Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Matrix GLA Protein Gene Polymorphisms: Clinical Correlates and Cardiovascular Mortality in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Background: Increased vascular calcification plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular events in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. It is the result of an active ossification process counteracted by ‘protective’ proteins, such as matrix GLA protein (MGP). Polymorphisms of MGP have been identified. Methods: The aim of this study was to define the distribution of two MGP polymorphisms (–7, –138) in 99 hemodialysis (HD) patients, in 26 patients with CKD stage 3 and in 135 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Patients were followed up for 12 months to record any cardiovascular deaths. The cause of death was determined by medical doctors, considering the medical history of each patient. The primers were designed with Primer Express software. Results: MGP –138TT homozygotes were more frequent in the HD group versus controls (p = 0.0004). Additionally, the frequency of the T allele was significantly higher in the HD group (p = 0.0006). The frequency of the A allele of MGP-7 was significantly higher both in the HD group (p = 0.033) and in the CKD group (p = 0.0017) versus controls. MGP-7 GG homozygotes were significantly less common in the CKD group than in controls (p = 0.037). Combination –138TT –7AA was significantly more frequent in both CKD patients (p = 0.001) and in HD patients (p = 0.029) than in controls. Seventeen out of 99 HD patients experienced fatal cardiovascular events. Sixteen (94.1%) were –138TT homozygotes and either –7AA homozygotes or –7GA heterozygotes. Conclusion: This study suggests that CKD and HD patients have a different distribution of MGP gene polymorphism as compared with the normal population. Altered MGP gene polymorphism may be a negative prognostic factor for the progression to end-stage renal disease and for cardiovascular events in CKD patients.
Genetic map of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Researchers present a compilation of most of the published yeast mapping data, as well as a large amount of unpublished data, according to chromosomes and intervals; the numbers of independent sets of data for the different intervals ranged from 1 to 12. These data have been analyzed and a new genetic map has been constructed. Although all of the data presented in this article are from tetrad analyses, many other techniques have been used to assign genes to chromosomes or to specific chromosome arms. These techniques include aneuploid analysis, mitotic recombination analysis, mitotic chromosome loss or nondisjunction, and random spore analysis.
Managing supply chain resources with Big Data Analytics: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Big Data Analytics (BDA) has the potential to improve demand forecasting, communications and better manage supply chain resources. Despite such recognised benefits and the increase of BDA research, little is known about the general approaches used to investigate BDA in the context of supply chain management (SCM). In the light of the Resource-based View, the main goal of this study was, by means of a systematic literature review, to comprehend how BDA has been investigated on SCM studies, which resources are managed by BDA as well as which SCM processes are involved. Our study found out that the predictive and prescriptive approaches are more frequently used and organisational, technological and human resources are often managed by BDA. It was observed a focus on Demand Management and Order Fulfilment processes and a lack of studies on Returns Management, which indicates an open research area that should be exploited by future studies.
Entrepreneurial Competencies of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies: A Study in Tamil Nadu, India

This study analyzed the entrepreneurial competencies of select primary agricultural cooperative credit societies (PACS) in Tamil Nadu, India and how they diversify their business to cater to the needs of members and other consumers. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the performance of sample PACS in Tamil Nadu; to identify the emerging lessons from the business diversification strategies of PACS; and to offer suitable suggestions for policy dialogue. The study found that sample PACS have experienced success in their business diversification from the point of view of increasing the customer base through coverage of women from the small and marginal farming community; mobilizing the small savings; increased loan consumption capacity of Women Self Help Groups; and recovery of loan in time. Apart from the direct business generated, the good-will being created through these enhanced services of PACS in the villages gets translated into other indirect benefits. Members of Women Self Help Groups were induced to come to PACS not merely for getting loan but for easy access to an institution and its services in their neighborhood. Both the stakeholders enjoyed benefits and this new line of strategy increased the access to institutional credit of rural resource poor, especially the women, and thereby increased the Ground Level Credit flow. There was an increase in the interest income to the sample PACS, while reducing the interest burden and tapped the entrepreneurial culture and improved the livelihood of the members. This trend established that those PACS which exhibited their entrepreneurial competencies would be able to sustain their business through location specific functions and serve as change agents at village level.
Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Lower blood glucose values are common in the healthy neonate immediately after birth as compared to older infants, children, and adults. These transiently lower glucose values improve and reach normal ranges within hours after birth. Such transitional hypoglycemia is common in the healthy newborn. A minority of neonates experience a more prolonged and severe hypoglycemia, usually associated with specific risk factors and possibly a congenital hypoglycemia syndrome. Despite the lack of a specific blood glucose value that defines hypoglycemia, concern for substantial neurologic morbidity in the neonatal population has led to the generation of guidelines by both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES). Similarities between the 2 guidelines include recognition that the transitional form of neonatal hypoglycemia likely resolves within 48 hours after birth and that hypoglycemia that persists beyond that duration may be pathologic. One major difference between the 2 sets of guidelines is the goal blood glucose value in the neonate. This article reviews transitional and pathologic hypoglycemia in the neonate and presents a framework for understanding the nuances of the AAP and PES guidelines for neonatal hypoglycemia.
Pension Rules and Labour Market Mobility

