Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technology Adoption, Job Matching Frictions and Business Creation

We study the impact of a General Purpose Technology that changes the cost structure turning fixed costs into variable ones in most sectors. A major recent example is cloud computing, whose adoption allows firms to avoid large up-front costs in IT and to rent computing capability online. We study the macroeconomic impact of the adoption of such an innovation in a DSGE model with endogenous market structures in the goods market and search and matching frictions in the labor market. To start a business, firms need to hire workers from the pool of unemployed agents and set up a stock of IT capital: the new technology allows them to rent computing capabilities reducing entry costs. Such an innovation can have a substantial impact on business and job creation.
Serum levels of endocan, claudin-5 and cytokines in migraine.

OBJECTIVE Endothelial dysfunction is involved in inflammatory disorders, migration, angiogenesis, and tumor progression. There is a known relationship between migraine and inflammation; however, there are conflicting data as to whether there is a link between migraine and endothelial dysfunction. The current study aimed to determine the relationships between migraine and levels of serum Endocan (ESM-1), Claudin-5 (CLDN5), IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, which are proven indicators of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in patients with migraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-one patients and 24 healthy subjects were included in this study. Participants underwent thorough physical and neurological evaluations, and levels of serum ESM-1, CLDN5, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured for each patient. RESULTS The levels of ESM-1, CLDN5, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly higher in the migraine attack group than in the control group (p: 0.006, p: 0.002, p: 0.002, p: 0.003, p: 0.036, respectively). Additionally, there were significant differences in the ESM-1 levels of the visual analog scale (VAS) subgroup (p = 0.041), and there were moderate differences in the CLDN5 levels of the VAS subgroup (p = 0.064). CONCLUSIONS High serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the migraine attack group indicate that inflammation plays a major role in migraine pathogenesis. In particular, the high ESM-1 and CLDN5 levels in patients with migraine suggest that inflammation should be investigated further, it may be a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of migraine.
Considerations on Romania's agro-food export and import by European Union country group and agro-food product group.

The goal of the paper was the analysis of Romania’s the agro-food export, import and trade balance by the EU country group and agro-food product group based on the statistical data in the year 2010 in order to identify the commercial relationships with a positive and respectively a negative impact of the trade balance. The EU trade partners were divided into 4 groups: Central Eastern (CE), Western (W), Northern (N) and Southern (S) EU countries and the agro-food product groups were: Live animals and preparations of animal origin, Vegetal products, Fats and oils of vegetal and animal origin, Food, beverages and tobacco. The data were processed using the share and comparison methods. In 2010, Romania registered a negative agro-food trade balance with a deficit of Euro thousand 903,148.This was due to the unefficient commerce with the CE and W EU countries, which together recorded Euro Thousand 1,400,298 deficit. The balance was positively influenced by the Southern EU trade partners whose contribution accounted for Euro thousand 513,953. Therefore, the agro-food trade has to be intensified with the Southern EU countries and to become more relaxed with the CE and W EU countries, especially regarding imports. Live animals are mainly required in the CE and W EU countries, vegetal products in the W and S EU countries, fats and oils in the CE and S EU countries, and finally, food, beverages and tobacco in the S and the CE EU countries. Agro-food imports have to be substantially diminished as long as Romania’ s agriculture is able to produce for the internal market and export has to be intensified especially with the countries with a positive impact on the trade balance.
Appendicitis: evaluation of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of US, Doppler US, and laboratory findings.

