Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gestational Diabetes: Incidence, Maternal Characteristics, and Perinatal Outcome

Accurate estimates of the incidence of abnormal glucose tolerance during pregnancy are virtually nonexistent. Screening select populations of women with risk factors for the condition and the nonrandom, nonpopulation-based nature of most studies have given rise to wide variances in reported incidence. We analyzed data from the states of Mississippi and Washington and from the National Natality and Fetal Mortality Surveys conducted in 1980 in an attempt to provide more accurate population-based estimates of the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). In the national surveys GDM was noted (screening and diagnostic criteria were unavailable) as a complication in 0.38% of all sampled pregnancies; overt (type I and type II) diabetes was noted in 0.78%. Mean maternal age for the GDM group was 28.4 yr; 85% were white (81% controls) and 15% non-white (19% controls). Prepregnancy weights were higher in the GDM group by an average of 20 Ib. However, mean weight gain was less in this group than in controls (23 versus 29 Ib). Perinatal mortality was noted in approximately 2.8% (1.3% in controls) of the offspring in GDM-complicated pregnancies and congenital malformations in 6.4% (7.9% in controls). Methodologic problems were encountered and included lack of screening and diagnostic criteria, underreporting, and underrecording.
Detection of aquaporin-2 in the plasma membranes of oocytes: a novel isolation method with improved yield and purity.

Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channel mutations cause autosomal recessive and dominant nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). Expressed in oocytes, a mutant in dominant (AQP2-E258K), but not in recessive (AQP2-R187C), NDI conferred a specific dominant-negative effect on wild-type (wt) AQP2 water permeability (Pf) only at low expression levels. Since at these levels, the yield of conventional-isolated plasma membranes was too low, an improved technique to semiquantify AQP2 in the plasma membrane was needed. Antibodies against the C-loop of AQP2 were not applicable since they were unspecific and introduction of a tag into this loop caused misfolding and ER retardation. Membrane-impermeable biotin analogues turned out to label intracellular AQP2 proteins. Therefore, a method has been developed which generates a high yield of nearly pure plasma membranes, which enables semiquantification of plasma membrane proteins expressed at low levels in oocytes. Our new method allows for phenotype-genotype correlation studies in a wide range of channelopathies.
Privacy protection by concealing persons in circumstantial video image

A circumstantial video image should convey sufficient situation information, while protecting specific person's privacy information in the scene. This paper proposes a system which automatically identifies a person by face recognition, tracks him or her, and displays the image of the person in modified form such as silhouette with or without name, or only name in characters (i.e. invisible person). A subjective evaluation experiment was carried out in order to know how people prefer each modified video image either from observer or subject viewpoint. It turned out that the silhouette display with name list seems to be most appropriate from the balance between protecting privacy and conveying situation information in circumstantial video image.
A Theoretical and Empirical Review of the EU Regulation on Credit Rating Agencies: In Search of Truth, Not Scapegoats

