Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intranasal delivery of nicardipine in the rat.

The intranasal absorption of nicardipine hydrochloride was characterized in an in vivo rat model system in which the normal mechanisms of mucociliary clearance and drainage of an instilled dose were not physically altered. The results obtained in this manner, therefore, are expected to be predicative of the delivery and absorption dynamics exhibited in the nasal mucosa of primates and humans. Intranasal delivery of nicardipine was studied in male rats using this model on single-dose administration of 1.0 mg/kg, and compared with both oral and intravenous administration. The effect of the addition of a viscosity agent, hydroxyethyl cellulose, on plasma levels following nasal delivery was also examined. Nicardipine plasma levels were determined by a rapid and specific reversed-phase HPLC method with electrochemical detection that employed nifedipine as an electroactive internal standard in the analysis. The limit of quantitation for nicardipine at 1.0 V versus Ag/AgCl was 8 ng/mL and the linear dynamic range was 15-150 ng/mL. Following intravenous administration the area under the plasma concentration curve was 5110 ng . min/mL as compared to 3730 ng . min/mL following intranasal dosing. This corresponds to a bioavailability of 73%. The addition of a viscosity agent to the nasal formulation was found to give a slight but statistically insignificant increase in the systemic availability (77%). Plasma levels of nicardipine following oral administration (1.0 mg/kg) were determined to be below the limit of quantitation of the analytical technique. These results therefore suggest that nasal delivery of nicardipine is a viable and efficient route of administration. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Identifying the Service Quality Factors for Web site: A Comparison of Web site Types

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of e-service quality factors on customer satisfaction and behavior intention by Web site types. Difference and moderating effect resulting from the type of web site users about an association with reaction of satisfaction and those component concepts are also one of the aims in the study. As a result, the study found that factors of web site service quality variables had positive impacts on customer satisfaction. And customer satisfaction also had a positive impact on relationship intention and word of mouth intention. Furthermore, through the comparative analysis, we found that the service quality differed on the effects of customer satisfaction by web site types. According to those results, marketing managers should develop different service strategies based on different web site types.
Vitamin D Intake and Risk of Type 1 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Vitamin D is suggested to have protective effects against type 1 diabetes. However, the results from observational studies have been inconsistent. We aimed to examine their association by conducting a meta-analysis of observational studies. Multiple databases were searched in June 2013 to identify relevant studies including both case-control and cohort studies. Either a fixed- or random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled risk estimate. We identified eight studies (two cohort studies and six case-control studies) on vitamin D intake during early life and three studies (two cohort studies and one case-control study) on maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy. The pooled odds ratio for type 1 diabetes comparing vitamin D supplementation with non-supplementation during early life was 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51–0.98). Similar results were observed in the case-control subgroup analysis but not in the cohort subgroup analysis. The pooled odds ratio with maternal intake of vitamin D during pregnancy was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.66–1.36). In conclusion, vitamin D intake during early life may be associated with a reduced risk of type 1 diabetes. However, there was not enough evidence for an association between maternal intake of vitamin D and risk of type 1 diabetes in the offspring.
Editorial: The hazards of early recognition of dementia: a risk assessment

A survey of dementia services in Europe suggests that the intellectual and humanitarian arguments for early recognition of dementia are overwhelming, and that health services should strive to overcome the low status of dementia as a clinical condition, the limited skills and nihilism of professionals, and the collusion of families that act as barriers to earlier diagnosis (Warner & Furnish, 2002). In England the National Service Framework for Older People now defines standards of care for the ageing population, and is unequivocal in identifying early diagnosis of dementia as beneficial (Department of Health, 2001). The opportunities this provides include access to treatment, planning for the future and facilitating people with dementia and their relatives to come to terms with dementia and its prognosis. Following this, the Audit Commission reiterated that a priority for services was to diagnose mental health problems in older people ‘as early as possible’ (Audit Commission, 2002). However, all medical interventions require an assessment of the benefits and hazards of treatment compared with inaction—a risk assessment. Risk is managed with a socio-political context (Lupton, 1993) as well as with professional and caregiving domains (Manthorpe, 2003). Essentially risk involves uncertainty of outcome and this may be positive or negative. Combined with judgements of the outcome’s importance are assessments of likelihood or probability. In all risk assessments, management and decision-making, subjective perceptions or judgements are involved, overtly or otherwise (Cabinet Office, 2002). In this paper we will review the risks of recognizing and responding to the early signs and symptoms of dementia. The early recognition of dementia is now presented as an essentially beneficial and a rational approach, in contrast to the ‘myths’ that it might not be advantageous (Milne & Wilkinson, 2002). In our view, the risk remains and entails three dimensions:
Determinants of habitual behavior for national and leading brands in China

