Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is semen quality affected by male body fat distribution?

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of semen parameters, sexual function‐related hormones and waist/hip ratio. Eighty‐one selected patients presenting with infertility were examined. Weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured, and reproduction‐related hormone levels were determined. Semen was analysed by conventional methods. Semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, total sperm count, total motile sperm cell number, rapid progressive motile sperm count and reproduction‐related hormone levels [follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, testosterone, 17β‐oestradiol and sexual hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG)]. Significant correlations were found: (i) weight, waist circumference and hip circumference versus testosterone level, SHBG level, and testosterone/17β‐oestradiol ratio; (ii) hip circumference versus sperm concentration; (iii) waist circumference and hip circumference versus sperm count, total motile sperm cell number and rapid progressive motile sperm count; (iv) weight versus total sperm count and total motile sperm cell number; (v) waist circumference and hip circumference versus prolactin level (positively) and SHBG (negatively); (vi) waist circumference and waist/hip ratio versus semen volume. It can be concluded that the waist/hip ratio is correlated with the reproductive hormone levels. Although both the waist circumference and hip circumference correlated with the semen characteristics, the waist/hip ratio did not.
Professional Investors and the Decision Usefulness of Financial Reporting

Do investors assess financial reporting information differently depending on whether they wish to judge the stewardship of management or to value the firm? This publication reports on a large-scale survey of international professional investors undertaken to address this question and the findings suggest that the objectives of financial reporting do matter. The findings of the study have implications for standard setting in general and the current debate about the Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting in particular.
A reliable procedure in a new power management technique for a 200-Gbps packet forwarding LSI

A new power management scheme enables us to apply the power-gating technique to a 200-Gbps packet forwarding circuit. The circuit is equipped with two 100-Gbps forwarding engines (FEs), each of which processes inbound and outbound packets. When the amount of traffic decreases and only one forwarding engine is capable of processing all incoming packets, a packet-route switch installed in the data path routes all packets to one of the two FEs and the other FE is shut off. This technique reduces the power consumption by 14% when the total traffic rate is less than half of the maximum rate of 200Gbps.
Dento-Alveolar Distraction – Cutting Edge In Orthodontics

Most of the patients seeking orthodontic treatment have one wish that is Need for Speed. In order to reduce duration of orthodontic treatment, many methods have been introduced in the literature. One of the most recent technique is Dento-Alveolar Distraction-DAD technique.This article explains the concept of dentoalveolar distraction in rapid distalization of canine in orthodontic cases requiring first premolar extraction.
THE GENETIC CONTROL OF GALACTOSE UTILIZATION IN SACCHAROMYCES

The genetic control of galactose fermentation in Saccharomyces was first shown by Lindegren and Lindegren (1947). In an analysis of the segregants produced by diploid hybrids obtained by crossing haploid galactose fermenters with nonfermenters, these workers observed that each ascus yielded two fermenters and two nonfermenters. These results indicated that the property of galactose fermentation was determined by the segregation of a single pair of alleles, and a similar conclusion was reached by Roman et al. (1951) who examined a different pedigree. Subsequent genetic studies (Hawthorne, 1953, unpublished observations) have shown that the nonfermenter haploids used in these two investigations are genetically different since they are recessive at different loci for genes controlling galactose fermentation.The work reported in this paper was undertaken with the objective of defining the role of these two genetic loci in galactose metabolism, with particular reference to the nature of the metabolic blocks imposed by the recessive genes upon the capacity of the cell to utilize galactose.
CAPTURING THE OPPORTUNITIES AND AVOIDING THE THREATS OF RAPID CHANGE

Companies today may require a “dual operating system,” according to Kotter. With unprecedented levels of change, complexity, and disruption, even best practices are no longer sufficient. This system blends the best of the start-up ethos the company had in its early days with the can-do aspects of a mature managerial and leadership system. The life cycle begins when small companies exhibit more of a nimble network structure, and then evolve into structures that exhibit more hierarchy and bureaucracy. However, the networks do not go away, and success for the future lies in tapping into the best of both of these structures.
The Impact of Managerial Compensation on Overconfidence: Based on Empirical Evidence of the Shenzhen A-share Listed Companies

