Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Day Care for Dementia Patients

A day care program for patients with dementia was developed by the Burke Rehabilitation Center in 1979. Sixty‐nine patients have taken part in the program, some for as long as three years. The majority of patients stay in the program for one to two years. This pilot program was designed to provide a structured series of daily activities for the patient with dementia and to give those responsible for their care at home a period of freedom each week from the responsibilities of care. The program has been well received by the patients and appreciated by their families. It has not altered the steady progression of intellectual decline. It has made it possible for families to continue to keep patients at home and delay nursing placement or the hiring of additional help at home. It is cost effective when compared with the general alternative of nursing home placement. Similar programs could be conducted outside health care facilities at lower cost to patients and their families. Family support group discussions have eased the burden for the caregiver and have been useful in discovering new ideas for better patient management.
The mediating role of organisation support in effective delegation: the case of Chinese subordinate managers

Delegation is widely accepted as an essential element of effective management in North American organisations; however, delegation may not be effective in other countries where employees hold different cultural values. We suggest that Chinese cultural values are inconsistent with delegation, and as such we develop a model in which organisation support mediates the relationship between delegation and, subordinate job satisfaction and performance in the Chinese context. Our sample comprised 136 Chinese subordinates working in a large transport company in Hong Kong. Our results show that organisation support partially mediates between delegation and job satisfaction while organisation support (with job satisfaction) fully mediates between delegation and subordinate performance. Implications for the theory and practice of delegation are discussed, particularly in the context of employees' national cultural differences.
Human resource management practices and longitudinal workplace performance

Recent studies have examined the impact of human resource management (HRM) practices on workplace performance. Most find that the adoption of a coherent system of new HRM practices such as flexible job definitions, cross-training and work teams, along with extensive reliance on incentive pay, results in substantially higher levels of productivity than more traditional HRM practices. Studies have found that there is a correlation between HRM systems and labour productivity. We find that greatest contributor to labour productivity is the employee’s wage is congruent with the literature. The literature to date has shown that HRM practices in isolation may increase productivity or may reduce productivity because they have an inefficient side to them. Our study shows that when aggregated, HRM practices reduce productivity in Canada. Somewhat surprisingly, when combined with benefits, they increase productivity substantially. The main message from the aggregate productivity regressions is that: HRM by itself reduces productivity while HRM with BENEFIT increases productivity. Training by itself increases productivity and training with HRM also increases productivity. Wages clearly have the greatest impact on voluntary quits. HRM is not found to be statistically significant in the reduction of voluntary quits.
Parent and adolescent versions of the diabetes-specific parental support for adolescents' autonomy scale: development and initial testing.

OBJECTIVE To develop and initially test the psychometric properties of parent and adolescent versions of the Diabetes-Specific Parental Support for Adolescents' Autonomy Scale. METHODS Data-based scale items were developed, analyzed for content validity, and then piloted with 43 adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their parents. Psychometric properties of the scales were then determined with 100 adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their parents. RESULTS Content validity indices of . 80 or greater were obtained for 26 items. Item analysis in the pilot and large-sample groups resulted in 22 items being deleted. Principal Components Analysis of the remaining four items indicated one factor in both parent and adolescent versions, accounting for 50-62% of variance and with Cronbach alpha coefficients of . 67-. 80. CONCLUSIONS This newly developed parsimonious scale, initially tested to be reliable, and valid, will facilitate research on parental support for adolescents' development of diabetes management autonomy.
Mission Statements: A Thematic Analysis of Rhetoric Across International Type

Copyright The Ohio State University. Reprint from Journal of Higher Education, Volume 77, Issue 3, May/June 2006, pages 456-471. This material is posted here with permission of Ohio State University Press. Content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv or website without the copyright holder's written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.
Aging, obesity, and multimorbidity in women 50 years or older: a population-based study

