Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HOW LEARNING CAPACITY INFLUENCES ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE : AN EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE Theme : Strategy , Competitiveness and Learning

It is widely recognize that the development of a learning capacity is a fundamental factor for the achievement of a durable competitive advantage. But the relevance of the learning capacity for the improvement of the organizational performance, and thus competence, has been insufficiently developed. Based on data from 111 Spanish Companies, this paper explores the relation between the learning capacity and the improvement of business performance by comparing how the main dimensions of the learning capacity –the stocks and flows of knowledge-impacts on performance, in economic and non-economic terms. Results indicate that those organizations with the highest levels in their stocks and flows of knowledge obtain a superior performance.
Precedent Fluctuation of Serum hs-CRP to Albumin Ratios and Mortality Risk of Clinically Stable Hemodialysis Patients

Background A high sensitivity C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (hs-CRP/Alb) predicts mortality risk in patients with acute kidney injury. However, it varies dynamically. This study was conducted to evaluate whether a variation of this marker was associated with long-term outcome in clinically stable hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods hs-CRP/Alb was checked bimonthly in 284 clinically stable HD outpatients throughout all of 2008. Based on the “slope” of trend equation derived from 5–6 hs-CRP/alb ratios for each patient, the total number of patients was divided into quartiles—Group 1: β≦ −0.13, n = 71; group 2: β>-0.13≦0.003; n = 71, group 3: β>0.003≦0.20; and group 4: β>0.20, n = 71. The observation period was from January 1, 2009 to August 31, 2012. Results Group 1+4 showed a worse long-term survival (p = 0.04) and a longer 5-year hospitalization stay than Group 2+3 (38.7±44.4 vs. 16.7±22.4 days, p<0.001). Group 1+4 were associated with older age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01–1.05) and a high prevalence of congestive heart failure (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.00–4.11). Standard deviation (SD) of hs-CRP/Alb was associated with male sex (β = 0.17, p = 0.003), higher Davies co-morbidity score (β = 0.16, p = 0.03), and baseline hs-CRP (β = 0.39, p<0.001). Patients with lower baseline and stable trend of hs-CRP/Alb had a better prognosis. By multivariate Cox proportional methods, SD of hs-CRP/alb (HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.08) rather than baseline hs-CRP/Alb was an independent predictive factor for long-term mortality after adjusting for sex and HD vintage. Conclusion Clinically stable HD patients with a fluctuating variation of hs-CRP/Alb are characterized by old age, and more co-morbidity, and they tend to have longer subsequent hospitalization stay and higher mortality risk.
GPTIPS: An Open Source Genetic Programming Toolbox For Multigene Symbolic Regression

In this contribution GPTIPS, a free, open source MATLAB toolbox for performing symbolic regression by genetic programming (GP) is introduced. GPTIPS is specifically designed to evolve mathematical models of predictor response data that are "multigene" in nature, i.e. linear combinations of low order non-linear transformations of the input variables. The functionality of GPTIPS is demonstrated by using it to generate an accurate, compact QSAR (quantitative structure activity relationship) model of existing toxicity data in order to predict the toxicity of chemical compounds. It is shown that the low-order "multigene" GP methods implemented by GPTIPS can provide a useful alternative, as well as a complementary approach, to currently accepted empirical modelling and data analysis techniques. GPTIPS and documentation is available for download at http://sites.google. com/site/gptips4matlab/.
Rural epidemiology: insights from a rural population laboratory.