Base on the sample of A-share listed companies of Shenzhen in China from 2007 to 2012, this article uses the random effect model to examine the impacts of managerial compensation on overconfidence and found that: managerial compensation has a positive effect on their overconfidence. Compared with non- state-owned listed companies, enhancing management compensation of state-owned listed companies more easily lead to overconfidence. KEYWORD: Management Compensation; Overconfidence; The Process of Marketization.
Two Essays on Self-Tender Offers

This two chapter body of work examines empirical and theoretical aspects of self-tender offers. The first chapter is an empirical study of self-tender offers. This section gives the reader an opportunity to understand some of the simple mechanics and issues regarding self-tender offers in the context of closed-end funds. This section also introduces the reader to the self-tender offer anomaly. The second chapter takes the study of self-tender offers one step further. The second chapter is a theoretical study which seeks to answer questions regarding the self-tender offer anomaly.
Reconstruction of severed ventral roots innervating the urinary bladder. An experimental study in cats.

In an experimental study on 12 adult cats, the ventral roots innervating the detrusor muscle of the urinary bladder were transected and anastomosed using the Millipore tubulation technique. In one series one pair of the three sacral ventral roots previously innervating the detrusor were reconnected. In another series one pair of lumbar ventral roots were anastomosed to one pair of sacral ventral roots, thus creating a non-physiological efferent pathway to the denervated bladder. The functional restitution of efferent fibers to the denervated bladder was assessed by the return of the micturition reflex. In all 10 animals where root anastomoses were performed the micturition reflex returned after regeneration periods ranging between 4 and 7 months. In controls, where no anastomoses were performed or where functionally regenerated roots were transected, the micturition reflex was permanently abolished. The results were further evaluated by bioelectrical and histological methods. The mechanisms of restoration.
Forced Aerobic Exercise Enhances Motor Recovery After Stroke: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVE Previously, we demonstrated that forced aerobic exercise (FE) increases the pattern of neural activation in Parkinson's disease. We sought to evaluate whether FE, when coupled with repetitive task practice, could promote motor recovery poststroke. METHOD A 46-yr-old man with ischemic stroke exhibited chronic residual upper-extremity deficits, scoring 35/66 on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) at baseline. He completed 24 training sessions comprising 45 min of FE on a motorized stationary bicycle followed by 45 min of upper-extremity repetitive task practice. RESULTS From baseline to end of treatment, the FMA score improved by 20 points, perceived level of recovery on the Stroke Impact Scale increased by 20 percentage points, and cardiovascular function measured by peak oxygen uptake improved 30%. These improvements persisted 4 wk after the intervention ceased. CONCLUSION FE may be a safe and feasible rehabilitation approach to augment recovery of motor and nonmotor function while improving aerobic fitness in people with chronic stroke.
Evaluation of the propylene glycol association on some physical and chemical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate.

