Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Method for Differential Delivery of Intravenous Drugs to the Head and Torso of the Goat

W e previously developed a model for differential delivery of inhaled anesthetics to the in situ goat brain (12) to investigate the involvement of the brain and spinal cord in anesthetic action. This model exploits the unique anatomy of the goat, which has two external carotid arteries and two external jugular veins; there are no internal jugular veins or extracranial internal carotid arteries (3,4). The vertebral arteries do not normally contribute to the cerebral circulation. Cranial venous blood is drained into a bubble oxygenator and infused back into a carotid artery, thus permitting selective and differential delivery of inhaled anesthetics (1,2). Although some venous admixture can occur with this experimental preparation, this is not problematic with inhaled anesthetics. Small amounts of inhaled anesthetic in blood that crosses from the torso to the head are eliminated via the oxygenator exhaust, and any inhaled anesthetic in blood that crosses over from the head to the torso is exhaled via the lungs (1). We previously documented that an IV drug (metocurine) administered to the torso accumulates in the head and bypass unit (1). Thus, the preparation, as originally developed, is not optimal for differential delivery of IV drugs. We have modified the preparation by ligating the neck muscle and tissue. We hypothesized that this would minimize the amount of venous admixture between the head and torso during bypass, thereby permitting differential delivery of an IV anesthetic.
A Power-Efficient Configurable Low-Complexity MIMO Detector

In this paper, we propose a power-efficient configurable multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) detector, supporting QPSK, 16-QAM, and 64-QAM with low complexity. The approach divides a large MIMO detector into two subsystems: a core detector and a residual detector. The core detector, a low-cost 2 times 2 V-BLAST with ML detector, is used to detect the first two significant outputs. This detector not only efficiently increases the reliability of the entire MIMO detector through its ML performance in mitigating error propagation but also reduces the computational complexity by its search space reduction capability to decrease the computation from O(C 2<) to O(C) (C is the constellation size). The residual detector is an ordered successive interference cancellation (OSIC) detector that detects the rest outputs. The results of bit-error-rate simulations demonstrate that the proposed detector significantly outperforms the OSIC detector. Furthermore, two complete ASIC implementations fabricated by 0.13- mu m 1P8M CMOS technology are presented. We show that the proposed detector, which is configurable from 2 times 2 to 6 times 4 MIMO configurations, has the lowest complexity compared to other fabricated works with 64-QAM demodulation. Moreover, the measured normalized power efficiency of 3.8 Mb/s/mW is shown to be the most power-efficient design compared with the designs of other fabricated works.
Anti-Takeover Provisions and Corporate Disclosure

We examine the effects of anti-takeover provisions (ATPs) on corporate disclosure by testing the following two hypotheses: (1) The market pressure hypothesis, which predicts that firms with more ATPs will provide more information to the market and have higher earnings quality because ATPs shield managers from short-term market pressures so that managers can pursue long-term shareholder interests; (2) The management entrenchment hypothesis, which predicts that firms with more ATPs will disclose less information and have lower earnings quality because ATPs help entrenched managers pursue private benefits at the expense of shareholders. We find support for the market pressure hypothesis, not the management entrenchment hypothesis. High-ATP firms are more likely to make management earnings forecasts than low-ATP firms, especially when the forecast conveys bad news and when a large fraction of the firm’s institutional investors are transient investors. Low-ATP firms are also more likely than high-ATP firms to postpone their forecasts until the end of the quarter. The market reaction is stronger to negative forecasts made by low-ATP firms than to negative forecasts made by high-ATP firms. The quality of reported earnings of high-ATP firms is better than that of low-ATP firms. Evidence from analyst earnings forecasts is consistent with the above findings: analyst earnings forecasts of low-ATP firms are more optimistically biased and less accurate, especially early in the quarter, compared to those of high-ATP firms.
Accelerating the cubic regularization of Newton’s method on convex problems

