Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The ability to mentally represent action is associated with low motor ability in children: a preliminary investigation.

BACKGROUND Theory and anatomical research suggest that the ability to mentally represent intended actions affect level of execution. This study presents preliminary data examining the association between children's ability to mentally represent action and general motor ability. METHODS Children aged 7- to 10 years were assessed for motor imagery ability using a simulation of reach task and motor ability via the Movement ABC-2. Motor ability values, based on percentile rank, ranged from 2 to 91, with a mean of 36. RESULTS The overall correlation between mental representation and motor ability yielded a moderately positive relationship (r = .39). Interestingly, when looking at motor ability subcategories, only Balance was significant in the model, explaining 20% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS These results provide preliminary evidence that children's motor ability and the ability to mentally represent action are associated in a positive direction. Furthermore, given the results for Balance, we speculate that there are clinical implications regarding work with potentially at-risk children.
Strategies to Combat Hypoxia in Encapsulated Islet Transplantation

Islet transplantation has been shown as a possible treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. However, immediately following transplantation, islets face acute hypoxic stress due to the lack of vascularization of the newly transplanted tissue. It has been observed that up to 60% of newly transplanted islets perish during the first 48 hours post-transplantation as a direct result of hypoxic injury. This period of hypoxia needs to be reduced to maintain transplanted islet efficacy. Optimal function of immunoisolated islets requires adequate supply of oxygen to metabolically active insulin producing β-cells. An improved understanding of the interplay between oxygen diffusion and consumption rate in devices is critical for the design of means to improve oxygen supply to islets. Post-transplant graft failure and islet death have been postulated to result from hypoxia encountered immediately after transplantation, due to poor implant-site vascularization. In order to survive and function adequately, transplanted islets must be able to withstand the transient hypoxic shock until they are adequately vascularized. This review will explore the various mechanisms that result in loss of cell viability and insulin release from islets when they are exposed to hypoxic conditions, and summarize the various strategies that are being employed by researchers across the world to address this important issue to enable rapid translation of results obtained in pre-clinical trials to primate and human trials.
Shifting the Blame

The proliferation of surcharges in service pricing raises theoretical and pragmatic questions regarding their impact on consumers. This research investigates how surcharges influence consumer responses to a service price increase. We propose that various kinds of surcharge information act in concert to drive blame attributions for a price increase: Internal (vs. external) surcharges increase blame attributions and minimize the influence of other drivers captured in surcharge information such as temporal stability, surcharge benefit, and more than one kind of surcharge. In comparison to all-inclusive pricing, we find that (i) surcharge pricing is detrimental to service firms when surcharges cue internal locus of causality, regardless of the temporal stability or surcharge benefit, whereas (ii) surcharge pricing is beneficial when surcharges cue external locus of causality, particularly when the surcharges are permanent and high benefit; (iii) consumers are more sensitive to increases in the magnitude of internal (vs. external) surcharges; and (iv) in the case of mixed surcharges, internal surcharges are more prominent and minimize the buffering effect of adding external surcharges. Based on our findings, we make recommendations to managers on the optimal design of surcharge pricing to mitigate negative blame reactions when communicating service price increases to consumers.
Phosphosignature Predicts Dasatinib Response in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer*

Targeted drugs are less toxic than traditional chemotherapeutic therapies; however, the proportion of patients that benefit from these drugs is often smaller. A marker that confidently predicts patient response to a specific therapy would allow an individual therapy selection most likely to benefit the patient. Here, we used quantitative mass spectrometry to globally profile the basal phosphoproteome of a panel of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. The effect of the kinase inhibitor dasatinib on cellular growth was tested against the same panel. From the phosphoproteome profiles, we identified 58 phosphorylation sites, which consistently differ between sensitive and resistant cell lines. Many of the corresponding proteins are involved in cell adhesion and cytoskeleton organization. We showed that a signature of only 12 phosphorylation sites is sufficient to accurately predict dasatinib sensitivity. Four of the phosphorylation sites belong to integrin β4, a protein that mediates cell-matrix or cell-cell adhesion. The signature was validated in cross-validation and label switch experiments and in six independently profiled breast cancer cell lines. The study supports that the phosphorylation of integrin β4, as well as eight further proteins comprising the signature, are candidate biomarkers for predicting response to dasatinib in solid tumors. Furthermore, our results show that identifying predictive phosphorylation signatures from global, quantitative phosphoproteomic data is possible and can open a new path to discovering molecular markers for response prediction.
Commandes directes appliquées à une machine synchrone à aimants permanents alimentée par un onduleur triphasé à deux niveaux ou par un convertisseur matriciel triphasé

