Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women (BISF‐W): a new scoring algorithm and comparison of normative and surgically menopausal populations

Objective: To develop a new scoring algorithm for the Brief Index of Sexual Functioning for Women (BISF‐W) and to compare results from a normative population with those from a clinical sample of surgically menopausal women with impaired sexual function. Design: The scoring algorithm provided an overall composite score and seven dimension scores: D1 (thoughts/desires), D2 (arousal), D3 (frequency of sexual activity), D4 (receptivity/initiation), D5 (pleasure/orgasm), D6 (relationship satisfaction), and D7 (problems affecting sexual function). The normative population consisted of 225 healthy women between the ages of 20 and 55 years; 187 had regular sexual partners and 38 did not. The clinical sample comprised 104 women in the same age range (with partners), who reported that their sex lives had become less active or less satisfying after surgery (bilateral oophorectomy and hysterectomy), despite standard estrogen replacement therapy. Results: The BISF‐W composite and dimension scores for healthy women with partners were significantly greater (p < 0.001) than for women without partners, except for D1, which was comparable in both groups. For healthy women with partners, the composite and dimension scores (D1, D3, and D5) decreased significantly with increasing age (p < 0.05). In comparison, surgically menopausal women had significantly lower composite and dimension scores (p < 0.001), with the exception of D7, which was significantly higher (more problems). As a percent of the normative means for healthy women with partners, the dimension scores for surgically menopausal women were lowest for D1—47.2%, D3—46.9%, and D5—46.1%. Conclusions: This research provides further validation of the BISF‐W as an instrument for evaluating female sexual function and quantifies the nature and degree of impaired sexual function in surgically menopausal women. (Menopause 2000;7:350‐363. © 2000, The North American Menopause Society.)
Insoluble and soluble immune complexes activate neutrophils by distinct activation mechanisms: changes in functional responses induced by priming with cytokines

Background: Rheumatoid synovial fluid contains both soluble and insoluble immune complexes that can activate infiltrating immune cells such as neutrophils. Objectives: To determine if these different complexes activate neutrophils through similar or different receptor signalling pathways. In particular, to determine the circumstances which result in the secretion of tissue damaging reactive oxygen metabolites and granule enzymes. Methods: Blood neutrophils were incubated with synthetic soluble and insoluble immune complexes and the ability to generate reactive oxidants tested by luminescence or spectrophotometric assays that distinguished between intracellular and extracellular production. Degranulation of myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin was determined by western blotting. The roles of FcγRII (CD32) and FcγRIIIb (CD16) were determined by incubation with Fab/F(ab`)2 fragments before activation. The effect of cytokine priming was determined by incubation with GM-CSF. Results: Insoluble immune complexes activated unprimed neutrophils, but most of the oxidants produced were intracellular. This activation required FcγRIIIb, but not FcγRII function. Soluble complexes failed to activate unprimed neutrophils but generated a rapid and extensive secretion of reactive oxygen metabolites when the cells were primed with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). This activity required both FcγRII and FcγRIIIb function. Insoluble immune complexes activated the release of granule enzymes from primed or unprimed neutrophils, but the kinetics of release did not parallel those of secretion of reactive oxygen metabolites. Only primed neutrophils released enzymes in response to soluble complexes. Conclusions: Soluble and insoluble immune complexes activate neutrophils by separate receptor signalling pathways. Profound changes in neutrophil responsiveness to these complexes occur after cytokine priming.
ESTIMATING THE BUSINESS VALUE OF INVESTMENTS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Recent studies of the business value of information technology (IT) relate the market value of firms to IT spending or IT capital using a linear specification of the relation between the business value of IT and IT investment. A linear specification implicitly assumes that returns to IT investments do not diminish as the level of IT spending or capital increases, inconsistent with economic theory. In the study described here, we specify a model that has the property of diminishing returns to investments in IT. Using data on IT spending from InformationWeek surveys, we provide support for an empirical specification that incorporates diminishing returns to IT spending.
Customer Satisfaction Study of Disaster Recovery Based on IPA Model