This paper makes use of a natural experiment to examine effects of potential capital losses and general attractiveness of pension schemes on employees' propensity to change jobs. On January 1st 2004, the two largest pension funds in the Netherlands, for civil servants and for the health care sector, changed their pension scheme from a final salary to an average salary. This industry-level change excludes the possibility that a negative correlation between having a job with an attractive pension scheme and the number of labour market transitions is driven by self-selection of workers into jobs with an attractive pension arrangement. Using individual data covering the entire Dutch population, we estimate discrete choice models for job-to-job transitions. The results show that the number of job transitions of civil servants significantly increased at the onset of the new pension rules. The changing pension rules affected the propensity to change jobs for individuals working in the health care sector only to a smaller extent.
Depth-resolved 3D visualization of coronary microvasculature with optical microangiography

In this study, we propose a novel implementation of optical coherence tomography-based angiography combined with ex vivo perfusion of fixed hearts to visualize coronary microvascular structure and function. The extracorporeal perfusion of Intralipid solution allows depth-resolved angiographic imaging, control of perfusion pressure, and high-resolution optical microangiography. The imaging technique offers new opportunities for microcirculation research in the heart, which has been challenging due to motion artifacts and the lack of independent control of pressure and flow. With the ability to precisely quantify structural and functional features, this imaging platform has broad potential for the study of the pathophysiology of microvasculature in the heart as well as other organs.
Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes from cardiac progenitor cells: effects of selective ion channel blockade.

AIM Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes are likely to revolutionize electrophysiological approaches to arrhythmias. Recent evidence suggests the somatic cell origin of hiPSCs may influence their differentiation potential. Owing to their cardiomyogenic potential, cardiac-stromal progenitor cells (CPCs) are an interesting cellular source for generation of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. The effect of ionic current blockade in hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes generated from CPCs has not been characterized yet. METHODS AND RESULTS Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes were generated from adult CPCs and skin fibroblasts from the same individuals. The effect of selective ionic current blockade on spontaneously beating hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes was assessed using multi-electrode arrays. Cardiac-stromal progenitor cells could be reprogrammed into hiPSCs, then differentiated into hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes of cardiac origin showed higher upregulation of cardiac-specific genes compared with those of fibroblastic origin. Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes of both somatic cell origins exhibited sensitivity to tetrodotoxin, a blocker of Na+ current (INa), nifedipine, a blocker of L-type Ca2+ current (ICaL), and E4031, a blocker of the rapid component of delayed rectifier K+ current (IKr). Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes of cardiac origin exhibited sensitivity to JNJ303, a blocker of the slow component of delayed rectifier K+ current (IKs). CONCLUSION In hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes of cardiac origin, INa, ICaL, IKr, and IKs were present as tetrodotoxin-, nifedipine-, E4031-, and JNJ303-sensitive currents, respectively. Although cardiac differentiation efficiency was improved in hiPSCs of cardiac vs. non-cardiac origin, no major functional differences were observed between hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes of different somatic cell origins. Further studies are warranted to characterize electrophysiological properties of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes generated from CPCs.
Influence of Word of Mouth on Consumer Buying Decision: Evidence from Bangladesh Market.

