Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technological area experience, experience diversity and innovation

ABSTRACT One conclusion from the knowledge-based view is that firms develop knowledge from experience. This paper examines the conditions under which firms’ R&D experiences might have stronger or weaker effects on innovation capabilities. We posit that any potential benefit depends on the nature of this experience. In particular, we look at how technological area experience and experience diversity affects innovation capabilities. We further propose that, in order to leverage their experience, firms need to consider how the interactions of technological area experience and experience diversity affect performance. To test this model, we draw on a data set of 3034 drug development projects undertaken by 30 large pharmaceutical companies between 1980 and 2008.
Incidence and risk factors for ectopic pregnancy.

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy in the United States has been increasing steadily during the past three decades from 4.5 per 1,000 pregnancies in 1970 to 19.7 per 1,000 pregnancies in 1992.1 This epidemic continues in other western countries; for example, Norway had an increase from 12.5 to 18.0
The Cognitive Science of Bilingualism

Recent research in cognitive effects of bilingualism has generated both excitement and controversy. The current paper provides an overview of this literature that has taken a componential approach toward cognitive effects of bilingualism, according to which bilingual advantages in executive functions are measured in terms of executive control (inhibiting, switching, updating) and monitoring. Findings to date indicate that the presence or absence of bilingual advantages may be influenced by a variety of learner and environmental factors, including the bilingual individual's age, age of acquisition, language proficiency, frequency of language use, and difficulty of the experimental task. The cognitive effects of bilingualism must be interpreted in light of the bilingual's lifelong linguistic experience, which results in adaptive changes in the mind and the brain. We suggest directions for future research in this domain.
Understanding the impact of costly search on market equilibria: A comprehensive review

When consumers lack the necessary knowledge on product characteristics, in order to conclude on a purchase decision, they may need to gather information first. Collecting information is a costly process, enveloped by a degree of personalization that depends on each person's idiosyncrasy. The amount of time spent searching to reveal information depends on individual expectations and preferences, while the way this amount of time should be spent is also a matter subject to personal interpretation. Understanding the interaction between the existing competitive forces and consumer search behavior can provide useful insights and further enhance our knowledge of markets with partial information and costly searchers.
Early Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Effects of Smoking on Thickness of the Carotid Artery Intima Media

Abstract: This study was designed to compare intima media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and controls and to determine whether disease‐associated characteristics, smoking, and other classic risk factors for atherosclerosis are associated with IMT values. IMT was measured in the carotid arteries of 101 RA patients and 75 control subjects. The IMT was evaluated in the common carotid (CC), carotid bifurcation (BI), and internal carotid (IC). Eight IMT values were calculated including four mean and four maximal values of CC, BI, IC, and carotid artery (C). The following data were obtained for every patient: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), presence of erosions, extra‐articular manifestations, rheumatoid factor, medications, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking status, daily number of cigarettes, number of smoking years, family history of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels. RA patients had significantly higher mean‐BI IMT than controls (1.02 mm vs. 0.89 mm; P < 0.01), higher incidence of increased mean‐BI IMT and max‐BI IMT, but lower incidence of increased max‐IC IMT than controls. Factors significantly associated with IMT in the controls were age, BMI, and hypertension, whereas factors significantly associated with IMT in RA patients were age and smoking status. Mean carotid IMT was associated with all characteristics related to smoking in RA patients. Current smokers had higher mean carotid IMT and internal carotid artery IMT than former smokers. RA is associated with higher carotid artery bifurcation IMT. The profile of factors associated with IMT values is different between RA patients and controls. Smoking is an important factor augmenting early atherosclerosis in RA patients.
Reading Simone de Beauvoir with Martin Heidegger

In the field of Beauvoir research, one of the least explored philosophical connections is that between Simone de Beauvoir and Martin Heidegger. Although a number of works have been written regarding the Heideggerian influence on Sartre's philosophy, few exist on Beauvoir's appropriation of the same thinker. This chapter explores ways in which Heidegger can be seen as decisive for Beauvoir’s philosophy and why it is important to consider this. Showing philosophical influences and connections is, in my view, important only if it adds to the analysis and understanding of a philosopher. In regard to Heidegger and Beauvoir, I definitely believe this is the case. Reading Beauvoir with Heidegger can deepen our understanding of Beauvoir’s view of human beings and their relation to the world and to others. This approach might be called hermeneutical in the Heideggerian sense: it reveals new meanings without assuming that a final comprehension is ever possible.
A possible role of microRNAs as predictive markers for the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation

With favourable 5‐year survival rates up to 75%, liver transplantation (LT) is the treatment of choice for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nonetheless, tumour recurrence after LT remains a challenge. The aim of this retrospective study was to develop a predictive score for tumour recurrence after LT by combining clinical parameters with HCC biomarkers (microRNA). A microRNA (miRNA) microarray analysis was used to compare miRNA expression patterns in tissue samples of 40 patients with and without HCC recurrence after LT. In a screening cohort (n = 18), the miRNA analysis identified significant differences in the expression of 13 miRNAs in patients with tumour recurrence. Using the most significant miRNAs in this screening cohort, we could develop a predictive score, which combined the expression levels of miR‐214, miR‐3187 and the Milan criteria, and we could define low‐ and high‐risk groups for tumour recurrence and death. The above score was evaluated in a second and independent cohort (n = 22). In contrast to the Milan criteria alone, this score was significantly associated with tumour recurrence. Our analysis indicated that the use of a specific miRNA expression pattern in combination with a limited tumour burden as defined by the Milan criteria may lead to a more accurate prediction of tumour recurrence.
Constitutive expression of VEGF, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 in normal eyes.

PURPOSE The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its high-affinity receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 was investigated in normal eyes. METHODS Monkey and rat eyes were surgically removed in animals under deep anesthesia and immediately prepared for study. Ocular VEGF, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 expression was studied using a combination of in situ hybridization, northern blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, immunoassay, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Steady state VEGF mRNA levels were detected in the normal vascularized ocular tissues of the monkey: the conjunctiva, iris, retina, and the choroid-retinal pigment epithelial complex. VEGF121 and VEGF165 were the major isoforms identified. VEGF protein was detected in the conjunctiva, retina, and the choroid-retinal pigment epithelial complex. Retinal VEGF mRNA localized to the ganglion, inner nuclear, and retinal pigment epithelial cell layers. VEGF protein localized to these same layers and to the cones of monkey retina. VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 mRNAs were detected in normal monkey iris, retina, and the choroid-retinal pigment epithelial complex. In both monkey and rat eyes, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 mRNAs were localized to the inner nuclear layer of the retina. CONCLUSIONS VEGF, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2 are constitutively expressed in the vascularized tissues of normal eyes.
Regulation of the cell cycle inhibitor p27 and its ubiquitin ligase Skp2 in differentiation of human embryonic stem cells

Embryonic stem cells combine the features of robust proliferation with precise differentiation capacity. p27 is a cell cycle inhibitor that is involved in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation in many developing tissues. Recent studies in murine embryonic stem cells have suggested that p27 is involved in the progression of normal differentiation programs in these cells. However, the expression and regulation of p27 and its role in the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESc) has not been previously explored. Herein we show that p27 expression was low in undifferentiated hESc, but increased markedly in differentiated cells. The expression of Skp2, the ubiquitin ligase that targets p27 for degradation, was inversely related to p27 expression. Moreover, embryoid bodies (EBs) with low p27 expression and high Skp2/p27 ratio showed poorer differentiation than those with high p27 expression. Modulation of Skp2 expression is mainly regulated by its rate of degradation. In contrast to somatic cells, which have high levels of Skp2 mainly in S and G2/M, in undiffer‐entiated hESc Skp2 levels were also high in G1. These results point to a potentially important role for p27 regulation in hESc. —Egozi, D. , Shapira, M. , Paor, G. , Ben‐Izhak, O. , Skorecki, K. , Hershko, D. D. Regulation of the cell cycle inhibitor p27 and its ubiquitin ligase Skp2 in differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. FASEB J. 21, 2807–2817 (2007)
The distribution and storage of vitamin D and its metabolites in human tissues.

1. The distribution of vitamin D and its metabolites in human tissues has been studied by the combined use of radioactive cholecalciferol and biological assays of antiricketic activity in tissue extracts. 2. Injected radioactive cholecalciferol was cleared rapidly from the blood; unchanged vitamin D and various metabolites were detected subsequently in all tissues examined. The highest concentration of biological activity and radioactivity was in fat; this and, to a lesser extent, other tissues were shown to retain activity over a prolonged period of time. 3. Adipose tissue and voluntary muscle are the principal sites of storage of vitamin D in man. Pre-existing tissue pools of vitamin D can, in some circumstances, invalidate the use of radioactively labelled cholecalciferol to trace the pattern of body distribution. 4. Metabolically produced 25-hydroxycholecalciferol is also taken up from the blood into many tissues, probably by protein-binding. 5. Vitamin D is excreted in bile principally as more polar metabolites. Smaller amounts of cholecalciferol and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol are also excreted, and antiricketic activity has been demonstrated in the bile of individuals treated with vitamin D. 6. An excess of cholecalciferol (or of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol) in the blood appears to be eliminated by the physicochemical processes of partition into tissue lipid and binding to tissue proteins. It is inferred tentatively that an increased concentration of vitamin D or of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in the liver also causes an increased biliary excretion of these substances, and an increased hepatic formation and elimination of more polar metabolites of the vitamin.
Meltwater Input to the Southern Ocean During the Last Glacial Maximum

