Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Three-Antenna Compact Micro-Diversity Module for Automotive Satellite Radio Reception

A new compact micro-diversity module is presented which integrates three individual antenna elements underneath a polycarbonate protection cover with a scan-phase antenna diversity circuit for the reception of satellite radio services at 2.3325 GHz. The module itself has a size of 55 mm by 55 mm, being surrounded by a small additional ground plane brim with a size of 75 mm by 75 mm. The overall height of the module including protection cover and metallic cavity is only 26 mm. Its three-antenna set consists of two ring antenna structures working in different modes combined with a monopole with roof capacitance in the center of the rings.The new module has been tested in a strong fading environment near Detroit (USA) showing a significant reduction of audio mutes compared to a single reference antenna reception system. For the two cases of antenna position on the dashboard as well as on the roof edge with a strong tilting angle, the micro-diversity achieves still acceptable mute ratios while the single reference antenna would fail. The results show that the new diversity module offers new mounting positions to the car manufacturer as well as new regions of reception due to additional gain and fast antenna diversity in fading environments.
Evolving Adventure Pursuits on Public Lands: Emerging Challenges for Management and Public Policy

Within the past three decades, adventure pursuits on public lands have grown, both in terms of overall popularity and activity diversity. Due to their high dependence upon large, undeveloped landscapes, participants often look to public land resources as the venue for these activities. As demands for these activities increase, significant policy and management challenges requiring systematic knowledge and understanding of these new users groups, the types of experiences they are seeking and the demands they place on the public land manager has been the outcome. In particular, two prominent adventure-related categories of activities have evolved: extreme sports and the use of the public lands for therapeutic programs. Within this context, this paper discusses current and emerging trends and issues, definitions, and structural characteristics of various participants, the relationship between selected participant attributes (such as level of experience and demands on management) and the social benefits of participation, including therapeutic and personal growth. In addition, salient issues related to the management of public lands involving these varied user groups are discussed which inevitably involve elevated user conflict and disputes regarding the right of access to these public lands. Related to the issue of conflict are the concepts of allowable activities and allowable technologies, and whether or not these entities should be permitted on certain public lands. Regardless of how public lands are managed, the exclusion of certain activities will create unforeseen and unwanted results. As the debate surrounding the increased use of adventure pursuits on public lands becomes more politicized, managers and user groups will need to determine acceptable collaborations in which the concerns of all stakeholders are addressed and validated. Continued research regarding the importance of evolving impacts will be essential in the ongoing struggle for balance between use and conservation of wilderness areas, and the pivotal role of stewardship of our public lands.
Endovascular Aortic Repair of Thoracic Aortic Disease: Early and 1-Year Results From a German Multicenter Registry

Purpose To report a “real-world” multicenter experience in the use of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for diseases of the descending thoracic aorta. Methods A prospective, multicenter, German TEVAR Registry was established in October 2008 and enrolled 191 patients (134 men; mean age 64.5±13.2 years) from 7 hospitals up to March 2011. Stent-graft implantation was performed for Stanford type B aortic dissection (104, 55.3%), true thoracic aortic aneurysm (91, 48.7%), intramural hematoma (20, 10.7%), penetrating aortic ulcer (16, 8.6%), and traumatic aortic rupture (6, 3.2%). Results Per patient, a mean of 1.2±0.7 stent-grafts were implanted. Technical success was 92.1% (164/178); 15 (8.5%) endoleaks (types I–III) were reported. Intervention duration was a mean 107±122 minutes. During the hospital stay, stroke occurred in 3.9% of patients (7/180) and paraplegia in 1.7% (3/180). Reintervention was performed in 3.3% (6/180). The mortality was 5.5% (10/181) in-hospital and 5.6% at 30 days. The mean follow-up was 24.5±27.7 months. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of 1-year reintervention and death rates were 7.2% and 11.4%, respectively. Conclusion In this real-world TEVAR registry for acute or chronic descending aortic diseases, technical success was high and the short-term complication rate was acceptable. However, the high reintervention rate observed in the present study mandates thorough clinical and imaging follow-up after an initially successful procedure.
Is Pollution a Sin? A Study on the Institutional Ownership of Polluter Stocks

