Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organizational Configurations: Cohesion, Change, and Prediction

Recent studies have argued that the variety of organizational forms is limited and that certain common organizational configurations-alignments among strategy, structure and environment-occur with remarkable frequency and account-for a very significant fraction of organizations. This has been demonstrated empirically. The purpose of this paper is to probe into the cohesion, dynamics, and predictive implications of configurations. Ten propositions are derived by analyzing some representative configurations. It is proposed that the constrained variety and cohesion of configurations are caused by the interdependent, robust, cyclical, and reciprocal relationships among their parts. It is also argued that configurations vary in their first-order changes, but that all resist second-order changes, that is, changes in the direction of evolution. This makes them prone to long periods of momentum punctuated by brief periods of revolution. Finally, configurations are shown to vary in their internal relationships so that classification must precede prediction in organizational analysis. This suggests a middle range approach to paradigm development.
DIFFERENT SENSING COVERAGE DEGREES IN3D MOBILE SENSOR ACTOR NETWORKS

Given a 3D space where should be supervised and a group of mobile sensor actor nodes with limited sensing and communicating capabilities, this paper aims at proposing a distributed self-deployment algorithm for agents to cover the space as much as possible by considering non-uniform sensing coverage degree constraint of environment while preserving connectivity. The problem is formulated as coverage maximization subject to connectivity and sensing coverage degree constraint. Considering a desired distance between neighbouring nodes, an error function which depends on pairwise distance between nodes is described. The maximization is encoded to an error minimization problem that is solved using gradient descent algorithm and will yield in moving sensors into appropriate positions. Simulation results are presented in two different conditions that importance of sensing coverage degree support of environment is very high and is low.
Barriers to high-school completion among immigrant and later-generation Latinos in the USA

This article examines high-school completion among key Latino immigration groups in the USA, with a particular focus on the impacts of ethnicity, generation, language proficiencies, family structure and socioeconomic status. Family socioeconomic status has by far the largest impact on high-school completion. Poverty presents a persistent and daunting problem in high-school non-completion in the USA and is a primary contributor to Latino high-school non-completion. Addressing the issue of poverty is particularly important in the case of Mexicans, who make up the largest proportion of the immigrant population and whose levels of high-school completion are significantly lower than those of other groups. This research also highlights the impact of Spanish maintenance on high-school completion and indicates that high-level proficiency in both Spanish and English is associated with a greater likelihood to complete high school than Non-Hispanic whites when controlling for socioeconomic status and other variables. Ultimately, an important message of this research is that the impact of socioeconomic status on high-school completion — a primary mechanism for socioeconomic mobility across generations — must not be understated or overlooked by policymakers who aim to address social mobility across generations of immigrant groups in the USA.
Cardiovascular mortality and its relation to socioeconomic levels among inhabitants of São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE To analyze cardiovascular mortality indicators in São José do Rio Preto--a city in the State of São Paulo, Brazil--and to evaluate the municipality's mortality rates by socioeconomic levels. METHODS Data used came from the Mortality Information System and from the Information and Computing Department of the federal governments Unified Health System (SUS). Standardized mortality rates and proportional cardiovascular mortality rates were calculated. A thematic map of the demographic census sectors of the city's urban area--grouped according to socioeconomic levels--was drawn up and is presented with the respective rates. RESULTS The municipal, state, and national mortality rates decreased in the course of the 1980-2002 period. The municipal mortality rate in 2003 stood at 195.9 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, with proportional cardiovascular mortality at 31.3%. The three main causes of death were cerebrovascular disease, myocardial infarction, and hypertensive disease. The mortality rate for the population corresponding to the group featuring the lowest socioeconomic levels was 40% higher than that of the group comprising the highest socioeconomic levels. CONCLUSION The cardiovascular mortality rate decreased in the three geographical areas analyzed. This group of diseases was responsible for approximately one-third of all deaths in São José do Rio Preto in 2003. The area with the lowest socioeconomic level presented the highest mortality rate.
Parties, Administrations, and American Macroeconomic Outcomes

This study re-examines Hibbs's (1977b) findings on the impact of political party on unemployment rates for the postwar United States. With the use of data through the end of the Carter administration and slightly different methods, it is concluded that party has between one-third and one-half the impact on unemployment claimed by Hibbs. Administration is a better predictor of unemployment than is party; in particular, neither the Kennedy nor Carter administration behaved as Hibbs claims Democratic administrations should, nor did the Nixon administration behave as Hibbs claims Republican administrations should. The significance of whether administration or party is the better predictor of economic outcomes is explored.
Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Improve Clinical Decision Making in Suspected Pheochromocytoma

