Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The second United Kingdom Heart and Renal Protection (UK-HARP-II) Study: a randomized controlled study of the biochemical safety and efficacy of adding ezetimibe to simvastatin as initial therapy among patients with CKD.

BACKGROUND Evaluating the effects of decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels requires large randomized trials. In preparation for such a trial, we assessed the biochemical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of adding ezetimibe, 10 mg/d, to simvastatin, 20 mg/d, as initial therapy for such patients. METHODS Two hundred three patients (152 predialysis patients with creatinine levels > or = 1.7 mg/dL [> or = 150 micromol/L], 18 patients on peritoneal dialysis therapy, and 33 patients on hemodialysis therapy) were randomly assigned to the administration of simvastatin, 20 mg/d, plus ezetimibe, 10 mg/d; or simvastatin, 20 mg, plus placebo ezetimibe daily. RESULTS After 6 months, allocation to simvastatin monotherapy was associated with a 31-mg/dL (0.8-mmol/L) decrease in nonfasting LDL cholesterol levels compared with baseline. Allocation to simvastatin plus ezetimibe produced an additional 18-mg/dL (0.47-mmol/L) decrease in LDL cholesterol level, representing an incremental 21% reduction over that achieved with simvastatin monotherapy (P < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant effects of the addition of ezetimibe to simvastatin on triglyceride or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Ezetimibe was not associated with an excess risk of abnormal liver function test results or of elevated creatine kinase levels and did not impair absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. There were no serious adverse events caused by study treatment. CONCLUSION This 6-month study shows that the addition of ezetimibe to simvastatin, 20 mg/d, as initial therapy for patients with chronic kidney disease was well tolerated and produced an additional 21% decrease in LDL cholesterol levels. The clinical efficacy and safety of combination therapy in this population are now being assessed in a large randomized trial.
A Study of the Performance of a Cloud Datacenter Server

In a previous work, we presented a system which combines active solid state drives and reconfigurable FPGAs (which we called reconfigurable active SSD nodes, or simply RASSD nodes) into a storage-compute node that can be used by a cloud datacenter to achieve accelerated computations while running data intensive applications. To hide the complexity of accessing RASSD nodes from applications, we proposed in another work a middleware framework which handles all low-level interactions with the hardware. The Middleware Server (MWS), which manages a group of RASSD nodes, has the role of bridging the connection between a client and the nodes. In this paper, we present extensions to the MWS to enable it to operate within a collaborative cloud environment, and we develop a model to evaluate the performance of the collaborative MWS. This model represents a study of the utilization of three hardware resources of the MWS: CPU, memory, and network interface. For each, we derive the parameters that affect its operations, and propose formulas for its utilization. The results describe the capacity of a MWS, and hence can be used to decide on the number of MWSs in a collaborative cloud datacenter.
Stage of the organizational life cycle and competition as mediators of problem perception for

An empirical study based upon a sample of 645 small businesses assesses the relationship that life cycle stage and level of competition exhibit with the problems perceived to constrain small business strategic planning. Problems have been identified as either internal (cash flow) or external (competition); they have further been classified as either situational or core problems. Among the most prevalent problems reported by decision makers are customer contact, market knowledge, marketing planning, location, and adequacy of capital. A total of 16 problem areas were identified. Traditional wisdom offers the scenario where problems faced will vary as the organization progresses through the life cycle. Much of this research refutes conventional wisdom in that level of competition was determined to have more of an impact on problem perception.
Quantitating the synergistic effect of smoking and alcohol consumption with the micronucleus test on human buccal mucosa cells

The micronucleus test was applied to exfoliated cells of the buccal mucosa of four population groups: (A) non‐smokers and non‐drinkers of alcoholic beverages, (B) non‐smokers but alcohol drinkers, (C) smokers but non‐drinkers, and (D) smokers and drinkers. An elevated frequency of micronucleated buccal mucosa cells was observed only in group D (smokers and alcohol drinkers). When group D was subdivided according to the number of cigarettes smoked, the frequency of micronucleated buccal cells and the average number of micronuclei per cell appeared to depend upon cigarette consumption. An approximately eight‐fold increase of micronucleated mucosa cells was seen among alcohol drinkers who smoked three or more packs of cigarettes per day, and an approximately 4.2‐fold elevation was observed when one to two packs were consumed. Neither smoking alone of up to and over 60 cigarettes per day nor ethanol drinking alone of up to 1.21 per day led to a detectable elevation of micronucleated buccal mucosa cells. Whether the strong synergistic effect between smoking and alcohol consumption, as seen by the frequency of micronucleated buccal mucosa cells, is related to their synergistic effect in the induction of oral cancers is an intriguing but open question.
New York Stock Exchange Systems and Trading Procedures

