Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empirical regularities for the currencies of European monetary system during the 1976-1993 period

Empirical evidence about the behaviour of the exchange rates in terms of the US Dollar (USD) has shown different regularities (autocorrelation, daily seasonality, heteroscedasticicity, long memory). In this sense, we are interested in analysing the regularities that can be found in the behaviour of the European currencies in terms of Deutsche Mark (DEM) specifically those related to the mean because they could lead to the design of potentially exploitable strategies. The hypothesis is that the existence of a monetary system, which operates with bands around the bilateral central rate, can have an important influence on the behaviour of the exchange rates. Thus daily prices of four foreign currencies (French Franc (FRF), British Pound (GBP), Italian Lira (ITL) and Spanish Peseta (ESP)) are analysed over the period from 1 January 1976 to 31 December 1993. The results have confirmed a previous hypothesis.
Role of angiotensin II in dynamic renal blood flow autoregulation of the conscious dog

The influence of angiotensin II (ANGII) on the dynamic characteristics of renal blood flow (RBF) was studied in conscious dogs by testing the response to a step increase in renal artery pressure (RAP) after a 60 s period of pressure reduction (to 50 mmHg) and by calculating the transfer function between physiological fluctuations in RAP and RBF. During the RAP reduction, renal vascular resistance (RVR) decreased and upon rapid restoration of RAP, RVR returned to baseline with a characteristic time course: within the first 10 s, RVR rose rapidly by 40 % of the initial change (first response, myogenic response). A second rise began after 20–30 s and reached baseline after an overshoot at 40 s (second response, tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF)). Between both responses, RVR rose very slowly (plateau). The transfer function had a low gain below 0.01 Hz (high autoregulatory efficiency) and two corner frequencies at 0.026 Hz (TGF) and at 0.12 Hz (myogenic response). Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) lowered baseline RVR, but not the minimum RVR at the end of the RAP reduction (autoregulation‐independent RVR). Both the first and second response were reduced, but the normalised level of the plateau (balance between myogenic response, TGF and possible slower mechanisms) and the transfer gain below 0.01 Hz were not affected. Infusion of ANGII after ramipril raised baseline RVR above the control condition. The first and second response and the transfer gain at both corner frequencies were slightly augmented, but the normalised level of the plateau was not affected. It is concluded that alterations of plasma ANGII within a physiological range do not modulate the relative contribution of the myogenic response to the overall short‐term autoregulation of RBF. Consequently, it appears that ANGII augments not only TGF, but also the myogenic response.
Super Compact and Ultrabroadband Power Divider Using Silicon-Based Integrated Passive Device Technology

In this paper, an ultrabroadband two-way power divider with super compact circuit size is demonstrated using the silicon-based integrated passive device technology. By replacing all the eight quarter-wavelength lines in a conventional foursection Wilkinson power divider with bridged-T coils, the circuit size can be largely reduced without reducing the bandwidth. As a result, an ultrabroadband power divider with 10-dB return loss/isolation bandwidth from 1.85 to 21.30 GHz can be realized in a very compact circuit size of 3.41 × 1.17 mm2, which is only about 0. 132λ0 × 0. 045λ0 at the center frequency J0 = 11.6 GHz. The measured insertion loss is less than 2 dB in the same frequency range. To the best of our knowledge, this is the smallest ultrabroadband passive power divider design with larger than 10:1 bandwidth ever reported.
Regulation of KCa-channel activity by cyclic ADP-ribose and ADP-ribose in coronary arterial smooth muscle.

