Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modèle connexionniste d'apprentissage d'associations par carte auto-organisatrice ; Contribution à l'étude d'une mise en correspondance des représentations connexionnistes et symboliques

La complementarite des proprietes attachees aux formalismes symbolique et connexionniste utilises en intelligence artificielle peut etre mise a profit par la specification de systemes hybrides disposant a la fois de facultes d'adaptation et de manipulation symbolique. Une telle cooperation necessite des echanges d'informations au moyen de transferts de representations. Sa mise en place nous conduit a rechercher les conditions dans lesquelles pourrait se developper, pendant l'apprentissage d'un reseau connexionniste, une representation orientee vers le symbolique, a caractere localise et structure. Ces proprietes permettent la detection de regularites dans les representations internes, etape indispensable avant leur integration effective dans un module symbolique. Le modele des cartes auto-organisatrices de kohonen conduit au developpement de telles representations grâce a une competition entre unites suivie d'une cooperation entre voisins. Une analyse experimentale de l'auto-organisation d'une carte met en evidence un traitement selectif des dimensions d'entree. Differents outils de description statistique ou topologique indiquent que les dimensions d'entree les plus statistiquement informatives sont privilegiees par la carte et sont a l'origine de l'organisation topologique des unites. Le caractere privilegie accorde a certaines dimensions d'entree pendant l'auto-organisation permet d'exercer un controle de l'adaptation au moyen des donnees presentees et de leur codage. Ce type de controle est utilise dans la specification d'un modele d'apprentissage d'associations base sur les cartes auto-organisatrices appele lasso (learning associations by self-organization). Durant l'apprentissage, le systeme classifie des vecteurs composes d'une entree et de la sortie desiree associee. Les poids ainsi appris sont utilises en phase d'exploitation pour determiner le pattern associe a une entree presentee. Ce modele est applique a differents problemes, dans le domaine de la reconnaissance des formes notamment. Les taux de reconnaissance obtenus valident le mode d'exploitation particulier des cartes auto-organisatrices que nous proposons. L'utilisation d'une carte topologiquement organisee confere au modele des capacites specifiques sur le plan de la representation des connaissances, qui se developpe dans la carte suivant un principe de localisation au niveau de groupes d'unites voisines
Technical and clinical validation of the Greiner FC-Mix glycaemia tube

Abstract Background: Measurement of adequate glucose concentrations is complicated by in vitro breakdown of glucose due to glycolysis. Unlike the commonly used NaF-EDTA and NaF-oxalate phlebotomy tubes, citrated NaF-EDTA tubes are reported to directly and thereby completely inhibit glycolysis. Recently, Greiner introduced the Vacuette® FC-Mix NaF-EDTA-citrate tube, currently the only NaF-citrate tube without volume-disturbing liquid additions available on the European market. Here we present its potential as alternative for the laborious and therefore unfeasible conditions for glucose sampling as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Methods: The FC-Mix tube was tested against the WHO recommended method of optimal laboratory conditions, both in healthy volunteers and pregnant woman undergoing oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) for screening of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Glucose concentrations were measured after different incubation times (0–48 h) and temperatures (room temperature, 37 °C), both in uncentrifuged whole blood and centrifuged material. Results: Deming regression analysis shows that glucose concentrations measured in the FC-Mix tube correlate to the WHO recommended method. Stability is maintained at room temperature for 48 h and at least 24 h at 37 °C. The use of the FC-Mix tube was also validated in screening for GDM and proved comparable to the WHO recommended method in diagnostic outcome. Conclusions: The new Greiner FC-Mix tube combines the easy handling of a routine tube with dry additive with the ability to immediately inhibit glycolysis as in the WHO method for optimal pre-analytical and analytical conditions and performs equally to those conditions when screening for GDM.
Good Monitoring, Bad Monitoring