Un systeme electrotechnique, et plus particulierement l'association d'un convertisseur statique et d'une charge, constitue un systeme dynamique hybride. En effet, un tel systeme peut etre vu comme un procede continu commande par un modulateur d'energie ayant un nombre fini de configurations. Pour ces applications, afin d'obtenir un controle performant de la position ou de la vitesse, il est necessaire de maitriser le couple avec une dynamique tres rapide. Dans ce document, nous nous interesserons uniquement a la commande du couple. Nous proposons des lois de commande qui determinent directement les configurations du modulateur d'energie a utiliser afin de poursuivre le plus rapidement possible les references des variables d'etat continues du systeme. Les contraintes de temps de calcul etant tres severes (quelques dizaines de microsecondes), un modele simplifie local permettant de prendre en compte le comportement de l'ensemble modulateur d'energie-processus continu est utilise. Differentes strategies de commande sont ensuite developpees. Pour la premiere, apres avoir predit le comportement du systeme sur un horizon donne pour chaque configuration possible, diverses fonctions cout peuvent etre utilisees pour choisir une configuration adequate qui sera appliquee pendant le cycle de calcul suivant. Pour la deuxieme, plusieurs configurations ainsi que leurs durees d'application respectives sont determinees lors de chaque occurrence de l'algorithme. Cette strategie permet d'ameliorer les performances en regime permanent et de reduire les contraintes de temps de calcul. La troisieme methode presente l'avantage de ne pas explorer toutes les configurations possibles en calculant directement les rapports cycliques (sur une periode de calcul) des elements discrets du convertisseur d'energie. Ceci simplifie l'algorithme et facilite son implementation en temps reel. Toutes ces demarches ont ete validees experimentalement dans la premiere partie de ce document avec une Machine Synchrone a Aimants Permanents (MSAP) pilotee par un onduleur triphase a deux niveaux de tension. La deuxieme partie est consacree a l'exploitation d'un convertisseur matriciel. Apres sa realisation par nos soins, la premiere strategie de commande est appliquee sur l'ensemble MSAP - convertisseur matriciel. Les resultats experimentaux confirment l'efficacite de l'approche proposee. Cette methodologie originale est exploitable pour la commande de convertisseurs dont la structure est plus complexe.
Segmental Stability and Compressive Strength of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Implants

Study Design. Human cadaveric study on initial segmental stability and compressive strength of posterior lumbar interbody fusion implants. Objectives. To compare the initial segmental stability and compressive strength of a posterior lumbar interbody fusion construct using a new cortical bone spacer machined from allograft to that of titanium threaded and nonthreaded posterior lumbar interbody fusion cages, tested as stand-alone and with supplemental pedicle screw fixation. Summary of Background Data. Cages were introduced to overcome the limitations of conventional allografts. Radiodense cage materials impede radiographic assessment of the fusion, however, and may cause stress shielding of the graft. Methods. Multisegmental specimens were tested intact, with posterior lumbar interbody fusion implants inserted into the L4/L5 interbody space and with supplemental pedicle screw fixation. Three posterior lumbar interbody fusion implant constructs (Ray Threaded Fusion Cage, Contact Fusion Cage, and PLIF Allograft Spacer) were tested nondestructively in axial rotation, flexion–extension, and lateral bending. The implant–specimen constructs then were isolated and compressed to failure. Changes in the neutral zone, range of motion, yield strength, and ultimate compressive strength were analyzed. Results. None of the stand-alone implant constructs reduced the neutral zone. Supplemental pedicle screw fixation decreased the neutral zone in flexion–extension and lateral bending. Stand-alone implant constructs decreased the range of motion in flexion and lateral bending. Differences in the range of motion between stand-alone cage constructs were found in flexion and extension (marginally significant). Supplemental posterior fixation further decreased the range of motion in all loading directions with no differences between implant constructs. The Contact Fusion Cage and PLIF Allograft Spacer constructs had a higher ultimate compressive strength than the Ray Threaded Fusion Cage. Conclusions. The biomechanical data did not suggest any implant construct to behave superiorly either as a stand-alone or with supplemental posterior fixation. The PLIF Allograph Spacer is biomechanically equivalent to titanium cages but is devoid of the deficiencies associatedwith other cage technologies. Therefore, the PLIF Allograft Spacer is a valid alternative to conventional cages.
The p150-Glued Ssm4p regulates microtubular dynamics and nuclear movement in fission yeast

