Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new FSS design proposal for UWB applications

This work presents a new proposal for Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) design for Ultra-Wideband (UWB) applications. The new FSSs consist of an array composed by the association of two patch elements per cell: a square loop and a crossed dipole. These structures are called Crossed Loops and have the objective of increasing the bandwidth of the square loop and the crossed dipole, when analyzed separately. Simulated results of the transmission coefficients are obtained using the Ansoft Designer¿ commercial software. Some of the FSSs tested were fabricated in order to make an experimental analysis with the measured results and to validate the new proposal. In particular, the presented results for the transmission coefficient of a built FSS prototype indicate a percent bandwidth 52.4%.
Outside Directors and R&D Investment: An Experience after the Corporate Governance Reform in Korea

This paper explores how the structure and composition of the board of directors influence crucial decisions made in the firm, especially in the early years after a massive corporate governance reform towards an Anglo-Saxon system. With a sample of large Korean firms in 2000-2003, this study examines the impact of board independence and demographic diversity on R&D investment. After controlling relevant variables, the ratio of outside directors as well as the diversity in educational and functional backgrounds among outside directors was positively related to R&D intensity. This study also considers the effects of ownership structure to find that board independence was more strongly, positively related to R&D investment when institutional ownership is higher rather than low. Implications and future research direction are discussed.
EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF INDIAN BANKS

After independence, the major development in the Indian banking sector was nationalisation of commercial banks. In the post nationalisation period there was a rapid expansion of banks in terms of coverage and also in terms of deposit mobilisation. It was also ensured that credit flows to certain important sectors of the economy. Government also used banking sector as an instrument to finance its own deficit. This was done by high Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) (Sen and Vaidya, 1997). Along with high CRR and SLR, the operational freedom of the banks was curtailed with high priority sector lending norms (as high as 40% of the total lending in 1989-90). The Non Performing Assets (NPA), increased, from 14% in 1969 to 35.4% in 1990. To keep the borrowing cost of the Government low, the interest rate on bank loan was fixed at lower than market rates. This affected profitability and the efficiency of banks. Further due to the dominance of the public sector banks there was no competition. Also, due to the expansionary policy pursued by RBI, the number of loss making bank branches increased, especially in rural areas, which whittled away resources of the banking industry.
Clusters: a bridge across the disciplines of environment, materials science, and biology.

The formation of finite particles and dust grains in interstellar media, heterogeneous reactions occuring in the stratosphere, and unidentified infrared bands in interstellar gas clouds have been suggested to have a cluster origin. In the following, we provide examples where clusters have played a role in describing and accounting for phenomena in atmospheric science. ### Aerosols and Fine Particles. Fine particles are ubiquitous throughout the universe; they are present in interstellar media (e.g., in dense clouds where ion clustering reactions have been invoked in mechanisms responsible for the formation of molecules); they are ultimately responsible for the rings around Saturn; and, in some theories of planetary evolution, they are used to explain the origin of planets themselves. The fascinating issue of interstellar dust, which could serve as a supply of biotic raw material on earth, is also relevant for astrobiology. In high altitudes of our own planet, there are layers of meteoritic ablation where dust layers are known and noctilucent clouds form, possibly enhanced by ion-induced nucleation processes. For more “down-to-earth” reasons, fine particles are of interest to environmental scientists who must contend with them in ways more germane to our everyday life in terms of visibility and health (1–6). Clustering and related nucleation phenomena are, in part, responsible for their formation (7–13). For many years, the community of atmospheric scientists was divided into two groups: those dealing with problems of visibility effects, clouds, and condensation processes and those interested in chemical transformations. Many atmospheric chemists considered heterogeneous processes to be of secondary importance and of third-order interest; they usually attempted to account for most observed phenomena considering only gas-phase reactions. However, one need only realize that gas-phase acid molecules … †To whom correspondence may be addressed. E-mail: pjena{at}vcu.edu or awc{at}psu.edu
Examining the brand name – mark relationship in emerging markets

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to investigate whether the brand name–mark sound symbolism relationship extends beyond US marketplaces to emerging markets. Sound symbolism research indicates that consistent brand name meaning can be conveyed across international marketplaces. Yet, prior work has not investigated whether visual branding elements provide consistent meaning across such contexts. Design/methodology/approach – To contrast effects across international contexts, we replicate both studies of Klink (2003) with bilingual subjects in Mumbai, India. Study 1 examined whether the sound symbolic relationship between brand name and brand mark holds in this emerging market. Study 2 investigated whether both the brand name and brand mark together can enhance brand meaning in this context. Findings – Study 1 finds support for the relationship between higher-frequency brand names and brand marks that are angular and smaller in size, with limited support regarding color. Study 2 finds a significant .
Multidisciplinary ALS clinics in the USA: A comparison of those who attend and those who do not

