Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High precision open-loop and closed-loop MEMS accelerometers with wide sensing range

This paper presents two high performance wide sensing range MEMS accelerometers, built using different techniques. The paper comprises two sections. In the first section, open-loop accelerometers with up to 40 g sensing range and 18 bit dynamic range are presented. In addition to a discussion on design, statistically based test results are demonstrated. In the second section, a closed-loop sigma-delta accelerometer with 30 g sensing range and 21 bit dynamic range is presented, including a short design review and test results from the most recently fabricated batches. Our open-loop accelerometers have demonstrated tactical grade performance featuring 0.5 ppm of full range/√Hz noise, 100 ppm bias stability, and 0.5 % of full range nonlinearity. Our closed-loop accelerometer, designed to compete with traditional macro electro-mechanical quartz accelerometers, features <;10 μg bias instability, 0.1% typical nonlinearity over full 30 g sensing range, and less than 100 μg/grms2 Vibration Rectification Error (VRE) up to a 2 kHz frequency range. Both open-loop and closed-loop sensors represent a fully integrated system comprising a uniquely designed MEMS device enclosed in a specially built LCC package with a proprietary ASIC.
Performance Contracting As a Strategy for Enhanced Employee Commitment: A Case of the Vocational Training Centre Sikri, Kenya

Literature on the relationship between performance contracting and employee commitment in tertiary special needs institutions in Kenya is dearth. In addition to this, majority of these past researchers who have attempted to investigate these variables have concentrated on performance contracting implementations in state corporations with few studies done on its effectiveness on service delivery in tertiary institutions. This study therefore sought to investigate the link between performance contracting and employee commitment using cross sectional survey research design. Data was mainly collected from primary and secondary sources and was analyzed via SPSS after cleaning and coding. The study found employee commitment to positively affect performance contracting. The study also found a positive relationship between employee commitment, performance contracting (r=0.159), employee productivity (r=0.147) and performance contracting to positively and significantly (p=.000) employee commitment. The study recommends that the instituteâ€™s board of governors should develop and put to use an effective performance management policy document that will synchronize performance based system with employee commitments for the overall organizational development.
Trading Partners, Traded Products, and Firm Performance: Evidence from China’s Exporter-Importers

In this study we explore a newly available unique dataset that links China’s international trade transactions to a comprehensive firm-level data in China’s manufacturing sector, and establish a number of interesting stylized facts linking firms’ key economic performance to their exporting-importing behavior. One novelty of our analysis is we distinguish between ordinary trade and processing trade; the latter involves importing inputs and materials to be assembled and re-exported to the overseas market. Several novel patterns emerge. First, we discover significant heterogeneity within two-way traders – in terms of size, productivity and factor intensity – depending on their engagement in processing exports/imports. Whilst the existing literature typically finds that two-way traders are larger and more productive than one-way traders, we show that pure processing two-way traders are actually the least productive and exhibit the lowest capita/skill intensity compared to one way traders. By contrast, firms conducting both ordinary and processing trade are the largest, most productive and capital intensive among all trading firms. Second, consistent with the market hierarchy hypothesis, larger and more productive firms trade with a larger number of trade partners with tougher market conditions characterized by longer distances and smaller market size. Remarkably, this pattern is highly symmetric between exports and imports, as well as ordinary and processing trade. Third, firms with greater capital and skill intensities source their inputs from countries with higher income per capita, and this pattern holds only for ordinary imports but not processing imports. Fourth, larger firms trade a larger number of products with greater average product complexity as proxied by Nunn’s contract intensity measure. Fifth, controlling firm size, more productive and capital intensive firms export less complex products but import more complex ordinary inputs. Whilst some of the above findings confirm existing stylized facts reported for other countries, some patterns we discover are new to the literature and remain to be reconciled with the heterogeneous firm trade theory.
DCE-MRI in assessment of tumor hypoxia, radiation response, and metastatic potential

Hypoxia in tumors has been found to decrease the effectiveness of cancer treatment; in particular, it can diminish the effect of radiation therapy. Furthermore, hypoxia has been associated with malignant progression and metastatic disease. Patients with hypoxic tumors may thus benefit from a more aggressive treatment. A noninvasive diagnostic method for detecting these tumors is therefore urgently needed. In this thesis, the potential usefulness of dynamic Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI for assessing tumor hypoxia, radiation response, and metastatic potential has been evaluated preclinically. The DCE-MRI series were analyzed by using one of the most widely known pharmacokinetic models, the generalized kinetic model of Tofts. Human melanoma xenografts and cervical carcinoma xenografts were used as tumor models in the study. The DCE-MRI-derived parameters K and ve were shown to be able to distinguish between tumors with and without hypoxia, as well as to give information about the extent of tumor hypoxia. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that K is able to predict radiation response. Finally, both K and ve showed the ability to predict metastatic potential. In conclusion, this preclinical study demonstrates the potential of the DCE-MRI-derived parameters K and ve as predictive markers, warranting further clinical studies.
Extinction of conditioned blink responses by cerebello-olivary pathway stimulation

