Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microcystin kinetics (bioaccumulation and elimination) and biochemical responses in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) exposed to toxic cyanobacterial blooms

Two species of common edible fish, common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), were exposed to a Microcystis spp. –dominated natural cyanobacterial water bloom for two months (concentrations of cyanobacterial toxin microcystin, 182–539 μg/g biomass dry wt). Toxins accumulated up to 1.4 to 29 ng/g fresh weight and 3.3 to 19 ng/g in the muscle of silver carp and common carp, respectively, as determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent immunoassay. Concentrations an order of magnitude higher were detected in hepatopancreas (up to 226 ng/g in silver carp), with a peak after the initial four weeks. Calculated bioconcentration factors ranged from 0.6 to 1.7 for muscle and from 7.3 to 13.3 for hepatopancreas. Microcystins were completely eliminated within one to two weeks from both muscle and hepatopancreas after the transfer of fish with accumulated toxins to clean water. Mean estimated elimination half‐lives ranged from 0.7 d in silver carp muscle to 8.4 d in common carp liver. The present study also showed significant modulations of several biochemical markers in hepatopancreas of fish exposed to cyanobacteria. Levels of glutathione and catalytic activities of glutathione S‐transferase and glutathione reductase were induced in both species, indicating oxidative stress and enhanced detoxification processes. Calculation of hazard indexes using conservative U.S. Environmental Protection Agency methodology indicated rather low risks of microcystins accumulated in edible fish, but several uncertainties should be explored.
Surface Based Object Detection in RGBD Images

Viewpoint variation is one of the main challenges for object-detection frameworks. In this work we describe strategies to improve object detection pipelines by introducing viewpoint based mixture components. We learn accurate mixtures of object detectors for RGB-Depth (RGBD) data using the latent SVM framework. Our contributions are threefold. First, we use surface-based object representations (3D mesh models) from available 3D object model repositories to learn strongly supervised viewpoint classifiers. These are used to guide the first stages of model learning, and help avoid inaccurate local minima of latent SVM training. Second, we develop a geometric dataset augmentation scheme that uses scene geometry to ‘take another look’ at the training data, simulating the effect of camera viewpoint changes. Third, to better exploit depth information, we develop a novel depth-based dense feature extraction method that provides a robust statistical description of scene geometry. We evaluate our learned detectors on the NYU dataset, and demonstrate that each of our advances results in systematic performance improvements over the traditional HOG-based detection pipeline.
Running head : BECK HOPELESSNESS SCALE 3 Construct validity of the Beck Hopelessness Scale ( BHS ) : A multitrait – multimethod approach

There is considerable debate about the underlying factor structure of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) in the literature. An established view is that it reflects a unitary or bi-dimensional construct in non-clinical samples. There are, however, reasons to reconsider this conceptualisation. Based on previous factor analytic findings from both clinical and nonclinical studies, the aim of the present study was to compare 16 competing models of the BHS in a large university student sample (N = 1, 733). Sixteen distinct factor models were specified and tested using conventional confirmatory factor analytic techniques, along with confirmatory bifactor modelling. A 3-factor solution with 2 method effects (i.e., a multitrait– multimethod model) provided the best fit to the data. The reliability of this conceptualisation was supported by McDonald's coefficient omega, and the differential relationships exhibited between the three hopelessness factors (‘Feelings about the Future’, ‘Loss of Motivation’, and ‘Future Expectations’) and measures of goal disengagement, brooding rumination, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt history. The results provide statistical support for a three-trait and two-method factor model, and hence the three dimensions of hopelessness theorised by Beck. The theoretical and methodological implications of these findings are discussed.
Studying Social Networks - A Guide to Empirical Research

"Studying Social Networks" provides a concise, introduction to empirical network research. Students and practitioners new to social research will find easily understandable learning goals, examples, and exercises all in one volume. The authors have integrated different disciplinary perspectives, while stressing the importance of substance-specific orientation when studying networks. Scholars will find "Studying Social Networks" a helpful tool not only for teaching, but also as a guide for their own empirical research.
Survival among patients with pancreatic cancer and long-standing or recent-onset diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE Long-standing diabetes is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer, and recent-onset diabetes in the several years before diagnosis is a consequence of subclinical pancreatic malignancy. However, the impact of diabetes on survival is largely unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed survival by diabetes status among 1,006 patients diagnosed from 1986 to 2010 from two prospective cohort studies: the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS). We validated our results among 386 patients diagnosed from 2004 to 2013 from a clinic-based case series at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI). We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for death using Cox proportional hazards models, with adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, diagnosis year, and cancer stage. RESULTS In NHS and HPFS, HR for death was 1.40 (95% CI, 1.15 to 1.69) for patients with long-term diabetes (> 4 years) compared with those without diabetes (P < .001), with median survival times of 3 months for long-term diabetics and 5 months for nondiabetics. Adjustment for a propensity score to reduce confounding by comorbidities did not change the results. Among DFCI patient cases, HR for death was 1.53 (95% CI, 1.07 to 2.20) for those with long-term diabetes compared with those without diabetes (P = .02), with median survival times of 9 months for long-term diabetics and 13 months for nondiabetics. Compared with nondiabetics, survival times were shorter for long-term diabetics who used oral hypoglycemics or insulin. We observed no statistically significant association of recent-onset diabetes (< 4 years) with survival. CONCLUSION Long-standing diabetes was associated with statistically significantly decreased survival among patients with pancreatic cancer enrolled onto three longitudinal studies.
Effects of growth hormone on fuel utilization and muscle glycogen synthase activity in normal humans.

