Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors and preservation of pancreatic islet‐cell function: a critical appraisal of the evidence

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) develops as a consequence of progressive β‐cell dysfunction in the presence of insulin resistance. None of the currently‐available T2DM therapies is able to change the course of the disease by halting the relentless decline in pancreatic islet cell function. Recently, dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)‐4 inhibitors, or incretin enhancers, have been introduced in the treatment of T2DM. This class of glucose‐lowering agents enhances endogenous glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) levels by blocking the incretin‐degrading enzyme DPP‐4. DPP‐4 inhibitors may restore the deranged islet‐cell balance in T2DM, by stimulating meal‐related insulin secretion and by decreasing postprandial glucagon levels. Moreover, in rodent studies, DPP‐4 inhibitors demonstrated beneficial effects on (functional) β‐cell mass and pancreatic insulin content. Studies in humans with T2DM have indicated improvement of islet‐cell function, both in the fasted state and under postprandial conditions and these beneficial effects were sustained in studies with a duration up to 2 years. However, there is at present no evidence in humans to suggest that DPP‐4 inhibitors have durable effects on β‐cell function after cessation of therapy. Long‐term, large‐sized trials using an active blood glucose lowering comparator followed by a sufficiently long washout period after discontinuation of the study drug are needed to assess whether DPP‐4 inhibitors may durably preserve pancreatic islet‐cell function in patients with T2DM.
Wind Farms Modeling for Short-Circuit Level Calculations in Large Power Systems

This paper presents a methodology to evaluate the contribution of wind farms (WFs) to the short-circuit level of high-voltage substations. The method relies on simplified equivalent WF models suitable for integration in commercial network-analysis software platforms. The developed WF models are especially suitable for integration in PSS/E and they can be incorporated in models of large power systems. The methodology can be applied to all kinds of WFs regardless of the type of the wind turbines used. Finally, the proposed models are verified through detailed simulations and a case study concerning short-circuit level calculation at all 150-kV and 400-kV buses of the Greek power system is presented. The relevant results are presented and general conclusions are extracted.
Phospholipids of red cells and blood plasma in adults, newborn infants, and patients with Rh erythroblastosis.

The concentration of total and individual phospholipids was determined in erythrocytes and plasma of adults, neonates, and newborn infants with Rh erythroblastosis. After extraction the phospholipids were separated by one-dimensional, thin layer chromatography into six fractions: phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and nonidentified phospholipids. In normal neonates the total amount of red cell and plasma phospholipids was significantly decreased (1.32±0.20 µmoles/ml plasma, p<0.001; 3.03±0.65x10-10 µmoles/erythrocyte, p<0.001) when compared with the data of the adults (2.88±0.69µmoles/ml plasma; 4.11± 0.37x10-10 µmoles/erythrocyte). All the individual phospholipids were diminished in the plasma. In erythrocytes only the amount of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine was reduced, whereas the sphingomyelin content was unchanged, i.e., it was increased when expressed as percent of total phospholipids (adult blood erythrocytes 24.2±0.8%; cord blood erythrocytes 29.7±2.8%, p<0.001). Thus, the sphingomyehn/phosphatidylcholine ratio was markedly higher in cord blood erythrocytes (1.03) than in adult red cells (0.81). In newborn infants with Rh erythroblastosis, the decrease of total and individual red cell phospholipids was less striking than in normal neonates. In the plasma the phospholipid patterns of the two neonate groups were identical. It is suggested that the total and individual phospholipid alterations in fetal red cells might be due to the low plasma levels of phospholipids in neonates.
Z-Equilibrium For a CSP Game

Constraint programming and game theory are two active research domains providing a powerful framework for modeling and solving several important applications in computer science, artiﬁcial intelligence and decision aiding in general. However, only little attention has been paid to their possible connexions and relationships. In this paper, we ﬁrst prove the equivalence between the concept of solution of a constraint satisfaction problem and the Z-equilibrium of its associated game. Then, we propose a backtrack search based procedure for computing such equilibrium.
Corporate Taxation in the United States

THE CORPORATION INCOME TAX has been the focus of much criticism and debate in the United States during the past decade. Many hold it responsible for the low level of business investment in the United States, and it has been criticized as a fundamentally unfair and illogical tax because it taxes corporations as independent entities, regardless of the tax brackets of individual shareholders. Much of the academic discussion in the 1970s about reform of the corporate tax centered on the integration of corporate and individual income taxes, to make the corporate tax essentially a withholding mechanism for the individual income tax. ' More recently the emphasis has shifted toward reform by repeal, and indeed President Reagan himself has called for the abolition of the corporate tax. Any analysis of the current economic effects of the U.S. corporate tax should begin with the recognition of what has happened over the years to corporate tax revenues. Put simply, the corporate tax has been disappearing. The marked drift in composition of federal revenues away
Probabilistic Background Subtraction in a Video-based Recognition System

