Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ENME: An ENriched MEdia application utilizing context for session mobility in a telecom system

– In many settings, the users are mobile (e.g. away from their desks) while high quality multimedia telephony equipment has fixed locations. This may result in unsuccessful multimedia calls and motivates a context aware system which supports session mobility. This paper aims to address these issues. , – The approach is to utilize state‐of‐the‐art in‐context awareness and integrate this into a real time telecom system based on SIP. System requirements are formulated and the system is designed, implemented and (technically) tested. , – The paper contains a thorough analysis of why baseline SIP and SIP REFER alone cannot solve our case and why a new SIP extension is introduced. The solution is evaluated and compared to solutions such as “virtual terminals”. , – It is pointed out that the context model does not directly support roaming between two different business domains. This issue is however of limited impact in an enterprise setting. The current prototype is thoroughly tested from a technical viewpoint, but user studies in real organizations are recommended as further work. , – The paper shows that human issues and issues relating to computer mediated communication (CMC) are strongly linked to technical details in SIP. In practice this means that researchers in CMC and CSCW should look more into building prototypes where real time conversational features are supported together with dynamic change of media types. , – The main value of the paper is a thorough described technical realization of the context aware multimedia application ENriched MEdia (ENME). The background material and the appendix should be of value to anyone interested in convergence between computing and communication.
The value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the characterization of vascular pattern of solid pancreatic lesions.

UNLABELLED The AIM of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of CEUS in the characterization of pancreatic solid lesions, considering cross sectional imaging techniques (CE-CT/MRI) as the "gold standard" methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a retrospective, monocentric study that included 91 solid pancreatic lesions which were evaluated by CEUS and by a second-line contrast imaging technique (CT or MRI), considered as the reference method. RESULTS The rate of a conclusive diagnosis based on a typical enhancement pattern was 94% (78/83 cases). In 72 cases out of 83 (86.7%) there was a perfect concordance between CEUS and the "gold-standard" imaging method (CE-CT/MRI). In our study, 88% (73/83) of the pancreatic lesions were categorized as malignant due to their typical wash-out aspect in the late phase. The overall accuracy of CEUS for the differential diagnosis of solid pancreatic tumors was approximately 81%. The accuracy of CEUS for the diagnosis of hypoenhancing pancreatic tumors was approximately 89.1%; while for the diagnosis of hyperenhancing pancreatic tumors it was approximately 72.8%. CONCLUSION CEUS allows the differentiation between hypo- vs. hyperenhancing pancreatic solid lesions, with a considerable diagnostic accuracy, a fundamental step in the precise diagnosis of pancreatic tumors.
Macrophage Metalloelastase, MMP-12, Cleaves Human Apolipoprotein(a) in the Linker Region between Kringles IV-4 and IV-5

In this study we found that macrophage metalloelastase, MMP-12 cleaves, in vitro, apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) in the Asn3518-Val3519 bond located in the linker region between kringles IV-4 and IV-5, a bond immediately upstream of the Ile3520-Leu3521 bond, shown previously to be the site of action by neutrophil elastase (NE). We have also shown that human apo(a) injected into the tail vein of control mice undergoes degradation as reflected by the appearance of immunoreactive fragments in the plasma and in the urine of these animals. To define whether either or both of these enzymes may be responsible for the in vivo apo(a) cleavage, we injected intravenously MMP-12−/−, NE −/− mice and litter mates, all of the same strain, with either lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), full-length free apo(a), or its N-terminal fragment, F1, obtained by the in vitro cleavage of apo(a) by NE. In the plasma of Lp(a)/apo(a)-injected mice, F1 was detected in control and NE−/− mice but was virtually absent in the MMP-12−/− mice. Moreover, fragments of the F1 type were present in the urine of the animals except for the MMP-12−/− mice. These fragments were significantly smaller in size than those observed in the plasma. All of the animals injected with F1 exhibited small sized fragments in their urine. These observations provide evidence that, in the mouse strain used, MMP-12 plays an important role in the generation of F1 from injected human Lp(a)/apo(a) and that this fragment undergoes further cleavage during renal transit via a mechanism that is neither NE- nor MMP-12-dependent. Thus, factors influencing the expression of MMP-12 may have a modulating action on the biology of Lp(a).
Determinants of Leverage in Korea