Learning of classically conditioned eyeblink responses depends on mechanisms within the cerebellum. It has been suggested that climbing fibres from the inferior olive transmit the unconditioned stimulus signal to the cerebellum. We have previously shown that the pathway from the deep cerebellar nuclei to the inferior olive inhibits olivary activity. It is known that repeated presentation of the conditioned stimulus on its own leads to extinction of the conditioned response. If the unconditioned stimulus signal is transmitted to the cerebellum via the inferior olive – climbing fibre system then stimulation of the nucleo-olivary pathway just before the unconditioned stimulus in a trained animal should lead to extinction. The results from this investigation confirm this.
CAREER MANAGEMENT IN HOSPITALITY: THE CASE OF FOUR AND FIVE STAR HOTELS IN ISTANBUL

In order to provide survive in increasing competitive environment, managing human resources effectively is one of the most important factors for organizational success. The fact that human is the most important factor affecting organizational productivity, increases the importance of career management, career commitment and career satisfaction. In the meantime, defining the relationship between these concepts will also help design more effective organizational policies. The scarcity of both national and international studies that explain the relationship between career management, career commitment and career satisfaction in hospitality industry, is one of the main reasons for this research. Therefore main objective of the study is to investigate the link between career management, career satisfaction and career commitment via a survey applied to 4- and 5-star hotels located in Istanbul-Taksim district. In the study, quantitative methods were used in data collection and analysis. Data were collected from four and five stars hotels in Istanbul-Taksim. 70 questionnaires were administered during November, 2014. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software. Firstly, descriptive statistics on different attributes are supplied and then Pearson correlation was utilized to measure the relationship between career management, career satisfaction and career commitment. The results indicate that there is significant positive relationship between career managements, career commitment and career satisfaction. The article concludes with implications for theory development and suggestions for human resources management in the hospitality and tourism domain
Identification of predictive marker of prerenal damage in pregnant women with Preeclampsia and women at high risk- A Prospective study conducted in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Background: Preeclampsia is characterized by development of high blood pressure and proteinuria. It affects 5–8% of all pregnancies and is a major contributor to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. There is no single test that fulfils all the criteria for a good predictor of preeclampsia and associated renal damage. Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the role of serum and urine biochemical parameters as early predictors of preeclampsia. To investigate the role of BUN: Creatinine ratio in diagnosing preeclampsia and evaluating prognosis of the disease. Material and Methods: In the present prospective study, one hundred and twenty pregnant women divided into three groups: normotensive (control), women at high risk and with preeclampsia were included. Analyses of different biochemical parameters including BUN: Creatinine were carried out. Results: There was significant difference in the mean value of serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, urinary protein and BUN: Creatinine ratio in preeclampsia group compared to control group (p < 0.001). There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in serum uric acid between control and preeclampsia group. However, there was no significant change in haematocrit, serum creatinine and urine protein between control and high risk group. Conclusion: BUN: Creatinine ratio in pregnant women with preeclampsia and also in high risk group was significantly increased (t = 15.55, p < 0.001 and t = 8.66, p < 0.001 respectively) in comparison to the control group. This index could be useful in evaluating the severity of preeclampsia and could be used as a predictor in prognosis of preeclampsia and subsequent early renal disease.
An Improved Formula for the Transfer Impedance of Two-Layer Braided Cable Shields

In this letter, we propose a formula for evaluating the transfer impedance of two-layer braided cable shields. The proposed formula results from the combination of the model proposed by Vance for the evaluation of the equivalent transfer impedance of a two-layer braided shield and the improved Kley model for the transfer impedance of single-layer braided shields.
Are There New Significant Advances on Nurse-Driven Sedation Protocols?