This study examines whether stocks of polluter firms behave like sin stocks. I test whether the aggregate institutional holdings of polluters are constrained by social norms of environmental responsibility. Using U.S. data from the Toxic Release Inventory, I identify the firms that release the greatest amount of pollutants. Consistent with expectations of increasing environmental awareness, institutional ownership of polluters relative to non-polluters is reduced and decreasing over the sample period of 1987-2014. I additionally find that institutions display the greatest aversion to dioxin polluters. After grouping institutions based on trading strategies, I find that institutions with passive buy-and-hold strategies display the greatest reluctance to own polluters, which are instead disproportionately owned by institutions with shorter investment horizons. Further tests reveal that polluters also receive less analyst coverage than comparable stocks. Finally, I examine polluter performance with a long-short portfolio, which provides no evidence of abnormal returns.
Peer Groups, Popularity, and Social Preference

The extant literature on the social functioning of students with learning disabilities (LD) has indicated that whereas a majority belong to peer groups, a higher proportion are isolated and most have lower social status among peers in general than their typically achieving classmates. Although some work has examined these issues over short-term longitudinal studies, none to date have examined them over extensive time periods. Toward this end, the current study examined a sample of 1,361 students (678 girls and 683 boys; 55 with LD) using multiple measures of peer social functioning assessed each semester from spring of third grade through fall of sixth grade. The results indicated that whereas students with LD were similar to their typically achieving peers in terms of group functioning and characteristics, they were viewed as lower in social standing among their classmates as a whole. These effects were maintained over time, indicating that long-term inclusion may not substantially affect peer social functioning among students with LD.
Extracellular matrix gradients in the space of disse: Relevance to liver biology

The extracellular matrix, an insoluble complex of collagens (fibrillar and network), adhesion proteins (e.g., laminin, fibronectin) and proteoglycans (PGs) (e.g., heparan sulfate PGs, chondroitin sulfate PGs), is associated with all cells and is important in all aspects of adhesion, growth regulation and regulation of tissuespecific gene expression (1). The relevance of matrix to liver biology has been demonstrated in many articles in which investigators have analyzed purified matrix components or tissue extracts enriched in extracellular matrix (1-12). The study by McGuire et al. (13) has provided corroborating evidence to earlier studies (7) revealing that the extracellular matrix is functionally tissue specific. The authors have analyzed the impact of matrix on sinusoidal endothelial cells. A unique feature of the hepatic endothelial cells is their fenestrations which permit plasma components more direct access to the parenchyma. The authors have demonstrated that the fenestral size, number and morphology are regulated by extracellular matrix. They have come to these conclusions by analyzing rat sinusoidal endothelial cells freshly isolated by centrifugal elutriation and then cultured on substrata of purified matrix components, fibronectin or collagens or on tissue extracts enriched in extracellular matrix, Matrigel (available commercially from Collaborative Research, Bedford, MA) or a matrix extract from amnions. Numerous reports, especially the pioneering studies of Dr. Joseph Madri and associates (14-16), indicate that extracellular matrix regulates many aspects of endothelial cell biology. However, sinusoidal endothelia have long been thought relatively independent of matrix because basement membranes cannot be readily demonstrated in the space of Disse. Indeed, the liver is referred to as an “epithelioid” tissue because its plates of parenchymal cells are not associated with a classic basement membrane, a defining feature of epithelia.
“FREE SHIPPING” OR “DOLLAR OFF”? THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF LIST PRICE AND E-SHOPPING EXPERIENCE ON CONSUMER PREFERENCE FOR ONLINE DISCOUNT