In this paper we propose an accelerated version of the cubic regularization of Newton’s method (Nesterov and Polyak, in Math Program 108(1): 177–205, 2006). The original version, used for minimizing a convex function with Lipschitz-continuous Hessian, guarantees a global rate of convergence of order $$O\big({1 \over k^2}\big)$$, where k is the iteration counter. Our modified version converges for the same problem class with order $$O\big({1 \over k^3}\big)$$, keeping the complexity of each iteration unchanged. We study the complexity of both schemes on different classes of convex problems. In particular, we argue that for the second-order schemes, the class of non-degenerate problems is different from the standard class.
Sensitivity of cloned muscle, heart and neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels to block by polyamines

Spermidine and spermine, are endogenous polyamines (PAs) that regulate cell growth and modulate the activity of numerous ion channel proteins. In particular, intracellular PAs are potent blockers of many different cation channels and are responsible for strong suppression of outward K+ current, a phenomenon known as inward rectification characteristic of a major class of KIR K+ channels. We previously described block of heterologously expressed voltage-gated Na+ channels (NaV) of rat muscle by intracellular PAs and PAs have recently been found to modulate excitability of brain neocortical neurons by blocking neuronal NaV channels. In this study, we compared the sensitivity of four different cloned mammalian NaV isoforms to PAs to investigate whether PA block is a common feature of NaV channel pharmacology. We find that outward Na+ current of muscle (NaV1.4), heart (NaV1.5), and neuronal (NaV1.2, NaV1.7) NaV isoforms is blocked by PAs, suggesting that PA metabolism may be linked to modulation of action potential firing in numerous excitable tissues. Interestingly, the cardiac NaV1.5 channel is more sensitive to PA block than other isoforms. Our results also indicate that rapid binding of PAs to blocking sites in the NaV1.4 channel is restricted to access from the cytoplasmic side of the channel, but plasma membrane transport pathways for PA uptake may contribute to long-term NaV channel modulation. PAs may also play a role in drug interactions since spermine attenuates the use-dependent effect of the lidocaine, a typical local anesthetic and anti-arrhythmic drug.
Pediatric Milrinone improves oxygenation in neonates with severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

0883-9441/$ – see front matter D 2006 doi:10.1016/j.jcrc. 2006.01. 001 * Corresponding author. The Hosp Canada M5G 1H4. Tel. : +1 416 813 57 E-mail address: patrick.mcnamara@
Author ' s personal copy Metabolism of lactic acid in fermented cucumbers by Lactobacillus buchneri and related species , potential spoilage organisms in reduced salt fermentations q

Recent evidence suggests that Lactobacillus buchneri may play an important role in spoilage-associated secondary fermentation of cucumbers. Lactic acid degradation during fermented cucumber spoilage is influenced by sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration, pH, and presence of oxygen. Objectives were to evaluate these factors on lactic acid utilization by L. buchneri, and to compare the biochemical changes to those which occur during fermented cucumber spoilage. Effects of NaCl (0, 2, 4, and 6% w/w), pH (3.8 vs 5.0), and aerobic environment were investigated using fermented cucumber media (FC) inoculated with spoilage microorganisms. At pH 3.8, L. buchneri degraded lactic acid in all NaCl concentrations. The highest rate of lactic acid utilization occurred in FC with 2% NaCl (P < 0.05). Lactic acid utilization was nearly identical under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, indicating that oxygen does not influence lactate metabolism by L. buchneri. Lactic acid utilization was accompanied by increases in acetic acid and 1,2propanediol, and Lactobacillus rapi was able to convert 1,2-propanediol to propionic acid and propanol. L. buchneri initiated spoilage in a wide range of environmental conditions that may be present in commercial cucumber fermentations, and L. rapi may act syntrophically with L. buchneri to produce the commonly observed spoilage metabolites. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Can Empirical Algorithms Successfully Estimate Aragonite Saturation State in the Subpolar North Atlantic?