Objective This study aims to evaluate multimorbidity and its associated factors in Brazilian women aged 50 years or older. Methods This is a cross-sectional, population-based study using self-reports. A total of 622 women aged 50 years or older were included. Multimorbidity was defined as two or more of the following morbidities: hypertension, osteoarthritis, cataracts, diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, glaucoma, chronic bronchitis or asthma, urinary incontinence, cancer, myocardial infarction, stroke, and pulmonary emphysema. Sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral factors were evaluated. Data were analyzed using &khgr;2 test and Fisher’s exact test, and Poisson multiple regression analysis was performed. Prevalence ratios and their 95% CIs were calculated. Results In this sample, 15.8% of participants reported no morbidities, whereas 26% reported having one morbid condition and 58.2% reported multimorbidity. With respect to morbidities, 55.9% of women reported having hypertension, 33.8% reported having osteoarthritis, 24.5% reported having cataracts, 22.7% reported having diabetes, 21.3% reported having osteoporosis, 9.9% reported having glaucoma, 9.2% reported having bronchitis, 8.9% reported having urinary incontinence, and 6.8% reported having cancer, whereas 4.8% reported having had a myocardial infarction, 2.7% reported having had a stroke, and 1.8% reported having pulmonary emphysema. Multiple regression analysis showed that for each additional year of life, women increased their likelihood of multimorbidity by 3% (95% CI, 1.02-1.04). Furthermore, for each point increase (kg/m2) in their body mass index, women also increased their likelihood of multimorbidity by 3% (95% CI, 1.02-1.04). Conclusions Multimorbidity is principally associated with aging and obesity.
Applications of probability model to analyze the effects of electric vehicle chargers on distribution transformers

Society's increased concern over green house gas emission and the reduced cost of electric vehicle technologies has increased the number of electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road. Previous studies into the effects of electric vehicles on the electric system have focused on transmission, generation, and the loss of life of distribution transformers. This paper focuses specifically on identifying distribution transformers that are most susceptible to excessive loading due to the implementation of electric vehicles. The authors use a binomial probability model to calculate the probability that a specific distribution transformer will experience excessive loading. Variables to the function include the existing peak transformer demand, number of customers connected to the transformer, and the most common EV charger demand. Also included in the paper is an optimization approach that utilizes the results from the binomial function to determine the optimal replacement strategy to minimize replacement costs. An extension of the approach is also utilized to explore the effectiveness of EV targeted demand side management programs. The authors apply the described algorithms to 75 000 distributions transformers within a distribution system located in Denver, Colorado, USA.
Principios cooperativos y eficacia económica. Un análisis Delphi en el contexto normativo español

Spanish corporate law claims to be inspired by the co-operative principles of the International Co-operative Alliance, which should always be applied in the terms which are gathered in the law. However, the law’s need to increase economic efficacy has led to the existence of permissive and restrictive legal interpretations of the aforesaid principles. In this article we propose a critical analysis of the legal framework, starting from the opinion of a group of experts processed through the Delphi method. The legal aspects and measures analysed refer to the legal regime of partners, the corporate financial structure, transactions with third parties and new forms of merger and company configuration.
Quantitative Financial Economics: Stocks, Bonds and Foreign Exchange

Partial table of contents: RETURNS AND VALUATION. Basic Concepts in Finance. Modelling Equilibrium Returns. Valuation Models. EFFICIENCY PREDICTABILITY AND VOLATILITY. Empirical Evidence on Efficiency. Rational Bubbles. Anomalies, Noise Traders and Chaos. THE BOND MARKET: Bond Prices and the Term Structure of Interest Rates. Empirical Evidence on the Term Structure. THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET. Testing CIP, UIP and FRU. The Exchange Rate and Fundamentals. TESTS OF THE EMH USING THE VAR METHODOLOGY. The Term Structure and the Bond Market. The FOREX Market. The Stock Market. TIME VARYING RISK PREMIA. Risk Premia: The Stock Market. Risk Premia: The Bond Market. ECONOMETRIC ISSUES IN TESTING ASSET PRICING MODELS. Economic and Statistical Models.
Precise Measurement of Parity Nonconserving Optical Rotation in Atomic Thallium.

We report a new measurement of parity nonconserving (PNC) optical rotation on the 6{ital p}{sub 1/2}-6{ital p}{sub 3/2} transition in atomic thallium near 1283 nm. The result expressed in terms of the quantity R=Im{l_brace}{ital E}1{sup PNC}/{ital M}1{r_brace} is {minus}(15.68{plus_minus}0.45){times}10{sup {minus}8}, and is consistent with current calculations based on the standard model. In addition, limits have been set on the much smaller nuclear spin-dependent rotation amplitude at R{sub {ital S}}=(0.04{plus_minus}0.20){times}10{sup {minus}8}; this is consistent with theoretical estimates which include a nuclear anapole contribution.
Currency Substitution: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis for Germany and Europe

The deutschmark is the anchor currency within the asymmetrical functioning of the European Monetary System (EMS). Thus the proper functioning of the monetary targeting strategy of the Bundesbank is a necessary prerequisite of the success of the system. This strategy relies heavily on stable monetary relations. Because of the big weight of the German monetary aggregate in a European aggregate this stability also has very important repercussions for monetary policy of the future European System of Central Banks. Currency substitution (CS) relative to other European currencies may cause instability in the German money demand equation. Theoretically there are arguments in favour of and against CS in the EMS. Empirically this phenomenon is analysed for a German money demand equation for M3. CS effects are investigated by testing the significance of CS variables in the short‐run dynamics of an error correction mechanism. In most cases there are no significant CS effects. Exceptions are Italy and the European Union as a whole, where the weight of currencies which have frequently depreciated against the deutschmark is high.
Coincidence of early glucose‐induced depolarization with lowering of cytoplasmic Ca2+ in mouse pancreatic beta‐cells.