In video-based recognition systems, stationary cameras are used to monitor an area of interest. These systems focus on a segmentation of the foreground in the video stream and the recognition of the events occurring in that area. The usual approach to discriminating the foreground from the video sequence is background subtraction. This paper presents a novel background subtraction method based on a probabilistic approach. We represent the posterior probability of the foreground based on the current image and all past images and derive an updated method. Furthermore, we present an efficient fusion method for the color and edge information in order to overcome the difficulties of existing background subtraction methods that use only color information. The suggested method is applied to synthetic data and real video streams, and its robust performance is demonstrated through experimentation.
A novel mapping scheme in non-binary LDPC coded modulation system

In this paper, we propose a novel mapping scheme in non-binary LDPC coded modulation system. Contrary to the mapping method in [1], we assign the variable node of less degree to the more significant bits(MSBs) of signal constellation, for the purpose of the balanced protection. Simulation results show that compare to the traditional mapping scheme, the proposed method gives 0.1 dB-0.5 dB performance gain at BER=10-5 without additional complexity.
A DC-Module-Based Power Configuration for Residential Photovoltaic Power Application

The photovoltaic power system for residential and building integrated application is sensitive to the mismatch of the electrical parameters due to the partial shadows, different orientations, variations of current- voltage characteristics of the photovoltaic panels. As a result, the yield of the system decreases remarkably, in severe cases, the hot-spot problem can arise and the photovoltaic modules can be irreversibly damaged. In order to improved the system performance and maximize the energy converter efficiency under the mismatch condition, a novel DC-module- based photovoltaic power system is proposed. Firstly the system configuration and advantages are described in detail, and then the suitable topologies are presented and evaluated, and finally some design considerations and issues on the performance of the system are discussed.
Risk Aversion and Herd Behavior in Financial Markets

We show that differences in investors risk aversion can generate herd behavior in stock markets where assets are traded sequentially. This in turn prevents markets from being efficient in the sense that financial market prices do not converge to the asset's fundamental value. The informational efficiency of the market depends on the distribution of the risky asset across risk averse agents. These results are obtained without introducing multidimensional uncertainty.
Discourse and Deinstitutionalization: the Decline of DDT

Drawing on institutional theory emphasizing translation and discourse, we explore outsider-driven deinstitutionalization through a case study of the abandonment of widespread, taken-for-granted practices of DDT use between 1962 and 1972. Our findings illustrate how abandonment of practices results from “problematizations” that—through subsequent “translation”—change discourse in ways that undermine the institutional pillars supporting practices. This occurs through new “subject positions” from which actors speak and act in support of problematizations, and new bodies of knowledge, which normalize them. We introduce the concept of “defensive institutional work” and illustrate how actors carry out disruptive and defensive work by authoring texts.
An integration of balanced scorecards and data envelopment analysis for firm's benchmarking management

Management performance measurement is a complex task since multiple inputs and multiple outputs are involved in the process. This study attempted to develop an integrated framework to encompass the basic concepts of balance scorecards (BSC) and data envelope analysis (DEA) for measuring management performance. BSC and DEA are complementary to each other. On the one hand, BSC can provide appropriate outputs of performance for DEA. On the other hand, DEA can set benchmarking for companies based on their inputs and outputs, as well as transform performance measures into managerial information. Accordingly, the synergy of BSC and DEA can translate the appropriate performance indices into managerial implications. This study selected auto and commercial bank industries as the targets for empirical investigation. The results indicated that the interrelationships among four perspectives of BSC were empirically valid. However, the most crucial indicators in each perspective were distinct in different industries. About 46% of auto companies and 57% of commercial banks are located at efficiency frontiers. Managerial implications and research limitations are addressed as well.
Metal gate thickness optimization for MuGFET performance improvement

In this paper, we investigate the dependence between the performance of multiple-gate FETs (dasiaMuGFETspsila) and the thickness of their plasma-enhanced-ALD (PE-ALD) TiN gate electrode. We show that very thin PE-ALD-TiN gate electrodes allow improved short channel effect (SCE) control and enhanced performance in n-channel MuGFETs without mobility modification. Based on the electrical characterization of MuGFETs and the physical analysis of their gate stacks, we show that the thickness of the TiN metal gate affects the nature of its reaction with the gate dielectric. This, in return, results into threshold voltage (VT) and gate inversion thickness (Tinv) modifications which can explain performance enhancement in n-FETs without any performance loss in p-FETs.
An Introduction to English Phonetics