This paper is an expanded and updated version of NYSE Working Paper "Orders, Trades, Reports and Quotes at the New York Stock Exchange. " The comments and opinions contained in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the directors, members or officers of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. This paper does not constitute an official statement and interpretation of Exchange rules and procedures and it has no legal standing. Whenever possible, the paper provides citations to official sources. Preface This paper provides a selective description of New York Stock Exchange systems, trading rules and procedures. The paper's primary objective is to provide researchers with a detailed institutional framework for studying quote and transaction data generated by U.S. securities trading. It is also meant to serve as a guide to the New York Stock Exchange system, for economics, business and legal scholars needing a reference aid for their research. Among the topics examined are: order entry and execution, trade and quote reporting, the audit trail, SuperDot, the Intermarket Trading System, crossing orders and the upstairs positioning of large block trades. The paper provides descriptions of New York Stock Exchange systems, rules and procedures that are constantly changing, as they were at the beginning of 1993.
Business strategies, HRM policies and organizational performance : evidence from the People's Republic of China

There are various perspectives for SHRM modelling, including the universal perspective, the contingent-perspective, the configurational perspective (Delery and Doty, 1996) and the contingent-configurational perspective (Lepak and Shaw, 2008). Empirical evidence supporting these modelling perspectives were collected from both developed and transitional economies, but most of the models built based on this evidence were static, which uncovered how HRM generated competitive advantage rather than sustainable competitive advantage. This thesis is aimed at building a dynamic model of SHRM depicting the process of sustainable competitive advantage generation. Drawing on the data collected via a survey in Beijing, this thesis's research question include, 1) What is the current state of the application of SHRM in the PRC, and the relationships between business strategies, HRM policies and organizational performance? 2) What are the elements and what is the structure of organizational performance, and what are the links between organizational performance elements? 3) What strategic roles does the HR function play in the organization? 4) How do organizational contextual factors influence the linkages in SHRM system? It was found, first, that HRM in the researched enterprises was undergoing a change to a strategic model. Second, links between business strategies, HRM and organizational performance were proved in Chinese settings. Third, it deconstructed organizational performance into HR outcomes, organizational outcomes, and financial accounting outcomes, and proved the hierarchical effects between HRM and financial accounting outcomes. Fourth, it linked organizational performance and strategic role of HR function in strategy formulation to business strategies, which made a dynamic SHRM model generating sustainable competitive advantage. Fifth, it empirically proved that HR not only helped in implementing strategies but was also involved in the strategy formulation process.
The study salt and drought tolerance of Sinorhizobium bacteria to the adaptation to alkaline condition

Salinity, alkalinity and drought stress are the major abiotic stresses hindering the productivity of alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) in arid and semi-arid regions. Therefore an ecological survey was conducted to characterize 600 Sinirhizobium strains of diverse geographical origin, isolated from the root nodules of alfalfa (Medicago Sativa). Rhizobial isolates were studied under free living conditions. Shinorhizobium sp. Tolerated yeast extract mannitol broth (YEB) containing 0, 1%, 2.5% and 4.5% salt (NaCl, wt/vol) for up 18 h of incubation at 30 C. Growth of Shinorhizobium sp. at 0 6000 water potential 0, -1, -2 and -3.5 M Pa (with PEG , wt/vol) for up 18 h of incubation at 30 C was 0 identical. The results showed that salinity and drought tolerance among isolates was significantly different. All isolates were grouped in two clusters: sensitive and tolerant based on their growth rate 6000 in YEB media containing different concentrations of NaCl and PEG . To obtain strains resistant to alkaline conditions (high pH range between 7-9) the medium was buffered with AMPD buffer, while for the low pH range between 4 and 5 it was buffered with 25 mM HOMOPIPES A positive correlation was found between the salt tolerance and the adaptation to alkaline pH.
A Theoretical Extension of the Technology Acceptance Model: Four Longitudinal Field Studies

The present research develops and tests a theoretical extension of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) that explains perceived usefulness and usage intentions in terms of social influence and cognitive instrumental processes. The extended model, referred to as TAM2, was tested using longitudinal data collected regarding four different systems at four organizations ( N = 156), two involving voluntary usage and two involving mandatory usage. Model constructs were measured at three points in time at each organization: preimplementation, one month postimplementation, and three months postimplementation. The extended model was strongly supported for all four organizations at all three points of measurement, accounting for 40%--60% of the variance in usefulness perceptions and 34%--52% of the variance in usage intentions. Both social influence processes (subjective norm, voluntariness, and image) and cognitive instrumental processes (job relevance, output quality, result demonstrability, and perceived ease of use) significantly influenced user acceptance. These findings advance theory and contribute to the foundation for future research aimed at improving our understanding of user adoption behavior.
In-Vivo and Fast Examination of Iron Concentration of Magnetic Nano-Particles in an Animal Torso via Scanning SQUID Biosusceptometry