During vegetative growth of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, microtubules nucleate from multiple microtubule organising centres (MTOCs) close to the nucleus, polymerising until they reach the end of the cell and then shrinking back to the cell centre. In response to mating pheromone, S. pombe undergoes a morphological switch from a vegetative to a shmooing growth pattern. The switch in growth mode is paralleled by a switch in microtubular dynamics. Microtubules nucleate mostly from a single MTOC and pull on the ends of the cell to move the nucleus back and forth. This movement continues after cellular and nuclear fusion in the zygote and is important to ensure correct chromosome pairing, recombination and segregation during meiosis. Here we show that Ssm4p, a p150-Glued protein, is induced specifically in response to pheromone and is required for this nuclear movement. Ssm4p is associated with the cytoplasmic dynein complex and together with the CLIP-170 homologue Tip1p regulates dynein heavy chain localisation. We also show that Ssm4p collaborates with Tip1p in establishing the shmooing microtubular array.
On the Consistency of Bootstrap Testing for a Parameter on the Boundary of the Parameter Space

It is well known that with a parameter on the boundary of the parameter space, such as in the classic cases of testing for a zero location parameter or no autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH) effects, the classic nonparametric bootstrap – based on unrestricted parameter estimates – leads to inconsistent testing. In contrast, we show here that for the two aforementioned cases, a nonparametric bootstrap test based on parameter estimates obtained under the null – referred to as ‘restricted bootstrap’ – is indeed consistent. While the restricted bootstrap is simple to implement in practice, novel theoretical arguments are required in order to establish consistency. In particular, since the bootstrap is analysed both under the null hypothesis and under the alternative, non‐standard asymptotic expansions are required to deal with parameters on the boundary. Detailed proofs of the asymptotic validity of the restricted bootstrap are given and, for the leading case of testing for no ARCH, a Monte Carlo study demonstrates that the bootstrap quasi‐likelihood ratio statistic performs extremely well in terms of empirical size and power for even remarkably small samples, outperforming the standard and bootstrap Lagrange multiplier tests as well as the asymptotic quasi‐likelihood ratio test.
Effect of fluid mechanical stresses and plasma constituents on aggregation of LDL Published, JLR Papers in Press, January 16, 2003. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M200477-JLR200

LDL aggregates when exposed to even moderate fluid mechanical stresses in the laboratory, yet its half-life in the circulation is 2–3 days, implying that little aggregation occurs. LDL may be protected from aggregation in vivo by components of plasma, or by a qualitative difference in flows. Previous studies have shown that HDL and albumin inhibit the aggregation induced by vortexing. Using a more reproducible method of inducing aggregation and assessing aggregation both spectrophotometrically and by sedimentation techniques, we showed that at physiological concentrations, albumin is the more effective inhibitor, and that aggregation is substantially but not completely inhibited in plasma. Heat denatured and fatty-acid-stripped albumin were more effective inhibitors than normal albumin, supporting the idea that hydrophobic interactions are involved. Aggregation of LDL in a model reproducing several aspects of flow in the circulation was 200-fold slower, but was still inhibited by HDL and albumin, suggesting similar mechanisms are involved. Within the sensitivity of our technique, LDL aggregation did not occur in plasma exposed to these flows. Thus, as a result of the characteristics of blood flow and the inhibitory effects of plasma components, particularly albumin, LDL aggregation is unlikely to occur within the circulation.
The perception of professionals and academics regarding the knowledge and competencies required by today’s advertising industry

Introduction. This research article provides a general map of the most important areas of knowledge and competencies for professionals and university faculty and managers from the advertising industry in Spain, taking into account the emergence of the Internet and new technologies as well as the apparent disconnection between the professional and academic worlds in this sector. Methods. The study is based on data collected by means of a survey questionnaire applied to a sample of 138 participants and interviews with 19 professionals and university professors and administrators from the advertising sector. Results and discussion. The specific competencies of the profession, such as those related to strategy, client relations and communication skills, are still perceived to be important, while those competencies related to the history and theory of advertising are perceived as not very important. Competencies related to autonomous learning, the ability to adapt to changes and expertise in the environment are perceived to be relevant. New competencies related to the knowledge to use specific software applications and new technologies also emerge as important.
Technological Diversity in Finance

This chapter investigates the ability of textual content to classify patents as “general” or “original. ” We introduce a new measure of patent generality and originality that takes advantage of the information content of the text contained in patents. Our new measure captures two features not previously grasped by similar measures, such as that of Jaffe and Henderson (1997). First, our measure accounts for the distance between technological classes. Second, our measure has the ability to capture the similarity of patents within classes. Lastly, we introduce a revised dataset of firm level patent information that extends previous datasets.
The Role of Employeesâ€™ Trust in Management and Supervisors on Developing Attitudes and Behaviours for Organisational Change

The purpose of this study is to develop and investigate a conceptual approach based on trust to promote employeesâ€Ÿ readiness to organisational change. In this regard, the effects of employee trust in management and supervisors have been examined by the sample of 320 obtained from the public sector academic institutions of a developing country. By applying a survey questionnaire data were collected and used Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) for testing hypotheses. Results showed that employees trust in management and supervisors have positive and significant impact on developing positive attitudes and behaviours. However, trust in supervisor has more impact than to trust in management. This study reveals an approach based on trust could be effective for developing employeesâ€Ÿ openness in a developing country culture. This study contributes to the change management literature and support to managers, employers and change agents to develop employees attitudes and behaviours to organisational change.
Job satisfaction and attitudes towards nursing care among nurses working at Mzuzu Central Hospital in Mzuzu, Malawi.