The aragonite saturation state (ΩAr) in the subpolar North Atlantic was derived using new regional empirical algorithms. These multiple regression algorithms were developed using the bin-averaged GLODAPv2 data of commonly observed oceanographic variables (temperature (T), salinity (S), pressure (P), oxygen (O2), nitrate (NO3-), phosphate (PO4-3), silicate (Si(OH)4), and pH). Five of these variables are also frequently observed using autonomous platforms, which means they are widely available. The algorithms were validated against independent shipboard data from the OVIDE2012 cruise. It was also applied to time series observations of T, S, P and O2 from the K1 mooring (56.5°N, 52.6°W) to reconstruct for the first time the seasonal variability of ΩAr. Our study suggests: (i) linear regression algorithms based on bin-averaged carbonate system data can successfully estimate ΩAr in our study domain over the 0-3500m depth range (R2=0.985, RMSE= 0.044); (ii) that ΩAr also can be adequately estimated from solely non-carbonate observations (R2=0.969, RMSE=0.063) and autonomous sensor variables (R2=0.978, RMSE=0.053). Validation with independent OVIDE2012 data further suggests that (iii) both algorithms, non-carbonate (MEF=0.929) and autonomous sensors (MEF=0.995) have excellent predictive skill over the 0-3500 depth range; (iv) that in deep waters (>500m) observations of T, S and O2 may be sufficient predictors of ΩAr (MEF=0.913); (iv) the importance of adding pH sensors on autonomous platforms in the euphotic and remineralization zone (<500m). Reconstructed ΩAr at Irminger Sea site, and the K1 mooring in Labrador Sea show high seasonal variability at the surface due to biological drawdown of inorganic carbon during the summer, and fairly uniform ΩAr values in the water column during winter convection. Application to time series sites shows the potential for regionally tuned algorithms, but they need to be further compared against ΩAr calculated by conventional means to fully assess their validity and performance.
The New Marketing Myopia: Critical Perspectives on Theory and Research in Marketing

The articles presented in this special issue of EJM have been selected from those which were presented at the "Rethinking Marketing" symposium which was held at Warwick Business School in July 1993. This symposium set out to provide a participative forum for discussing new ways of thinking about marketing, both as a discipline and a profession. It also set out to bring together a group of people who share an interest in bringing novel and provocative ideas and perspectives to a wide range of marketing topics - some hoary, some heavy, some handy, but never hackneyed.
THE EFFECT OF INSURANCE STATUS ON THE PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES

On average, Americans without health insurance have worse health outcomes than those with insurance. Whether this is due to the failure of the uninsured to seek out health services or a disparity in the provision of health services when sought by the uninsured is not well understood. The success of current policies, which focus predominantly on decreasing the numbers of uninsured, may turn on whether these disparities arise out of differences in patient preferences for health care, or inequality in physician and institution-level practices. This study analyzes the effect of supply-side factors in inequality of health care by focusing on four different types of health care services provided at outpatient department clinics. After analyzing data collected under the National Ambulatory Health Care Survey from 2006 through 2009, this study concludes that supply-side factors play a role in health care service inequalities. The results demonstrate that the uninsured are less likely than insured patients to receive health care services, particularly high-cost services. The results also suggest that there is a disparity in the
Isotype distribution of mucosal IgG‐producing cells in patients with various IgG subclass deficiencies

The subclass distribution of IgG‐producing immunocytes was examined by immunohistochemistry in nasal and rectal mucosa of infection‐prone patients with untreated IgG subclass deficiencies. Biopsy specimens from the two sites were obtained in 18 clinically and serologically well‐characterized adult subjects; only a nasal or rectal sample was available from nine similar patients. Chronic lung disease was common in the patient groups with selective serum IgG1 deficiency and combined IgG1 and IgG3 deficiency, whereas the other categories of patients had mainly upper airway and other mild infections. Serum IgG2 or IgG3 deficiency was usually expressed also at the cellular level in rectal mucosa, and the proportion of rectal IgG1 cells was significantly correlated with the IgG1 level (r= 0.90, P < 0.001). Likewise, there tended to be a decreased expression of the actual subclass at the cellular level in nasal mucosa of patients with serum IgG1 or IgG2 deficiency. Conversely, the median nasal proportion of IgG3 celts was remarkably unaffected by a deficiency of this subclass in serum and reclal mucosa. Interestingly, these patients rather tended to have raised IgG3 and reduced IgG2 cell proportions in their nasal mucosa, although this apparent local IgG3 compensation was nevertheless strongly correlated with the serum IgG3 level (r = 0.87, P < 0.002). These disparities may reflect different antigenic and mitogenic exposure of the two tissue sites; for example, a persistent protein bombardment of the nasal mucosa that could conceivably override locally a B cell maturation defect. The possible clinical consequences of such variable mucosal expression of IgG subclass deficiencies remain to be studied.
The impact of knowledge types on the consumer search process

