Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) induces apoptosis of colonic mucosa in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-treated rats: a possible mechanism of the anticarcinogenic effect by CLA

One of the objectives of the present study was to investigate whether 1 % conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in the diet reduced tumour incidence in the colon of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-treated rats. Colon cancer was induced by injecting 6-week-old, male, Sprague–Dawley rats with 15 mg/kg DMH twice per week for 6 weeks. They were fed either 1 % CLA or a control diet ad libitum for 30 weeks. Dietary CLA significantly decreased colon tumour incidence (P<0·05). Our second objective was to investigate whether apoptosis in the colon mucosa of DMH-treated rats was affected by the amount of dietary CLA and whether the changes in apoptosis were related to those in fatty acid-responsive biomarkers. For this purpose, rats were killed after being fed a diet containing 0 %, 0·5 %, 1 % or 1·5 % CLA for 14 weeks. CLA was undetected in the mucosa of rats fed the 0 % CLA diet and increased to 5·9 mg/g phospholipid in rats fed the 0·5 % diet. The apoptotic index estimated by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick and labelling technique was increased by 251 % and the 1,2-diacylglycerol content was decreased by 57 % in rats fed 0·5 % CLA. No further changes in these variables were observed when CLA in the diet was raised to 1·0 % or 1·5 %. However, dietary CLA decreased mucosal levels of prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2 and arachidonic acid in a dose-dependent manner. The present data indicate that dietary CLA can inhibit DMH-induced colon carcinogenesis by mechanisms probably involving increased apoptosis.
Pengaruh Kompleksitas Audit, Tekanan Anggaran Waktu, dan Pengalaman Auditor terhadap Kualitas Audit dengan Variabel Moderating Sistem Informasi (Studi Empiris pada Kantor Akuntan Publik di Pekanbaru, Medan dan Padang)

This study aims to examine the effect of audit complexity, budget pressures of time, and experience of auditors on audit quality by moderating variable understanding of information systems. The population in this study were senior auditors and junior auditors in the firm in Pekanbaru, Medan and Padang, with a total population of 99 auditors. The samples are taken using simple random sampling method, so the number of samples obtained from the calculation formula of determining the total sample of 50 respondents. Primary data collection method used is questionnaire method. Of the 99 questionnaires distributed there are 59 questionnaires returned and used as a sample. The data analysis technique used in this test is multiple regression and regression interactions. Results of hypothesis testing in this study show that, the variable complexity of the audit time budget pressures and experience of auditors variable effect on audit quality. The moderating variable understanding of the interaction of information systems of the variable complexity of the audit time budget pressures and experience of auditors no effect on audit quality. Keywords: Audit, Budget, Auditors, Information Systems and Quality.
Do Agency Costs Matter for Optimal Capital Structure?

I show that agency costs are irrelevant in determining optimal capital structure, in the sense that variations in capital structure induced by agency costs have no impact on firm value, if all agents have common and rational prior beliefs about future states of the world, project-choice control can be costlessly allocated to any party in each state, and there are no taxes. This conclusion is robust to assuming that only the manager can have project-choice control or that the only outsiders with project-choice control are the bondholders or that states are unobservable to any party that does not have project choice control. However, when the common-prior-beliefs assumption is dropped and the model is extended to allow equally-informed agents to disagree over firm value, a link emerges between capital structure and firm value even if allocating state-contingent project-choice control to any party is costless.
Entertainment and music magazine reading and binge drinking among a group of juvenile offenders

This study examines the relative contribution of exposure to entertainment and music magazines on binge drinking among a group of teenagers under the supervision of a juvenile court system in a medium-sized western United States community. Despite having a large proportion of adolescent readers, entertainment and music magazines typically include a substantial number of advertisements for alcoholic beverages in each issue. Data were collected via a self-report questionnaire administered to 342 juvenile offenders (ages 12-18 years). Three-quarters of our respondents reported they have used alcohol and about 37% indicated they were binge drinkers. As anticipated, binge drinkers were more frequent readers of entertainment and music magazines than non-binge drinkers. Binge drinkers also estimated that larger portions of their classmates used alcohol and would be more accepting of regular drinking than non-binge drinkers. Results of a multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict whether our subjects typically consumed five or more drinks during a drinking episode indicated that perceived ease of access, age, gender, the number of best friends who drink, parental drinking (inversely), and entertainment and music magazine reading frequency were significant predictors of binge drinking. We conclude that the predictive influence entertainment and music magazine reading frequency may actually reflect a selectivity bias among a segment of the youth sub-culture already inclined toward alcohol use and abuse. We recommend that entertainment and music magazine reading should be considered only within the constellation of other risk factors when assessing risk for potential alcohol abuse.
Indirubin-3′-monoxime suppresses amyloid-beta-induced apoptosis by inhibiting tau hyperphosphorylation

