Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the integration of business and CSR perspectives in smallholder souring: Black soybean in Indonesia and tomato in India

The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of smallholder supply chains on sustainable sourcing to answer the question how food and agribusiness multinationals can best include smallholders in their sourcing strategies and take social responsibility for large-scale sustainable and more equitable supply. A sustainable smallholder sourcing model with a list of critical success factors (CSFs) has been applied on two best-practise cases. In this model, business and corporate social responsibility perspectives are integrated. ,The primary data of the value chain analyses of the two smallholder supply chains of a food and agribusiness multinational have been applied. Both cases were of a join research program commissioned by the multinational and a non-governmental organization using the same methods and research tools. Similarities, differences and interference between the cases have been determined and assessed in order to confirm, fine tune or adjust the CSFs. ,Both cases could be conceptualized through the smallholder sourcing model. Most CSFs could be found in both cases, but differences were also found, which led to fine tuning of some CSFs: building of a partnership and effective producers organization, providing farm financing and the use of cross-functional teams in smallholder supplier development programs. It was also concluded that the smallholder sourcing model is applicable in different geographical areas. ,The findings of this study are based on just two cases. More best-practise cases are recommended in order to confirm or to adjust the developed sourcing model and the CSFs. ,This paper/research fills the need in sustainable supply chain management literature to study supply chains that comply with the triple bottom line concept, rather than supply chains that are just more “green. ”
Novel Shielded Coplanar Waveguides on GaN-on-Low Resistivity Si Substrates for MMIC Applications

Shielded-Elevated Coplanar Waveguides (SE-CPWs) with low loss have been successfully developed for the first time for RF GaN on low-resistivity silicon (LR-Si) substrates (σ<;40 Ω·cm). Transmission losses (S21) of less than 0.4 dB/mm at X-band and better than 2 dB/mm at K-band with less than 20 dB return loss were exhibited by the developed SE-CPW, making them comparable in performance to those on traditional (semi-insulating) SI substrates. The developed waveguides use air-bridge technology to suspend CPW tracks above the HEMT GaN layer on LR-Si, directly above an additional thin layer of SiN and shielded ground planes. EM simulation was used to adjust structure parameters for performance optimization. In this work, we eliminated RF energy coupled into the substrate, paving the way for a cost-effective and higher integration GaN MMICs on LR-Si.
Update on pharmacotherapies for cholestatic liver disease

Cholestatic liver diseases are conditions with impaired bile formation and/or flow due to genetic, immunologic, environmental, or other causes. Unless successfully treated, this can lead to chronic liver injury and end‐stage liver disease. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) embody the most prominent adult cholestatic liver diseases with regard to incidence, morbidity, and mortality. A considerable proportion of patients with PBC and PSC experience progressive liver disease and ultimately liver‐related death due to a paucity of effective pharmacotherapy; however, novel pharmacologic developments offer substantial promise in this regard. Here, we provide a brief review and update on current and emerging pharmacotherapies for PBC and PSC. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:7–17)
Statistical analysis plan for the Sleep Apnea cardioVascular Endpoints study: An international randomised controlled trial to determine whether continuous positive airways pressure treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in patients with CV disease prevents secondary cardiovascular events

Rationale Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivered via a nasal mask during sleep immediately alleviates obstructive apneas and improves sleep quality and daytime somnolence. However, there is uncertainty as to whether such treatment can modify CV risk and disease. Aims The Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Endpoints (SAVE) study aims to determine whether CPAP on top of best medical care compared to best medical care alone can reduce the risk of serious CV events in patients with co-morbid OSA and established CV disease. Design SAVE is an investigator initiated and conducted, international, multicenter, open, blinded endpoint, randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomised to either CPAP or usual care between 2008 and 2013 and will be followed up for an average of approximately 4 years. Study outcome The primary endpoint is a composite of CV death, myocardial infarction (MI, including silent MI), stroke, hospitalisation for heart failure, hospitalisation for an acute ischemic cardiac event (unstable angina) or cerebral event (transient ischemic event [TIA]). Discussion The pre-specified statistical analysis plan (SAP) for the main analyses is presented. This SAP was finalised before patient follow-up was completed and before any unblinding of the data. The SAP outlines details of the primary, secondary and tertiary outcomes, together with planned subgroup and exploratory analyses.
Conductive properties of the rabbit outer medullary collecting duct: outer stripe.