To determine the iron concentration of administrated magnetic nano-particles in animals is essential for evaluation of arrival efficiency in target regions in biomagnetism studies. In this work, a high Tc superconucting quantum interference devices (SQUID) biosusceptometry with a scanning coil set is developed. The measurement principal is based on the AC susceptibility of magnetic nano-particles, and the low noise of 8 pT/√Hz at 400 Hz is characterized in unshielded environment. The dextran-coated magnetic nano-particle of 50 nm in diameter is administrated intravenously into Wistar male rats to demonstrate the in-vivo and fast examination feasibility of this instrument. The in-vivo results of heart region and liver region explained the reasonable biological phenomenon of magnetic nano-particles in animals. Good correlation of concentration-time curve between the induction-coupled-plasma (ICP) and in-vivo examination by AC susceptibility measurement in rat liver region until 4 hours after injection of magnetic naoparticle validates the in-vivo measurement of iron concentration. After 4 hrs post magnetic nanoparticle injection, the phagocyted magnetic nano-particles in liver tissue shows antiferromagnetism properties and explain the difference between the low in-vivo intensity by AC susceptibility measurement and high intensity by ICP.
Upregulation of autocrine-paracrine renin-angiotensin systems in chronic renovascular hypertension.

INTRODUCTION The mechanism by which hypertension is maintained in renovascular hypertension remains poorly defined. Because plasma angiotensin II does not correlate with blood pressure in RVH, we postulated that activation of tissue-specific autocrine-paracrine renin-angiotensin systems may upregulate local production of angiotensin II and maintain hypertension in chronic RVH. METHODS RVH was induced with a two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) rat model. Animals were killed at 1 or 12 weeks after surgery (acute or chronic RVH). Angiotensin II was quantitated with radioimmunoassay. Angiotensin II-type 1 (AT(1)) receptor density was determined with immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Blood pressure was significantly elevated in 2K1C animals compared with sham animals at 1 week (141 +/- 5 mm Hg versus 98 +/- 3 mm Hg; P <.0005) and at 12 weeks (164 +/- 14 mm Hg versus 110 +/- 7 mm Hg; P <.0005) after surgery. No significant difference was seen in plasma angiotensin II levels between 2K1C and control animals during acute (38.2 +/- 6.5 fmol/mL versus 27.6 +/- 6.8 fmol/mL; P = not significant) or chronic (40.1 +/- 17.4 fmol/mL versus 27.1 +/- 6.5 fmol/mL; P = not significant) RVH. During acute RVH, intrarenal angiotensin II was significantly increased in both the clipped (126.0 +/- 16.2 fmol/g versus 62.0 +/- 6.2 fmol/g; P <.005) and unclipped (78.9 +/- 6.3 fmol/g versus 39.9 +/- 2.5 fmol/g; P <.05) kidneys of 2K1C animals compared with control animals. Increased intrarenal angiotensin II levels persisted in chronic RVH in the clipped (147.4 +/- 37.7 fmol/g versus 59.2 +/- 8.7 fmol/g; P <.05) and unclipped (130.8 +/- 31.8 fmol/g versus 63.0 +/- 11.0 fmol/g; P <.05) kidneys of 2K1C animals compared with controls. Adrenal angiotensin II content of 2K1C animals was unchanged in acute RVH (493.7 +/- 51.4 fmol/g versus 522.6 +/- 80.5 fmol/g; P = not significant) but increased nearly three-fold over control animals during chronic RVH (1129.0 +/- 149.3 fmol/g versus 400.6 +/- 59.1 fmol/g; P <.0005). No significant difference in AT(1) receptor density was noted in renal tubules of clipped and unclipped kidneys or in the adrenal glands of 2K1C animals during acute or chronic RVH compared with control animals. CONCLUSION Tissue angiotensin II production is upregulated in the kidneys and adrenal glands in chronic RVH, and AT(1) receptor density is maintained in these tissues, providing a potential mechanism for maintenance of hypertension in RVH.
Spinning Works : Strategy Framing in the One-Shot Prisoner ’ s Dilemma Game

The one-shot prisoner’s dilemma game has a unique dominance-solvable equilibrium. While others have studied framing some aspects of the game under laboratory conditions, the effects of non-neutral strategy labels has received significantly less study. In this experiment, I compare the effects of non-neutral strategy labels to baseline conditions, under both complete and incomplete information conditions. Strategy labels influence how subjects act in a one-shot prisoner’s dilemma environment. While information condition seems to play little role in subject’s decisions, it seems to affect their ex post predictions of others’ behaviour.
Metabolic Aspects of Insulin Resistance in Individuals Born Small for Gestational Age