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the determinants of leverage in Korea. The study is conducted using 2005-2015 sample period and data of 563 listed companies in the Korean securities market. It analyzes the relationship between leverage and profitability (return on equity), liquidity (current ratio), tangibility (tangible fixed asset to total asset ratio), growth opportunity (sales growth rate), size (log of total asset), age (dummy variable from 0 to 10) and the leverage of the previous year through multiple regression analysis. In order to investigate the effect of the financial crisis on leverage, the study examines whether there is a significant difference between the average leverage in the financial crisis period and the non-financial crisis period through t-test. Regression analysis shows that there is a significant negative correlation between leverage and profitability, leverage and age. Leverage has a statistically significant positive correlation with previous leverage and firm size. On the other hand, no statistical significant relationship was found between leverage and liquidity, tangibility and growth opportunities. The difference between the average leverage before and after the financial crisis was only partially found in the comparison between the 2015 financial crisis period and the 2014 non-financial crisis period, but no significant difference was found between the rests of the periods.
Engineered human mesenchymal stem cells: a novel platform for skeletal cell mediated gene therapy

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are pluripotent cells that can differentiate to various mesenchymal cell types. Recently, a method to isolate hMSCs from bone marrow and expand them in culture was described. Here we report on the use of hMSCs as a platform for gene therapy aimed at bone lesions.
Parallel Deterioration of Albuminuria, Arterial Stiffness and Left Ventricular Mass in Essential Hypertension: Integrating Target Organ Damage

Background: Albuminuria, arterial stiffening and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) constitute target organ damage. We estimated whether increased urinary albumin excretion, assessed by albumin-to-creatine ratio (ACR), and carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV) were accompanied by augmented left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMI) in hypertension. Methods: In 428 non-diabetic untreated hypertensives (257 men, mean age = 52 years, office blood pressure (BP) = 146/93 mm Hg) the distributions of ACR and c-f PWV were split by the median (8 mg/g and 7.8 m/s, respectively). Results: Age, male sex, 24 h systolic BP, ACR and c-f PWV were the independent predictors of LVMI (R2 = 0.478, p < 0.0001). Among patients with low ACR (n = 198), those with high c-f PWV (n = 84) compared to those with low c-f PWV (n = 114) were characterized by increased LVMI (by 8.9 g/m2, p = 0.012) and prevalence of LVH (30 vs. 14%, p = 0.015). Similarly among patients with high ACR (n = 230), those with high c-f PWV (n = 123) compared to those with low c-f PWV (n = 107) exhibited heightened LVMI (by 13.6 g/m2, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Increased ACR in conjunction with pronounced arterial stiffness is accompanied by augmented LV mass and higher LVH rates. Furthermore, the interrelationships between albuminuria, c-f PWV and LVMI suggest parallel target organ damage progression.
Informal Credit Markets And The New Institutional Economics The Case Of Philippine Agriculture

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Compromised Humoral and Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity Responses in IL-23-Deficient Mice1

The heterodimeric cytokine IL-23 consists of a private cytokine-like p19 subunit and a cytokine receptor-like subunit, p40, which is shared with IL-12. Previously reported IL-12p40-deficient mice have profound immune defects resulting from combined deficiency in both IL-12 and IL-23. To address the effects of specific IL-23 deficiency, we generated mice lacking p19 by gene targeting. These mice display no overt abnormalities but mount severely compromised T-dependent humoral immune responses. IL-23p19−/− mice produce strongly reduced levels of Ag-specific Igs of all isotypes, but mount normal T-independent B cell responses. In addition, delayed type hypersensitivity responses are strongly impaired in the absence of IL-23, indicating a defect at the level of memory T cells. T cells stimulated with IL-23-deficient APCs secrete significantly reduced amounts of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17, and IL-23-deficient mice phenotypically resemble IL-17-deficient animals. Thus, IL-23 plays a critical role in T cell-dependent immune responses, and our data provide further support for the existence of an IL-23/IL-17 axis of communication between the adaptive and innate parts of the immune system.
Is obesity an advantage in patients with colorectal cancer?

Obesity/higher BMI appears to be important determinants in the development of colon cancer as well as in predicting outcomes in the adjuvant setting in these patients. These associations seem to be stronger for men and tend to be ‘J-shaped’, with worse outcomes in both lower and upper BMI categories than in the middle categories. How this factors in the metastatic setting is less clear. A recent pooled analysis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving bevacizumab in the first-line setting observed that patients with the lowest BMI had the lowest median overall survival. An incremental BMI increase of 5 kg/m2 led to actually a decrease in the risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.911 [95% CI, 0.879–0.944]). The observed association does not necessarily mean that obesity is an advantage for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. More likely, it is conceivable that, in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with a lower BMI, the effects of cancer-related cachexia may be more deleterious than the potential adverse events related to a higher BMI. In patients already diagnosed with metastatic disease, studying how body weight affects tumor biology and treatment-related decisions are important considerations.
Comparative Analysis of Profitability of Cassava Production among Agricultural Development Programme (Adp) and Non-Adp Contact Cassava Farmers in Abia State, Nigeria

