Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the relationship between firm resources and product innovation performance: A resource-based view

– This paper seeks an answer to the question about which of a firm's resources contributes most to product innovation performance (PIP). The paper aims to adopt the resource‐based view (RBV) and consider both tangible and intangible assets. , – A mail administrated survey was distributed to a randomly selected list of 700 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. The response rate was 20.1 percent and the usable response rate was 15.4 percent which is favorable for this type of research. As comparable to other SME studies and particularly in Malaysia, this relatively low‐response rate is not surprising for mail administrated questionnaire. , – The findings indicate that, in the Malaysian context, intangible resources are the main drivers of PIP. This is keeping with the expectations of the RBV. , – Establishing a cooperative relationship with the Small and Medium Size Industries Development Corporation of Malaysia plays a significant role in helping us to garner a larger than expected response rate among the SMEs. Alliances such as this may help researchers improve survey response rates among smaller manufacturers. , – This paper is unique in that it is the first paper to address the relationship between firm resources and PIP among Malaysian companies. While the paper is primarily descriptive in nature, it does provide some evidence that can be used in the development and testing of hypotheses concerning the relationship between PIP and firm's resources.
MEDYAN: Mechanochemical Simulations of Contraction and Polarity Alignment in Actomyosin Networks

Active matter systems, and in particular the cell cytoskeleton, exhibit complex mechanochemical dynamics that are still not well understood. While prior computational models of cytoskeletal dynamics have lead to many conceptual insights, an important niche still needs to be filled with a high-resolution structural modeling framework, which includes a minimally-complete set of cytoskeletal chemistries, stochastically treats reaction and diffusion processes in three spatial dimensions, accurately and efficiently describes mechanical deformations of the filamentous network under stresses generated by molecular motors, and deeply couples mechanics and chemistry at high spatial resolution. To address this need, we propose a novel reactive coarse-grained force field, as well as a publicly available software package, named the Mechanochemical Dynamics of Active Networks (MEDYAN), for simulating active network evolution and dynamics (available at www.medyan.org). This model can be used to study the non-linear, far from equilibrium processes in active matter systems, in particular, comprised of interacting semi-flexible polymers embedded in a solution with complex reaction-diffusion processes. In this work, we applied MEDYAN to investigate a contractile actomyosin network consisting of actin filaments, alpha-actinin cross-linking proteins, and non-muscle myosin IIA mini-filaments. We found that these systems undergo a switch-like transition in simulations from a random network to ordered, bundled structures when cross-linker concentration is increased above a threshold value, inducing contraction driven by myosin II mini-filaments. Our simulations also show how myosin II mini-filaments, in tandem with cross-linkers, can produce a range of actin filament polarity distributions and alignment, which is crucially dependent on the rate of actin filament turnover and the actin filament’s resulting super-diffusive behavior in the actomyosin-cross-linker system. We discuss the biological implications of these findings for the arc formation in lamellipodium-to-lamellum architectural remodeling. Lastly, our simulations produce force-dependent accumulation of myosin II, which is thought to be responsible for their mechanosensation ability, also spontaneously generating myosin II concentration gradients in the solution phase of the simulation volume.
Risk of breast cancer among Norwegian women with visual impairment

Experimental studies suggest that melatonin has a protective effect against breast cancer. Exposure to light suppresses melatonin secretion, but to a lesser degree in totally blind persons. Breast cancer was investigated in a cohort of 15 412 Norwegian visually impaired women. The risk among totally blind women was 0.64 (95% CI = 0.21–1.49, 5 cases only), and for those who became blind before age of 65, the SIR was 0.51 (95% CI = 0.11–1.49). Our findings give support to the ‘melatonin hypothesis’. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer. com
Evolution and functional diversity of the Calcium Binding Proteins (CaBPs)