The use of online shopping has grown exponentially over the last decade. Although traditional and internet shopping behaviors are similar in some ways, there are some significant differences. To this end, this paper investigates the role of different types of pricing discounts in shaping consumer evaluations when shopping online. In particular, we examine the moderating effects of the list price value and online shopping experience on the consumer evaluation of “free shipping” and “dollar off” discounts. Past research suggests that the free shipping offer will be more attractive than the dollar-off offer when they are of the same economic value. This study contributes to our understanding of research by examining the moderating effects of changes in list price and the consumers’ online shopping experience. The results of the quasi-experimental design suggests that the free shipping offer works better than a dollar-off discount for lower-priced goods, but there is no difference between the two for higher-priced goods. Additionally, seasoned online shoppers are more receptive to both types of pricing discounts, no matter the list price, than are novice online shoppers. To cite this document: Shimi Naurin Ahmad and Michael Callow, " FREE SHIPPING” OR “DOLLAR OFF”? THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF LIST PRICE AND E-SHOPPING EXPERIENCE ON CONSUMER PREFERENCE FOR ONLINE DISCOUNT ", International Journal of Electronic Commerce Studies, Vol.9, No.1, pp.55-70, 2018. Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi. org/10.7903/ijecs.1542
Experiences of Older Adults in Healthcare Choice: Voices from Igbeagu, Izzi Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Nigeria, like many other developing countries in the world is experiencing an upsurge in the number the older adults. These individuals need to be given adequate health care services to enable them go through ageing process successfully. This study was carried out to determine some personal circumstances and socio-cultural factors that drive healthcare choice of older adults in the rural areas of Ebonyi state. Data for the study was purely qualitative, obtained by means of Focus Groups Discussions (FGDs). Two FGDs were conducted for two different, but, homogeneous groups in a culturally appropriate setting chosen by the participants themselves, and on a non-market and festival-free day. Respondents were drawn from older adults aged 64 – 69 years within the inclusion criteria, using Snowball sampling technique. Results indicate that most participants have more preference for traditional medicine like herbal medicine and faith healing over orthodox medicine, arising from factors like cost, distance, gender, trust, and general attitude of home care-givers and healthcare providers. Few others patronize hospitals and clinics, though, not voluntarily. It was recommended that healthcare services be subsidised for the elderly ones especially in the rural areas. Again, there is a need to provide and/or equip healthcare centres in the rural communities to mitigate the impact of having to travel to travel long distance to access healthcare facilities. Finally, it is imperative that care-givers and the general public be enlightened about some stereotypical, pejorative misconceptions and obnoxious beliefs about the elderly, as some erroneously believe that the elderly ones should not be cared for because prolonging their life would mean more death for the younger members of the family.
Phase II trial of gemcitabine concurrent with radiation for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND Concurrent chemoradiation is the current standard of treatment for patients with advanced unresectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Due to the potent radiosensitizing properties of gemcitabine, we decided to assess its efficacy and toxicity with concurrent radiation in patients with advanced HNSCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS From January 1997 to December 2001, 27 patients with locally advanced HNSCC (stage III, 37%; stage IV, 63%) were enrolled. All received a course of radiotherapy (70 Gy over 7 weeks) concurrent with weekly infusions of gemcitabine at 100 mg/m2 or 50 mg/m2. RESULTS All patients were assessable for toxicity and 26 for response. Severe mucositis (grade 3-4) was observed in 74% of patients (grade 4, 41%). Severe hematological toxicity was uncommon. Mild and moderate xerostomy was the most common late toxicity in 23 patients (85%). The median radiation dose delivered was 70 Gy (40-80 Gy), 25 patients (93%) received > or = 80% of the intended dose. Gemcitabine dose intensity was > or = 80% in only 13 (48%) patients. The rate of complete and partial responses were 61% and 27%, respectively, for an overall response rate of 88%. At a median follow-up of 13 months (range 6-62), the actuarial 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 37% and 33%, respectively. The only variable associated with prolonged survival (P = 0.0001) was the degree of response. No difference was observed in response or toxicity with either gemcitabine 50 or 100 mg/m2. CONCLUSIONS The concurrent use of radiotherapy and gemcitabine is effective but produces manageable severe mucositis in a high percentage of patients.
Profiling plans for retirement.

