Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of FIR filters combining the frequency-response masking and the WLS-Chebyshev approaches

This paper presents an efficient method for designing FIR filters by combining the frequency-response masking (FRM) approach with the WLS-Chebyshev method. With the proposed method, the specifications for the base filter in the FRM approach can be relaxed. This is accomplished based on the ability of the WLS-Chebyshev method for finding a good compromise between the minimum attenuation and total energy within the filter's stopband. A typical design performed with the proposed method is included indicating that the total number of multiplications per output sample required is significantly reduced.
Characterization of a Photosynthesizing Reconstituted Spinach Chloroplast Preparation : REGULATION BY PRIMER, ADENYLATES, FERREDOXIN, AND PYRIDINE NUCLEOTIDES.

A particulate preparation (MgP) capable of photosynthetic CO(2) assimilation without the addition of stromal protein was obtained by rupturing whole spinach (Spinacia oleracea var. America) chloroplasts in 15 millimolar MgCl(2) buffered with Tricine at pH 8.5. This CO(2) assimilation was dependent upon light, inorganic phosphate, ferredoxin, ADP, NAD or NADP, and primer. Excepting glycolate, the products of CO(2) fixation by MgP were similar to those found with whole chloroplasts.Glycerate-3-phosphate (PGA), fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate (FBP), and ribose-5-phosphate (R5P) but not fructose-6-P (F6P) functioned as primers. Concentrations of PGA and FBP but not of R5P higher than 2 millimolar were inhibitory to CO(2) fixation. A lag of CO(2) fixation was observed with PGA and FBP but not with R5P. This lag as well as inhibition by NADP, ADP, and ATP in the FBP-primed preparation was eliminated by an equimolar mixture of FBP plus F6P indicating FBPase as the sensitive site. NADP, ADP, and ATP also blocked CO(2) fixation by the PGA-fortified preparation but inhibition was even more sensitive than that observed when FBP was added. Inhibition by AMP in the PGA and FBP-primed preparations was not affected by the addition of F6P. When R5P was the starting primer, inhibition of CO(2) fixation was relatively insensitive to the adenylates and NADP. In contrast to the parent whole chloroplast, CO(2) fixation by MgP was insensitive to high (5 millimolar) inorganic phosphate. Depending upon the ferredoxin concentration, NAD was as effective as NADP in supporting CO(2) fixation.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DCD AND FORWARD CONTRACT IN MANAGING FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK

Globalization has increase the nature of competition among firms, mainly firms engaged in international trading by the increasing volatility of exchange rates. The existence of the unavoidable foreign exchange risk has brought the development of various kinds of foreign exchange risk management tools; include hybrid securities such as Dual Currency Deposit (DCD) introduced by Development Bank of Singapore. This paper tries to elaborate the effectiveness of DCD innovative instruments in minimizing foreign exchange risks compare to traditional forward contract. The analysis tool being used is option theory applied to data of an innovative product. The results showed that prediction of future spot rate plays a vital role in deciding instruments choose to manage foreign exchange risk. Hence, it is desirable to predict the direction and magnitude of future spot rate in order to optimize the effectiveness of both instruments.
CONSIDERATIONS SUR L'INTENSITE LUMINEUSE REQUISE POUR LES PROJECTEURS ROUTE.

