Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD31 Expression on Leukocytes Is Downregulated in vivo during Hemodialysis

Background/Aim: CD31 on leukocytes is the adhesion molecule involved in the leukocyte extravasation in inflammatory conditions. During hemodialysis with cellulosic membranes, it is considered that activated leukocytes adhere to endothelium, but do not show extravasation. However, it is not elucidated why activated leukocytes do not show endothelial transmigration during hemodialysis with cellulosic membranes. Methods: In the present study, changes in the expressions of Mac-1 and CD31 on granulocytes and monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry during hemodialysis in 7 patients treated with regenerated-cellulose (RC) membranes and next with polysulfone (PS) membranes. Results: During dialysis with RC, Mac-1 expressions on granulocytes and monocytes both significantly increased as compared with predialysis values and across the dialyzer. During dialysis with RC, the CD31 expression on granulocytes and monocytes significantly decreased as compared with predialysis values. During dialysis with PS, changes in Mac-1 and CD31 expressions on granulocytes and monocytes were smaller than those during dialysis with RC. Conclusions: Decreased CD31 expression on leukocytes may affect leukocyte function more in patients chronically hemodialyzed with RC than in those hemodialyzed with PS, since CD31 is important in leukocyte transendothelial migration in inflammatory conditions.
Performance-complexity tradeoff in sequential decoding for the unconstrained AWGN channel

In this paper, the performance limits and the computational complexity of the lattice sequential decoder are analyzed for the unconstrained additive white Gaussian noise channel. The performance analysis available in the literature for such a channel has been studied only under the use of the minimum Euclidean distance decoder that is commonly referred to as the lattice decoder. Lattice decoders based on solutions to the NP-hard closest vector problem are very complex to implement, and the search for low complexity receivers for the detection of lattice codes is considered a challenging problem. However, the low computational complexity advantage that sequential decoding promises, makes it an alternative solution to the lattice decoder. In this work, we characterize the performance and complexity tradeoff via the error exponent and the decoding complexity, respectively, of such a decoder as a function of the decoding parameter - the bias term. For the above channel, we derive the cut-off volume-to-noise ratio that is required to achieve a good error performance with low decoding complexity.
Development of a Nutrition Education Program for the Mississippi Communities for Healthy Living Nutrition Intervention Using the Diffusion of Innovations Theory

This research identified themes when exploring the Dietary Guidelines for Americans’ (DGA) attributes of relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability to provide information for the design and structure of a nutrition education program for the Mississippi Communities of Healthy Living Nutrition Intervention. Diffusion of Innovations theory was used to develop education sessions to promote the adoption and consumption of a DGAbased healthy diet innovation in the Lower Mississippi Delta. Two focus groups were conducted with a purposive sample of 13 women in the community as well as one expert panel of six registered dietitians. Major themes identified for the DGA were Balanced Nutrition, All-inclusive, and Protective as the relative advantage; Adaptability when exploring compatibility; low complexity as Simple to Follow and Convenient and Portable; Gradual Change and Taste Tests when discussing trialability; and Modeling for observability. A Generational theme reflected participants’ desire to impart healthy behaviors to future generations. Results were used to operationalize attributes and develop 12 lesson plans.
The Effect of Human Capital Disclosures on the Financial Performance in the Lebanese Commercial Banks

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between human capital (HC) and the financial performance in the Lebanese commercial banks (LCB). Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 48 bank/year observations is used to the level of HC disclosures in the LCB for 2015-2017 period. Depending on a content analysis, HC index developed by the researchers is used to measure the level of HC disclosures. Findings: The results show that the level of HC disclosure has a significant negative relationship with the financial performance of commercial banks in Lebanon. These findings indicate that LCB should disclose properly HC information in order to enhance their value and performance. Originality/value: This study opens a new field for the service companies as banking sector to shed light on the states of HC disclosures. The results supposed to benefit the commercial banks in Lebanon. Keywords: Human Capital, Disclosure, Performance, Lebanese Commercial Banks.
MATHEMATISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT.

