Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manganese Dosimetry: Species Differences and Implications for Neurotoxicity

Abstract Manganese (Mn) is an essential mineral that is found at low levels in food, water, and the air. Under certain high-dose exposure conditions, elevations in tissue manganese levels can occur. Excessive manganese accumulation can result in adverse neurological, reproductive, and respiratory effects in both laboratory animals and humans. In humans, manganese-induced neurotoxicity (manganism) is the overriding concern since affected individuals develop a motor dysfunction syndrome that is recognized as a form of parkinsonism. This review primarily focuses on the essentiality and toxicity of manganese and considers contemporary studies evaluating manganese dosimetry and its transport across the blood–brain barrier, and its distribution within the central nervous system (CNS). These studies have dramatically improved our understanding of the health risks posed by manganese by determining exposure conditions that lead to increased concentrations of this metal within the CNS and other target organs. Most individuals are exposed to manganese by the oral and inhalation routes of exposure; however, parenteral injection and other routes of exposure are important. Interactions between manganese and iron and other divalent elements occur and impact the toxicokinetics of manganese, especially following oral exposure. The oxidation state and solubility of manganese also influence the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of manganese. Manganese disposition is influenced by the route of exposure. Rodent inhalation studies have shown that manganese deposited within the nose can undergo direct transport to the brain along the olfactory nerve. Species differences in manganese toxicokinetics and response are recognized with nonhuman primates replicating CNS effects observed in humans while rodents do not. Potentially susceptible populations, such as fetuses, neonates, individuals with compromised hepatic function, individuals with suboptimal manganese or iron intake, and those with other medical states (e.g., pre-parkinsonian state, aging), may have altered manganese metabolism and could be at greater risk for manganese toxicity.
AUTOMATIC ROAD SIGN INVENTORY USING MOBILE MAPPING SYSTEMS

The periodic inspection of certain infrastructure features plays a key role for road network safety and preservation, and for developing optimal maintenance planning that minimize the life-cycle cost of the inspected features. Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS) use laser scanner technology in order to collect dense and precise three-dimensional point clouds that gather both geometric and radiometric information of the road network. Furthermore, time-stamped RGB imagery that is synchronized with the MMS trajectory is also available. In this paper a methodology for the automatic detection and classification of road signs from point cloud and imagery data provided by a LYNX Mobile Mapper System is presented. First, road signs are detected in the point cloud. Subsequently, the inventory is enriched with geometrical and contextual data such as orientation or distance to the trajectory. Finally, semantic content is given to the detected road signs. As point cloud resolution is insufficient, RGB imagery is used projecting the 3D points in the corresponding images and analysing the RGB data within the bounding box defined by the projected points. The methodology was tested in urban and road environments in Spain, obtaining global recall results greater than 95%, and F-score greater than 90%. In this way, inventory data is obtained in a fast, reliable manner, and it can be applied to improve the maintenance planning of the road network, or to feed a Spatial Information System (SIS), thus, road sign information can be available to be used in a Smart City context.
On the relationship between initial motivation, and satisfaction and performance in joint ventures

While internalization theory suggests that it is more beneficial for MNEs to internationalize through wholly‐owned subsidiaries rather than engaging in joint ventures, this paper argues that the joint venture approach can be successful. Based on a study of 42 international joint ventures in Bahrain, the paper shows that satisfaction after start up is a function of the structure of the initial motivation. Past and anticipated future performance of the joint venture are also functions of the structure of initial motivation, and performance is best viewed as an intervening variable in satisfaction. Environmental factors were more significant than economic factors in the initial motivation decision.
ICICI Bank-Bank of Rajasthan Merger: An Analysis of Strategic Features and Valuation

ICICI Bank-Bank of Rajasthan merger is the seventh voluntary merger in Indian banking sector, u/s 44A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. This is the ICICI Bank’s fourth acquisition after Sangli Bank. The background of the merger can be traced to the regulatory intervention of SEBI and RBI on Bank of Rajasthan. The present case discusses mainly three issues related to the merger. Firstly, the study focuses on strategic similarities of the merging entities as the merging partner’s strategic similarities and relatedness are significant in the synergy creation. The relatedness of the strategic variables has a key impact on the bank performance. Strategic Similarity Index is used to analyze the probable impact of merger on the post merger performance. Secondly, a factual analysis on short-term price movements after the merger announcement and shareholding pattern changes has been made. Thirdly, the present paper analyses the adequacy of swap ratios using Contribution analysis and Accretion/dilution analysis. The study assumes that balance sheet resource allocation is the indicator of the strategic focus of the bank.
Postnatal testis development, Sertoli cell proliferation and number of different spermatogonial types in C57BL/6J mice made transiently hypo‐ and hyperthyroidic during the neonatal period

