Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intellectual capital and market performance: The case of multinational R&D firms in the U.S.

ABSTRACT:Intellectual capital (IC) is considered as a key resource in business. However, it is difficult to measure and compare across firms due to its intangible nature. The Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAIC) model proposed by Pulic (1998; 2000) might be used to overcome these issues. The purpose of this study is to apply the VAIC model to investigate the impact of IC on market performance among R&D engaging firms. The sample for this study comprises multinational firms listed on the United States (U.S.) stock exchanges which engaged in R&D activity during the period 2006-2013. The sample employed consists of 1,328 firm-year observations and the data were obtained from the Compustat database. Market performance is measured using the market-to-book ratio and Tobin’s q ratio. The study employs the VAIC model to measure aggregate IC efficiency and its elements: human capital efficiency, structural capital efficiency and tangible capital efficiency. The study also controls for the effects of size, leverage, year and industry on market performance. The data were analyzed using descriptive, correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. From the regression analysis, the results indicate that aggregate IC efficiency has a positive and significant association with market performance among R&D firms. However, among the components of aggregate IC efficiency, human capital efficiency has no significant association with R&D firms’ market performance while structural capital efficiency and tangible capital efficiency have a positive and significant association with market performance. The findings suggest that the synergy derived from the combination of IC and tangible resources has a significant influence on the market valuation of R&D firms. The finding also suggests the importance of structural and tangible capital over human capital in R&D engaging firms. The findings provide not only empirical evidence on the relationship between IC and market performance among R&D engaging firms, but also provides important further evidence on the VAIC model as an IC measurement method. Empirical studies to date have found mixed evidence on the adequacy of the VAIC model. In respect of structural and tangible capital the results of this study provide support for the VAIC model; but not in respect of human capital.
Homologues of Insecticidal Toxin Complex Genes in Yersinia enterocolitica Biotype 1A and Their Contribution to Virulence

ABSTRACT Yersinia enterocolitica is an enteric pathogen that consists of six biotypes: 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Strains of the latter five biotypes can carry a virulence plasmid, known as pYV, and several well-characterized chromosomally encoded virulence determinants. Y. enterocolitica strains of biotype 1A lack the virulence-associated markers of pYV-bearing strains and were once considered to be avirulent. There is growing epidemiological, clinical, and experimental evidence, however, to suggest that some biotype 1A strains are virulent and can cause gastrointestinal disease. To identify potential virulence genes of pathogenic strains of Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A, we used genomic subtractive hybridization to determine genetic differences between two biotype 1A strains: an environmental isolate, Y. enterocolitica IP2222, and a clinical isolate, Y. enterocolitica T83. Among the Y. enterocolitica T83-specific genes we identified were three, tcbA, tcaC, and tccC, that showed homology to the insecticidal toxin complex (TC) genes first discovered in Photorhabdus luminescens. The Y. enterocolitica T83 TC gene homologues were expressed by Y. enterocolitica T83 and were significantly more prevalent among clinical biotype 1A strains than other Yersinia isolates. Inactivation of the TC genes in Y. enterocolitica T83 resulted in mutants which were attenuated in the ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tracts of perorally infected mice. These results indicate that products of the TC gene complex contribute to the virulence of some strains of Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A, possibly by facilitating their persistence in vivo.
An active-library based investigation into the performance optimisation of linear algebra and the finite element method

In this thesis, I explore an approach called “active libraries”. These are libraries that take part in their own optimisation, enabling both high-performance code and the presentation of intuitive abstractions. I investigate the use of active libraries in two domains. Firstly, dense and sparse linear algebra, particularly, the solution of linear systems of equations. Secondly, the specification and solution of finite element problems. Extending my earlier (MEng) thesis work, I describe the modifications to my linear algebra library “Desola” required to perform sparse-matrix code generation. I show that optimisations easily applied in the dense case using code-transformation must be applied at a higher level of abstraction in the sparse case. I present performance results for sparse linear system solvers generated using Desola and compare against an implementation using the Intel Math Kernel Library. I also present improved dense linear-algebra performance results. Next, I explore the active-library approach by developing a finite element library that captures runtime representations of basis functions, variational forms and sequences of operations between discretised operators and fields. Using captured representations of variational forms and basis functions, I demonstrate optimisations to cell-local integral assembly that this approach enables, and compare against the state of the art. As part of my work on optimising local assembly, I extend the work of Hosangadi et al. on common sub-expression elimination and factorisation of polynomials. I improve the weight function presented by Hosangadi et al., increasing the number of factorisations found. I present an implementation of an optimised branch-and-bound algorithm inspired by reformulating the original matrix-covering problem as a maximal graph biclique search problem. I evaluate the algorithm’s effectiveness on the expressions generated by our finite element solver.
A comparative study of human and rat hippocampal low‐frequency oscillations during spatial navigation