EN ETUDIANT LA REPARTITION DE L'INTENSITE LUMINEUSE AU VOISINAGE DE L'AXE DES PROJECTEURS ROUTE ET EN ADMETTANT QUE L'ECLAIREMENT DES OBSTACLES DOIT ETRE DE 2 LUX, L'AUTEUR MONTRE QUE LA SOMME DES INTENSITES AXIALES DE L'ENSEMBLE DES PROJECTEURS DOIT ETRE DE L'ORDRE DE 300000 CD POUR ASSURER LA VISIBILITE SUR ROUTE RECTILIGNE JUSQU'A ENVIRON 600 METRES. DES EXPERIENCES EFFECTUEES EN FRANCE QUI ONT PERMIS DE DETERMINER A QUEL MOMENT LES CONDUCTEURS VENANT EN SENS INVERSE DEMANDENT LE PASSAGE DU FAISCEAU ROUTE AU FAISCEAU CROISEMENT, L'ON PEUT DEDUIRE QU'UNE TELLE INTENSITE EST ACCEPTABLE. POUR RESOUDRE LE PROBLEME DU TROU NOIR LORS DE CE PASSAGE, DES ESSAIS ONT ETE EFFECTUES A L'AIDE D'UN DISPOSITIF DE COMMANDE ELECTRONIQUE QUI PERMET DE REALISER UNE DECROISSANCE PROGRESSIVE DE LA TENSION AUX BORNES DES LAMPES QUI PRODUISENT LE FAISCEAU ROUTE ET L'ALLUMAGE DU FAISCEAU CROISEMENT AVANT L'EXTINCTION TOTALE DU FAISCEAU ROUTE. PLUSIEURS POSSIBILITES PRATIQUES CONCERNANT CETTE NOUVELLE SOLUTION SONT DISCUTEES.
Genetic and phenotypic parameters for 305-day yield, fertility, and survival in Holsteins.

A data file containing 122,715 lactation records of Holstein cows distributed across 11,374 herd-year-season groups was analyzed to obtain (co)variance estimates for yield, fertility and cow survival. Milk, fat, and protein yields were adjusted to 305 d. Days open was truncated to 305 d, and the number of services was truncated to 9. Survival of a cow during a full lactation (305 d) was recorded as 0 (died) or 1 (alive). Variance components for the six traits were estimated using a multiple-trait animal model and the REML procedure. The model included herd-year-season, parity (three groups), age (three groups nested within parity), sex of calf (1 = male, 2 = female), and dystocia score (1 = no problem,., 5 = extreme difficulty) as fixed effects and animal and permanent environment as random effects. Heritabilities for milk, fat, and protein yields, days open, number of services and cow survival were 0.2, 0.18, 0.18, 0.04, 0.03, and 0.002, respectively. The corresponding repeatabilities were 0.42, 0.41, 0.41, 0.12, 0.08, and 0.009, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between yield traits were high and positive, and correlations between yields and reproduction traits were high and antagonistic. Phenotypic correlations between survival and yields were about 0.1, and their genetic counterparts were slightly negative. Thus, management practices seem to keep mortality rates of high producing cows lower even though those cows have lower genetic potential for survival than do the low producers. Fertility traits showed a slightly undesirable (e.g., 0.1 to 0.3) genetic relationship with survival, but phenotypic correlations were essentially 0. For heifers, yields increased significantly with age. For cows in other parities, the significant changes with age were reduced fertility and reduced survival.
International networking and knowledge acquisition of Chinese SMEs: the role of global mind-set and international entrepreneurial orientation

ABSTRACT Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasing their international networking and knowledge acquisition activities. This paper attempts to explain this phenomenon by examining the joint influence of leader global mind-set and firms’ international entrepreneurial orientation on those two internationalisation activities. A conceptual model was developed and tested with data from a sample of 208 SMEs in China. The results indicate that both leader global mind-set and firm’s international entrepreneurial orientation have a direct impact on Chinese SMEs’ international networking and knowledge acquisition activities; in addition, leader global mind-set has an indirect effect through the mediation of firms’ international entrepreneurial orientation. The findings of this study provide important theoretical and practical implications.
The relationship between Innovation and Global Competitiveness: The mediating role of Management Practices evaluated by Structural Equation Modeling

