Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individual Consequences of Internal Marketing

Abstract Since the emergence of the concept of internal marketing in the literature there have been almost 40 years. This period was marked by a constant increase of the concerns in the internal marketing area, these efforts being evidenced by the publication of a consistent number of articles (conceptual and empirical) which analyze this subject. Considering the previous empirical studies, most of them have focused on studying the relationship between internal marketing and employee satisfaction and / or organizational commitment. However, the relationship between internal marketing and its consequences has been less analyzed in the context of emergent economies. In this paper we aimed to analyze the individual consequences of the internal marketing in the Romanian economy context, focusing our attention on three constructs: employee satisfaction, organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior. The research was conducted on a sample of 83 medium and large companies in various sectors of the Romanian economy. In order to proceed with the statistical data analyses we followed these steps: verifying the scales reliability, determining factor loadings and research hypotheses testing. Our research results are consistent with results of previous studies showing that the adoption of internal marketing practice has a positive effect on employee satisfaction, organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior
Immediate preoperative nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer: a warning.

CONTEXT Weight loss and malnutrition are disorders observed in colorectal cancer patients. OBJECTIVES We sought to evaluate the immediate preoperative nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS This is a cross-sectional clinical study conducted at a single center. Sixty-six consecutive patients in preoperative for elective surgical treatment were studied. The clinical history, socio-demographic data and nutritional status of the patients were evaluated using Subjective Global Assessment and objective (anthropometry) methods. The primary outcome measures were nutritional status classification as nourished or malnourished and the relationship between nutritional status and socio-demographic and clinical features. RESULTS Most of patients exhibited left colon tumors and disease stage II. According to the Subjective Global Assessment, 36.4% of patients were malnourished. Malnutrition ranged from 7.6% to 53% depending on the evaluation method used, with poor correlation to Subjective Global Assessment. The prevalence of malnutrition was significantly greater in females and non-married patients and in those with two or more symptoms of colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS More than a third of patients in the immediate preoperative period for colorectal cancer exhibited malnutrition. Therefore, routine nutritional assessment is highly advisable so that appropriate measures may be taken to minimize the potential postoperative complications.
Iron Intake and Risk of Ovulatory Infertility

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether iron supplement use or greater intake of total, heme and nonheme iron is associated with lower risk of ovulatory infertility. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study among 18,555 married, premenopausal women without a history of infertility who attempted a pregnancy or became pregnant between 1991 and 1999 (mean baseline age±standard deviation 32.6±3.6). Diet was assessed twice during follow-up and prospectively related to the incidence of infertility due to ovulatory disorder. RESULTS: During the 8 years of follow-up, 438 women reported infertility due to ovulatory disorder. Women who consumed iron supplements had a significantly lower risk of ovulatory infertility than women who did not use iron supplements (relative risk 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.39–0.92), after adjusting for potential confounders. Total nonheme iron intake, primarily consumed as multivitamins and iron supplements, was inversely associated with the risk of infertility (relative risk Quintile 1 compared with 5, 95% confidence interval 0.39–0.92; P, trend .005.) Heme iron intake was unrelated to ovulatory infertility in multivariable adjusted analyses. CONCLUSION: Consumption of iron supplements and nonheme iron from other sources may decrease the risk of ovulatory infertility. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2
The Nature of Entrepreneurship and its Determinants: Opportunity or Necessity?

Within the institutional theory of North (1990, 2005), the objective of this study is to analyse the impact of economic and institutional factors, formal and informal, in the entrepreneurial activity of nations, particularly in Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA). In order to evaluate the simultaneous influence of economic and institutional factors on the entrepreneurial activity, a multiple regression approach is used with cross-country data sets. The results show that TEA is negatively related to infrastructural capacity and political stability of a country, and positively related to government spending and freedom of expression and corporate associations (Voice & Accountability) at a country level. It is also tested the relationship between TEA and GDP per capita. Our results confirm a convex relationship between the two variables giving evidence that the entrepreneurial activity is mostly necessity driven rather than motivated by opportunity.
EOQ principle analysis of benefit consistency of supply and demand based on comprehensive cost of quality

This paper presents a conceptual framework for economics of quality (EOQ) principle analysis based on comprehensive cost of quality (CCQ) which improved the traditional cost of quality (COQ) model. Firstly, the paper establishes the CCQ model. Then, relationship schemes between quality level and relevant costs are given. At last, the value engineering is introduced into the process of EOQ principle analysis and the mathematical model of EOQ principle analysis is established by compositing the value orientation from both enterprise and customer. The most appropriate quality level interval can be gotten by the EQQ model which is helpful for enterprises to select the most suitable quality level in market competition environment, and maximise revenue for both sides of supply and demand.
Temporal Lobectomy: Review of 100 Cases with Major Hippocampectomy