Rhythmic oscillations within the 3–12 Hz theta frequency band manifest in the rodent hippocampus during a variety of behaviors and are particularly well characterized during spatial navigation. In contrast, previous studies of rhythmic hippocampal activity in primates under comparable behavioral conditions suggest it may be less apparent and possibly less prevalent, or even absent, compared with the rodent. We compared the relative presence of low‐frequency oscillations in rats and humans during spatial navigation by using an oscillation detection algorithm (“P‐episode” or “BOSC”) to better characterize their presence in microelectrode local field potential (LFP) recordings. This method quantifies the proportion of time the LFP exceeds both a power and cycle duration threshold at each frequency, characterizing the presence of (1) oscillatory activity compared with background noise, (2) the peak frequency of oscillatory activity, and (3) the duration of oscillatory activity. Results demonstrate that both humans and rodents have hippocampal rhythmic fluctuations lasting, on average, 2.75 and 4.3 cycles, respectively. Analyses further suggest that human hippocampal rhythmicity is centered around ∼3 Hz while that of rats is centered around ∼8 Hz. These results establish that low‐frequency rhythms relevant to spatial navigation are present in both the rodent and human hippocampus, albeit with different properties under the behavioral conditions tested. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increased QT Interval Dispersion After Hemodialysis: Role of Peridialytic Electrolyte Gradients

Chronic renal failure patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) have a number of ECG abnormalities and cardiac arrhythmias. Clinical and experimental data have shown that increased QT dispersion is associated with severe ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the uremic patients receiving long-term HD have increased QTc interval and/or QTc dispersion compared to normal subjects and to evaluate the effect of electrolyte changes between the predialysis and postdialysis phases on these parameters. Forty patients with end-stage renal failure on long-term HD (22 men, 18 women, mean age 44 years) were included in this study. Serum concentrations of K +, Na+, Ca++, Mg++, Cl-, phosphate, urea, creati nine, HCO3 -, and arterial blood gases (PO2, PCO2), together with blood pH, were monitored and QTc intervals and QTc dispersion were measured from 12-lead ECG in predialysis and postdialysis phases. The hemodialyzed patients had an increased predial ysis QTc maximum interval and QTc dispersion compared to normal subjects (480 ±51 vs 310 ±38 msec, p < 0.001 and 61 ±17 vs 42 ±14 msec, p < 0.001, respectively). Both QTc maximum interval and QTc dispersion increased significantly at the end of the HD (480 ± 51 vs 505 ±49 msec p< 0.001 and 61 ± 17 vs 86 ± 18 msec, p< 0.001, respec tively). The serum K+(5.3 ±0.56 vs 3.36 ±0.41 mEq/L, p < 0.001), phosphate (7.19 ± 1.62 vs 3.81 ± 1.02 mg/dL, p <0.001), magnesium (0.87 ± 18 vs 0.75±0.14 mg/dL) and urea concentrations (174 ±22 vs 74 ± 14 mg/dL, p < 0.001) significantly decreased, whereas the Ca++ (2.21 ±0.18 vs 2.47 ±0.24 mg/dL, p < 0.001), HCO3- (15.5 ±3.2 vs 20.1 ±3.4 mmol/L, p< 0.001) concentrations and pH (7.27 ± 1.1 vs 7.43 ± 1.2, p < 0.001) significantly increased after HD compared to predialysis values. There was significant correlation between the QT dispersion increase and serum electrolyte changes (K+, Ca++, and pH levels) (p < 0.05). The association between serum electrolyte changes, acid-base status and QT measurements might provide new insights into the evaluation of the ionic bases involved in inhomogeneous ventricular repolarization.
Yeasts colonizing the leaf surfaces

The yeasts were isolated from the leaf surfaces of ten species of trees. The study site was a forest park (Železná Studnička) of the Small Carpathians mountain range. One hundred and thirty seven yeast strains belonging to 13 genera were isolated from 320 samples of leaves and needles. Seventeen yeast species were isolated, but only seven occurred regularly: Aureobasidium pullulans, Cryptococcus laurentii, Pichia anomala, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Saccharomyces sp. , Lachancea thermotolerans, and Rhodotorula glutinis. The remaining species were isolated from the leaves and needles of three or less tree species. A. pullulans, Cr. laurentii, and P. anomala were the most frequently found species and they occurred on leaves and needles of all ten tree species. Saccharomyces sp. occurred in leaf samples collected from eight kinds of trees. M. pulcherrima and L. thermotolerans were found in samples collected from six species of trees. Both these species occurred almost always on the leaves of deciduous trees. Rh. glutinis was the most frequently isolated carotenoids producing species. We have found out that the ascomycetous and basidiomycetous species were present in the leaf samples in approximately equal frequency, contrary to the soil samples taken from this forest park, where the ascomycetous species were found rarely. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
EEG spectral abnormalities and psychosis as predictors of cognitive and functional decline in probable Alzheimer's disease