The undergoing financial turbulence has raised significant concerns over the role that credit rating agencies (CRAs) played in the inception, magnification and expansion of the crisis. In response, the EU legislature has adopted Regulation 1060/2009, which, for the first time, set out a legally binding pan‐European authorization regime for CRAs, which issue ratings that have been used by EU‐based financial institutions. As the turmoil turned into an unprecedented Eurozone debt crisis, EU politicians have been calling for tighter regulation of the credit rating industry. Drawing on the relevant empirical and theoretical research and building upon a comparative study of the corresponding US framework, the paper discusses critically the principles underlying EU Regulation 1060/2009 and the most recent suggestions for its reform. The paper argues that although, overall, the EU Regulation seems to be a well‐balanced instrument in the sense that it introduces the essential checks upon CRAs’ behavior while avoiding excessive regulatory intervention, more fine‐tuning is needed in certain fields, including, rating shopping, financial ties with rated entities, abuse of inside information, transparency and CRAs’ accountability.
Results from 2 proof-of-concept, placebo-controlled studies of atomoxetine in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND Atomoxetine is a nonstimulant drug being studied for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Atomoxetine is a highly specific inhibitor of the presynaptic norepinephrine transporter with minimal affinity for other noradrenergic receptors or other neurotransmitter transporters or receptors. Results of 2 proof-of-concept studies are reported that tested the hypothesis that a selective inhibitor of presynaptic norepinephrine uptake would be effective for the treatment of ADHD in school-aged children. METHOD Two identical 12-week, stratified, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials were conducted in children who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. The primary efficacy outcome measure was the mean change from baseline to endpoint in the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (ADHD RS) total score. Secondary efficacy measures included the Clinical Global Impressions-ADHD-Severity (CGI-ADHD-S) and the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Short Form (CPRS-R:S). RESULTS A total of 291 patients were randomized in the 2 trials combined (Study 1, N = 147; Study 2, N = 144). Stimulant-naive patients were randomized to atomoxetine, placebo, or methylphenidate. Patients with prior stimulant exposure were randomized to atomoxetine or placebo. Atomoxetine significantly reduced ADHD RS total scores compared with placebo in each study (p <.001). Changes in the CGI-ADHD-S (Study 1: p =.003; Study 2: p =.001) and CPRS-ADHD Index (Study 1: p =.023; Study 2: p <.001) also showed atomoxetine to be statistically significantly superior to placebo in reducing ADHD symptoms. Atomoxetine was found to be well tolerated in this population of pediatric patients. CONCLUSION Two studies of atomoxetine early in its development confirmed that atomoxetine, a specific and selective inhibitor of noradrenergic uptake, was effective for the treatment of children with ADHD. In addition, atomoxetine was found to be well tolerated.
An evaluation of tourism communities and community responses to tourism and crime : a case study of two Cornish destinations

The growth of mass tourism has placed great pressure on British seaside destinations, and has contributed to the social costs experienced by the resident population via symptoms of changing perceptions, attitudes and behaviour towards tourism, and the presence of higher crime rates. This thesis examines the social reality experienced by residents, and determines the impacts of tourism-related crime upon two tourist communities which are experiencing high levels of crime. The comparative study of a British seaside resort and a coastal town reveals that tourism communities are influenced by individual resident opinions. Simultaneously these communities influence resident perception and behaviour towards tourism-related crime, and it is through this exchange process, that evidence of destination specific criteria has emerged. The research established that the resort community found commonality through the mutual gaze, whilst the coastal community formed closed perceptions of deviant activities through discord and the local gaze. The study concludes by arguing that a destination offering a hedonistic lifestyle will not necessarily have higher crime rates than other safer destinations. This is due to the widespread implementation of crime prevention methods in the resort, and the lack of deterrents established in the coastal town. Therefore there may be nothing criminogenic about these particular destinations. Instead, collective community perception, digressed through crime talk, has influenced community crime interpretation and individual resident evaluation of the tourism industry.
Trauma Associated Severe Hemorrhage (TASH)-Score: probability of mass transfusion as surrogate for life threatening hemorrhage after multiple trauma.