Segments of the outer medullary collecting duct were dissected from the outer stripe of the rabbit kidney (OMCDo) and perfused in vitro. The conductive properties of the tubule epithelium and individual cell membranes were determined by means of cable analysis and intracellular voltage-recording microelectrodes. The transepithelial voltage (VT) and resistance (RT) averaged -10.7 +/- 2.5 mV, lumen negative, and 28.5 +/- 2.9 k omega X cm (n = 27), respectively. Two cell types could be defined by their electrophysiological properties. One cell type (n = 7) had a mean basolateral membrane voltage (Vbl) of -30.1 +/- 2.4 mV, a fractional resistance of the apical membrane (fRa = Ra/Ra + Rbl) near unity (0.99 +/- 0.01), and a predominantly Cl(-)-selective basolateral cell membrane. The second cell type (n = 27) had a mean Vbl of -63.7 +/- 2.7 mV, a fRa of 0.81 +/- 0.02, and a predominantly K+-selective basolateral cell membrane. The present study focused on defining the conductive properties of this latter cell type. Amiloride (10(-5) M) and BaCl2 (2 mM) were used as probes of apical cell membrane Na+ and K+ conductive pathways, respectively. Amiloride increased fRa from 0.80 +/- 0.02 to 0.98 +/- 0.01 (n = 12), whereas BaCl2 increased fRa from 0.77 +/- 0.03 to 0.82 +/- 0.03 (n = 9). The conductive properties of the basolateral cell membrane were assessed by ion substitutions of the bath solution. A 10-fold increase in the bath [K+] depolarized Vbl by 34.9 +/- 1.9 mV (n = 16) in less than 1 s, indicating that this membrane was predominantly K+ selective. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Studies on the protective efficacy of second-generation vaccine along with standard antileishmanial drug in Leishmania donovani infected BALB/c mice

SUMMARY It is well established that visceral leishmaniasis (VL; also known as Kala azar) causes immunosuppression, and a successful drug treatment is associated with the development of cell-mediated immunity. Therefore combining a drug with an immune enhancer can provide a better approach for the treatment of the disease. Keeping this in mind, the in vivo antileishmanial efficacy of immunochemotherapy was evaluated with the use of a 78 kDa antigen with or without monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL-A) along with a traditional drug sodium stibogluconate (SSG) in Leishmania donovani infected BALB/c mice. Mice were infected intracardially with promastigotes of L. donovani, and 30 days after infection, these animals were given specific immunotherapy (78 kDa/78 kDa+MPL-A) or chemotherapy (SSG) or immunochemotherapy (SSG+78 kDa/SSG+78 kDa+MPL-A). Animals were euthanased on 1, 15 and 30 post-treatment days. The antileishmanial potential of the immunochemotherapy was revealed by significant reduction in the parasite burden (P<0·001). These animals were also found to exhibit increased delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses, higher IgG2a levels, lower IgG1 levels and greater cytokine (IFN-γ and IL-2) concentrations compared with chemotherapy or immunotherapy alone, pointing towards the generation of a strong protective (Th1) type of immune response. Immunochemotherapy with SSG+78 kDa+MPL-A was found to be most effective in protecting mice against VL and therefore can be an alternative option for treatment of VL.
Protective Role of Silymarin and Deferoxamine Against Iron Dextran-induced Renal Iron Deposition in Male Rats

Background: Kidney iron deposition (KID) is caused by iron overload that is observed in kidney diseases and anemia. The protective effects of deferoxamine (DF) and silymarin (SM) were studied against iron overload-induced KID in rat model. Methods: Rats received iron dextran (200 mg/kg) for a period of 4 weeks every other day, but at the beginning of week 3, they also were subjected to a 2-week (every other day) treatment with vehicle (group 2, positive control), SM (200 mg/kg; group 3), DF (50 mg/kg; group 4), SM (400 mg/kg; group 5), and combination of SM and DF (200 and 50 mg/kg, respectively; group 6). Group 1, as the negative control, received saline alone during the study. The levels of serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), iron, ferritin, and nitrite were determined, and the kidney was removed for histopathological investigations. Results: Before treatment, the serum levels of iron and ferritin in all iron dextran receiver groups were significantly higher than those of the negative control group (P < 0.05). However, the serum levels of BUN, Cr, and nitrite were not different between the groups. No statistical differences were detected in kidney weight and the serum levels of BUN, Cr, iron, ferritin, and nitrite after 2 weeks of treatment with SM, DF, or combination of both. The SM and DF treatments reduced the intensity of the KID, but only in the SM (200 mg/kg) group, a significant reduction in KID was observed (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that SM is a nephroprotectant agent against KID in acute iron overload animal models.
[In situ hybridization analysis of USF1 mRNA expression in odontoblasts].

