Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antecedents and outcomes of satisfaction in buyer–supplier relationships in South Africa: A replication study

Background: There is a clear difference of opinion amongst researchers on the interrelatedness of the variables trust, commitment, satisfaction, coordination, cooperation and continuity in a business-to-business (B2B) environment. The reason is that in previous studies much emphasis has been placed on creating and testing new theories, and not on providing practical generalities. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine how the variable satisfaction is positioned in relation to trust and commitment, and how satisfaction relates to the variables coordination, cooperation and continuity in a South African B2B environment. Setting: This study replicates a similar study conducted in 2013 in a B2B environment in South Africa and hopes to validate the outcome of that study by determining the relationship between the constructs postulated in the current study. The relationships between the different constructs in the proposed model will, therefore, provide a longitudinal perspective which is unique in terms of B2B research in South Africa. Methods: Both the original and replication studies followed a quantitative approach and targeted large companies in South Africa. In the original study, data were collected from 500 large South African companies, while in the replication study data were collected from 250 large companies. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. Results: The findings specifically point to the need for organisations to direct resources towards the establishment of relationships that are founded on trust and commitment. Doing so will help ensure increased satisfaction, which, in turn, will result in greater coordination and cooperation in B2B relationships as well as long-term continuation of the relationship. Conclusion: The foundation for strong B2B relationships is to secure customer satisfaction. Business managers ought to understand that when business customers are dissatisfied, it can result in the discontinuation of the business relationship.
Heterosis studies for yield and yield related traits over seasons in boro rice

Thirty six crosses generated in diallel fashion from nine boro rice parental lines were evaluated to study the heterosis for yield and various yield related traits in rice (Oryza sativa L.) over three seasons i.e. Boro-2014, Kharif-2015 and Boro-2015. The findings suggested that the magnitude of heterosis differed from trait to trait and cross to cross over seasons. For yield per plant, standard heterosis ranged from -57.07% (HUR 36 x MTU 1010) to 34.60% (Jaya x Gautam) in boro-2014, -50.05% (HUR 36 x Gautam) to 39.66% (Krishna Hamsa x Gautam) in boro-2015 and -30.57% (IR 8 x IR 36) to 30.82% (IR 64 x Jaya) in kharif-2015. Jaya x Krishna Hamsa showed consistently significant standard heterosis over the three seasons i.e. 24.47% in boro2014, 24.14% in boro-2015 and 28.50% in kharif-2015. Theses crosses may further be tested on larger scale for commercial exploitation.
Capital accumulation, economic growth and the balance-of-payments constraint: The case of Mexico, 1951-2014

After a critical assessment of both Thirlwall’s long-run growth model and Clavijo’s and Ros’s (2015) model where capital accumulation determines output growth, this paper displays an alternative model in which capital accumulation and the growth rate of capital productivity determine the long-run growth rate of output which is consistent with a constant position of the balance of payments as a percentage of GDP. Then, the latter is applied to inquire the causes accounting for Mexico’s low economic growth rate during 1982-2014. We conclude, on empirical grounds, that the sharp decline in the internal demand for domestic goods and both the rates of net capital accumulation and productivity played a major role in the slowdown of the Mexican economy. The income elasticities of the demand for exports and imports also played a role, albeit to a lesser extent.
Contraceptive use among U.S. women with HIV.

OBJECTIVE To describe trends in and correlates of use of contraception and sterilization among women with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS This was a longitudinal cohort study of HIV-infected and uninfected women at risk for pregnancy, including structured questions on contraceptive use every 6 months. Proportions of women using contraception were calculated. Multivariate generalized estimating equation models were applied, and correlates of use were determined using logistic regression. Sterilization was assessed using a Kaplan-Meyer plot. RESULTS Across 26,832 visits among 2784 women from 1994 to 2005, barrier methods were used at 30.5%-36.3% of visits, sterilization at 21.8%-26.5%, hormones at <10%, and no contraception at >30%. Dual use of barrier and hormones or barrier and spermicide was uncommon. In multivariable analysis, HIV serostatus was not correlated with barrier use (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.96-1.26, p = 0.18 compared with no method), but hormonal contraception was less likely in women with HIV (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.60-0.89, p = 0.002). Among HIV-seropositive women, barrier use was more likely among women who had been pregnant (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.03- 1.83, p = 0.03) and among those with higher CD4 lymphocyte counts (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04- 1.16, p = 0.0006), whereas hormone use was linked to higher CD4 counts (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.23, p = 0.01). HAART use was not associated with barrier or hormone use. HIV serostatus was linked to sterilization in Cox analysis (HR 1.32, 95% CI 0.89-1.94, p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS. Underuse of highly effective contraception and barriers leaves women with HIV at risk for unintended pregnancy and disease transmission.
Energy expenditure during submaximal walking with Exerstriders.

