Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A study of some serum biochemical values of Japanese quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) fed graded levels of energy diets in Northwestern Nigeria

Studyinvolving six weeks feeding trials was conducted at the college experimentalfarm, college of agriculture, Hassan Usman katsina polytechnic, katsina todetermined the effect of different energy levels (2400kcal/kg and 2600kcal/kg)diets on the serum biochemical parameters of Japanese quails (coturnix coturnixjapanicum). Fifty (50) day old Quails chicks were procured and divided randomlyinto two treatment groups designated as T1 and T2. Each treatment wasreplicated three times with eight birds per replicate. Both treatments indicateno significances difference (P>0.05) in the biochemical parameters ofquails. Both T1 and T2 showed an increase in the value of sodium and totalprotein and the values of urea, T bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase(ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) and albumin were lower than the referencesvalues. Feed and water were given ad libitum daily. At the end of the trialperiod two birds were chosen randomly and blood sample were collected throughthe jugular vein. Two milliliters of blood was collected from the bird insterile test tubes without anticoagulant and allowed to clot. The samples wereprocessed and analyzed at Rahusa Medical Diagnostic laboratory katsina. Fromthe result obtain in the study, it was deduced that different energy levels asincluded in these diets of Japanese Quails have no adverse effect on the serumbiochemical parameters of the birds.
Evidence-based social design: Introduction

What does social science tell us about how to make thriving online communities? Quite a lot, it turns out. But only if we listen very closely and, at times, employ a translator. Economics and various branches of psychology offer theories of individual motivation and of human behavior in social situations. The theories generalize from observations of naturally occurring behavior, from controlled experiments, and from abstract mathematical models. Properly interpreted, they can inform choices about how to get a community started, integrate newcomers, encourage commitment, regulate behavior when there are conflicts, motivate contributions, and coordinate those contributions to maximize benefits for the community. This book makes it easier for us to hear what social science has to tell us. It amplifies relevant theories and experimental evidence and translates them into specific claims about the likely impact of particular design choices for online communities.
Gene expression profiling of 12633 genes in Alzheimer hippocampal CA1: Transcription and neurotrophic factor down‐regulation and up‐regulation of apoptotic and pro‐inflammatory signaling

Alterations in transcription, RNA editing, translation, protein processing, and clearance are a consistent feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. To extend our initial study (Alzheimer Reports [2000] 3:161‐167), RNA samples isolated from control and AD hippocampal cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) were analyzed for 12633 gene and expressed sequence tag (EST) expression levels using DNA microarrays (HG‐U95Av2 Genechips; Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA). Hippocampal CA1 tissues were carefully selected from several hundred potential specimens obtained from domestic and international brain banks. To minimize the effects of individual differences in gene expression, RNA of high spectral quality (A260/280 ≥ 1.9) was pooled from CA1 of six control or six AD subjects. Results were compared as a group; individual gene expression patterns for the most‐changed RNA message levels were also profiled. There were no significant differences in age, postmortem interval (mean ≤ 2.1 hr) nor tissue pH (range 6.6–6.9) between the two brain groups. AD tissues were derived from subjects clinically classified as CDR 2‐3 (CERAD/NIA). Expression data were analyzed using GeneSpring (Silicon Genetics, Redwood City, CA) and Microarray Data Mining Tool (Affymetrix) software. Compared to controls and 354 background/alignment markers, AD brain showed a generalized depression in brain gene transcription, including decreases in RNA encoding transcription factors (TFs), neurotrophic factors, signaling elements involved in synaptic plasticity such as synaptophysin, metallothionein III, and metal regulatory factor‐1. Three‐ or morefold increases in RNAs encoding DAXX, cPLA2, CDP5, NF‐κBp52/p100, FAS, βAPP, DPP1, NFIL6, IL precursor, B94, HB15, COX‐2, and CEX‐1 signals were strikingly apparent. These data support the hypothesis of widespread transcriptional alterations, misregulation of RNAs involved in metal ion homeostasis, TF signaling deficits, decreases in neurotrophic support and activated apoptotic and neuroinflammatory signaling in moderately affected AD hippocampal CA1. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Days of the Week Effect in Dhaka Stock Exchange: Evidence from Small Portfolios of Banking Sector

Seasonality study in return on shares prices is very much prominent in the field of finance. The scope of this study is to find of days-of-the-week-effect in small portfolios. Unlike traditional methodology, this study introduces a micro approach to study days-of-the-week effect. Four different types of trading strategies have been used in this study. The result shows that the strategy "buy on day 1 and sell on Monday" produces the highest mean daily return (MDR), 1.31%, which is around 132% higher than the next best MDR (0.564%) from the D1D6 strategy - buy on day one and sell on day six. The study finds that on average, above average return is not possible if portfolios are sold on Saturdays and Mondays. For Bangladesh, it can be termed as "Saturday Effect" as Saturday is the first trading day following the weekend. The findings of this study significantly identify two things - beginning of the week effect at the time of buying, and Monday effect and weekend effect at the time of selling.
Agents for Treatment of Overactive Bladder: A Therapeutic Class Review