PURPOSE To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) of ultrasonography (US), Doppler US, and laboratory findings in the diagnosis of appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 125 consecutive patients suspected of having appendicitis were prospectively included for US appendiceal (diameter enlarged to 6 mm or greater, intraluminal fluid, lack of compressibility) and periappendiceal (periileal inflammatory changes, cecal wall thickening, periileal lymph nodes, peritoneal fluid) evaluation, Doppler US evaluation (appendiceal wall signal), and laboratory assessment (leukocytosis, C-reactive protein [CRP]). Definite diagnoses were established at surgery in 61 patients, at endoscopy with biopsy in two patients, and at clinical follow-up in 62 patients. RESULTS The prevalence of appendicitis was 46%. The appendix was identified with US in 86% of the patients, which included 96% of patients with and 72% of patients without appendicitis. The most accurate appendiceal finding for appendicitis was a diameter of 6 mm or larger, with a sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and PPV of 98%. The lack of visualization of the appendix with US had an NPV of 90%. The most accurate periappendiceal finding of appendicitis was the presence of inflammatory fat changes, with an NPV of 91% and a PPV of 76%, whereas other findings had both NPV and PPV less than 65%. An increase in both white blood cell (WBC) count and CRP level had a PPV of 71%, whereas combined normal WBC count and CRP value had an NPV of 84%. CONCLUSION A threshold 6-mm diameter of the appendix under compression is the most accurate US finding for appendicitis and has high NPV and PPV.
Transient heart failure in an adult with kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease is a mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome with important cardiovascular complications that usually afflicts young children. We describe a 31‐year‐old woman who developed transient heart failure during the acute phase of Kawasaki disease. The diagnosis was supported by the presence of all six criteria of the disease: fever, conjunctivitis, strawberry tongue, cervical lymphadenopathies, truncal exanthem, and periungual membranous desquamation. Related clinical and laboratory findings included heart failure, arthralgias, transverse nail grooves, thrombocytosis, and elevated serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and bilirubin. Alternative diagnoses were excluded. During her acute febrile illness, the patient developed tachycardia, hypotension, pulmonary rales, S3 gallop, and hepatojugular reflux. The chest roentgenogram showed new Kerley A and B lines. A first‐pass isotopic ventriculography showed diffuse hypokinesia and decreased ventricular ejection fractions; spontaneous recovery occurred after a few days. A coronarography performed two months later showed no aneurysmal dilatation. Kawasaki disease is a cause, albeit rare, of myocardial dysfunction in the adult human, and should be sought for actively in a patient with heart failure during the course of an acute febrile illness, associated with mucocutaneous changes.
A genetic polymorphism in connexin 37 as a prognostic marker for atherosclerotic plaque development

Abstract. Boerma M, Forsberg L, van Zeijl L, Morgenstern R, de Faire U, Lemne C, Erlinge D, Thulin T, Hong Y, Cotgreave IA (Karolinska Institute and Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm; Lund University, Lund, Sweden. Washington University School of Medicine, MO, USA). A genetic polymorphism in connexin 37 as a prognostic marker for atherosclerotic plaque development. J Intern Med 1999; 246: 211–218.
The effectiveness of a high-intensity games intervention on improving indices of health in young children

Abstract This study assessed the effectiveness of a 6-week, high-intensity, games-based intervention on physiological and anthropometric indices of health, in normal weight (n = 26; 32.5 ± 8.9 kg) and obese (n = 29; 49.3 ± 8.9 kg) children (n = 32 boys, 23 girls), aged 8–10 years. Children were randomised into an exercise or control group. The exercise group participated in a twice-weekly, 40 min active games intervention, alongside their usual school physical education classes. The control group did not take part in the intervention. Before and after the intervention, participants completed both a maximal and submaximal graded exercise test. The submaximal exercise test comprised of a 6 min, moderate- and 6 min heavy-intensity bout, interspersed with a 5 min recovery. The exercise group demonstrated improvements in maximal oxygen uptake (51.4 ± 8.5 vs 54.3 ± 9.6 ml · kg−1 · min−1) and peak running speed (11.3 ± 1.6 vs 11.9 ± 1.6 km · h−1), and a reduction in the oxygen cost of submaximal exercise between assessments (P < .05). A decrease in waist circumference and increase in muscle mass were observed between assessments for the obese participants randomised to the intervention (both P < .05). This study demonstrates that a short-term, high-intensity games intervention may elicit positive changes in physiological and anthropometric indices of health in normal weight and obese children.
Are there regional differences in gynecologic cancer outcomes in the context of a single-payer, publicly-funded health care system? A population-based study.