Indirubin-3′-monoxime is an effective inhibitor of cyclin-dependent protein kinases, and may play an obligate role in neuronal apoptosis in Alzheimer′s disease. Here, we found that indirubin-3′-monoxime improved the morphology and increased the survival rate of SH-SY5Y cells exposed to amyloid-beta 25-35 (Aβ25-35 ), and also suppressed apoptosis by reducing tau phosphorylation at Ser199 and Thr205. Furthermore, indirubin-3′-monoxime inhibited phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). Our results suggest that indirubin-3′-monoxime reduced Aβ25-35 -induced apoptosis by suppressing tau hyperphosphorylation via a GSK-3β-mediated mechanism. Indirubin-3′-monoxime is a promising drug candidate for Alzheimer′s disease.
A Novel High-Efficiency Compact-Size Low-Cost Balancing Method for Series-Connected Battery Applications

This paper proposes a novel balancing method for series-connected batteries applications. The proposed method uses a transformer to couple the energy from charger or discharger to batteries for energy balancing. The proposed method has the advantages of high efficiency, compact size, suitable for any type of switching converter, load-related balancing energy, and extremely simple structure without any active switch for voltage balance function. Three converters, including a CLL converter, an interleaved noninverting buck-boost (BB) converter, and a noninverting BB converter, with voltage balancing function and state-of-charge balancing function are built to verify the feasibility of the proposed balancing methods.
Earnings Management -- Does Corporate Sustainability Performance Matter?

This study investigates the relationship between corporate sustainability performance and earnings management practices in a European setting. We measure earnings management based on discretionary accruals (cash flow approach) and real activity management. Corporate sustainability performance is a multi-dimensional construct that is measured based on data provided by the CSRHub database. Employing a European sample of 1,426 firm-year observations, our results reveal a negative relationship between corporate sustainability performance and earnings management activities. This finding supports the notion that a broad and integrated approach of sustainability performance constrains the use of earnings management practices. The results are consistent with recent research on U.S. non-financial companies (Kim et al. 2012), indicating the application of similar principles in U.S. and European settings. Additional analyses reveal that this relationship is particularly applicable to the environmental and community dimensions of sustainability, whereas we find only limited empirical evidence on this relationship for the employee dimension. Taken together, our study provides further evidence regarding the relevance of corporate sustainability in the financial context.
Validity of self-reported weight and height among 13-14 year old schoolchildren in Israel.

BACKGROUND Data regarding the validity of self-reported weight and height in adolescents are conflicting. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the validity of self-reported weight and height among 13-14 year olslddren. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of 517 schoolchildren aged 13-14 years and compared self-reported and measured weight and height by gender, population group, parental education and crowdedness. RESULTS Females under-reported their weight on average by 0.79 +/- 5.46 kg (P = 0.03), resulting in underestimation of the body mass index with borderline significance (mean difference 0.28 +/- 2.26 kg/m2, P = 0.06). Males over-reported their height on average by 0.75 +/- 5.81 cm (P = 0.03). Children from less crowded homes (< or = 1 person per room) overestimated their height more than children from more crowded homes, resulting in a significant underestimation of BMI (mean difference between reported BMI and measured values was 0.30 +/- 2.36 kg/m2, P = 0.04). Measured BMI was a significant predictor of the difference between self-reported and measured BMI, adjusted for gender, population group, parents' education, and crowdedness (beta = -0.3, P < 0.0001). As a result of this reporting bias, only 54.9% of children with overweight and obesity (BMI > or = 85th percentile) were classified correctly, while 6.3% of children were wrongly classified as overweight and obese. The largest difference in BMI was observed in obese females (4.40 +/- 4.34) followed by overweight females (218 +/- 1.95) and underweight females (-1.38 +/- 13.75). Similar findings were observed for males, where the largest difference was found among obese males (2.83 +/- 3.44). CONCLUSIONS Studies based on self-reported weight and height in adolescents may be biased. Attempts should be made to correct this bias, based on the available data for each population.
Voters’ Information, Corruption, and the Efficiency of Local Public Services