The mammalian central nervous system (CNS) exhibits a remarkable ability to process, store, and transfer information. Key to these activities is the use of highly regulated and unique patterns of calcium signals encoded by calcium channels and decoded by families of specific calcium-sensing proteins. The largest family of eukaryotic calcium sensors is those related to the small EF-hand containing protein calmodulin (CaM). In order to maximize the usefulness of calcium as a signaling species and to permit the evolution and fine tuning of the mammalian CNS, families of related proteins have arisen that exhibit characteristic calcium binding properties and tissue-, cellular-, and sub-cellular distribution profiles. The Calcium Binding Proteins (CaBPs) represent one such family of vertebrate specific CaM like proteins that have emerged in recent years as important regulators of essential neuronal target proteins. Bioinformatic analyses indicate that the CaBPs consist of two subfamilies and that the ancestral members of these are CaBP1 and CaBP8. The CaBPs have distinct intracellular localizations based on different targeting mechanisms including a novel type-II transmembrane domain in CaBPs 7 and 8 (otherwise known as calneuron II and calneuron I, respectively). Recent work has led to the identification of new target interactions and possible functions for the CaBPs suggesting that they have multiple physiological roles with relevance for the normal functioning of the CNS.
SubVirt: implementing malware with virtual machines

Attackers and defenders of computer systems both strive to gain complete control over the system. To maximize their control, both attackers and defenders have migrated to low-level, operating system code. In this paper, we assume the perspective of the attacker, who is trying to run malicious software and avoid detection. By assuming this perspective, we hope to help defenders understand and defend against the threat posed by a new class of rootkits. We evaluate a new type of malicious software that gains qualitatively more control over a system. This new type of malware, which we call a virtual-machine based rootkit (VMBR), installs a virtual-machine monitor underneath an existing operating system and hoists the original operating system into a virtual machine. Virtual-machine based rootkits are hard to detect and remove because their state cannot be accessed by software running in the target system. Further, VMBRs support general-purpose malicious services by allowing such services to run in a separate operating system that is protected from the target system. We evaluate this new threat by implementing two proof-of-concept VMBRs. We use our proof-of-concept VMBRs to subvert Windows XP and Linux target systems, and we implement four example malicious services using the VMBR platform. Last, we use what we learn from our proof-of-concept VMBRs to explore ways to defend against this new threat. We discuss possible ways to detect and prevent VMBRs, and we implement a defense strategy suitable for protecting systems against this threat
Cholinergic ion secretion in human colon requires coactivation by cAMP.

Cl-secretion in the colon can be activated by an increase of either intracellular Ca2+ or cAMP. In this study we examined a possible interdependence of the two second-messenger pathways in human colonic epithelium. When measured in a modified Ussing chamber, carbachol (CCH; 100 μmol/l, basolateral), via an increase in cytosolic Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i), activated a transient lumen-negative equivalent short-circuit current ( I sc) [change (Δ) in I sc = -79.4 ± 7.5 μA/cm2]. Previous studies indicated that intracellular Ca2+ directly acts on basolateral K+ channels, thus enhancing driving force for luminal Cl- exit. Increased intracellular cAMP (by basolateral addition of 100 μmol/l IBMX and 1 μmol/l forskolin) activated a sustained lumen-negative current (Δ I sc = -42.4 ± 7.2 μA/cm2) that was inhibited by basolateral trans-6-cyano-4-( N-ethylsulfonyl- N-methylamino)-3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl&2-chromane (10 μmol/l), a blocker of KvLQT1 channels. In the presence of elevated cAMP, the CCH-activated currents were augmented (Δ I sc = 167.7 ± 32.7 μA/cm2), suggesting cooperativity of the Ca2+- and cAMP-mediated responses. Inhibition of endogenous cAMP production by indomethacin (10 μmol/l) significantly reduced CCH-activated currents and even reversed the polarity in 70% of the experiments. The transient lumen-positive I sc was probably due to activation of apical K+channels because it was blocked by luminal Ba2+ (5 mmol/l) and tetraethylammonium (10 mmol/l). In the presence of indomethacin (10 μmol/l, basolateral), an increase of cAMP activated a sustained negative I sc. Under these conditions, CCH induced a large further increase in lumen-negative I sc(Δ I sc = -100.0 ± 21.0 μA/cm2). We conclude that CCH acting via [Ca2+]ican induce Cl- secretion only in the presence of cAMP, i.e., when luminal Cl- channels are already activated. The activation of a luminal and basolateral K+ conductance by CCH may be essential for transepithelial KCl secretion in human colon.
The association of post‐stroke neurological improvement with risk of subsequent deterioration due to stroke events