BACKGROUND Canada has a single-payer, publicly-funded health care system that provides comprehensive health care, and therefore significant disparities in health outcomes are not expected in our population. The objective of this study was to determine if differences exist in endometrial cancer outcomes across regions in Ontario. METHODS This was a population-based study of all endometrial (uterine) cancer cases diagnosed from 1996 to 2000 in Ontario and linked to various administrative databases. Univariate analyses examined trends in demographics (age, income, co-morbidities), treatment (surgical staging and adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy), and pathology (grade, histology, stage) across 14 geographic regions defined by local health integration networks (LHINs) in Ontario. Primary outcome was 5-year overall survival among LHINs, which were compared in a multilevel Cox regression model to account for clustering of patient data at the hospital level. RESULTS There were 3,875 evaluable cases with complete information on demographics, treatment, pathology, and outcomes. There was significant variation in patient demographics, treatment, and pathology across the 14 LHINs. Low income level and surgery at a low-volume, community hospital without gynecologic oncologists were not associated with a higher risk of death. There was a trend towards clustering of patients within hospitals. After adjustment for covariates, there was no significant difference in survival across LHINs. CONCLUSIONS In the context of a single-payer, publicly-funded health care system, we did not find significant regional differences in endometrial cancer outcomes.
Synthetic Peptides Derived from Ribosomal Proteins of Leishmania spp. in Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis: Diagnostic Usefulness.

BACKGROUND The serological diagnostic methods currently available for mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) lack specificity when complete parasites are used; however, such specificity increases when protein fractions are used. Ribosomal proteins have been reported to induce antibodies in animal and humans infected with the parasite, making them a worth candidate to assess its diagnosis potential. OBJECTIVE This study was thus aimed at evaluating synthetic peptides derived from Leishmania braziliensis ribosomal proteins S25 and S5 as antigen candidates for diagnosing MCL by ELISA Methods: It was used 8 and 13 peptides derived from ribosomal proteins 25 and S5 respectively as antigens in order to detect IgG antibodies by ELISA in people with active MCL, Chagas disease (CH) and autoimmune disease (AID). RESULTS 4 of these 21 peptides (P4, P6, P19 and P21) had the greatest sensitivity (21.7%, 13.04%, 20% and 20%, respectively) as well as having 95%, 100%, 100% and 82.5% specificity, respectively. CONCLUSION The study revealed the limited usefulness of the peptides being studied as a diagnostic tool in the conditions used here, because its low sensitivity, but it is worth highlighting that the use of peptides as antigen in the serodiagnosis of MCL may overcome the cross reaction presented with other antigens, thus avoiding false positives.
Analyzing a Listed Firm in Ghana for Early Warning Signs of Bankruptcy and Financial Statement Fraud: An Empirical Investigation of AngloGold Ashanti

This research moves beyond traditional ratio analysis to find out the possibility of bankruptcy and financial statement fraud at AngloGold Ashanti (AGA). An examination of the financial statements of the company for the years 2010 to 2012 was made with the use of Modified Altman and Beneish models. The modified Altman model is a predictor of bankruptcy. To discover the possibility of financial statement fraud, this research used the Beneish model. The examination of AGA’s financial reports with the Beneish model revealed the company was not engaged in financial statement fraud. The Altman model on the other hand, brought to the fore the financial distress the firm went through in the years under review. Keywords : Altman Z Score, Beneish M-Score, Fraud, Bankruptcy, Internal Control Systems
The Effect of Aegle marmelos Fruit Extract in Streptozotocin Diabetes