The role of thyroid hormones in testis structure and function has been fairly well studied in laboratory rodents. However, there are no comprehensive data in the literature for mice regarding the effects of transiently induced neonatal hypo‐ and hyperthyroidism on testis and spermatogonial cell development from birth to adulthood. Our goals were to evaluate the effects of propylthiouracil (PTU) and triidothyronine (T3) on Sertoli cell proliferation/differentiation and to correlate these events with the evolution of the spermatogenic process, tubular lumen formation, blood vessel volume density, and size and number of different spermatogonial types. Although Sertoli cell maturation was accelerated or delayed, respectively, in T3‐ and PTU‐treated mice, the pace of the germ cell maturation was only slightly altered before puberty and the period of Sertoli cell proliferation was apparently not affected by the treatments. However, compared with controls, the total number of Sertoli cells per testis from 10 days of age to adulthood was significantly increased and decreased in PTU‐ and T3‐treated mice, respectively. In comparison to all other spermatogonia, type A2 was the largest cell in all ages and groups investigated. The PTU‐treated mice had a significantly increased total number of undifferentiated spermatogonia as well as volume and percentage of vessels/capillaries, probably due to the higher number of Sertoli cells, particularly at 10 days of age. Taken together, our results suggest that neonatal hypothyroidism may be a valuable tool for studying spermatogonial biology as well as a means for providing more spermatogonial stem cells that could potentially be used for spermatogonial transplantation, thereby optimizing the efficiency of this technique when young mice are used as donors.
Development of a cortical visual neuroprosthesis for the blind: Replacing the role of the retina

Cortical prostheses are a subgroup of visual neuroprosthesis capable of eliciting visual percepts in profoundly blind people through direct stimulation of the occipital cortex. This approach is the only treatment available for blindness caused by glaucoma, optic atrophy or by diseases of the central visual pathways such as brain injuries or stroke. If these higher visual centers could be stimulated with visual information in a format somewhat similar to the way they were stimulated before the onset of blindness, a blind individual could be able to use this stimulation to extract information about the physical world around him/her. Here we present an update of the strategies we are using to transmit visual information in a meaningful way to the brain.
Literature Review and Research Issues in e-Procurement

Over the last couple of years, e-Procurement has received tremendous attention from researchers and practitioners alike. However research on e-Procurement is still scarce and scattered. This paper looks into prior research on interorganizational information systems (IOIS), electronic data interchange (EDI), channel management and procurement to develop a research framework and identify research issues in e-Procurement defining important terms such as volume, width and depth of e-Procurement and classifying the ownership and governance structures of web-based IOIS. It is argued that supply market characteristics and product characteristics can explain emergence of various e-Procurement systems. Further these e-Procurement systems have different impact on interorganizational relationship and value generated from e-Procurement. However these impacts are moderated by adoption and implementation risks. This paper also summarizes the main benefits of an organization using e-Procurement and also their disadvantages and limitations.
Expanding Volunteer Vacation Participation An Exploratory Study on the Mini-Mission Concept

There has been a considerable growth in the volunteer vacation concept in the U.S. since around the mid—1980s. The increased demand has been attributed to an increased sense of global awareness among the Baby Boom generation, along with a growing willingness to make a contribution to other societies while on vacation. This study consisted of two parts, the first of which was an identification and description of some of the major organizations in the U.S. providing volunteer vacation opportunities. Next the concept of the mini-mission or ‘mission lite’ was described as a potential means for tour operators to build volunteering into itineraries. An exploratory study was conducted to determine the potential demand for the mission lite concept, which could be instrumental in significantly expanding participation in volunteer vacations in the future. A survey was conducted among a sample of members of the Ambassadair Travel Club, the largest organization of its type in the U.S. The study's results indicated considerable potential demand for adding a volunteer component as part of tire overall vacation experience. Tire activities in which the respondents had the greatest interest in participating on volunteer vacations were arts and crafts, chaperoning orphans, educational activities, building projects, physical fitness activities, and medical assistance. There appeared to be certain characteristics of those who are likely to be more interested in volunteer vacation participation. These included people who volunteer in their home communities, and those with higher levels of education, especially postgraduate degrees. Additionally, those who vacation more frequently and with higher household incomes may be more likely to participate.
EXECUTIVE MINDSETS INFLUENCING THE ALIGNMENT OF IT AND STRATEGY