his study was conducted in Abia state, Nigeria with specific objectives to describe socio economic characteristics of ADP and non-ADP contact farmers; estimate profitability level of the two farmer groups; compare profitability of cassava production among the two farmer groups; determine factors that influence profitability of ADP and non-ADP contact cassava farmers and identify problems constraining the cassava farmers. Multistage sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data collected using structured questionnaire and interview schedule were analysed using descriptive statistics, cost and returns analysis, paired t-test and ordinary least square regression technique. The paired-t-test result showed that ADP contact cassava farmers had a statistically significant higher net return (N93, 638.6) per hectare of cassava production than non-ADP contact farmers (N65, 715.58). Factors that influenced profitability of cassava production among ADP contact farmers were age, variable costs, education and selling price while factors that influenced profitability of cassava production among non-ADP contact farmers were age, farming experience and selling price. Main constraint to cassava production among the ADP and non-ADP cassava farmers was inadequate access to credit. It was recommended that the scope of Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in the state should be enlarged to accommodate more cassava farmers as evidence showed that ADP impacted positively on profitability of cassava production. To this end, additional skilled manpower should be employed and encouraged to visit more farmers on regular basis to teach them modern agricultural technologies.
The ugly truth: negative gossip about celebrities and positive gossip about self entertain people in different ways

In contrast to abstract trait words which describe people’s general personality, gossip is about personal affairs of others. Although neural correlates underlying processing self-related trait words have been well documented, it remains poorly understood how the human brain processes gossip. In the present fMRI study, participants were instructed to rate their online emotional states upon hearing positive and negative gossip about celebrities, themselves, and their best friends. Explicit behavioral ratings suggested that participants were happier to hear positive gossip and more annoyed to hear negative gossip about themselves than about celebrities and best friends. At the neural level, dissociated neural networks were involved in processing the positive gossip about self and the negative gossip about celebrities. On the one hand, the superior medial prefrontal cortex responded not only to self-related gossip but also to moral transgressions, and neural activity in the orbital prefrontal cortex increased linearly with pleasure ratings on positive gossip about self. On the other hand, although participants’ ratings did not show they were particularly happy on hearing negative gossip about celebrities, the significantly enhanced neural activity in the reward system suggested that they were indeed amused. Moreover, via enhanced functional connectivity, the prefrontal executive control network was involved in regulating the reward system by giving explicit pleasure ratings according to social norm compliance, rather than natural true feelings.
Long-term effects of human amniotic membrane in a rat model of biliary fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is the most common outcome of chronic liver diseases, and its progression to cirrhosis can only be effectively treated with liver transplantation. The amniotic membrane (AM) has been studied as an alternative therapy for fibrosis diseases mainly for its favorable properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-scaring and immunomodulatory properties. It was recently demonstrated that the AM reduces the progression of biliary fibrosis to its advanced stage, cirrhosis, when applied on the liver for 6 weeks after fibrosis induction. Here, we investigated the effects of AM on rat fibrotic liver, during a prolonged period of time. Fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL), and at the same time, a fragment of AM was applied around the liver. After 1, 3, 6, and 9 weeks, the degree of fibrosis was assessed by qualitative Knodell scoring, and by quantitative image analysis to quantify the area of collagen deposition in hepatic tissue. While fibrosis progressed rapidly in untreated BDL animals, leading to cirrhosis within 6 weeks, AM-treated livers showed confined fibrosis at the periportal area with few and thin fibrotic septa, but without cirrhosis. In addition, collagen deposition was reduced to about 36 and 55% of levels observed in BDL at 6 and 9 weeks after BDL, respectively, which shows that the longer the period of AM application, the lower the collagen deposition. These results suggested that AM applied as a patch onto the liver surface for longer periods attenuated the severity of biliary fibrosis and protected against liver degeneration caused by excessive collagen deposition.
Wasting of Preoperatively Donated Autologous Blood in the Surgical Treatment of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Study Design. Retrospective, case-control. Objective. Evaluate the utility of preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD) for surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Summary of Background Data. Recent data have highlighted overuse of PABD in elective surgery; however, PABD is a major blood conservation strategy for AIS surgery. Methods. Medical records of 123 patients treated for AIS between June 1995 and November 2004 were reviewed. Patients were divided into PABD (n = 104) and nondonors (NPABD; n = 19). Results. No differences existed between PABD and NPABD for age, major curve size, or operative procedures. Average PABD preoperative hematocrit was lower than NPABD (37.8 vs.— 40.2; P < 0.005). PABD patients were 9 times more likely to be transfused than NPABD, and 3 times more likely to be transfused for each unit donated. There was a 25% transfusion risk reduction for each percent preoperative hematocrit increase. Minimum one autologous unit was not transfused in 32 patients (31%). Twenty-nine PABD patients (28%) were transfused for hematocrit >30. Fifty-three PABD patients (51%) wasted at least one unit or were transfused for hematocrit >30. Conclusions. The majority of PABD patients (51%) wasted minimum one autologous unit or were transfused at a high hematocrit (>30). More precise PABD guidelines are needed to limit unnecessary transfusion and wasted resources.
Do Political Connections Help Privately Owned Chinese Enterprises Go Global?