Aegle marmelos Correa. (Bael) fruit exhibit antidiabetic, antihyperlipidaemic and antioxidant properties. This study was designed to elucidate the protective effect of an aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos fruits on the histopathology of the pancreas in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of Aegle marmelos fruit extract at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg twice daily to diabetic rats for a period of 30 days resulted in a significant increase in body weight, weight of the pancreas and insulin levels associated with a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels. The fruit extract treated groups showed improved functional state of the pancreatic β-cells and partially reversed the damage caused by streptozotocin to the pancreatic islets. The findings of our study indicate that Aegle marmelos fruit extract exhibits protective effects on the pancreas. The effects observed in the fruit extract treated animals were better those in animals treated with glibenclamide (300 μg/kg).
Perception and practice of malaria prophylaxis in pregnancy among primary health care providers in Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Pregnant women and their unborn babies are especially vulnerable to malaria. Malaria infection during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of maternal anaemia, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, low birth weight and neonatal death. OBJECTIVE To assess knowledge and practice of malaria prophylaxis during pregnancy among primary health care providers in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria. METHODS Participants were randomly selected from primary health centres and private health facilities in two local governments within Ibadan municipality. All cadres of health professionals in the selected health facilities were interviewed using a semi-structured self -administered questionnaire. RESULTS Two hundred and eighty-seven participants selected from 42 primary healthcare facilities comprising of 48 (16.7%) CHEWs, 133 (46.3%) auxiliary nurses, 84 (29.3%) trained nurses and 22 (7.7%) medical doctors completed the questionnaires. Healthcare providers in private health facilities formed the bulk (80.5%) of respondents. Respondents' knowledge of malaria prevention strategies was generally poor across all professional cadres. Only 40 (13.9%) respondents had correct knowledge of WHO strategies. Awareness of IPT was significantly higher among respondents from public health facilities compared with private health facilities--93.0% versus 80.9% (p < 0.05) One hundred and fifty-six (54.4%) respondents knew the correct drug, dosage and timing of IPT. Only forty-six (16.0%) respondents were aware that at least three doses of IPT were required for HIV patients. Pyrimethamine was significantly more commonly prescribed in private health facilities compared with public health facilities (p < 0.05) Chloroquine was still commonly prescribed by respondents in public and private health facilities. The use of insecticide treated nets was recommended by 77.4% of respondents. CONCLUSION Knowledge about current malaria prevention strategies during pregnancy is poor among health care providers at the primary level of care. Efforts aimed at improving malaria prevention in the primary health care setting must incorporate providers in private health facilities who are responsible for a larger proportion of health care delivery at this level.
Structuring the IPO: Empirical Evidence on Primary, Secondary and Combined Offerings

We empirically study the forces that drive the primary and secondary portion of the shares placed in public during IPOs. Simultaneously, the results shed additional light on the motives for going public. The data show that the need for additional equity underlies primary and combined offerings. Also, firms use combined offerings to create market liquidity while overall firms with a primary portion stimulate information gathering by institutional investors. Pre-allocation and post-IPO data support these arguments. Somewhat surprisingly, in secondary offerings the diversification motive does not drive the deal structure; however, ex post these offerings show relatively higher control turnover.
Time-dependent changes in cortical excitability after prolonged visual deprivation

Transcranial magnetic stimulation applied to the occipital cortex can elicit phosphenes. Changes in the phosphene threshold provide a measure of visual cortex excitability. Phosphene threshold was measured in participants blindfolded for five consecutive days to assess the effects of prolonged visual deprivation on visual cortical excitability. After 48 h of blindfolding, an acute decrease in phosphene threshold was observed, followed by a significant increase by day 5. Phosphene threshold returned to preblindfold levels within 2 h of light re-exposure. Thus, light deprivation is characterized by a transient increase in visual cortical excitability, followed by a sustained decrease in visual cortex excitability that quickly returns to baseline levels after re-exposure to light.
Internet Business Models and Strategies: Text and Cases