As an important way of recovering data from disaster, disaster recovery technology has turned into a key issue of all the industries depend on computer software system. IPA model is used to analysis customers’ satisfaction of disaster recovery outsourcing, the main factors are captured and analyzed. It is helpful to improve service quality, customers’ relationship and customers’ satisfaction.
Interactions of TLC 1 ( Which Encodes the RNA Subunit of Telomerase ) , TEL 1 , and MEC 1 in Regulating Telomere Length in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, chromosomes terminate with a repetitive sequence [poly(TG1–3)] 350 to 500 bp in length. Strains with a mutation of TEL1, a homolog of the human gene (ATM) mutated in patients with ataxia telangiectasia, have short but stable telomeric repeats. Mutations of TLC1 (encoding the RNA subunit of telomerase) result in strains that have continually shortening telomeres and a gradual loss of cell viability; survivors of senescence arise as a consequence of a Rad52p-dependent recombination events that amplify telomeric and subtelomeric repeats. We show that a mutation in MEC1 (a gene related in sequence to TEL1 and ATM) reduces telomere length and that tel1 mec1 double mutant strains have a senescent phenotype similar to that found in tlc1 strains. As observed in tlc1 strains, survivors of senescence in the tel1 mec1 strains occur by a Rad52p-dependent amplification of telomeric and subtelomeric repeats. In addition, we find that strains with both tel1 and tlc1 mutations have a delayed loss of cell viability compared to strains with the single tlc1 mutation. This result argues that the role of Tel1p in telomere maintenance is not solely a direct activation of telomerase.
Barriers to relationship marketing in consumer retailing

This study focuses on the potential difficulties in implementing a relationship marketing strategy within a retail context. We suggest that a number of attributes characterise the nature of the service and market structure are influential in an organisation’s ability to implement relationship marketing. Specifically, these are balance of power; level of involvement with the purchase; professionalism of the service provider; and level of personal contact. Seven dimensions central to relationship marketing in a retail context are derived from the literature. Via survey research, these are evaluated in four service contexts, namely: hairdresser/barber; optician; recreation centre; and supermarket. Findings indicate that because of the influence of the four factors identified above, hairdressers, opticians, and recreation centres are more likely to operate in conditions that give greater support to the development of relationship marketing.
A User-Driven SOA for Financial Market Data Analysis

This paper is concerned with an environment, referred to as Ad-hoc DAta Grid Environment (ADAGE), which facilitates the analysis of large financial datasets by expert end-users. The paper focuses on the design of a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) that makes it possible to define re-usable and interoperable software components as web services to manipulate entities of an underlying event-based data model. Such a model allows for a coherent representation of market activities as events, e.g., high-frequency market data like trade prices and quotes, and a subsequent analysis. The paper also describes an implementation of a user-driven composition tool based on the SOA which allows domain experts to conveniently compose services to execute individualised processes. The approach is illustrated on a case study about analysing the price setting behaviour of issuers in the market for structured products.
Biotin-requiring mutants of Escherichia coli K-12

Mutants of Escherichia coli requiring biotin have been studied by several authors. C. H. Gray and E. L. Tatum (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S., 30:404, 1944) isolated a mutant that was closely linked to gal and to the X prophage attachment site attL (J. Rothman, J. Mol. Biol. 12:892, 1965). M. Schwartz (J. Bacteriol. 92:1083, 1966) found that some X-resistant mutants have a biotin requirement, presumably because of a deletion extending into a biotin gene. As the deletion also included the malA locus, this biotin gene would be near malA and str. A mutant of the Crookes strain of E. coli has been the object of detailed physiological (but not genetic) study (E. H. Pai and H. C. Lichstein, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 100:43, 1966). We have isolated nine biotin-requiring mutants from a prototrophic strain (R881) of E. coli K-12 treated with nitrosoguanidine, by the method of E. A. Adelberg, M. Mandel, and G. C. C. Chen (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 18:788, 1965). These mutants grow on minimal medium supplemented with biotin but fail to grow (or grow very poorly) on minimal medium alone. We have studied these together with the Tatum mutant (strain W602, kindly given to us by J. Rothman). The W602 strain requires leucine and thiamine; these supplements were routinely added in all tests. All 10 of these mutants are transducible by phage X. A collection of high-frequency-transducing (HFT) variants of X were isolated on W602 (G. Kayajanian, in preparation). Table 1 shows the ability of various HFT isolates to transduce the bio mutants of our collection. The transduction results are compatible with the following gene order: attL, (bio-0, bio-4, bio-24), (bio-2, bio-17), bio-12, bio-3, bio-23, bio-18, bio-19. The mutants were grouped into nutritional classes by feeding tests. Washed cells of different cultures were spread onto adjacent sectors of a minimal agar plate. If growth of culture I was markedly stimulated along the margin of culture II, we say that II feeds I. We presume that feeding results from excretion of biotin or related compounds by culture II. Wild-type E. coli is known to secrete various biotin-related compounds, some of which, like biotin, combine with avidin (C. H. Pai and H. C. Lichstein, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 100:28, 1965). To test whether the mutants could be fed by avidin-uncombinable compounds, feeding plates were prepared with avidin incorporated into an agar overlay. The results of feeding tests, with and without avidin, are shown in Table 2. The mutants fall into four nutritional classes: A (bio-O); B (bio-2, bio-17); C (bio-3, bio-12, bio-18, bio-23), and D (bio-19). Each class comprises a connected group on the genetic map. The mutants bio-4 and bio-24 are not included. The bio-4 mutant is very leaky, and bio-24 was isolated recently and has not yet been studied thoroughly. They seem to be similar to bio-O in most respects. The simplest scheme compatible with all the data is
Adaptive MIMO radar waveforms

Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) radars enhance performance by transmitting and receiving coded waveforms from multiple locations. To date, the theoretical literature on MIMO radar has focused largely on the use of ldquoorthogonal waveforms.rdquo Practical approaches to approximate orthogonality (e.g., via waveforms characterized by low cross-correlation and low autocorrelation sidelobe levels) have also started to emerge. We show, however, that such waveforms can still perform poorly in adaptive systems. For adaptive MIMO radar systems, another factor is equally important; we call it ldquoMIMO Cancellation Ratio (CR). rdquo In this paper, we introduce MIMO CR and assess the performance of standard waveform classes (e.g., CDMA, TDMA and FDMA) with regard to this new metric. Then, we describe how to create new waveforms that facilitate higher performance adaptive cancellation. Finally, we apply our waveform design methodology to the problem of airborne MTI radar, in which STAP techniques are used to mitigate clutter.
Toward Harvesting Vibration Energy from Multiple Directions by a Nonlinear Compressive-Mode Piezoelectric Transducer

We propose a new concept for harvesting vibration energy from multiple directions. Our approach effectively exploits the nonlinear vibration of a doubly clamped elastic rod, converting and amplifying excitations to compressive loads in piezoelectric materials. The proposed multidirectional compressive-mode piezoelectric energy harvester (MC-PEH) is capable of isotropically harnessing vibration energy from any angle in a plane. Meanwhile, the MC-PEH demonstrates a high-voltage output and a wide working bandwidth, along with the distinct softening nonlinear phenomena. Theoretical analysis and experimental testing are performed and exhibit good agreement over a range of excitation frequencies. This study enhances the practicability and adaptability of using energy harvesters in a complex environment.
Models to Predict Mortality of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Exposed to Elevated Temperatures During Structural Heat Treatments

ABSTRACT Novel thermal death models were developed with certain assumptions, and these models were validated by using actual heat treatment data collected under laboratory conditions at constant temperatures over time and in commercial food-processing facilities where temperatures were dynamically changing over time. The predicted mortalities of both young larvae and adults of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), were within 92–99% of actual measured insect mortalities. There was good concordance between predicted and observed mortalities of young larvae and adults of T. castaneum exposed to constant temperatures in laboratory growth chambers and at variable temperatures during structural heat treatments of commercial food-processing facilities. The models developed in this study can be used to determine effectiveness of structural heat treatments in killing young larvae and adults of T. castaneum and for characterizing insect thermotolerance.
LITHIUM MAINTENANCE TREATMENT OF MANIC‐MELANCHOLIC PATIENTS: ITS ROLE IN THE DAILY ROUTINE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the desired and undesired effects of relapse‐preventive lithium treatment given routinely to manic‐melancholic patients who had accepted the necessity of a strict tablet regime. The evaluation was based upon case record data and various rating scales, and 76 patients took part in the investigation. Our results showed that in 24 % of the patients treatment was discontinued. This was due to side effects in 16 % and to insufficient effect in 8% of the cases. The suicide risk was not eliminated, and 29 % of the patients were receiving additional antidepressive or antimanic treatment at the test day. On the other hand, 78 % of the patients rated the relapse‐preventive lithium effect as moderate to excellent. Indirect evidence was obtained in support o a stabilizing effect of lithium on the emotional control in bipolar patients. The most frquent complaints during lithium treatment were tremor and increased thirst.
FRAGILE DEBT AND THE CREDIBLE SHARING OF STRATEGIC UNCERTAINTY

This paper studies debt fragility. It provides conditions under which fundamentals and strategic uncertainty jointly determine the price of sovereign debt. Default arises in equilibrium both because of fundamental shocks and beliefs. The probability of default depends on borrowing rates and, in equilibrium, on the beliefs of lenders about this probability. This interaction creates a strategic complementarity and thus the basis for strategic uncertainty. The paper analyzes the role of debt guarantees as a means of sharing both fundamental and strategic uncertainty. It provides conditions for the credibility of those guarantees as well as ex post bailouts. The effects of debt purchases by a monetary authority are analyzed as well. Russell Cooper Department of Economics The Pennsylvania State University 611 Kern State College, PA 16802 and NBER russellcoop@gmail.com Fragile Debt and the Credible Sharing of Strategic Uncertainty∗
The Good, the Bad, and the Cell Type-Specific Roles of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α in Neurons and Astrocytes

Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a key regulator of oxygen homeostasis, because it is responsible for the regulation of genes involved in glycolysis, erythropoiesis, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. In the CNS, HIF-1α is stabilized by insults associated with hypoxia and ischemia. Because its many target genes mediate both adaptive and pathological processes, the role of HIF-1α in neuronal survival is debated. Although neuronal HIF-1α function has been the topic of several studies, the role of HIF-1α function in astrocytes has received much less attention. To characterize the role of HIF-1α in neurons and astrocytes, we induced loss of HIF-1α function specifically in neurons, astrocytes, or both cell types in neuron/astrocyte cocultures exposed to hypoxia. Although loss of HIF-1α function in neurons reduced neuronal viability during hypoxia, selective loss of HIF-1 function in astrocytes markedly protected neurons from hypoxic-induced neuronal death. Although the pathological processes induced by HIF-1α in astrocytes remain to be defined, induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase likely contributes to the pathological process. This study delineates, for the first time, a cell type-specific action for HIF-1α within astrocytes and neurons.
Retrospective survey of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology in Western Australian horses presented for evaluation of the respiratory tract: effect of season on relative cell percentages.

OBJECTIVE To characterise the cytological changes in equine bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples over multiple years to determine if the prevalence of a relative mast cell response was influenced by season. METHODS Medical records of 228 horses with clinical signs consistent with non-infectious respiratory disease or poor performance where a BAL was performed were reviewed retrospectively. BAL fluid cytology and categorised clinical variables were analysed using a Chi-square test to determine associations. RESULTS The predominant signalment was a racing horse between 2 and 6 years of age, and poor athletic performance was the most common presenting complaint. Based on published criteria, 69.7% of horses had abnormal BAL cytology. The presence of nasal discharge was the only clinical finding that differed significantly between horses with abnormal and normal cytology. The most common cytological derangement was a mixed cell response (26.7%), the majority of which comprised elevated percentages of neutrophils and mast cells. A solely neutrophilic response or mast cell response occurred with equal frequency (18% and 18.95%, respectively), and an isolated eosinophilic response was noted in 6.1% of cases. Of the horses with cytology consistent with non-infectious lower airway inflammation, 58.4% had increases in the relative percentage of mast cells. Cell profiles were significantly associated with season, with mastocytosis occurring more commonly in spring, whereas eosinophilic and neutrophilic responses were more common in summer. CONCLUSION In this study, a relative mast cell increase was the most common cytological profile in horses with lower airway inflammation and was associated with season.
Toward A Theory of Corporate Social Accounting

A CONTEMPORARY problem of concern to all technology-rich industrialized societies is that of continuing to provide a high level of motivation for private enterprise while ensuring that its aggregate impact upon society is consistent with social goals and aspirations. This is an exceedingly complex problem for several reasons. Traditional performance criteria for private enterprise have emphasized results which may be in conflict with societal priorities. There are many divergent views as to the most desired social goals and aspirations. The qualitative dimensions of social goal formulation and evaluation add further to the complexity. Yet, the problem is of such significance that there is a pressing need to explore its many dimensions and find ways of formulating solutions. The nature of the problem can be related further to performance as it is typically viewed from a management perspective. A corporate management's attention, decisions and actions are focused more on those components of the firm's performance which are included in the firm's formal measurement system. To the extent that a firm's social impacts are not subjected to formal measurement process, these aspects are not likely to enter into the firm's planning decisions or performance evaluation. The traditional view of corporate performance is idealized in the quest to maximize profits. It also is widely acclaimed that a firm's only social responsibility in a free market system is to maximize its profits, for in so doing, it is presumed to maximize its contribution to society. Under this notion, the profits of a firm which operates within the society's legal framework would provide the allinclusive criterion for evaluating its social performance. However, the economic depression phenomenon of arriving at full equilibrium with substantial unemployment; the relentless disparities in income and employment opportunities among different social groups; and the serious erosion in the quality of environment caused by productive activities have led to sharp criticisms of the use of profits as an all-inclusive criterion of corporate social performance. ' A comprehensive analysis of the social impact of private enterprise suffers, at the present time, from a general absence of reliable data on aggregate social costs and benefits of business and on how these are shared among various social groups. However, some progress has been reached in recent years toward
FX Strategies in Periods of Distress

This article presents an overview of widely practised short-term multicurrency investment strategies such as carry trade, momentum and term spread strategies. We provide evidence on their downside risk properties and illustrate their performance over historical episodes of financial market turmoil. We show that the strategies exhibit substantial tail risks and that they do not perform uniformly during distress periods in global markets. Interestingly, equity market investments feature even greater downside risk.