Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of disturbance in the ecology and conservation of birds

▪ Abstract Natural ecological disturbance creates habitats that are used by diverse groups of birds. In North America, these habitats or ecosystems include grasslands or prairies, shrublands, savannas, early successional forests, and floodplains. Whereas the extent of all natural habitats has diminished significantly owing to outright loss from agriculture and development, the suppression of disturbance by agents such as fire and flooding has led to further losses. Accordingly, the abundances of many bird species adapted to disturbance-mediated habitats have declined as well. In North America, these declines have been more severe and common than those of species associated with less frequently disturbed habitats such as mature or closed-canopy forests. Field studies consistently reveal the direct role of disturbance and successional processes in structuring avian habitats and communities. Conservation strategies involving the management of disturbance through some combination of flooding, application of f.
Association Models for Clustered Data with Binary and Continuous Responses

Summary We consider analysis of clustered data with mixed bivariate responses, i.e., where each member of the cluster has a binary and a continuous outcome. We propose a new bivariate random effects model that induces associations among the binary outcomes within a cluster, among the continuous outcomes within a cluster, between a binary outcome and a continuous outcome from different subjects within a cluster, as well as the direct association between the binary and continuous outcomes within the same subject. For the ease of interpretations of the regression effects, the marginal model of the binary response probability integrated over the random effects preserves the logistic form and the marginal expectation of the continuous response preserves the linear form. We implement maximum likelihood estimation of our model parameters using standard software such as PROC NLMIXED of SAS. Our simulation study demonstrates the robustness of our method with respect to the misspecification of the regression model as well as the random effects model. We illustrate our methodology by analyzing a developmental toxicity study of ethylene glycol in mice.
ERP systems implementation success: A study on Iranian organizations

This study proposes a framework that examines factors that influence the successful implementation of ERP systems. Six critical success factors (enterprise wide communication, business process reengineering, project management, team composition and competence, ERP system quality and ERP vendor support) were identified and used to collect empirical evidence. In addition, organizational culture was examined to determine whether it has any moderating effect on the six variables in relation to ERP implementation success. A survey questionnaire was distributed to organizations with ERP. The targeted respondents were ERP users within the companies. A total of 384 responses were used for analysis. The data obtained was analysed using the Structural Equation Modelling. The results indicated that that ERP implementation success is influenced by enterprise wide communication, project management, team composition and competence, ERP system quality and ERP vendor support. It was also found that organizational culture moderates the relationships between enterprise-wide communication, project management, team composition and competence, ERP system quality, ERP vendor support and success of ERP implementation. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Trading Volume Reactions to Earnings Announcements and Future Stock Returns

This study examines the relation between abnormal trading volume (ATV) around earnings announcements (EAs) and future stock returns. In particular, I investigate whether firms with higher ATV around EAs outperform those with lower ATV over the short and long terms following the EA. In addition, I address whether any positive relation between ATV around EAs and future stock returns is weaker for firms with a higher proportion of shares held by sophisticated investors. Consistent with theories that attribute ATV around public announcements primarily to differing investor interpretations of the news and that link differential interpretation to future returns, I find that, for several quarters after an EA, firms in the highest decile of ATV significantly outperform those in the lowest decile. Further, I find that ATV and earnings surprises explain future returns incremental to the three Fama and French (1993) and momentum risk-factors. Next, consistent with the proportion of ATV driven by lack of consensus regarding the price being lower when the presence of rational investors is higher, I document that the level of investor sophistication − a proxy for investor rationality − attenuates the positive relation between ATV and future returns. Taken together, my study lends support to and links two streams of theories from financial economics, and demonstrates that trading volume reactions to EAs provide information about future returns that cannot be deduced from the price reactions or the magnitudes of earnings surprises. My study also documents that while the positive relation between ATV and future returns is prolonged and persistent, it is sensitive to the level of security holdings of sophisticated investors.
Resurfacing of the humeral head: An analysis of the bone stock and osseous integration under the implant

Cementless‐surface‐replacement‐arthroplasty (CSRA) of the shoulder aims for functional joint restoration with minimal bone loss. Good clinical results have been reported, but due to the radiopaque metal shell no data is available on the structure, osseous integration, and bone stock under the implant.
Identification of Sites of Sympathetic Outflow During Concurrent Recordings of Sympathetic Nerve Activity and fMRI

