Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Findings on the electrograms of the cicada's heart (Cryptotympana japonensis Kato).

Cicada's heart action potentials were studied by both surface and intracellularelectrodes. 1) Surface electrograms indicate that the inricate tracingsof the action potentials are due to the presence of alary muscle. After theremoval of alary muscle, the picture became simpler. It was found that thenegative deflection became pronounced at the2nd and the 7th segment. 2) From the results of transverse section, localized cocainization and localizedcooling, it seems reasonable to assume that the cicada's heart has two pacemakers. 3) Intracellular recording from single fibers of cicada's heart showmuscle action potentials of a very simple monophasic form, from which theoscillation of surface potential is concluded to be due to the sum of many othercomponents.
Marketing Communications: An Integrated Approach

One of the four core topics in the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Diploma syllabus, marketing communication is an integral element for the marketing professional. Marketing communication itself consists of every form of communication relevant to marketing: selling, advertising, sales promotion, direct marketing, publicity, sponsorship, exhibitions, corporate identity, packaging, point of sale and merchandising; word of mouth. From this broad listing different industries may lay different emphasis on some of these marketing tools, and it is the variation that gives a company's marketing strategy an individual voice. Part 1 of "Marketing Communications" looks at the communications industry. Theories of communication and buyer behaviour are dealt with while the particular concerns of international marketing communication, market research, agencies and the media are covered in detail. The second part of this book provides detailed chapters on each of the marketing communication tools available. Each chapter shows the advantages and disadvantages of the technique, explains how the technique can integrate with other elements of the communications mix and demonstrates how to manage a particular campaign. Case studies, examples and practical tips are given throughout, while potential disasters are signposted.
Level of Compliance on PASs and PFRSs Disclosure Requirements of Publicly-Listed Companies in the Philippines

This paper tackled level of compliance on the Philippine Accounting Standards and Philippine Financial Reporting Standards disclosure requirements of selected publicly-listed companies. It seeks to evaluate empirical evidence on compliance of subject companies based on two compliance frameworks namely: reliable financial reporting and complete disclosure requirements. The examination delved into the findings on financial disclosures complied and not complied by selected service and industrial businesses based on their 2009 audited financial statements. It employed the descriptive type of quantitative research since it utilizes a checklist of financial reporting disclosures used as a guide in the review of the 2009 audited reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The researcher found out that majority of the selected publicly-listed companies did not comply with the PASs and PFRSs notably on the area of presentation of financial statements (PAS 1), financial instrument disclosures (PFRS 7), and rules and regulations covering the form and content of financial statements (SRC Rule 68 & 68.1). Using the chi-square test, it was also found out that there is no significant difference in the non-compliance of selected listed firms on the PASs and PFRSs disclosure requirements when grouped by the type of business. There is a need to enhance high-quality corporate financial reporting capabilities which would require a concerted effort and effective implementation by all parties concerned, top management, financial audit executives, and government regulatory agencies. For future study, it is recommended that a follow-up research be conducted on the improvements of non-compliance rate of the same subject companies with regards on the review results of disclosure requirements for the 2010 audited annual reports. It would also be significant to determine the level of quality and quantity of financial reporting disclosures on the 2010 audited financial statements of publicly-listed companies utilizing a macro level approach across all industries.
Managerial Ownership and Firms' Information Environment

We examine the relation between managerial stock ownership and the firm's information environment. We focus on three dimensions of the information environment: total, public, and private information precisions (Barron, Kim, Lim and Stevens 1998). Our results suggest that firms' total and public information precisions are positively related to managerial ownership. In contrast, there is no clear pattern in private information precision across different levels of managerial ownership. We also observe that managerial ownership has a greater impact on the firm's public information environment after the implementation of Regulation Fair Disclosure, suggesting that the regulation was more effective in terms of improving the firms' public information flow for firms whose managers' interests are better aligned. Collectively, our findings suggest that one of the possible channels through which managerial ownership associates with earnings informativeness and firm value is the firms' public information precision and that managerial incentive alignment plays an important role in how managers respond to a new disclosure regulation.
VIM-19, a Metallo-β-Lactamase with Increased Carbapenemase Activity from Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae

ABSTRACT Two carbapenem-resistant isolates, one Escherichia coli isolate and one Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate, recovered from an Algerian patient expressed a novel VIM-type metallo-β-lactamase (MBL). The identified blaVIM-19 gene was located on a ca. 160-kb plasmid and located inside a class 1 integron in both isolates. VIM-19 differed from VIM-1 by the Asn215Lys and Ser228Arg substitutions, increasing its hydrolytic activity toward carbapenems. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments showed that both substitutions were necessary for the increased carbapenemase activity of VIM-19. This study indicates that MBLs with enhanced activity toward carbapenems may be obtained as a result of very few amino acid substitutions.
From Innovation to Exporting or Vice Versa? Causal Link between Innovation Activity and Exporting in Slovenian Microdata