Despite the existence of some research into habitual behavior, there is a noticeable lack of investigation into its determinants. Since the only influential factor generally discussed is brand awareness, our study includes other factors in order to provide a complete understanding of the determinants of habitual behavior. We consider the influence of various marketing and demographic factors on consumers’ habitual behavior towards national and leading brands of low involvement products in mainland China. A conceptual model is proposed and logistic regression used to analyze data on southwestern China, with the results indicating that all four marketing factors, brand awareness, perceived quality, channel convenience and price, exert significant influences on habitual behavior. The results further suggest some discernible demographic features of habitual buyers. Marketing implications are also discussed, highlighting in particular, the association between “satisfaction” and “channel convenience”, which is clearly demonstrated as the critical determinant for retaining leading brand consumers.
Firm Financing through IPOs: A Study of Causal Variables Responsible for Under-Pricing

One major source of business financing is through Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Historically, IPOs received high initial first day gains compared to the market performance. These gains reflect external factors and not the company's true value, thereby suggesting the under-priced IPO. The recent researches on IPOs in different markets for different industries in various countries, have focused on under-pricing and show that the under-pricing is evident in case of book-building route as well as fixed price-band offers. This study attempts to identify causal variables behind high initial gains for Indian IPOs using earlier researches and testing them over a sample of Indian IPOs to examine the influence of non-fundamental factors and signalling effects on under-pricing
서비스실패와 고객이탈간 연결에서 고객-기업 관계특성의 조정적 역할—가구단위의 연속적 서비스를 중심으로—

요 약 기업들이 장기간에 걸쳐 고객관계를 구축하고 관리하여야 할 필요성이 증가함에 따라 고객이탈은 고 객생애가치 관점에서 중요성이 점증하고 있다 이에 대하여 Keaveney(1 잃5)는 서비스 상황에서 고객이탈 및 전환행동에 서비스실패가 가장 주요한 요소임을 제시하고 있다. 본 연구는 Keaveney(1995) 연구를 확 장하여 기존 고객들은 서비스실패 상황에서 고객 기업 관계특성의 차이에 따라 서비스실패에 대한 평가 또는 만즉메 차이를 보이게 되며 이에 따라 고객이탈이 달라지게 됨을 가구단위의 연속적 서비스 상황 을중심으로검토하였다 본 연구에서는 기존의 마케팅 문헌에 대한 고찰을 통하여 고객-기업 관계특성으로서 관계기간, 이용수 준, 의사결정영향력, 산업지식 및 전환비용을 조정변수로 도출하였으며, 국내 초고속인터넷서비스 이용고 객을 대상으로 실증분석을 수행하였다. 서비스실패를 결과실패와 과정실패로 고잘하여 분석한 결과 이들 의 조정변수로서의 역할이 검증되었다. 본 연구는 이론적으로 서비스실패와 고객이탈과의 관계에서 다양 한 고객 기업 관계특성이 조정변수로 작용하고 있음을 검토하였으며, 실무적으로 기존고객의 고객-. 7 1 업 관계특성에 대한 고객정보 구축 및 미의 효율적 실행을 통하여 고객이탈을 방지할 수 있음을 제시하였다.
Beyond Necessity-Driven Versus Opportunity-Driven Entrepreneurship

To evaluate critically the conventional view that entrepreneurs are either necessity-driven or opportunity-driven, empirical data are reported from England, Ukraine and Russia on the motives of a specific group of entrepreneurs – those operating wholly or partially in the informal economy. The paper finds that, for the vast majority, both necessity and opportunity drivers are involved in their decision to start up enterprises, along with a clear shift from necessity-oriented to opportunity-oriented motivations as their ventures become more established. The paper concludes with a discussion of the public policy implications of these findings.
Reduction in asymmetric dimethylarginine plasma levels by coenzyme Q10 supplementation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM According to many studies, supplementation with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) yields beneficial results in terms of endothelial function in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite these promising results, data elucidating the effect of CoQ10 on plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), as a recently discussed cardiovascular risk factor, is lacking. This study was designed to investigate the effect of CoQ10 supplementation on endothelial function, specifically by evaluating plasma ADMA levels. METHODS Sixty-four type 2 diabetic patients were randomly assigned to two groups; either receiving 200mg/d oral dose of CoQ10 (N.=31) or receiving placebo (N.=33) for 12 weeks. Clinical and biochemical assessments were performed before and after the trial for evaluating ADMA, serum nitrite and nitrate (NOx), hemoglobin A1c and lipid profile. RESULTS The intervention resulted in a significant improvement in ADMA, NOx , low-density lipoprotein and hemoglobin A1c levels in CoQ10 compared to placebo group. Interestingly, difference in changes of these parameters were also significant (P=0.01, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION Supplementation with CoQ10 yields beneficial effects on ADMA levels, leading to decreased diabetic cardiovascular events.
New converter topology to improve performance of photovoltaic power generation system under shading conditions