The sympathetic division of the nervous system is critical for maintaining both resting arterial pressure and for producing changes in regional perfusion required by behavioral state changes. A primary determinant of arterial pressure is the level of vasoconstriction within skeletal muscle. It is well established that there is a tight relationship between dynamic changes in arterial pressure and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) through the workings of the baroreflex. While the central circuitry underlying the baroreflex has been extensively investigated in anesthetized experimental animals, few studies have investigated the central circuitry responsible for the baroreflex in awake human subjects. Recently we were the first to record concurrently MSNA (using microneurography) and brain activity (using functional magnetic resonance imaging) in awake humans in a series of experiments designed to determine the central circuitry underlying the baroreflex in humans. We confirmed that the baroreflex involves activity changes within the nucleus tractus solitarius, caudal ventrolateral, and rostral ventrolateral medulla. Because conditions such as essential hypertension, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea are all characterized by significant increases in resting MSNA, it is important to understand both brainstem and cortical sites involved in regulating resting levels of MSNA. Future investigations which define cortical sites involved in generating and modulating MSNA are important if we are to understand the underlying mechanisms of many conditions characterized by hypertension. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Linearized, Unified Two-Ray Formulation for Propagation over a Plane Earth

This article presents a linearized, unified (LU) path loss formulation based on the well-known two-ray propagation concept (William and Lee, 1982; Bullington, 1977). Incorporating practical concerns into the derivation of the LU path loss formulation make it useful to characterize a wide range of propagation effects for a variety of communications nodes deployed over various terrain types. The communications nodes considered include unmanned air vehicles (UAV), high altitude platforms, ground terminals, sensor nodes, and portable nodes, while the terrain ranging from open, rural, suburban, urban, mountainous, foliaged, fresh water, sea water, etc. In this article, the background and derivations of the model are outlined, examples illustrated, key results presented, deficiencies of simplified two-ray path loss models discussed, and future work identified
Prevalence and non-invasive predictors of left main or three-vessel coronary disease: evidence from a collaborative international meta-analysis including 22 740 patients

Background Left main disease (LMD) and three-vessel disease (3VD) have important prognostic value in patients with coronary artery disease. However, uncertainties still exist about their prevalence and predictors in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and also in patients with stable coronary disease. Thus the aim of this study was to perform an international collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis to appraise the prevalence and predictors of LMD and 3VD. Methods Medline/PubMed were systematically searched for eligible studies published up to 2010, reporting multivariate predictors of LMD or 3VD. Study features, patient characteristics, and prevalence and predictors of LMD and 3VD were abstracted and pooled with random-effect methods (95% CIs). Results 17 studies (22 740 patients) were included, 11 focusing on ACS (17 896 patients) and six on stable coronary disease (4844 patients). In the ACS subgroup, LMD or 3VD occurred in 20% (95% CI 7.2% to 33.4%), LMD in 12% (95% CI 10.5% to 13.5%), and 3VD in 25% (95% CI 23.1% to 27.0%). Heart failure at admission and extent of ST-segment elevation in lead aVR on 12-lead ECG were the most powerful predictors of LMD or 3VD. In the stable disease subgroup, LMD or 3VD was found in 36% (95% CI 18.5% to 48.8%), with the most powerful predictors being transient ischaemic dilation during the imaging stress test, extent of ST-segment elevation in aVR and V1 during the stress test, and hyperlipidaemia. Conclusions This meta-analysis demonstrated that severe coronary disease—that is, LMD or 3VD—is more common in patients with ACS or stable coronary disease than generally perceived, and that simple and low-cost tools may help in the selection of the most appropriate therapeutic approach.
The Historical Development of Suicide Mortality in Russia, 1870–2007

Russia has one of the highest suicide mortality rates in the world. This study investigates the development of Russian suicide mortality over a longer time period in order to provide a context within which the contemporary high level might be better understood. Annual sex- and age-specific suicide-mortality data for Russia for the period 1870–2007 were studied, where available. Russian suicide mortality increased 11-fold over the period. Trends in male and female suicide developed similarly, although male suicide rates were consistently much higher. From the 1990s suicide has increased in a relative sense among the young (15–34), while the high suicide mortality among middle-aged males has reduced. Changes in Russian suicide mortality over the study period may be attributable to modernization processes.
BIOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF DOWNER DAIRY COWS WITH FATTY LIVER AND ESTIMATE PROGNOSIS OF SURVIVAL RATE IN IRAN