To study the epidemiology of rural populations in the context of contemporary issues in public health, a population laboratory (Health Census '89) was established in Otsego County, New York, by the Research Institute of the M.I. Bassett Hospital, affiliated with the Columbia University School of Public Health. Such a laboratory is needed because of an apparent lag in positive health indices in rural populations across the United States, resulting in rates of chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease, for which rural areas now exceed urban ones. This was confirmed for Otsego County by the survey Health Census '89, the foundation of a rural population laboratory, in which all residents were enumerated and characterized as to their prevalent diseases, health behaviors, use of preventive services, and environmental exposures. Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes mellitus rates were found to exceed average rates for US urban areas, while the data on preventive health behaviors suggest this is a population of "late adopters. " The survey, conducted in 1989, had an 86.6% response rate, and enumerated 17,147 households and 44,406 persons. The authors discuss adults aged 17-64 years, 58 percent of the total census (n=25,614). Sharp gradients in disease prevalence, risk factors, and utilization of preventive services were observed across educational strata. Data from Health Census '89 were used as the basis for a successful community intervention program, which targeted identified high risk groups. Rural populations are excellent settings for community interventions, offering laboratories where new strategies of risk reduction and provision of preventive services might be tested.
A statistical evaluation of animal and nutritional factors influencing concentrations of milk urea nitrogen.

Data from 35 trials with 482 lactating cows fed 106 diets were used to study the effects of animal and dietary factors on the relationship between milk and blood urea N and the value of milk urea N in the assessment of protein status. In two trials, urea N in whole blood and in blood plasma were closely related (r2 = 0.952); the slope was not significantly different from 1.0, and the intercept was not significantly different from 0. Regression of milk urea N on blood urea N with a mixed effects model using all 2231 observations yielded the equation: milk urea N (milligrams of N per deciliter) = 0.620 x blood urea N (milligrams of N per deciliter) + 4.75 (r2 = 0.842); this model accounted for a significant interaction of cow and blood urea N. Single factors that yielded significant regressions on milk urea N with the mixed effects models were dietary crude protein (CP) (percentage of dry matter; r2 = 0.839), dietary CP per megacalorie of net energy for lactation (NEL) (r2 = 0.833), excess N intake (r2 = 0.772), N efficiency (r2 = 0.626), and ruminal NH3 (r2 = 0.574). When all factors were analyzed at once, 12 were significant in a mixed effects model. Blood urea N, body weight, yield of fat-corrected milk, dietary CP content, excess N intake, dry matter intake, and days in milk were positively related to milk urea N, and parity, milk and fat yield, dietary CP per unit of NEL content, and NEL intake were negatively related to milk urea N. In one trial, the mean urea concentration was 35 times greater in urine than in milk; lower proportions of total urea excretion in milk were observed in the a.m. sampling (1.8%) than in the p.m. sampling (3.3%). Measuring urea N in a composite milk sample from the whole day substantially improved reliability of data. The number of cows fed a specific diet that must be sampled to determine mean milk urea N within 95% confidence intervals with half widths of 1.0 and 2.0 mg of N/dl was estimated to be 16 and 4, respectively.
Gadd153 Sensitizes Cells to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress by Down-Regulating Bcl2 and Perturbing the Cellular Redox State

ABSTRACT gadd153, also known as chop, is a highly stress-inducible gene that is robustly expressed following disruption of homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (so-called ER stress). Although all reported types of ER stress induce expression of Gadd153, its role in the stress response has remained largely undefined. Several studies have correlated Gadd153 expression with cell death, but a mechanistic link between Gadd153 and apoptosis has never been demonstrated. To address this issue we employed a cell model system in which Gadd153 is constitutively overexpressed, as well as two cell lines in which Gadd153 expression is conditional. In all cell lines, overexpression of Gadd153 sensitized cells to ER stress. Investigation of the mechanisms contributing to this effect revealed that elevated Gadd153 expression results in the down-regulation of Bcl2 expression, depletion of cellular glutathione, and exaggerated production of reactive oxygen species. Restoration of Bcl2 expression in Gadd153-overexpressing cells led to replenishment of glutathione and a reduction in levels of reactive oxygen species, and it protected cells from ER stress-induced cell death. We conclude that Gadd153 sensitizes cells to ER stress through mechanisms that involve down-regulation of Bcl2 and enhanced oxidant injury.
Robust H∞ control for a class of uncertain neutral time-delay systems via dynamic output feedback

In this paper, the robust Hinfin control problem is considered for uncertain neutral systems with discrete and distributed time delays. By using new Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals, some sufficient conditions on Hinfin robust performance analysis are given in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Based on these conditions the dynamical output feedback controller are designed. Numerical examples are included to illustrate the proposed method.
The electric charge and magnetisation distribution of the nucleon: evidence of a subatomic Turing wave pattern

