. The CRC screening program in Lithuania meets most of the requirements for standardized CRC screening programs. The invitation coverage and rate of referral for colonoscopy after positive FIT should be improved.
Do Small Schools Improve Performance in Large, Urban Districts? Causal Evidence from New York City

We evaluate the effectiveness of small high school reform in the country’s largest school district, New York City. Using a rich administrative dataset for multiple cohorts of students, we estimate a model of school outcomes using instrumental variables with multiple types of endogenous school interventions. Using student residence to instrument for endogenous school selection, we find substantial heterogeneity in school effects as newly created small schools have positive effects on education outcomes while older small schools do not. Importantly, we show that ignoring this source of treatment effect heterogeneity yields a misleading zero effect of small school attendance.
Invasion-inhibitory antibodies inhibit proteolytic processing of apical membrane antigen 1 of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites

Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) is a promising vaccine candidate for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Antibodies against AMA-1 of P. falciparum (PfAMA-1) interrupt merozoite invasion into RBCs. Initially localized within the apical complex, PfAMA-1 is proteolytically processed and redistributed circumferentially on merozoites at about the time of their release and invasion into RBCs. An 83-kDa precursor form of PfAMA-1 is processed to 66-kDa and then to 48- and 44-kDa products. We show that, even at low concentrations, IgG antibodies against correctly folded recombinant PfAMA-1 cross-linked and trapped the 52-, 48-, and 44-kDa proteolytic products on merozoites. These products are normally shed into the culture medium. At higher concentrations antibodies inhibited invasion into RBCs and caused a reduction in the amount of 44- and 48-kDa products, both on merozoites and in the culture medium. A corresponding increase also occurred in the amount of the 66- and 52-kDa forms detected on the merozoites. These antibodies also prevented circumferential redistribution of AMA-1. In contrast, monovalent invasion-inhibitory Fab fragments caused accumulation of 66- and 52-kDa forms, with no cross-linking, trapping, or prevention of redistribution. Antibodies at low concentrations can be used as trapping agents for intermediate and soluble forms of AMA-1 and are useful for studying proteolytic processing of AMA-1. With this technique, it was confirmed that protease inhibitor chymostatin and Ca2+ chelators can inhibit the breakdown of the 66-kDa form. We propose that antibodies to AMA-1 capable of inhibiting erythrocyte invasion act by disrupting proteolytic processing of AMA-1.
Effects of adding alendronate to ongoing hormone therapy on bone mineral density in postmenopausal Korean women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of adding the bisphosphonate alendronate (ALEN) to ongoing hormone therapy (HT) on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal Korean women. MethodsThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial at a university hospital included a total of 139 postmenopausal women who had low BMD after HT lasting at least 1 year. Women received either ALEN (10 mg/d) or placebo in combination with HT for 1 year. Changes in BMD and biochemical markers of bone turnover were evaluated. ResultsLumbar spine and total hip BMDs increased significantly in both treatment groups after 1 year. The addition of ALEN, when compared with HT alone, did not produce a significant change in BMD at the lumbar spine (3.7% vs 4.3%) and total hip (2.2% vs 3.2%) after adjusting for controllable variables. Serum osteocalcin showed a similar change, but urinary deoxypyridinoline response differed between treatment groups. ConclusionsCompared with HT alone, the addition of ALEN to ongoing HT for 1 year does not make a difference in BMD among postmenopausal Korean women with low BMD.
PROS AND CONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TARGET COSTING METHOD IN ROMANIAN ECONOMIC ENTITIES

The article looks at the pros and cons for the implementation of Target Costing method in Romanian household appliances manufacturing entities, based on its specific principle. Based on recent results obtained by experts in this field and taking into account the specific aspects of the Romanian economic entities, among the topic’s pursued objectives we enumerate the following: analysis of critical implementation or non-implementation factors related to the Target Costing method and their impact on a company’s internal and competitive environment. The research has been carried out through the use of quantitative and qualitative methods, but also through the use of theoretical ideas in the making of the case study. Our research design is focused on theoretical and practical approach of implications arising from issues described in the research questions. After analyzing the critical factors of implementation or non-implementation of target costing method, the results obtained through practical case study demonstrates the possibility of adapting and implementing target costing method in the household appliances manufacturing entities in Romania. Authors’ conclusions on this topic highlight the most important arguments for implementing and adapting Target Costing method in Romanian household appliances manufacturing entities, due to its long-term benefits. The benefits of the Target Costing method are reflected by the results of a practical case study conducted in a company acting in this field.
Gendered Self-Presentation on Social Media: A content analysis of Tweets from UNLV Men's and Women's Athletic Teams