This study evaluated the relationship between severity of fatty liver and macromineral status in downer dairy cows with fatty liver and determined the usefulness of selected liver biochemical analyses for assessing prognosis. Blood samples were collected from 30 Holstein downer cows that could not rise 24 hours after recumbency and after first treatments. Serum activity of muscle and liver-derived enzymes and concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), cholesterol and macrominerals (Ca, Mg, K, Na, P) were determined. Serum concentration of NEFA and cholesterol, and NEFA/cholesterol ratio are good indicators of fatty liver. In this group of 30 downer cows, 70% had calved within first week and 30% calved within first 100 days of sampling. In this study about 70% of dairy cows had biochemical evidence from some degree of fatty liver that 20% were with mild and 50% were with moderate fatty liver and 80%from they were in the 1st week after calving. The 50% downer cows were with moderate fatty liver that all of them culled and had significantly higher NEFA/cholesterol ratio. The NEFA/cholesterol ratios herein were about 2 times higher in cows with moderate fatty liver compared with the reference cows. The prognosis is guarded for downer cows with moderate fatty liver.
The Safety and Efficacy of Benzodiazepine-Modified Treatments as a Special Form of Unmodified ECT

Background: Muscle relaxants reduce musculoskeletal morbidity with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) but need to be administered under general anesthesia. The administration of anesthesia is not always possible for patients prescribed ECT. Consequently, unmodified ECT is still widely practiced, especially in developing countries. Methods: We prospectively assessed musculoskeletal morbidity in consecutive patients who received unmodified bitemporal ECT during a part or the whole of their ECT course. All patients were pretreated with an intravenous benzodiazepine (usually diazepam, 10 mg) to effect sedation, anxiolysis, and limited skeletal muscle relaxation. Anteroposterior and lateral digital x-rays of the thoracolumbar spine were obtained after the last unmodified treatment. Results: Fifty-six patients aged 11 to 49 years and with a mean body mass index of 23.0 received a total of 162 (mean, 2.9) unmodified ECTs. There was significant attenuation of psychopathology ratings. Against our expectations, no patient developed clinical or radiological evidence of orthopedic morbidity; however, in 2 patients, the x-rays revealed old spinal fractures. Twelve patients had spots of oral bleeding after ECT. Whereas 5 patients experienced mild, transient, self-limiting postictal confusion, only one had confusion which required medical termination. Five patients complained of body ache and one of memory impairment. There were no other adverse events. Conclusions: The complete absence of orthopedic morbidity with benzodiazepine-modified ECT contrasts with historical descriptions of a 20% to 40% risk with unmodified ECT. We speculate that the limited muscle relaxant action of the pre-ECT parenteral benzodiazepine may have had protective effects. If so, if ECT is urgently indicated but anesthesia and hence conventional muscle relaxants cannot be administered, benzodiazepine-modified ECT may be a safer alternative to unmodified ECT. This suggestion merits wide attention because of its public health importance in countries with poor medical infrastructure, where unmodified ECT is still widely practiced.
Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia : Currently Applied Prognostic Factors

Several clinical and biologic factors have been found to be significant predictors of outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), including age, presenting leukocyte count, immunophenotype, recurrent chromosomal abnormalities, and response to initial therapy as assessed by light microscopy as well as more sensitive measures of submicroscopic disease. Over the last several decades, these prognostic factors have been used to stratify therapy; patients with high r isk features have received more intensive treatments, while those with features associated with a lower risk of relapse receive less aggressive therapy. This article will review those factors that are currently utilized by clinical trials groups world-wide to determine treatment for children and adolescents with ALL.
Impact of a Palliative Care Program on Tracheostomy Utilization in a Community Hospital.

BACKGROUND Tracheostomies are typically provided to wean patients off the ventilator. However, in many circumstances tracheostomies are placed in patients who are at the end of their life with little hope of meaningful recovery. Palliative care teams decrease utilization of aggressive medical interventions in patients who are at the end of life. OBJECTIVE The study objective was to determine the impact of a palliative care team on tracheostomy utilization in a community hospital setting. METHODS The study was a four-year retrospective analysis of adult patients undergoing elective tracheostomy two years before and after the establishment of a palliative care program. The study in an ethnically diverse community hospital included patients older than 18 years old, with patients undergoing a tracheostomy due to trauma excluded. Before and after comparisons were made of demographics, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and discharge status of patients undergoing tracheostomy. RESULTS Seven hundred ninety patients undergoing tracheostomy were identified (n = 406, n = 384 before and after September 10, 2010, respectively). Patients were ethnically diverse (Caucasian 43%, Asian 23%, African American 11%, Hispanic 7%). The number of hospital admissions slightly increased during these two time periods (n = 58,926; n = 60,662, respectively). There were no statistical differences in age (73 versus 72, p = 0.827); gender (n = 218 [54%] versus n = 217 [57%] male, p = 0.426); or race (n = 187 [46%] versus n = 150 [39%] Caucasian, p = 0.073) in the two time periods. Patients who underwent tracheostomy after a palliative care service was established had less incidence of comorbid disease (Charlson Comorbidity Index score [CCIS]: 2 versus 3, p = 0.025); lower inpatient mortality (n = 107 [28%] versus n = 148 [37%], p = 0.009]); greater discharge to home or rehabilitation (n = 262 [68%] versus n = 249 [62%], p = 0.01); and lower rates of palliative weaning from mechanical ventilation (n = 61[16%] versus n = 113 [28%], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In an ethnically diverse community hospital, the institution of a palliative care program appears to have improved patient selection for tracheostomy with lower rates of inpatient mortality, improved rates of home discharge, and lower rates of palliative weaning from mechanical ventilation.
Influence of Competing Distractors on Response Selection in Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease

Current theories of the basal ganglia suggest a functional role in filtering stimuli that are competing for response selection. We hypothesised that damage to the basal ganglia, as occurs in Huntington's disease (HD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), may alter the effects of distractors on this filtering process. Fourteen HD subjects, 16 PD subjects, and age-matched healthy controls performed an ignored repetition test of negative priming. Negative priming was defined as a significant time cost in responding to a target that shared features with the distractor from the previous trial. Results indicated that whereas healthy controls and PD subjects showed normal negative priming, HD subjects failed to show negative priming. The results indicate that disruption to cells in the neostriatum, but not necessarily to cells in the substantia nigra, may affect selective attention by altering the influence of distractor stimuli competing for action.
A Survey of Malaysian Personnel Practices and Problems

Satu tinjauan telah dijalankan dalam bulan Oktober dan November, 1981 di kalangan organisasi-organisasi untuk menentukan keadaan perkembangan amalan-amalan personelia di Malaysia. Pengurus-pengurus diminta menyatakan sama ada mereka mengunakan amalan-amalan personelia seperti mengadakan pemerihalan kerja, skil-skil gaji, penilaian karya dan sebagainya. Mereka juga diminta memberi maklumat mengenai kemudahan-kemudahan asas yang disediakan untuk pekerja, kriteria yang digunakan untuk memilih penyelia-penyelia utama dan pengurus-pengurus pertengahan, dan bidang-bidang pengurusan personelia yang organisasi mereka menghadapi masalah. Perbandingan dibuat di antara firma-firma swasta tempatan dengan firma-firma asing dan juga di antara saiz-saiz organisasi. Hasil tinjauan menunjukkan fungsi personelia di Malaysia diuruskan dengan cara yang wajar. ABSTRACT In October and November, 1981 the reseachers conductes a survey of Malaysian organizations for the purpose of ascertaining the state of development of personnel practice in Malaysia. Respondents were asked to indicate the extent to which they employ job descriptions, wage scales, periodic evaluations, turnover rates, exist interviewes, planned promotion paths and manning tables. They were also asked to indicate the types of fringes services offered employees and the selection criteria for first line supervisors and midlle managers. Finally, respondents were asked to indicate areas in which their organizations experienced personnel problems. Comparisons were made between foreign and domestic owned private firms and between organization of different sizes. The survey results reflect a relatively high degree of professionalization in the conduct of the personnel function within Malaysia.
B-Cell-Mediated Lysis of Cells Infected with the Neurotropic JHM Strain of Mouse Hepatitis Virus

Abstract Cells expressing the spike (S) glycoprotein of the neurotropic JHM strain (JHMV) of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) are susceptible to lysis by B cells derived from naı̈ve mice, including B cells from perforin-deficient mice. Cytolysis requires interaction of the virus receptor and the viral S glycoprotein, is independent of other viral-induced components, and is not a unique property of B cells. Neutralizing anti-S-protein monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and a mAb specific for the viral receptor inhibit lysis. However, cells infected with an MHV strain unable to induce cell–cell fusion are resistant to lysis and lysis of JHMV-infected cells is inhibited by an anti-S-protein nonneutralizing mAb which prevents S-protein-mediated cell fusion. These data suggest that B cells may function as antibody-independent innate immune response during JHMV infection in vivo.
RELATION WITH MEAN PLATELET VOLUME AND DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a global health problem with multiple and major complication. Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) is one of those that 15% of diabetic patients experience with DFU during their lifetime. DFU is considered as a major cause of morbidity and hospitalization in diabetics. DFU have multifactorial pathogenesis and a complex several causes; however, the first acting factors are neuropathy and ischemia and occasionally overlapping of these which defined as neuro ischemia. Mean Platelet Volume(MPV) is a predictive marker of platelet activation and its function. It means that increase of MPV show the synthesis of pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory agents in platelets, release of alpha-granules, and release of pretty much reactive platelets from reserves and related with thrombotic disease and atherosclerosis . MPV increases with glucose levels in patients without glycemic control. Since MPV is an easy and cheap parameter that is strongly correlated with activated platelet and alteration of microvascular circulation and athActa Medica Mediterranea, 2017, 33: 401