We sought to simultaneously confirm that substantial recovery at day 1 and day 7 after acute ischaemic stroke onset is associated with subsequent neurological deterioration in patients of the Acute Stroke Therapy by Inhibition of Neutrophils randomized clinical trial. Substantial recovery was assessed by improvement in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS). Neurological deterioration was defined as any stroke event or NIHSS worsening from recovery assessment to day 90. After adjusting for age, t‐PA and day 1 NIHSS, there was a non‐significant tendency of substantial (pre‐specified as 75%) recovery at day 1 to be associated with later deterioration [odds ratio (OR) 2.47; 95% CI, 0.95–6.50]. The corresponding OR for substantial (pre‐defined as 65%) recovery at day 7 was 1.84 (0.85–3.96). Other thresholds for recovery were significantly associated with later deterioration: >50%, 80%, 90% and 100% for day 1 and >50%, 60%, 70%, 90% and 100% for day 7. The effect of recovery at day 1 was more important than that of later recovery. This study confirms the association between recovery and subsequent neurological deterioration and is the first to indicate the greater importance of acute recovery at day 1 in comparison with later recovery.
The Planck mission

These lecture from the 100th Les Houches summer school on "Post-planck cosmology" of July 2013 discuss some aspects of the Planck mission, whose prime objective was a very accurate measurement of the temperature anisotropies of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). We announced our findings a few months ago, on March 21$^{st}$, 2013. I describe some of the relevant steps we took to obtain these results, sketching the measurement process, how we processed the data to obtain full sky maps at 9 different frequencies, and how we extracted the CMB temperature anisotropies map and angular power spectrum. I conclude by describing some of the main cosmological implications of the statistical characteristics of the CMB we found. Of course, this is a very much shortened and somewhat biased view of the \Planck\ 2013 results, written with the hope that it may lead some of the students to consult the original papers.
The Dichloroacetate Dilemma: Environmental Hazard versus Therapeutic Goldmine—Both or Neither?

Background Dichloroacetate (DCA) is known to environmental scientists as a by-product of water chlorination and as a metabolite of industrial solvents, including Superfund chemicals. In contrast, DCA is studied by clinical investigators for its therapeutic potential in several life-threatening conditions, including genetic mitochondrial diseases, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and cancer. Thus, DCA holds an almost unique position at the interface between environmental science and allopathic medicine. Objective I critically reviewed laboratory and clinical pharmacological research on DCA to address questions about the current and future status of DCA in relation to human health. Discussion Recent information on the clinical toxicogenetics of DCA is interpreted particularly in light of its use as an investigational drug. Adverse effects from chronic DCA exposure have been identified in several target organs in animals. However, in humans, toxicity has so far been limited to reversible effects on the nervous system and liver. DCA is primarily biotransformed to glyoxylate by the bifunctional enzyme glutathione transferase zeta1 and maleylacetoacetate isomerase (GSTz1/MAAI), which also catalyzes the penultimate step in the phenylalanine and tyrosine catabolic pathway. DCA is a suicide inhibitor of GSTz1/MAAI, which can result in delayed plasma clearance of DCA and the accumulation of potentially toxic tyrosine intermediates. Age and GSTz1/MAAI haplotype can markedly affect the toxicokinetics of DCA in humans and rodents. Conclusions I have defined new potential avenues of research that focus on discrete human populations that may be at increased health risk or that may receive increased health benefit from chronic exposure to DCA at both environmentally and clinically relevant concentrations.
Carrier Diffusion and Recombination in Photonic Crystal Nanocavity Optical Switches