Are courts effective monitors of corporate decisions? In a controversial landmark case, the Delaware Supreme Court held directors personally liable for breaching their fiduciary duties, signaling a sharp increase in Delaware’s scrutiny over corporate decisions. In our event study, low-growth Delaware firms outperformed matched non-Delaware firms by 1% in the three day event window. In contrast, high-growth Delaware firms under-performed by 1%. Contrary to previous literature, we conclude that court decisions can have large, significant and heterogeneous effects on firm value, and that rules insulating directors from court scrutiny benefit the fastest growing sectors of the economy.
Metropolitan Innovation in the New Economy

This paper analyzes the high-tech economies of 350-plus metropolitan areas across the U.S. during 2010. Attention is given to 20 different production attributes—including the age and education of the workforce, patent production, business startups, per capita productivity of the workers, and the like. Multivariate analysis is used to reduce these 20 attributes down to 10 orthogonal dimensions; then the scores on these dimensions are used to identify eight different innovation and entrepreneurial clubs. Basically the exercise deconstructs the metropolitan economies into various parts so that each economy is assigned a signature score on each of the independent factors. High-tech places, which are especially active in both patents and startups, are shown to be more heterogeneous than low-tech places. Moreover, the recent growth and change seen in many metropolitan areas appears to be associated with the incidence of very different factors: population growth has been driven by forces that are different from those that have induced either employment change or productivity growth in those metropolitan areas.
Evaluating benign and malignant bone and soft-tissue lesions with technetium-99m-MIBI scintigraphy.

UNLABELLED This study compares the ability of 201TI and 99mTc-MIBI to detect and assess tumor response to chemotherapy in malignant and benign bone and soft-tissue lesions. METHODS Forty-two patients with various bone and soft-tissue pathologies (29 malignant and 13 benign lesions) were studied with 201TI and 99mTc-MIBI. Planar 201TI scintigraphy was performed 15 min after injection of 111 MBq of 201TI. Within 1 wk of the 201TI study, radionuclide angiography with 600-740 MBq of 99mTc-MIBI was performed and planar imaging was done 15 min later. RESULTS In visual analysis, 31 of 42 patients showed similar uptake of both tracers, 8 showed more intense uptake of 99mTc-MIBI than 201TI and 3 showed more intense uptake of 201TI than 99mTc-MIBI. In quantitative analysis, similar 201TI and 99mTc-MIBI uptake ratios were obtained (1.96 +/- 1.25 versus 1.96 +/- 1.02, respectively; p = ns). The perfusion index derived from 99mTc-MIBI radionuclide angiography was higher than 99mTc-MIBI uptake ratio (2.33 +/- 1.23 versus 1.96 +/- 1.02, respectively; p < 0.005), but correlated well with 99mTc-MIBI uptake ratio (r = 0.75). In 11 patients with malignant tumors, 201TI and 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy was repeated after chemotherapy and the uptake of both tracers was significantly suppressed in patients with complete response confirmed by histological evaluation. In patients with complete response (n = 3), the uptake ratio of both tracers was reduced by more than 50%, whereas, less than 20% reduction of uptake ratio was observed in patients with nonresponse (n = 6). CONCLUSION The ability of 99mTc-MIBI to detect malignant and benign bone and soft-tissue lesions and to assess tumor response to chemotherapy was comparable to that of 201TI. In addition, blood flow could be assessed by radionuclide angiography with 99mTc-MIBI. Technetium-99m-MIBI is a promising radiopharmaceutical for the evaluation of bone and soft-tissue lesions.
Moderating Effect of Risk Perception on Financial Knowledge, Literacy and Investment Decision

Financially unsophisticated investors who consistently make sub-optimal financial decisions may suffer lasting consequences for long-term wealth accumulation and welfare. This study examines moderating effect of risk perception on financial knowledge, literacy and investment decision. Data was collected from 378 investors through the aids of structured questionnaires. The research hypotheses were tested using partial Least-square (PLS) regression. The findings reveals that there is positive and significant effect between financial knowledge, risk perception and investment decisions, while positive but insignificant effect was found between financial literacy and investment decisions. However, risk perception moderates the effect of financial literacy, investment knowledge on investment decisions. It recommends that investors, policymakers and individuals investors should embark on various educational programmes, to further influence the level of their investment decisions before committing their hard earning fund into project.
Nitric Oxide Modulation of Pulmonary Blood Flow Distribution in Lobar Hypoxia