OBJECTIVE To detect and verify USF1 mRNA expression in odontoblasts. METHODS T-USF1 clone prepared previously was used as template and the desired USF1 cDNA segment was amplified by PCR with specific primers. The segment was labeled with digoxin as a probe and in situ hybridization was performed on the mounting of odontoblasts. RESULTS Evidently positive staining was shown in the cytoplasm of odontoblasts. CONCLUSION We verified the expression of USF1 mRNA in odontoblasts for the first time and provided evidence for further research.
The Impact of Social Media on Human Resource Management Scope Activities in Al-Futtaim and Al-Etihad Group UAE

Purpose: Social media (SM) has gotten developing consideration over the most recent couple of years due to public awareness, a new age of organization, knowledge, and technology reasons, the requirement of SM has increased. The present research concentrates on two companies; namely Al-Futtaim and Al-Etihad group. Design/methodology: The study has identified various contextual relationships to the identified SM. Therefore, structural models of SM for implement human resource management scope activities (HRMSA). The finding presented that the companies with a larger service network is more affected by SM than the newly established company in HRMSA. Furthermore, the study indicated a positive and high relationship. Reasonable ramifications: Obvious comprehension of these variables will assist associations to organize better and deal with their assets in a productive and powerful way. Uniqueness: Contribute to study was identifying the HRMSA to implement SM platforms in (UAE) companies; Moreover, SM has opened a new avenue for HRMSA.
Influence of regulatory capital requirements on the self-financing capacity of a banking company

This paper explores activities of the banking companies in the new regulatory environment of the European banking system. For this purpose, the dynamic panel data models are estimated by utilizing the system GMM estimator. The research sample consists of 35 publicly listed groups of banks operating in the period from 2000 to 2016, selected by size of assets. The chosen banking companies are unquestionably market makers on the bank-centric economy of the EU. Hence, the research is in line with other current empirical works regarding the post-Basel III Standard adjustment of the banking industry as a whole. The model results show that the required increase in capital position affects the lack of bank credit activity towards the non-financial sector. The banks can maintain the higher regulatory capital ratio and self-finance the required growth by increasing the volume of share capital. Asymmetric information about the bank's net worth discourage public investors to get into the shareholders position, which results in further bank lending constraints and reduced profitability. Potential growth of the revenue from non-credit risk operations cannot compensate for the negative pressure on the real value of the banking firm. From the policy-making perspective, the paper concludes that the resolution of structural problems of non-performing credit assets under new regulatory conditions should contribute to restoring the confidence of the investment public towards the self-financing capacity of the banking industry as well as bring the banking system back to the traditional client-oriented business model.
Building health literacy in a Polish region: protocol for the POWER project in Lower Silesia

There is a high prevalence of premature mortality and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours in Lower Silesia in Poland (regional capital is the city of Wroclaw). One plausible reason is low health literacy among this population. Health literacy is one of the most important elements of public health and health promotion endeavours. It can be conceptualised as abroad range of cognitive and social skills as well as knowledge needed by an individual to maintain good health, prevent or manage diseases, and effectively engage with healthcare professionals and resources. The Health Promotion Foundation (HPF), in collaboration with regional institutions and organisations, initiated in 2017 a broad initiative to improve health in this region. The overarching aim of the wider programme is to improve the quality of care among primary care patients. The project stream led by HPF aims to improve knowledge and health-related competences in the population of primary care patients in Lower Silesia. It involves (1) needs assessment based on the analysis of data on health status and neds from 50 participating primary care clinics, followed by (2) development of tailored face-to-face workshops that will be delivered by trained public health students, (3) who will be mentored using train-the-trainer approach. It is anticipated that the project will impact on three main areas in the long term. First, it will lead to creation of a package of workshops that could be delivered to other primary care patients. Second, it will create opportunities for students majoring in public health in the region to become directly involved in activities focused on health education and promotion. Three, it is anticipated that the project will lead to improvements in health and wellbeing among the participating patient groups. The present report describes the scope and method of the project.
Diabetic foot in the elderly: Capillaroscopic findings

Microangiopathy is the most frequent complication of diabetes mellitus. It frequently precedes metabolic and biohumoral pathology. The diabetic foot is a particular aspect of the disease. Capillary videomicroscopy has proven to be a valuable technique for detecting early morphofunctional changes in the microcirculation in vivo. It is performed at the fingers' nailfold, at conjunctiva, and on the skin. This study aims to propose a qualitative assessment of microvascular complications in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus by toe nailfold capillary microscopy.
Memetic Algorithm : Hybridization at Initialization in Genetic Algorithm with Hill Climbing

Genetic algorithm is a problem solving method that uses genetics as its model of problem solving. It is a search technique to find approximate solutions to optimization and search problems. Genetic algorithm handles a population of possible solutions. Each solution is represented through a chromosome and they mimic the process of natural evolution. A memetic algorithm is an extension of genetic algorithm in which genetic algorithm is hybridized with local search technique to improve the performance of genetic algorithm. This paper proposes a memetic algorithm in which hybridization is applied at initial stage using hill climbing local search. Performance of the memetic algorithm is compared with simple genetic algorithm. The experiments have been conducted using knapsack 0/1 problem and implementation is carried out using matlab. The results show that the proposed hybrid genetic algorithm is more optimized than simple genetic algorithm.
Frequent attenders' consulting patterns with general practitioners.