The enzymatic pathway responsible for the production and metabolism of cyclic ADP-ribose (cADP-R) in small bovine coronary arteries was characterized, and the role of cADP-R and ADP-ribose (ADP-R) in the regulation of the activity of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa) channels was determined in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) prepared from these vessels. We found that cADP-R and ADP-R were produced when the coronary arterial homogenates were incubated with 1 mM beta-NAD. The time course of the enzyme reactions showed that the maximal conversion rate (1.37 +/- 0.03 nmol . min-1 . mg protein-1) of beta-NAD to cADP-R was reached after 3 min of incubation. As incubation time was prolonged, the production of ADP-R was increased to a maximal rate of 3.66 +/- 0.03 nmol . min-1 . mg protein-1, whereas cADP-R production decreased. Incubation of the homogenate with cADP-R produced a time-dependent increase in the synthesis of ADP-R. Comparison of coronary arterial microsomes with cytosols shows that the production of both cADP-R and ADP-R in microsomes was significantly greater. In excised inside-out membrane patches of single coronary SMC, the KCa channels were activated when beta-NAD, the precursor for both cADP-R and ADP-R, was applied to the internal surface. This effect of beta-NAD may be associated with the production of ADP-R, because the KCa-channel activity was increased by ADP-R in a concentration-dependent manner. The open-state probability of the KCa channels increased from a control level of 0.08 +/- 0.03 to 0.17 +/- 0.05 even at the lowest ADP-R concentration (0.1 microM) studied. However, cADP-R reduced the KCa-channel activity, and the threshold concentration of cADP-R that decreased the average channel activity of the KCa channels was 1 microM. These results provide evidence that cADP-R is produced and metabolized in the coronary arterial smooth muscle and that a cADP-R/ADP-R pathway participates in the control of the KCa-channel activity in vascular SMC.
Teachers' Technology Use and the Change of Their Pedagogical Beliefs in Korean Educational Context.

Many researchers have attempted to identify the factors that lead teachers to use technology in the classroom. However, few studies have examined whether and how teachers’ technology use change their pedagogical beliefs. Therefore, this study investigates how teacher-related factors influence teachers’ use of technology, and how changes subsequently occur in their pedagogical beliefs when they incorporate technology into their teaching practice. The study participants were 659 in-service teachers from elementary schools in South Korea. We employed structural equation modeling to determine the relationship between the intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing teachers’ use of technology, as well as changes in their pedagogical beliefs. The results showed that an intrinsic factor, namely teachers’ attitude toward technology, mostly drives their use of technology in practice, and triggers changes in their beliefs. In addition, extrinsic factors such as the pressure to use technology and administrative support can affect teachers’ use of technology and changes in their beliefs. Finally, this study provides implications for teachers, school administrators, and policymakers that contribute to the discussion on technology integration in the classroom.
Plasmid Complement of Lactococcus lactis NCDO712 Reveals a Novel Pilus Gene Cluster

Lactococcus lactis MG1363 is an important gram-positive model organism. It is a plasmid-free and phage-cured derivative of strain NCDO712. Plasmid-cured strains facilitate studies on molecular biological aspects, but many properties which make L. lactis an important organism in the dairy industry are plasmid encoded. We sequenced the total DNA of strain NCDO712 and, contrary to earlier reports, revealed that the strain carries 6 rather than 5 plasmids. A new 50-kb plasmid, designated pNZ712, encodes functional nisin immunity (nisCIP) and copper resistance (lcoRSABC). The copper resistance could be used as a marker for the conjugation of pNZ712 to L. lactis MG1614. A genome comparison with the plasmid cured daughter strain MG1363 showed that the number of single nucleotide polymorphisms that accumulated in the laboratory since the strains diverted more than 30 years ago is limited to 11 of which only 5 lead to amino acid changes. The 16-kb plasmid pSH74 was found to contain a novel 8-kb pilus gene cluster spaCB-spaA-srtC1-srtC2, which is predicted to encode a pilin tip protein SpaC, a pilus basal subunit SpaB, and a pilus backbone protein SpaA. The sortases SrtC1/SrtC2 are most likely involved in pilus polymerization while the chromosomally encoded SrtA could act to anchor the pilus to peptidoglycan in the cell wall. Overexpression of the pilus gene cluster from a multi-copy plasmid in L. lactis MG1363 resulted in cell chaining, aggregation, rapid sedimentation and increased conjugation efficiency of the cells. Electron microscopy showed that the over-expression of the pilus gene cluster leads to appendices on the cell surfaces. A deletion of the gene encoding the putative basal protein spaB, by truncating spaCB, led to more pilus-like structures on the cell surface, but cell aggregation and cell chaining were no longer observed. This is consistent with the prediction that spaB is involved in the anchoring of the pili to the cell.
Homeostatic Control For A Mobile Robot: Dynamic Replanning In Hazardous Environments