Background Nitric oxide, endogenously produced or inhaled, has been shown to play an important role in the regulation of pulmonary blood flow. The inhalation of nitric oxide reduces pulmonary arterial pressure in humans, and the blockade of endogenous nitric oxide production increases the pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia. This study was performed to investigate the hypothesis that intravenous administration of an nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and regional inhalation of nitric oxide can markedly alter the distribution of pulmonary blood flow during regional hypoxia. Methods Hypoxia (5% Oxygen2) was induced in the left lower lobe of the pig, and the blood flow to this lobe was measured with transit‐time ultrasound. Nitric oxide was administered in the gas ventilating the hypoxic lobe and the hyperoxic lung regions with and without blockade of endogenous nitric oxide production by means of Nomega ‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME). Results Hypoxia in the left lower lobe reduced blood flow to that lobe to 27 plus/minus 3.9% (mean plus/minus SEM) of baseline values (P < 0.01). L‐NAME caused a further reduction in lobar blood flow in all six animals to 12 plus/minus 3.5% and increased arterial oxygen tension (Pa sub O2) (P < 0.01). Without L‐NAME, the inhalation of nitric oxide (40 ppm) to the hypoxic lobe increased lobar blood flow to 66 plus/minus 5.6% of baseline (P < 0.01) and, with L‐NAME, nitric oxide delivered to the hypoxic lobe resulted in a lobar blood flow that was 88 plus/minus 9.3% of baseline (difference not significant). When nitric oxide was administered to the hyperoxic lung regions, after L‐NAME infusion, the blood flow to the hypoxic lobe decreased to 2.5 plus/minus 1.6% of baseline and PaO2 was further increased (P < 0.01). Conclusions By various combinations of nitric oxide inhalation and intravenous administration of an nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, lobar blood flow and arterial oxygenation could be markedly altered during lobar hypoxia. In particular, the combination of intravenous L‐NAME and nitric oxide inhalation to the hyperoxic regions almost abolished perfusion of the hypoxic lobe and resulted in a PaO2 that equalled the prehypoxic values. This possibility of adjusting regional blood flow and thereby of improving PaO2 may be of value in the treatment of patients undergoing one‐lung ventilation and of patients with acute respiratory failure.
Schistosoma mansoni Infection Impairs Antimalaria Treatment and Immune Responses of Rhesus Macaques Infected with Mosquito-Borne Plasmodium coatneyi

ABSTRACT Malaria and schistosomiasis are the world's two most important parasitic infections in terms of distribution, morbidity, and mortality. In areas where Plasmodium and Schistosoma species are both endemic, coinfections are commonplace. Mouse models demonstrate that schistosomiasis worsens a malaria infection; however, just as mice and humans differ greatly, the murine-infecting Plasmodium species differ as much from those that infect humans. Research into human coinfections (Schistosoma haematobium-Plasmodium falciparum versus Schistosoma mansoni-P. falciparum) has produced conflicting results. The rhesus macaque model provides a helpful tool for understanding the role of S. mansoni on malaria parasitemia and antimalarial immune responses using Plasmodium coatneyi, a malaria species that closely resembles P. falciparum infection in humans. Eight rhesus macaques were exposed to S. mansoni cercariae. Eight weeks later, these animals plus 8 additional macaques were exposed to malaria either through bites of infected mosquitos or intravenous inoculation. When malaria infection was initiated from mosquito bites, coinfected animals displayed increased malaria parasitemia, decreased hematocrit levels, and suppressed malaria-specific antibody responses compared to those of malaria infection alone. However, macaques infected by intravenous inoculation with erythrocytic-stage parasites did not display these same differences in parasitemia, hematocrit, or antibody responses between the two groups. Use of the macaque model provides information that begins to unravel differences in pathological and immunological outcomes observed between humans with P. falciparum that are coinfected with S. mansoni or S. haematobium. Our results suggest that migration of malaria parasites through livers harboring schistosome eggs may alter host immune responses and infection outcomes.
Sensori-neural hearing loss in Jamaicans with SS disease.