When examining previous research on the IT-business strategy relationship, it becomes evident that a key difficulty for organizations is the alignment of IT and strategy. We find that this alignment can be better understood when examining the heads of the IT and business strategy organizational components, the CIO and the CEO. We propose that a technologist CEO and/or a business savvy CIO will improve the communication and understanding between these components, therefore producing a higher level of strategic alignment. We also propose that the three dimensions of IT capability (which have already been linked business performance), a strong and responsive IT staff, a cost-effective & well-managed IT infrastructure, and an effective IT-business relationship, are direct outcomes of strategically aligned planning. We test our model using the Fortune 1000 insurance firms as our sample. Results indicate that firms with a business savvy CIO are more likely to have a higher IT capability than those without a business savvy CIO.
Complications and Continuation of Intrauterine Device Use Among Commercially Insured Teenagers

OBJECTIVE: Many U.S. health care providers remain reluctant to prescribe intrauterine devices (IUDs) to teenagers as a result of concerns about serious complications. This study examined whether 15–19-year-old IUD users were more likely to experience complications, failure, or early discontinuation than adult users aged 20–24 years and 25–44 years and whether there were differences in these outcomes between users of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems and copper IUDs. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using health insurance claims obtained from a private insurance company of 90,489 women who had an IUD inserted between 2002 and 2009. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of experiencing complications, method failure, or early discontinuation within 12 months of insertion by age group and type of IUD inserted. RESULTS: Serious complications, including ectopic pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease, occurred in less than 1% of patients regardless of age or IUD type. Women aged 15–19 years were more likely than those aged 25–44 years to have a claim for dysmenorrhea (odds ratio [OR] 1.4, confidence interval [CI] 1.1–1.6), amenorrhea (OR 1.3, CI 1.1–1.5), or normal pregnancy (OR 1.4, CI 1.1–1.8). Overall, early discontinuation did not differ between teenagers and women aged 25–44 years (13% compared with 11%, P>.05). However, use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system was associated with fewer complications and less early discontinuation than the copper IUD in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The IUD is as appropriate for teenagers to use as it is for older women, with serious complications occurring infrequently in all groups. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system may be a better choice than the copper IUD as a result of lower odds of complications, discontinuation, and failure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
Management Earnings Forecasts

In recent years, researchers have become increasingly interested in the credibility of public companies’ earnings forecasts. However, so far most of the research has been done in the fields of finance and accounting, with little heed to the communicative aspects affecting the credibility of these messages. With the help of Toulmin’s (1958/2003) claim-data-warrant model, this article aims to tackle the question of how important the warrant, that is, the logical link between forecast claims and the data offered to support them, is as a measure in the credibility assessment. The article takes a case study approach, focusing on two earnings forecasts released under similar economic conditions by two companies operating in the same field. The forecast with strong warrants was successful, whereas the other with weak warrants led to a profit warning. Based on the findings, the strength of the warrant might be seen as a reliable indicator of forecast credibility.
Dangerous Chemicals Logistics Warehouse Fire Risk Evaluation

The article analyzes the factors which impact the security of hazardous chemicals logistics warehouses by the use of AHP and multi-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. The paper establishes the structure model, which assesses the dangerous chemicals logistics warehouse's fire safety risk; fire risk assessment indicators are introduced. Based on the model, one dangerous chemical logistics company was assessed; the results show that the model is consistent with the actual situation.
Choice and Performance of Governance Mechanisms: Matching Contractual and Relational Governance to Sources of Asset Specificity

We examine the relationship between the nature of assets involved in an alliance and the optimal configuration of contractual and relational governance mechanisms. Examination of governance choice and performance in the German telecommunications industry indicates that physical assets are more suited to contractual controls, while knowledge assets are best governed via relational mechanisms. Relational governance actually harms alliance performance in the presence of physical assets. Implications for the study and management of alliances are discussed.
Chemical composition and antimicrobial and spasmolytic properties of Poliomintha longiflora and Lippia graveolens essential oils.