Carrier dynamics in silicon photonic crystal (PhC) nanocavities are studied numerically. The results agree well with previous experimental demonstrations. It is shown that the presence of carrier diffusion makes fast switching possible, which is an advantage of nanocavity switches over other types of larger carrier based nonlinear optical switches. In particular, diffusion is effective in PhC nanocavity switches, which makes the switching recovery time even faster than that of silicon waveguide-based optical switches. In addition, calculations suggest that the thermo-optic effect can be reduced if the carriers are extracted within a few 100 ps by introducing a p-i-n structure.
Surface and Subsurface Defects Detection in Impacted Composite Materials Made by Natural Fibers, Using Nondestructive Testing Methods

In the present study, infrared vision and optical nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques were applied for the evaluation of emerging defects after artificially impacting composite materials reinforced with natural fibers. The samples were manufactured using wool felts and jute fibers inserted in an epoxy matrix. Infrared vision was applied by means of pulsed thermography (PT) and square pulsed thermography (SPT), evaluating two different thermal stimulation procedures; while the algorithms referred to as principal component thermography (PCT) and pulsed phase thermography (PPT) were used in order to enhance the information retrieval from the respective thermographic inspections. For comparison purposes, near-infrared reflectography (NIRR) and transmittography (NIRT), as well as laser speckle imaging techniques were also included. Additionally, ultraviolet (UV) imaging technique was used on the laminates both as complementary approach and as reference for future inspections. Two particular zones highlighted by the latter technique were characterized using an XRF spectrophotometer revealing a reverse concentration of the Al, Si and Cl elements. The results produced from the above comparative study confirmed the synergy of the applied techniques and further indicated that the methodology followed in the present research work can be considered as an innovative approach for the characterization of eco-friendly laminates after an impact loading.
A Framework for Designing MIMO Systems with Decision Feedback Equalization or Tomlinson-Harashima Precoding

We consider joint transceiver design for general multiple-input multiple-output communication systems that implement interference (pre-)subtraction, such as those based on decision feedback equalization (DFE) or Tomlinson-Harashima precoding (THP). We develop a unified framework for joint transceiver design by considering design criteria that are expressed as functions of the mean square error (MSE) of the individual data streams. By deriving two inequalities that involve the logarithms of the individual MSEs, we obtain optimal designs for two classes of communication objectives, namely those that are Schur-convex and Schur-concave functions of these logarithms. For Schur-convex objectives, the optimal design results in data streams with equal MSEs. This design simultaneously minimizes the total MSE and maximizes the mutual information for the DFE-based model. For Schur-concave objectives, the optimal DFE design results in linear equalization and the optimal THP design results in linear preceding. The proposed framework embraces a wide range of design objectives and can be regarded as a counterpart of the existing framework of linear transceiver design.
Syk and Src Family Kinases Regulate C-type Lectin Receptor 2 (CLEC-2)-mediated Clustering of Podoplanin and Platelet Adhesion to Lymphatic Endothelial Cells*

Background: The interaction of platelet CLEC-2 with Podoplanin is critical for development of the lymphatics. Results: CLEC-2 forms a central cluster upon engagement with Podoplanin, which clusters Podoplanin. Clustering is dependent on Syk and is critical for adhesion. Conclusion: Clustering regulates the interaction of platelets with lymphatic endothelial cells. Significance: These findings account for the similar lymphatic phenotype of CLEC-2- and Syk-deficient mice. The interaction of C-type lectin receptor 2 (CLEC-2) on platelets with Podoplanin on lymphatic endothelial cells initiates platelet signaling events that are necessary for prevention of blood-lymph mixing during development. In the present study, we show that CLEC-2 signaling via Src family and Syk tyrosine kinases promotes platelet adhesion to primary mouse lymphatic endothelial cells at low shear. Using supported lipid bilayers containing mobile Podoplanin, we further show that activation of Src and Syk in platelets promotes clustering of CLEC-2 and Podoplanin. Clusters of CLEC-2-bound Podoplanin migrate rapidly to the center of the platelet to form a single structure. Fluorescence lifetime imaging demonstrates that molecules within these clusters are within 10 nm of one another and that the clusters are disrupted by inhibition of Src and Syk family kinases. CLEC-2 clusters are also seen in platelets adhered to immobilized Podoplanin using direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy. These findings provide mechanistic insight by which CLEC-2 signaling promotes adhesion to Podoplanin and regulation of Podoplanin signaling, thereby contributing to lymphatic vasculature development.
Correspondence of Escape-Turning Behavior with Activity of Descending Mechanosensory Interneurons in the Cockroach,Periplaneta americana