We examined whether either psychotic features (e.g., delusions and hallucinations) or EEG abnormalities are associated with more rapid progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD patients with psychosis have exhibited more EEG abnormalities than those without psychosis, and both abnormal EEG and psychosis have been noted to be predictors of functional and cognitive decline in AD. Ninety-five probable AD patients participating in a longitudinal study of dementia had an EEG and a semistructured psychiatric interview at baseline. Using EEG spectral analysis, we classified records as normal/abnormal based on the parasagittal mean frequency. Patients with abnormal EEGs were more functionally (e.g., Blessed Rating Scale for activities of daily living) and cognitively (e.g., Mini-Mental State) impaired than patients with normal EEG. AD patients with psychosis were only more functionally impaired than patients without psychosis. A two-factor analysis showed no interaction between abnormal EEG and psychosis. In addition, using a Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for age and education, the presence of an abnormal EEG or psychotic symptom at study entry was associated with higher risk of reaching severe cognitive and functional impairment during follow-up. Neither abnormal EEG nor the presence of psychosis predicted death. These results indicate that both abnormal EEG and psychosis are independent predictors of disease progression but not of physical survival.
Isochronal annealing of BG written either in H/sub 2/-loaded, UV hypersensitized or in OH-flooded standard Telecommunication fibers using ArF laser

On one hand, the stability of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) written either in ultraviolet (UV) hypersensitized, OH flooded, H2 loaded or in pristine fibers has been investigated through isochronal annealing experiments. The stability of the modulation proved to be higher in the hypersensitized and OH-flooded fibers. In contrast the annealing-induced shift in the Bragg wavelength (lambdaB) was lower in the H2-loaded and pristine counterparts. On the other hand, germanosilicate preform plates have been sensitized and then exposed in similar conditions to those used for writing the gratings. Vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) and infrared (IR) absorption spectroscopy has been carried out with a view of monitoring the formation (or bleaching) of defect-associated bands. These observations are discussed within the framework of a defect model
Speciation history of a species complex of Primulina eburnea (Gesneriaceae) from limestone karsts of southern China, a biodiversity hot spot

Limestone karsts in southern China are characterized by high edaphic and topographic heterogeneity and host high levels of species richness and endemism. However, the evolutionary mechanisms for generating such biodiversity remain poorly understood. Here, we performed species delimitation, population genetic analyses, simulations of gene flow and analyses of floral morphological traits to infer the geographic history of speciation in a species complex of Primulina eburnea from limestone karsts of southern China. Using Bayesian species delimitation, we determined that there are seven distinct species that correspond well to the putative morphological species. Species tree reconstruction, Structure and Neighbor‐Net analyses all recovered four lineages in agreement with currently species geographic boundaries. High levels of genetic differentiation were observed both within and among species. Isolation–migration coalescent analysis provides evidence for significant but low gene flow among species. Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) analysis supports a scenario of historical gene flow rather than recent contemporary gene flow for most species divergences. Finally, we found no evidence of divergent selection contributing to population differentiation of a suite of flower traits. These results support the prevalence of allopatric speciation and highlight the role of geographic isolation in the diversification process. At small geographic scales, limited hybridization occurred in the past between proximate populations but did not eliminate species boundaries. We conclude that limited gene flow might have been the predominant evolutionary force in promoting population differentiation and speciation.
Children with Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Cognitive, Academic, and Social Development

Children with unilateral hearing loss have been considered to have few, if any, communication or academic difficulties. This study was designed to evaluate the academic achievement, cognitive ability, psycholinguistic, and social skills of a group of 25 monaurally hearing-impaired compared with 25 nonhearing-impaired children. Results indicated no significant differences between the two groups on cognitive or self-concept measures. However, the unilateral group had significantly lower scores on academic tests of word recognition, spelling, and language. The unilateral group was more likely to have repeated a grade, needed special education resource help, or additional tutoring in school. Within the unilateral group, children with severe-to-profound hearing loss had significantly lower WISC-R full scale I.Q. s as compared to the group with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The results of this study suggest that monaural deafness, especially when severe to profound, may be associated with cognitive and academic deficits, as well as secondary behavioral adjustment problems.
A cross-country study of service productivity