From the Publisher: Despite the Internet's phenomenal impact on business and its reach across all sectors,no model has emerged for thoughtfully valuing companies' Internet efforts. In addition,strategies for effectively competing in this environment are just beginning to materialize. This book addresses both of these critical aspects of the Internet and offers business models and strategies for better understanding this important phenomenon. In the words of the authors,"The framework (presented here) allows users of the text to make more informed theory-based arguments as to how successful an Internet-based firm is likely to be,how much it might be worth,and the relative merits of formulating and implementing an Internet strategy for an established firm. "
acid ( 10 : 0 ) Alternaria solani Aspergillus nidulans Aspergillus fumigatus Candida albicans Cucumerinum lagenarium Fusarium oxysporum Kluyveromyces marxianus Microsporum gypseum Myrothecium verrucaria Penicillium commune Penicillium roqueforti Pichia anomala Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Saccharomyces 

Fatty acids are known to possess antibacterial, antimalarial and antifungal activity. The development of resistance of microbes, including fungi and yeasts, towards antimicrobial agents already in use, necessitates the search for alternative antimicrobials, including fatty acids and their derivatives (e.g. methylated and hydroxyl fatty acids). Although fatty acids may not be as effective as chemical fungicides, they pose less environmental risks. They are not only biodegradable, but exhibit a high degree of specificity. In addition, fatty acids are accepted food additives and importantly, pathogenic fungi are less likely to become resistant to antifungal fatty acids. The most important target of antifungal fatty acids is the cell membrane. They cause an increase in membrane fluidity, which will result in leakage of the intracellular components and cell death. Other targets include protein synthesis, which may be inhibited by myristic acid analogues, fatty acid metabolism as well as topoisomerase activity which may be inhibited by amongst others acetylenic fatty acids.
The product of uncI gene in F1Fo-ATP synthase operon plays a chaperone-like role to assist c-ring assembly

Bacterial operons for F1Fo-ATP synthase typically include an uncI gene that encodes a function-unknown small hydrophobic protein. When we expressed a hybrid F1Fo (F1 from thermophilic Bacillus PS3 and Na+-translocating Fo from Propionigenium modestum) in Escherchia coli cells, we found that uncI derived from P. modestum was indispensable to produce active enzyme; without uncI, c-subunits in F1Fo existed as monomers but not as functional c11-ring. When uncI was expressed from another plasmid at the same time, active F1Fo with c11-ring was produced. A plasmid containing only uncI and c-subunit gene produced c11-ring, but a plasmid containing only c-subunit gene did not. Direct interaction of UncI protein with c-subunits was suggested from copurification of His-tagged UncI protein and c-subunits, both in the state of c11-ring and c-monomers. Na+ induced dissociation of His-tagged UncI protein from c11-ring but not from c-monomers. These results show that UncI is a chaperone-like protein that assists c11-ring assembly from c-monomers in the membrane.
Successive Boolean Optimization of Planar Pixel Antennas

We propose a novel heuristic method for optimizing planar pixel antennas which we refer to as successive exhaustive Boolean optimization (SEBO). The key step in SEBO is to cyclically optimize a multivariable binary optimization problem by exhaustively searching a subset of binary variables. An adaptive version of SEBO is also introduced. We provide both simulation and experimental results for optimized antennas covering single and dual bands for mobile phone applications. Comparisons with genetic algorithms, binary particle swarm optimization, and angle modulate differential evolution are also provided and these show that SEBO and adaptive SEBO have up to 50% less computational complexity and can satisfy the design objective more consistently. A major advantage of SEBO and adaptive SEBO is that only one parameter needs to be set up for the optimization, while for evolutionary optimization two or more parameters usually need to be set up.
The Importance of Internal Integration for a Successful External Integration of the Supply Chain

Internal and external integration in the system of supply chain management are becoming more and more important for the performance of individual companies, or in a broader context, for the performance of all companies involved in the supply chain system. In this article we will present the importance of internal integration of two or more different departments within an organization for achieving better external integration of the supply chain – integration between all cooperative members in the same supply chain. Nowadays, the importance of internal and external integration is an important issue, which enables competitiveness of companies in the global market. To fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of internal and external integration one must understand their importance for a particular company or organization, whether viewing the focal company from the internal or external perspective, i.e. from the point of view of the company or from the point of view of the entire supply chain.