Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knowledge Processes and Organizational Change: a Case Study in a Non-profit Organization

Background: The importance of the attribution of value to the human element, experience exchange, generation and storage and sharing of new knowledge, as well as the identification, measurement and evaluation of intangible capital - which, in fact, should be included in the balance sheet - are fundamental to the success, credibility and sustainability of organizations. Objective: The purpose of this research was to analyze the way in which the practices related to knowledge processes influenced the change which took place in the NGO Pequeno Cotolengo in Curitiba-PR, from 2010 to 2013. Results: Based on an exploratory study with a qualitative approach, an indirect influence of three major processes of knowledge - generation, codification and sharing – was identified and connected to the change in the organization. Such change was made possible by factors such as external consultants, organizational learning culture and monthly meetings on performance evaluations, as well as training and professionalization of people. Conclusion: These factors led to continuous improvement of tasks which favoured change in terms of increasing the financial sustainability of the NGO. This sustainability was obtained in the form of larger and new long-term donations
Microheterogeneity of serogroup A (subgroup III) Neisseria meningitidis during an outbreak in northern Ghana

Summary During a meningitis outbreak in the eastern subdistrict of the Kassena‐Nankana District of the Upper East Region of Ghana, we analysed cerebrospinal fluid from suspected meningitis cases for the most common causative organisms. In 50 of 92 samples analysed, serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis were detected. The ages of serogroup A N. meningitidis patients ranged from 4 months to 64 years. The case fatality ratio was 20%. Coma or stupor on presentation worsened the prognosis. All serogroup A N. meningitidis isolates recovered revealed the A: 4: P1.9, 20 phenotype characteristic for the subgroup III clonal grouping. No evidence for resistance to penicillin G, chloramphenicol, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin or tetracycline was found. All strains were resistant to sulphadiazine. Restriction analysis patterns of opa, iga and ingA genes were characteristic for the majority of N. meningitidis serogroup A subgroup III bacteria isolated in Africa after the 1987 epidemic in Mecca. Differences in pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis patterns of NheI and SpeI digested DNA revealed microheterogeneity among the Ghanaian isolates.
Analysis of K-ras gene mutation in hyperplastic duct cells of the pancreas without pancreatic disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS We and others have previously shown that the mutation of K-ras codon 12 was found in the majority of pancreatic adenocarcinomas. The mutation has also been identified in the pancreatic duct with mucous cell hyperplasia in association with chronic pancreatitis. Ductal hyperplasia is also frequently found in the pancreas free from pancreatic carcinoma or chronic pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and types of mutations in hyperplastic foci in these cases. METHODS The nucleotide sequence of the K-ras gene at codon 12 of the DNA extracted from microdissected hyperplastic epithelium of the pancreatic duct obtained at autopsy in patients without pancreatic adenocarcinoma or chronic pancreatitis was analyzed. RESULTS Of 38 patients with 79 hyperplastic foci, 12 patients (with 19 hyperplastic foci) had mutations. None of the 16 normal ducts in 12 specimens had this mutation. The nucleotide sequence of the codon in 53% of ductal hyperplastic foci was TGT or AGT, both of which were not found in 30 cases of adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the ras gene mutation occurs frequently in multifocal hyperplastic foci of pancreatic duct and that the mutations may not have direct relevance to the carcinogenesis of pancreatic cancer.
Identification and Functional Ascertainment of the Pneumocystis jirovecii Potential Drug Targets Gsc1 and Kre6 Involved in Glucan Synthesis

The most efficient drug against the human pathogenic fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii is cotrimoxazole targeting the folate biosynthesis. However, resistance toward it is emerging and adverse effects occur in some patients. Studies in rodent models suggested that echinocandins could be useful to treat Pneumocystis pneumonia. Echinocandins inhibit the catalytic subunit Gsc1 of the enzymatic complex ensuring the synthesis of 1,3‐β glucan, an essential constituent of cell walls of most fungi. Besides, inhibitors of the enzyme Kre6 involved in the synthesis of 1,6‐β glucan, another essential component of fungal walls, were recently described. We identified and functionally characterized these two potential drug targets in the human pathogen P. jirovecii by rescue of the null allele of the orthologous gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The P. jirovecii proteins Gsc1 and Kre6 identified using those of the relative Pneumocystis carinii as the query sequence showed high sequence identity to the putative fungal orthologs (53–97% in conserved functional domains). The expression of their encoding genes on plasmid rescued the increased sensitivity to, respectively, caspofungin or calcofluor white of the corresponding S. cerevisiae null allele. The uniqueness and likely essentiality of these proteins suggest that they are potential good drug targets.
Head And Heart Orientation: A Measure Of Marketers Predisposition For Ethical Conduct