Module integrated converters focus many research because they are considered as most promising solutions for grid connection of photovoltaic power generation systems. Most of the proposed approaches relied so far on the use of series string of DC-DC converter to create a high voltage string connected to DC-AC inverter. The boost converter is better in this application. However, under inhomogeneous irradiation, the power generated from each PV module and output DC voltage of each boost becomes unbalanced so that the output currents of each boost are balanced and equal to the string current. In this case the boost converter cannot always deliver all the power from a mixture of shaded panels and those delivering full power. In this paper, a non-dissipative string current diverter is proposed to overcome this problem. One important feature of the proposed circuit herein is the ability to effectively decouple each converter from the rest of the string, making this insensitive to changes in the string current. Hence it is possible to obtain the maximum power from the PV module and allow it to operate at the optimum efficiency. The simulation and experimental results verify that the proposed topology exhibits good performance anyway of inhomogeneous irradiation. On the other hand, the string current diverter circuit does not operate if irradiation is homogeneous. So, in this last condition, the topology efficiency is improved.
Transformational school leadership for large-scale reform: Effects on students, teachers, and their classroom practices

Using data from a larger 4-year evaluation of England's National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies, this study tested the effects of a school-specific model of transformational leadership on teachers (motivation, capacities, and work settings), their classroom practices, and gains in student achievement. Some 2,290 teachers from 655 primary schools responded to 2 forms of a survey (literacy and numeracy) measuring all variables in our framework. Our measure of student achievement was gains in the British government's own Key Stage 2 tests over either 2 (numeracy) or 3 (literacy) years. Path analytic techniques were used to analyze the several different versions of the results. Results indicate significant effects of leadership on teachers' classroom practices but not on student achievement.
INFORMATION SHARING IN A HIGH UNCERTAINTY ENVIRONMENT:LESSONS FROM CASE STUDIES IN THE DIVERGENT DIFFERENTIATION SUPPLY CHAIN

Information distortion and incapability of sharing information simultaneously between the production sides and demand sides make the major uncertainty of the supply chain. This study tends to understand how to share information effectively in a high uncertainty environment based on case studies on three Printed Circuit Board (PCB) companies in the divergent differentiation supply chain, in Taiwan. The results show that PCB industry is with high uncertainties across the demand, manufacturer, and distribution sides. Trust can increase information sharing while risk is considered the main factor impeding information sharing. Information sharing content through the sharing of “demand forecast information” can improve the OFP’s performance. Furthermore, information sharing with VMI mechanisms can reduce supply chain uncertainty, especially in the divergent differentiation supply chains. The inter-organizational coordination can be coordinated through the VMI system to reduce the bullwhip effect and risks.
High levels of unprotected anal intercourse and never testing for HIV among men who have sex with men in Nigeria: evidence from a cross-sectional survey for the need for innovative approaches to HIV prevention

Objectives To describe sexual risk behaviour, correlates of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) and never testing for HIV and its implications for HIV prevention interventions among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nigeria and other similar contexts. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered to 712 MSM in Abuja, Ibadan and Lagos, recruited through respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Levels of sexual risk behaviour and never having tested for HIV prior to the survey were calculated using weighted data for each city and unweighted data for the pooled sample. Correlates of UAI and never testing for HIV were determined using multiple logistic regression. Results The risk for HIV and STI among MSM in Nigeria is high, with 43.4% reporting UAI at last sex, 45.1% never having been tested for HIV and 53.9% reporting exchange of sex for resources in the past 6 months. Correlates of UAI in multivariate analysis included living in Ibadan, marriage or cohabitation with a woman, identification as bisexual, not having tested for HIV and being HIV-positive. Correlates of not having tested for HIV in multivariate analysis included living in Ibadan, young age, less education, unemployment and report of UAI. Conclusions HIV testing is low and associated with UAI. Findings merit targeted and innovative approaches for HIV prevention for MSM, especially access to HIV self-testing. Attention to social and structural determinants of health-seeking and sexual risk behaviour is also needed, including the criminalisation of homosexuality and social marginalisation of MSM.
IFRS Adoption and Its Integration into Accounting Education Curriculum in Nigerian Universities