To examine the insulin antagonistic effects of growth hormone (GH), seven healthy subjects underwent, in random order, two 5-h euglycemic clamp studies with moderate hyperinsulinemia. A GH infusion (45 ng.kg-1.min-1) was given throughout one of the studies. GH inhibited the insulin-stimulated glucose disposal by 27% from 4.4 +/- 0.7 to 3.3 +/- 0.4 mg.kg-1.min-1 (P less than 0.02) and raised the nonprotein energy expenditures (NPEE) from 18.7 +/- 0.5 to 20.5 +/- 0.3 kcal.kg-1.24 h-1 (P less than 0.03). Lipid oxidation contributed 71.7 +/- 5.6% of NPEE during the GH infusion as compared with 48.7 +/- 5.2% during the control clamp (P less than 0.02). In skeletal muscle biopsies, insulin binding to wheat germ agglutinin-purified insulin receptors and insulin receptor kinase activity were unaffected by GH infusion. Glycogen synthase activation by insulin was inhibited by 41% during the GH clamp (fractional velocity 14.1 +/- 2.5 vs. 8.3 +/- 1.4%, P less than 0.03). In conclusion, GH 1) increases energy expenditures and inhibits glucose oxidation in favor of an increased lipid oxidation, and 2) inhibits insulin-mediated activation of the glycogen synthase in skeletal muscle biopsies by a mechanism distal to insulin receptor binding and kinase activity.
Relation between Body-Esteem and Self-Esteem of Obese and Normal Children

36 elementary school children (20 subjects were below and 16 subjects above 15% overweight) completed a self-esteem and body-esteem questionnaire. The Body-esteem Scale was reliable and suitable for children as young as 7 yr. Body-esteem shared a significant amount of variance with self-esteem and percentage overweight. Although body-esteem and relative weight were correlated, self-esteem and relative weight were not significantly related. Furthermore, body-esteem and self-esteem were not differentially related for 20 normals versus 16 obese children in this sample.
Connecting product development and supply chain sub-processes to improve new product introductions: the impact of connection intensity and timing

ABSTRACT This study examines the intersections between Product Development (PD) and the Supply Chain (SC) and their impact on the performance of New Product Introductions (NPI). We employ a PD/SC interface that consists of multiple viable sub-process connections and explore conjectures from past research that (a) only a selected number of such connections may be necessary and (b) that some may be more valuable than others. We use survey data of new product introduction projects from a wide range of industries to test the conjectures. Based on a comparative analysis of PD/SC sub-process connection intensities, we detect five dyads and two polyads (multiway connections) with high connection intensity. We empirically test the performance impact of the high-intensity connections and find that increases in the intensity of the polyads, coupled with the right timing does improve NPI effectiveness. To provide the theoretical foundation that explains why selected sub-process connections should be implemented with high intensity, we map our findings onto the tenets of resource dependency theory (RDT) and information processing theory (IPT). We capture our findings in three propositions and discuss implications for future research and practice.
Role of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators for Dialysis Patients

The number of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing worldwide (Ansell et al., 2007; National Institutes of Health, 2009). Mortality is high with cardiac disease being the primary cause of death, especially in long-term dialysis patients (84.5 per 1000 patient years) (National Institutes of Health, 2009). Yearly mortality is ~4% in dialysis patients younger than 20 years but rises gradually to 35% in patients older than 65 years. Ventricular arrhythmias account for >60% of all sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) (Bleyer et al., 2006; Eknoyan et al., 2002; Wanner et al., 2005). A retrospective analysis of the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial showed a correlation between renal function and risk of SCD (Goldenberg et al., 2006). For each 10 unit reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the risk of all-cause mortality and SCD increased by 16% and 17%, respectively. Outcome after a cardiac arrest is poor. Most dialysis patients die immediately or within 30 days after a cardiac arrest (Herzog et al., 2005). Measures aimed at modifying risk factors and preventing this catastrophic outcome are urgently needed (De Bie et al., 2009; Passman et al., 2011; Young, 2011).
Debtholder Wealth Effects in Mergers and Acquisitions: Evidence from the CDS Market

