Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Excess Iron on the Impairment of Glucose Metabolism in Mice

Excess iron in the body can trigger pathological conditions through production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the deposition in various organs. This condition can also disrupt whole metabolism process, including glucose metabolism. However, the mechanisms between iron and glucose metabolism remain unclear. The study was to investigate the effect of excess iron with glucose metabolism disorder by assessing Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) and gluconeogenesis rate in mice through Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test (IPGTT) to determine insulin resistance, Intraperitoneal Pyruvate Tolerance Test (IPTT) to measure hepatic gluconeogenesis, and to assess pancreatic histology for routine histogical examination. In this experimental study, eight-teen male mice were assigned to three equal groups. Mice were divided by the saline injected group (control) and iron dextran injection 0.1 mg/mice (group 2) and 0.3 mg/mice (group 3) dose of injection. Iron dextran was injected daily intraperitoneally. After 14 days of treatment, IPGTT, IPTT and pancreas histology were examined. Repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) with bonferroni’s posthoc multiple comparison test were used for data analysis. IPGTT results showed glucose level was lower 39.85 % in group 3 compared to the control group mice. The results of IPTT showed that glucose level in mice treated with iron dextran were significantly lower in dose dependent manner. Pancreas histology showed islet cells in group 3 decreased in size, which might be due to beta cells depletion. Short term iron injection increases glucose tolerance and supresses hepatic gluconeogenesis in mice.
Title Potential measurement errors due to image enlargement inoptical coherence tomography imaging

The effect of interpolation and super-resolution (SR) algorithms on quantitative and qualitative assessments of enlarged optical coherence tomography (OCT) images was investigated in this report. Spectral-domain OCT images from 30 eyes in 30 consecutive patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and 20 healthy eyes in 20 consecutive volunteers were analyzed. Original image (OR) resolution was reduced by a factor of four. Images were then magnified by a factor of four with and without application of one of the following algorithms: bilinear (BL), bicubic (BC), Lanczos3 (LA), and SR. Differences in peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, photoreceptor layer status, and parallelism (reflects the complexity of photoreceptor layer alterations) were analyzed in each image type. The order of PSNRs from highest to lowest was SR > LA > BC > BL > non-processed enlarged images (NONE). The PSNR was statistically different in all groups. The NONE, BC, and LA images resulted in significantly thicker RNFL measurements than the OR image. In eyes with DME, the photoreceptor layer, which was hardly identifiable in NONE images, became detectable with algorithm application. However, OCT photoreceptor parameters were still assessed as more undetectable than in OR images. Parallelism was not statistically different in OR and NONE images, but other image groups had significantly higher parallelism than OR images. Our results indicated that interpolation and SR algorithms increased OCT image resolution. However, qualitative and quantitative assessments were influenced by algorithm use. Additionally, each algorithm affected the assessments differently.
CTA against invasive fractional flow reserve ( FFR )

Please cite this article as: Wong DT, Ko BS, Cameron JD, Leong DP, Leung MC, Malaiapan Y, Nerlekar N, Crossett M, Troupis J, Meredith IT, Seneviratne SK, Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of combined assessment using adenosine stress CT perfusion (CTP) + computed tomography angiography (CTA) with transluminal attenuation gradient (TAG320) + CTA against invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR), Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2014), doi: 10.1016/j.jacc. 2014.02. 557.
The Impact of Capital Structure on Risk and Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence for the Bucharest Stock Exchange Listed Companies

This paper analyzes the evolution of the main theories regarding the capital structure and the related impact on risk and corporate performance. The capital structure is a dynamic process that changes over time, depending on the variables that influence the overall evolution of the economy, a particular sector, or a company. It may also change depending on the company’s forecasts of its expected profitability, capital structure being, in fact, a risk–return compromise. This study contributes to the literature by investigating the drivers of capital structure of the firms from the Romanian market. For the econometric analysis, we applied multivariate fixed-effects regressions, as well as dynamic panel-data estimations (two-step system generalized method of moments, GMM) on a panel comprising the companies listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. The analyzed period, 2000–2016, covers a cycle with significant changes in the Romanian economy. Our results showed that leverage is positively correlated with the size of the company and the share price volatility. On the other hand, the debt structure has a different impact on corporate performance, whether this calculated on accounting measures or seen as market share price evolution.
For Body and Mind: Practicing Yoga and Emotion Regulation