This thesis examines how sports teams vary by means of self-presentation on a social media platform in relation to gender and sport. Building on Erving Goffman’s (1959) constructs of selfpresentation and operationalizing impression management strategies, this study content analyzed seven UNLV teams’ Tweets. The analysis spanned from August 2015 to October 2015. Every Tweet posted, during these three months, from the seven different sporting teams was coded to compare and contrast the men's teams accounts with the women’s teams accounts, as well as one account that combines the men’s and women’s team on one Twitter page. The study found that the time of the season affects how teams present themselves. Moreover, the teams of the same sport (i.e. men’s and women’s basketball) had similarities in the content of their Tweets, including the media they included in each Tweet.
Do reconstruction filters really effect the volume and ejection fraction calculation with 99mTc-sestamibigated myocardial SPECT?

Background: ECG -gated myocardial perfusion imaging is a sensitive test for diagnosis of ischemia as well as scarred myocardium. It provides additional information on global and regional myocardial contractile function. A number of methods are available to calculate left ventricular volumes and ejection fractions, which depends on various technical and patients specific factor. Objective: This study was carried out to measure effect of reconstruction filter in calculations of left ventricularend diastolic volume (EDV) and end systolic volume (ESV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from 99mTc-sestamibi myocardial perfusion imaging. Materials and Methods: 99mTc-sestamibi-gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging was performed in 90 patients. Studies were reconstructed with Butterworth and Metz filters. Results: Mean ejection fraction with Butterworth and Metz filter are 64.3 and 64.2, respectively. Mean EDV is for Butterworth and Metz filters are 77.3 and 78.5 ml, respectively. While ESV was 36.49 and 36.63 ml, stroke volume calculated was 41.54 and 42 ml for Butterworth and Metz filters, respectively. Pearsons’s correlation coefficients between results calculated with Metz and Butterworth filters were 0.994 for ESV, 0.996 for EDV, 0.966 for LVEF and 0.925 for SV. Student ‘t’ test was applied on the data and no significant difference was noted between parameter estimated by Butterworth or Metz filter. Conclusion: This study shows that difference of filter application has no significant effect in computing left ventricular function parameters.
The Determinants of Foreign Listing Decision: Neural Networks Versus Traditional Approaches

The neural network models have proven to be a very effective tool in prediction and classification problems in a variety of business applications. In this study, we apply the neural network approach to predict the firm's decision to list shares on a foreign stock exchange. Using a sample of 95 U.S. manufacturing firms, including the firms that are listed abroad and those that are listed only on the U.S. stock exchanges, we apply the neural network model to identify the key predictor variables in the firm's listing decision. We demonstrate that the neural networks outperform the standard classification techniques such as discriminant analysis and logistic regression in distinguishing the firms that cross-list from those that do not list abroad. We highlight the implications of our results for firms, investors, and stock exchanges.
Demographic Characteristics Related To Wholesale Marketing Of Yam In Delta State, Nigeria

To determine the influence of the demographic attributes of wholesales yam marketers on their marketing cost, data were collected from 80 respondents randomly selected from 10 yam markets in two Local Government Areas of Delta State. Results of data analysis reveals that wholesale yam marketing in the study area was male - dominated (78.8%), most of whom were married (73.8%) with secondary education experience (70%). The average age of the respondents was 48 years with a mean marketing experience of 9 years. The average weekly marketing cost, revenue and gross margin of wholesale yam marketing were N23,628.75, N78,500 and N54,871.25 respectively showing the profitability of the business. Major marketing problems encountered by the respondents include high produce and transport cost with a mean of 3.67 and 3.11 respectively, storage losses (3.64), seasonal fluctuation in yam sales (3.53) and insufficient capital (3.52). Multiple regression analysis shows that marital status (b = -0.113) and years of marketing (b = -0.248) were significantly (p Keywords : Demographic characteristics, yam wholesale marketing Global Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 2 (1) 2006: pp. 9-15
Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis for Drug Transport in a Curved Stenotic Right Coronary Artery

A blockage of blood vessels resulting from thrombus or plaque deposit causes serious cardiovascular diseases. This study developed a computational model of blood flow and drug transport to investigate the effectiveness of drug delivery to the stenotic sites. A three-dimensional (3D) model of the curved stenotic right coronary artery (RCA) was reconstructed based on the clinical angiogram image. Then, blood flow and drug transport with the flexible RCA wall were simulated using the fluid structure interaction (FSI) analysis and compared with the rigid RCA wall. Results showed that the maximal total displacement and von Mises stress of the flexible RCA model are 2.14 mm and 92.06 kPa. In addition, the effective injecting time point for the best performance of drug delivery was found to be between 0 s and 0.15 s (i.e., the fluid acceleration region) for both rigid and flexible RCA models. However, there was no notable difference in the ratio of particle deposition to the stenotic areas between the rigid and flexible RCA models. This study will be significantly useful to the design of a drug delivery system for the treatment of the stenotic arteries by targeting drugs selectively to the stenotic sites.
Facets of Job Satisfaction