This study was designed to determine whether Exerstriding, a modified form of walking using walking sticks (Exerstriders), resulted in an augmented cardiorespiratory response and a greater energy expenditure than when walking without Exerstriders. Female subjects (23.6 +/- 4.0 yr; 58.5 +/- 5.5 kg) completed two randomly assigned trials of treadmill walking (6.7 km.h-1; 0% grade; 30 min.) with (Exerstrider (E)) and without Exerstriders (Control (C)). Mean oxygen consumption (E = 20.5 +/- 1.2 ml.min-1.kg-1; C = 18.3 +/- 2.5 ml.min-1.kg-1), heart rate (E = 132.5 +/- 19.2 beats.min-1; C = 121.5 +/- 21.2 beats.min-1) and respiratory exchange ratio (E = .82 +/- .03; C = .78 +/- .04) were significantly greater (P < or = 0.05) while walking with Exerstriders. Total caloric expenditure was also significantly greater during the Exerstrider condition (E = 173.7 +/- 20.9 kcal; C = 140.7 +/- 27.2 kcal.). In contrast, the rating of perceived exertion did not differ significantly between the two conditions. These data suggest that Exerstriding provides a means to increase caloric expenditure during submaximal walking, a factor that may be of critical importance in enhancing health benefits--such as improved body composition and aerobic capacity--typically associated with walking programs.
Social Class and Cardiovascular Disease: The Contribution of Work

Low social class has been identified as a risk factor for coronary heart disease in highly industrialized countries. The authors discuss the social class concept in relation to psychosocial working conditions. Most of those psychosocial work characteristics that are of relevance to cardiovascular risk, namely, skill discretion, authority over decisions, and social support at work, are unevenly distributed across social classes–the lower the social class, the fewer the resources for coping with psychosocial stressors. Furthermore, biomedical risk factors for cardiovascular illness are also unevenly distributed across social class and associated with psychosocial work characteristics. The main conclusion is that part of the association between social class and cardiovascular illness risk may be due to differences in psychosocial work conditions. The psychosocial work conditions may affect the risk through either neuroendocrine mechanisms or lifestyle. Excessive tobacco smoking, for instance, may be enforced by poor working conditions.
Characterization of the Rat DNA Fragmentation Factor 35/Inhibitor of Caspase-activated DNase (Short Form)

Nuclear changes, including internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, are classical manifestations of apoptosis for which the biochemical mechanisms have not been fully elucidated, particularly in neuronal cells. We have cloned the rat DNA fragmentation factor 35/inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (short form) (DFF35/ICADS) and found it to be the predominant form of ICAD present in rodent brain cells as well as in many other types of cells. DFF35/ICADS forms a functional complex with DFF40/caspase-activated DNase (CAD) in the nucleus, and when its caspase-resistant mutant is over-expressed, it inhibits the nuclease activity, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and nuclear fragmentation but not the shrinkage and condensation of the nucleus, in neuron-differentiated PC12 cells in response to apoptosis inducers. DFF40/CAD is found to be localized mainly in the nucleus, and during neuronal apoptosis, there is no evidence of further nuclear translocation of this molecule. It is further suggested that inactivation of DFF40/CAD-bound DFF35 and subsequent activation of DFF40/CAD during apoptosis of neuronal cells may not occur in the cytosol but rather in the nucleus through a novel mechanism that requires nuclear translocation of caspases. These results establish that DFF35/ICADS is the endogenous inhibitor of DFF40/CAD and caspase-dependent apoptotic DNA fragmentation in neurons.
Corporate Governance Drivers of Firm Innovation Capacity