Nutzungsbedingungen DigiZeitschriften e.V. gewährt ein nicht exklusives, nicht übertragbares, persönliches und beschränktes Recht auf Nutzung dieses Dokuments. Dieses Dokument ist ausschließlich für den persönlichen, nicht kommerziellen Gebrauch bestimmt. Das Copyright bleibt bei den Herausgebern oder sonstigen Rechteinhabern. Als Nutzer sind Sie sind nicht dazu berechtigt, eine Lizenz zu übertragen, zu transferieren oder an Dritte weiter zu geben. Die Nutzung stellt keine Übertragung des Eigentumsrechts an diesem Dokument dar und gilt vorbehaltlich der folgenden Einschränkungen: Sie müssen auf sämtlichen Kopien dieses Dokuments alle Urheberrechtshinweise und sonstigen Hinweise auf gesetzlichen Schutz beibehalten; und Sie dürfen dieses Dokument nicht in irgend einer Weise abändern, noch dürfen Sie dieses Dokument für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, aufführen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen; es sei denn, es liegt Ihnen eine schriftliche Genehmigung von DigiZeitschriften e.V. und vom Herausgeber oder sonstigen Rechteinhaber vor. Mit dem Gebrauch von DigiZeitschriften e.V. und der Verwendung dieses Dokuments erkennen Sie die Nutzungsbedingungen an.
Effect of Audit Committee Qualities on Financial Reporting of Listed Companies in Nigeria: A Perspective Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Audit Committee Qualities on Financial Reporting of listed companies in Nigeria. The study used structured questionnaires administered to a sample of 145 administrative staff of selected listed companies located in Rivers State, Nigeria to elicit the required data for hypothesis testing. The statistical technique employed in testing and analysing the hypothesis was the Ordinary Least Square regression analysis to accurately establish the effect of the dependent and independent variables with the aid of version 17.0 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software. Results of the analyses suggested that audit committee independence, audit committee members qualification and audit committee monitoring function have a significant and positive effect on financial reporting of listed firms in Nigeria. The study provides evidence to shareholders that qualification of audit committee members should be considered seriously during their appointment to improving the quality of financial reporting and achieving audit committee members independence. Moreover, the result highlights the need for companies to organise training for audit committee members in the areas where in-depth knowledge is required especially on the application of new accounting standards which will aid financial reporting process of the company. The paper creates awareness on the need for identifying monitoring functions that are vulnerable to manipulation for critical analysis and intensive review in those areas.
Poor P50 suppression among schizophrenia patients and their first-degree biological relatives.

OBJECTIVE This study's goal was to replicate the finding that family members of schizophrenia patients show poor P50 suppression during a paired-click auditory evoked response paradigm. METHOD The paired-click paradigm was used to test 44 schizophrenia patients, 60 of their clinically unaffected first-degree relatives, and 45 normal subjects. Two clicks (83 dB[A] over a 60-dB[A] white noise background) separated by 500 msec were presented 60 times to all subjects. P50 responses to the first and second clicks were selected from the digitally filtered data by using standard methods and the Cz recording site. RESULTS The schizophrenia patients had smaller P50 responses to click 1 than either their relatives or the normal subjects; the patients and their relatives, who did not significantly differ, had larger P50 responses to click 2 than the normal subjects. Schizophrenia patients had worse P50 suppression than either their family members or the normal subjects; the patients' family members had worse P50 suppression than the normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS Family members of schizophrenia patients have worse P50 suppression than normal subjects. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first demonstration independent of the group associated with the University of Colorado that schizophrenia patients' family members have poor P50 suppression. This result is intrinsically important, perhaps especially because a recent report suggests genetic linkage of poor P50 suppression to the cholinergic receptor's alpha7 nicotinic subunit.
Technological Innovation and Product Market Conditions: R&D Rivalry, Market Competition, and Customer Satisfaction