The purpose of the present study was to examine if the length of yoga training may influence the use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression (as emotion regulation strategies) and whether this relationship may be moderated by personality traits. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that the link between the length of yoga practice and emotion regulation can rely most heavily on participants’ conscientiousness and extraversion levels. Ninety women in two groups participated in the study: those who have been practicing yoga for over a year and those who have been practicing for a shorter period of time. An Emotion Regulation Questionnaire was applied to measure the use the strategies of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. Moreover, personality traits, based on the Big Five model were assessed. The results of the study provided support for our prediction: participants who engaged in yoga practice for a longer period of time (as compared to participants who practiced yoga for a shorter duration), reported using cognitive reappraisal more often. Furthermore, longer yoga practice was more beneficial than shorter practice especially for individuals with low levels of conscientiousness and extraversion. Thus, extraversion and conscientiousness seem to facilitate the process of drawing benefits from practicing yoga.
The Facets of Empowerment in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for Lower-Status Married Women in Taiwan: An Exploratory Study

Empowerment is an essential component of therapy. Since SFBT is an empowerment approach, it is vital to explore what kinds of facets of empowerment are generated from SFBT sessions. Nine low-status married women in Taiwan participated as clients in this study. The researcher coded and compared the rates of 20 facets of empowerment from 32 verbatim counseling transcripts of clients' statements. The study uncovered two main findings: (a) the assertive, self-discovering, goal-directed, competent, and interdependent facets were the highest rated facets of empowerment in all the SFBT sessions; and (b) between “1 Session Group” and “4–10 Sessions Group,” significant differences emerged regarding 7 facets of empowerment and these two groups. A comparison between SFBT and feminist approach and discussion about cultural factors were presented. Finally, a case example demonstrates how SFBT sessions can generate high levels of specific facets of empowerment.
Perspective 1 — Representation Construction Model of Sensemaking

Making sense of the world using information technology has become a ubiquitous activity in the digital era. Sensemaking, as in to make sense, suggests an active processing of information to achieve understanding (as opposed to the achievement of some state of the world), and this is sense in which we mean it here: Sensemaking involves not only finding information but also requires learning about new domains, solving ill-structured problems, acquiring situation awareness, and participating in social exchanges of knowledge. In particular, the term encompasses the entire gamut of behavior surrounding collecting and organizing information for deeper understanding. Historically, the development of sensemaking systems that provide interactive media for externalizing, organizing, accessing, and sharing knowledge can be traced back to Vannevar Bush’s (1945) seminal article proposing the Memex, which was envisioned as a device to provide fast interaction with all of recorded knowledge. The fundamental aims of the Memex were to (a) extend the mind by extending memory (hence the name) and thereby augment human intelligence, (b) provide facile interaction with all of recorded knowledge, and (c) provide a more efficient means for finding new patterns and insights and sharing those discoveries with others. The notion of sensemaking in the field of human–computer interaction (HCI) in the early 1990s (Russell, Stefik, Pirolli, & Card, 1993) was framed as the process of forming and working with meaningful representations in order to facilitate insight and subsequent intelligent action. The power of efficiently working with external knowledge representations was central in Russell et al. (1993), as externalizing representations of knowledge determine which human or machine computations are easy or difficult, and consequently which activities can be performed more or less intelligently or expertly.
Heart rate, heart rhythm and prognostic benefits of beta-blockers in heart failure: individual patient-data meta-analysis

The Steering Committee Lead (DK) and the Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Oxford, UK (DGA and JH), had full access to all the data and had joint responsibility for the decision to submit for publication after discussion with all the named authors. DK is funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Career Development Fellowship (CDF-2015-08-074). The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent the NIHR or the UK Department of Health. Abstract Background: The relationship between mortality and heart rate remains unclear for patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in either sinus rhythm or atrial fibrillation (AF). Objective: To investigate the prognostic importance of heart rate in HFrEF in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing beta-blockers and placebo. Methods: The Beta-blockers in Heart Failure Collaborative Group performed a meta-analysis of harmonized individual-patient data from eleven double-blind RCTs. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, analysed with Cox proportional hazard ratios (HR) modelling heart rate measured at baseline and approximately six-months post-randomization. Results: A higher heart rate at baseline was associated with greater all-cause mortality in patients with sinus rhythm (n=14,166; adjusted HR 1.11 per 10 beats/minute; 95% CI 1.07-1.15, p<0.0001), but not in AF (n=3,034; HR 1.03 per 10 beats/minute; 0.97-1.08, p=0.38). Beta-blockers reduced ventricular rate by 12 beats/minute in both sinus rhythm and AF. Mortality was lower for patients in sinus rhythm randomised to beta-blockers (HR 0.73 versus placebo, 95% CI 0.67-0.79; p<0.001), regardless of baseline heart rate (interaction p=0.35). Beta-blockers had no effect on mortality in patients with AF (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.81-1.12; p=0.58) at any heart rate (interaction p=0.48). A lower achieved resting heart rate, irrespective of treatment, was associated with better prognosis only for patients in sinus rhythm (HR 1.16 per 10 beats/minute increase, 95% CI 1.11-1.22; p<0.0001). Conclusions: Regardless of pre-treatment heart rate, beta-blockers reduce mortality in patients with HFrEF in sinus rhythm. Achieving a lower heart rate is associated with better prognosis, but only for those in sinus rhythm. Meta-analysis of individual-patient data from eleven double-blind randomized trials found that higher baseline heart rate was associated with greater all-cause mortality for those in sinus rhythm, but not for those in AF. Mortality was lower for patients in sinus rhythm assigned beta-blockers (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.67-0.79; p<0.001), regardless of baseline heart rate. Beta-blockers had no effect on mortality in patients with AF (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.81-1.12; p=0.58) at any heart rate. A lower achieved resting heart rate was associated with better prognosis only for patients in sinus rhythm (HR 1.16 per 10 beats/minute increase, 95% CI 1.11-1.22; p<0.0001).
Percolation approach to simulation of a sustainable network economy structure