The pure-tone hearing levels in 83 Jamaican patients aged from 10-39 with homozygous sickle cell disease were compared with appropriate controls. A sensori-neural hearing loss, defined as a deficit of at least 25 dB in one or more frequencies, was found in 18/83 (22%) patients and in 3/83 (4%) controls. Both sexes and ears were equally affected, but the extremes of the tested range, especially the high tones, were involved most frequently. The hearing loss was of slow onset. The relative contributions of thrombosis, anaemia, atherosclerosis and Jamaican neuropathy are discussed. It is felt that the most likely aetiology is a thrombotic process.
The heterogeneity of chicken hemoglobin.

five components in the adult, four of which contain N-acetyl amino acids. The results of the present investigation show that the adult chicken contains a minimum of five components, and these differ from one another primarily in the structure of one polypeptide subunit. The five-day embryo possesses at least three distinct Hb types, and these embryonic Hb types differ from the adult in the structure of both polypeptide subunit classes. A large number of distinct genetic loci may specify the primary structure of Hb subunits at one time or another during the life of the chicken. Materials and Methods. -Adults and eggs of white Leghorn chickens were obtained from Kimber Farms, Niles, California. Erythrocytes were collected and hemolyzed by conventional techniques.2 Separation of adult Hb's was carried out by carboxymethylcellulose (CMC, Brown and Co., 0.8 mEq/gm) chromatography essentially as outlined by Matsuda and Takei.5 One of the adult Hb components (named A-2) thus separated was found later to consist of two components, which were separated by executing a vertical starch gel electrophoresis as specified by Manwell,6 as a preparative technique. Embryonic Hb's, on the other hand, were satisfactorily separated only by the gel electrophoresis. Extraction of separated components from the gel was done by freezing and thawing macerated portions of the gels in dilute borate buffer. The gel electrophoresis was used also for examination of purity of isolated Hb components. Hb concentration was determined by absorption of the cyanomethemoglobin derivative (CNmetHb) at 540 m, (molar extinction = 11.5 X 103). 7 Hb solutions were concentrated by ammonium sulfate precipitation or dialysis against 10-20 per cent polyethylene glycol in 0.03 M borate, pH 8.6, containing 0.01 per cent cyanide. Globin was prepared by the acid-acetone method.8 Chromatographic separation of Hb subunits at pH 1.9 was carried out as described by Muller.9 Separation of Hb subunits at pH 1.9 by starch gel electrophoresis was accomplished by the method of M\Iuller.9 Starch gels were stained for protein using amido black and for Hb using o-diansidine. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 8.9 was carried out according to directions of the manufacturer (Canalco Corp.).
The influence of Wasta on employees and organisations in Kuwait: exploring the impact on human resource management, knowledge sharing, innovation and organisational commitment

This thesis examines the influence of wasta on employees and organisations in Kuwait. Wasta is a set of personal networks based on family or connections in which power and influence is used to accomplish things. As wasta evolved, it became deeply rooted in Kuwait. For instance, it became a tool which people use to get recruited in any position, regardless of their qualification. It is considered as a family obligation, a technique for doing business, and a practice which people use to maintain one s status. To date, there has been little research on the influence of wasta within organisations in terms of human resource management (HRM) practices, knowledge sharing, innovation, and organisational commitment in Kuwait. Consequently, the aim of this thesis is to address the research question: does wasta influence human resource management practices, knowledge sharing, innovation, and organisational commitment in Kuwait? A mixed method sequential exploratory research design is utilised to examine the specified research question. The justification behind this approach is that both qualitative and quantitative strategies supplement each other by giving a more in-depth and complete picture of the topic. Based on a total of 343 individual responses, the outcomes identified with wasta in businesses are considerable, as it does not only impact employees performance, but also the entire organisation s performance. The findings revealed that wasta influences HRM practices, knowledge sharing, innovation, and organisational commitment in Kuwait. In addition, the results of this study developed new models that fit within the context of this research and suggests several recommendations that could be developed to reduce the unwanted effects of wasta and improve employees as well as organisations performance. Consequently, this thesis provides a conceptual framework of what wasta is, how it is being executed, and ways in which it impacts employees and organisations in terms of the measured variables. It aims to deliver insight for citizens, employees, local and multi-national organisations, and the government in Kuwait about how the practice of wasta impacts performance, either positively or negatively. This thesis contributes to new knowledge within the field of business in the Middle East and provides a basis on which further research could be carried out. Therefore, this research will support and provide additional value to the minimum research that is available on wasta in Kuwait and worldwide.
The characteristics and business impact of children’s electronic word of mouth in marketing communications

