Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autotrophic nitrifying bacteria in acid tea soils from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria were detected in some Bangladesh and Sri Lanka tea soils and in three other Bangladesh soils. Numbers ranged from 25 to 5500 organisms/g dry soil. Pure cultures were obtained from all the soils either by picking colonies from silica gel plates used for counts or by enrichment culture procedures. The isolates were identified as species of Nitrosolobus, Nitrosomonas and a new species of Nitrosospira.
Bacterial meningitis in adults: Host and pathogen factors, treatment and outcome

Uit Sebastiaan Heckenbergs studie naar meningokokkenmeningitis blijkt onder andere dat meningokokken met een mutatie in het lpxL1-gen een minder hevige immuunrespons uitlokten en het stollingssysteem minder activeerden. Heckenberg vergeleek tevens de gegevens van twee cohorten met elkaar, voor- en nadat de behandeling met dexamethason werd ingevoerd. De prognose van patienten met pneumokokkenmeningitis is duidelijk verbeterd sinds de invoering van dexamethason. Ook bleken er geen nadelige gevolgen van deze behandeling te bestaan bij patienten met meningokokkenmeningitis. Daarnaast verrichtte Heckenberg studies naar de ernst en frequentie van gehoorverlies bij patienten met pneumokokkenmeningitis. Hij toont aan dat bij patienten afwijkingen in het rs17611-gen bij pneumokokkenmeningitis tot een slechtere prognose leiden. Uit verder onderzoek in een model van bacteriele meningitis bij muizen bleek dat behandeling met een antilichaam voor die afwijking de prognose verbetert. Bacteriele meningitis (hersenvliesontsteking) is een levensbedreigende infectieziekte. De belangrijkste veroorzakers zijn Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumokokken) en Neisseria meningitidis (meningokokken). De prognose van deze ziekte is sterk verbeterd sinds er effectieve antibiotica zijn en er goede ondersteunende zorg is. Desondanks overlijdt nog steeds 20 procent van de patienten en houden degenen die de ziekte overleven vaak restverschijnselen, zoals gehoorverlies.
Word detection applied to images of ancient Roman coins

This paper presents a method for recognizing legends in images of ancient coins. It accounts for the special challenging conditions of ancient coins and thus does not rely on character segmentation contrary to traditional Optical Character Recognition (OCR) methods designed for text written on paper. Instead, characters are detected by means of individual character classifiers applied to a dense grid of local SIFT features. Final word recognition is accomplished using a lexicon of known legend words. For this purpose, the Pictorial Structures approach is adopted to find the most likely word occurrences based on the previously detected characters. Experiments are conducted on a set of 180 coin images from the Roman period with 35 different legend words. Depending on the lexicon size used, the achieved word detection rate varies from 29% to 53%.
Impact of Capital Structure on the Firm Value: Case Study of Listed Manufacturing Companies in Sri Lanka

Capital structure is one of the most complex areas of financial decision making because of its interrelationship with other financial decision variables. Capital structure choice is an important decision for a firm. It is important not only from returns maximization point of view, but also because this decision has a great impact on a firm’s ability to successfully operating competitive environment. In this study, an attempt has been made to analyze the Capital Structure and Firm Value during 2008 to 2012 (05 years) financial year of listed manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka. For the purpose of this study, the data was extracted from the annual reports of sample companies. Correlation and multiple regression analysis are used for analysis with the STATA 12 versions. The results revealed that Capital Structure has an impact on firm value ratio. Further Equity Ratio is negatively correlated with EPS, which are significant 5 and 1 percent level of significance respectively.
Innovation: the endless transition

Innovation is increasingly based upon a “Triple Helix” of university-industry-government interactions, which modifies the role of each institutional sphere. As the university takes on a new role in promoting innovation, it becomes transformed into an economic institution, while retaining its traditional missions. As firms take their new role in continually adapting and raising their technological level, they move a closer to an academic model. As government plays a role as public entrepreneur it becomes more like the industrial and academic spheres in realizing the importance of knowledge in creating a new economy and new society. Moving beyond ‘learning’ and adaptation, development then becomes an endogenous process of encouraging linkages among the institutional spheres to foster innovation.
Group Affiliation and Corporate Performance: Evidence from an Emerging Economy