Purpose – This study seeks to investigate whether a good management environment in companies determines results in terms of country competitiveness. Additionally, it aims to verify if innovation plays a role in contributing to this. Design/methodology/approach – The study used structural equation modeling and data on 138 countries contemplated in The Global Competitiveness Report 2016/2017 (2016 World Economic Forum). A number of theories have been used to relate competitiveness to innovation and to management practices. This discussion was expanded, taking these variables into account in a more comprehensive framework. Findings – The analysis performed indicates the role of best management practices as a mediator in the relationship that exists between innovation and global competitiveness, which reinforces the importance of a good level of management Originality/Value- There have been many studies and discussions about global competitiveness. The factors in the literature used to explain a country´s degree of competitiveness include cheap labor, abundant raw materials, the amount of capital available for investment, and, especially, the capacity to innovate. Some authors point to a fifth factor: best management practices. The paper shows how this factor improves competitiveness. The most important contribution of this study is to demonstrate that innovation alone cannot by itself ensure competitiveness in companies or nations, and requires the simultaneous presence of best management practices.
Use of lightguide spectrophotometry to quantify skin oxygenation in a variable model of venous hypertension

A variable model of venous hypertension was used to examine the immediate effect on skin oxygenation and blood flow. Measurements were carried out using laser Doppler flowmetry, transcutaneous oximetry and both macro‐ and micro‐lightguide spectrophotometry to measure haemoglobin saturation (So2). Assessments were performed on 20 normal subjects and in ten patients with deep venous insufficiency lying supine with a pressure cuff left uninflated (P0), then inflated to 40 mmHg (P40), 60 mmHg (P60) and 80 mmHg (P80). All measurements were performed at the gaiter area of the leg. In normal subjects median Doppler values fell significantly at P40 (P<0±001) but further pressure increases had no more effect. Mean values of transcutaneous partial pressure of oxygen (Pteo2) fell steadily (P<0±001), although the initial fall at P40 was small. Median So2 fell with increasing occlusion pressure with both macro‐ and micro‐lightguide spectrophotometry (P<0±001), although the main reduction occurred predominantly at lower occlusion pressures. Higher levels of So2 were obtained with local heating up to 44°C, with a pattern similar to that of Ptco2. In patients, the same pattern of response to increased venous pressure occurred in areas of clinically normal skin. These data suggest that small increases in venous hypertension have an immediate and profound influence on skin blood flow and oxygen availability in normal skin.
Age Differences in False Recognition Using a Forced Choice Paradigm

Recent findings suggest that older adults may be more susceptible to false recognition responses than younger adults because of age differences in gist-based processing at both encoding and retrieval. It has been suggested that age differences in the quality of memory representations that result from this age-related reliance on gist processing can produce age differences in response criteria, with older adults employing more lenient criteria than young adults. Support for this argument comes from studies where suppressed false recognition in older adults occurs with shifts toward more conservative response criteria. The current study further examined this issue by minimizing the effects of response criteria by using a two alternative forced-choice task in the study of false recognition in young and older adults. This manipulation reduced false recognition in both young and older adults, but did not eliminate age differences in false recognition.
Growth inhibition by keratinocyte growth factor receptor of human salivary adenocarcinoma cells through induction of differentiation and apoptosis

We have reported that normal human salivary gland-derived epithelial cells exclusively express keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR). In the process of malignant transformation of human salivary gland tumors, KGFR gene expression disappeared concomitantly with the de novo expression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and FGFR4 genes. In the present study, we introduced wild-type KGFR cDNA or chimeric KGFR/FGFR1 cDNA, which encoded the extracellular domain of KGFR and the intracellular domain of FGFR1, into the HSY human salivary adenocarcinoma cell line. The KGFR tyrosine kinase suppressed the activity of FGF receptor substrate 2 (FRS2) and inhibited the growth of HSY by inducing differentiation and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Our results provided significant insight into the mechanism of KGFR tumor suppression and suggest that KGFR gene therapy might be a viable method of inhibiting human salivary adenocarcinoma growth.
Clinometric properties of the six-minute walk test in individuals undergoing rehabilitation poststroke