1. Introduction 2. Overview of the human speech mechanism 3. Representing speech 4. Voicing 5. Vowels 6. Approximants 7. Plosives 8. Nasals 9. Fricatives 10. Airstreams 11. Sounds and structures Glossary
Cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory, debilitating skin disease. The aim of the study was to systematically review the literature and critically answer the question: In patients with HS, do cardiovascular risk factors appear at a significantly higher rate compared with controls? The main search was conducted in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register. Studies eligible for inclusion were of case–control, cross‐sectional and cohort design, and included comparison of any cardiovascular risk factor(s) in patients with HS with those of control groups. An I2 value > 50% was considered to show substantial heterogeneity. In this case, DerSimonian and Laird random‐effect models were considered to compute pooled odds ratios (OR). Otherwise, a fixed‐effects model was suitable. Nine studies, with 6174 patients with HS and 24 993 controls, were included. Significant association of HS with obesity [OR 3·45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·20–5·38, P < 0·001], central obesity (OR 2·97, 95% CI 1·41–6·25, P = 0·004), active smoking (OR 4·34, 95% CI 2·48–7·60, P < 0·001), history of smoking (OR 6·34, 95% CI 2·41–16·68, P < 0·001), hypertriglyceridemia (OR 1·67, 95% CI 1·14–2·47, P = 0·009), low high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) (OR 2·48, 95% CI 1·49–4·16, P < 0·001), diabetes (OR 2·85, 95% CI 1·34–6·08, P = 0·007) and metabolic syndrome (OR 2·22, 95% CI 1·62–3·06, P < 0·001) was detected. Associations were significant both in population and hospital patients with HS, with hospital HS groups having uniformly higher ORs than the population HS groups. Causality could not be assessed. Heterogeneity was substantial in all analyses. This systematic review indicated that cardiovascular risk factors appear at a significantly higher rate in patients with HS compared with controls. The need for screening of patients with HS for modifiable cardiovascular risks is emphasized.
Predominant strategies of legitimacy in environmental and social disclosures

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to identify which of Lindblom's strategies of organizational legitimacy predominate in environmental and social disclosures in administration reports of publicly traded family companies under Brazilian shareholder control during the period 1997‐2006.Design/methodology/approach – Descriptive research from a universe of 500 large companies from the ranking made in Exame magazine – “best and biggest”, 2006 edition. From these, 21 publicly traded family companies under Brazilian shareholder control were identified, but the longitudinal study was made with the 16 that published their administration reports in the last ten years. The sentence was considered as the unit of analysis, with application of the content analysis technique to messages contained in the administration reports that were related to environmental and social disclosures.Findings – Research results show that the companies researched used the four strategies of organizational legitimacy proposed by Lindbl.
Use of emollients in the management of atopic eczema.

The terms ‘eczema’ and ‘dermatitis’ are often used interchangeably and refer to an inflammatory condition of the skin. The term eczema comes from the Greek word ekzein, which means ‘to boil’, and relates to the vesicles sometimes seen during an acute phase of the condition (National Eczema Society, 2015a). There are a number of forms of eczema, but these can be broadly categorised into exogenous or endogenous. Exogenous eczema is caused by a natural or synthetic substance that comes into contact with the skin, for example, contact dermatitis. Endogenous eczema is caused by internal factors within the body; the specific cause is usually unknown. The most common form of endogenous eczema is atopic eczema. There is no known cause for atopic eczema, but it occurs in genetically susceptible individuals when exposed to environmental irritants or allergens (Akdis et al, 2006), commonly called ‘triggers’. Triggers are not the same for every individual, and can include pet hair; house-dust mites; pollen; and certain foods, such as cow’s milk and eggs (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2011). Atopic eczema is a chronic, relapsing, itchy skin condition (Peate, 2011) that is often scaly, pigmented, and thickened, sometimes with signs of lichenification (dry and leathery) due to persistent trauma, such as scratching. This differs from the acute phase or ‘flare up’, when the skin presents with vesicles, redness, weeping, crusting, and scaling.
The impact of stimuli on affect in persons with dementia.