This article suggests that intelligence and education have differential effects on intrinsic job satisfaction and on pay satisfaction. Intelligence has a strong direct negative effect on intrinsic satisfaction but a negligible effect on pay satisfaction because it is positively associated with the level of desired job complexity but not with the level of expected pay. On the other hand, education has a strong direct negative effect on pay satisfaction but a small effect on intrinsic satisfaction because it is positively associated with expected pay. These effects of intelligence and education are compared to their effects on global job satisfaction.
Would Kiranas in Urban India Survive the Modern Trade Onslaught? Insight from Efficiency Perspective

We examine the efficiency of the traditional and modern trade formats in an attempt to understand the chances of survival of the Kiranas. Instead of assessing the efficiency of retail stores on the basis of supply-side efficiency in terms of retailer productivity scores alone, we argue in favor of additionally using demand-side efficiency measures in terms of satisfaction of customers' needs. We propose using two DEAs: one DEA to measure customer patronage perspective through efficient satisfaction of customers' needs, and another DEA to measure retail productivity. A customer and retailer study across four Indian cities is done to arrive at the answer to the research question.
White matter degeneration in vascular and other ageing‐related dementias

Advances in neuroimaging have enabled greater understanding of the progression of cerebral degenerative processes associated with ageing‐related dementias. Leukoaraiosis or rarefied white matter (WM) originally described on computed tomography is one of the most prominent changes which occurs in older age. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) evident on magnetic resonance imaging have become commonplace to describe WM changes in relation to cognitive dysfunction, types of stroke injury, cerebral small vessel disease and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease. Substrates of WM degeneration collectively include myelin loss, axonal abnormalities, arteriolosclerosis and parenchymal changes resulting from lacunar infarcts, microinfarcts, microbleeds and perivascular spacing. WM cells incorporating astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, pericytes and microglia are recognized as key cellular components of the gliovascular unit. They respond to ongoing pathological processes in different ways leading to disruption of the gliovascular unit. The most robust alterations involve oligodendrocyte loss and astrocytic clasmatodendrosis with displacement of the water channel protein, aquaporin 4. These modifications likely precede arteriolosclerosis and capillary degeneration and involve tissue oedema, breach of the blood–brain barrier and induction of a chronic hypoxic state in the deep WM. Several pathophysiological mechanisms are proposed to explain how WM changes commencing with haemodynamic changes within the vascular system impact on cognitive dysfunction. Animal models simulating cerebral hypoperfusion in man have paved the way for several translational opportunities. Various compounds with variable efficacies have been tested to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and blood–brain barrier damage in the WM. Our review demonstrates that WM degeneration encompasses multiple substrates and therefore more than one pharmacological approach is necessary to preserve axonal function and prevent cognitive impairment.
Management of Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis Diagnosed by Core Biopsy: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare, benign, chronic inflammatory condition of the breast, which usually mimics breast carcinoma. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features of IGM by identifying a more reliable diagnostic protocol, and evaluating the treatment methods and patient outcomes on follow‐up. We performed a retrospective analysis of 46 patients diagnosed with IGM and managed by the same surgical team between 1999 and 2011, at three high‐volume hospitals. The median age of the patients was 33 years. The most common symptom was painful breast mass (n = 39), followed by abscess (n = 11). All patients underwent ultrasonography (USG). Mammography (MG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were also performed in 20 patients (43%) and 17 patients (37%), respectively. The mean size of the lesions was 32.8 ± 8.8 mm and ranged from 15 to 50 mm. Preoperative diagnosis of IGM was established by core needle biopsy (CNB) under USG guidance. Eighteen patients (39%) underwent complete excision of the lesion and 25 (54%) were treated with steroids. Three patients treated with steroids subsequently underwent local excision. The mean follow‐up period was 35.4 ± 30.9 months. Eight patients (17%) developed disease recurrence; three of these were successfully treated with steroids, one with surgery, and four with both steroids and surgery. CNB in conjunction with high diagnostic accuracy has a significant role in distinctive diagnosis of IGM and hence, is useful for treatment planning. Treatment can be designated according to the extent and the severity of the disease, and the patient's general health and treatment preferences. Patients with IGM must be closely followed up due to the frequency of disease recurrence.
A Free Boundary Problem with Unilateral Constraints Describing the Evolution of a Tumor Cord Under the Influence of Cell Killing Agents