Background: Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors of chromaffin cells for which the optimal management is surgical resection. Precise diagnosis and localization may be elusive. We evaluated whether positron emission tomography (PET) scanning with the combination of [F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and the norepinephrine analogue [C]metahydroxyephedrine (mHED) would allow more exact diagnosis and localization. Methods: Fourteen patients with suspected pheochromocytoma were evaluated by anatomical imaging (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) and [I]metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) planar imaging. PET imaging was performed by using mHED with dynamic adrenal imaging, followed by a torso survey and FDG with a torso survey. Images were evaluated qualitatively by an experienced observer. Results: Eight patients had pathology-confirmed pheochromocytoma. Of the other six, two patients had normal adrenal tissue at adrenalectomy, and the other four had subsequent clinical courses inconsistent with a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. In four of eight patients with pheochromocytoma, MIBG failed to detect one or more sites of pathology-confirmed disease. The mHED-PET detected all sites of confirmed disease, whereas FDG-PET detected all sites of adrenal and abdominal disease, but not bone metastases, in one patient. MIBG and FDG-PET results were all negative in the six patients without pheochromocytoma. One patient with adrenal medullary hyperplasia had a positive mHED-PET scan. PET scanning aided the decision not to operate in three of six patients. The resolution of PET functional imaging was superior to that of MIBG. Conclusions: PET scanning for pheochromocytoma offers improved quality and resolution over current diagnostic approaches. PET may significantly influence the clinical management of patients with a suspicion of these tumors and warrants further investigation.
The impact of robotic rehabilitation in children with acquired or congenital movement disorders.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate if the robot-mediated therapy (RMT) can yield positive outcomes in children with acquired or congenital upper extremity movement disorders. METHODS This was an uncontrolled pilot study with pre-post treatment outcome comparison carried out by the Pediatric Rehabilitation Department of a Children's Hospital. The study enrolled 12 children, aged 5 to 15 years, suffering from acquired (at least 12 months post-onset) or congenital upper limb motor impairment. ETIOLOGY 4 stroke, 6 traumatic brain injuries, and 2 hemiplegic cerebral palsy. RMT was provided 3 times a week for an hour during 6 weeks for a total of 18 robot therapy sessions. The Melbourne Scale (MS) and the upper-extremity subsection of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) were used for measurement of impairment. Secondary outcome measurements were made through the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS); the Reaching Performance Scale (RPS); Parent's Questionnaire, and robot-based evaluation measurements. Specifically, authors compared the smoothness, as measured by the jerk metric, and average speed of unconstrained reaching movements. RESULTS Pre-post clinical evaluation revealed statistically significant gains for all primary and secondary metrics. In addition, significant improvement of robot-based metrics was observed. The primary outcome measurement mean (SEM) gains were 6.71 (1.29) for MS and 3.33 (0.80) for the FMA. RMT led to spasticity decreases in chronic cases, as shown by the reduction of MAS. It led to improved trunk-upper extremity postural attitude as demonstrated by improved RPS, and it was well accepted by parents and children as observed in the Parent's Questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that RMT may hold rehabilitative benefits in children suffering from acquired and congenital hemiparesis.
Brentuximab vedotin for relapsed or refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Brentuximab vedotin is a promising antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) targeting CD30 of tumor cells. It selectively delivers monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) into CD30-expressing cells and induces tumor cell apoptosis. Various clinical trials have provided evidence that it is effective in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL), and it has also shown its advantages in other CD30-positive lymphomas. In this review, we focus on the structure, mechanisms, and pharmacokinetics of brentuximab vedotin. We also summarize clinical trials with brentuximab vedotin and make recommendations for brentuximab vedotin in the treatment of relapsed or refractory HL.
Bacterial and Fungal Aerosols in Air-Conditioned Office Buildings in Warsaw, Poland—The Winter Season

The microbial quality of the working environment was assessed in winter in air-conditioned office buildings in Warsaw. The average indoor concentrations of bacterial and fungal aerosols were low (<103 cfu·m–3), below Polish proposals for threshold limit values in public service buildings. Even during cold months, if the air-conditioning system works properly, people remain the main source of bacterial aerosol in offices, whereas infiltration of outdoor air remains a major mechanism responsible for their fungal contamination. An analysis of the bioaerosol size distribution showed that microbial propagules that reach both the upper and lower respiratory tract may evoke numerous adverse health effects from irritation and asthmatic reactions to allergic inflammation. A comparative analysis of viable and total airborne microbial counts showed that viable micro-organisms accounted for up to 0.3% of the total number of microbial propagules. Hence, a comprehensive hygienic assessment of office workplaces should include an efficient control of both these elements.
Extracting scientific results from robotic arm support operations: A technique for estimating the density and composition of rocks on Mars