AIM To evaluate the influence of propylene glycol (PG) on the flowability, setting time, pH and calcium ion release of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). METHODOLOGY Mineral trioxide aggregate was mixed with different proportions of PG, as follows: group 1: MTA + 100% distilled water (DW); group 2: MTA + 80% DW and 20% PG; group 3: MTA + 50% DW and 50% PG; group 4: MTA + 20% DW and 80% PG; group 5: MTA + 100% PG. The ANSI/ADA No. 57 was followed for evaluating the flowability and the setting time was measured by using ASTM C266-08. For pH and calcium release analyses, 50 acrylic teeth with root-end cavities were filled with the materials (n = 10) and individually immersed in flasks containing 10 mL deionized water. After 3 h, 24 h, 72 h and 168 h, teeth were placed in new flasks and the water in which each specimen was immersed had its pH determined by a pH metre and the calcium release measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer with a calcium-specific hollow cathode lamp. Data were analysed by using one way anova test for global comparison and by using Tukey’s test for individual comparisons. RESULTS The highest value of flowability was observed with MTA + 20% DW and 80% PG and the lowest values were found with MTA + 100% DW. They were significantly different compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). The presence of PG did not affect the pH and calcium release. The MTA + 100% PG favoured the highest (P < 0.05) pH and calcium release after 3 h. Increasing the PG proportion interfered (P < 0.05) with the setting time; when used at the volume of 100% setting did not occur. CONCLUSION The addition of PG to MTA-Angelus increased its setting time, improved flowability and increased the pH and calcium ion release during the initial post-mixing periods. The ratio of 80% DW–20% PG is recommended.
New technologies for influenza vaccines

Influenza vaccine preparations have been administered to humans since the late 1930s,1 and the diversity of approaches in licensed trivalent seasonal or monovalent pandemic products is unparalleled by vaccines against any other target. These approaches include inactivated whole virus vaccines, detergent or solvent “split” vaccines, subunit vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, adjuvanted vaccines, intramuscular vaccines, intradermal vaccines, intranasal vaccines, egg-produced vaccines and mammalian cell culture-produced vaccines. The challenges of influenza immunization, including multiple co-circulating strains, antigenic change over time, a broad age spectrum of disease, and the threat of pandemics, continue to drive the development of new approaches. This review describes some of the new approaches to influenza immunization that are the subjects of active research and development.
Attention, Attitude, and Behavior

Based on news content analysis and survey data from the 2004 presidential election, this study examines the theoretical link between second-level agenda setting and various types of political participation beyond mere voting. Using the hierarchy-of-effects model, this study tested the sequence of C(cognitive)-A(affective)-B(behavior): News attention to presidential candidates creates second-level agenda-setting effects among the public (C); in turn, agenda-setting effects trigger strong attitudes toward candidates (A); and finally, strong attitudes lead to various types of political participation (B). Every direct effect in the structural model was significant. Indirect and total effects of agenda setting for political participation were all found to be significant. As hypothesized, agenda-setting effects operated as a mediator between media use and political participation.
Compensation Considerations for Bidirectional Inductive Charging Systems of Electric Vehicles With Coil Positioning Flexibility

Bidirectional inductive power transfer (BIPT) systems enable power transfer between stationary electricity sources and movable consumers in each direction through electromagnetic coupling. Due to its complexity, a mathematical model is required to design and to control these systems. This paper presents the mathematical analysis and the frequency-domain analysis for two different compensated (series-series and parallel-parallel) BIPT systems. This paper contains the modeling procedure of the BIPT system's coils in the frequency domain. The prediction of its equivalent circuit values, magnetic stray field values, and coil positioning tolerance are determined as well using the JMAG field simulation software. Furthermore, the transmission characteristics and the efficiency of the two compensation topologies are discussed.
Elevated Type IV Collagen in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid from Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

We measured the levels of type IV collagen and lipid peroxides in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) to determine the relationship to the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We analyzed their levels between two groups, RDS infants who developed BPD (n = 8, BPD group) and those who did not (n = 11, RDS group). The levels of the type IV collagen in the BPD group were significantly higher than those in the RDS group at 3 and 7 days of age (p = 0.0024). In the BPD group, persistently increased levels of the type IV collagen were observed during the period up to 14 days of age. There was a positive relationship between the type IV collagen levels and polymorphonuclear leukocyte counts, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels in BALF. These results suggest that the increased type IV collagen levels in BALF of BPD infants may reflect pulmonary basement membrane damage and the involvement of oxygen metabolites in its process.
Genes and Languages

Reconciling the genetic, linguistic and archaeological histories of humans will require linguists and geneticists to interact in the design and implementation of future research strategies. This paper discusses the issues involved in correlating these disciplines and highlights some of the problems involved. It is argued that correlation cannot be an a priori assumption, but must be proved prior to or as part of each investigation. An urgent need for hierarchical linguistic classifications is established and several possible methods are identified. Case studies include the Indo-European language family and Eurasian populations; the Nostratic hypothesis; and the history of Austronesia. General and specific factors responsible for correlations, or their absence, are considered in relation to autosomal, mitochondrial and Y-chromosome-specific data and human demography.
1H- and 15N-NMR assignment and solution structure of the chemotactic Escherichia coli Che Y protein.