BACKGROUND Despite the growing literature on frequent attendance, little is known about the consulting patterns of frequent attenders with different doctors. To develop appropriate intervention strategies and to improve the clinical care of frequent attenders, a full understanding of these consulting patterns is essential. AIMS This paper has three aims: to determine whether frequent attenders consult more with some doctors than others; to determine how many different doctors frequent attenders consult with; and to determine whether frequent attenders exhibit greater continuity of care than non-frequent attenders. METHOD Analysis of a validated dataset of 592,028 consultations made by 61,055 patients from four practices over 41 months. Comparisons between the consulting patterns of the frequent attenders, defined as the most frequently consulting 3% of the population by practice, with non-frequent attenders and the overall practice populations. RESULTS There was considerable variation in the numbers and proportions of consultations with frequent attenders between individual doctors. Most of the frequent attenders consulted with most or all of the doctors within practices over the timeframe. Frequent attenders exhibited more continuity of care than non-frequent attenders. CONCLUSION The reasons why some doctors have more consultations with frequent attenders is unclear. Some doctors may actively encourage frequent attendance. While many frequent attenders have clear allegiances to one doctor, many also consult widely with a large number of doctors. The consequences of such behaviour are unknown. These findings have important implications in the development of appropriate interventions for reducing problematic frequent attendance.
Differential expression of a Bombyx mori AHA1 homologue during spermatogenesis

The AHA1 (activator of Hsp90 ATPase) family of proteins were exclusively conserved from yeast to humans, but little is known about their tissue distribution or biological function. In this study, a cDNA for a Bombyx mori AHA1 homologue, BmAHA1, was isolated from the testes of larvae on day 3 of the fifth instar using an mRNA differential display method. This cDNA encodes a protein with 341 amino acid residues. Gene expression studies revealed that BmAHA1 mRNA occurred prominently in the testes. In situ hybridization and immunostaining showed that the BmAHA1 mRNA signals were strongly detected in spermatogonial cells and primary spermatocytes at the fifth larval instar stage, whereas the BmAha1 protein was abundant in round and elongated spermatids at the pupal stage. The localization pattern of the accumulated protein in the elongated spermatids was reminiscent of that reported previously for microtubules, but the BmAha1 protein showed a decrease in apparent concentration during maturation process. The stage‐ and cell‐specific expression indicated that BmAha1 might play a role in silkworm spermatogenesis, especially in postmeiotic differentiation.
The Influence of Crying on the Ductus Arteriosus Shunt and Left Ventricular Output at Birth

Background: During neonatal transition, ductus arteriosus (DA) flow changes from right-to-left to left-to-right and contributes considerably to the increase in pulmonary blood flow. Large transpulmonary pressures generated by crying at birth can influence the DA shunt. Objective: This study aimed to assess differences in DA shunt during quiet breathing and crying directly after birth. Methods: In healthy term infants born by caesarean section, echocardiography was performed at 2, 5 and 10 min after birth. The velocity time integral of DA flow, DA flow ratio (right-to-left/left-to-right flow) and left ventricular output were assessed using echocardiography. Shunting was compared within each patient during crying and quiet breathing, and between time points. Results: A total of 23 infants were studied. The velocity time integral of left-to-right shunting was significantly larger during the inspiratory phase of crying than during quiet breathing [12.8 (9.2-17.4) vs. 5.9 (3.9-7.7) cm at 2 min, p < 0.0001; 14.3 (11.5-22.3) vs. 6.7 (4.1-11.1) cm at 5 min, p < 0.0001, and 18.6 (14.8-22.5) vs. 6.7 (4.4-10.7) cm at 10 min, p < 0.0001, after birth]. The increase in left-to-right shunting during crying was independent from the cardiac cycle as the QRS start of shunt interval time was 138 (82) ms during crying and 156 (35) ms during quiet breathing (n.s.). The DA flow ratio was lower in infants who cried at 0-1 time points versus those who cried at 2-3 time points (n.s.) out of the 3 time points measured. Left ventricular output was higher in infants who cried at 2-3 time points versus 0-1 time points (n.s.). Conclusion: Crying at birth significantly influences the DA shunt during transition. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Tangential organization of thalamic projections to the neocortex in the mouse

Using the anterograde degeneration technique, we examine the tangential organization of a thalamofugal axon population (class I of Frost and Caviness, ′80) whose terminations are preferentially distributed to the middle tier (located in layers III and/or IV) of three radially separated tiers of thalamic projections to the neocortex. Less extensive data are also presented on the tangential organization of thalamofugal axon populations (class II of Frost and Caviness, ′80) that do not terminate preferentially in the middle tier, but that are otherwise heterogeneous with respect to their radial pattern of intracortical termination.