498 www.pccmjournal. org May 2017 • Volume 18 • Number 5 The authors reply: We are grateful to Colleti Junior et al (1) for their interest on our recently published article in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine (2), and we would like to provide some further comments in this regard. No mechanical ventilation (MV) weaning protocol is applied in our unit, as there is limited evidence that implementation of such a protocol would reduce the duration of the MV (3). In our study, the decision to extubate was at the discretion of the attending physician, albeit only if the following criteria were met: hemodynamic stability, a normal state of consciousness, spontaneous breathing, low pressure support, and Fio 2 (i.e., lower than 40%), with manageable secretions. However, we agree with Drs. Colleti Jr and Brunow de Carvalho (1) that although nurses are involved in the sedation, they are not engaged in the weaning process, and that they cannot identify readiness for extubation. A child becoming restless and distressed will tend to make the nurses less likely to comply with the protocol. There is hence merit in improving the education of healthcare teams, particularly in terms of the adverse effects of oversedation and the importance of adequate sedation. Are There New Significant Advances on Nurse-Driven Sedation Protocols?
WLC31-2: Capacity of MIMO Rician Fading Channels with Transmitter and Receiver Channel State Information

This paper investigates the capacity of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless systems when instantaneous channel state information (CSI) is available at both the transmitter and the receiver in a line-of-sight Rician fading environment. Specifically, an infinite series representation for the ergodic capacity of uncorrelated Rician fading MIMO channels is derived, assuming both transmitter and receiver CSI and a specular component of arbitrary rank. The ergodic capacity and its associated outage probability are expressed in terms of a cutoff level capturing the optimal eigen-mode power and rate adaptation. Moreover, an equation from which the cutoff value can be solved for numerically is derived for arbitrary numbers of transmit and receive antennas.
Factors critical for the success of public‒private partnerships in UAE infrastructure projects: experts' perception

During the last decade, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been the biggest market for public–private partnerships (PPPs) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Currently, PPPs are increasingly being used in the rapid development of UAE infrastructure projects. Despite this fact, little is known about the success factors for adopting such an approach for the infrastructure projects in the UAE. Twenty-one in-depth interviews were held with PPP experts and key personnel who have experience in the development life cycle of PPP infrastructure projects in the UAE in order to investigate their perception of the key success factors of PPP in UAE infrastructure projects and examine the relative importance of these factors. The results show that the five most important critical success factors (CSFs) for all respondents were: availability and effectiveness of proper regulatory and legal framework for PPPs; proper risk allocation and sharing among project stakeholders; clear project brief and client outcomes; comprehensive and business viability of project feasibility study; and finally, proper project value management systems during different project phases. These findings should be taken into consideration by public and private partners when developing new PPP projects in the UAE in order to increase the success rates of these projects.
Ultrasound-Guided Laser Thermal Ablation for Parathyroid Adenomas: Analysis of Three Cases with a Three-Year Follow-Up

Background: In patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) the therapeutical choice is surgery. In patients with high surgical and anesthetic risks, ultrasound-guided laser ablation (LTA) of parathyroid adenoma has been reported to reduce parathyroid hormone (PTH) hypersecretion without relevant side effects. No data are available from patients followed for >6 months. We report our 3-year follow-up experience with LTA in 3 patients affected by pHPT due to a parathyroid tumor. Methods: LTA was performed under color-Doppler ultrasound guidance with a continuous pulse at 2 W (total treatment duration: 300 s in each session; total energy: 1,200 J in two sessions). Results: In the first patient who refused to undergo the second LTA session, calcium, PTH levels and parathyroid lesion volume showed a slight reduction, returning to baseline values in a month. In the second patient, no modification of parathyroid lesion was obtained even if calcium levels temporarily normalized. In the third patient, LTA led to normalization of calcium and PTH levels and to a 99% reduction of parathyroid volume. Conclusion: After LTA procedures the long-term disease remission of pHPT is achievable in a minority of patients. Data from larger samples are needed to verify the usefulness of this procedure.
Independent vasomotor control of rat tail and proximal hairy skin

Quantitative differences are known to exist between the vasomotor control of hairy and hairless skin, but it is unknown whether they are regulated by common central mechanisms. We made simultaneous recordings from sympathetic cutaneous vasoconstrictor (CVC‐type) fibres supplying back skin (hairy) and tail (hairless) in urethane‐anaesthetized, artificially ventilated rats. The animal's trunk was shaved and encased in a water‐perfused jacket. Both tail and back skin CVC‐type fibres were activated by cooling the trunk skin, and independently by the resultant fall in core (rectal) temperature, but their thresholds for activation differed (skin temperatures 38.8 ± 0.4°C versus 36.8 ± 0.4°C, core temperatures 38.1 ± 0.2°C versus 36.8 ± 0.2°C, respectively; P < 0.01). Back skin CVC‐type fibres were more responsive to skin than to core cooling, while the reverse applied to tail fibres. Back skin CVC‐type fibres were less responsive than tail fibres to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) microinjected into the preoptic area. Spectral analysis showed no significant coherence between tail and back skin CVC‐type fibre activities during cooling. After preoptic PGE2 injection, a coherent peak at 1 Hz appeared in some animals; this disappeared after partialization with respect to ventilatory pressure, indicating that it was attributable to common ventilatory modulation. Neuronal inhibition in the rostral medullary raphé by microinjected muscimol (2 mm, 60–120 nl) suppressed both tail and back skin CVC‐type fibre activities, and prevented their responses to subsequent skin cooling. These results indicate that thermoregulatory responses of hairless and hairy skin vessels are controlled by independent neural pathways, although both depend on synaptic relays in the medullary raphé.
More taxonomists describing significantly fewer species per unit effort may indicate that most species have been discovered.