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a medical syndrome defined by symptoms of urgency, with or without urge urinary incontinence (any involuntary loss of urine), usually with frequency and nocturia. Although anticholinergic agents have been the first-line treatment for OAB for many years, the efficacious pharmacologic management of this condition has been compromised by concerns regarding tolerability. Flavoxate was the first anticholinergic and antispasmodic agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat symptoms of OAB but is not routinely used today since newer agents are more effective. The more recent drugs, oxybutynin and tolterodine, have appeared to be equally efficacious in treating the symptoms of OAB in clinical trials; however, tolterodine has proven to be better tolerated with fewer adverse effects. In 2004, the FDA approved the three newest agents for the class: darifenacin, solifenacin, and trospium. Compared with oxybutynin and tolterodine, these agents have a more favorable side effect profile, which can enhance tolerability and patient compliance. Side effects are reduced in part because of the drugs' greater tissue selectivity for inhibiting the bladder muscle contraction over other anticholinergic receptors in the body. In recent clinical trials, darifenacin, solifenacin, and trospium have shown superiority to placebo and efficacy comparable to that of oxybutynin and tolterodine.
An Analysis of Life Insurance Demand Determinants for Selected Asian Economies and India

During the post-1990 period, services sector in most of the Asian economies witnessed growth fuelled by substantial changes in the financial sector of these economies. The insurance industry, in most of the Asian economies, ASEAN and SAARC economies in particular, was publicly owned and remained isolated from participation of either domestic private insurers or foreign insurers or participation of both. But, regulatory reforms and policy changes in the ASEAN economies during the post-financial crisis period and the process of economic liberalization in some of the SAARC countries and China led to phenomenal changes in the growth pattern of the insurance industry in these economies. This study is divided into two parts: the first part is focused on four SAARC countries, two countries from Greater China Region and six ASEAN countries for the 11-year period (1994-2004) to understand economic and other socio-political variables, which may play a significant role in explaining the life insurance consumption pattern in these economies. Secondly, an independent exercise is undertaken to re-assess whether or not the variables best explaining life insurance consumption pattern for twelve selected Asian economies in the panel are significant for India for the period 1965 to 2004. Some variables were strongly capable of determining life insurance demand in both the analytical parts. However, we also observed contradictions to earlier studies.
Bone mineral density and bone metabolism are not related to leptin in hemodialyzed and peritoneally dialyzed uremic patients.

BACKGROUND In chronic renal failure leptin levels are elevated and BMD decreased, however, so far data about correlations between leptin and BMD in dialyzed patients are scarce. It has been suggested that leptin is a predictor of BMD in postmenopausal women. We examined the relationships between leptinemia, BMD and bone metabolism in HD and CAPD patients. We also assessed whether leptin is significant and independent predictor of BMD in dialyzed patients. MATERIAL/METHODS BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at lumbar spine and femoral neck in 25 HD and 23 CAPD patients. Markers of bone turnover and leptin were studied using commercially available kits. RESULTS In femoral neck BMD was significantly higher in CAPD patients, without significant differences in BMD in lumbar spine. There was a negative correlation between BMD at the femoral neck and time on hemodialysis (r= -0.45, p < 0.05). In CAPD patients BMD at the lumbar spine correlated negatively with vitamin D3 (r= -0.54, p < 0.05), osteocalcin (r= 0.54, p < 0 .05), and positively with BMI (r= 0.63, p < 0.01). BMD at the femoral neck correlated positively with BMI (r= 0.59, p < 0.01), and negatively with osteocalcin (r= -0.63, p < 0.05) and time on CAPD (r= -0.52, p < 0.05). Leptin correlate only with cholesterol (r= 0.25, p < 0.05), TSH (r= 0.35, p < 0.01), ss(2) microglobulin (r= 0.32, p < 0.001) and BMD at the femoral neck (r= -0.23, p < 0.05)in all dialyzed (HD and CAPD) patients. CONCLUSIONS BMD depends on time of renal replacement therapy. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism poorly correlate with BMD and leptin in dialyzed patients. Leptin is not a predictor of BMD in dialyzed patients.
Increased physical work loads in modern work – a necessity for better health and performance?