This paper explores how political connections can influence the likelihood of “going global” by assisting privately owned enterprises (POEs) in China to complete cross-border acquisitions. Using a sample of Chinese POEs from 2007 to 2016, we show that politically connected POEs are more likely to acquire foreign companies and to have outsize financial performance than domestic POEs in the three years after beginning the globalization process. We also find that multinational POEs in China exhibit better corporate governance.
Determination of corn stalk fibers' strength through modeling of the mechanical properties of its composites

Worldwide cultivation of corn is expanding, due in part to the increasing production of bioethanol. In consequence, huge amounts of corn stalks residues are been produced. Instead of incineration, we transformed the corn stalks into a semichemical pulp and successfully applied it as reinforcement in polypropylene composites. PP composites reinforced with 40% wt corn stalk single fibers were prepared, and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Through mechanical properties modeling of the composites, the intrinsic tensile strength of the cellulosic fibers that constitute the corn stalk have been determined.
Private Equity and Devaluation in Emerging Countries

Abstract: Using a comprehensive database with 51 emerging countries studied over a 13 year period, we find that devaluation increases the PE investment. More years of annual devaluation have a higher impact in promoting PE investment. Conclusions are confirmed for total and high technology PE investments, but not for early stage PE investments. Devaluation does not benefit PE investment in firms in the early stages of development. Devaluation itself is not sufficient to encourage the appetite of investors; however, some country-level competitiveness variables are indispensable for making a country more fertile for PE investment when a devaluation occurs – the high relevance of competiveness increasing in the long term.
Kindergarten children's attachment security, inhibitory control, and the internalization of rules of conduct

Starting from research on relations between attachment and the development of self-regulation, the present study aimed to investigate research questions on relations among inhibitory control, internalization of rules of conduct (i.e., behavior regulation, concern occasioned by others transgressions, confession, reparation after wrongdoing), and attachment security. Attachment security and internalization of rules of conduct of German kindergarten children (N = 82) were assessed by maternal reports. Children's inhibitory control was measured with the Stop-task. Regression analyses revealed that inhibitory control was positively related to attachment security and to internalization of rules of conduct. Mediational analysis using a bootstrapping approach indicated an indirect effect of attachment security on internalization processes via inhibitory control. Implications for further research on the development of inhibitory control and internalization of rules of conduct are discussed.
Antibacterial, anti-fungal and phytotoxic activities of Ferula narthex Boiss.

Crude methanolic extract of roots, aerial parts and its subsequent fractions of Ferula narthex Boiss were tested for antibacterial, anti-fungal and phytotoxic activities. Crude methanolic extract of roots and its fractions showed significant antibacterial effect against P.aeruginosa (86.95%, 73.91, 69.59, 78.26 & 73.91%) represented by percent inhibition except ethyl acetate (EtoAc) fraction. The EtoAc fraction of roots and aerial parts showed significant activity against E. coli (80%), S. typhi (81.2 & 81.25%) and S. pneumoniae (80%). The n-hexane, chloroform and aqueous fractions of aerial parts showed significant activity against P. aeruginosa (78.26, 69.56 & 73.91%). Following fungal strains (T. longifusus, C. albicans, A. flavus, M. canis, F. solani, C. glabrata) were also used for anti-fungal activity. Among tested samples only crude methanol extract of roots, n-hexane and chloroform fraction showed moderate anti-fungal activity against M. canis (40, 35 & 30%) represented by percent inhibition. The remaining fractions showed no effect on tested fungi. Different oils fractions were also tested against above fungal strains. Fraction I, II & V showed mild to moderate activity against M. canis (40, 40 & 25%). Phytotoxic effect of tested samples of roots, aerial part and its fractions showed concentration dependent growth inhibition. Maximum phytotoxic effect was noted for n-hexane and aqueous fraction (50% growth inhibition). The remaining tested samples showed mild effect on growth of Lemna minor plant.