ABSTRACT This study empirically examines service productivity and complements prior studies by framing service productivity as consisting of a number of key constituents. Adopting a bottom-up approach we present an integrative model proposing that resource commitment is the core from which employee readiness and customer readiness flow. These inform service productivity, which, in turn, informs job security. Our empirical examination reveals that service productivity has an impact on perceptions of job security, while resource commitment has the greatest impact on both employee readiness and customer readiness. In developing our integrative model we provide a framework that other researchers can apply, particularly where the service is highly intangible or in the public sector where service providers are being increasingly challenged to demonstrate value for money.
Effects of adding fiber sources to reduced-crude protein, amino acid-supplemented diets on nitrogen excretion, growth performance, and carcass traits of finishing pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of adding fiber sources to reduced-crude protein (CP), amino acid-supplemented diets on N excretion, growth performance, and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, six sets of four littermate barrows (initial weight = 36.3 kg) were allotted randomly to four dietary treatments to determine N balance and slurry composition. Dietary treatments were: 1) fortified corn-soybean meal, control, 2) as fortified corn-soybean meal with CP lowered by 4 percentage units and supplemented with lysine, threonine, methionine, tryptophan, isoleucine, and valine (LPAA), 3) same as Diet 2 plus 10% soybean hulls, and 4) same as Diet 2 with 10% dried beet pulp. Nitrogen intake, absorption, and retention (g/d) were reduced (P < 0.04) in pigs fed the low- protein diets, but they were not affected (P > 0.10) by addition of fiber sources to the LPAA diet. However, N absorption, as a percentage of intake, was not affected (P > 0.10) by dietary treatment. Nitrogen retention, expressed as a percentage of N intake, was increased (P < 0.02) in pigs fed the low-protein diets, but it was not affected by fiber addition to the LPAA diet. Urinary and total N excretion was reduced (P < 0.01) by 50 and 40%, respectively, in pigs fed the low- protein diets, but it was not affected (P > 0.10) by fiber addition. However, fiber addition to the LPAA diet tended to result in a greater proportion of N excreted in the feces than in the urine. Slurry pH, ammonium N content, and urinary urea N excretion were reduced (P < 0.10) in pigs fed LPAA, and a further reduction (P < 0.06) in slurry ammonium N content and urinary urea N was observed with fiber addition. Also, fiber addition to the LPAA diet increased (P < 0.02) slurry VFA concentrations. In Exp. 2, 72 pigs were blocked by body weight and sex and allotted randomly to three dietary treatments that were similar to those in Exp. 1, with a corn-soybean meal control diet, LPAA diet, and a LPAA diet with 10% soybean hulls. Pigs were fed the diets from 28.6 to 115 kg, and all pigs were killed for collection of carcass data. Growth performance and most carcass traits were not affected (P > 0.10) by dietary treatment. These data suggest that reducing CP with amino acid supplementation markedly decreased N excretion without influencing growth performance. Fiber addition to a LPAA diet had little effect on overall N balance or growth performance, but tended to further reduce slurry ammonium N concentration and increase volatile fatty acid concentrations.
Application of Community of Practice Theory to the Preparation of Engineering Graduate Students for Faculty Careers.

In this paper, we demonstrate how theory can inform the design of a program to prepare gradu ate students for faculty careers. Preparing Future Faculty programs within and beyond engineering are not new, but explicit application of Communities of Practice and related literature is novel. We describe a prestigious teaching fellowship program that spans three years of increasing in structional responsibility, and present assessment data to describe the role of faculty mentoring and peer networks in student identity development as a Steward of the Discipline. The results are interpreted in light of the literature, and we conclude with areas for future research.
Expression of the c‐ErbB‐2/HER2 proto‐oncogene in normal hematopoietic cells

The HER2/c‐ErbB‐2 proto‐oncogene is overexpressed in 25–30% of human breast cancers. We previously reported the c‐ErbB‐2 transcript in mononuclear cells (MNC) from bone marrow (BM), peripheral blood (PB), and mobilized PB (MPB). Here, we describe extensively the expression pattern of c‐ErbB‐2 mRNA and protein in normal adult hematopoietic tissue and cord blood (CB)‐derived cells. Quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction shows that the c‐ErbB‐2 transcript is expressed in hematopoietic cells at low levels if compared with normal epithelial and breast cancer cells. The c‐ErbB‐2 protein was detected predominantly in MNC from PB and CB by Western blot analysis. Flow cytometry revealed that CD15+, CD14+, and glycophorin A+ subpopulations express c‐ErbB‐2 protein, whereas lymphocytes are c‐ErbB‐2‐negative. The c‐ErbB‐2 expression is higher in CB MNC. More than 90% of BM‐ and MPB‐derived CD34+ progenitors are c‐ErbB‐2‐negative; by contrast, 5–40% of CB‐derived CD34+ progenitors express c‐ErbB‐2. We found that c‐ErbB‐2 protein is up‐regulated during cell‐cycle recruitment of progenitor cells. Similarly, it increases in mature, hematopoietic proliferating cells. This study reports the first evidence that the c‐ErbB‐2 receptor is correlated to the proliferating state of hematopoietic cells. Studies in progress aim to clarify the role of c‐ErbB‐2 in regulation of this process in hematopoietic tissues.