The purpose of this study is to define how word of mouth influence consumer’s buying behavior. Word of mouth is becoming a strong tool for building brand in present time. The research used primary and secondary data for analysis. In primary data, 500 respondents’ data were collected and Microsoft excel used for analysis. The findings recommend that word of mouth has impact on consumer buying behavior. The results suggest that word of mouth built by trust and loyalty. The findings are based on small sample size however; the framework may be used for future research. The significance of word of mouth, particularly consumer buying behavior, is increased rapidly. The paper will give marketers a better understanding of word of mouth as well as consumer perceptions. Keywords: Word of mouth, Network marketing, Consumer buying behaviour, Consumer trust, Consumer loyalty.
Behavioural urban freight modelling: exploring effects of policies on an urban freight distribution system

The importance of freight systems to the economy, environment, and modern life necessitates study and research in this field. This paper presents a framework to gain insight into the behavioural underpinnings that affect decision making in the freight sector. The objective of this research is to investigate the interaction of key actors in the inland import/export container market in Brisbane. This study addresses several decisions made in the freight distribution system including optimising the shipment size, using distribution/consolidation centre, mode/vehicle and route choices. In this framework, the supply chain is modelled using an agent-based approach, in which the decisions of the key actors are captured in an integrated, disaggregate, and distributed system. The agents include shippers, distribution/consolidation agents, rail carriers, road carriers, and customers. The proposed framework incorporates five major decisions in the supply chain. In the first model, shippers and customers negotiate on the size and frequency of shipments based on minimizing total logistics cost. In the second model, shippers’ decisions on bundling several shipments are captured, in light of carriers’ prices and services as well as shippers’ storage costs if a shipment is not sent immediately. In the third model, a shipper’s choice to use a distribution or consolidation centre can be modelled, in light of shipment bundling, handling costs, and economies that may be realised from carriers, for given commodities and within given time slots. This interacts with the fourth model, capturing the competition between road and rail carriers in the shipper’s choice of transport mode. Finally, road carriers then face the decision of the routes for commercial vehicles that meet these time slots (“time-windows”) for each commodity.
PRE-FLIGHT SERVICE EXPECTATIONS OF DOMESTIC AIRLINE PASSENGERS IN PAKISTAN

We find pre-flight service expectations given the highest importance by passengers on domestic flights in Pakistan. Their importance has grown due to intense competition in the airline industry. The pre-flight services are an essential component of the journey experience and are likely to enhance passengers’ satisfaction. A survey methodology involving personal interviews of domestic passengers was used to gather the required information. Passengers in Pakistan accorded highest priority to the provision of trolleys followed by porter services and ticket offices. The study recommends airlines to develop their marketing strategy based on customer-centric communication and development of a service recovery process.
Evaluation of Body Mass Index (BMI) Percentile cut-off Levels with Reference to Insulin Resistance: A Comparative Study on South Indian Obese and Non-Obese Adolescents.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship of Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile cut off with Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), a surrogate marker for insulin resistance in obese, overweight and non-obese adolescents. STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional analysis of 120 adolescents (divided into sixty overweight/obese and an equal number of non-obese) was performed on nondiabetic, nonpregnant (11 to 18 year old school going) adolescents in south Indian (Puducherry) population. The main outcome measure of insulin resistance was calculated as HOMA-IR (greater than 3.16). Obesity was defined as per the BMI criteria, BMI greater than or equal to 95(th) percentile,overweight greater than or equal to 85(th) percentile and non-obese less than 84.9(th) percentile. All adolescents were subjected to analysis of anthropometric parameters that included weight, height and BMI (body mass index). Biochemical parameters, namely venous plasma glucose (fasting) and venous plasma insulin (fasting) were included for insulin resistance calculation by HOMA-IR. RESULTS Having a BMI of greater than or equal to 85(th) percentilewas associated with high HOMA-IR levels. As the BMI percentile increased, HOMA-IR levels also increased. Prevalence of insulin resistance for a BMI percentile of less than 84.9 was nil. Prevalence of insulin resistance for a BMI percentile of 85-94.9 was 26%. Prevalence of insulin resistance for BMI of greater than or equal to 95(th) percentile was 64%. CONCLUSION Insulin resistance is highly prevalent in obese and overweight adolescents as compared to that in non-obese adolescents. The onset of Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) is associated with the development of severe hyper-insulinaemia in obese adolescents and early primordial and primary prevention can thus alleviate the burden of future cardiometabolic disorders.
A Comparative Study of Human Resource Management Practices and Its Impact on Organizational Performance in Indian Public Sector Banks