Firm productivity and export decision are closely related to its innovation ac- tivity. Product innovation may play a more important role in the decision to start exporting, while the decision for process innovation may be triggered by success- ful exporting. This suggests that the causality between innovation and exporting may run from product innovation to exporting and conesequently from exporting to process innovation and reverse productivity improvements. Using detailed mi- crodata, including innovation survey, industrial production survey and information on trade, for Slovenian firms in 1996-2002 we investigate this dual causal relation- ship between firms' innovation and exporting activity. We find no evidence for the hypothesis that either product or process innovations increase the probability of becoming a first time exporter, but find consistent support both in the innovation survey as well as in the industrial production survey that exporting does lead to pro- ductivity improvements. These, however, are likely to be related to process rather than product innovations and are limited to a sample of medium and large sized first time exporters only.
Novel PCR Primers for the Archaeal Phylum Thaumarchaeota Designed Based on the Comparative Analysis of 16S rRNA Gene Sequences

Based on comparative phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences deposited in an RDP database, we constructed a local database of thaumarchaeotal 16S rRNA gene sequences and developed a novel PCR primer specific for the archaeal phylum Thaumarchaeota. Among 9,727 quality-filtered (chimeral-checked, size >1.2 kb) archaeal sequences downloaded from the RDP database, 1,549 thaumarchaeotal sequences were identified and included in our local database. In our study, Thaumarchaeota included archaeal groups MG-I, SAGMCG-I, SCG, FSCG, RC, and HWCG-III, forming a monophyletic group in the phylogenetic tree. Cluster analysis revealed 114 phylotypes for Thaumarchaeota. The majority of the phylotypes (66.7%) belonged to the MG-I and SCG, which together contained most (93.9%) of the thaumarchaeotal sequences in our local database. A phylum-directed primer was designed from a consensus sequence of the phylotype sequences, and the primer’s specificity was evaluated for coverage and tolerance both in silico and empirically. The phylum-directed primer, designated THAUM-494, showed >90% coverage for Thaumarchaeota and <1% tolerance to non-target taxa, indicating high specificity. To validate this result experimentally, PCRs were performed with THAUM-494 in combination with a universal archaeal primer (ARC917R or 1017FAR) and DNAs from five environmental samples to construct clone libraries. THAUM-494 showed a satisfactory specificity in empirical studies, as expected from the in silico results. Phylogenetic analysis of 859 cloned sequences obtained from 10 clone libraries revealed that >95% of the amplified sequences belonged to Thaumarchaeota. The most frequently sampled thaumarchaeotal subgroups in our samples were SCG, MG-I, and SAGMCG-I. To our knowledge, THAUM-494 is the first phylum-level primer for Thaumarchaeota. Furthermore, the high coverage and low tolerance of THAUM-494 will make it a potentially valuable tool in understanding the phylogenetic diversity and ecological niche of Thaumarchaeota.
Phytofiltration of Arsenic-Contaminated Groundwater Using Pteris Vittata L.: Effect of Plant Density and Nitrogen and Phosphorus Levels

This field-scale hydroponic experiment investigated the effects of plant density and nutrient levels on arsenic (As) removal by the As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata L. (Chinese brake fern). All ferns were grown in plastic tanks containing 30 L of As-contaminated groundwater (130 μg·L−1 As) collected from South Florida. The treatments consisted of four plant densities (zero, one, two, or four plants per 30 L), two nitrogen (N) concentrations (50% or 100% of 0.25-strength Hoagland solution [HS]), and two phosphorous (P) concentrations (15% and 30% of 0.25 strength HS). While low P was more effective than high P for plant As removal initially, N levels showed little effect. At 15% P, it took 3 wk for the ferns at a plant density of four to reduce As to less than 10 μg L−1 (USEPA and WHO standard), whereas it took 4–6 wk at plant densities of one or two. For reused ferns, established plants with more extensive roots than “first-time” ferns, a low plant density of one plant/30 L was more effective, reducing As in water to less than 10 μg L−1 in 8 h. This translates to an As removal rate of 400 μg h−1plant−1, which is the highest rate reported to date. Arsenic-concentration in tanks with no plants as a control remained high throughout the experiment. Using more established ferns supplemented with dilute nutrients (0.25 HS with 25% N and 15% P) with optimized plant density (one plant per 30 L) reduced interplant competition and secondary contamination from nutrients, and can be recommended for phytofiltration of As-contaminated groundwater. This study demonstrated that P. vittata is effective in remediating As-contaminated groundwater to meet recommended standards.
Environmental and occupational disorders Characterization of airway inflammation after repeated exposures to occupational agents