We investigate the predictive factors of firm innovation capacity (FIC), proxied by intangible assets, as a means towards sustainable competitive advantage in a world of global change and innovation. The primary aim of this paper is to identify the key factors shaping a firm's innovation capacity management style. We use panel data for 1,942 firms (20,171 observations) in Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, United States, and Spain, over the period 1999 to 2014. Our results show that capabilities driven by corporate governance mechanisms currently constitute the pivotal support for firms' innovation capacity (FIC). Our main findings are that corporate governance drivers such as executive incentives (E-P) and the presence of independent nonexecutive directors (INEDs) have a bearing on FIC. Meanwhile, managerial performance (MP) and institutional shareholder activism (AI) emerge as basic motivational instruments and mechanisms of alignment between firm ownership and control. The influence of incentives and INEDs is found to be negative and that of institutional shareholder activism and MP to be positive. With respect to the business context, we find evidence of higher efficiency in firm disciplinary mechanisms in the Anglo-American than in the Continental corporate governance model.
Dementia with Lewy bodies: a comparison of clinical diagnosis, FP-CIT single photon emission computed tomography imaging and autopsy

Background: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common form of dementia. The presence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology modifies the clinical features of DLB, making it harder to distinguish DLB from AD clinically during life. Clinical diagnostic criteria for DLB applied at presentation can fail to identify up to 50% of cases. Our aim was to determine, in a series of patients with dementia in whom autopsy confirmation of diagnosis was available, whether functional imaging of the nigrostriatal pathway improves the accuracy of diagnosis compared with diagnosis by means of clinical criteria alone. Methods: A single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan was carried out with a dopaminergic presynaptic ligand [123I]-2beta-carbometoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl) nortropane (FP-CIT; ioflupane) on a group of patients with a clinical diagnosis of DLB or other dementia. An abnormal scan was defined as one in which right and left posterior putamen binding, measured semiquantitatively, was more than 2 SDs below the mean of the controls. Results: Over a 10 year period it was possible to collect 20 patients who had been followed from the time of first assessment and time of scan through to death and subsequent detailed neuropathological autopsy. Eight patients fulfilled neuropathological diagnostic criteria for DLB. Nine patients had AD, mostly with coexisting cerebrovascular disease. Three patients had other diagnoses. The sensitivity of an initial clinical diagnosis of DLB was 75% and specificity was 42%. The sensitivity of the FP-CIT scan for the diagnosis of DLB was 88% and specificity was 100%. Conclusion: FP-CIT SPECT scans substantially enhanced the accuracy of diagnosis of DLB by comparison with clinical criteria alone.
Ex vivo expansion and subsequent infusion of human bone marrow-derived stromal progenitor cells (mesenchymal progenitor cells): implications for therapeutic use.

We report a phase I trial to determine the feasibility of collection, ex vivo culture-expansion and intravneous infusion of human bone marrow-derived progenitor stromal cells (mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs)). Ten milliliter bone marrow samples were obtained from 23 patients with hematologic malignancies in complete remission. Bone marrow mononuclear cells were separated and adherent cells were culture-expanded in vitro for 4-7 weeks. Autologous MPCs were reinfused intravenously and a bone marrow examination repeated 2 weeks later for histologic assessment and in vitro hematopoietic cultures. Patient age ranged from 18 to 68 years and 12 subjects previously had undergone an autologous or syngeneic bone marrow transplant 4-52 months prior to collection of MPCs. A median of 364 x 10(6) nucleated bone marrow cells (range: 103 to 1004 x 10(6)) were used for ex vivo expansion. Median number of MPCs which were obtained after ex vivo culture expansion was 59.0 (range: 1.1 to 347 x 10(6)) representing a median cell doubling of 16,000-fold (13 doublings). Fifteen of 23 patients completed the ex vivo expansion and underwent MPC infusion. Time to infusion of MPCs after collection ranged from 28 to 49 days. Five patients in each of three groups were given 1, 10 and 50 x 10(6) MPCs. No adverse reactions were observed with the infusion of the MPCs. MPCs obtained from cancer patients can be collected, expanded in vitro and infused intravenously without toxicity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Disease consciousness and coping strategies of patients with schizophrenic psychosis

