Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical courses and risk factors for renal graft survival in renal retransplantation patients

Background : It has been reported that the results of second renal transplantation are inferior to that of first transplantation and affected by several factors. The purpose of this study is to suggest guidelines for successful retransplantion by evaluating the factors which might affect the clinical courses and graft survival rates in the second renal transplantation. Methods : Between March 1969 and February 2005, 1476 kidneys were transplanted in Kangnam St Mary's hospital. Among these, 77 cases were retransplantation (72 cases were second transplantation, 5 cases were third transplantation). Especially for the second transplantation, we retrospectively analysed the clinical courses of grafted kidneys and sought the factors which might be related to the long term graft survival. Results : Among second transplant patients, male were 52 cases, female were 20 cases. The mean age at retransplantation was 38.411 years. Living donor were 62 cases and cadaver donor were 10 cases. The mean duration between primary graft failure and second transplantation was 20.136 months. The 1 yr, 3 yr, 5 yr survival rates of the second grafts were 86.4%, 78%, 71% respectively, and it is not significantly inferior to that of total primary transplantation at our center. Multivariate analysis showed that the duration of the first graft survival and the postoperative recovery pattern significantly predicted graft survival in the second renal transplantation. Conclusions : This study suggests retransplantation can be considered for patients who lost primary graft function. And the longer the duration of the first graft survival and the earlier the postoperative graft function recovery, the prognosis of retransplanted graft would be better.
Measuring Moral Judgment of Education Profession Ethics Among Pre-Service Teachers of the School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan

This study aimed at identifying moral judgment for education profession ethics among pre-service teachers programs of the School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan. Accordingly, the researchers developed a Moral Judgment Scale based on Kohlberg (1984), and on the Adult Moral Judgment Scale localized by Abdul-Fattah (2001). The scale consisted of five dilemmas related to ethics in education profession. Validity and reliability of the scale were confirmed. Study population involved (420) students from (5) programs in the academic year 2018/2019. The results of the study showed that the prevailing moral judgement is the second level (conventional morality) of Kohlberg with (308) students of (89.3%), and the fourth stage (Upholding/enforcing norms and laws) with (245) students of (71%) of total students. No students were in the first level, stage 1, stage 2, nor in stage 6. However, significant differences were observed in the level of moral judgment attributable to the academic achievement variable, while no differences were attributable to the program specialization. Moreover, significant differences were found in the moral judgment stages attributable to the academic achievement and students’ program. These findings argue for investment in pre-service teachers’ education to increase their moral judgment during education profession.
The Role of the Board of Commissioners in Improving the Financial Performance of Sharia Insurance Industries in Indonesia

This study analyzed the factors that influence financial performance and further analyzed the role of the board of commissioners in improving the financial performance of Sharia insurance companies in Indonesia. Financial performance is measured by the surplus related to its contributions, while the predictor variable is size, age and company status. The study was conducted with and focused on Islamic insurance companies and Islamic business units in conventional insurance companies. The research period was 2012 to 2017. The data was analyzed using moderated regression analysis. The results showed that size had a positive effect, age had a negative effect and status had no effect on financial performance. The board of commissioner’s moderates (weakens) the relationship between size and status with financial performance and further moderates (strengthens) the relationship between age and financial performance in Sharia insurance companies. Keywords— surplus on contribution, board of commissioners, Sharia insurance
Analysis of a New MPI Process Distribution for the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model

The standard method used in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model for distributing MPI processes across the processors is not always optimal. This circumstance affects performance, i.e., execution times, but also energy consumption, especially if the application is to be extended to exascale. The authors found that the reason why the standard method for process distribution is not always optimal was an imbalance between the orthogonality of the communication and the proper cache usage, and this affects energy consumption. We present an improved MPI process distribution algorithm that increases the performance. Furthermore, scalability analyses for the new algorithm are presented and the energy use of the system is evaluated. A solution for balancing energy use with performance is also proposed for cases where the former is a concern.
The Effect of the China Connect

We document the effect on Chinese firms of the Shanghai (Shenzhen)-Hong Kong Stock Connect. The Connect was an important capital account liberalization introduced in the mid-2010s. It created a channel for cross-border equity investments into a selected set of Chinese stocks while China’s overall capital controls policy remained in place. Using a difference-in-difference approach, and with careful attention to sample selection issues, we find that mainland Chinese firm-level investment is negatively affected by contractionary U.S. monetary policy shocks and that firms in the Connect are more adversely affected than those outside of it. These effects are stronger for firms whose stock return has a higher covariance with the world market return and for firms relying more on external financing. We also find that firms in the Connect enjoy lower financing costs, invest more, and have higher profitability than unconnected firms. We discuss the implications of our results for the debate on capital controls and independence of Chinese monetary policy.
Probiotics in Bloating Distention and Irritable Bowel Syndrome – from Clinical Evidence to Guidelines