This paper explores the link between voters’ information, corruption, and efficiency in the context of a career concern model, where politically connected local monopolies are in charge of the provision of a local public service. We find that both a corrupt environment and a low level of voters’ information on managerial actions induce managers to reduce effort levels, thereby contributing to drive down efficiency. We test our predictions using data on solid waste management services provided by a large sample of Italian municipalities. We estimate a stochastic cost frontier model that provides robust evidence that services produced in more corrupted regions with low voters’ information are substantially less cost-efficient.
Building Neuromorphic Circuits with Memristive Devices

The rapid, exponential growth of modern electronics has brought about profound changes to our daily lives. However, maintaining the growth trend now faces significant challenges at both the fundamental and practical levels [1]. Possible solutions include More Moore? developing new, alternative device structures and materials while maintaining the same basic computer architecture, and More Than Moore? enabling alternative computing architectures and hybrid integration to achieve increased system functionality without trying to push the devices beyond limits. In particular, an increasing number of computing tasks today are related to handling large amounts of data, e.g. image processing as an example. Conventional von Neumann digital computers, with separate memory and processer units, become less and less efficient when large amount of data have to be moved around and processed quickly. Alternative approaches such as bio-inspired neuromorphic circuits, with distributed computing and localized storage in networks, become attractive options [2]? [6].
Spirotetrahydro β-Carbolines (Spiroindolones): A New Class of Potent and Orally Efficacious Compounds for the Treatment of Malaria

The antiplasmodial activity of a series of spirotetrahydro β-carbolines is described. Racemic spiroazepineindole (1) was identified from a phenotypic screen on wild type Plasmodium falciparum with an in vitro IC50 of 90 nM. Structure−activity relationships for the optimization of 1 to compound 20a (IC50 = 0.2 nM) including the identification of the active 1R,3S enantiomer and elimination of metabolic liabilities is presented. Improvement of the pharmacokinetic profile of the series translated to exceptional oral efficacy in the P. berghei infected malaria mouse model where full cure was achieved in four of five mice with three daily doses of 30 mg/kg.
Strategic IMC: From abstract concept to marketing management tool

Although integrated marketing communication (IMC) has progressed towards mid-range maturity level, its full-scale adoption has been impeded by a lack of consensus on its defining constructs. The purpose of this study is to move from abstraction to define the construct of strategic integration (SI) and develop this into a management tool, thus making an important contribution to both the theory and practice of IMC. Drawing from both IMC and strategic management literature, the construct of SI is operationalised into a number of key factors and a well-cited management model, Fuchs' ‘integration valuator’ is explored as the starting point of a measurement tool for IMC. To do this, a Delphi study invites the scrutiny of an expert panel of world-leading IMC researchers and practitioners. The panel validated the model construction process, redefined overarching constructs and key factors with a high degree of consensus, supported a process measure, suggested a weighted evaluation measure and recognised the importance of developing such a measure. They delivered clear and consistent imperatives guiding model development. The result is a measure of SI that evaluates organisational proficiency and diagnoses the integration of IMC campaigns. It also advances theory by providing a better understanding of the construct of SI.
Palmetto State Primaries : An Examination of South Carolina ’ s Nomination Contests

Compared to general elections, research on presidentialprimaries is limited. A t the same time, the body o f work on South Carolina’s nomination contests pales in comparison to the volume o f research on the Iowa caucus and N ew Hampshire primary. We seek to reconcile these im ­ balances by building a statistical model that predicts a candidate’s vote share in the South Car­ olina primary and thus helps explain who wins and losses. W e fin d that the key predictors o f a candidate’s vote share include: their volume o f statewide endorsements, their share o f media attention, their race (Democratic contests only), whether th y are from a neighboring state, their vote share in N e w Hampshire, and their vote share in Iowa (Republican contests only). In the end, our model explains 78% o f the variation in South Carolina primary outcomes from 1988 to 2016. Because this paper was motivated by the 2 0 1 6 contests, a t the end we discuss the implications o f the model fo r our understanding o f the 2 0 1 6 results.
An update on randomized controlled trials of evidence-based supported employment.