In 50 schizophrenic patients, semistructured interviews were carried out concerning disease consciousness, occupation with the disease and behaviour and coping in case of psychotic experiences; 72% of the patients occupied themselves with their disease. In 84% a disease consciousness was present; 38% gave a multifactorial explanation for their psychosis. In 94% the occasional appearance of psychotic experiences was acknowledged. In 86% specific changes of the individual behaviour for coping with these experiences were described. These changes included withdrawal, increasing of interpersonal contact, cognitive control, symptomatic behaviour and adjustment of the neuroleptic medication. The study shows that schizophrenic patients are not passive victims of their disease. In the majority of cases a disease consciousness is present. The patients try to cope with their psychotic experiences in individually different ways. It is assumed that a better knowledge of these strategies might enable the clinician to use these phenomena as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy.
Pex5p Imports Folded Tetrameric Catalase by Interaction with Pex13p

Human catalase forms a 240‐kDa tetrameric complex and degrades H2O2 in peroxisomes. Human catalase is targeted to peroxisomes by the interaction of its peroxisomal targeting signal type 1 (PTS1)‐like KANL sequence with the cytosolic PTS1 receptor Pex5p. We show herein that human catalase tetramers are formed in the cytoplasm and that the expression of a PTS signal on each of the four subunits is not necessary for peroxisomal transport. We previously demonstrated that a Pex5p mutant defective in binding to Pex13p, designated Pex5p(Mut234), imports typical PTS1‐type proteins but not catalase. This impaired catalase import is not rescued by replacing its C‐terminal KANL sequence with a typical PTS1 sequence, SKL, indicating that the failure of catalase import in Mut234‐expressing cells is not due to its weak PTS1. In contrast, several enzymatically inactive and monomeric mutants of catalase are efficiently imported in Mut234‐expressing cells. Moreover, trimeric chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) harboring SKL is not imported in Pex5p(Mut234)‐expressing cells, but CAT‐SKL trimers are transported to peroxisomes in the wild‐type cells. These findings suggest that the Pex5p–Pex13p interaction likely plays a pivotal role in the peroxisomal import of folded and oligomeric proteins.
Arachidonic acid activates an open rectifier potassium channel in cultured rat cortical astrocytes

A pathophysiological increase in free arachidonic acid (AA) is thought to regulate the channel‐mediated astrocytic swelling occurring in several brain injuries. We report that in cultured rat type‐1 cortical astrocytes, exposure to 10 μM AA activates an open rectifier K+ channel, which exhibits many similarities with TREK/TRAAK members of the two‐pore‐domain K+ channel family KCNK. Patch‐clamp experiments showed that the current developed with a long latency and was preceded by a depression of the previously described outward rectifier K+ conductance. Pharmacologic studies indicate that the K+ open rectifier was differentially sensitive to classic K+‐channel blockers (quinine, quinidine, tetraethylammonium, and barium) and was inhibited potently by gadolinium ions. The activation of this K+ current occurred independently of the AA metabolism as pharmacologic inhibition of the lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, and cytochrome P450 epoxygenase signaling cascades did not alter the AA effect. Moreover, neither the neutralization of the NADPH‐oxidase pathway nor scavenging intracellular free radicals modified the AA response. Finally, the AA‐induced K+ current was unaffected by protein kinase C inhibitors. The activation mechanism of the K+ open rectifier was through an extracellular interaction of AA with the plasma membrane. RT‐PCR analysis revealed that the AA‐induced K+ conductance was mediated likely by TREK‐2 channels. Collectively, the results demonstrate that in cultured cortical astrocytes, pathological levels of AA directly activate an open rectifier K+ channel, which may play a role in the control of K+ homeostasis under pathophysiological conditions. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contemporary management of acute right ventricular failure: a statement from the Heart Failure Association and the Working Group on Pulmonary Circulation and Right Ventricular Function of the European Society of Cardiology