ABSTRACT: One hundred consecutive patients between 1961 and 1980, with temporal lobectomy including excision of half or more of the hippocampal formation, have been analyzed for degree of reduction of seizures. Thirty-nine percent have become and remained seizure free for follow-up period of 2 to 24 years (median 12 years). Another 24 patients achieved a marked reduction in seizure tendency as defined in the report and 25 showed a lesser degree of improvement. In fifteen patients no change in seizure frequency was recorded. Thus in this series of 100 patients, a complete or marked reduction of the seizure tendency was achieved in 63%.
The clinical and radiological outcome of the rotating hinged knee prostheses in the long-term.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Opinions about hinged knee prostheses vary a lot in different studies. We wanted to examine our series in order to gain long-term information about this kind of knee prosthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-eight (18 Kinematic Hinge and 30 Link Endo Model) rotating hinged knee prostheses were implanted in the Hospital of Invalid Foundation. All knees were retrospectively followed up for an average of 66.3 months and examined for clinical or radiological factors indicating the overall outcome. RESULTS In the latest review there were 10 patients (20.8%) regarded as having unsatisfactory and 35 patients (79.2%) satisfactory results. Eighty-four per cent of the patients were subjectively satisfied with the operation, mostly because of the painless result. CONCLUSIONS Taking into account the very poor initial status of these patients, we recommend the rotating hinged prostheses still to be used in severely instable knees awaiting revision.
Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes from Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Express Functional IL-15 Receptor Complex: Endogenous IL-15 in Autocrine Fashion Enhances Cell Proliferation and Expression of Bcl-xL and Bcl-21

The hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are leukocytic infiltration of the synovium and expansiveness of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). The abnormal proliferation of FLS and their resistance to apoptosis is mediated, at least in part, by present in RA joints proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors. Because IL-15 exerts properties of antiapoptotic and growth factors, and is produced by RA FLS, we hypothesized that IL-15 participates in RA FLS activation. To test this hypothesis, we first examined whether RA FLS express chains required for high affinity functional IL-15R. Indeed, RA FLS express IL-15Rα at mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, we confirmed the presence of IL-2Rβ and common γ-chains. Interestingly, TNF-α or IL-1β triggered significant elevation of IL-15Rα chain at mRNA and protein levels. Next, we investigated the effects of exogenous or endogenous IL-15 on Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression, FLS proliferation, and apoptosis. Exogenous IL-15 enhanced RA FLS proliferation and increased the level of mRNA-encoding Bcl-xL. To test the role of endogenous IL-15 in the activation of RA FLS, an IL-15 mutant/Fcγ2a protein exerting properties of specific antagonist to the IL-15Rα chain was used. We found that blocking IL-15 biological activities using this protein substantially reduced endogenous expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and RA FLS proliferation that was reflected by increased apoptosis. Thus, we have demonstrated that a distinctive phenotype of RA FLS, i.e., persistent activation, proliferation, and resistance to apoptosis, is related to the autocrine activation of IL-15Rs by FLS-derived IL-15.
Bone Marrow Metastases from a 1p/19q Co-deleted Oligodendroglioma - A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Metastasis of oligodendroglioma outside of the central nervous system (CNS) is a very rare event. CASE We describe in detail the clinical story of a 50-year-old woman diagnosed with profound pancytopenia and signs of extramedullary hematopoiesis caused by diffuse bone marrow replacement by a metastatic oligodendroglioma. RESULTS Upon development of pancytopenia, a diagnostic bone marrow examination revealed the presence of metastatic oligodendroglial cells. No others sites of malignant dissemination were found outside the CNS. Despite best supportive care, the patient died three weeks after diagnosis of myelophthisis. CONCLUSION Extracranial metastases from CNS oligodendroglioma are a very rare event but can be the cause of bone marrow failure.
Testis size depends on social status and the presence of male helpers in the cooperatively breeding cichlid Julidochromis ornatus