Shifting workforce proportions to sedentary occupations and technology developments in traditionally physically demanding occupations have resulted in low physical workloads for many workers. Insufficient physical stress is known to have detrimental short- and long-term effects on health and physical capacity. It is argued herein that many modern workers are at risk of insufficient physical workload. Further, it is argued that the traditional physical ergonomics paradigm of reducing risk by reducing physical loads (‘less is better’) is not appropriate for many modern occupations. It is proposed that a new paradigm is required, where ‘more can be better’. The potential for work to be seen as an arena for improving physical health and capability is discussed and the types of changes to work that may be required are outlined. The paper also discusses challenges and responsibilities presented by this new paradigm for ergonomists, employers, health and safety authorities and the community. The majority of workers in affluent communities now face the significant threat to health of insufficient physical workload. Ergonomics can design work to a prescription that can not only reduce injury risk but enhance health and capacity. However, this will require a change in paradigm.
Long-term Results of Prospective Trial of Surgery Alone With Selective Use of Radiation for Patients With T1 Extremity and Trunk Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Objective:We conducted a prospective trial to define the local recurrence rates for selected patients with T1 soft tissue sarcomas (STS) treated by surgery alone. Summary Background Data:Retrospective data suggest that some patients with small STS can be safely treated by surgery alone. There are no defined criteria to select patients for such treatment. Methods:Patients with T1 primary STS were treated with function-preserving surgery and microscopic assessment of surgical margins. Postoperative external-beam radiation was employed selectively for patients with microscopically positive (R1) final surgical margins. Patients who underwent resection with microscopically negative (R0) final margins did not receive radiotherapy. Results:Eighty-eight eligible and evaluable patients were entered on this protocol between March 1996 and April 2002. Tumor sites included the extremities (n = 60), and trunk (n = 26). Fifty-one patients (58%) had high-grade STS; 60 (68%) had superficial (T1a) disease. Fourteen patients (16%) underwent R1 resection and were treated with postoperative radiation; 74 (84%) underwent R0 resection and were treated by surgery alone. The median follow-up was 75 months. Isolated local recurrences were observed in 11 patients (13%; 6 in R1 arm, 5 in R0 arm). In the R0 surgery-alone arm, the cumulative incidence rates of local recurrence at 5 and 10 years were 7.9% and 10.6%, respectively; and the 5- and 10-year sarcoma-specific death rates were 3.2% and 3.2%. Conclusion:Selected patients with primary T1 STS of the extremity and trunk can be treated by R0 surgery alone with acceptable local control and excellent long-term survival.
Modulation of the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa from roosters carrying the Sd (sperm degeneration) allele.

Roosters carrying the Sd (sperm degeneration) allele produce spermatozoa that die prematurely in vivo. Consequently, these mutants are subfertile. The objective of the present study was to determine whether or not subfertility could be modulated. A previous study found that the proximal efferent ducts of mutants were characterized by a reduced surface-to-volume ratio. We hypothesized that if subfertility was exacerbated by hemicastration of chicks, which increases daily sperm production in adults, then a relationship between efferent duct function and sperm longevity would be likely. In experiment 1, hemicastration of chicks exacerbated the subfertility of adults (p < 0.001). As inferred from SDS-PAGE in previous research, mutants lack at least one non-albumin seminal plasma protein. Therefore, it was hypothesized that protein supplementation would ameliorate subfertility. In experiment 2, fertility increased (p < 0.001) when spermatozoa from mutants were mixed with albumin-depleted seminal plasma protein from fertile roosters before insemination. In contrast, supplementation with BSA had no effect (p > 0.05). In summary, the subfertile status of Sd roosters was dynamic and appeared to depend upon the interaction of testicular output, efferent duct structure, and seminal plasma protein. Thus the study of this dysfunction may help to identify factors responsible for sperm maturation in the domestic fowl.
Choosing an acquisition target: The trade-off between firm quality and location

In this paper we explore how the place where potential targets are located influences the choice of an acquisition target. When the quality of place is considered in the acquisition decision process, it is possible that location compensates for other target-specific assets. In particular, we seek to establish whether buyers are willing to trade quality for location, and choose a relatively poor target if well located. The analysis is carried out for all acquisitions that occurred between professional services firms in the Netherlands in 2006-2009. The results are consistent with the hypothesis of the existence of a trade-off between firm quality and location in the choice of an acquisition target.
Financial Statement Fraud: A Case Examination Using Beneish Model and Ratio Analysis

 Abstract—Fraud is a major concern for organizations world-wide. Governments and regulators are now focusing on management's responsibility for effective fraud management programs. It is not a matter whether your organization is large or small or what country or industry your organization is in, as long as humans are involved in organizations, the risk of fraud is real. This paper discusses a local case and our analyses are basically subjected to how the fraud was committed and the detection techniques involved. Beneish Model and Ratios Analysis were selected as detection tools in reference to this case. Being the best tools chosen for this case, those techniques will benefit the auditors and other professionals. They can learn these simple, yet effective methods of financial statement fraud detection. Legal implications and its uses will also be discussed in this paper.
Effects of Angiotensin II on Renal Dopamine Metabolism: Synthesis, Release, Catabolism and Turnover