This paper examines the penchant marketing professionals have for ethical decision making. An earlier study of marketing students is used for comparison. Akin to the results from the student study, this study demonstrates a marked bias amongst subjects for valuing qualities of the head. Heart related qualities are considered less important as instrumental values to achieve organizational objectives. The paper theorizes that proper balance between the two is a precursor to ethical decision making. Discussion of the results of this study and the earlier student study is expanded to highlight the need for instruction of ethics in marketing practice.
Interdependencies among measures of speech intelligility and speech "Quality"

Interrelations between measures of intelligibility yielded by the Diagnostic Rhyme Test (DRT) and measures of speech quality yielded by the Diagnostic Acceptability Measure (DAM) were examined for a representative sample of modern speech coding systems and techniques. Gross measures of intelligibility and acceptability were found to be highly though imperfectly correlated. Further analyses elucidated the nature of the dependence of acceptability on intelligibility.
Purchasing power parity puzzle as a trade phenomenon

The purchasing power parity puzzle is among the central issues of international macroeconomics. In my thesis, I document and explain the persistence and volatility of its empirical counterpart the real exchange rate as a trade phenomenon arising from heterogeneous physical characteristics of products and geography. In the first chapter, a general equilibrium model with shipping costs that depend on physical characteristics of goods and distance leads to endogenous tradability of goods. Deviations of prices from parity are sustained as long as they do not exceed the heterogeneous trade frictions. The real exchange rate exhibits deviations whose persistence matches the data and, when quadratic adjustment costs in change of trade volume are added to the model, also the volatility of the real exchange rate deviations matches the data as well. The second chapter studies monthly deviations from the law of one price for a group of 63 goods and services in Canada and USA between 1970 and 2000 and relates them to a separate dataset of price-toweight and price-to-volume ratios. Threshold estimates are significantly negatively related to the estimates of the price-to-weight ratios and price-to-volume ratios, respectively. Physical characteristics of goods are important empirical determinants of heterogeneous non-linear behavior of deviations of their prices from parity. The third chapter studies the implications for monetary policy in a general equilibrium model where credit crunches occur due to shifts in the distribution of assets among heterogeneous households. Martin Berka. mberka@interchange.ubc. ca
Principal Variety Analysis

We introduce a novel computational framework, Principal Variety Analysis (PVA), for primarily nonlinear data modeling. PVA accommodates algebraic sets as the target subspace through which limitations of other existing approaches is dealt with. PVA power is demonstrated in this paper for learning kinematics of objects, as an important application. PVA takes recorded coordinates of some pre-specified features on the objects as input and outputs a lowest dimensional variety on which the feature coordinates jointly lie. Unlike existing object modeling methods, which require entire trajectories of objects, PVA requires much less information and provides more flexible and generalizable models, namely an analytical algebraic kinematic model of the objects, even in unstructured, uncertain environments. Moreover, it is not restricted to predetermined model templates and is capable of extracting much more general types of models. Besides finding the kinematic model of objects, PVA can be a powerful tool to estimate their corresponding degrees of freedom. PVA computational success depends on exploiting sparsity, in particular algebraic dimension minimization through replacement of intractable `0 norm (rank) with tractable `1 norm (nuclear norm). Complete characterization of the assumptions under which `0 and `1 norm minimizations yield virtually the same outcome is introduced as an important open problem in this paper.
THE VITAMIN REQUIREMENTS OF STENOTHERMOPHILIC AEROBIC SPOROGENOUS BACILLI

The study of thermobiosis in bacteria might be facilitated by the employment of a satisfactory simple medium, in order to maintain the normal dynamic state of growing cells, as suggested by Rahn and Schroeder (1941). Gaughran (1947) stated that the field of essential nutrilites for these organisms has been untouched. Accordingly a study of vitamin requirements was the subject of this investigation. Gordon (1947) expressed the opinion that the ability to grow well at 65 C is of taxonomic importance for the stenothermophiles. All studies were therefore made at the classical temperature of 55 C and at 65 C.
The response of cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) to the application of PCB-contaminated sewage sludge and urban sediment