The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is commonly used to measure walking ability. The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability and concurrent and construct validity of the 6MWT in patients who were actively undergoing inpatient rehabilitation poststroke. Thirty-seven patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation after a stroke participated; mean age was 66.3 years and mean time since stroke was 33.7 days. Patients underwent two 6MWT trials with 1–3 days between trials. Additional outcome measures taken were gait speed and the Functional Independence MeasureTM (FIMTM). The 6MWT exhibited high test-retest reliability; ICC2,1 0.973 (95% CI=0.925–0.988) and a minimal detectable change (MDC90) of 54.1 m. The 6MWT was strongly to moderately correlated with gait speed (r=0.89), locomotion (walk) FIMTM (r=0.69), and motor FIMTM (r=0.52). The 6MWT is a clinically useful measure of walking ability poststroke. It is reliable and is related to other measures of walking ability and function that are commonly used during rehabilitation after stroke.
Variable expression of class 1 outer membrane protein in Neisseria meningitidis is caused by variation in the spacing between the -10 and -35 regions of the promoter

The class 1 outer membrane protein encoded by the porA gene of Neisseria meningitidis is a candidate for a vaccine against meningococcal infection. The expression of class 1 outer membrane protein displays phase variation between three expression levels. Northern (RNA) blot and primer extension analysis revealed that this phase variation is regulated at the transcriptional level. The start site for transcription is located 59 bp upstream of the translational initiation codon. Sequence analysis of the promoter region of the porA gene of a variant without class 1 protein expression revealed nine contiguous guanidine residues between the -10 and -35 domains. Comparison of promoter sequences of different phase variants indicated that the length of the polyguanidine stretch correlated with the expression level of the class 1 outer membrane protein; the presence of 11, 10, or 9 contiguous guanidine residues results in high levels, medium levels, or no expression of class 1 mRNA, respectively. These results suggest that the variable porA expression levels seen in different isolates are modulated by guanidine residue insertion and/or deletion due to slipped-strand mispairing on the polyguanidine stretch within the intervening sequence of the -35 and -10 regions of the promoter. The phase variation of class 1 outer membrane protein may provide a molecular mechanism to evade the host immune defense. Therefore, the protective efficacy of a vaccine based on class 1 outer membrane protein may be questioned.
Effect of Cranberry juice on urinary PH in older Adults

Most research suggests that ingestion of cranberry juice may be useful in preventing urinary tract infections. This pilot study examines the effect of drinking moderate amounts of commercially available cranberry juice cocktail on urinary pH in older, institutionalized adults. The results of the study have implications for home care nurses who have similar patients in their case loads.
Insights into the acute cerebral metabolic changes associated with childhood diabetes

Aims Type 1 diabetes is a prevalent chronic disease in childhood with the commonest single cause of death being cerebral oedema in the context of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The nature of the alterations in cerebral metabolism that may result in vulnerability to neuronal injury remains unknown. The aim of this study was to analyse the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) brain data from eight children with diabetes following acute presentation with hyperglycaemia with or without ketoacidosis, to determine the nature and timing of any alterations in cerebral structure and metabolism.
A prospective trial of hyperbaric oxygen for chronic sequelae after brain injury (HYBOBI).