Three records of oxygen isotopes in biogenic silica from deep-sea sediment cores from the Atlantic and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean reveal the presence of isotopically depleted diatomaceous opal in sediment from the last glacial maximum. This depletion is attributed to the presence of lids of meltwater that mixed with surface water along certain trajectories in the Southern Ocean. An increase in the drainage from Antarctica or extensive northward transport of icebergs are among the main mechanisms that could have produced the increase in meltwater input to the glacial Southern Ocean. Similar isotopic trends were observed in older climatic cycles at the same cores.
PALE: Partially Asynchronous Agile Leader Election

Many tasks executed in dynamic distributed systems, such as sensor networks or enterprise environments with bring-your-own-device policy, require central coordination by a leader node. In the past it has been proven that distributed leader election in dynamic environments with constant changes and asynchronous communication is not possible. Thus, state-of-the-art leader election algorithms are not applicable in asynchronous environments with constant network changes. Some algorithms converge only after the network stabilizes (an unrealistic requirement in many dynamic environments). Other algorithms reach consensus in the presence of network changes but require a global clock or some level of communication synchronization. Determining the weakest assumptions, under which leader election is possible, remains an unresolved problem. In this study we present a leader election algorithm that operates in the presence of changes and under weak (realistic) assumptions regarding message delays and regarding the clock drifts of the distributed nodes. The proposed algorithm is self-sufficient, easy to implement and can be extended to support multiple regions, self-stabilization, and wireless ad-hoc networks. We prove the algorithm's correctness and provide a complexity analysis of the time, space, and number of messages required to elect a leader.
Effects of intermittent lower limb ischaemia on coronary blood flow and coronary resistance in pigs

Aim: Intermittent limb ischaemia prior to cardiac ischaemia is a cardioprotective stimulus. This study was to investigate whether this peripheral stimulus had any effects on basal coronary blood flow and resistance, and to explore its potential mechanisms by studying the effect of femoral nerve transection and Katp blockade by glibenclamide.
Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on Flowering and Corm Production in Gladiolus

A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the impact of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on flowering and corm production of gladiolus during rabi season of 2010-11 at OUAT Bhubaneswar. The result of the study revealed that INM practices involving inorganic fertilizer, Vermicompost and Bio-fertilizer (Azospirillum and Phosphate solubilising bacteria) in different combinations had no significant influence on sprouting of corms. However, it had significant influence on flowering and corm production in gladiolus. Application of 75% RDF(100:50:60 Kg NPK/ha) in combination with Vermicompost and Biofertilizer increased spike length (70.53 cm), rachis length (55.55 cm), number of florets per spike (13.12), and number of florets remained open at time (7.46) as compared to other treatments. As far as corm characters were concerned, combined application of 75% RDF, Vermicompost and Biofertilizers resulted in maximum weight (75.66 g) and diameter (6.59 cm) of daughter corm as well as number (58.36) and weight (32.43 g) of cormels per plant.
End-stage Alzheimer's disease. Glasgow Coma Scale and the neurologic examination.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the cognitive and neurologic features of patients with end-stage Alzheimer's disease using a standard neurologic examination and the Glasgow Coma Scale. DESIGN Case series. SETTING Local community nursing homes. PATIENTS Forty patients with Alzheimer's disease were drawn from previously enrolled subjects in the Rochester Alzheimer's Disease Project with Clinical Dementia Rating scores of 3, 4, or 5. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Scores on the Glasgow Coma Scale and cognitive screening examinations and the prevalence of neurologic manifestations such as primitive reflexes and extrapyramidal signs were compared across the Clinical Dementia Rating groups. RESULTS When compared with patients in the Clinical Dementia Rating stages 3 and 4, patients with a stage 5 scored significantly lower on the Glasgow Coma Scale, with the discriminating subscales being verbal and motor responses. Primitive reflexes, myoclonus, and dyskinesia were increasingly prevalent in the more terminal stages. Cognitive screening assessments did not discriminate between groups. CONCLUSIONS Rudimentary neurologic functions can be readily assessed and, when viewed together with the Glasgow Coma Scale, may circumvent the "floor effect" frequently encountered when using the currently available cognitive and functional scales and, thereby, better define patients with end-stage Alzheimer's disease.
THE ACTIVITY OF THE CONTRACTILE VACUOLE IN A SUCTORIAN (TOKOPHRYA INFUSIONUM)

1. Evidence is presented for the existence of a close relation between the behavior of the contractile vacuole and several phases of the functional activity of Tokophrya infusionum.2. When the process of feeding starts the pulsation rate of the contractile vacuole rises suddenly, remains high during feeding and falls gradually on cessation of the feeding process. It is significant that the pulsation rate remains comparatively high for several hours after the termination of the feeding.3. During reproduction the pulsation rate of the contractile vacuole increases as soon as the endogenous budding starts, rises and remains high until the ciliated embryo has become separated within the brood pouch. This moment is the high peak of the vacuolar activity. The pulsation rate subsequently begins to decrease and falls greatly upon expulsion of the embryo. After expulsion, which lasts several minutes, the pulsation rate of the contractile vacuole drops still lower.4. Unusually accelerated activity of the contractil.
Investigating time to void after lower-extremity orthopedic surgery in a pediatric population.