Research suggests that gut microbiota contribute to symptom generation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The colonic flora appears altered in IBS and ongoing research, including studies involving antibiotics and especially probiotics, further support bacterial microflora as a relevant target in IBS. Probiotics have the potential to influence the stability of the intestinal microbiota, and some probiotic strains and mixtures may therefore influence altered gut sensation, motility, permeability and immune function in IBS. This review considers the current clinical evidence-base for probiotics within IBS management, noting that some probiotics are now recognised within evidence-based position statements and clinical guidelines. The current UK National Health Service (NHS) Map of Medicine treatment pathway for IBS states that there is evidence supporting a role for selected probiotics for IBS management, and the recent German consensus guideline on IBS recommends a role for specific probiotics. These guidelines highlight the importance of selecting and differentiating between probiotics according to species or strain and patient symptoms. For example, in patients with predominant pain and/or bloating, the guidelines support Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010, Lactobacillus casei Shirota and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, and in patients with predominant constipation, probiotic strains Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 and Lactobacillus casei Shirota can be considered.
The effect of essential oil combination on bio-hydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids on West African Dwarf goats. Online J. Anim. Feed Res., 8(5): 126-135. www.ojafr.ir;

A study was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, on the effect of essential oil (EO) combination on bio-hydrogenation (BH) of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and fermentation activities of rumen microbes. Four West African Dwarf goats (mean weight 40.0 ±2.5kg) were offered grass (Panicum maximum) and water ad libitum and supplemented with additional 400 g/goat/day of goat pellets for a period of 14 days. A basal feedstock comprising of 70:30 grass hay and concentrate was formulated. Each serum bottles contained 20 ml inoculum, 80 ml buffer, 1 g of feed substrate and supplemented with 300 mg/l of EO or their combination and incubated at 390C for 48 h, and samples were collected to analyse ammonia N, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and concentration of PUFAs using GenStat 16th edition. There were four treatments and eight replicates as follows: Control, anise oil, lavender oil and blend (150 mg:150 mg) of anise and lavender (A+LO). Relative to the control, anise oil was the only treatment that reduced (P<0.001) ammonia N concentration in culture by a magnitude of 66% at 24 h. The concentration of TVFA (mM) was reduced by anise oil, whilst all other treatments maintained this level relative to the control (68.3, 60.4, 67.7 and 66.1 mM, for the control, anise oil, lavender oil and A+LO, respectively). The concentrations of n-3 PUFAs and C18:2 n-6 were maintained at higher levels (P<0.001) with addition of all EO, but were highest (P<0.001) in cultures where anise oil was added. The concentrations of 18:2 cis-9 trans 11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and C18:1 trans 11 were significantly maintained (P<0.001) at higher levels by anise and A+LO. At both time points, the concentration of C18:0 was lowest in the control and highest in cultures supplemented with EOs. This study indicates that combining anise and lavender oil (at 1:1 ratio) substantially reduced bio-hydrogenation but without a considerable suppression of ruminal VFA concentration. Hence, this study recommends that, if this effect is confirmed in vivo, using anise and lavender oil (at levels 1:1) could reduce ruminal bio-hydrogenation without affecting ruminal volatile fatty acid concentration.
Fighting Left Handers Promotes Different Visual Perceptual Strategies than Right Handers: The Study of Eye Movements of Foil Fencers in Attack and Defence

Left handers have long held the edge over right handers in one-on-one interactive combat sports. Particularly in fencing, top rankings show a relatively strong overrepresentation of left handers over right handers. Whether this can be attributed to perceptual strategies used by fencers in their bouts remains to be established. This study aims to verify whether right-handed fencers assess their opponents' behaviour based on different perceptual strategies when fencing a left vs. right hander. Twelve top-level (i.e., Olympic fencers, Junior World Team Fencing Champions, and top Polish senior foil fencers) right-handed female foil fencers (aged 16–30 years) took part in the study. They performed a total of 40 actions: 10 repetitions of offensive actions (attack) and 10 repetitions of defensive actions (defence), each type of action performed under 2 conditions (right- vs. left-handed opponent). While the participants were fencing, their eye movements were being recorded with a remote eye-tracker (SMI ETG 2.0). Both in their offensive and defensive actions, the fencers produced more fixations to the armed hand and spent more time observing the armed hand in duels with a left-handed (vs. right-handed) opponent. In defence, it was also the guard that attracted more fixations and gained a longer observation time in bouts with a left hander. In duels with a right-handed opponent, a higher number of fixations in attack and in defence, and longer observation times in defence were found for the upper torso. The results may point to different perceptual strategies employed in bouts with left- vs. right-handed individuals. The findings from this study may help to promote the implementation of specialized perceptual training programmes in foil fencing.
Event Study of Obtaining Investment Grade in Indonesia