Background The increasing production of sewage sludge (SS) engenders the problem of its responsible utilization and disposal. Likewise, urban sediments (SED) are deposited at the bottom of urban reservoirs and sedimentation ponds, and these require periodical dredging and utilization. However, while the SS and SED deposits often contain nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus; however, they also contain a variety of hazardous compounds including heavy metals, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and microbial pollutants. Fortunately, some species of Cucurbitaceae can accumulate high levels of POPs, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), in their tissues. Methods SS was collected from the Lodz Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant and SED from the Sokołówka Sequential Biofiltration System. The SS and SED samples were added to soil in flower pots at three concentrations (1.8 g, 5.4 g and 10.8 g per flower pot), and one pot was left as an unamended control (C). Soil PCB concentrations were determined before cucumber planting, and after five weeks of growth. Also, total soluble protein, total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a/b ratio and degree of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) were examined in the leaves of the cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.) cv. Cezar after five weeks. Antioxidative response was assessed by ascorbate peroxidase (APx) and catalase (CAT) assay. Results The initial PCB concentration in soil after application of SS or SED was dependent on the applied dose. After five weeks, PCB concentration fell significantly for all samples and confirmed that the dose of SS/SED had a strong effect. Soil remediation was found to be more effective after SS application. Total soluble protein content in the cucumber leaf tissues was dependent on both the type and the dose of the applied amendments, and increased with greater SS doses in the soil. The total chlorophyll content remained unchanged, and the chlorophyll a/b ratio was slightly elevated only after the application of the highest SS and SED dose. The use of SS and SED did not significantly affect TBARS content. APx activity fell after SS or SED application; however, CAT activity tended to increase, but only in the leaves of plants grown in SS-amended soil. Discussion The cultivation of cucumber plants reduces PCB concentration in soil amended with SS or SED; however, this effect is more evident in the case of SS. SS application also induced more intensive changes in the activity of enzymes engaged in antioxidative response and oxidative stress markers in plant tissues than SED. The levels of PCB in the SS may have triggered a more severe imbalance between pro- and antioxidative reactions in plants. Cucumber plants appear to be resistant to the presence of toxic substances in SS and SED, and the addition of SS and SED not only acts as a fertilizer, but also protects against accelerated aging.
Effects of the thyromimetic agent diiodothyropropionic acid on body weight, body mass index, and serum lipoproteins: a pilot prospective, randomized, controlled study.

CONTEXT Widespread thyroid hormone actions offer the possibility of developing selective thyromimetic analogs with salutary metabolic properties. Consequently, effects of diiodothyropropionic acid (DITPA) on body weight, serum lipoproteins, and bone metabolism markers were studied in a prospective, controlled, double-blind 24-wk trial, which was primarily designed to assess treatment of stable chronic heart failure. DESIGN Eighty-six patients (aged 66 +/- 11 yr, mean +/- sd) were randomized (1:2) to placebo or an escalating DITPA dose (90 to 180, 270, and 360 mg/d) over 8 wk until serum TSH was less than 0.02 mU/liter. Patients were studied at 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, and 24 wk and after 4 wk off study drug. Only 21 DITPA-treated and 27 placebo patients completed the full 24 wk of therapy. RESULTS DITPA therapy lowered serum TSH levels and, to a lesser extent, serum T(3) and T(4), but there were no differences in clinical manifestations of thyrotoxicosis or hypothyroidism. Serum total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels both decreased on DITPA; there was a transient decrease in triglycerides and no change in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. DITPA therapy was associated with significant reduction in body weight, 12.5 lb at 24 wk. Increases in serum osteocalcin, N-telopeptide, and deoxypyridinoline levels were consistent with increased bone turnover on DITPA. CONCLUSION This investigation of DITPA actions demonstrated its efficacy in reducing body weight and lowering total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, DITPA's adverse effects at doses used resulted in a high dropout rate and potentially dangerous skeletal actions were observed.
The Impact of Early Trauma and Recent Life-Events on Symptom Severity in Patients With Conversion Disorder

Although the presence of psychological stress factors in the evolution of conversion symptoms forms an important criterion for the DSM-IV diagnosis of conversion disorder, little is known about the nature and timing of these stress factors. Fifty-four patients with conversion disorder and 50 control patients with an affective disorder were screened for life events experienced in the year before the symptom onset. Conversion patients did not differ from control patients in the number or severity of life events, but showed a significant relation between the recent life events and the severity of conversion symptoms. Especially life events with respect to work and relationships contributed to this effect. These results remained when controlling for the previously found effects of childhood traumatization on the severity of conversion symptoms. The findings imply that conversion symptoms may be elicited by a complex of early and later negative life events and that traditional unifactorial trauma-theories of conversion disorder should be replaced by multifactorial stress models.
An Investigation of UK Companies Practices in the Determination, Interpretation and Usage of Cost of Capital