Cooperatively breeding animals, in which helpers may participate in reproduction with dominant breeders, are ideal species for examining intraspecific variation in testis size because they often exhibit both monogamous breeding (low risk of sperm competition) and polyandrous breeding (high risk) within a population. However, little is known about testis investment as a result of sperm competition in these animals. The substrate-brooding cichlid fish Julidochromis ornatus has a cooperatively breeding system, in which some males mate monogamously and other males reproduce as dominant breeders or helpers within cooperatively breeding groups, in which male helpers frequently sire young. We examined the relationship between testis investment and male social status in relation to the risk of sperm competition. As predicted from sperm competition models, in groups with male helpers, both the male breeders and the male helpers invested more in testes mass, compared to breeding males without male helpers. We also found a positive relationship between the testes mass of male breeders and their male helpers, suggesting that males increase their investment in reproductive capability under the risk of sperm competition. Sperm competition models also predict that larger testes are associated with increased siring success. Our paternity analysis supported this prediction; we found a positive relationship between testis investment by male helpers and the number of offspring they sired. Copyright 2006.
On Smallholder Farmers' Exposure to Risk and Adaptation Mechanisms: Panel Data Evidence from Ethiopia

Using a moment based approach, introduced by Antle for producers’ risk behavior elicitation, we develop an empirical model to evaluate the implication of risk preferences on farm level diversification. For the purpose, we use a household level panel data of years 2004 and 2009 from Ethiopia. The estimation is done in two stages; the first one for the elicitation of risk aversion behavior of farm households and the second one, for the inclusion of the first estimate on the factors that determine the level of on-farm diversification. To control for endogeneity problem in the estimation of diversification equation, we use efficient two stage least squares technique. We find that farmers with higher level of relative risk premium will more likely opt for more on-farm diversification. The engagement of farm households to off and non-farm income generating activities could likely reduce the on-farm diversification level. These could be due to the fact that households with income from off and non-farm activities use this income as a safety net and go for specialized farms.
Economic, Institutional & Political Determinants of FDI Growth Effects in Emerging & Developing Countries

This study investigates the role of income levels, using the World Bank income classification, and political development, using EIU Democracy Index scores, in determining the magnitude of FDI growth effects for a panel of 61 emerging and developing countries for the period 1989 to 2013. It tests a baseline growth model incorporating these variables which is then extended to include FDI interaction effects with human capital, measured using secondary school enrolment data, and political development. The separate growth effects of FDI are then tested separately for each of the three lower World Bank income classifications (Upper-Middle, Lower-Middle and Low Income) followed by three categories of political regime type derived from Democracy Index. The effects of FDI are found to vary significantly between income classifications with the strongest growth effects in Low Income countries and weaker negative effects in Upper-Middle Income countries. The growth interaction effects between FDI and human capital are found to be strongly positive regardless of regime type. Political development in conjunction with FDI appears to suppress the growth effects of FDI in authoritarian countries while enhancing them in â€˜hybridâ€™ democracies. For more democratic countries, human capital is a more important driver of growth than FDI but this is the outcome of strongly positive interaction effects between FDI and human capital outweighing negative effects for human capital on its own. The paper also provides some support for the view that a critical threshold of human capital is required to generate beneficial spillover growth effects from inflows of FDI. This paper provides new and more detailed insights into the growth effects of FDI with particular respect to income classification and political regime type in emerging and developing countries.
homB Status of Helicobacter pylori as a Novel Marker To Distinguish Gastric Cancer from Duodenal Ulcer

ABSTRACT The hom family of Helicobacter pylori outer-membrane proteins, especially the homB gene, has been suggested as a novel virulence factor; however, the clinical association and function of this gene are still unclear. We evaluated the presence of the homA, homB, and cagA genes in 286 strains isolated from patients in the U.S. and Colombian populations (126 with gastritis, 96 with duodenal ulcer, and 64 with gastric cancer) by PCR. The results were compared with the clinical presentation and gastric injury. The prevalence of the homB gene was significantly higher in strains isolated from gastric-cancer patients (71.9%) than in those from duodenal ulcer patients (52.1%) (P = 0.012). In a multivariate analysis, the presence of the cagA gene significantly increased the risk for developing gastric cancer and duodenal ulcer, with the presence of the homB gene acting as a factor that could distinguish gastric cancer from duodenal ulcer (adjusted odds ratio, 3.033; 95% confidence interval, ∼1.37 to ∼6.73). cagA status was correlated with homB status (r = 0.323; P < 0.01). A histological analysis showed that cagA status was associated with inflammation and atrophy both in the antrum and in the corpus, while homB status was associated with inflammation and atrophy in the corpus. homB gene status might be susceptible to gastric-cancer development such that the homB gene is used as a factor for discriminating the risk of gastric cancer from that of duodenal ulcer.
Effect of Bond Rating on Share Prices