Background: Little is known about the comparative kinetics of eosinophil recruitment after exposure to low- and high-molecular-weight sensitizers in subjects with occupational asthma (OA). Objectives: The aims of the study were to investigate the kinetics of changes in inflammatory mediators associated with eosinophil infiltration (IL-5 and eotaxin) and to examine the nature of the airway inflammation induced in response to different types of occupational agents. Methods: We investigated 15 subjects with OA caused by highand low-molecular-weight agents. The subjects were exposed to increasing doses of the relevant occupational agent over 3 to 4 days until a 20% fall in FEV1 occurred. Methacholine challenge and sputum induction were performed at the end of each day of exposure. Sputum samples were assessed for differential cell counts, including eosinophils, IL-5, and eotaxin messenger RNA. Results: There was an increase in sputum eosinophils, eotaxin, and IL-5 on the day preceding the occurrence of asthmatic reaction, although there was no change in functional parameters (FEV1 and PC20). Increase in sputum eosinophils was more prominent in subjects exposed to low-molecular-weight agents than to high-molecular-weight agents. Conclusion: Changes in eosinophils, IL-5, and eotaxin precede functional changes after exposure to occupational agents in subjects with OA. Eosinophil inflammation is a feature of exposure to both high- and low-molecular-weight agents. Induced sputum may be a useful tool in the early diagnosis of OA. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;106:1163-70.)
Empowering women may help retard HIV.

Sexual discrimination as evidenced by various socioeconomic inequalities worldwide make women vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS is increasing faster among women than among men in many countries. 3000 women become infected with HIV each day. Success of long-term development efforts to improve women's status is needed to bring about changes in gender relations. The rapid spread of HIV/AIDS among women threatens socioeconomic development in many regions because women play a critical role in agriculture, trade, child rearing, and family support. The primary mode of HIV transmission in most regions of the world is heterosexual intercourse. More women than men are HIV infected in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Zimbabwe between 1987 and 1993, there were 5 HIV-infected women, 15-19 years old, for every 1 HIV-infected young man. 70% of all HIV-infected women worldwide are 15-25 years old. The stereotype is that only homosexuals, IV drug users, and prostitutes spread HIV. In Sao Paulo, Brazil, AIDS is the major cause of death among 20-35 year old women. Since many cultures consider ignorance of sexual matters a sign of purity, young women fear seeking reproductive health information and services. Most societies expect women to be monogamous but expect men to have extramarital affairs. Monogamy does not protect a woman from HIV infection if her husband has partners other than the wife. Women who ask their partner to use a condom or to avoid penetration are at risk of violence or abandonment. Women need to work together to shatter the myth that only women with many partners are at risk of HIV infection and to address their own attitudes. Men need to be more responsible in protecting themselves and their partners. Improved communication between partners is also needed. HIV prevention and counseling services through family planning programs help women protect themselves. HIV/AIDS is forcing us to face chronic problems, including economic inequities, violence, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Traditional and non-traditional family social groups and determinants of recreational behaviour.

The purpose of this study is to provide data on social groups (both traditional and non-traditional family groups) and leisure behavior. The intent was to determine if changes in the family social group structure has an impact on leisure behavior. Data were obtained from a stratified sample of a resource-based facility. Results indicated that no significant differences were apparent between traditional and non-traditional families and participation in selected recreation activities. Implications and recommendations were provided for leisure professional to provide the optimum situations for family (social group) interactions. TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL SOCIAL GROUPS AND DETERIMANTS OF RECREATIONAL BEHAVIOR
Value Creation in Business-to-Business Crowdsourcing

In knowledge society the utilization of social media as a communication channel between people, groups and even companies is increasing. Current innovation and social media research has already shown the potential of crowdsourcing in the business-to-consumer (B2C) markets. The authors argue in this paper, however, that crowdsourcing has a great and yet partly undiscovered potential also in the context of business-to-business (B2B) markets. In order to get the full potential, a more detailed understanding of the logic of value creation in crowdsourcing activities between multiple stakeholders in B2B context is needed. This paper presents an exploratory study that is carried out as an empirical netnography-based multiple case study. The study opens up potential future research avenues by starting the discussion of value creation logic in B2B crowdsourcing. Practical implications are created through cases revealing what kind of value companies have already been able to gain from crowdsourcing in B2B context.
Power Efficient Division and Square Root Unit