Subquantum kinetics, a physics methodology that applies general systems theoretic concepts to the field of microphysics has gained the status of being a viable unified field theory. Earlier publications of this theory had proposed that a subatomic particle should consist of an electrostatic field that has the form of a radial Turing wave pattern whose form is maintained through the ongoing activity of a non-linear reaction–diffusion medium that fills all space. This subatomic Turing wave prediction now finds confirmation in recent nucleon scattering form factor data which show that the nucleon core has a Gaussian charge density distribution with a peripheral periodicity whose wavelength approximates the particle's Compton wavelength and which declines in amplitude with increasing radial distance. The subquantum kinetics explanation for the origin of charge correctly anticipates the observation that the proton's charge density wave pattern is positively biased while the neutron's is not. The phenomenon of beta decay is interpreted as the onset of a secondary bifurcation leading from the uncharged neutron solution to the charged proton solution. The Turing wave dissipative structure prediction is able to account in a unitary fashion for nuclear binding, particle diffraction, and electron orbital quantisation. The wave packet model is shown to be fundamentally flawed implying that quantum mechanics, although mathematically workable, does not realistically represent the microphysical world. This new conception points to the possible existence of orbital energy states below the Balmer ground state whose transitions may be tapped as a new source of energy.
Adverse Childhood Experiences among American Indian/Alaska Native Children: The 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health

We examined parent-reported adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and associated outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children aged 0–17 years from the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health. Bivariate and multivariable analyses of cross-sectional data on 1,453 AI/AN children and 61,381 non-Hispanic White (NHW) children assessed race-based differences in ACEs prevalence and differences in provider-diagnosed chronic emotional and developmental conditions, health characteristics, reported child behaviors, and health services received as a function of having multiple ACEs. AI/AN children were more likely to have experienced 2+ ACEs (40.3% versus 21%), 3+ ACEs (26.8% versus 11.5%), 4+ ACEs (16.8% versus 6.2%), and 5+ ACEs (9.9% versus 3.3%) compared to NHW children. Prevalence rates for depression, anxiety, and ADHD were higher among AI/AN children with 3+ ACEs (14.4%, 7.7%, and 12.5%) compared to AI/ANs with fewer than 2 ACEs (0.4%, 1.8%, and 5.5%). School problems, grade failures, and need for medication and counseling were 2-3 times higher among AI/ANs with 3+ ACEs versus the same comparison group. Adjusted odds ratio for emotional, developmental, and behavioral difficulties among AI/AN children with 2+ ACEs was 10.3 (95% CI = 3.6–29.3). Race-based differences were largely accounted for by social and economic-related factors.
Symbolic algorithms for layout-oriented synthesis of pass transistor logic circuits

The paper presents a novel methodology for synthesizing PTL circuits, whose distinctive features are the use of a symbolic algorithm for the covering of the initial network in terms of PTL cells, and the exploitation of layout level area and delay model during the selection of the best covering solution. The results produced by the synthesis procedure on the full suite of the Iscas'85 combinational circuits are very encouraging.
Inositol Hexaphosphate and Inositol Inhibit Colorectal Cancer Metastasis to the Liver in BALB/c Mice

Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) and inositol (Ins), naturally occurring carbohydrates present in most mammals and plants, inhibit the growth of numerous cancers both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we first examined the anti-metastatic effects of IP6 and Ins using a liver metastasis model of colorectal cancer (CRC) in BALB/c mice. CT-26 cells were injected into the splenic capsule of 48 BALB/c mice. The mice were then randomly divided into four groups: IP6, Ins, IP6 + Ins and normal saline control (n = 12 per group). IP6 and/or Ins (80 mg/kg each, 0.2 mL/day) were injected into the gastrointestinal tracts of the mice on the second day after surgery. All mice were sacrificed after 20 days, and the tumor inhibition rates were determined. The results demonstrated that the tumor weights of liver metastases and the tumor inhibition rates were reduced in the experimental groups compared to the control group and that treatment with the combination of IP6 and Ins resulted in greater inhibition of tumor growth than treatment with either compound alone. These findings suggest that IP6 and Ins prevent the development and metastatic progression of colorectal cancer to the liver in mice by altering expression of the extracellular matrix proteins collagen IV, fibronectin and laminin; the adhesion factor receptor integrin-β1; the proteolytic enzyme matrix metalloproteinase 9; and the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor beta in the tumor metastasis microenvironment. In conclusion, IP6 and Ins inhibited the development and metastatic progression of colorectal cancer to the liver in BALB/c mice, and the effect of their combined application was significantly greater than the effect of either compound alone. This evidence supports further testing of the combined application of IP6 and Ins for the prevention of colorectal cancer metastasis to the liver in clinical studies.
A Modeling Approach to Analyze Variability of Remanufacturing Process Routing