Background: Robotic arms on landed spacecraft are typically designed to either (a) retrieve surface samples for analyses by the main spacecraft or (b), bring a mobile instrument package into contact with surface components. Yet the engineering data returned by a robotic arm while conducting these science support operations can themselves be used to investigate the physical properties of surface materials. The Viking Lander 2 (VL2) displaced several nearby rocks with its sampling arm to obtain regolith samples from the protected environment beneath them. Method: The masses of displaced rocks are estimated using measurements of the pushing force exerted by the sampling arm by assuming a basic block-sliding model. Rocks densities are estimated by dividing the mass estimates by rock volumes determined from stereo pairs of images. Conclusion: Although the precision of the VL2 sampling arm motor current records is insufficient to derive unambiguous results, the bulk densities of pushed rocks appear to be low (≤2.6 g/cm), consistent with rocks that are vesicular throughout their volumes (i.e., vesicular impact or volcanic glasses). If the bulk density and vesicularity are known with high enough precision, the method demonstrated here can roughly constrain rock composition. Although the Viking measurements are ultimately inconclusive, the robotic sampling arm on the Mars Phoenix lander could execute a similar pushing strategy on nearby rocks to obtain more accurate density and compositional estimates.
A politica de compras de entidades publicas como instrumento de capacitação tecnologica : o caso da Petrobras

Esta pesquisa propoe investigar as duas principais agendas de politica industrial e tecnologica colocadas atualmente aos paises perifericos, quais sejam, a agenda do Banco Mundial (BIRD) e a agenda neo-schumpeteriana, enfocando as recomendacoes dos dois modelos de desenvolvimento no que diz respeito as politicas industrial e tecnologica. A politica de compras governamentais e o mote desta dissertacao. A partir da construcao de uma tipologia acerca de compras governamentais, na qual - dentre outras - aparece a posicao das correntes neoliberal e neoschumpeteriana a respeito dessa modalidade de politica, pretende-se revelar de que modo o setor publico de um pais pode utilizar seu poder de compras. A luz dos elementos levantados pela literatura, faz-se uma analise critica da experiencia da Petrobras, enfocando as compras que a operadora nacional realiza para seus empreendimentos offshore. O PROMINP, um programa lancado pelo Governo Federal, cujo objetivo e fomentar a participacao dos fornecedores locais nos projetos de investimentos da Petrobras, e o estudo de caso apresentado nesta dissertacao. Os resultados do trabalho indicam que a politica de compras da Petrobras, nao se baliza pelo modelo neo-schumpeteriano de politica de compras governamentais, uma vez que ha escassos indicios da existencia de elementos dentro de tal politica que articulem as politicas industrial e tecnologica Abstract
Identifying Physical Activity Determinants in Youth with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Background: Youth age, parent modeling and support, and time spent in sedentary pursuits influence physical activity (PA) in youth without disabilities, but have not been explored in youth with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). Therefore, these were selected as variables of interest to examine as PA determinants in this population. Methods: Parents (n = 48) and youth (n = 30) wore an accelerometer for 7 d and parents completed a PA support questionnaire. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of selected variables on youth PA. Results: Youth age (r22 = -0.59, P < 0.01) and sedentary pursuits (r22 = -0.47, P < 0.05) were negatively correlated with and accounted for 30% and 13% of the variance in youth PA, respectively. Parent variables did not significantly contribute to the explained variance. Conclusion: Contrary to findings in youth without disabilities, parent PA and support were not predictors of PA in youth with ASD.
Peptidylarginine Deiminase Inhibition Reduces Vascular Damage and Modulates Innate Immune Responses in Murine Models of Atherosclerosis

Rationale: Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation promotes vascular damage, thrombosis, and activation of interferon-&agr;–producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells in diseased arteries. Peptidylarginine deiminase inhibition is a strategy that can decrease in vivo NET formation. Objective: To test whether peptidylarginine deiminase inhibition, a novel approach to targeting arterial disease, can reduce vascular damage and inhibit innate immune responses in murine models of atherosclerosis. Methods and Results: Apolipoprotein-E (Apoe)−/− mice demonstrated enhanced NET formation, developed autoantibodies to NETs, and expressed high levels of interferon-&agr; in diseased arteries. Apoe−/− mice were treated for 11 weeks with daily injections of Cl-amidine, a peptidylarginine deiminase inhibitor. Peptidylarginine deiminase inhibition blocked NET formation, reduced atherosclerotic lesion area, and delayed time to carotid artery thrombosis in a photochemical injury model. Decreases in atherosclerosis burden were accompanied by reduced recruitment of netting neutrophils and macrophages to arteries, as well as by reduced arterial interferon-&agr; expression. Conclusions: Pharmacological interventions that block NET formation can reduce atherosclerosis burden and arterial thrombosis in murine systems. These results support a role for aberrant NET formation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis through modulation of innate immune responses.
Efficient RANSAC for Point‐Cloud Shape Detection