Actual decision making for retirement is largely inaccessible to investigation, yet research can focus on plans as a window into the preretirement process. This article proposes a construct that profiles five generic types of retirement plans, including plans to retire completely, change jobs, never retire, and uncertainty about retirement. The heuristic value of the construct lies in its recognition of the heterogeneity of retirement intentions. The five plan types were operationalized among workers aged 51-61 in the 1992 Health and Retirement Study. Convergent validity was demonstrated by comparisons to analogous survey questions. Construct validity was shown by predictable relationships between intentions and elements of workers' opportunity structure. The retirement-plans construct can serve as the foundation for a taxonomy of specific retirement plans (e.g., about timing, employment), to organize research on stability and change in retirement intentions, and characterize the path dependence of eventual retirement behavior.
Na(+)-coupled alanine transport in LLC-PK1 cells.

Transport of alanine (Ala) was characterized in LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells. Transport capability for Ala falls by 75% in postconfluent cultures, while Na(+)-coupled alpha-methylglucoside (AMG) transport rises more than fourfold during the same interval. The kinetics of Ala transport were characterized in ATP-depleted cells to allow experimental imposition of changes in Na+ gradient and control of membrane potential across the plasma membrane. At 100 microM Ala and 135 mM Na+, > 98% of the unidirectional Ala influx is dependent on the presence of Na+ in cells from postconfluent cultures. Li+ is only 1% as effective as Na+, and other monovalent cations are ineffective in supporting Ala uptake. alpha-(Methylamino)isobutyric acid (MeAIB; 5 mM) causes only a small inhibition (approximately 10%) of 100 microM Ala influx. The low selectivity for Li+; low sensitivity to competition by MeAIB or aminoisobutyric acid; pronounced inhibition by serine, homoserine, cysteine, homocysteine and threonine; moderate inhibition by valine, isoleucine, proline and histidine; and lack of inhibition by lysine, arginine, and aspartate are more consistent with those characteristics reported for entry via the ASC amino acid transport system rather than those associated with the A system. Alanine influx exhibits a hyperbolic relationship with increasing Ala or Na+ concentration. Kinetic analysis suggests a single transport pathway with a Michaelis constant (Km) for alanine of 380 microM (when Na+ is 135 mM), apparent Km for Na+ of 32 mM (with 100 microM Ala), and a maximum velocity of 7 nmol.min-1.mg cell protein-1. An interior-negative diffusion potential induces a similar enhancement of [14C]alanine or [14C]tetraphenylphosphonium influx (approximately 40%). In contrast, AMG influx is enhanced by a factor of 2.2 under the same conditions. AMG uptake also shows a sigmoidal relationship with Na+ concentration. Hill coefficients are 1.56 for AMG and 1.0 for alanine. Direct measurement of Na(+)-Ala coupling stoichiometry yields a value of 1.01 +/- 0.07. Under the same conditions, Na(+)-AMG coupling stoichiometry is 2.1 +/- 0.25. The difference in coupling stoichiometries provides an explanation for differences in intensity of interaction between Na(+)-coupled transport systems for sugars and amino acids.
Conditional mutation of Smc5 in mouse embryonic stem cells perturbs condensin localization and mitotic progression