BACKGROUND To develop a simple scoring system that allows an early and reliable estimation for the probability of mass transfusion (MT) as a surrogate for life threatening hemorrhage following multiple trauma. METHODS Potential clinical and laboratory variables documented in the Trauma Registry of the German Trauma Society (DGU) (1993-2003; n=17,200) were subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to predict the probability for MT. RESULTS Clinical and laboratory variables available from data sets were screened for their association with mass transfusion. MT was defined by transfusion requirement of >or=10 units of packed red blood cells from emergency room (ER) to intensive care unit admission. Seven independent variables were identified to be significantly correlated with an increased probability for MT: systolic blood pressure (<100 mm Hg=4 pts, <120 mm Hg=1 pt), hemoglobin (<7 g/dL=8 pts, <9 g/dL=6 pts, <10 g/dL=4 pts, <11 g/dL=3 pts, and <12 g/dL=2 pts), intra-abdominal fluid (3 pts), complex long bone and/or pelvic fractures (AIS 3/4=3 pts and AIS 5=6 pts), heart rate (>120=2 pts), base excess (<-10 mmol/L=4 pts, <-6 mmol/L=3 pts, and <-2 mmol/L=1 pt), and gender (male=1 pt). These variables were incorporated into a risk score, the Trauma Associated Severe Hemorrhage Score (TASH-Score, 0-28 points). Performance of the score was tested with respect to discrimination, precision, and calibration. Increasing TASH-Score points were associated with an increasing probability for MT. CONCLUSION The TASH-Score is an easy-to-use scoring system that reliably predicts the probability for MT after multiple trauma. Taken as a surrogate for life threatening bleeding calculation may focus attention on relevant variables indicative for risk and impact strategies to stop bleeding and stabilize coagulation in acute trauma care.
Asymmetric corporate exposures to foreign exchange rate changes

Research examining firms' economic exposures to exchange rate movements has not differentiated periods of foreign currency appreciation and depreciation when estimating exposure coefficients. Recent theoretical developments regarding real options and pricing-to-market suggest corporate exposures may be asymmetric (i.e., the financial performance impact of a foreign currency appreciation may not be offset by the currency's depreciation). Our empirical analysis indicates that for the small percentage of U.S. manufacturing firms exposed to currency appreciations or depreciations, their exposures are asymmetric. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Impact of the Internal Market on Private Law of Member Countries

The papers collectively aim to improve the understanding of the multi-level interplay between primary EC law and national private law. As such, the authors address the pressing topics of the shifting public – private divide in Community law, the impact of fundamental rights on Internal Market and national private law, the restrictive effect of national private law on the market freedoms, and the duty of national courts to ex-officio raise Community law in domestic legal disputes
Modifying an identified curved surface shape using pseudo-haptic effect

In our research, we aim to construct a visuo-haptic system that can provide users with the sensation of touching virtual objects of varying shapes, using pseudo-haptic effects. In this paper, we focus on modifying the identification of a shape of a curved surface when touching it with a pointing finger, by displacing the visual representation of the user's hand. We compose a video see-through system through which we can change the shapes of objects the user is visually touching, and displace the visual representation of the user's hand as if he were touching the visual shape although in actuality he is touching another shape. Using this system we perform an experiment to investigate the effects of visuo-haptic interaction and we evaluate its effectiveness. The results show that over 80% of the participants answered that they perceived the virtual object's shape to be different from the actual shape they touched, which proves the possibility for constructing a novel visuo-haptic system.
Determinants of Absorptive Capacity: Contrasting Manufacturing vs Services Enterprises

The purpose of this study is to explore the determinants and the consequent of absorptive capacity from the resource‐capability‐performance framework in the Taiwanese manufacturing and service industries. Structural equation modeling is applied to verify the conceptual model. In both of the Taiwanese manufacturing industry and the Taiwanese service industry, this study verifies that resource commitment and resource flexibility are two antecedents of absorptive capacity, and that new product development performance or service innovation performance is its consequent. Besides, the empirical results show that absorptive capacity plays a partial mediator in the manufacturing industry but a full mediator in the service industry. If companies would like to raise their new product development performance or service innovation performance, they have to enhance their resource commitment, resource flexibility, and absorptive capacity. Moreover, this study finds that the resource commitment of small and medium enterprises is significantly less than that of large enterprises in Taiwanese manufacturing industry. This study also finds that resource flexibility of established companies is significantly higher than that of younger companies in Taiwan.
Evaluation of cetuximab as a candidate for targeted α-particle radiation therapy of HER1-positive disseminated intraperitoneal disease