UNLABELLED In the present study, we reported a comparative analysis of the chemical composition and pharmacological properties of the essential oils obtained from 2 Mexican oreganos, Poliomintha longiflora and Lippia graveolens. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiles of the oils showed high amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes, mainly carvacrol (%[mg/100 g dry matter]) (18.36 [459.0] in P. longiflora and 13.48 [164.7] in L. graveolens). In addition, these oils contained marked quantities of p-cymene (14.09 [352.2] and 7.46 [37.3], respectively), β-caryophyllene oxide, β-caryophyllene, and carvacrol acetate. Headspace analyses of the leaves of both species using different coated fibers revealed that γ-terpinene, eucalyptol, and p-cymene were the principal light volatile components. Chromatographic fingerprints and a suitable analytical method for quantifying the main components of both essences were established using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as analytical tool. The essential oils of both species were not toxic in the acute toxicity studies in mice performed according to the Lorke procedure (DL(50) > 5000 mg/kg). The oils and the major constituents, carvacrol and p-cymene, displayed a moderate in vitro antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 128 to 512 μg/mL. In addition, these samples demonstrated a marginal antispasmodic activity in vivo and provoked a concentration-dependent inhibition of the carbachol- and histamine-induced contractions using the isolated guinea-pig ileum preparation. In particular, p-cymene exerts good selective inhibitory activity on the carbachol-induced contractions (IC(50) = 9.85 μg/mL). PRACTICAL APPLICATION The analytical methods using GC-MS and HPLC techniques will be useful for establishing quality control as well as preclinical pharmacological and toxicological parameters of the crude drug P. longiflora, which is widely used as substitute of L. graveolens for medicinal and flavorings purposes. This overall information will be also useful for elaborating scientific and pharmacopoeic monographs of this very Mexican medicinal plant.
Risk management disclosure in Malaysian public listed companies

The purpose of this study is to examine the risk management disclosure level among top 150 public listed companies in Malaysia. A score sheet checklist consists of mandatory and voluntary items have been developed to examine the disclosure level. Based on the total final sample of 122 listed companies for three years (2006 to 2008) the result show that risk management disclosure is relatively low irrespective of the importance of this information. This result indicates that further action must be taken by regulatory bodies to ensure more disclosure and information disclosed to the public.
Depression among Women with Primary Infertility attending an Infertility Clinic in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Rate, Severity, and Contributing Factors.

BACKGROUND Infertility is a severely distressing experience for many couples. Depression is considered as one of the main psychological disorders associated with infertility and it may significantly affect the life of infertile individuals, their treatment, and follow-up. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determining the prevalence and predisposing factors of depressive disorders among the infertile compared to fertile women. METHODOLOGY Rate of depression was explored by this cross-sectional study carried out among women attending In-Vitro Fertilization Clinic (91 infertile women) and Well Baby Clinic (94 fertile women) at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) in Riyadh, KSA. Self administrated questionnaire including Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used. Mean BDI score was measured and its relation with different variables was explored, such as age, educational level, duration of infertility, pressure from family members, miscarriages and support from husband. RESULTS This study showed that 49 (53.8%) of the infertile women and 35 (37.2%) of the fertile women had depression. Mean BDI score between infertile and fertile women was significantly different (p <0.001). Infertile women were found to be more severely depressed (p =0.014). Among the infertile women, those who had pressure from family members for not getting pregnant were more depressed than those with no such pressure (P=0.001). CONCLUSION Depression is more common and severe in infertile women than fertile women. Pressure from family to get pregnant is a significant contributor to depression. Caregivers should routinely screen infertile women for depression during and after treatment for infertility and manage concomitantly.
Participation of the Lay Public in Decision-Making for Benefit Coverage of National Health Insurance in South Korea

Abstract—Although South Korea successfully established national health insurance (NHI) in 1977, and has maintained universal coverage since 1989, it has long been criticized for insufficient benefit coverage. Korea has been under public pressure to increase its NHI benefit coverage, while also facing controversies over the appropriateness of items that were newly added to the benefit package. Pressured by the controversies and difficulties regarding national policy decisions on the benefits package, the Korea National Health Insurance Services eventually decided to establish a lay citizen's council, named the Citizen Committee for Participation, to help incorporate social value judgments in benefit coverage priority setting in 2012. The experience of the citizen council in Korea shows that unlike common myth, people may be willing to increase their premium contribution to expand benefits once a deliberative, democratic decision-making process exists. The general public does not necessarily demand ever-increasing benefits; rather they wish to keep benefits at a reasonable level once they understand the nature of public funding, financial sustainability, and cost effectiveness. If these experiences are common among all people in the world, not only in the unique context of Korea, this public participation approach to deliberative democracy may help reduce policy failure in other cultural settings.