Two bilaterally paired mechanosensory neurons that respond to antennal touch stimulation recently have been described in the cockroach Periplaneta americana. Here chronic recordings were used to describe the activity of these interneurons in relation to behavior. Parallel intra/extracellular recording experiments showed that both pairs of previously identified descending mechanosensory interneurons (DMIs) were activated after touch stimulation of the antennae and before initiation of escape. On a trial-by-trial basis, the bilateral pattern of their activity was correlated with sensory input and behavior: when one antenna was touched, the contralateral DMI axons displayed impulses earlier and in greater numbers than their ipsilateral homologs; turns were made toward the side with greater DMI activity, i.e., away from the touched antenna. One parameter of DMI activity (the bilateral difference in number of DMI impulses) was correlated with the angular amplitude of turning. In the absence of touch stimulation, unilateral electrical stimulation of a cervical connective via the chronic electrodes produced turning movements similar to natural escape turning and of appropriate directionality. These results support the hypothesis that neural activity in DMIs is involved in the control of antennal touch-evoked escape, and they provide a basis for a model of DMI specification of the direction of escape turning.
Human-Robot Teams for Large-Scale Assembly

Construction and assembly are complex and arduous tasks, especially when performed in hazardous environments such as in orbit, on the Moon, or on Mars. Effective assembly of structures in such environments, where human labor is expensive and scarce, can be facilitated by the use of heterogeneous robotic teams. Over the past five years, we have developed the architectural framework and tools to coordinate robotic assembly teams, as well as to incorporate the unique skills of remote human operators using an approach that allows authority to “slide” between autonomy and human control at a fine degree of granularity. We have used this approach in several assembly scenarios, and have quantified the gains in reliability and efficiency over both purely autonomous and purely teleoperation approaches.
Macrophage-Induced Neutrophil Apoptosis1

Macrophages (Mφ) contribute to the resolution of early inflammation by recognizing and ingesting apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). In addition, experiments reported here demonstrated that Mφ can actively induce PMN apoptosis. Coculture of cells from 2- or 5-day-old wounds in rats, or of Mφ purified from such preparations, with PMN-rich wound cell populations obtained 1 day after wounding increased PMN apoptosis by >3-fold. Neither resident- nor Proprionibacterium acnes-elicited peritoneal Mφ-induced PMN apoptosis. Apoptosis was not mediated by a soluble factor and required E:T contact. Fixed wound-Mφ and membrane isolates from viable Mφ were as effective as intact cells in inducing PMN apoptosis. Mφ-induced apoptosis was inhibited by peptide Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser, anti-β3 (CD61) Ab, CD36 peptide, or anti-TNF-α Ab. Soluble TNF-α did not induce PMN apoptosis. In additional studies, K562 cells (negative for β3, TNF-α, and Fas ligand) transfected to express either αvβ3 integrin, an uncleavable membrane form of TNF-α, or both were used in cocultures with wound PMN. Only the double transfectants were able to induce PMN apoptosis, an effect inhibited by anti-β3 (CD61) or anti-TNF-α Abs. These results demonstrate that wound Mφ induce PMN apoptosis through a constitutive effector mechanism requiring both intercellular binding through integrin-ligand interactions and membrane-bound TNF-α.