Background/Aims: Dopamine (DA) uptake inhibition in the renal cortex, elicited by angiotensin II (ANG II), is mediated by AT1 receptors and signals through the phospholipase C pathway and activation of protein kinase C and CaM-kinase II. By this indirect way, ANG II stimulates renal Na+,K+-ATPase activity through DA intracellular reduction. In the present work, we continued to study different aspects of renal DA metabolism in DA-ANG II interaction, such as DA synthesis, release, catabolism and turnover. Methods: ANG II effects on DA synthesis, release, catabolism and turnover were measured in samples from the outer renal cortex of Sprague-Dawley rats. Results: ANG II reduced renal aromatic acid decarboxylate activity without affecting basal secretion of DA or its KCl-induced release. Moreover, ANG II enhanced monoamine oxidase activity without altering catechol-o-methyl transferase activity and increased DA turnover. Conclusion: Current results as well as previous findings show that ANG II modifies DA metabolism in rat renal cortex by reducing DA uptake, decreasing DA synthesis enzyme activity and increasing monoamine oxidase activity, and DA turnover. Together, all these effects may reduce DA accumulation into renal cells and decrease its endogenous content and availability. This would prevent D1 receptor recruitment and stimulation, while diminishing DA inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity and stimulating sodium reabsorption.
Korea's Globalization: Can Korea Become a Business Hub in Northeast Asia?

Since the announcement (April 2002) of the Korean government’s new vision of transforming the nation into a Northeast Asian business hub, Korea’s industrial development paradigm is undergoing a new shift in the economic and business spheres, particularly towards a new market-oriented paradigm of economic growth and corporate governance in place of the old model of the developmental state, which ran its course until two decades ago. Despite the growing concern on the new vision among government agencies, media, research centres and academia, the absence of a cohesive and realistic approach to the issue is a relative void in the literature. This paper, which is based on findings from a recently completed study carried out during May 2002, in which 37 face-to-face interviews were conducted with senior executives of foreign companies and various chambers of commerce in Korea, offers qualitative insights into the critical and often invisible issues to be considered for a successful transformation of Korea into a business hub in Northeast Asia. This paper also examines interpretations of the hub concept, barriers to becoming a hub, and competition from other locations.
Catch-up with Generative State: Lessons from Chinese Telecom Equipment Industry

Neoliberal catch-up policies are definitely useless to create suitable environment for latecomers in order to close the gap with forerunners. This paper investigates an alternative policy to the neoliberal development policies in the scope of the high-technology industrial catch-up of the latecomers with guidance of the state and the state-led development policies. By this approach, the state’s active and interventionist role is suggested in all phases of the catch-up. It is a triple system of state, foreign investment, and national industry-capital, and this system has a dynamic and interactive relation with each other. Telecom equipment industry of China is chosen as a case study for this research. The suggested model is managed by the state and “transfer of modern technologies via JVs between MNCs and national companies”, “funding of industrial activities by state-owned banks and markets” and “re-organizing or creating competitive SOEs (State-owned enterprises) in these industries” are the major characteristics of the model. This system is named in this paper as “generative state” in which the state creates and sets up all related institutions and processes which are necessary to development and catch-up in a continuous manner. On the contrary to “passive and regulative role of state” in neoliberal policy suggestions, state actively manages all these phases with state-owned instruments. General finding of the study is noteworthy, China succeeded significant catch-up in a high tech industry- telecom equipment industry in 21st century with state-led policies of “state capitalism”.
Guest editorial: Market orientation and service firm performance - a research agenda

The service sector is an increasingly important source of job creation and economic wealth, and accounts for more than 75 per cent of the GDP of many developed economies. Yet there has been surprisingly little research into the relationship between market orientation and service firm performance. This editorial reviews the major research themes relating to market orientation and service firm performance and suggests an agenda for future research to improve understanding of this important marketing and management issue.
Ontology for Contract Negotiations in an Agent-based Grid Resource Management System

Our research (the Agents in Grid; AiG project) concerns the development of an agent-based Grid middleware, in which (a) agents work in teams (each team is to be managed by the LMaster agent), (b) all meta-information is ontologically demarcated and semantically processed (with all team information stored in and managed by the Client Information Center; CIC infrastructure represented by the CIC agent), and (c) an economic model is to be based on autonomic Service Level Agreement (SLA) negotiations and Quality of Service (QoS) monitoring.
Taking Stock of the Global Policy Response

The immediate financial sector policy responses to the financial crisis— including emergency liquidity support, expansion of financial safety nets, and interventions in financial institutions—have succeeded in stemming widespread panic. But the effort has generally been insufficient and ad hoc. Issues that remain include the resolution of problem assets, the restructuring of troubled, systemically important financial institutions, and the development of credible exit strategies. Only a handful of countries have attempted to tackle these issues head-on. As past experience has shown, that may well have negative repercussions for the duration and