Previous research provides evidence for a conceptual distinction between self‐assessed and objective knowledge, and relatively little is known about the relationship between knowledge and information search. The current research provides empirical evidence for differentiating the two knowledge types. Furthermore, it suggests that the relative effects of the two types of knowledge on pre‐purchase information search depend on the type of information source. Consistent with prior research, this study shows that self‐assessed knowledge is strongly linked to the consumer’s use of personal sources of information, including internal memory searches and word‐of‐mouth communication. Conversely, objective knowledge seems to have a positive impact on the consumer’s motivation to seek external information (e.g. newspaper articles, mass media sources) about the service provider. Managerial implications for professional service providers are discussed
Local effects of bleaching in retinal rods of the toad.

1. Suction electrode recordings were used to study the recovery of responsiveness in single toad rods after bleaching a small fraction (less than 5%) of the rhodopsin. 2. After a spatially uniform bleach that initially abolished the dark current over the entire length of the outer segment, the more proximal regions recovered faster than the more distal regions. For a time the most basal region was almost fully recovered while the tip remained fully saturated. 3. Such a gradient of responsiveness did not occur during uniform steady background illumination of dark‐adapted cells. 4. The entire outer segment recovered uniformly after a longitudinally graded bleach that simulated the pattern produced by self‐screening in the intact eye. 5. The recovery of the distal end of the outer segment was not affected by a bleach at the proximal end. This suggests that the differences in recovery rate reflect intrinsic local properties of the outer segment rather than longitudinal diffusion of a substance from the inner segment. 6. For at least the first 3 min after bleaching with a narrow transverse slit the reduction of responsiveness remained most pronounced in the bleached region, suggesting that this effect of bleaching does not spread extensively. 7. The increased noise induced by bleaching is shown to originate locally in the bleached region of outer segment. 8. When the tip was locally saturated after a bleach or during steady light, the current recorded from the tip was predominantly capacitive, resulting from intracellular voltage change. This indicates that when the dark current is abolished the outer segment plasma membrane has negligible leakage conductance.
Delayed credit rating changes, firm financing and firm performance

Motivated by the insufficient research in understanding the influences of the delayed changes in credit ratings, the practical importance of information asymmetry as well as the theoretical difficulty of measuring information gap with an appropriate proxy, this thesis regards delayed credit rating change (DCRC) as a source of asymmetric information and exploits whether and how it affects issuer’s capital structure adjustments. It uses Compustat North America quarterly data from 1985 to 2010 inclusive. Rating agencies often delay updating credit ratings, leading to an information gap between bond issuers and the market. This offers issuers (market insiders) opportunities to utilise the delayed credit rating changes as superior information, alongside which, factors capturing the associated benefits and costs of the rating changes and capital structure adjustments, are addressed to form the three key interactive variables in this research: DCRC, capital structure adjustments and firm performance. First considered are the effects of information asymmetry on financing adjustment before DCRCs. The evidence shows that issuers often adjust debt and equity financing at least one quarter before rating change announcements published by rating agencies. Issuers who anticipate rating upgrades in the next quarter do not significantly change the net debt issuance. Issuers who anticipate rating downgrades increase net debt issuance before rating changes. Secondly, this research is concerned with the robustness of DCRC’s effects, which is confirmed by various robustness check tests and incorporating DCRC into tests of the existing capital structure theories. The result confirms DCRC’s robust effects on firm financing adjustments. The last issue addressed is the relation between information asymmetry and gains or losses to issuers when utilising the information asymmetry. The results suggest that information asymmetry does bring material effects on firm performance. The three groups of results form a mechanism of delayed credit rating change’s real effects and reveal a fresh explanation for issuer’s financing decision making under asymmetric information.
Mechanism and Role of Covalent Heme Binding in the CYP4 Family of P450 Enzymes and the Mammalian Peroxidases