Acute right ventricular (RV) failure is a complex clinical syndrome that results from many causes. Research efforts have disproportionately focused on the failing left ventricle, but recently the need has been recognized to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of RV anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, and of management approaches. Right ventricular mechanics and function are altered in the setting of either pressure overload or volume overload. Failure may also result from a primary reduction of myocardial contractility owing to ischaemia, cardiomyopathy, or arrhythmia. Dysfunction leads to impaired RV filling and increased right atrial pressures. As dysfunction progresses to overt RV failure, the RV chamber becomes more spherical and tricuspid regurgitation is aggravated, a cascade leading to increasing venous congestion. Ventricular interdependence results in impaired left ventricular filling, a decrease in left ventricular stroke volume, and ultimately low cardiac output and cardiogenic shock. Identification and treatment of the underlying cause of RV failure, such as acute pulmonary embolism, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute decompensation of chronic pulmonary hypertension, RV infarction, or arrhythmia, is the primary management strategy. Judicious fluid management, use of inotropes and vasopressors, assist devices, and a strategy focusing on RV protection for mechanical ventilation if required all play a role in the clinical care of these patients. Future research should aim to address the remaining areas of uncertainty which result from the complexity of RV haemodynamics and lack of conclusive evidence regarding RV‐specific treatment approaches.
Evaluation of efficiency of nested multiplex allele‐specific PCR assay for detection of multidrug resistant tuberculosis directly from sputum samples

For an effective control of tuberculosis, rapid detection of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB) is necessary. Therefore, we developed a modified nested multiplex allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction (MAS‐PCR) method that enables rapid MDR‐TB detection directly from sputum samples. The efficacy of this method was evaluated using 79 sputum samples collected from suspected tuberculosis patients. The performance of nested MAS‐PCR method was compared with other MDR‐TB detection methods like drug susceptibility testing (DST) and DNA sequencing. As rifampicin (RIF) resistance conforms to MDR‐TB in greater than 90% cases, only the presence of RIF‐associated mutations in rpoB gene was determined by DNA sequencing and nested MAS‐PCR to detect MDR‐TB. The concordance between nested MAS‐PCR and DNA sequencing results was found to be 96·3%. When compared with DST, the sensitivity and specificity of nested MAS‐PCR for RIF‐resistance detection were determined to be 92·9 and 100% respectively.
Stroke volume does not plateau during graded exercise in elite male distance runners.

UNLABELLED Stroke volume (SV) responses during graded treadmill exercise were studied in 1) elite male distance runners (N = 5), 2) male university distance runners (N = 10), and 3) male untrained university students (N = 10). METHODS Cardiac output (Q) and SV were determined by a modified acetylene rebreathing procedure. RESULTS There were no differences in SV responses among the three groups during the transition from rest to light exercise (P > 0.05). However, the rates of change of SV during light to maximal exercise in untrained subjects (slope = -0.1544 mL x beat(-1)) and university distance runners (slope = 0.1041) did not change, whereas it dramatically increased (P < 0.001) in elite distant runners (slope = 0.6734). Moreover, the elite distance runners showed a further slope increase in SV when heart rate was above 160 bpm, which resulted in an average maximal SV of 187 +/- 14 mL x beat(-1) compared with 145 +/- 8 and 128 +/- 14 mL x beat(-1) in the university runners and untrained students, respectively (P < 0.001). Similarly, max Q reached 33.8 +/- 2.3, 26.3 +/- 1.7, and 21.3 +/- 1.5 L x min(-1) in the three groups, respectively (P < 0.001). On the other hand, there was a nonsignificant tendency for maximal arteriovenous oxygen content difference to be lower in the elite athletes compared with the other groups. CONCLUSION Results from university distance runners and untrained university students support the classic observation that SV plateaus at about 40% of maximal oxygen consumption despite increasing intensity of exercise. In contrast, stroke volume in the elite athletes does not plateau but increases continuously with increasing intensity of exercise over the full range of the incremental exercise test.