Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis and Characterization of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells from Fetal Bone Marrow, Adult Bone Marrow, Peripheral Blood, and Cord Blood

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been increasingly used to replace a defective hematopoietic system and to treat various genetic defects as well as malignant diseases. However, the limitations of conventional bone marrow transplantation have stimulated an intense interest in exploring the use of alternative sources of hematopoietic stem cells, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cord blood (CB). A major investigative effort of our laboratory has been focused on evaluating fetal bone marrow (FBM) for transplantation. The current study compares and characterizes the functional and phenotypic characteristics of FBM, CB, adult bone marrow (ABM), and PBMC by clonogenicity assays, immunogenicity, and the quantification of progenitor cells. There was a striking difference in the proportion of CD34+ cells in FBM, ABM, PBMC, and CB (24.6%, 2.1%, 0.5%, and 2.0%, respectively). The clonogenic potential, as measured by colony forming unit in culture (CFU-C) assay, was significantly higher in FBM when compared with ABM, PBMC, and CB (202.5, 73.5, 40.8, and 65.5 colonies/105 cells, respectively). There was a significant decrease in proliferative responsiveness in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay of FBM and CB compared with ABM and PBMC. These observations indicate that each source of hematopoietic stem cells has different intrinsic properties closely correlated with ontogenetic age that is a vital determinant for phenotypic characteristics, lineage commitments, immunogenicity, and proliferative potentials.
Successful management of severe group A streptococcal soft tissue infections using an aggressive medical regimen including intravenous polyspecific immunoglobulin together with a conservative surgical approach

Intravenous polyspecific immunoglobulin G (IVIG) has been reported to be efficacious as adjunctive therapy in patients with toxic shock syndrome caused by group A streptococci (GAS). GAS is also an important cause of necrotizing fasciitis, for which an early and extensive surgical intervention is currently advocated. Here we report on the use of an aggressive medical regimen including high-dose IVIG together with a conservative surgical approach in severe GAS soft tissue infection. We describe 7 patients with severe soft tissue infection caused by GAS, who all were treated with effective antimicrobials and high-dose IVIG. Surgery was either not performed or only limited exploration was carried out. Six of the patients had toxic shock syndrome. All patients survived. Immunostaining of tissue biopsies from 2 of the patients revealed high levels of GAS, superantigen and pro-inflammatory cytokines initially, which were dramatically reduced in a repeat biopsy of the initial operative site collected from 1 of the patients 66 h post-IVIG administration. The study suggests that the use of a medical regimen including IVIG in patients with severe GAS soft tissue infections may allow an initial non-operative or minimally invasive approach, which can limit the need to perform immediate wide debridements and amputations in unstable patients.
Macroeconomic Announcements and Price Clustering in the U.S. Treasury Market

We examine price clustering in the interdealer broker market for U.S. Treasury bonds on days of macroeconomic announcements. In doing so, we link two disparate strands of literature: the literature on price clustering and the literature on the effects of macroeconomic announcements on Treasury bond prices. The major contribution of our paper is the provision of empirical results that are the first, to our knowledge, to establish a direct link between information arrival and the clustering of financial asset prices. By focusing on information events, rather than rough proxies for information, we capture the full effects of information arrival and the information-based trading that it precipitates. We find that days of macroeconomic announcements are associated with higher clustering right after the announcements as traders rush to utilize their information-processing advantages. Clustering however quickly declines towards the end of the day as the information uncertainty is resolved. This pattern of initial increase and final decrease in clustering on announcement days is greater in the on-the-run Treasury market segment, where information-based trading and price discovery are concentrated, and even greater for high impact announcements, for which information-based trading is more efficient at resolving residual disagreement. We find direct evidence that announcements ultimately resolve uncertainty as evidenced by its effect on end of day price clustering.
Adult Neurogenesis in Sheep: Characterization and Contribution to Reproduction and Behavior

Sheep have many advantages to study neurogenesis in comparison to the well-known rodent models. Their development and life expectancy are relatively long and they possess a gyrencephalic brain. Sheep are also seasonal breeders, a characteristic that allows studying the involvement of hypothalamic neurogenesis in the control of seasonal reproduction. Sheep are also able to individually recognize their conspecifics and develop selective and lasting bonds. Adult olfactory neurogenesis could be adapted to social behavior by supporting recognition of conspecifics. The present review reveals the distinctive features of the hippocampal, olfactory, and hypothalamic neurogenesis in sheep. In particular, the organization of the subventricular zone and the dynamic of neuronal maturation differs from that of rodents. In addition, we show that various physiological conditions, such as seasonal reproduction, gestation, and lactation differently modulate these three neurogenic niches. Last, we discuss recent evidence indicating that hypothalamic neurogenesis acts as an important regulator of the seasonal control of reproduction and that olfactory neurogenesis could be involved in odor processing in the context of maternal behavior.
OPTIMIZING BUSINESS PROCESSES IN PRIVATE PHARMACIES WITH AN AIM OF CONTRIBUTING TO A RATIONAL MEDICINAL PRODUCTS SUPPLY