This study is aimed at the application of the percolation theory to simulation of a sustainable network organization of the economy in conditions of high uncertainty of the external environment. The methods for investment and cost recovery efficiency calculation in order to achieve synergy are used in the course of networks formation. The methods of graph theory and one-dimensional percolation are used herein. The conceptual content of the modified percolation approach to the analysis and simulation of network structures is specified. The controlled process of network formation offers the possibility to form the percolation cluster on the basis of minimization of its length (the shortest path). The formation regularities of two types of a percolation cluster (internal and cross-border) as the basis for the creation of the appropriate network structures are revealed. The examples of the applied problems, which study the percolation based on lattice cells (lattice coupling problem), are considered herein. The results of empirical approbation of the proposed approach in the field of services with the description of the algorithm for the networks and a cluster formation are presented. The transition from the random Bernol's percolation (based on random selection of cells) in favor of the correlated percolation is justified.
THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS IN STATUS CONSUMPTION, A STUDY INTO DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN BRANDS

In this study, it was aimed to determine whether personal influence and self-monitoring had an impact on status consumption tendencies of consumers or not. The relationship between status consumption in consumer behaviors and domestic/foreign brand preferences was also investigated. For this purpose, 382 questionnaires were administered to the consumers shopping in Ýstinye Park and Kanyon shopping malls in Istanbul (Turkey). To test the research model, Structural Equation Model (SEM) test was used by using LISREL 8.7 statistics programme. In order to determine the relationship between brand preferences and status consumption tendencies of the respondents, correlation analysis was conducted by using SPSS 17.0 program. According to the results of the research, it was determined that personal influence and self-monitoring had an impact on status consumption. It was also found out that prestige and foreign brands were preferred more in status consumption. According to the results obtained, some suggestions were made for the companies in ready-to-wear sectors.
The Pragmactic Challenge of Sustainable Development: Lessons from Shell Canada

There is a general acceptance amongst practitioners, academics and laypeople that the current fossil fuel basis of the energy industry is not ecologically sustainable. Future sources of energy must meet society’s needs and be environmentally benign. For energy companies, this represents the challenge of bridging the gap between today’s energy system and the vision of a sustainable future. Since the complete withdrawal from fossil fuels is not viable in the short term, what are the strategic choices available to energy firms? What factors influence their ability to integrate environmental prerogatives into corporate strategy and practices? In this article we address these questions by analyzing the organizational field of Shell Resources – a business unit of Shell Canada. In particular, we focus in two areas: investments in alternative energy and the greening of current production processes. We expect the work to be useful to both academics and managers dealing with environmental issues in business. Overall, the case provides an opportunity to r eflect how a resource -intensive firm manages the dynamic between what is desirable and what is possible with respect to sustainable development.
The Adaptation of the Finnish model for recycling of aluminum cans in Saint-Petersburg, Russia

The aim of the thesis was to create a business model for an aluminum can recycling system in St. Petersburg, Russia. The objectives were to study the possible business models that could be applied in St. Petersburg and to determine the roles and responsibilities of the parties in the process of collecting, transporting and recycling aluminum beverage cans. The authors used a qualitative approach and a survey as the data collection method. The primary data was collected by using semi-structured interviews in order to form a better understanding of the phenomenon. There were three respondents from the Coca-Cola, REXAM and PALPA companies. The primary data helped to analyze the aluminum supply chain in Russia and in Finland, as well as to create a suitable business model for the proposed company. Moreover, the theoretical framework contained Osterwalder’s Canvas model, the MNE/NGO collaboration model and the “social business model” concept that were used in the creation of the suggested model. The results of the study helped to design a model that can be applied in St. Petersburg. Possible limitations as well as contingencies were taken into consideration from the beginning of the research process. The authors believe that the thesis can be used as a model framework for future research in the field. Keywords/tags (subjects) Business model, aluminum, recycling, waste, supply chain, can deposit system
Stratification Trees for Adaptive Randomization in Randomized Controlled Trials