Abstract With regard to research and development (R&D), corporate finance tends to be too broad, whereas marketing tends to be too specific. Using the marketing–finance interface, new R&D expenditure variables are constructed to reflect industry rivalry by incorporating industry-year median and standard deviation. Market competition and customer satisfaction are also included in the regression. Dynamic generalized-method-of-moments regressions based on US data provide subversive results. Sales and cash flow, which are reported in prior literature to be associated with R&D investment, were insignificant. Leverage, known as detrimental to investment in intangible assets, such as R&D, contributed to rivalrous and strategic R&D investments. Of course, high market-to-book ratios encourage such R&D investments. However, in high-tech industries, market competition absorbs all other influences on R&D, though the impact of market competition on R&D is negative. We also expect that while high customer satisfaction in the product markets could broadly serve as a suppressor to R&D, it can also serve as a driver for young and high-tech firms.
Drivers of Audit Quality in South African Public Sector

This paper examined the relationship between leadership, financial management, risk manageent, governance and clean audit. The independent variables (leadership, financial management, risk manageent and governance) were extracted from the Auditor General’s reports on audit outcomes for municipalities in South Africa for the five years from 2009/10 – 2013/4, and used to determine the degree to which they are related to the achievement of clean audit outcomes. A quantitative approach (panel data regression analysis) was employed, based on a positivist paradigm, to examine the relative effects of the independent variables as key to achieving clean audit outcomes. The findings show that leadership, financial management, risk management and governance jointly have a significant relationship with clean audit outcomes, with a value of P<0,005 (which is substantially below the 5% Alpha level anticipated at the start of the research for this paper) and additionally point to the existence of a much more significant relationship between achieving a clean audit outcome and governance. The paper contributes to theory and practice. The theoretical contribution is that the independent variables (leadership, financial management, risk management, governance) need to work jointly to deliver an effective accountability and quality audit – hence futher research should examined such influence jointly and also try to add additional independent variables. The practical implication is that public sector governance may not be blamed as a single factor that causes accountability or audit issues.
[Reliability of the KT-1000 arthrometer in measuring anterior laxity of the knee: comparative analysis with Telos of 48 reconstructions of the anterior cruciate ligament and intra- and interobserver reproducibility].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The goal of this study was to compare KT-1000 and Telos measurements after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). MATERIAL AND METHOD Forty eight patients with asymptomatic ACLR (4 failures with positive pivot shift and 12 knees with positive (+) Lachman test) were assessed (mean 2.5 years after surgery) by the same examiner by means of: 1) Lachman radiographic with Telos at 150 N, 2) MEDmetric KT-1000 at 69 N, 89 N and maxi-manuel (MM). The examiner tested more than 200 patients each year. Measurements were performed for KT-1000 according to the manufacturers' recommendations and for Telos according to Staübli. Only side to side differences in millimeters are reported. Reproducibility of KT-1000 measurements were also evaluated: interobserver reproducibility was assessed by 16 examiners on a healthy patient, and the experienced examiner tested 20 times a healthy patient. RESULTS An Interobserver error of 4 mm range (+/- 2 mm related to 0) was observed by 12 to 44 p. 100 of the examiners, respectively at 69 N to MM. An intraobserver error of 4 mm range (+/- 2 mm related to 0) was observed in 10 p. 100 at MM and in 20 p. 100 at 89 N. Mean side to side laxity with KT-1000 was 0.93 mm +/- 1.1 [-1 to 5] at 69 N, 1.3 mm +/- 1.6 [-2 to 6] at 89 N, and 1.41 +/- 1.8 [-2 to 6] at MM. With Telos the mean side to side laxity was 3.95 mm +/- 3.84 [0 to 15]. Significant differences (p = 0.0001) were found between measurements obtained by the two methods. No statistical correlation could be detected between values observed by Telos and KT-1000 (R < 0.1). If we consider a 3 mm side to side difference 23 knees (48 p. 100) had abnormal anterior laxity with Telos and with KT-1000 only 3 (6.2 p. 100) at 89 N and 6 (12.5 p. 100) at MM (1 (2 p. 100) at 69 N). With a 5 mm side to side difference, 12 knees (25 p. 100) had abnormal anterior laxity with Telos and with KT-1000 only 1 (2 p. 100) at 89 N and 1 (2 p. 100) at MM (0 at 69 N). Only Telos measurements were correlated to positive pivot shift (p = 0.007) and positive Lachman test (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Interobserver reproducibility of KT-1000 measurements was low, but improved for intraobserver agreement. However, even for a unique KT-1000 experienced examiner, reliability of KT-1000 was poor when comparing Telos and KT-1000 predicitive value to diagnose ACLR failure. Telos results were much more pejorative but the only ones corelated with ACLR failures. We recommand Telos instead of KT-1000 to assess laxity after ACLR.
GAUGING AUDIENCES’ MESSAGE RECALL THROUGH BRAND ELEMENT PLACEMENT IN TELEVISED