The CYP4 family of cytochrome P450 enzymes and the mammalian peroxidases covalently bind their heme groups. In the CYP4 enzymes this involves one, and in the peroxidases two, covalent ester links between heme methys and carboxylic acid side-chains. In addition, in myeloperoxidase, a methionine forms a sulfonium link to a heme vinyl group. The ester links in both classes of proteins are autocatalytically formed. One role of the covalent bonds in peroxidases is to protect the heme group from modification by catalytically generated reactive products. The covalent heme bond in CYP4 enzymes contributes to their high preference for ω- over (ω-1)-hydroxylation.
Double negative metamaterial design using open split ring resonator

Metamaterials are artificially designed materials having electromagnetic properties which are not generally found in nature. Various resonators exhibiting metamaterial characteristics are split ring resonator (SRR), spiral resonator (SR), omega and fractal resonator. This paper presents a new type of resonator called as an open split ring resonator (OSRR) exhibiting negative permeability. OSRR is modified structure of split ring resonator (SRR). A metamaterial cell is constructed by the OSRR and wire arrangement. The complex permittivity and permeability of the cell is retrieved from the scattering parameters. As compared to the split ring resonator, open split ring resonator is smaller in size for the same resonance frequency and hence this leads to a size miniaturization in various metamaterial applications.
Management control : theories, issues and practices

Preface - The Domain of Organisational Control - Approaches to Control in the Organisational Literature - Structures of Control - Procedures for Control - The Context of Control - Accounting Systems and Control - Divisional Control M. Broadbent & J. Cullen - Strategic Control A. Coad - Control of Embedded Operations Spanning Traditional Boundaries T. Berry - Economics and Control W. Seal - Performance Indicators and Control in the Public Sector P. Smith - Organisational Culture and Control K. Langfield-Smith - Management Control Systems of Japanese Companies Operating in the United Kingdom I.S. Demirag - Management Accounting: The Western Problematic against the Japanese Application J. Williams, K. Williams, C. Haslam, A. Makotu, A. Toshio, M. Isutomo - Management Control in an Airline C. Wilkinson - Control and the National Health Service: Some Psychology of Managing Healthcare with Cash Budgets D. Purdy - Management Control in Schools J. Broadbent - Management Control in the Financial Services Sector K. Soin - Manufacturing Accountability T.C. Jones & D. Dugdale -Endpiece - References
Return Differences between Family and Non-Family Firms: Absolute and Index Differences

The objective of the paper is to determine if family firms are able to provide a return premium compared to their non-family counterparts. The assumption is that some of the benefits and costs related to family ownership can be absorbed into the business model. This may mean that family characteristics could actually impact the perception of the market and in turn affect their returns. We test this by using a unique sample of 152 family firms and matching them with non-family firms on the basis their sector, stock market index and size. Three models - CAPM, Fama-French 3-factor model and Carhart model - are used to test a trading strategy, i.e. buying family firms and selling short non-family firms, on the FTSE All Share, Fledgling and AIM Index. The results showed that the strategy is able to generate an abnormal profit for the firms on the FTSE All Share and Fledgling but fails to do so on the AIM in the presence of the 'momentum' factor-mimicking portfolio. It is far more profitable to use a trading strategy of buying past winners and selling short past losers on the AIM. We further investigate into the factors that drive the returns of family and non-family firms. Using factors related to risk, price-level, liquidity and growth-potential, we find that family firm returns are driven by their growth potential where as non-family firms' need to balance their risk in order to increase returns. A similar application on the 3 indices mentioned above reveals that the AIM and the Fledgling index behave similarly but differ from the FTSE All Share portfolio of firms.