Slovenia's joining the EU brought about many changes in its economy – Slovenian market stopped being locally oriented, which affected many fields of activity including the pharmaceutical. The economical and political system changed and led to modifications in the business activity of Slovenian pharmacies as well as to new market proportions. One of the most vital aspects of these modifications is rationalization and optimization of the business activity including operating costs and resources. A way of controlling costs is licensed private pharmacies with a concession; which attributes extreme significance to total quality management. The latter is a result of optimizing essential organizational processes supported by information technology, according to systematization standards. The quality of contribution to a rational medicinal products supply of the population by private pharmacies will thus undoubtedly be most successful.
Anatomy Research of Nasolabial Muscle Structure in Fetus With Cleft Lip: An Iodine Staining Technique Based on Microcomputed Tomography

AbstractA thorough knowledge of the anatomic structure of the orbicularis oris of the upper lip and the nasalis in fetus with cleft lip is the key for the success of cleft lip repair. To understand the anatomic structure of the muscles of nasolabial region in fetus with cleft lip, the nasolabial tissues in 4 aborted fetuses with cleft lip were soaked for 7 days with iodine solution (Lugol solution of 3.75%) and were given micro-computed tomography. After the iodine solution permeated into the soft tissues, a good contrast was showed between muscle fibers and other fibrillar connective tissues. Through the observation of the obtained images, we found that most orbicularis oris fibers gathered into bundles with clear outline and only had slight deformation and displacement on the health side of the cleft of the unilateral incomplete cleft lip; however, in the lateral cleft, the muscle fibers not only had deformation and displacement but also were immature, disorganized, and not gathered into bundles. After being restored in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine format, the obtained images were then transferred into Materialise’s interactive medical image control system, edited, and reconstructed into three-dimensional models. The models clearly showed the spatial relationship between the muscular tissues of the nasolabial region and the nasolabial outline in fetus with cleft lip.
Design and control for series elastic actuator assisting rehabilitation system

In this paper, design and control of a rotary series elastic actuator (RSEA) in human rehabilitation are considered. Actuators consist of some parameters that should be determined. Here genetic algorithm (GA) is used for optimally design the actuator parameters for tracking human joint angle and a new robust hybrid adaptive sliding mode control method for its control is presented. Also the actuators have some uncertainties in their parameters and modeling. Recently, safety is a major consideration so makes difficulties against of output torque control. A new robust hybrid adaptive and sliding mode controller (ASMC) in order to compensate these uncertainties is proposed. The proposed methodology in this paper tries to simulate the real conditions by considering uncertainties in both parameters and modeling. Simulation's results specially have shown significant improvements in tracking human joint by motor comparison with the other design.
Effects of playing surface on physiological responses and performance variables in a controlled football simulation

Abstract In spite of the increased acceptance of artificial turf in football, few studies have investigated if matches are altered by the type of surface used and no research has compared physiological responses to football activity on artificial and natural surfaces. In the present study, participants performed a football match simulation on high-quality artificial and natural surfaces. Neither mean heart rate (171 ± 9 beats · min−1 vs. 171 ± 9 beats · min−1; P > 0.05) nor blood lactate (4.8 ± 1.6 mM vs. 5.3 ± 1.8 mM; P > 0.05) differed between the artificial and natural surface, respectively. Measures of sprint, jumping and agility performance declined through the match simulation but surface type did not affect the decrease in performance. For example, the fatigue index of repeated sprints did not differ (P > 0.05) between the artificial, (6.9 ± 2.1%) and natural surface (7.4 ± 2.4%). The ability to turn after sprinting was affected by surface type but this difference was dependent on the type of turn. Although there were small differences in the ability to perform certain movements between artificial and natural surfaces, the results suggest that fatigue and physiological responses to football activity do not differ markedly between surface-type using the high-quality pitches of the present study.
General Aspects of Yield Stress Fluids – Terminology and Definition of Viscosity