BACKGROUND Job satisfaction is a major determinant of performance at the workplace. Studies have shown that job dissatisfaction can intensify emotional exhaustion, and this can influence nurses to perceive their work as tiresome and repetitive, leading to frustration and discouragement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between job satisfaction and attitude towards nursing care at Mzuzu Central Hospital in Mzuzu, Malawi. METHODS This was a descriptive correlational study. Eighty-nine nurses were selected using simple random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analysed using Stata (version 12). Frequencies, means, and standard deviations were used to summarise sociodemographic data and also to determine job satisfaction and attitudes towards nursing care among the participants. Independent t-tests were used to determine if differences in professional qualifications, job title, work experience, or the clinical setting in which the nurses worked were associated with differences in job satisfaction and attitude. Pearson's product-moment correlation was used to determine the relationship between job satisfaction and attitude in the study sample. RESULTS The nurses who participated in this study generally had positive attitudes towards nursing care and were moderately satisfied with their jobs. There was a significant variation in attitude depending on the amount of time a nurse worked at a particular post (P = 0.0308), as well as the amount of time a nurse had worked at the hospital (P = 0.0012). There was a significant positive relationship between job satisfaction and attitude (r = 0.226, P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS The nurses in the study sample were moderately satisified with their work and generally had positive attitudes towards nursing care. There was a positive correlation between attitude towards nursing care and job satisfaction. Addressing factors which dissatisfy nurses can promote nurses' attitudes and likely improve performance and patient care.
Social Capital and Basic Goods: The Cautionary Tale of Drinking Water in India

This study uses micro‐data from the 1998–99 Indian Time Use Survey (ITUS; covering 77,593 persons in 18,591 households in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Orissa, and Haryana) to argue that time use data provides a natural metric for measuring “social capital” building activities and for distinguishing between the relative importance of “bonding” into groups or “bridging” within communities. The study examines the correlation between inequality in landownership, caste status, measures of local social capital, and whether or not a household will have to collect water. In India, the probability that a rural household fetches water is 4.8% and 9.1% lower in communities in which the average time spent on social interaction and community‐based activities at the district‐level doubles, but it is 18.9% greater when the time in group‐based activities doubles. Inequalities in landownership and home ownership are associated with considerably larger differences in local tap water availability.
Mild phenotype in two siblings with distal monosomy 12p13.31→pter

We report two sibs with trisomy for the region 2p25.1→pter and monosomy for the region 12p13.31→pter, due to adjacent‐1 segregation of a maternal balanced reciprocal translocation, 46,XX,t(2;12)(p25.1;p13.31). These sibs presented with a mild phenotype, but nevertheless showed features of each of the contributing aneusomies. Monosomy 12p has previously been considered to have a variable and indistinct phenotype. Comparison of these patients with previous reports showed that many features, including microcephaly, facial dysmorphia, developmental and growth delay and dental and digital anomalies are frequently associated with monosomy for 12p. Many of these features are common to other aneusomies, thereby mitigating against a distinct 12p monosomy syndrome at this time. However, the combination of digital and dental anomalies may suggest the presence of this particular monosomy. The proband and his sister had some of the more non‐specific features of 2p trisomy syndrome, and comparison with previous reports suggested that the characteristic 2p trisomy syndrome is more usually associated with larger or more proximal trisomies of 2p.
What Happens If the Rules Change? The Impact of Brexit on the Future Strategic Intentions of UK SMEs

The UK vote to leave the European Union (Brexit) in June 2016, was an unparalleled political event with potentially seismic consequences for the economy. Using data from a UK government survey of approximately 10,000 SMEs, this paper investigates which SMEs are most concerned by Brexit and the likely impact of this event on their (self-reported) strategic future intentions related to accessing finance, growth, innovation and capital expenditure. The results of a descriptive analysis suggest that larger, innovative, export-oriented SMEs and those operating in business services perceive Brexit as a major obstacle to the success of their business. The results of a regression based analysis suggest Brexit could potentially result in weaker growth, lower levels of innovation, reduced capital investment and lower access to external finance, especially for innovative and export-oriented SMEs. Importantly, Brexit may have the most significant negative repercussions for the SMEs often viewed as the largest contributors to long-term productivity growth.