This paper examines changes in acquirer and target companies’ Credit Default Swap (CDS) spreads as a proxy for default risk around official mergers and acquisitions (M&A) announce-ments. Related literature extensively documents wealth effects triggered by M&A from the shareholders’ perspective, but there is only a slight evidence on the wealth effects experienced by the transaction firms’ debtholders. Therefore, this study adds to the literature by exploring the impact of M&A announcements on CDS spreads empirically. A negative correlation between M&A and the development of the value of debt securities is increasingly being addressed as a central theme from the acquirer’s perspective. In contrast, the literature assumes that the target’s debtholders earn positive wealth effects from acquisition. Hence, we detect acquiring and target firms’ abnormal changes in CDS spreads between 2004 and 2016 as a basis for regression analyses. In this regard, we take deal characteristics as well as other determinants that could have influenced respective company’s credit risk into account. Our evidence suggests that M&A, on average, increase the acquiring firms’ default risk, but tend to improve the target firms’ risk position.
Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant activity of bark extracts of Terminalia arjuna

To uncover the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, five different extracts of Terminalia arjuna bark were examined. In the present study, the free radical scavenging potential of five extracts of the bark of Terminalia arjuna was assessed by measuring its capability for scavenging 2, 2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydrogen peroxide radical, nitric oxide radicals (NO), as well as its ability in reducing power capacity assessment, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, using appropriate assay systems compared to natural and synthetic antioxidants. Total antioxidant capacity, phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically. In DPPH free radical scavenging activity, the highest IC 50 value was showed by methanol extract with a value of 6.34 µg/ml followed by ethanol and petroleum ether having value of 7.76 and 25.63, respectively, as opposed to that of the scavenging effects of ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) of 5.698 and 8.816, respectively. Methanol extract showed highest activity having IC 50 value of 14.436 and 25.184 µg/ml in hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide scavenging assay, respectively. All the five fractions showed good reducing power and cupric reducing capacity with increasing concentration again taking methanol extract to the top position. The methanol extract yielded 817.488 ± 8.108 mg/g gallic acid equivalent phenolic content and 199.122 ± 8.282 mg/g Quercetin equivalent flavonoid content that was highest among five extracts. Methanol extract of T. arjuna was found to possess the highest total antioxidant capacity (415.925 ± 2.291) followed by ethanol (377.675 ± 1.889) mg/g Ascorbic Acid Equivalent, respectively. A linear correlation appeared between the total antioxidant capacity and the total phenolic contents of the extracts with good correlation coefficient (R 2 = 0.891). n-Hexane and chloroform extract showed least
Predicting depression, social phobia, and violence in early adulthood from childhood behavior problems.

OBJECTIVE This study examined childhood behavior problems at ages 10 and 11 years as predictors of young adult depression, social phobia, and violence at age 21 years. METHOD Data were collected as part of the Seattle Social Development Project, a longitudinal study of 808 elementary school students from high-crime neighborhoods of Seattle. Reports of childhood behavior problems were obtained from parents and children in fall 1985 and from teachers in spring 1986. Follow-up reports of violence and DSM-III-R depression and social phobia were collected from 765 respondents using standard survey items and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule in 1996. RESULTS The past-year prevalences of depressive episode and social phobia were 20% and 17%, respectively. Twenty-one percent of the respondents reported two or more violent acts in the past year at age 21 years. Several available measures of childhood behavior problems as reported by parents, teachers, and children predicted violence (e.g., conduct problems, oppositional defiance); the strongest positive predictor of young adult violence was self-reported conduct problems, whereas self-reported shyness inhibited later violence. Relatively few child behavioral problems predicted social phobia (e.g., shyness). Results showed that children who reported higher, relative to lower, levels of conduct problems were nearly four times more likely to experience a depressive episode in early adulthood. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest the potential value of intervening to reduce childhood conduct problems as a prevention strategy for not only violence but also depression.
Maintenance of Skin Integrity as a Clinical Indicator of Nursing Care