The main purpose of this study was designed to explore and compare Human Resource Management practices and their impact on organizational performance in Indian Public Sector Banks. Human Resource Management is very important for banks because banking is a service industry. Research suggests that service quality has been increasingly recognized as a crucial factor that determines the level of success of any business Human input is the single largest input to the banking industry. The level of efficiency/productivity of this input is reflected in the quality of service offered by the banks to its customers, as also in its ultimate growth, productivity and profitability. Human Resource Management Practices has been studied extensively in Multinational companies, education sector and manufacturing sector. However only a few research has been conducted in banking industry. Even these researchers have not compared Human Resource Management Practices Public Sector banks in Jammu and Kashmir. The research was based on self-administered questionnaire survey of total 266 employees. It consists of 11 managers and 33 subordinates from PNB and 18 managers and 54 subordinates from SBI. The main HRM practices studied were General climate, OCTAPACE culture, Selection, job definition, career planning, training, performance appraisal and compensation. The data were analyzed statistically and finding revealed that HRM practices have huge impact on the organizational performance in banking sector. At the end research also depicted some limitation as well as future research directions.
Reasons why students do not file the FAFSA.

Although the percentage of college students failing to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has decreased over the last two decades, this was caused by an increase in the number of undergraduate and graduate students and not by a decrease in the number of students failing to file the FAFSA. The number of students failing to file the FAFSA each year has remained flat for over a decade.
Elastic modulus determination of normal and glaucomatous human trabecular meshwork.

PURPOSE. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is a risk factor for glaucoma. The principal outflow pathway for aqueous humor in the human eye is through the trabecular meshwork (HTM) and Schlemm’s canal (SC). The junction between the HTM and SC is thought to have a significant role in the regulation of IOP. A possible mechanism for the increased resistance to flow in glaucomatous eyes is an increase in stiffness (increased elastic modulus) of the HTM. In this study, the stiffness of the HTM in normal and glaucomatous tissue was compared, and a mathematical model was developed to predict the impact of changes in stiffness of the juxtacanalicular layer of HTM on flow dynamics through this region.
Towards responsible and inclusive financing of the palm oil sector

Key messagesMany stakeholders, including governments, production and processing companies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), are working towards a more sustainable palm oil sector. Although smallholders account for an important share of oil palm cultivation, the social and environmental challenges of smallholder practices receive relatively little attention.Financial Service Providers (FSPs), such as banks and pension funds, could play a more significant role developing a more sustainable and inclusive palm oil sector by tying Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) conditions to the financial services they provide to palm oil companies that source products from smallholders.The majority of funds financing the major palm oil companies originate from FSPs based in Asian countries such as Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Currently, these FSPs do not have adequate ESG policies.European and American FSP policies are more advanced in addressing such issues as deforestation and Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification. Nevertheless, they still pay very little attention to the inclusion of smallholders in sustainable supply chains.Due to the differences between ESG policies followed by European and American FSPs in comparison to Asian FSPs, palm oil companies still have ample alternatives to access financing with few conditions. As a result, the potentially significant contribution of FSPs to foster a more sustainable palm oil sector remains underutilized.Adoption of more adequate ESG policies by Asian FSPs could occur in the first place through an increased understanding by these FSPs of the financial risks involved in continuing business as usual. Second, peer pressure from European and American FSPs and sustainability initiatives would help. Third, financial regulators in the palm oil production countries increasingly look for instruments to stimulate the financial sector to contribute more to the sustainable development of their economies.
Optimum Pilot Placement for Chunk-Based OFDMA Uplink: Single Chunk Scenario

In this paper, we investigate the optimum pilot placement for the chunk-based OFDMA uplink. The proposed scheme is optimized for the single-chunk scenario, i.e., the channel estimation is carried out for each individual chunk, and the channel estimator is based on the least-square linear interpolation. Unlike the state-of-the-art optimum pilot placements, the proposed scheme takes into account the impact of modeling mismatch in addition to the noise. It is established that the optimum pilot placement for the large-SNR range should minimize the impact of the modeling mismatch. The optimum pilot spacing along the frequency direction is 1/radic3 of the chunk bandwidth. The pilot spacing should be increased (up to the chunk width) with decreasing the signal-to-noise ratio. Computer simulations are provided, and show a good match with the analytical result.
INFLUENCE OF DYNAMIC CAPABILITIES ON PERFORMANCE OF LARGE MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of dynamic capabilities on performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and descriptive survey design and the research philosophy was positivism. The study population study was 499 large scale manufacturing firms where a sample size of 217 firms was selected. Results: The study findings revealed that dynamic capabilities have a positive and significant influence on performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. Policy recommendation: The study recommended that large manufacturing firms should also invest more in research and development, training, networking and innovation