Numerous studies have shown an association between low weight at birth and being born small for gestational age (SGA) on the one hand and risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes on the other. Our studies in twins have indicated a non-genetic age-dependent origin of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes associated with being born SGA. In order to gain insight into the molecular metabolic defects and mechanisms linking SGA with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, we performed a series of experiments in young and elderly twins, and, in particular, in young men (aged 19–23 years) with a weight at birth at term in the lowest 10th percentile with no family history of diabetes. The control group included age-matched men with birth weights at term in the upper normal range. While body mass index and waist-to-hip ratios were similar in the individuals born SGA and controls, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry studies documented a higher degree of abdominal obesity in the men who had a low weight at birth. Using the gold standard hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp technique combined with glucose tracers and studies of forearm glucose uptake, we found an impairment of insulin-stimulated glycolytic flux and reduced forearm (muscle) glucose uptake in the face of normal whole-body glucose uptake. In addition, we found a significantly decreased insulin secretion rate during oral glucose ingestion after correction for insulin action (disposition index), a paradoxical enhanced insulin suppression of hepatic glucose production and lower fasting plasma glycerol levels, suggesting impaired lipolysis. Finally, analysis of skeletal muscle biopsies showed reduced muscle expression of several key proteins involved in insulin signalling and glucose transport, including protein kinase C-ζ, the two subunits of phosphoinositol 3-kinase (i.e., p85α and p110β) and the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter, Glut-4, in individuals of low birth weight. In conclusion, being born SGA and of low birth weight is associated with type 2 diabetes in a non-genetic manner, and programming of muscle insulin action and signalling represents an early mechanism responsible for this association.
Eeyarestatin I inhibits Sec61-mediated protein translocation at the endoplasmic reticulum

Production and trafficking of proteins entering the secretory pathway of eukaryotic cells is coordinated at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in a process that begins with protein translocation via the membrane-embedded ER translocon. The same complex is also responsible for the co-translational integration of membrane proteins and orchestrates polypeptide modifications that are often essential for protein function. We now show that the previously identified inhibitor of ER-associated degradation (ERAD) eeyarestatin 1 (ESI) is a potent inhibitor of protein translocation. We have characterised this inhibition of ER translocation both in vivo and in vitro, and provide evidence that ESI targets a component of the Sec61 complex that forms the membrane pore of the ER translocon. Further analyses show that ESI acts by preventing the transfer of the nascent polypeptide from the co-translational targeting machinery to the Sec61 complex. These results identify a novel effect of ESI, and suggest that the drug can modulate canonical protein transport from the cytosol into the mammalian ER both in vitro and in vivo.
Association between tau H2 haplotype and age at onset in frontotemporal dementia.

BACKGROUND The frontotemporal dementia (FTD) syndromes have been associated with the microtubule-associated tau protein since tau gene mutations have been demonstrated to be the cause of FTD and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17. In cases of FTD without tau gene mutations, however, it is unclear whether genetic variability in the tau gene is associated with the development or modulation of FTD. OBJECTIVE To determine whether genetic variability in tau and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) modulates and contributes to the development of FTD. Design and Patients The distribution of tau gene haplotypes and the ApoE genotype were investigated in 86 patients with well-characterized FTD and 50 control subjects. RESULTS No difference in the distribution of the tau H1 and H2 haplotypes between FTD cases and controls was observed, whereas the ApoE epsilon4 allele was more frequent in FTD cases. The presence of at least 1 tau H2 allele was found to be significantly associated with an earlier age of onset in patients with FTD. The association between the H2 allele and age at onset was not related to family history, clinical presentation, or ApoE genotype. CONCLUSION These findings support a role of tau protein in modulating disease phenotype by influencing the age at onset in these FTD cases.
Perceived Challenges of Growth in Micro Enterprises

Purpose - Identify the most frequent challenges of growth perceived by micro firms. Design/methodology/approach - The data was collected through 30 qualitative interviews, conducted in April and May of 2011. In addition, the data was analyzed in accordance of the different characteristics of the participating firms to identify patterns of the most frequent challenges of growth perceived by micro firms. Findings - The findings from this research implicates that challenges to grow in micro firms differs from different sectors, if the firms is enrolled within a business incubator or not, and according to the age of the firm. Research limitations/implications - This study may not be global since the research was fulfilled in Sweden. As the institutions and regulations might differ from other countries there are some common nominators that Sweden shares with other nations and regions for instance the financial system. Practical implications - Evidence from this research has shown that time is the most frequent perceived challenge to grow in micro firms, and that time is the foundation of many other perceived challenges. Originality/value - Researchers have stated that empirical findings on what affect micro firms growth has been neglected, the previous studies have been focusing on SMEs rather than micro enterprises.