Abstract Optimization of quality of life (QoL) is perceived by many as the primary goal for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often via multidisciplinary clinics (MDCs). The aim of this study was to examine the differences in QoL, physical function, and social problem-solving skills for individuals with ALS attending MDCs compared to non-attenders. An online survey was completed by 295 people with ALS in the United States. Results showed there were no differences between the groups in global QoL, measures of physical function, or social problem-solving skills. Attenders and non-attenders of MDCs reported similar use of treatments for their ALS, although attenders received more health care services from nurses, therapists, social workers, dieticians, and in-home care providers. In conclusion, oher instruments may be needed to assess the benefits of MDCs. Qualitative studies of attenders and non-attenders of MDCs may reveal important differences that could guide care.
Who's Afraid of Universal Banks? Bank Affiliations and Corporate Dividend Policy in Pre-World War I Belgium

We investigate the impact of universal banks on the dividend policy of affiliated companies, in an environment characterized by poor investor protection, booming stock markets and strong banks. Our results, based on a unique, hand-collected sample of 428 listed companies in pre-World War I Belgium, are consistent with the hypothesis that companies with a bank director on their board paid high and stable dividend to establish a good reputation with investors. However, we also find that companies with several bank directors and companies in which the bank had an equity stake paid lower dividends.
Risk factors for thrombophilia in extrahepatic portal vein obstruction

Scant information exists on the role of thrombophilia in extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO). We studied 65 patients with EHPVO, 500 with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs, and 700 healthy controls referred for thrombophilia screening, including the search for gain‐of‐function mutations in genes encoding coagulation factor V (factor V Leiden) and prothrombin (prothrombin G20210A); antithrombin, protein C, and protein S deficiency; and hyperhomocysteinemia. At least one abnormality in the thrombophilia screening was found in 40% of patients with either EHPVO or lower limb DVT and in 13% of controls, for odds ratios of 4.0 (95% CI, 2.3–7.0) and 4.4 (95% CI, 3.3–5.9), respectively. Statistically significant associations with EHPVO were observed for the prothrombin G20210A mutation (odds ratio, 8.1; 95% CI, 3.8–17.5) and the deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C, or protein S taken together (odds ratio, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.1–18.0). The odds ratio for the prothrombin G20210A was approximately twice that for lower limb DVT. Patients with factor V Leiden had an odds ratio for EHPVO of 0.8 (95% CI, 0.1–6.4) and for lower limb DVT of 7.5 (95% CI, 4.4–13.0). The odds ratio for EHPVO in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia was 2.0 (95% CI, 0.9–4.9). At variance with lower limb DVT, oral contraceptive use was not associated with an increased risk of EHPVO. Myeloproliferative disorders were diagnosed in 35% of patients with EHPVO. In conclusion, the risk for EHPVO is increased in the presence of thrombophilia resulting from the prothrombin G20210A mutation and from the deficiencies of the naturally occurring anticoagulant proteins, but not from factor V Leiden. (HEPATOLOGY 2005;41:603–608.)
Treehoppers Transfer Parental Care to Ants: A New Benefit of Mutualism

Female treehoppers (Publilia reticulata Van Duzee) modify their parental care behavior in the presence of ants. Females with untended young remain with their original brood, but females from ant-tended colonies readily desert their first brood and produce additional clutches. Care by female treehoppers, in the absence of ants, increases the probability that a colony will produce some survivors, but ant attendance greatly increases the number of surviving nymphs.
Toward reconciling the influence of atmospheric aerosols and greenhouse gases on light precipitation changes in Eastern China

The attribution of the observed shift in precipitation extremes to different forcing agents represents a critical issue for understanding changes in the hydrological cycle. To compare the effects of aerosols and greenhouse gases on the historical trends of precipitation intensity, we have performed the National Center for Atmospheric Research/Department of Energy Community Atmosphere Model version 5.3 (CAM5) model simulations from 1950 to 2005 driven by observed sea surface temperature and sea ice with and without anthropogenic aerosol forcings. Precipitation rates at every model time step in CAM5 are used to construct precipitation intensity probability distribution functions. We found that the accumulation of greenhouse gases is responsible for the shifts in precipitation intensity on the global scale. However, in Eastern China, dramatic increases in anthropogenic aerosols appear to account for most of the observed light precipitation suppression since 1950s. Under the warming climate induced by greenhouse gases, the enhanced ascending motions primarily lead to the decreases in light precipitation frequency and increases in moderate and heavy precipitation frequencies over the tropics, but there is no significant change in ascending motions in Eastern China only due to the greenhouse gas forcing. By modifying cloud microphysical properties and warm rain processes, aerosol microphysical effects dominate over aerosol radiative effects in determining the historical trend of precipitation intensity distribution in Eastern China.
Issues in GENETIC TESTING of CHILDREN