The International Financial Reporting Standard is a major topic in the accounting profession today as more countries are involved in the adoption. However, the adoption of IFRSs without an adequate representation of same, in the curricula will have negative effects and create problems such as improper curriculum coordination. This study examines the integration of IFRS into accounting education curriculum in Nigeria. Data for this research was majorly collected from primary sources through the use of 240 copies of questionnaire being distributed to a sample of 4 private universities in Nigeria. The study used the regression analysis test statistic, one sample t-test and chi-square analysis to test the hypotheses and to validate the model specified. The result gives a pointer to the readiness of accounting education for the adoption of IFRS. The results revealed that IFRS adoption factors influence the inclusion of IFRS in university curriculum. It also revealed that students are aware of issues which relates to IFRS meaning they have sufficient knowledge of the standard. The research recommends more efforts to aid the training of educators and the provision of training facilities to aid proper integration of IFRS in the curriculum.
The interface between retailers and logistics service providers in the online market

Purpose – The growth in online shopping has presented challenges for physical distribution service quality (PDSQ) provided by retailers, including both multi‐channel and pure players, and logistics service providers (LSPs). Issues emerging from a consumer survey regarding electronic physical distribution service quality (e‐PDSQ) informed this paper's research, which aims to consider this phenomenon.Design/methodology/approach – The research study employed qualitative interviews with retailers, logistics service providers and experts to consider the consumer survey findings and discuss the current market situation and suggestions for improvement.Findings – Interviewees confirmed that pure players offer better e‐PDSQ than multi‐channel retailers as well as important constructs of availability, time, condition and returns regarding this phenomenon, but also raised issues of relationships between retailers and LSPs and costs regarding service trade‐offs.Research limitations/implications – The research underta.
Direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising: understanding its consequences

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertising is one of the fastest-growing advertising categories in the USA and has generated a great deal of controversy among policy makers, physicians and consumer advocates. Previous studies have demonstrated that consumers are generally aware of DTC advertising and that DTC advertising influences consumer behaviours. However, a relatively unexplored area of research is the process of how DTC advertising influences consumer behaviours and how various consumer demographic and predispositional variables moderate the procedure. This study examined three types of consumer behaviours induced by DTC drug ad exposure, using the FDA’s 1999 national survey data. The study found that exposure to DTC drug advertising was strongly related to ‘drug information seeking’, ‘thinking about communication with doctors’ and ‘actual communication with doctors’. Other factors, including prescription drug use, health conditions, control over healthcare, and various demographic variables were found to influence the behavioural outcomes. The small amount of increase in explanatory power of these variables suggested they were more likely to indirectly affect key behavioural variables through DTC drug ad exposure.
Consumer Acceptance of Irradiated Meat and Poultry Products

The Federal Government began allowing food manufacturers to irradiate raw meat and meat products to control pathogenic microorganisms in February 2000. Consumer acceptance of irradiated foods could affect public health because many foodborne illnesses occur when consumers handle or eat meat or poultry contaminated by microbial pathogens. However, food manufacturers have been slow to adopt irradiation, partly because of the perception that relatively few consumers are willing to buy irradiated foods. A recent survey by the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) confirmed this perception: only half of the adult residents of the FoodNet sites were willing to buy irradiated ground beef or chicken, and only a fourth were willing to pay a premium for these products, which cost more to produce than comparable nonirradiated products. These findings suggest that the impact of food irradiation on public health will be limited unless consumer preferences change, perhaps in response to educational messages about the safety and benefits of food irradiation.
Catalog of Research: Programs for Low-Income Couples

This catalog compiles information from 54 studies of 39 family-strengthening programs that serve low-income couples. It documents the research on the programsâ€™ effectiveness or impacts and the degree to which the studies demonstrate that a specific program (and not some other factor) led to the results. It also describes key program elementsâ€”such as content, design, and staffingâ€”as well as implementation and the challenges and successes experienced in recruiting and serving low-income couples. Studies are rated high, moderate, low, and unrated based on design, execution, and analysis.