Remanufacturing is a practice of growing importance due to increasing environmental awareness and regulations. However, little research focuses on stochastic remanufacturing process routings (RPR). This paper presents an analytical method, where four Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT)-based RPR models are proposed to mathematically represent and analyze the variability of remanufacturing task sequences. In particular, with the method, the probability of individual processes being taken in a remanufacturing system and the time associated with them can be efficiently determined. The proposed method is demonstrated through the remanufacturing of used lathe spindles and telephones, and verified by Arena simulation. Numerical experiments that investigate the relationships between RPR dynamics and other system parameters (such as inventory control for due-time performance and time buffer size for bottleneck control) are included.
Very high frequency interleaved self-oscillating resonant SEPIC converter

This paper describes analysis and design procedure of an interleaved, self-oscillating resonant SEPIC converter, suitable for operation at very high frequencies (VHF) ranging from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. The presented circuit consists of two resonant SEPIC DC-DC converters, and a capacitive interconnection network between the switches which provides self-oscillating and interleaved operation. A design approach to ensure zero voltage switching (ZVS) condition of the MOSFET devices is provided. To verify the proposed method, an 11 W, 50 MHz prototype was built using low-cost VDMOS devices and experimental results are presented. Peak achieved efficiency was 87%.
Eucalyptus Leaf Extract Suppresses the Postprandial Elevation of Portal, Cardiac and Peripheral Fructose Concentrations after Sucrose Ingestion in Rats

Overintake of sucrose or fructose induces adiposity. Fructose undergoes a strong Maillard reaction, which worsens diabetic complications. To determine whether Eucalyptus globulus leaf extract (ELE) suppresses the postprandial elevation of serum fructose concentrations (SFCs) in the portal, cardiac, and peripheral blood after sucrose ingestion, we performed gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and measured SFC without any interference by contaminating glucose in the samples. Fasting Wistar rats were orally administered water (control group) or ELE (ELE group) before sucrose ingestion. Blood was collected from the portal vein, heart, and tail. The increase in the SFCs in the portal and cardiac samples 30 min after sucrose ingestion was lower in the ELE group than in the control group. The coefficient of correlation between the SFCs in the portal and cardiac samples was 0.825. The peripheral SFC in the control group progressively increased and was 146 µmol/L at 60 min. This increase was significantly lower in the ELE group. In contrast, the serum glucose concentrations in the 2 groups were similar. ELE suppressed postprandial hyperfructosemia in the portal, cardiac, and peripheral circulations. ELE may counteract glycation caused by high blood fructose concentrations induced by the consumption of fructose-containing foods or drinks.
A Benchmark Dataset for Automatic Detection of Claims and Evidence in the Context of Controversial Topics

We describe a novel and unique argumentative structure dataset. This corpus consists of data extracted fro m hundreds of Wikipedia articles using a meticulously monitored manual annotation process. The result is 2,683 argument elements, collected in the context of 33 controversial topics, organized under a simp le claim-evidence structure. The obtained data are publicly available for academic research.
The edge of the M 87 halo and the kinematics of the diffuse light in the Virgo cluster core