Che Y is a 129-residue parallel alpha/beta protein involved in bacterial chemotaxis. We have used this protein as a model to study the folding reaction of parallel alpha/beta proteins. As a first step we carried out the complete assignment of the 1H and 15N spectra from Escherichia coli Che Y protein on the basis of two-dimensional 1H homonuclear and 1H-15N heteronuclear experiments by using sequence-specific methods. Our assignments differ from the preliminary assignments made by Kar et al. [Kar, L. , Matsumura, P. & Johnson, M.E. (1992) Biochem. J. 287, 521-531] of aromatic residues obtained by comparison of NOEs with short proton-proton distances in the crystal structure of Che Y. The analysis of the extension of the secondary elements, as well as a preliminary calculation of the three-dimensional structure, indicate that the solution structure is closely coincident with the single crystal structure determined by X-ray diffraction.
Micro Array Based Gene Expression Analysis using Parametric Multivariate Tests per Gene – A Generalized Application of Multiple Procedures with Data‐driven Order of Hypotheses

Micro array technology allows the simultaneous analysis of ten‐thousands of genes. Most often, however, the analysis is based on a few replications only. This causes problems in the application of classical multivariate tests which require sample sizes exceeding the number of observed variables. To overcome these problems, a class of stable, multivariate procedures based on the theory of spherical distributions has been proposed by Läuter, Glimm, and Kropf (1996). These methods allow the use of multivariate information of many genes for testing differential gene expression. Furthermore, multiple testing procedures based on these principles have been constructed (e.g., Kropf, Läuter, 2002), which strictly keep the familywise type I error rate (FWE).
MAMCost: Global and Local Estimates leading to Robust Cost Estimation of Similarity Queries

This paper presents an effective cost model to estimate the number of disk accesses (I/O cost) and the number of distance calculations (CPU cost) to process similarity queries over data indexed by metric access methods. Two types of similarity queries were taken into consideration: range and k-nearest neighbor queries. The main point of the cost model is considering not only global parameters of the data set but also the local data distribution. The model takes advantage of the intrinsic dimension of the data set, estimated by its correlation fractal dimension. Experiments were performed on real and synthetic data sets, with different sizes and dimensions, in order to validate the proposed model. They confirmed that the estimations are accurate, within the range achieved by real queries.
A Descriptive Study to Explore Relationship between HR Practices and Employee Performance in Private Banks of Pakistan

Employee performance has always been a challenging phenomenon for the top management of organizations. Despite of many reforms in Human resource practices to enhance the employee performance, yet the desired level of employee performance is not achieved, that makes it more challenging. In today's world of highly competitive environment, only those organizations will survive that will compete their best for employee performance because it is key success factor for every organization. We suggest the top management to include employee training, performance appraisal, compensation and employee participation in their prime Human resource practices. Objective of this paper is mainly concerned with determination of any linkage/relationship among employee training, performance appraisal, compensation, and employee participation and employee performance. 150 respondents at Bahawalpur, Pakistan conducted a field survey. To check the data, the exploratory and confirmatory analyses were made. Proposed hypothesis were tested by regression analysis. The results were quite significant. Current study found positive significant relationship among employee performance and its factors (employee training, performance appraisal, compensation and employee participation).
Cosmology with decaying particles.