OBJECTIVE To examine how presentation of different stimuli impacts affect in nursing home residents with dementia. METHOD Participants were 193 residents aged 60 to 101 years from 7 Maryland nursing homes who had a diagnosis of dementia (derived from the medical chart or obtained from the attending physician). Cognitive functioning was assessed via the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and data pertaining to activities of daily living were obtained through the Minimum Data Set. Affect was assessed using observations of the 5 moods from Lawton's Modified Behavior Stream. Baseline observations of affect were performed for comparisons. During the study, each participant was presented with 25 predetermined engagement stimuli in random order over a period of 3 weeks. Stimuli were categorized as live social, simulated social, manipulative, work/task-related, music, reading, or individualized to the participant's self-identity. The dates of data collection were 2005-2007. RESULTS Differences between stimulus categories were significant for pleasure (F(6,144) = 25.137, P < . 001) and interest (F(6,144) = 18.792, P < . 001) but not for negative affect. Pleasure and interest were highest for the live social category, followed by self-identity and simulated social stimuli for pleasure, and for manipulative stimuli in terms of the effect on interest. The lowest levels of pleasure and interest were observed for music. Participants with higher cognitive function had significantly higher pleasure (F(1,97) = 6.27, P < . 05). Although the general trend of the impact of the different categories was similar for different levels of cognitive function, there were significant differences in pleasure in response to specific stimuli (interaction effect: F(6,92) = 2.31, P < . 05). Overall, social stimuli have the highest impact on affect in persons with dementia. CONCLUSIONS The findings of the present study are important, as affect is a major indicator of quality of life and this study is the first to systematically examine the impact of specific types of stimuli on affect. As live social stimuli are not always readily available, particularly in busy nursing home environments, simulated social stimuli can serve as an effective substitute, and other stimuli should have a role in the activity tool kit in the nursing home. The relative ranking of stimuli was different for interest and pleasure. The findings demonstrate the differential effect of presentation of different types of stimuli on the affect of persons with dementia, and that, while the impact is greater on persons with higher levels of cognitive function, there is a different effect of varying stimuli even in persons with MMSE scores of 3 or lower. Future research should attempt to ascertain a person's degree of interest in stimuli prior to developing an intervention.
Mortgage Credit Availability and Residential Construction

THE EXTRAORDINARY STRENGTH of residential construction in 1978 (2.02 million starts for the year) and the relatively small downturn in the first half of 1979 (1.75 million starts at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, including 1.92 million starts for June) has surprised many economists. Most analysts had anticipated that high interest rates on mortgages, high and rapidly rising housing prices, and slow economic growth would produce a substantial cyclical decline in housing. Various factors, however, may have been working to offset this usual cyclical scenario. The transition of the "baby boom" generation to a home-buying age and the increased appeal of home purchase for investment purposes may have raised the demand for housing. The introduction of money-market certificates (MMCs) in June 1978 for banks and thrift institutions and the increased activity (mortgage commitments and purchases and Federal Home Loan Bank advances) by secondary market agencies may have increased the availability and reduced the price of mortgage credit. Our results indicate that the introduction of the MMCs in June 1978 is the primary reason for the strength in housing investment during 197879. High levels of secondary market activity by federal agencies also increased housing starts during 1978, but by relatively small amounts. Demographic factors, measured by the exceptionally high rates of house-
Why Should the Anesthesiologist Be Concerned About Endocarditis Prophylaxis?

Many patients have congenital or acquired cardiac conditions that predispose the four heart valves to serious infection when, during surgery, transient bacteremia results from manipulation of bacterially contaminated tissue. For patients without these predisposing conditions, transient bacteremia is seldom a problem; it is, in fact, an everyday event. This chapter reviews why the anesthesiologist should be concerned about infective endocarditis as a perioperative complication, defines which patients are at risk for infective endocarditis, and summarizes the current recommendations of the American Heart Association for infective endocarditis prophylaxis. Because mitral valve prolapse is the most common indication for infective endocarditis antibiotic prophylaxis, special emphasis will be placed on mitral valve prolapse.
Green Claims and Message Frames: How Green New Products Change Brand Attitude

In response to a top ten global consumer trend, firms are increasingly introducing environmentally sustainable (“green”) new products. Firms allocate significant resources to this area; thus, the authors consider the brand-level implications by investigating how the introduction of green new products changes attitude toward the brand. In examining this relationship, they draw from social identity and framing theories to investigate drivers of green new product introductions as well as the moderating effects of message framing, source credibility, and product type. Estimating a three-stage least squares model based on new product introductions from 75 brands across a four-year time period (2009–2012), the authors find that green new product introductions can indeed improve brand attitude and that both the brand and category's positioning influence the introduction of green new products. They also find that the quantity of green messages, the product type, and their source credibility influence the extent to which green new products change brand attitude. The authors use these findings to provide guidance for managers as they attempt to effectively link their green innovation efforts to improve consumer attitudes toward their brands.