Abstract Leading digital technology companies have shown a strong interest in enabling children to send electronic word of mouth (eWOM). Recasting children from passive to active participants in marketing communications, this shift expands children’s marketing practices from how companies influence children via traditional marketing communications, to how children influence companies’ marketing practices through eWOM. We apply the value-capacity-vulnerability framework for children’s expressive rights to the context of children’s eWOM. Using a dataset of Amazon customer reviews written by children under the age of 13, we examine the characteristics and business impact of children’s eWOM. We find that the volume and variance of children’s eWOM are smaller than that of adults’. Children’s eWOM increase the overall diversity of opinions. Although receivers perceive children’s eWOM as less helpful, children’s eWOM valence (i.e. average rating) correlates with that of adults’. Children’s eWOM volume has a product-category-dependent association with product sales: positively in children’s product categories, while negatively in general categories. Children’s eWOM valence and variance are positively associated with product sales in both product categories. Receivers are less likely to criticize children’s eWOM compared to that of adults’, suggesting an underlying protective behaviour towards children among eWOM receivers. These results show that children have the capacity to engage in eWOM of social and business value, with receivers typically mindful of children’s vulnerability in social interactions.
Regional brain activity during shape recognition impaired by a scopolamine challenge to encoding

In the present positron emission tomography (PET) study, we examine the effect of a scopolamine‐induced challenge to encoding upon the pattern of regional cerebral blood flow during recognition of a list of abstract visual shapes 3 days after encoding of these shapes. This study was conducted to test hypotheses concerning the fusiform and thalamic contributions to object recognition arising from a previous imaging study of impaired recognition. In that study, we demonstrated that activity in the fusiform cortex and the thalamus during shape recognition was modulated by memory challenges. These memory challenges included, on one hand, impaired storage as a consequence of diazepam administration during encoding, and, on the other hand, impaired retrieval caused by a perceptual challenge. Activation in the fusiform cortex decreased during impaired recognition, irrespective of the type of challenge. In contrast, thalamic activation increased only when the recognition deficit resulted from impaired memory storage. Based on these results, we hypothesized that fusiform activation during recognition reflects the matching of an incoming stimulus with a stored one, whereas thalamic activation reflects retrieval attempts. These hypotheses would receive considerable support if scopolamine, which also impairs memory storage, induced similar modulations of fusiform and thalamic activation. In the present study, we observed that a scopolamine challenge to encoding does indeed modulate the activity in the very same regions that were previously modulated by a diazepam challenge. Hence, a similar memory deficit, although primarily effected through different neurochemical pathways, was paralleled by a similar modulation of activity in the same set of nodes in the shape recognition network. In the fusiform cortex, scopolamine decreased recognition‐related activity, as did the sensory challenge of retrieval. Furthermore, covariate analysis demonstrated that the level of fusiform activity linearly correlates with behavioural performance. In the thalamus, activation increased following impaired encoding. This is in accordance with the idea that enhanced thalamic activity reflects increased effort expended in retrieval. In addition, in the intraparietal sulcus, differential activation also increased following impaired memory storage, possibly reflecting enhanced visuospatial attention in an effort to compensate for impaired performance.