Credit-rating agencies play a key role in financial markets by helping to reduce the informative asymmetry between lenders and borrowers regarding the creditworthiness of the latter. While the various bond-rating areas have been extensively evaluated for mature markets, similar evidence for emerging markets, such as India, is limited. In particular, the issues relating to know the efficiency of stock markets to assimilate bond-rating changes announcements made by rating agencies from time to time have been ignored. The present article constitutes an attempt in this direction to examine the effects of rating changes announcements on share prices in India. This article has examined the announcement effects of bond-rating changes on equity share prices in India during the six-year period, 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2008. Using a sample of ratings of 117 long-term debt instruments from 98 companies, the announcement effects have been examined by using event-study methodology. The empirical evidence indicates that the improved (deteriorated) financial and operating conditions of the companies were realized by the investment community before the ratings were changed by the bond-rating agency.
Chronic Pancreatitis: Early Results of Pancreatoduodenectomy and Analysis of Risk Factors

Objectives: Although mortality after pancreatoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis has declined, the complication rate remains high. Today, there is an increasing need to base clinical decisions on the available scientific evidence to provide the best available treatment for the patients. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed comprehensive preoperative and postoperative characteristics of patients undergoing pancreatic head resection for chronic pancreatitis and performed an outcome analysis to provide prospective selection or managing criteria that could improve the early surgical results. Methods: Data from 168 patients who underwent pancreatic head resection for chronic pancreatitis between October 1993 and November 2008 in our center were retrospectively analyzed. Risk factors for surgical complications were evaluated by multivariate analysis. Results: Perioperative mortality was 0.6%, and surgical morbidity was 14.3%. Multivariate analysis identified hypertension as significant independent risk factor for surgical complications with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.24. We also found protective factors, namely, preoperative exocrine insufficiency (OR, 0.33) and preoperative diabetes (OR, 0.18). Both protective factors might indicate an advanced chronic pancreatitis. Conclusions: As patients undergoing pancreatic head resection are highly selected, the identified risk factors should only individually be considered in the decision to operate.
Intrathecal Baclofen for Management of Spastic Cerebral Palsy: Multicenter Trial

Intrathecal baclofen infusion has demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing spasticity of spinal origin. Oral antispasticity medication is minimally effective or not well tolerated in cerebral palsy. This study assessed the effectiveness of intrathecal baclofen in reducing spasticity in cerebral palsy. Candidates were screened by randomized, double-blind, intrathecal injections of baclofen and placebo. Responders were defined as those who experienced an average reduction of 1.0 in the lower extremities on the Ashworth Scale for spasticity. Responders received intrathecal baclofen via the SynchroMed System and were followed for up to 43 months. Fifty-one patients completed screening and 44 entered open-label trials. Lower-extremity spasticity decreased from an average baseline score of 3.64 to 1.90 at 39 months. A decrease in upper-extremity spasticity was evidenced over the same study period. Forty-two patients reported adverse events. Most common reports were hypotonia, seizures (no new onset), somnolence, and nausea or vomiting. Fifty-nine percent of the patients experienced procedural or system-related events. Spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy can be treated effectively by continuous intrathecal baclofen. Adverse events, although common, were manageable. (J Child Neurol 2000;15:71-77).
An Atypical Presentation of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: Diagnostic Dilemma in a Critical Care Setting

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening condition associated with the use of neuroleptic agents and is characterized by a clinical syndrome of mental status change, muscle rigidity, fever, and autonomic instability. [1][1] We present a case of NMS in a patient on neuroleptic
Circular dichroism spectroscopy reveals invariant conformation of guanine runs in DNA.

We demonstrate that the characteristic circular dichroism (CD) features of the parallel-stranded DNA tetraplex of d(G4), especially the strong band at 260 nm, are characteristic for the B and A forms of the antiparallel duplex of d(C4G4). Hence, this band evidently originates from intrastrand guanine-guanine stacking, which is therefore very similar in the duplex and tetraplex DNA. In addition, the same type of the CD spectrum is provided by the ordered single strand of d(GA)10. This observation suggests that the ordered single strand of d(GA)10 is stabilized by a core of guanines stacked like in the parallel tetraplex. This view is used to start the modeling of the molecular structure of the ordered d(GA)10 single strand. Our studies suggest that guanine itself is strong enough to stabilize various secondary structures of DNA, which is a property relevant to thinking about the origin and evolution of molecular replicators.