In this paper we present an automatic algorithm to detect basic shapes in unorganized point clouds. The algorithm decomposes the point cloud into a concise, hybrid structure of inherent shapes and a set of remaining points. Each detected shape serves as a proxy for a set of corresponding points. Our method is based on random sampling and detects planes, spheres, cylinders, cones and tori. For models with surfaces composed of these basic shapes only, for example, CAD models, we automatically obtain a representation solely consisting of shape proxies. We demonstrate that the algorithm is robust even in the presence of many outliers and a high degree of noise. The proposed method scales well with respect to the size of the input point cloud and the number and size of the shapes within the data. Even point sets with several millions of samples are robustly decomposed within less than a minute. Moreover, the algorithm is conceptually simple and easy to implement. Application areas include measurement of physical parameters, scan registration, surface compression, hybrid rendering, shape classification, meshing, simplification, approximation and reverse engineering.
Downregulation of USP32 inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion in human small cell lung cancer

Ubiquitin specific protease 32 (USP32) is a highly conserved but uncharacterized gene, which has been reported to be associated with growth of breast cancer cells. However, the role of USP32 in human small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has not been uncovered. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the clinical significance of USP32 in patients with SCLC.
A Cre-Dependent GCaMP3 Reporter Mouse for Neuronal Imaging In Vivo

Fluorescent calcium indicator proteins, such as GCaMP3, allow imaging of activity in genetically defined neuronal populations. GCaMP3 can be expressed using various gene delivery methods, such as viral infection or electroporation. However, these methods are invasive and provide inhomogeneous and nonstationary expression. Here, we developed a genetic reporter mouse, Ai38, which expresses GCaMP3 in a Cre-dependent manner from the ROSA26 locus, driven by a strong CAG promoter. Crossing Ai38 with appropriate Cre mice produced robust GCaMP3 expression in defined cell populations in the retina, cortex, and cerebellum. In the primary visual cortex, visually evoked GCaMP3 signals showed normal orientation and direction selectivity. GCaMP3 signals were rapid, compared with virally expressed GCaMP3 and synthetic calcium indicators. In the retina, Ai38 allowed imaging spontaneous calcium waves in starburst amacrine cells during development, and light-evoked responses in ganglion cells in adult tissue. Our results show that the Ai38 reporter mouse provides a flexible method for targeted expression of GCaMP3.
High carbon dioxide uptake by subtropical forest ecosystems in the East Asian monsoon region

Significance Understanding the location of carbon sources and sinks is essential for accurately predicting future changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate. Mid- to high-latitude terrestrial ecosystems are well known to be the principal carbon sink regions, yet less attention has been paid to the mid- to low-latitude ecosystems. In this study, long-term eddy covariance observations demonstrate that there is a high carbon dioxide uptake (net ecosystem productivity) by the mid- to low-latitude East Asian monsoon subtropical forests that were shaped by the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. Increasing nitrogen deposition, a young forest age structure, and sufficient water and heat availability combined to contribute to this large carbon dioxide uptake. Temperate- and high-latitude forests have been shown to contribute a carbon sink in the Northern Hemisphere, but fewer studies have addressed the carbon balance of the subtropical forests. In the present study, we integrated eddy covariance observations established in the 1990s and 2000s to show that East Asian monsoon subtropical forests between 20°N and 40°N represent an average net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of 362 ± 39 g C m−2 yr−1 (mean ± 1 SE). This average forest NEP value is higher than that of Asian tropical and temperate forests and is also higher than that of forests at the same latitudes in Europe–Africa and North America. East Asian monsoon subtropical forests have comparable NEP to that of subtropical forests of the southeastern United States and intensively managed Western European forests. The total NEP of East Asian monsoon subtropical forests was estimated to be 0.72 ± 0.08 Pg C yr−1, which accounts for 8% of the global forest NEP. This result indicates that the role of subtropical forests in the current global carbon cycle cannot be ignored and that the regional distributions of the Northern Hemisphere's terrestrial carbon sinks are needed to be reevaluated. The young stand ages and high nitrogen deposition, coupled with sufficient and synchronous water and heat availability, may be the primary reasons for the high NEP of this region, and further studies are needed to quantify the contribution of each underlying factor.
A Content Analysis of News Coverage of Asian Female Olympic Athletes

Asian female athletes' prominent performances have caught the media's attention for coverage. Despite the success of Asian female athletes, stereotypes and expectations of feminine characteristics towards female athletes may still exist, especially in Asia where there is long history of a male-dominated society. The major purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how the media covers Asian female Olympic athletes and to see if sports writers emphasize feminine characteristics in news coverage when reporting Asian female Olympic athletes. Content analysis was administered to review news stories of Asian female Olympic athletes who were reported in 266 sport news articles from 1 January 2000 to 31 August 2008. The results indicated that sports such as diving and the marathon are more likely to be covered although Asian female Olympic athletes have been successful in other sports. Topics and content related to athletes' achievements in sports, physical/athletic strength, and psychological characteristics were frequently included in the news stories.