Recent studies show that there are more taxonomists describing species in recent decades than before. However, whether the rate of increase in number of taxonomists is greater than the rate of new species description has been questioned. We found a statistically significant decline in the proportion of species being described per number of taxonomists (i.e., authors of recent species descriptions) during the past century for (i) families of insects that had been stated not to show this trend and (ii) a sample of over 0.5 million marine, terrestrial, and freshwater species. We suggest that this decreased “catch” of species per taxonomic effort, despite scientists’ greater ability to explore and sample habitats, means it is getting harder to discover new species and supports recent studies suggesting that
Functional coupling between the two active sites during Tn10 transposition buffers the mutation of sequences critical for DNA hairpin processing

DNA processing reactions often involve multiple components acting in concert to achieve the desired outcome. However, it is usually difficult to know how the components communicate and cooperate to orchestrate an ordered series of events. We address this question in the context of the Tn10 transposition reaction, in which the DNA cleavage and joining events occur within a higher‐order complex containing a transposase dimer, two transposon ends and the DNA‐bending host‐factor IHF (Integration Host Factor). Previously it was shown that the complex is asymmetric. The α side consists of an IHF protomer initially immobilized by a DNA‐loop, but subsequently used to promote conformational changes required for the cleavage steps. The β side of the complex was considered to fulfil a more passive role. Here we show that the α side of the complex promotes coupled conformational changes at both transposon ends, while the α and β sides communicate and cooperate to dominate different phases of the transposition reaction. Together, these effects provide for a robust response to critical changes in the transposon end. These findings also explain the intriguing genetic phenotypes of a series of previously reported Tn10 mutants and have consequences for the evolution of new elements.
Avian Tuberculosis in Wild Birds in the Netherlands

Mycobacterium avium was isolated from 82 of 11,664 birds submitted for necropsy in The Netherlands. All isolated M. avium strains belonged to serotype 1, 2 or 3. The greatest number M. avium were from buzzards and falcons. The prevalence of tuberculosis in gulls is extremely low.
Useful aspects of diagnosis of imprint cytology in intraoperative consultation of ovarian tumors: comparison between imprint cytology and frozen sections

In the intraoperative consultation of ovarian tumors, the histological diagnosis of frozen sections (FS) of large tumors is frequently difficult because of the limited number of tumor samples. The application of imprint cytology (IC), in which samples are obtained from wide areas of the tumors, is useful for intraoperative consultation. However, the useful aspects of IC have not been clearly defined. The present study is a detailed comparison of IC and FS that clearly defines the useful aspects of IC.
Gist Memory in the Unconscious-Thought Effect

The unconscious-thought effect (UTE) occurs when people are better able to make complex decisions after a period of distraction rather than immediately or after a period of conscious deliberation. This finding has often been interpreted as evidence of unconscious thinking. In two experiments, we provided the first evidence that the UTE is accompanied by enhanced memory for the gist of decision-relevant attributes and demonstrated that the cognitive demands of a distraction task moderate its effect on decision making and gist memory. It was only following a low-demand distraction task that participants chose the best alternative more often and displayed enhanced gist memory for decision-relevant attributes. These findings suggest that the UTE occurs only if cognitive resources are available and that it is accompanied by enhanced organization of information in memory, as shown by the increase in gist memory.
Stock liquidity and capital allocation efficiency: Evidence from Chinese listed companies

Based on market microstructure theories and evidence, this paper investigates the relationship between stock liquidity and capital allocation efficiency using Chinese listed companies from 1998 to 2011. This paper finds that stock liquidity helps improve investment efficiency, mitigating both overinvestment and underinvestment. This finding is robust to numerous sensitivity analyses, including controls for endogeneity and for the other known determinants of investment efficiency, the choice of the measure of stock liquidity and investment efficiency. Further analysis shows that stock liquidity improves corporate capital allocation efficiency by reducing agency costs and increasing the information content of share prices.