A longstanding goal of robotics has been to introduce intelligent machines into environments that are dangerous to humans. These environments also pose hazards to the robots themselves. By embedding sensing devices as a means for monitoring the internal state of the robot, dynamic plan reformulation can occur in situations that threaten the existence of the robot. A method exploiting an analogy to the endocrine control system is forwarded as the preferred method for homeostatic control - the maintenance of a safe internal environment for the machine. Examples are given describing the impact of fuel reserve depletion and global temperature stress. A methodology using signal schemas as a means to supplement the existing motor schema control found in the Autonomous Robot Architecture (AuRA) is presented.
High-resolution CT quantification of bronchiectasis: clinical and functional correlation.

PURPOSE To evaluate clinical relevance of high-resolution computed tomographic (CT) findings in patients with bronchiectasis by using a quantitative high-resolution CT protocol to assess extent of bronchiectasis, severity of bronchial wall thickening, and presence of small-airway abnormalities and mosaic pattern. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty Chinese patients with steady-state bronchiectasis underwent thoracic high-resolution CT and lung function tests. Exacerbation frequency per year and 24-hour sputum volume were determined. Extent of bronchiectasis, severity of bronchial wall thickening, and presence of small-airway abnormalities and mosaic attenuation were evaluated in each lobe, including the lingula. Differences between sex and smoking status with respect to high-resolution CT, lung function, and clinical parameters were tested with either the independent sample t test or the Mann-Whitney test. Spearman rank correlation was used to evaluate associations between clinical, lung function, and high-resolution CT scores. Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine which high-resolution CT parameters would best predict lung function and clinical parameters, adjusted for smoking. RESULTS Exacerbation frequency was associated with bronchial wall thickening (r = 0.32, P =.03); 24-hour sputum volume with bronchial wall thickening and small-airway abnormalities (r = 0.30 and 0.39, respectively; P <.05); and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)), ratio of FEV(1) to forced vital capacity (FVC), and midexpiratory phase of forced expiratory flow (FEF(25%-75%)) (r = -0.33, -0.29, and -0.32, respectively; P <.05). Extent of bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, and mosaic attenuation, respectively, were related to FEV(1) (r = -0.43 to -0.60, P <.001), FEF(25%-75%) (r = -0.38 to -0.57, P <.001), FVC (r = -0.36 to -0.46, P <.01), and FEV(1)/FVC ratio (r = -0.31 to -0.49, P <.01). After multiple regression analysis, bronchial wall thickening remained a significant determinant of airflow obstruction, whereas small-airway abnormalities remained associated with 24-hour sputum volume. Women had milder disease than men but showed more high-resolution CT functional correlations. CONCLUSION Findings of this study establish a link between morphologic high-resolution CT parameters and clinical activity and emphasize the role of bronchial wall thickening in patients with bronchiectasis.
Diffusion of R&D within the Australian Wine Industry

The Australian wine industry's popular image as a leader in R&D can indeed be substantiated. Its oenological and viticultural innovation and technical expertise have set new international benchmarks. The coordination of this R&D has ensured that the industry remains at the leading edge. However, the findings of this paper also substantiate concerns that this R&D is concentrated in what appears to be a South Australian R&D 'epicentre'. Regions and wine operators not connected to this epicentre can be disadvantaged. This paper examines the diffusion of R&D to regional operators and suggests mechanisms for improvement of the current structure.
Accessing e-government: challenges for citizens and organizations