We consider a cosmological model in which an unstable massive relic particle species (denoted by X) has an initial mass density relative to baryons . beta. /sup -1/equivalentrho/sub X//rho/sub B/>>1, and then decays recently (red-shift z< or approx. =1000) into particles which are still relativistic today (denoted by R). We write down and solve the coupled equations for the cosmic scale factor a(t), the energy density in the various components (rho/sub X/,rho/sub R/,rho/sub B/), and the growth of linear density perturbations (deltarho/rho). The solutions form a one-parameter (.beta.) family of solutions; physically . beta. /sup -1/approx. =(.cap omega./sub R//.cap omega./sub NR/)(1+z/sub D/) = (ratio today of energy density of relativistic to nonrelativistic particles) x (1+ red-shift of decay). We discuss the observational implications of such a cosmological model and compare our results to earlier results computed in ''the simultaneous decay approximation. '' In an appendix we briefly consider the case where one of the decay products of the X is massive and becomes nonrelativistic by the present epoch.
Detection of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus in Digested Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Sections by Polymerase Chain Reaction

incidence of coronavirus shedding in normal stabled animals 6. Gaul SK, Simpson TF, Woode GN, Fulton RW: 1982, Antiis well established. 3,4 Winter dysentery and calfhood corogenie relationships among some animal rotaviruses: virus neunavirus diarrhea do not coexist on susceptible farms. In fact, tralization in vivo and cross-protection in piglets. J Clin Miabsence of disease in calves and youngstock below a given crobiol 16:495-503. age, 9 months in some herds, up to 18 months in others, 7. Koopmans M: 1990, Diagnosis and epidemiology of torovirus constitutes a criterion for the diagnosis of winter dysentery. 17 infections in cattle. PhD Thesis, Utrecht State University, The coronavirus of winter dysentery may be antigenically Utrecht, The Netherlands, pp. 71-82.
Observations on colour agnosia

associated withfamiliar objects. He named thisdefect 'amnestic colourblindness' andregarded itas 'related toaphasia'. Lewandowsky (1908) described another case, andexplained thedefect asresulting froma'dissociation oftheideaofthecolour from thatoftheobject'. Sittig (1921) presented afuller casestudy ofa patient whohadsustained a left temporo-occipital shrapnel wound,resulting ina slight receptive butmarkedexpressive aphasia, as wellasaninability topick outcoloured woolsto correspond tonamedobjects ortonameappropriate objects whenshownacolour. Yethewasnotcolour blind andcould recognize colours previously shown tohim.He coulddetect pictures whichhadbeen deliberately wrongly coloured. A similar, though milder case appears tohavebeenthat ofHeilbronner (1906), whosepatient misnamed colours butwould correctly allocate objects tocolours, and'usually' colours toobjects. Goldstein andGelb(1918) saw intheir caseofcolour agnosia an'impairment ofthe categorical attitude' inrelation tocolours. Their patient wasreported only tobeabletoattach the exactly correct colour toanobject andnotonethat merely fell intotheright colour category. Lange (1936), reviewing thesubject, wasunable todecide whether colour agnosia isanaphasic manifestation oratruerecognition defect. Hedid, however, point outthatGoldstein andGelb's explanation would seemtobeapplicable tonocaseother thantheir own. Stengel (1948) reported twofurther cases, the first ofwhich hestudied ingreat detail. Thefurther casepresented belowresembles Stengel's case1in manyrespects. CASEREPORT
POSTMORTEM FINDINGS FROM DUGONG (DUGONG DUGON) SUBMISSIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND: 1997–2010

To better record and characterize mortality in the declining population of dugong (Dugong dugon) in southeast Queensland, Australia, animals were collected and brought to the University of Queensland for postmortem examination. Fifty-five animals were examined over a 14-yr period. Human activities commonly caused the animal death. Several deaths were attributed to primary or secondary infections and idiopathic and degenerative diseases. A significant proportion of animals were found to have nonspecific signs of chronic debility, but the causes of disease and mortality in these cases remains to be identified.