1. The temporal relationship between the early glucose‐induced changes of membrane potential and cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was studied in insulin‐releasing pancreatic beta‐cells. 2. The mean resting membrane potential and [Ca2+]i were about ‐70 mV and 60 nM, respectively, in 3 mM glucose. 3. Elevating the glucose concentration to 8‐23 mM typically elicited a slow depolarization, which was paralleled by a lowering of [Ca2+]i. When the slow depolarization had reached a threshold of ‐55 to ‐40 mV, there was rapid further depolarization to a plateau with superimposed action potentials, and [Ca2+]i increased dramatically. 4. Imposing hyperpolarizations and depolarizations of 10 mV from a holding potential of ‐70 mV had no detectable effect on [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, glucose elevation elicited a decrease in [Ca2+]i even at a holding potential of ‐70 mV. 5. Step depolarizations induced [Ca2+]i transients, which decayed with time courses well fitted by double exponentials. The slower component became faster by a factor of about 4 upon elevation of glucose, suggesting involvement of ATP‐dependent Ca2+ sequestration or extrusion of [Ca2+]i. 6. Glucose stimulation increased the size and accelerated the recovery of carbachol‐triggered [Ca2+]i transients, and thapsigargin, an intracellular Ca(2+)‐ATPase inhibitor, counteracted the glucose‐induced lowering of [Ca2+]i, indicating that calcium transport into intracellular stores is involved in glucose‐induced lowering of [Ca2+]i. 7. The results support the notion that in beta‐cells, nutrient‐induced elevation of ATP leads initially to ATP‐dependent removal of Ca2+ from the cytoplasm, paralleled by a slow depolarization due to inhibition of ATP‐sensitive K+ channels. Only after depolarization has reached a threshold do action potentials occur, inducing a sharp elevation in [Ca2+]i.
Minimum total MSE based transceiver design for single-user MIMO system

In this paper, we have developed minimum Total mean squared error (MSE) joint linear transceiver design for Single-user multiple-input, multiple-output (SU-MIMO) systems employing an improper constellation schemes. It assumes Imperfect channel state information (CSI) is available at both ends of transmitter and receiver and design transceiver is subject to a total power constraint. Channel mean and transmit correlation information are consider as channel state information. Joint design of transceiver is consider as optimization problem, the optimum closed-form precoder and decoder are derived by minimizing a total MSE based on modified cost function. The performances degradations due to imperfect channel estimation and/or transmit correlation are demonstrated and superiority of proposed method is proved by simulation results.
lncRNAs as prognostic molecular biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The latest studies have shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may be considered markers as their expression levels were abnormal in cancer and can be used as a molecular biomarker for the potential assessment of cancer prognosis. In this study, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of lncRNA as marker of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. We performed a detailed search of the PubMed and Embase databases for articles on the prognostic value of various lncRNAs in HCC. We then carefully extracted the relevant data from the articles, and we used the meta-analysis method to analyze these results; heterogeneity and publication bias were also evaluated. With 40 associative studies included, we found that high expression of 27 types of lncRNA was associated with a poor prognosis in HCC patients, and low expression of 18 types of lncRNAs was associated with a worse prognosis. Patients with higher lncRNA expression had significantly poor overall survival (OS; pooled HR, 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.52) as well as significantly poor recurrence-free survival (RFS; pooled HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.26–2.17). Overexpression of lncRNAs may not meaningfully predict disease-free survival (DFS; pooled HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.52–2.07; p = 0.91). Our meta-analysis demonstrated that lncRNAs may serve as predictive biomarkers for cancer prognosis.
The noble gas xenon provides protection and trophic stimulation to midbrain dopamine neurons