Aims. To study the kinematics and dynamics of the extreme outer halo of M87, the central galaxy in the Virgo cluster, and its transition to the intracluster light (ICL). Methods. We present high resolution FLAMES/VLT spectroscopy of intracluster planetary nebula (PN) candidates, targeting three new fields in the Virgo cluster core with surface brightness d own toB = 28.5. Based on the projected phase space information (sky positions and line-of-sight velocities) we separate g alaxy and cluster components in the confirmed PN sample. We th en use the spherical Jeans equation and the total gravitational poten tial as traced by the X-ray emission to derive the orbital dis tribution in the outer stellar halo of M87. We determine theα-parameter (luminosity-specific PN number) for the M87 halo and the ICL from the photometric PN catalogs and sampled luminosities, and discuss the origin of the ICL in Virgo based on its measured PN velocities. Results. We confirm a further 12 PNs in Virgo, five of which are bound to th e halo of M87, and the remainder are true intracluster planetary nebulas (ICPNs). The M87 PNs are confined to the ext ended stellar envelope of M87, within a projected radius of∼ 160 kpc, while the ICL PNs are scattered across the whole surveyed region between M87 and M86, supporting a truncation of M87's luminous outer halo at a 2σ level. The line-of-sight velocity distribution of the M87 P Ns at projected radius of 60 kpc and 144 kpc shows (i) no evidence for rotation of the halo along the photometric major axis, and (ii) that the velocity dispersion dec reases in the outer halo, down toσlast = 78± 25 km s −1 at 144 kpc. The Jeans model for the M87 halo stars fits the obser ved line-of-sight velocity dispersion profile only if the stellar orbits are strongly ra dially anisotropic (β≃ 0.4 at r≃ 10 kpc increasing to 0.8 at the outer edge), and if additionally the stellar halo is truncated at≃ 150 kpc average elliptical radius. Theα-parameters for the M87 halo and the ICL are in the range of values observed for old (> 10 Gyr) stellar populations. Conclusions. Both the spatial segregation of the PNs at the systemic velocity of M87 and the dynamical model support that the stellar halo of M87 ends at∼ 150 kpc. We discuss several possible explanations for the origin of this truncation but are unable to discriminate between them: tidal truncation following an earlier encounter of M87 with another mass concentration in the Virgo core, possibly around M84, early AGN feedback effects, and adiabatic contraction due to the cluster dark matt er collapsing onto M87. From the spatial and velocity distribution of the ICPNs we infer that M87 and M86 are falling towards each other and that we may be observing them just before the first close pass. The new PN data support t he view that the core of the Virgo cluster is not yet virialize d but is in an ongoing state of assembly, and that massive elliptical galaxies are important contributors to the ICL in the Virgo cluster.
Laser Profiling for the Back-Side Fault Attacks: With a Practical Laser Skip Instruction Attack on AES

Laser fault injection is one of the strongest fault injection techniques. It offers a precise area positioning and a precise timing, allowing a high repeatability of experiments. In our paper we examine possibilities of laser-induced faults that could lead to instruction skips. After the profiling phase we were able to perform an attack on the last AddRoundKey operation in AES and to retrieve the secret key with just one faulty and correct ciphertext pair. Our experiments show very high degree of repeatability and 100% success rate with correct laser settings.
Endogenous Driving Behavior in Veil of Darkness Tests for Racial Proﬁling

Several prominent applications of the Veil of Darkness (VOD) test, where solar variation is used to identify racial proﬁling in traffic stops, have found reverse discrimination in cities widely purported to disproportionately target minorities. We develop a theoretical model of traffic enforcement and demonstrate that the VOD test for racial proﬁling cannot distinguish between discrimination and reverse discrimination. In our model, this problem arises because motorists rationally alter their driving behavior when faced with discriminatory policing. For groups that face discrimination, our model implies that motorists who previously did not speed choose to speed in darkness, when demography cannot be observed, thus creating the possibility that the share of stopped minority motorists increases in darkness. We develop a follow-up test for identifying the direction of differential treatment by examining the speed distribution of motorists across daylight and darkness. Using data on traffic stops in Massachusetts made by State and Local Police, we reject the VOD test for equal treatment and demonstrate that driving speeds of stopped African-Americans are higher in darkness consistent with discrimination.