Commentary about the ethical issues involved in the genetic testing in children (GTIC) has centered around beliefs that early testing of children when no medical benefits are anticipated should be discouraged. This article discusses the types of GTIC and the contexts of possible testing scenarios, and provides a review of the current research into the effects of such testing on children and their families. As data cannot support either substantive benefits or harms accrued after GTIC, it is recommended that the traditional ethical analysis based on principled theory be augmented by theories that reflect a family-centered ethic.
Polymorphism in the Interleukin‐7 Receptor‐alpha and Outcome after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation with Matched Unrelated Donor

Interleukin‐7 (IL‐7) is essential for T cell development in the thymus and maintenance of peripheral T cells. The α‐chain of the IL‐7R is polymorphic with the existence of SNPs that give rise to non‐synonymous amino acid substitutions. We previously found an association between donor genotypes and increased treatment‐related mortality (TRM) (rs1494555G) and acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) (rs1494555G and rs1494558T) after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Some studies have confirmed an association between rs6897932C and multiple sclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of IL‐7Rα SNP genotypes in 590‐recipient/donor pairs that received HLA‐matched unrelated donor HCT for haematological malignancies. Consistent with the primary studies, the rs1494555GG and rs1494558TT genotypes of the donor were associated with aGvHD and chronic GvHD in the univariate analysis. The Tallele of rs6897932 was suggestive of an association with increased frequency of relapse by univariate analysis (P = 0.017) and multivariate analysis (P = 0.015). In conclusion, this study provides further evidence of a role of the IL‐7 pathway and IL‐7Rα SNPs in HCT.
Residual concentrations of the flukicidal compound triclabendazole in dairy cows’ milk and cheese

Triclabendazole (TCBZ) is a flukicidal halogenated benzimidazole compound extensively used in veterinary medicine. Liver fluke control in lactating dairy cattle is difficult because treatment should be implemented only during the dry period to avoid milk residues. However, control in endemic areas is usually implemented as regular treatments three to four times a year, even during the lactating period. Thus, information on TCBZ milk excretion and the risk of the presence of drug residues in fluid milk and milk-derivate products is essential. The experimental aims were to evaluate the comparative disposition kinetics of TCBZ and its sulpho-metabolites in plasma and milk in lactating dairy cattle after the oral administration (12 mg kg−1) of TCBZ and to assess the pattern of residues in cheese made with milk from treated dairy cows. Both TCBZ sulphoxide and sulphone metabolites but not TCBZ were detected in milk (up to 36 and 144 h, respectively) and plasma (up to 144 h) after oral administration of TCBZ. Residual concentrations of TCBZ sulpho-metabolites were found in cheese made with milk from treated animals. The total average residual concentration in fresh cheese was 13.0-fold higher than that obtained in milk used for its elaboration. The high concentrations of TCBZ sulpho-metabolites recovered in fresh cheese should be seriously considered before milk from treated cows is used for making dairy products.
Incremental semi-supervised clustering in a data stream with a flock of agents

Today, in many clustering applications we deal with a large amount of data that are delivered in form of data streams. To be able to face the problem of analyzing the data as soon as they are produced, we need to build models that can be incrementally updated. This paper presents an adaptation of a bio-inspired algorithm that dynamically creates and visualizes groups of data, to data stream clustering. We introduce a merge operator that can summarize a group of data and a split operator that uses information of a very small set of supervised data and permits to adapt the clustering to a change in the data stream.
Predictors of depression outcomes among abstinent methamphetamine-dependent individuals exposed to an exercise intervention.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES This paper expands on a study investigating depression outcomes in response to an 8-week exercise intervention among methamphetamine (MA) dependent individuals in early recovery. METHODS A total of 135 MA-dependent individuals enrolled in residential treatment were randomly assigned to either a structured exercise intervention or a structured health education control group. Both groups were similar in format: 60-minute sessions, offered three times a week over an 8-week study period. RESULTS Results showed that at the 8-week trial endpoint, participants randomized to the exercise intervention showed significantly greater reduction in depression symptom scores than participants randomized to the health education group, and that participants who attended the greatest number of exercise sessions derived the greatest benefit. This paper further analyzes study data to uncover individual predictors of depression response to exercise and finds that among participants randomized to exercise treatment, individuals with the most severe medical, psychiatric, and addiction disease burden at baseline showed the most significant improvement in depressive symptoms by study endpoint. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that exercise in moderate dose is effective at treating depressive symptoms in individuals in early recovery from addiction, and furthermore, that treatment with exercise appears to be particularly beneficial to individuals who suffer from severe medical, psychiatric, and addictive disorders.
Multi-brand loyalty: when one brand is not enough