This research aims to analyze the market reaction to the announcement of the acquisition of share prices due to the announcement event Indonesia's debt rating of Investment Grade Indonesia. This study used comparative descriptive research design. The sample used in this study was 41 companies included in the LQ45 index group on the Indonesia Share Exchange. The analysis was conducted using the event study method with a window period of 11 days, i.e., five days before, one day, the date of the event, and five days after the fact. The data used in this study are the daily closing share price and the composite share price index. The expected return calculation in this study used the market model. The results showed that: (1) There was an abnormal return the day before the announcement of Indonesia's debt rating increase. (2) There was no significant difference in the average abnormal return both before and after the announcement of the acquisition of Investment Grade. Based on these results shows that the Indonesian capital market can be said to be efficient because economic events that occur do not cause turmoil on share prices. Keywords—Event Study, Abnormal Return, Investment Grade, Debt Rating
Breeding practice and phenotypic characteristics of indigenous Woyito-Guji goat breeds reared in Nyangatom and Malle pastoral and agro-pastoral districts of SNNPR, Ethiopia

The study was carried to characterize the Woyto-Guji goats reared in two districts (Nyangatom and Malle) of South Omo and also to assess the traits used to select the bucks and does traditionally. The respondents were selected using stepwise purposive followed by random sampling method. The collected data were analyzed using statistical procedures. The qualitative traits were evaluated using non parametric tests. The results indicated that the bucks and does are selected by the community members using traditional descriptors. The traits preferred for selection were those related with adaptation and disease tolerance. The bucks were selected for traits which correlated with their abilities to fend off predators while the does were selected for their mothering and nursing abilities. Coat colors were also considered as important attributes towards selecting the does and bucks, the preferred coat colors were those with white with patchy, red and red with patchy. The selection criteria of breeding doe’s were more concerned on their maternal instincts and nursing abilities while body conformation and coat color were the traits preferred for selection of the bucks. Pastoral and agro pastoral preference of coat color patterns were white with patchy, red and red with patchy which were helpful for the goats of the area for the adaptation on the existing hot environment. Therefore, based on their adaptation traits, selection and breed improvement strategies should be developed for the existing environment.
Biosynthesis and antibacterial potential of tectona grandis mediated magnesium oxide nanorods.

The high rate of enteric bacterial infection and the increasing drug resistance by pathogenic bacteria have made the search for new antimicrobials inevitable. The aim of the study was to investigate the antibacterial potentials of Tectona grandis magnesium oxide (MgO) nanorods on clinical isolates of Escherichia coli Acj 213, Salmonella Typhi strain T8 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain DMI. Magnesium chloride solution (50 ml, 1M) was bio reduced to magnesium oxide nanorods using Tectona grandis leaves extract (10 ml). The biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), surface area electron diffraction analysis (SAED) and X-ray diffraction techniques (XRD). Similarly, antibacterial effects of the MgO nanorods were determined using agar well diffusion technique. The biogenic MgO nanorods colloidal solution was fluffy brown in colour with UV-Vis absorbance peak occurring at 364 nm. The DLS analysis revealed monodispersed MgO nanorods with 90 nm hydrodynamic diameter. Furthermore, the XRD analysis showed that the crystalline nature had average size of 30 nm. HRTEM/SAED result revealed a rod shaped polycrystalline MgO nanorods with 29 nm average size. The results of the antibacterial test showed that MgO nanorods had the highest antimicrobial activity (21.75 ± 1.79 mm, 22.75 ± 1.70 mm and 19.75 ± 1.10 mm) at 500 mg/ml against E. coli Acj 213, S. Typhi strain T8 and P. aeruginosa strain DMI, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration for P. aeruginosa strain DMI, S. Typhi strain T8 and E. coli Acj 213 were 125 mg/ml, 62.5 mg/ml and 125 mg/ml, respectively. However, the minimum bacteriocidal concentration was 250 mg/ml, 125 mg/ml and 250 mg/ml, respectively. The results of this study indicate that the synthesized MgO nanorods could be a potential antibacterial agent with broad spectrum activities.
Localization of acute pyelonephritis in pyrexia of unknown origin using FDG PET/CT