Purpose: This study helps to understand the successful path of micro-financing, which can plays a vital role in poverty alleviation in Pakistan. Methodolgy/Sampling: To collect data authors of this paper visited different microfinance institutions (MFIs) like Tameer Micro Financing Bank and Khushali Bank Limited in Karachi. A structured questionnaire was designed for data collection of consumers of microfinance. Statistical data of 100 samples showed 46% of respondents acquired loan for agricultural purposes while 54% loans were business based. Findings: It is observed that male respondents are higher than female. Regression model showed 38% variation in consumer preference regarding the microfinance services. Statistic in the ANOVA shows the significance of model. The coefficient of MFI’s Approach with negative sign indicates an inverse relationship with that of consumer preferences. It means that MFI agents do not give proper value to the targeted consumers. Finally the amount of loan and interest charged by the MFI’s is also having a negative impact on the consumers of micro- finance. Practical Implications: This study deliver statistical evidence of utilization of funds as well as the consistency of gathered data. Work showed that responded are need to be aquired more knowlwdge about the microfinance services in Pakistan. KeyWords: MFIs, Microfinance, Customer Preferences, Pakistan.
Contribution à la mesure de la polarisation du fond diffus cosmologique dans le cadre des programmes Archeops et Planck

Le travail presente ici se place dans le cadre de la mesure de la polarisation du rayonnement de fond cosmologique. Nous commencons par rappeler les fondements du modele standard de la cosmologie, en insistant sur les interets de la polarisation du fond diffus pour la cosmologie. Nous decrivons ensuite les experiences Archeops et Planck et leurs detecteurs. L'etalonnage de l'instrument hautes frequences de Planck necessite un systeme optique pour lequel nous avons recherche une surface diffusante et un polariseur adaptes au rayonnement millimetrique. Nous avons ensuite etudie l'influence de differents parametres instrumentaux sur la mesure de la polarisation, notamment les effets lies aux lobes. Nous montrons ainsi l'importance des constantes de temps et de la calibration relative. Enfin, nous terminons par l'analyse des donnees d'Archeops, et montrons la presence de nuages galactiques polarises a 353 GHz a plus de 10%, grâce a une methode originale d'intercalibration.
Common C-to-T substitution at position -480 of the hepatic lipase promoter associated with a lowered lipase activity in coronary artery disease patients.