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to provide a deeper, constructivist account of multi-brand loyalty. Previous literature has acknowledged the existence of multi-brand loyalty, but described it from a narrow, rational and primarily utilitarian point of view. Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on open-ended, depth interviews. Data were labeled, coded and classified into different topics, and thematic analysis was used to identify three dominant themes. Findings – Multi-brand loyalty emerged in three forms: biased, specialized and perfect substitutes. These relationships may undergo dynamic transformations over time. Further, family tradition and perceived freedom were identified as two important motivations for consumers to be loyal to more than one brand. The managerial implications address suggestions on how companies can avoid that consumers become loyal to several brands instead of maintaining single-brand loyalty. Originality/value – The study is the first to address multi-brand .
Brazilian parents’ perceptions of children's influence on family food purchases

Purpose – Qualitatively ascertain perceptions of parents regarding their children's influence on family food purchases. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis of the transcripts of 31 semi-structured interviews conducted with parents of students from public and private institutions in Brazil. The public school provided meals supplied by the National School Feeding Program, and discouraged the consumption of foods brought from home. The private school did not receive any governmental subsidies for school feeding, and students were responsible for bringing their own school snacks. Findings – Parents perceived children's influence especially of energy-dense nutrient-poor food purchases. Parents from the public school students, with lower income and educational levels, showed greater concern with quality and frequency with which requested foods were made available to the child. Only the parents from the private school students mentioned perceiving peer influence.
Chromosomal study of native and hatchery trouts from Italy (Salmo trutta complex, Salmonidae): conventional and FISH analysis

A cytogenetic analysis was carried out using conventional staining, banding techniques and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in Italian populations of brown trout (Salmo truttacomplex). All individuals analysed, belonging to the Atlantic (At), Marmoratus (Ma), Adriatic (Ad) and Mediterranean (Me) lineages, showed remarkable karyotype uniformity, with diploid complement of 2n = 80 chromosomes, arm number (NF) of 102 and invariable karyotype composition. Such uniformity was also observed with respect to the location of 5S rDNA and the active, i.e. silver-positive NOR sites. On the contrary, FISH with 28S ribosomal probe and fluorescent staining with CMA3 revealed that inactive NOR sites are more numerous in Ad and Me than in At and Ma lineages. A centromeric sequence was successfully isolated from Salmo trutta individuals by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based cloning, using primers designed from published Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) satellite DNA sequences. This sequence had high AT content (65.3%) and short consensus motif (A/T)(G/C)AAA(T/C) similar to other centromeric satellite repeats. The isolated satellite DNA clones were localized with FISH in the centromeric regions of the brown trout chromosomes, showing lineage-specific patterns. Because it is well known that AT-rich sequences can induce a pronounced DNA curvature, which in turn would promote faster and higher chromatin spiralization, it may be hypothesised that the wide distribution of this satellite in the S. trutta genome may have played a role in its karyotype stability. The presence of this sequence in other salmonid species was also tested by Southern blot hybridization and used to analyze its evolution within salmonids.
Growth strategies for service firms

Two characteristics of services—intangibility of the offering and simultaneity of production and consumption—have important implications for strategic planning. Four of these implications are described. Life cycle, experience, and market share, which are the usual determinants of profitability that provide guides for strategic planning are not easily applied to the service firm. Therefore growth strategies need to be revised. In its second part the paper suggests alternative growth strategy paths for service firms. It brings forward three main remarks. First, the service firm should not overuse its delivery system and its image by attempting to serve the needs of too many sociodemographic segments. Second, service development and concentric diversification are not sequential choices; the latter is not so distant from the former as may be commonly perceived. Third, expansion to out‐of‐country markets represents a risk discontinuity; it should be approached by service firms with considerable flexibility and willingness to interact with different cultures.