OBJECTIVE Some practitioners advocate hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) for sequelae following brain injury. This study assessed recruitment, tolerance and safety in preparation for a randomized clinical trial. DESIGN Prospective, open-label feasibility study. SETTING Hyperbaric medicine department of a tertiary academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS Participatory adult outpatients with problems from stroke (n=22), anoxia (13) or trauma (28) that occurred at least 12 months before enrollment, without contraindications to HBO2. Sixty-three participants enrolled in the study (21 females,42 males). Age was 45 +/- 16 years (18-76) and time from injury was 6.9 +/- 7.1 years (1.0-29.3). Fifty-three completed the study intervention, and 55 completed the assessment battery. METHODS PARTICIPANTS underwent 60 daily HBO2 sessions (1.5 atm abs, 100% oxygen, 60 minutes). Assessments were conducted at baseline, after the HBO2 course, and six months later. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS The prime outcome was feasibility. To estimate the immediate and long-term effects of HBO2, we assessed neuropsychological measures, questionnaires, neurologic exam and physical functioning measures. Some participants also had pre- and post-HBO2 speech evaluation (n=27) and neuroimaging (n=17). RESULTS The study met our a priori definition for feasibility for recruitment, but 44% required additional time to complete the 60 sessions (up to 105 days). HBO2-related adverse events were rare and not serious. Although many participants reported improvement in symptoms (51% memory, 51% attention/concentration, 48% balance/coordination, 45% endurance, 20% sleep) post-HBO2, and 93% reported that they would participate in the study again, no standardized testing showed clinically important improvement. In the small subset of those undergoing neuroimaging, apparent improvement was observed in auditory functional MRI (8/13), MR spectroscopy (9/17) and brain perfusionby CT angiography (5/9). CONCLUSIONS Conducting an HBO2 clinical trial in this population was feasible. Although many participants reported improvement, the lack of concurrent controls limits the strength of inferences from this trial, especially considering lack of change in standardized testing. The clinical relevance of neuroimaging changes is unknown. The findings of this study may indicate a need for caution when considering the broad application of HBO2 more than one year after brain injury due to stroke, severe TBI and anoxia, until there is more compelling evidence from carefully designed sham-controlled, blinded clinical trials.
CROSS-CULTURAL CONSUMER COMPLAINING BEHAVIOR IN SERVICE INDUSTRIES: A THREE-NATION STUDY ACROSS THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

Using social identification theory, the current research examines complaining behavior of services consumers of African descent in Brazil, South Africa, and the United States. The common trait of African ancestry and its association with the types of responses to dissatisfied marketplace experiences, including no action, informal action, or more formal complaint behaviors is explored. Findings indicate that country of residence differences interact with the common African ancestral trait, resulting in an assorted range of complaint-related responses. Finally, implications for marketing concept and practice are discussed.
Understanding the Interrelationships among Risk Behaviour, Learning and Market Orientations in International Business Relationships

This paper aims to provide understandings on the interrelationships among risk behaviour, learning orientation and market orientation and business relationship development. This paper was developed based on a qualitative study of six British firms exporting to the Indonesian market. Data was collected through a series of in-depth interviews carried out in UK and Indonesia. The finding was established through a hermeneutic process. The exploration provides an understanding that risk behaviour, learning and market orientations are interrelated and they explain the fluctuation of relationship elements and thus the development of relationship between the British exporters and Indonesian Importers. Learning orientation has a greater role as it also influences the development through market orientation and risk behaviour. The discussion suggests that a company with a better learning orientation will have a better market orientation, become a risk taker and a better ability to develop business relationships.
In vivo activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in rat intestinal neoplasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS To investigate whether mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades might play a role in the progression of colon cancer, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal regulating kinase (ERK) activity during colonic tumorigenesis were examined. METHODS The 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colon carcinoma model was used to study the activation of these kinases during intestinal carcinogenesis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with DMH for 24 weeks. Normal-appearing intestinal mucosa from control and treated animals and DMH-induced intestinal tumors were assayed for JNK and ERK activity using solid phase in vitro kinase assays. Tumors were typed for mutations in the K-ras gene. RESULTS There was little or no difference in JNK and ERK activity in hyperproliferative mucosa from DMH-treated animals compared with normal mucosa from control animals. However, in 16 colonic neoplasms, an average of 23-fold and 29-fold increases in JNK and ERK activities were observed, respectively, over control levels. In addition, activating protein-1 binding was strongly induced in the colonic tumors. Activation did not correlate with the presence of mutations in K-ras. CONCLUSIONS Both the JNK and ERK MAPKs are highly activated during late progression of colorectal carcinoma. This change is dependent on the tumorigenic state rather than changes in proliferation.