BACKGROUND The Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model of supported employment for clients with severe mental illness has been described as a standardization of evidence-based supported employment. Although several reviews on the literature on its effectiveness have been conducted, the completion of several new studies suggests an updated review is warranted. METHODS We conducted a comprehensive literature search for randomized controlled trials of IPS, limiting our review to programs with high-fidelity IPS programs, locating 11 studies. We examined the following competitive employment outcomes: employment rates, days to first job, annualized weeks worked, and job tenure in longest job held during the follow-up period. FINDINGS Across the 11 studies, the competitive employment rate was 61% for IPS compared to 23% for controls. About two-thirds of those who obtained competitive employment worked 20 hours or more per week. Among those who obtained a competitive job, IPS participants obtained their first job nearly 10 weeks earlier than did controls. Among IPS participants who obtained competitive work, duration of employment after the start of the first job averaged 24.2 weeks per year, or 47% of the 52-week year. CONCLUSIONS The current review is consistent with earlier reviews, although the evidence for high-fidelity IPS appears to be somewhat stronger here than in reviews evaluating studies with more heterogeneity in the supported employment models examined. The number, consistency, and effect sizes of studies of evidence-based supported employment establish it as one of the most robust interventions available for persons with severe mental illness.
IgE antibodies to food allergens detected by ELISA, RAST and monkey PCA

IgE antibody to twelve common food and inhalant allergens was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the sera of thirteen atopic patients with one or more allergic disorders (asthma occurring in eleven; rhinitis in ten; eczema in six; urticaria in four; mouth and gastro-intestinal symptoms in six), of twelve non-atopic patients with various clinical symptoms (asthma in four; rhinitis in four; eczema in one; urticaria in two; mouth and gastro-intestinal symptoms in four) and sixteen cord blood sera. The atopic patients had significantly higher IgE ELISA values to the twelve allergens tested than non-atopic persons (P less than 0.01) and cord blood sera (P less than 0.001). Further investigation of IgE antibody to egg white in a group of twenty-two maternal-infant-paired sera using RAST and ELISA techniques showed two cord blood sera that had reproducible RAST values significantly greater than the mean of the maternal group. This was confirmed by RAST inhibition studies but not by monkey PCA tests. High IgE ELISA values to egg white extract did not correlate with RAST results.
Cultural impacts of severe droughts in the prehistoric Andes: Application of a 1,500‐year ice core precipitation record

Abstract Late in the sixth century, Andean peoples experienced major cultural upheavals, including a notable settlement shift of the classic Mochica culture on the northern Peruvian coast. A recently established annual precipitation record derived from ice cores from the Quelccaya glacier in southern Peru allows assessment of the possible role of climatic disturbances in northern Peru. Both areas are in the same tropical climatic regime. A comparison between the archaeological record and the Quelccaya data suggests the Mochica upheaval was conditioned by a series of severe sixth‐century droughts, including one of the severest droughts of the past 1,500 years, spanning AD 562 to 594.
FINANCE FOR AUSTRALIAN SMEs: POLICY ISSUES

The special financial needs of small business have long been a policy issue in Australia, with the claim often made that capital markets are less than fully responsive to this sector. This paper argues that despite financial deregulation, the small business sector is yet to fully benefit from improved supply of finance. The future reform process should not be jeopardised by precipitate policy changes (such as bank mergers) which could upset the delicate balance of forces currently emerging in the industry. Further, proactive policies are needed to encourage the growth of secondary debt and primary equity capital markets for small business.
A re‐examination of the relationship between value, satisfaction and intention in business services

Purpose – The objectives of this paper are twofold: to add to the debate regarding conceptualisation and operationalisation of value within a professional service domain, and to contribute to the relatively sparse literature dealing with the functional relationship between determinants and outcomes of value with specific emphasis on the value to satisfaction and intention to re‐purchase relationship in professional services.Design/methodology/approach – A theoretically grounded model has been developed that comprises three antecedents of value (conceptualised as a higher order construct of six dimensions) and satisfaction both of which impact on intention. The model has been tested, using partial least squares, on 78 responses obtained through an email survey carried out amongst executives of the top 300 UK‐based companies listed in the Times 1,000.Findings – The results indicate that although perceived value is a multi‐dimensional construct treating value as a unified construct may lead to confounding ef.
Determinants of Successful Talent Management in MNCs in Malaysia

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of successful talent management in the MNCs in Malaysia. The independent variables are attracting talents,deploying talents,developing talents,retaining talents and succession planning. The study also examines the relationship between the variables. The main research objectives for this study is to gain better understanding of the meaning of talent management in MNCs in Malaysia.
Patient Service Quality and Health Maintenance Organizations: Not an Oxymoron

iii LIST OF TABLES.vi LIST OF FIGURES.vii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION.1 Theoretical and Conceptual Framework.7 Purpose Statement.7 Statement of the Problem.8 Preview of Methodology.8 Limitations.8 Summary.9 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE.10 Selected Model and Theoretical Framework.23 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.26 Qualitative Design.27 Reliability.30 Validity.30 Data Analysis.31 Ethical Issues.31 Potential Sources of Error.31 Limitations.32 CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS.34 Qualitative Findings.35