This paper proposes an adaptive randomization procedure for two-stage randomized controlled trials. The method uses data from a first-wave experiment in order to determine how to stratify in a second wave of the experiment, where the objective is to minimize the variance of an estimator for the average treatment effect (ATE). We consider selection from a class of stratified randomization procedures which we call stratification trees: these are procedures whose strata can be represented as decision trees, with differing treatment assignment probabilities across strata. By using the first wave to estimate a stratification tree, we simultaneously select which covariates to use for stratification, how to stratify over these covariates, and the assignment probabilities within these strata. Our main result shows that using this randomization procedure with an appropriate estimator results in an asymptotic variance which is minimal in the class of stratification trees. Moreover, our results are able to accommodate a large class of assignment mechanisms within strata, including stratified block randomization. In a simulation study, we find that our method, paired with an appropriate cross-validation procedure, can improve on ad-hoc choices of stratification. We conclude by applying our method to the study in Karlan and Wood (2017), where we estimate stratification trees using the first wave of their experiment.
Chief executive officers perception of critical success factors in corporate leadership in Kenya

Chief executive officers (CEOs) play a major role in ensuring long term success of their organizations, effective leadership being the key determinant; CEOs must discover practical and innovative ways to handle their most challenging responsibilities in a world where change is the only known constant. Effective leadership is often the key determinant of a firm's long-term success. In order to fully realize their managers' and top-managers' leadership potential companies invest highly in leadership development and the design of management systems and leadership frameworks 1 his research project investigated the CEOs perceptions of critical success factors m corporate leadership. I"he research project will act as a guide to the board of directors during their selection * V and development of CEOs in Kenya as it will assist them in creating the right success factors in corporate leadership. Government will also be guided by this study by realizing factors that contributes to increased effectiveness in leadership success and vision 2030 will be a reality. Also academicians will share the knowledge and best practices that guarantee success in the management of organizations. The data collected was collected from 32 CEOs from in Kenya by a well structured questionnaire. Ihe results from the CEOs demonstrate that majority of them rate the critical success factors in corporate leadership namely visionary leadership, developing a shared vision, valuing human resources, transformational leadership, employment of best practices in change management, corporate governance and customer focus as very important in ensuring corporate leadership success. The findings also show that more that emotional intelligence among executives is a very important component in corporate leadership in Kenya. Based upon the current investigation's findings, future research should consider investigating Critical factors that lead to failure in corporate leadership and Investigate also if the CEOs perceptions of critical success factors match those of their peers in other contexts and also those of their subordinates.
Immune deficiencies , infection , and systemic immune disorders Defects along the TH 17 differentiation pathway underlie genetically distinct forms of the hyper IgE syndrome

Shadi Al Khatib, MD,* Sevgi Keles, MD,* Maria Garcia-Lloret, MD, Elif Karakoc-Aydiner, MD, Ismail Reisli, MD, Hasibe Artac, MD, Yildiz Camcioglu, MD, Haluk Cokugras, MD, Ayper Somer, MD, Necil Kutukculer, MD, Mustafa Yilmaz, MD, Aydan Ikinciogullari, MD, Olcay Yegin, MD, Mutlu Y€ uksek, MD, Ferah Genel, MD, Ercan Kucukosmanoglu, MD, Ali Baki, MD, Nerin N. Bahceciler, MD, Anupama Rambhatla, Derek W. Nickerson, BS, Sean McGhee, MD, Isil B. Barlan, MD, and Talal Chatila, MD, MSc Los Angeles, Calif, and Istanbul, Konya, Izmir, Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Gaziantep, and Trabzon, Turkey
Insect visitors to avocado flowers in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Insect pollination is key to ensuring adequate fruit yields within avocado orchards. Various bee and non-bee insect species have been considered as potential pollinators of avocado worldwide, but in New Zealand there has been little research into which insect species visit avocado flowers. In the Bay of Plenty, an important avocado production area, flower visitor abundance and diversity data were obtained by conducting observational surveys in four orchards in November 2015. Honey bees were the dominant flower visitors in all orchards surveyed, representing 92.9% of all insects recorded, but there was high variation in numbers among sites. Other common insects observed included the beetle, Zorion guttigerum (3.4%), and bumblebees Bombus spp. (1.6%). A better understanding of the interaction between honey bee stocking rates and flower visitor abundances within orchards could assist in improving pollination recommendations.