Despite its low chemical reactivity, the noble gas xenon possesses a remarkable spectrum of biological effects. In particular, xenon is a strong neuroprotectant in preclinical models of hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury. In this study, we wished to determine whether xenon retained its neuroprotective potential in experimental settings that model the progressive loss of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons in Parkinson's disease. Using rat midbrain cultures, we established that xenon was partially protective for DA neurons through either direct or indirect effects on these neurons. So, when DA neurons were exposed to l‐trans‐pyrrolidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylic acid so as to increase ambient glutamate levels and generate slow and sustained excitotoxicity, the effect of xenon on DA neurons was direct. The vitamin E analog Trolox also partially rescued DA neurons in this setting and enhanced neuroprotection by xenon. However, in the situation where DA cell death was spontaneous, the protection of DA neurons by xenon appeared indirect as it occurred through the repression of a mechanism mediated by proliferating glial cells, presumably astrocytes and their precursor cells. Xenon also exerted trophic effects for DA neurons in this paradigm. The effects of xenon were mimicked and improved by the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate glutamate receptor antagonist memantine and xenon itself appeared to work by antagonizing N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors. Note that another noble gas argon could not reproduce xenon effects. Overall, present data indicate that xenon can provide protection and trophic support to DA neurons that are vulnerable in Parkinson's disease. This suggests that xenon might have some therapeutic value for this disorder.
The Distinguishing Characteristics of Temporary and Permanent Layoffs

This paper develops a theory of layoffs in an intertemporal setting in which job separations may occur in each of several successive periods. Theoretical analysis of temporary layoffs in previous studies has been limited to models in which the layoffs occur only in the final period of the model. This multiperiod implicit contract framework enables us to identify distinguishing characteristics of temporary and permanent layoffs that were heretofore blurred or distorted in previous contract analyses.
Do Farmers Really Benefit from High Food Prices? Balancing Rural Interests in Kenya's Maize Pricing and Marketing Policy

This paper uses information from rural household surveys in 24 districts in Kenya to inform current debate on maize pricing policy. Specifically, it sheds light on how rural farm households are being affected by governmental efforts to support maize price levels. Using information on landed import costs of white maize from South Africa with and without the import tariff, it simulates the effects of eliminating the tariff on rural smallholder farmers, large-scale farmers, and urban consumers. It then examines the implications of these findings for the design of strategies to promote agricultural productivity and rural income growth.
Past and current weight change and forearm bone loss in middle-aged women: the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, Norway

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between bone loss and weight change before and concurrently to the assessment of forearm bone loss over 4.6 years in a population-based cohort of middle-aged women followed for more than 15 years. Methods: Among 8,856 women aged 45 to 60 years attending the first Nord-Trøndelag Health Study study, Norway (1984-1986), a 35% random sample was invited for forearm densitometry at Nord-Trøndelag Health Study 2 (1995-1997), and 2,188 women (78%) attended. After an average period of 4.6 years, they were subsequently invited for follow-up densitometry in 2001, and 1,421 women (67.8%) met. Weight and height were measured on all three occasions. Results: During the total period of observation since baseline (15.5 y), the mean weight had increased by 3.4 kg, mostly in the youngest women. Weight loss had an accelerating and weight gain a decelerating effect on bone loss, and this was observed both for weight change occurring before the bone mineral density follow-up and for concurrent weight change. The relationship between prior weight gain or loss and bone loss seemed to persist, independent of the weight change observed during the period of bone loss assessment. Conclusions: Despite no mechanical impact of body weight on the forearm, weight loss in midlife women seems to be associated with a long-lasting negative effect on bone and vice versa for weight gain. This is presumably explained by humoral factors.
Sensory adaptation in bacterial chemotaxis: regulation of demethylation

The behavioral responses of chemotactic bacteria to environmental stimuli are initiated by a family of membrane-bound transducer proteins that communicate excitatory signals to the flagellar apparatus. The adaptation process appears to turn off the excitatory signal and is mediated by the reversible methylation of multiple sites on the transducer proteins. The activities of two chemotaxis-specific enzymes, a methyltransferase and a methylesterase, are regulated during adaptation to maintain behavioral responsiveness. To monitor stimulus-induced changes in methylesterase activity in intact cells, we quantitated the continuous generation of methanol, the end product of the demethylation reaction, in a flow device. In this paper we describe studies of the regulation of the demethylation process. Changes in methylesterase activity after the simultaneous addition of opposing stimuli through two different transducer classes suggest that the sensory information detected by these transducers was integrated and that this integrated signal controlled demethylation.
A Behavioral Framework for Time Diversification

The box of factors that we call “risk” is both too large and too small. The box is large enough to include many, sometimes conflicting, measures of risk—variance and semivariance, probabilities of losses and their amounts. But the box is too small to include factors that affect choices but fall outside the boundaries of risk—frames and cognitive errors, self-control and regret. We explore the role of these factors in time diversification. The belief that time diversification reduces risk underlies the current drive to invest Social Security funds in stocks. But is such investment prudent? We discuss the role of advisors in providing prudent advice, changes in the standards of prudence over time, the use of time diversification in guiding investors to prudent portfolios, and its use in the current debate on Social Security.