Although the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), also known as HER1, has been studied for over a decade, it continues to be a molecule of great interest and focus of investigators for development of targeted therapies. The marketed monoclonal antibody cetuximab binds to HER1, and thus might serve as the basis for creation of imaging or therapies that target this receptor. The potential of cetuximab as a vehicle for the delivery of α-particle radiation was investigated in an intraperitoneal tumor mouse model. The effective working dose of 10 μCi of 212Pb-cetuximab was determined from a dose (10–50 μCi) escalation study. Toxicity, as indicated by the lack of animal weight loss, was not evident at the 10 μCi dose of 212Pb-cetuximab. A subsequent study demonstrated 212Pb-cetuximab had a therapeutic efficacy similar to that of 212Pb-trastuzumab (p = 0.588). Gemcitabine given 24 h prior to 212Pb-cetuximab increased the median survival from 174 d to 283 d, but carboplatin suppressed the effectiveness of 212Pb-cetuximab. Notably, concurrent treatment of tumor-bearing mice with 212Pb-labeled cetuximab and trastuzumab provided therapeutic benefit that was greater than either antibody alone. In conclusion, cetuximab proved to be an effective vehicle for targeting HER1-expressing tumors with α-radiation for the treatment of disseminated intraperitoneal disease. These studies provide further evidence that the multimodality therapy regimens may have greater efficacy and benefit in the treatment of cancer patients.
An "Interesting" Strange Attractor in the Dynamics of a Hopping Robot

This article applies discrete dynamical systems theory to the dynamic analysis of a simplified vertical hopping robot model that is analogous to Raibert's hopping machines. A Poincaré return map is developed to capture the dynamic behavior, and two basic nondimensional parameters that influence the systems dynamics are iden tified. The hopping behavior of the system is investigated by constructing the bifurcation diagrams of the Poincaré return map. The bifurcation diagrams show a period-dou bling cascade leading to a regime of chaotic behavior, where a "strange attractor" is developed. An interesting feature of the dynamics is that the strange attractor can be controlled and eliminated by tuning an appropriate parameter corresponding to the duration of applied hop ping thrust. Physically, the collapse of the strange attrac tor leads to a globally stable period-1 orbit, which guar antees a stable uniform hopping motion.
Demyelinating Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein-Specific Autoantibody Response Is Focused on One Dominant Conformational Epitope Region in Rodents12

Conformational epitopes of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) provide a major target for demyelinating autoantibodies in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and recent studies indicate that a similar situation may exist in multiple sclerosis. We recently solved the crystal structure of the extracellular domain of MOG (MOGex) in complex with a Fab derived from the demyelinating mAb 8-18C5 and identified the conformational 8-18C5 epitope on MOG that is dominated by the surface exposed FG loop of MOG. To determine the importance of this epitope with regard to the polyclonal Ab response to MOGex we investigated the effects of mutating His103 and Ser104, the two central amino acids of the FG loop, on Ab binding. Mutation of these two residues reduced binding of a panel of eight demyelinating conformation-dependent mAbs to <20% compared with binding to wild-type MOGex, whereas substitution of amino acids that do not contribute to the 8-18C5 epitope had only a minor effect on Ab binding. The same restriction was observed for the polyclonal MOG-specific Ab response of MOG DNA-vaccinated BALB/c and SJL/J mice. Our data demonstrate that the pathogenic anti-MOG Ab response primarily targets one immunodominant region centered at the FG loop of MOG. Comparison of the structure of MOGex with the structures of related IgV-like domains yields a possible explanation for the focused Ab response.
Implementation of a wearerable real-time system for physical activity recognition based on Naive Bayes classifier

In this paper, we implement a wearable real-time system on the Sun SPOT wireless sensors with Naive Bayes algorithm to recognize physical activity. Naive Bayes algorithm is demonstrated to work better than other algorithms both in accuracy performance and computational time in this particular application. 20Hz is selected as the sampling rate. In terms of sensor location, one sensor attached to the thigh with 87.55% overall accuracy provides the most useful information than the shank or the chest. If two sensors are available, the combination of attaching them to the left thigh and the right thigh respectively is demonstrated to be optimal solution for recognizing physical activity, with 90.52% overall accuracy.
Global Oil Prices, Oil Industry and Equity Returns: Russian Experience