PURPOSE This study aims to determine the time frame of postoperative bladder volume assessment in order to identify children at risk for urinary retention in a pediatric orthopedic population. DESIGN AND METHODS This is a descriptive and nonexperimental study. Variables included age, sex, length of anesthesia, type of analgesia, analgesia delivery, bladder volume, and intravenous fluid rate. RESULTS Twenty-nine percent of the children (n = 38) required straight catheterization. The average length of time to bladder emptying was 5 hr. There were significant correlations (p < .05) between several variables. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The standard practice of waiting 8 hr before assessment of voiding was not supported in this study.
Team Care for the Patient With Cleft: UCSF Protocols and Outcomes

To meet the medical, dental, and psychologic needs of the individual with a complex craniofacial birth defect such as cleft lip and palate, a team of specialists must be involved. The currently accepted standards of care can only be met if the appropriate specialists work together in the diagnostic workup and in the immediate and long-term planning and execution of the various treatment modalities required. This concept is clearly stated in the "Parameters" document published by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association in 2004 (Cleft Palate Craniofac J 1993;30[Suppl]:S1-16). Not only does the interdisciplinary team care provide the best overall outcomes for the patient but also is the most efficacious and cost-effective way of meeting the goals of treatment. Interdisciplinary cleft team members should also be a resource in educating parents, students, and other health care providers and may be participants in research on prevention, interception, or regeneration. We present in this article the protocols and treatment outcomes of the University of California at San Francisco.
Electrical and Noise Modeling of GaAs Schottky Diode Mixers in the THz Band

This paper presents a simulation tool for the analysis and design of Schottky mixers which is able to evaluate self-consistently both the conversion losses and the noise temperature. The tool is based on a Monte Carlo model of the diode coupled with a multi-tone harmonic balance technique. A remarkable feature of this tool is that it avoids the need of analytical or empirical models. The validation of the tool has been carried out by comparing simulation results with measurements of mixers published in the literature up to 2.5 THz. The usefulness of Schottky diodes as frequency mixers above 2.5 THz is analyzed. Additionally, the range of application and the limitations of simpler simulation tools based on lumped equivalent circuits or drift-diffusion models have been evaluated using the Monte Carlo model as a reference.
Nonparametric Multivariate Tests for the Right Censored Data when the Alternative is One-Sided

In this paper, we formulate the one-sided alternatives for multivariate data and propose an asymptotically nonparametric test for possibly right censored data. We consider obtaining asymptotic tail probability (or p-value) by showing that our proposed test statistics are asymptotically related with multivariate normal distributions. Also we derive the limiting power of our test and compare the performance with other procedures by obtaining empirical powers through simulations for the bivariate case. Finally we illustrate our procedure with an example and discuss properties of our procedure.
Tunisia: Communities and Community Genetics

The population of Tunisia rose from 2.7 millions before the Second World War to 10,074,951 in 2005. Modern Tunisians are the descendents of indigenous Berbers and of people from various civilizations that were assimilated into the population over the centuries. Since its independence in 1956, Tunisia has enjoyed a stable political regime. The social landscape has also changed, based on the declaration of the Code of Personal Status, and on the nationwide education and economic progress.Consanguineous marriages are prevalent, with the same distribution between maternal and paternal relatives’ offspring. Large and consanguineous families contributed to the description of a number of new autosomal recessive conditions and to identify new loci and genes. Genetic disorders are common in Tunisia, where most people are receptive to health guidelines. Selective abortion of an affected fetus is legal in Tunisia. Contraception is encouraged. This paper reviews common genetic disorders in the country. In spite of the high quality of health care services provided in Tunisia and the progress made in genetic research in the country, genetic services still remain insufficient and do not cover all parts of the country.At present, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis seems to be the method of choice to prevent genetic diseases in Tunisia, and such services should be developed as a priority despite the financial costs of such a program.
Studies on hydroid differentiation VII. The hydrozoan stolon

The stolon of the colonial marine hydroid Podocoryne carnea differentiates sequentially as a function of age, forming four distinguishable regions characterized by epidermal cell differentiation: The Tip, New Stolon, Cnidogenic Masses, Old Stolon. Radioautographs of sections of colonies exposed to tritiated thymidine show that although cells of the epidermis and gastrodermis of the stolon incorporate the nucleoside into acid stable polynucleotide, cells of the stolon tips do not. Stolon extension is not, therefore, the result of a localized meristem‐like growth zone.