ABSTRACT Correct duplication of stem cell genetic material and its appropriate segregation into daughter cells are requisites for tissue, organ and organism homeostasis. Disruption of stem cell genomic integrity can lead to developmental abnormalities and cancer. Roles of the Smc5/6 structural maintenance of chromosomes complex in pluripotent stem cell genome maintenance have not been investigated, despite its important roles in DNA synthesis, DNA repair and chromosome segregation as evaluated in other model systems. Using mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) with a conditional knockout allele of Smc5, we showed that Smc5 protein depletion resulted in destabilization of the Smc5/6 complex, accumulation of cells in G2 phase of the cell cycle and apoptosis. Detailed assessment of mitotic mESCs revealed abnormal condensin distribution and perturbed chromosome segregation, accompanied by irregular spindle morphology, lagging chromosomes and DNA bridges. Mutation of Smc5 resulted in retention of Aurora B kinase and enrichment of condensin on chromosome arms. Furthermore, we observed reduced levels of Polo-like kinase 1 at kinetochores during mitosis. Our study reveals crucial requirements of the Smc5/6 complex during cell cycle progression and for stem cell genome maintenance. Summary: Conditional mutation of Smc5 in mouse embryonic stem cells leads to obstruction of chromosome condensation, congression and segregation, accompanied by abnormal spindles, lagging chromosomes and DNA bridges.
Sharing Goods? Yuck, No! An Investigation of Consumers’ Contamination Concerns About Access-Based Services

Although access-based services (ABS) offer many benefits, convincing consumers to use these service innovations remains challenging. Research suggests that contamination concerns are an important barrier to consumer adoption of ABS; they arise when a person believes someone else has touched an object and transferred residue or germs. However, systematic examination of this phenomenon is lacking. We conduct four experiments to determine (1) the impact of contamination concerns on consumer evaluations of ABS, (2) when such concerns become salient in ABS, and (3) how ABS providers can reduce these concerns. The results reveal that consumers experience more contamination concerns about objects used in proximity to their bodies, especially when those objects are shared with unfamiliar users, and that such concerns negatively influence their evaluations of ABS. Consumers also exhibit less contamination concerns about ABS that have high brand equity because of their elevated stereotype-related perceptions of the competence of those users. Firms’ advertisements depicting physical contact between shared objects and other users negatively influence ABS evaluations by consumers whose contamination concept is activated. This article provides insights for developing product, branding, and communication strategies to reduce consumers’ contamination concerns and maximize ABS adoption.
Adipose-derived stem cells undergo spontaneous osteogenic differentiation in vitro when passaged serially or seeded at low density

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are a convenient source of cells for regenerating tissue. Widespread application of ADSCs requires that they propagate efficiently and differentiate in vitro. We investigated the differentiation potential of ADSCs during long-term expansion in vitro and when the cells were seeded at low density. ADSCs were isolated from the inguinal fat pads of 3-week-old male rats, then cultured serially for 12 passages; some ADSCs at passage 3 were seeded at low density. The differentiation potential of ADSCs from passage 3 to passage 12 was assessed by their capacity for adipogenesis and osteogenesis while cultured in specific induction media. Spontaneous osteogenesis of ADSCs at passage 12 and of ADSCs that were seeded at low density was detected by western blotting, alizarin red S staining and measurement of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. We found that with increasing passage number, the adipogenic potential of ADSCs decreased and osteogenic differentiation increased. Alizarin red S staining, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expressions, and ALP activity demonstrated that both ADSCs at passage 12 and those that were seeded at low density differentiated into osteoblasts without additional induction factors.
Foreign Fund Flows and Asset Prices : Evidence from the Indian Stock Market * Viral

In this section, we investigate the robustness of the results reported above. First, we test the robustness of our findings to an alternative specification of the FII flow measure. Next, we examine whether our results differ for stocks associated with derivative contracts and stocks for which derivative trading is not allowed. We then employ a parametric approach to identify the impact of FII flow innovations and also attempt to uncover any asymmetry (buy side vs. sell side), as well as any nonlinear effects associated with FII flow innovations. We also recognize that FII order flow may be persistent and therefore we redefine our portfolio formation criterion in terms of cumulative innovations in FII flows over the previous 5-day period rather than in terms of the