OBJECTIVE: To assess maintenance of skin integrity in hospitalized patients as a clinical indicator of quality nursing care. DESIGN: Descriptive correlational study. SETTING: 17 acute care urban and rural hospitals in Texas. PARTICIPANTS: 723 hospitalized patients from 33 medical-surgical units. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pressure ulcers since admission and nursing care practices per unit. MAIN RESULTS: Overall prevalence of pressure ulcers since admission (4.7%) was lower than previously reported for acute care settings. Prevalence of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients (10%) was higher than found in the Texas Nurses Association feasibility study (3.7%). The skin integrity ratio was strongly correlated for several unit variables, including number of beds per unit (r = 0.623) and average daily census per unit (r = 0.909). Benchmarking data across units showed that units with subjects that maintained skin integrity had a lower percentage of patients assessed on admission and performed daily assessments less frequently than did the units with subjects that did not maintain skin integrity. In addition, the units with subjects that maintained skin integrity classified fewer patients as at risk for pressure ulcer development and did not implement a skin care protocol for these patients. CONCLUSION: Patients who developed a pressure ulcer after admission were older and had more risk for pressure ulcers than those who maintained skin integrity. Benchmarking data detected various differences in nursing care. Significant relationships between study variables demonstrate the importance of assessing clinical indicators to monitor nursing care. Outcomes such as skin integrity, pressure ulcer since admission, and nosocomial ratio represent the quality of nursing care.
A Meta-Analysis of the Investment-Uncertainty Relationship

In this article we use meta-analysis to investigate the investment-uncertainty relationship. We focus on the direction and statistical significance of empirical estimates. Specifically, we estimate an ordered probit model and transform the estimated coefficients into marginal effects to reflect the changes in the probability of finding a significantly negative estimate, an insignificant estimate, or a significantly positive estimate. Exploratory data analysis shows that there is little empirical evidence for a positive relationship. The regression results suggest that the source of uncertainty, the level of data aggregation, the underlying model specification, and differences between short- and long-run effects are important sources of variation in study outcomes. These findings are, by and large, robust to the introduction of a trend variable to capture publication trends in the literature. The probability of finding a significantly negative relationship is higher in more recently published studies.
Evaluating credit accessibility predictors among small and medium contractors in the South African construction industry

The importance of small and medium construction enterprises (SMEs) in the South African economy has been recognised. However, construction SMEs are faced with difficulties in accessing credit from financial institutions. Furthermore, past research has failed to reach consensus on the demographic and socio-economic factors that predict credit accessibility for construction SMEs in South Africa. This study determines the predicting demographic and socio-economic factors for credit accessibility for construction SMEs from financial institutions in South Africa. A quantitative research approach was used and data was collected, using a questionnaire survey from 250 construction SMEs who were conveniently sampled. The demographic and company profile factors predicting credit accessibility were modelled and set as the independent variables with credit accessibility to the construction SMEs as the dependent variable, irrespective of the amount obtained from financial institutions. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the predictors of obtaining credit. In the first model, the results revealed that the credit accessed irrespective of the amount and those who did not receive credit at all, when modelled with the conceptualised predictors suggested, showed no significant predictors of obtaining credit. However, in the second model, when the conceptualised predictors were modelled with full and partial credit, the results established that age group, current position in the organisation, tax number and location were good predictors of obtaining full credit. The findings of this study cannot be generalised across South Africa, as the study was conducted only in the Gauteng province. The value of this study informs owners of SMEs in the construction industry to provide their age and current position in the organisation when applying for credit. They should also provide the tax number and the location of the business in order to improve their chances of obtaining full credit from financial institutions. Keywords : Credit accessibility, determinants of credit accessibility, full credit, small and medium enterprises
Adoption Level of Improved Dairy Farming Technologies by Peri-urban Dairy Farmers in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu

A study was undertaken to assess the adoption level of improved dairy farming technologies by farmers in peri-urban areas of Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. To this survey, a sample of 120 dairy farmers was selected randomly from 10 peri-urban villages located in and around 10 km radius of the urban areas of Thanjavur city. The analysis of the data revealed that overall, 41.67 per cent of the farmers had medium level of adoption improved dairy management practices, followed by low (35.00%) and high (23.33%) extent of adoption. The results of the logit model showed that the χ2 was 118.09, meaning that the model was statistically significant. Among the chosen independent variables presumed to be the determinants of adoption level of improved dairy farming technologies by peri-urban dairy farmers, the factors viz., educational level of the farmers (5 % level), milk production and economic motivation (1 % level) were found to be statistically significant. This indicates that the increase in educational status of the respondents and milk production in animal would favour respondents to adopt improved dairy farming technology in peri-urban areas. Proper motivation, availability of need based technologies and related information at doorstep, regular organisation camps on different dairy management practices in peri-urban areas would help to adopt improved dairy farming technologies as suggested by the farmers.