The purpose of this paper is to promote a greater understanding of the implications of oil price changes on the equity investment climate in Russia. A dynamic bivariate exponential general autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (EGARCH) analysis shows that global oil price returns have significant impact on Russian equity returns and volatility. At the same time, a dynamic correlation analysis highlights Russia's importance in the international geopolitical scene and its positioning as a reliable supplier of oil during times of turmoil in the Middle East. There are a number of challenges, however, that threaten to slow down the performance of the oil industry in Russia and compromise the country's future economic growth and stock market performance.
Estimating Probability of Return on Loss and Its Effect on Future Abnormal Return in Iran

The present study aims at investigating, at first, the relationship between the features of loss-making companies and the probability of achieving the first profit in the years following the loss; and then, analyzing the relationship between probable profitability of the loss-making companies and future abnormal return on shares. This study is carried out according to the information available on the companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange, during 2002-2011, on a selected sample consisting of 72 companies. The method used for hypotheses testing is logistic regression and generalized regression model (linear mixed model). The results obtained from hypotheses testing for return on loss model in this study indicate the existence of a significant positive relationship between the level of the loss-making companies' investment in capital assets and the probability of return on loss; the existence of a significant negative relationship between accounting conservatism level and the probability of profitability; as well as lack of relationship between special expenses (R & D, sales promotion, inventions and discoveries) and the probability of return on loss. The results from the final model test show the significant positive relationship between the probability of return on loss and abnormal return on shares of the companies. The main limitation of the current study is the lack of proper disclosure of some of the variables of this study by firms, including investing in specific costs in financial statements and notes as separate and distinct costs from other expenditures.
What is Indigenous Knowledge?: Voices from the Academy

Preface: Decolonizing Indigenous Knowledge--Donaldo Macedo Introduction: What is Indigenous Knowledge and Why Should We Study It? --Ladislaus M. Semali and Joe L. Kincheloe Indigenous Knowledge and Schooling: A Continnum Between Conflict and Dialogue--Mahia Maurial Indigenous Knowledge as a Component of the School Currriculum--June M. George Community as Classroom: (Re)Valuing Indigenous Literacy--Ladislaus M. Semali Science Education in Nonwestern Cultures: Towards a Theory of Collateral Learning--Olugbemiro J. Jegede Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Learning, Indigenous Research--Jill Abdullah and Ernie Stringer Indigenous Knowledge Systems-Ecological Literacy Through Initiation into People's Science--Madhu Suri Prakash Indigenous Knowledge and Ethnomathematics Approach in the Brazilian Landless People Education--Gelsa Knijnik Indigenous Music Education in Africa--Clemente K. Abrokwaa The Inseparable Link Between Intellectual and Spiritual Formation in Indigenous Knowledge and Education: A Case Study in Tanzania--R. Sambuli Mosha Indigenous Languages in the School Curriculum: What Happened to Kiswahili in Kenya? --Lucy Mule Indigenous Knowledge Systems for an Alternative Culture in Science: The Role of Nutritionists in Africa--Robert K. N. Mwadime Agricultural Extension Education and the Transfer of Knowledge in an Egyptian Oasis--Anne M. Parrish Indigenous People's Knowledge and Education: A Tool for Development--Rodney Reynar Local Knowledge Systems and Vocational Education in Developing Countries--Consuelo Quiroz Indigenous Knowledge, Historical Amnesia and Intellectual Authority: Deconstructing Hegemony and the Social and Political Implications of the Curricular "Other"--Frances V. Rains Indigenous Knowledge: An Interpretation of Views from Indigenous Peoples--Marcel Viergever About the Editors and Contributors Index