The Internet is becoming more integral to governments and their modes of doing business and delivering services. This is creating a new imperative to address the digital divide. In Australia, as shown in this article, citizens who are the biggest users of government services are the least likely to be connected to the internet. What can be done to connect the unconnected? The article explores what has been learned from some of the Australian initiatives for connecting the unconnected to online government services. It concludes that greater attention to community-based human capital development is needed. It gives examples of factors needed for success in building socially marginalized communities’ interest, enthusiasm and capacity to interact and communicate via online technologies, thereby contributing to how successful e-government can be in delivering gains in efficiency and improved services.
Teacher Quality and Student Achievement: A Review of State Policy Evidence

Using data from a 50-state survey of policies, state case study analyses, the 1993-94 Schools and Staffing Surveys (SASS), and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), this study examines the ways in which teacher qualifications and other school inputs are related to student achievement across states. The findings of both the qualitative and quantitative analyses suggest that policy investments in the quality of teachers may be related to improvements in student performance. Quantitative analyses indicate that measures of teacher preparation and certification are by far the strongest correlates of student achievement in reading and mathematics, both before and after controlling for student poverty and language status. State policy surveys and case study data are used to evaluate policies that influence the overall level of teacher qualifications within and across states. This analysis suggests that policies adopted by states regarding teacher education, licensing, hiring, and professional development may make an important difference in the qualifications and capacities that teachers bring to their work. The
Corporate Struggle with ICT in Thailand: A Case Study

The paper discusses, through a case study, network implementation problems faced by Bangkok Investment Corporation1 (BIC), a foreign corporation in Thailand, following a proposal to adopt a centralized Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database system to support all offices and their mobile workforce. The case study is presented from an internal perspective and illustrates how a variety of elements within Thailand may contribute to inadequate telecommunications infrastructure and underdeveloped skill‐sets. We note that educational reforms, having slowed down in pace, restrict the availability of people with the required knowledge and skill‐sets, affecting the time and cost of implementation considerably. Highlighted in particular, is the dominance of teacher‐lead education, the lack of critical thinking skills development within the formal education system, and how such systems impose a constraint on the problem‐solving skills that are required of people working in the ICT sector. We conclude that it may be difficult to sustain a centralized CRM database accessible over a Wide Area Network in Thailand at this time without ongoing issues.
Relationship between Islamic Banking Profitability and Determinants of Efficiency

The paper investigates the efficiency of the 78 Islamic banks in 25 countries for the period 1992-2009. The efficiency estimates of individual banks are evaluated using the non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. The empirical findings seem to suggest that the Islamic banks have exhibited high Pure Technical Efficiency (PTE). A multivariate analysis based on the Tobit model reinforces these findings and significantly associated with operating expenses against asset, size, equity, NPL, Asia Financial Crisis and national income level (GDP). The Fixed Effect Model (FEM) used to analyze profitability proposed that profit efficiency is positive and statistically significant with operating expenses against asset, equity, high income countries and non- performing loans against total loans. Interestingly, the empirical results show that more profitable banks are those that have higher operating expenses against asset, more equity against asset and concentrated at high income countries, demonstrating a close relationship between monetary factors in determining Islamic banks profitability.
Paradigm shift in managing career plateau in organisation : the best strategy to minimize employee intention to quit