Abstract This work contributes to general theoretical aspects of yield stress fluids with significance for practical phenomenological material modeling. It introduces a terminology so that the material class ‘yield stress fluid’ is defined and can be distinguished from the terms ‘solid’ and ‘liquid’. This new material classification is based on two criteria, the equilibrium relation and the flow function. In line with this terminology, an experimental procedure for classifying the material behavior is presented. The second key aspect of this paper is a discussion on the proper definition of the term ‘viscosity’. The benefit of the differential viscosity over the dynamic viscosity in case of non-Newtonian fluids in general is worked out. This is shown by the most elementary yield stress fluid, the friction element, because it is the basis of the yield stress concept. Its constitutive equations are given for positive as well as negative strain rates and are also able to represent the preyield behavior. The theory presented in this article is also applied to the Maxwell, Kelvin-Voigt, and Bingham element to demonstrate the working principle.
Selection of Parameters Based on Fuzzy Extension Matrix

Fuzzy extension matrix (FEM) inductive learning is an important method that generates knowledge from cases. Compared with conventional extension matrix techniques, it is more powerful and practical to handle with ambiguities in classification problems. Rule extraction from fuzzy extension matrix involves three parameters alpha, beta and gamma. These parameters play an importation role in the entire process of rule extraction based on FEM. They greatly affect the computation of fuzzy entropy and extract rules, however those important parameter value are usually estimated based on users by domain knowledge, personal experience and requirements. This paper introduces an approach to optimization of the three parameters based GA, and provides some theoretical support of directly selection of the parameter values through experiment. The main contributions of this paper are as follows: by combining GA and local search methods, we can get the reasonable parameters. Five data sets from the UCI machine learning database are employed in the study. Experimental results and discussions are given
The RET C620S mutation causes multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) but not Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) in a family cosegregating both phenotypes

The RET proto-oncogene (MIM# 164761), located on chromosome subband 10q11.2, encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed in tissues and tumors derived from the neural crest. The ligands of RET have been identified as growth factors of the glial cell-line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family, including GDNF, neurturin, artemin, and persephin. All these factors activate RET via different glycosyl phosphatidylinositol– linked GFR a receptors named GFR a 1 to 4. It is thought that the signaling pathways of the protein RET play an important role in differentiation, proliferation, and migration of neural crest cell derivatives, such as thyroid C-cells, adrenal medulla and enteric neurons, as well as other tissues such as parathyroid gland and kidney [Eng, 1999]. Germline gain-of-function mutations of the RET proto-oncogene cause multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2; MIM# 164761) and loss-of-function mutations are associated with a small subset of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR; MIM# 142623). MEN2, the heritable form of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), is believed to account for 25% of all MTC
FIRM INTERNATIONALIZATION, TRANSACTION COSTS AND STRATEGIC CHOICE

Export expansion is usually conceptualized as a progressive organizational commitment ultimately leading to an international enterprise. However, such deterministic export behavior models are irreconcilable with a perspective which sees businesses as developing export structures to fit existing and potential foreign market opportunities. This paper examines how the formal administrative arrangements that firms use for conducting foreign trade are peculiarly fitted to achieve specific export performances. It shows how changes in these arrangements represent primarily organizational strategies for handling export transaction costs more efficiently.
Risk Identification of Logistics Outsourcing Based on Interface Management

Learned from the basic theory of interface management, this paper puts forward an integrated interface framework of logistics outsourcing, including logistics interface, information interface and management interface. And a structure model to identify risks of logistics outsourcing is set up. Then the risk factors of logistics outsourcing and the source and impact of risks are studied, which supplies references to identify logistics outsourcing risks.
Customer perceived value: a substitute for satisfaction in business markets?

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the value construct among both marketing researchers and practitioners. Despite a growing body of research, it is still not clear how value interacts with related marketing constructs. Researchers have called for an investigation of the interrelationship between customer satisfaction and customer value to reduce the ambiguities surrounding both concepts. Investigates whether customer value and satisfaction represent two theoretically and empirically distinct concepts. Also addresses whether value is a better predictor of behavioral outcomes than satisfaction in a business marketing context. Two alternative models are developed and empirically tested in a cross-sectional survey with purchasing managers in Germany. The first model suggests a direct impact of perceived value on the purchasing managers' intentions. In the second model, perceived value is mediated by satisfaction. This research suggests that value and satisfaction can be conceptualized and measured as two distinct, yet complementary constructs.
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOR

In the world wide organizational context, HRM is considered as decisive organizational resource that helps an organization to sustain its effectiveness and also it is critical for growth of today's organization. The world around us is changing and changing very fast. The changes are visible in multiple forms and from multiple directions. The concern for quality, customer satisfaction, competitiveness of products, cost effectiveness, rising level of customer education and expectations have all created new challenges for Indian organizations. To meet these challenges, every organization in general needs competent people and requires every employee to be technologically competent , reliable, fast efficient, customer oriented and above all, enterprising as adding value to the company. The only choice the organization is left with is to develop commitment among their employees. In today's competitive business securing organizational commitment among the employees can potentially offer dividends in performance. This article aims to develop understanding of organizational commitment among employees. It also explores key facets of commitment from theoretical perspectives. The exploration is based on defining organizational commitment, discussing its main antecedents and outcomes.
Essays on Mutual Fund Governance and Corporate Governance

This thesis comprises of three essays on mutual fund governance and corporate governance. The first essay (Kempf, Puetz, and Sonnenburg, 2013, “The Impact of Duality on Managerial Decisions and Performance: Evidence from the Mutual Fund Industry”) investigates the consequences of manager duality in the U.S. mutual fund industry, i.e., a sole leadership structure where the manager also acts as the chairman of the board. The second essay (Martin and Sonnenburg, 2015, “Managerial Ownership Changes and Mutual Fund Performance”) analyses the relationship between managerial ownership changes and changes in future risk-adjusted fund performance for a sample of U.S. equity mutual funds. The third essay (Limbach and Sonnenburg, 2015, “CEO Fitness and Firm Value”) examines the role of physical fitness as an important managerial characteristic relevant for hiring decisions of the board of directors using a panel of S&P 1500 companies.
Market Impediments to Issuance of Corporate Bonds at the Nairobi Stock Exchange

This research work was motivated by the deficiency of corporate bonds at the Nairobi Stock Exchange since the market segment opened in 1996. The study sought to investigate market impediments to issuance of corporate bonds at the exchange. Bonds as debt instruments are a cheaper source of external capital for companies when interest rates are comparatively low. The general objective was to test the significance of issuance procedure, cost of issue, state of secondary market and level of transparency in attracting corporate bonds to the market. Methodology was to survey selected finance officers from the listed companies and stockbrokers to determine if they thought the factors had retarded growth of the public debt market and offering opinion on how the situation could be reversed. Analysis of data was conducted using chi-square which returned a no - difference between observed and expected value for the factors under study. The significance level was 0.05 for each impediment tested.
Salesforce performance and behaviour‐based management processes in business‐to‐business sales organizations

Reports a study of sales management in UK companies, which explores the relationship between behaviour‐based control systems and outcome‐based control systems. Although conventional theory has suggested that behaviour performance and outcome performance result from different stimuli, we find that behaviour‐based control is positively associated with both behaviour performance and outcome performance. We find also that organizational commitment and sales territory design are significantly related to salesforce performance. This suggests a number of important avenues for improving salesforce performance. These findings and the growing emphasis on building long‐term, collaborative buyer‐seller relationships favour the use of behaviour‐based control systems in many sales management situations, and suggest a new agenda for management attention in improving salesforce effectiveness.
Potential artifacts in the determination of metal partitioning in sediments by a sequential extraction procedure.

The partitioning of trace metals in sediments, as obtained with a sequential extraction procedure, may be affected by (i) the techniques used to preserve the sediments before analysis and (ii) the presence/absence of atmospheric oxygen during the extraction steps. No storage method tested completely preserved the initial chemical and physical characteristics of the sediments. Drying of the sediment (freeze-drying; oven-drying) should be avoided; acceptable preservation techniques include freezing or short-term wet storage (1-2/sup 0/C). Among the different metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Mn), copper, iron, and zinc were particularly sensitive to sample pretreatment. For anoxic sediments, the maintenance of oxygen-free conditions during the extractions is of critical importance.
Optical coherence tomography angiography retinal vascular network assessment in multiple sclerosis

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography is a new method to assess the density of the vascular networks. Vascular abnormalities are considered involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology. Objective: To assess the presence of vascular abnormalities in MS and to evaluate their correlation to disease features. Methods: A total of 50 MS patients with and without history of optic neuritis (ON) and 46 healthy subjects were included. All underwent spectral domain (SD)-OCT and OCT angiography. Clinical history, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) and disease duration were collected. Results: Angio-OCT showed a vessel density reduction in eyes of MS patients when compared to controls. A statistically significant reduction in all SD-OCT and OCT angiography parameters was noticed both in eyes with and without ON when compared with control eyes. We found an inverse correlation between SD-OCT parameters and MSSS (p = 0.003) and between vessel density parameters and EDSS (p = 0.007). Conclusion: We report a vessel density reduction in retina of MS patients. We highlight the clinical correlation between vessel density and EDSS, suggesting that angio-OCT could be a good marker of disease and of disability in MS.