A system of tumor cords is schematized by an array of identical cords, each one having approximately a rotational symmetry around its central blood vessel. A mathematical model for the evolution of the cord is presented, taking into account the influence of a limiting nutrient on the proliferation and death of the cells, the volume reduction of the necrotic material due to fluid loss from the cord, and the influence of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Both the steady state and the evolution problem are considered, showing existence and uniqueness of the solution. A peculiar feature of the evolution model is that the boundary conditions for nutrient concentration on the interface between viable cord and the necrotic region may change during the response to treatment, depending on whether or not new cells enter the necrotic region.
Consumer Trust Impact on Online Shopping Intent

Internet tuketicilerin kolaylikla erisebildigi, cografik sinirlari ortadan kaldiran kolay arama fonksiyonlariyla urun ve hizmetleri en uygun fiyat ve maliyetle cok buyuk tuketici kitlelerine ulastirabilen bir dagitim kanali olma yolunda cok hizla ilerlemektedir. Guven her iliskide kritik faktor oldugu gibi, ticaretin de olmazsa olmazi karsilikli guven tesisinin saglanmasidir. Elektronik ticarette alici ve satici birbirlerini gormeksizin is yaptiklarindan, guvenin alisverisin gerceklesmesi ve iliskilerin surdurulmesi acisindan rolu buyuktur. Bu arastirmanin temel amaci; tuketicilerin elektronik alisverise duyduklari guvenin, alisveris yapma niyeti uzerindeki etkisini ortaya koymaktir. Online alisverise karsi duyulan guvenin boyutlarini ortaya koymak amaciyla aciklayici faktor analizi uygulanmis. Online guvene ait tutumlarinin alisveris niyeti uzerindeki etkisinin belirlenmesi icin basit regresyon analizi yapilmistir. Bu calismadan elde edilen sonuclar; web sitelerinde kullanilan guvenlik sistemleri, web sitesinin unu, web sitesinin gorselligi ve tasarimindan olusan uc online guven boyutunun online alisveris yapma niyeti uzerinde etkili oldugunu gostermektedir.
Common Structural Elements in the Chromophore Binding Pocket of the Pfr State of Bathy Phytochromes

Phytochromes are bimodal photoreceptors which, upon light absorption by the tetrapyrrole chromophore, can be converted between a red‐absorbing state (Pr) and far‐red‐absorbing state (Pfr). In bacterial phytochromes, either Pr or Pfr are the thermally stable states, thereby constituting the classes of prototypical and bathy phytochromes, respectively. In this work, we have employed vibrational spectroscopies to elucidate the origin of the thermal stability of the Pfr states in bathy phytochromes. Here, we present the first detailed spectroscopic analysis of RpBphP6 (Rhodopseudomas palustris), which together with results obtained for Agp2 (Agrobacterium tumefaciens) and PaBphP (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) allows identifying common structural properties of the Pfr state of bathy phytochromes, which are (1) a homogenous chromophore structure, (2) the protonated ring C propionic side chain of the chromophore and (3) a retarded H/D exchange at the ring D nitrogen. These properties are related to the unique strength of the hydrogen bonding interactions between the ring D N‐H group with the side chain of the conserved Asp194 (PaBphP numbering). As revealed by a comparative analysis of homology models and available crystal structures of Pfr states, these interactions are strengthened by an Arg residue (Arg453) only in bathy but not in prototypical phytochromes.
Sovereign Default Risk and Banks in a Monetary Union

This paper seeks to understand the interplay between banks, bank regulation, sovereign default risk and central bank guarantees in a monetary union. I assume that banks can use sovereign bonds for repurchase agreements with a common central bank, and that their sovereign partially backs up any losses, should the banks not be able to repurchase the bonds. I argue that regulators in risky countries have an incentive to allow their banks to hold home risky bonds and risk defaults, while regulators in other "safe" countries will impose tighter regulation. As a result, governments in risky countries get to borrow more cheaply, effectively shifting the risk of some of the potential sovereign default losses on the common central bank.
Regional effects or none? Firms' profitability during the Great Recession in Finland

We analyse the effects of the Great Recession (GR) on the profitability of firms located in the main cities versus in the rest of Finland. Based on earlier literature, various regional factors could affect firms' profitability in urban areas in comparison to periphery during a major export demand shock, such as what the GR was in Finland. Yet, there are both negative and positive location specific factors in play. We use micro-data from 2005 to 2010, and employ different profitability indicators and fixed effects panel regressions. Our results indicate that firm and sector level factors affected the profitability changes the most. Regional differences seem to stem mainly from a composition of firm and sector level factors.