In this era of globalisation career plateau in organisation needs to be managed effectively to minimize employee’s intention to quit. Many employees find themselves in jobs that offer them limited mobility opportunities in terms of upward movement in the organisation. There are many drivers which lead to career plateau in organisations particularly organisational re-structuring. Career plateau affects both the management and employees. Career plateau is considered as one of the contributing factors in employee’s intention to quit in many organisations. Management and human resource professionals are in dilemma on the best interventions to put in place to manage career plateau effectively in order to enhance organisation competitiveness. This paper tries to investigate the drivers and effects of career plateau in organisation and recommends best strategies to manage career plateau in organisation. The methodology adopted in this study is critical review of the existing literature online and print. The major finding of this study is that career plateau is a major contributing factor to employee turnover in organisations. The contribution of this paper is that it will provoke scholarly debate on management and other stakeholders to develop the best strategies to manage career plateau in organisation.
Baduanjin alleviates the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES To assess the feasibility and safety of using the health-promoting traditional Chinese exercise, known as Baduanjin, in treating knee osteoarthritis (OA). SUBJECTS Twenty-eight (28) female patients who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for osteoarthritis of the knee signed the informed consent and were randomized into the Baduanjin group (n=14) and the control group (n=14). Eleven (11) patients in the Baduanjin group and 10 patients in the control group completed the trial. INTERVENTION The Baduanjin group patients exercised following taped commands in the community entertainment room during 30-minute classes five times a week for 8 weeks, whereas the control group received no treatment. OUTCOME MEASURES Indicators that include knee pain, stiffness, physical disability, general health, quadriceps strength, and aerobic ability were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT), and the Isokinetic Strength of the Knee Extensors (ISKE). RESULTS Compared with the control group, the participants in the Baduanjin group had statistically significant improvements in percentage changes of the WOMAC pain subscale (-61.8+/-35.7% versus 44.6+/-102.8%; p=0.006), the WOMAC stiffness subscale (-53.4+/-46.1% versus 135.8+/-386.7%; p=0.029), the WOMAC physical function subscale (-7.4+/-81.9% versus 140.5+/-151.9%; p=0.024), 6-MWT (11.9+/-7.5% versus 1.6+/-13.0%; p=0.036), and Peak Torque of the ISKE (15.1+/-33.7% versus -16.1+/-16.6%; p=0.016). The SF-36's General Health, Social Function, and Mental Health subscales had no significant changes between those in the Baduanjin and control groups. As such, no adverse events from treatment were reported. CONCLUSIONS This study suggested that the Baduanjin exercise provided a safe and feasible treatment option for patients with knee OA, as well as offered reductions in pain, stiffness, and disability, which helped improve the patients' quadriceps strength and aerobic ability.
Precurarization and Priming: A Theoretical Analysis of Safety and Timing

The priming principle suggests that the onset of neuromuscular block may be accelerated if an intubating dose is preceded by a priming dose administered a few minutes earlier. We thought it would be instructive to use a pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic model to estimate the risk associated with different priming doses and intervals. In any normal population, there is wide variability in the response to neuromuscular blocking drugs. For most relaxants, the coefficient of variation for the 50% effective dose (ED50) approximates 20%–25%. Thus, 1 patient in 50 (−2.05 sd) may have an ED50 only half of the commonly cited value. By using published pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic data, we calculated the effect of administering 10%, 20%, or 30% of the ED95 on the response of the adductor pollicis muscle in a population normally distributed with respect to drug sensitivity. A dose equivalent to 10% of the ED95 will rarely produce a measurable neuromuscular effect. As this dose is increased, the potential for clinical weakness rapidly escalates. In 1 in 50 individuals, the usual recommendation of 10% of the intubation dose will produce measurable neuromuscular depression. For vecuronium, the optimal priming interval is 5 min. The safety and dependability of the priming principle is very much subject to the laws of probability.
The Cost of Flexibility at the Margin - Comparing the Wage Penalty for Fixed-Term Contracts in Germany and Spain Using Quantile Regression

Germany and Spain are typically regarded as rigid economies, yet both have had different experiences of fixed-term jobs. Using quantile regression we find that in West Germany the earnings of permanent and fixed-term workers are most similar among high earners and most dissimilar among low earners. In Spain, the wage penalty shows little variation across the distribution of wages. This pattern was also found for different occupational groups, although there are clear differences in the absolute wage penalty across occupations. In conclusion we caution against generalizing findings from Spain to other rigid European labor markets.