Objective(s): Acute pyelonephritis presents with high-grade fever, dysuria, flank pain, leukocytosis, and microscopic hematuria. Urine culture aids in the diagnosis of this infection. It can be complicated or uncomplicated. Complicated pyelonephritis includes uncontrolled diabetes, transplant, pregnancy, acute or chronic renal failure, structural abnormality of the urinary tract, immunocompromised state, and hospital-acquired infections. Gram-negative bacteria commonly involved are Escherichia, Klebsiella, Proteus, and Enterobacter. The FDG PET/CT helps detect occult causes of fever, such as skeletal tuberculosis, thyroiditis, and lymphoma, when other investigations are inconclusive. We present three cases of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) in whom FDG PET/CT helped localize the focus of infection in the kidneys. Methods: The 18F-FDG PET/CT was performed on all three cases and images were acquired using the Biograph Horizon PET/CT system. Results: A cortical-based focus of FDG uptake was localized in the kidneys. The focus of abnormality was persistent following diuretic administration at 1-hour delayed regional image. Two cases had supportive evidence of pyelonephritis on DMSA scan. One case also had frank pus drained after DJ stenting of the affected side. All of them responded to treatment. Conclusion: Physiologic excretion of FDG in the urinary tract may interfere with the detection of the focus of infection in the kidneys on FDG PET/CT. However, occult infection in the kidneys may be detected with adequate precautions, such as the use of diuretics and delayed imaging, as illustrated in this case report. Routine investigations were noncontributory in all three cases presenting with PUO. However, FDG PET provided a diagnostic clue for pyelonephritis.
Prevalence and characteristics of disordered eating adolescents in cyprus: The influence of body image, situational dysphoria, self-esteem, and the media

The purpose of the current study was threefold: a) to collect a very large representative sample of adolescents and assess for their levels of disordered eating behaviors; b) to describe the characteristics of adolescents with disordered eating behaviors in Cyprus based on the measures that were used in the study and c) to compare the adolescents with significant disordered eating behaviors (EAT-26 ≥ 20) to the ones without any disordered eating behaviors (EAT < 20) on all the variables of interest. A total of 2664 secondary school students responded to self-report measures assessing disordered eating, negative body image, situational dysphoria, self-esteem and media influences. Results indicated that 16.04% of the overall sample of adolescents scored significantly on the EAT-26 (21.4% of females and 8.4% of males). Results also indicated that the majority of the adolescents with disordered eating behaviors were female, mainly from average socioeconomic status, normal Body Mass Index and grew up and reside in an urban area. Finally, adolescents in the disordered eating behaviors group scored significantly lower on appearance satisfaction and self-esteem and significantly higher on appearance investment, weight-related anxiety, situational dysphoria, internalization of the thin and athletic ideals as well as feeling pressured from the media and considering the media as a good source of information. In conclusion, results indicate a substantial difference in levels of disordered eating in adolescents as compared to previous research in Cyprus. Possible explanations are addressed as well as implications for prevention strategies and future research ideas based on the findings.
Analysis and Control of Nonlinear Attitude Motion of Gravity-Gradient Stabilized Spacecraft via Lyapunov-Floquet Transformation and Normal Forms

This chapter demonstrates analysis and control of the attitude motion of a gravity-gradient stabilized spacecraft in eccentric orbit. The attitude motion is modeled by nonlinear planar pitch dynamics with periodic coefficients and addi-tionally subjected to external periodic excitation. Consequently, using system state augmentation, Lyapunov-Floquet (L-F) transformation, and normal form simplification, we convert the unwieldy attitude dynamics into relatively more amenable schemes for motion analysis and control law development. We analyze the dynamical system ’ s periodicity, stability, resonance, and chaos via numerous nonlinear dynamic theory techniques facilitated by intuitive system state augmentation and Lyapunov-Floquet transformation. Versal deformation of the normal forms is constructed to investigate the bifurcation behavior of the dynamical system. Outcome from the analysis indicates that the motion is quasi-periodic, chaotic, librational, and undergoing a Hopf bifurcation in the small neighborhood of the critical point-engendering locally stable limit cycles. Consequently, we demonstrate the implementation of linear and nonlinear control laws (i.e., bifurcation and sliding mode control laws) on the relatively acquiescent transformed attitude dynamics. By employing a two-pronged approach, the quasiperiodic planar motion is indepen-dently shown to be stabilizable via the nonlinear control approaches.
Effect of national cultural differences on the performance of cross border merger: case of Indian companies going abroad

This paper seeks to verify whether Cultural Distance affects the performance of Indian companies that are seeking profitability through cross border Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As). Despite the fast growth rate of some developing economies, most research in cultural differences as an explanatory variable of merger performance is limited to companies from the developed countries. Thus, from the research standpoint, a study of the impact of cultural differences on a company based in a developing country is an interesting proposition. We have employed multiple regression analysis in explaining the effect of cultural differences on the performance of an Indian company after netting out the effect of other variables, such as year of acquisition and type of industry, that are considered significant in the explanation of performance of a company post merger. The findings indicate that cultural difference, as an explanatory variable of the post acquisition performance, is not a significant factor affecting performance of the Indian companies.