There has been extensive discussion regarding the influence of the cost of capital on the value and investment decisions of a firm. The important role thought to be played by the cost of capital has resulted in considerable academic debate as to how the cost of capital should be calculated. This study was designed to enhance the debate by an investigation into how firms, derive, interpret and use the cost of capital in practice. The study adopted a survey approach to obtain information from large UK companies. Seventy three UK companies gave detailed responses revealing interesting issues for both academics and practitioners.
Therapeutic Effect of Carboxymethylated and Quanternized Chitosan on Insulin Resistance in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Rats and 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Abstract Owing to their distinct biochemical properties, chitosan and its derivatives have a great potential in a range of bioapplications. One such application is as a dietary antilipidemic supplement to be used in reducing obesity and to improve insulin resistance. The lipid-binding efficiency of chitosan and its derivatives, however, remains debatable. Accordingly, in this study we investigated the interaction of chitosan and its two derivatives, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMCs) and N-[(2-hydroxy-3-N,N-dimethylhexadecyl ammonium)propyl]chitosan chloride (N-CQCs), with plasma leptin, glucose, insulin and total cholesterol in a diet-induced insulin-resistant rat model, and further interaction with mRNA expression of adipocytokines and its related molecule PPAR-γ. The experiments were performed using the RT-PCR technique in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes, in which the mRNA expression of leptin, adiponectin, resistin and PPAR-γ was recorded in the absence and presence of chitosan, O-CMCs and N-CQCs. The experimental results proved that chitosan, O-CMCs and N-CQCs not only lowered the level of plasma leptin, glucose, insulin and total cholesterol in vivo, but down-regulated mRNA expression of leptin and resistin, and up-regulated mRNA expression of adiponectin and PPAR-γ in vitro, to achieve the desired insulin resistance therapy.
Clinical importance of detecting exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise on antihypertensive therapy

Objective In patients with hypertension, regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with improved prognosis. Impact of exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise (Ex-BP) seen in patients with hypertension undergoing antihypertensive therapy on the regression of LVH has not been evaluated. This prospective study investigated the relationship between Ex-BP on antihypertensive therapy and the regression of LVH. Methods We prospectively studied 124 never-treated patients with hypertension with LVH. After a pretreatment evaluation, antihypertensive treatment was started and exercise test was performed in all patients. Patients with Ex-BP were divided into the Ex-BP (+) group and those without were divided into the Ex-BP (−) group. Regression of LVH over the follow-up period was compared between the groups. Results The follow-up duration was approximately 12 months in both the groups. Mean values of blood pressure at rest during the follow-up period were similar between the groups. Reduction of LVH was seen in both the groups. The magnitude of reduction of LVH was significantly smaller in the Ex-BP (+) group compared with the Ex-BP (−) group. Regression of LVH was much frequently seen in the Ex-BP (+) group compared with the Ex-BP (−) group. Multiple regression analysis determined that on-treatment Ex-BP was an independent negative determinant of antihypertensive treatment-induced reduction of LVH. Conclusions This study suggests that on-treatment Ex-BP is associated with depressed regression of LVH in patients with hypertension with antihypertensive treatment. If Ex-BP is detected despite receiving antihypertensive agents, improvement of Ex-BP may be necessary to achieve an effective reduction of LVH. Active search of Ex-BP is recommended in patients with hypertension with antihypertensive treatment.
Active Noise Control System for Reducing MR Noise

We propose an active noise control (ANC) system for reducing periodic noise generated in a high magnetic field such as noise generated from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices (MR noise). The proposed ANC system utilizes optical microphones and piezoelectric loudspeakers, because specific acoustic equipment is required to overcome the high-field problem, and consists of a head-mounted structure to control noise near the user's ears and to compensate for the low output of the piezoelectric loudspeaker. Moreover, internal model control (IMC)-based feedback ANC is employed because the MR noise includes some periodic components and is predictable. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed ANC system (head-mounted structure) can significantly reduce MR noise by approximately 30dB in a high field in an actual MRI room even if the imaging mode changes frequently.
Has Excessive Public Debt Slowed World Growth

This paper contends that worldwide fiscal excess, as embodied in heightened public debt levels, is central to understanding why global growth has been sub-optimal since the transatlantic crisis. It notes that in the five years before the 2009-10 financial crisis average world economic growth was close to 5 per cent per year, but has since averaged only 3 per cent. The author states that government expenditure spiked notably more in advanced economies in response to the crisis and remains around 9 percent higher as a share of GDP in G20 advanced economies on average than in emerging economies. The paper explores recent literature which focused explicitly on the crowding out effects of fiscal stimulus in contrast to the Keynesian orthodox view. Attention is focussed on the impact of beneficial austerity on growth and also notes that additional government spending on infrastructure without regard to its productivity is risky.