We studied the molecular basis of low hepatic lipase (HL) activity in normolipidemic male patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD). In 18 subjects with a lowered HL activity (< 225 mU/mL), all nine exons of the HL gene and part of the promoter region (nucleotides -524 to +7) were sequenced. No structural mutations in the coding part of the HL gene were found, but 50% of the subjects showed a C-to-T substitution at nucleotide -480. Screening for the base substitution in 782 patients yielded an allele frequency of 0.213 (297 heterozygotes, 18 homozygotes). In a group of 316 nonsymptomatic control subjects, the allele frequency was 0.189, which is significantly less than in the CAD patients (P = .035). In the CAD patients, the C-to-T substitution was associated with a lowered lipase activity (heterozygotes -15%, homozygotes -20%). The patients were divided into quartiles on the basis of HL activity. Sixty percent (allele frequency 0.32) of the patients in the lowest quartile (HL activity < 306 mU/mL) had the gene variant against 27% (allele frequency 0.14) in the highest quartile (HL activity > 466 mU/mL). In the noncarriers, but not in the carriers, HL activity was related with plasma insulin, being increased at higher insulin concentration. Homozygous carriers had a significantly higher HDL cholesterol level-than noncarriers (1.13 +/- 0.28 mmol/L versus 0.92 +/- 0.22 mmol/L, P < .02). Our results show that a C-to-T substitution at -480 of the HL promoter is associated with a lowered HL activity. The base substitution, or a closely linked gene variation, may contribute to the variation in HL activity and affect plasma lipoprotein metabolism.
The adoption of information and communication technology by small and medium enterprises in Oman: Case of Dhofar region

The vital theme of this paper is to examine and identify the focal possible challenges and constraints faced by small and medium enterprises in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Dhofar Region in the Sultanate of Oman. The heavy dependent of Sultanate of Oman on oil has led to the progress of alternative procedure which limited state involvement while promoting the individualization of markets and then establishment of more Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs). Current uncertainties in the decrease of oil prices and also in the worldwide business environment continue to encourage activities in Oman’s SMEs sector to the level that both the government and SME owners have developed policies to help them raise their contribution in the economy. SMEs continue to be essential in all economies because they shape the basis of economic recovery and development. The paper has applied Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) which was originally initiated by Davis (1989). The study uses both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. The qualitative method is investigative, so data will be collected through wide literature reviewed from official reports and researches to develop a clear picture of the problem. Then for quantitative questionnaire is developed and distributed to the SME owners. The study has used random sampling method. The findings indicate that owners of SMEs in Dhofar region are aware of the perceived benefits (usefulness) of ICT adoption. In addition to that, in the sample surveyed, perceived benefit is found to be the most important factor affecting ICT adoption. While perceived ease to use, is found to be insignificant in influencing ICT adoption
Acoustoelectric imaging of time-varying current produced by a clinical deep brain stimulator

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapy for dyskinesia associated with treatments for Parkinson's disease (PD). While current surgical placement of a DBS implant depends on stereotactic coordinates with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for precise localization of the electrode sites, the actual current densities produced by the DBS are not directly observed. This study proposes a novel ultrasound (US) method to visualize these current distributions produced by a DBS via acoustoelectric (AE) imaging. AE imaging uses a focused US beam to locally modulate tissue resistivity due to the AE effect, producing a detectable oscillating voltage from a current flow. The primary goal for this study is to assess baseline performance of AE technology for detecting and resolving current densities near a DBS implant using clinically-relevant stimulation parameters.
BQ788, an endothelin ETB receptor antagonist, attenuates stab wound injury‐induced reactive astrocytes in rat brain

Endothelins (ETs) are suggested to be involved in pathological or pathophysiological responses on brain injuries. In the present study, an involvement of ETs on activation of astrocytes in vivo was examined by using selective endothelin receptor antagonists. A stab wound injury on rat cerebral cortex increased immunoreactive ET‐1 at the injured site. GFAP‐positive [GFAP(+)] and vimentin‐positive [Vim(+)] cells appeared at the injured site in 1 day to 2 weeks after the injury. A continuous infusion of BQ788, a selective ETB receptor antagonist, into cerebral ventricle (23 nmole/day) attenuated increase in the numbers of GFAP(+) and Vim(+) cells after the injury. FR139317, a selective ETA antagonist (23 nmole/day), slightly decreased the number of Vim(+) cells but not that of GFAP(+) cells. Increase in the number of microglia/macrophages by a stab wound injury, which was determined by Griffonia simplicifolia isolectin B4 staining, was not affected by BQ788 and FR139317. These results suggest that activation of glial ETB receptors is one of the signal cascades leading to reactive astrocytes on brain injuries. GLIA 26:268–271, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.