Although division and square root are not frequent operations, most processors implement them in hardware to not compromise the overall performance. Two classes of algorithms implement division or square root: digit-recurrence and multiplicative (e.g., Newton-Raphson) algorithms. Previous work shows that division and square root units based on the digit-recurrence algorithm offer the best tradeoff delay-area-power. Moreover, the two operations can be combined in a single unit. Here, we present a radix-16 combined division and square root unit obtained by overlapping two radix-4 stages. The proposed unit is compared to similar solutions based on the digit-recurrence algorithm and it is compared to a unit based on the multiplicative Newton-Raphson algorithm.
Working Capital Management, Operating Cash Flow and Corporate Performance

This paper investigates the relationship between working capital management, corporate performance and operating cash flow. The relationship is examined using dynamic panel data analysis. The analysis based on a sample of 5802 U.S. non-financial firms listed in the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, NASDAQ Stock Market and the Over The Counter Market for the period 1990-2004 (87030 firm-year observations). The results suggest that managers can increase profitability and operating cash flow of their firms by shortening the cash conversion cycle, and by shortening the receivable collection period. The results also suggest that shortening the inventory conversion period and lengthening the payable deferral period reducing profitability and operating cash flow of firms instead of increasing them.
Business Relatedness in International Settings : Performance Effects in Two Customer Contexts

Relatedness between foreign business units and the core business unit of the parent firm is an underlying issue in the process of integration and local responsiveness going on in any international industrial firm. In this process, the character of customer needs is an important indicator of the demand for integration/local responsiveness. This study contributes to the development of the business relatedness concept by exploring the performance impact of degrees of relatedness in two international customer contexts: foreign business units delivering to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and units delivering to end-user firms. The study focuses on the impact of product, market, skills and branding relatedness on foreign performance. Perceptual data from 191 units of Swedish firms in Germany, the UK, and the US were used to test hypotheses. The findings show that relatedness between the foreign business unit and the core unit of the parent firm is associated with negative foreign performance. Market relatedness and skills relatedness mean low performance in both customer contexts. Branding relatedness has negative effects in the OEM context, while product relatedness has negative effects in the end-user firm context. The findings implicate that we need to pay attention to the significance of low relatedness and the customer context in international settings in developing the relatedness concept.
Utility of serum lactate to predict drug-overdose fatality

Context. Poisoning is the second leading cause of injury-related fatality in the United States. An elevated serum lactate concentration identifies medical and surgical patients at risk for death; however, its utility in predicting death in drug overdose is controversial and unclear. Objective. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic utility of serum lactate concentration for fatality in emergency department (ED) patients with acute drug overdose. Materials and Methods. This was a case–control study at two urban university teaching hospitals affiliated with a regional poison control center. Data were obtained from electronic medical records, poison center data, and the office of the chief medical examiner. Controls were consecutive acute drug overdoses over a 1-year period surviving to hospital discharge. Cases were subjects over a 7-year period with fatality because of drug overdose. Serum lactate concentration was obtained from the initial blood draw in the ED and correlated with fatality. Results. During the study period, 873 subjects were screened with 50 cases and 100 controls included. Drug exposures and baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Mean lactate concentration (mmol/L) was 9.88 ± 6.7 for cases and 2.76 ± 2.9 for controls (p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve for prediction of fatality was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81–0.94). The optimal lactate cutpoint was 3.0 mmol/L (84% sensitivity, 75% specificity), which conferred a 15.8-fold increase in odds of fatality (p < 0.001). Conclusion. In this derivation study, serum lactate concentration had excellent prognostic utility to predict drug-overdose fatality. Prospective validation in the ED evaluation of drug overdoses is warranted.
Relational Categories are More Mutable than Entity Categories

Across three experiments, we explore differences between relational categories—whose members share common relational patterns—and entity categories, whose members share common intrinsic properties. Specifically, we test the claim that relational concepts are more semantically mutable in context, and therefore less stable in memory, than entity concepts. We compared memory for entity nouns and relational nouns, tested either in the same context as at encoding or in a different context. We found that (a) participants show better recognition accuracy for entity nouns than for relational nouns, and (b) recognition of relational nouns is more impaired by a change in context than is recognition of entity nouns. We replicated these findings even when controlling for factors highly correlated with relationality, such as abstractness–concreteness. This suggests that the contextual mutability of relational concepts is due to the core semantic property of conveying relational structure and not simply to accompanying characteristics such as abstractness. We note parallels with the distinction between nouns and verbs and suggest implications for lexical and conceptual structure. Finally, we relate these patterns to proposals that a deep distinction exists between words with an essentially referential function and those with a predicate function.