This study compares overall financial characteristics of the Turkish nonfinancial firms across a variety of ownership variables. We essentially analyze the performance of affiliates of diversified Turkish business groups relative to unaffiliated firms. We find that group affiliated firms have higher return on assets than unaffiliated focused firms. This positive relationship, however, does not hold for other accounting and stock market measures of performance. Our findings also indicate that the performance measures of family-owned are not different from those of nonfamily-owned firms. Results also suggest that foreign-owned firms perform significantly better in terms of return on assets than domestic firms, but not in terms of other performance measures.
Empowering Partnerships: The development of a model of empowering partnerships in the context of devolution

There is an ongoing trend in Western societies, including Australia, to move people with developmental disabilities out of institutions and into community based accommodation. When deinstitutionalisation occurs it impacts not only on the person with a disability but on their significant others and also on the organisation/s providing them with support. While government departments and support organisations say that they involve family members in deinstitutionalisation, little previous research has focussed on family members’ experiences of deinstitutionalisation to know if it is an engaging and empowering experience for them. Most previous studies of deinstitutionalisation, where they have spoken to significant others, have focussed on their perceptions of the benefits or disadvantages of deinstitutionalisation for their son or daughter with a disability directly rather than considering how it impacted upon the significant others. I identified this as a gap in our current knowledge and set out through this study to find out what deinstitutionalisation was like from the viewpoint of some significant others
Effective Thermal Management in Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes With Micro-LED Arrays

We report on the use of micro-LED arrays, consisting of a matrix of interconnected micrometer-size light-emitting diodes (LEDs), to ensure uniform current injection, reduced series resistance, and improved heat extraction in LEDs emitting in the ultraviolet wavelength region. With the help of experiments and simulations, we show that, in both 380- and 300- to 325-nm LEDs, a greater than twofold decrease in the thermal resistance of the device, as compared with a conventional large area contact, is possible with the use of micro-LED arrays. The thermal resistance was found to linearly decrease with the size of the individual micro-LED, indicating that the improved heat dissipation is mainly due to the division of the heat source from one large area for the square contact into smaller pixels, thus allowing a sufficient area for the dissipation of the generated heat.
Effects of Additional Repeated Sprint Training During Preseason on Performance, Heart Rate Variability, and Stress Symptoms in Futsal Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Soares-Caldeira, LF, de Souza, EA, de Freitas, VH, de Moraes, SMF, Leicht, AS, and Nakamura, FY. Effects of additional repeated sprint training during preseason on performance, heart rate variability, and stress symptoms in futsal players: A randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 28(10): 2815–2826, 2014—The aim of this study was to investigate whether supplementing regular preseason futsal training with weekly sessions of repeated sprints (RS) training would have positive effects on repeated sprint ability (RSA) and field test performance. Thirteen players from a professional futsal team (22.6 ± 6.7 years, 72.8 ± 8.7 kg, 173.2 ± 6.2 cm) were divided randomly into 2 groups (AddT: n = 6 and normal training group: n = 7). Both groups performed a RSA test, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (YoYo IR1), squat (SJ) and countermovement jumps (CMJ), body composition, and heart rate variability (HRV) measures at rest before and after 4 weeks of preseason training. Athletes weekly stress symptoms were recorded by psychometric responses using the Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes questionnaire and subjective ratings of well-being scale, respectively. The daily training load (arbitrary units) was assessed using the session of rating perceived exertion method. After the preseason training, there were no significant changes for body composition, SJ, CMJ, and RSAbest. The YoYo IR1, RSAmean, RSAworst, and RSAdecreament were significantly improved for both groups (p ⩽ 0.05). The HRV parameters improved significantly within both groups (p ⩽ 0.05) except for high frequency (HF, absolute and normalized units, [n.u.]), low frequency (LF) (n.u.), and the LF/HF ratio. A moderate effect size for the AddT group was observed for resting heart rate and several HRV measures. Training load and psychometric responses were similar between both groups. Additional RS training resulted in slightly greater positive changes for vagal-related HRV with similar improvements in performance and training stress during the preseason training in futsal players.
Keadilan, Komitmen pada Tujuan, dan Job-relevant Information dalam Penganggaran Partisipatif

The relationship between participative budgeting and management performance has interested many researchers. Prior empirical studies, however, find inconsistent evidence. Shields and Shields (1998) suggest that budgetary participation does not have a direct effect on performance, but is rather conditioned on other intervening variables. The current study is aimed to investigate the interrelationship of participative budgeting with managerial performance through social, motivational, and cognitive factors. Data are collected by sending questionnaires to managers of service and manufacturing companies throughout Java. Only eighty-nine respondents fill the questionnaires. Using structural equation models, the current study finds that: (1) the direct relationship between participative budgeting and management performance is not statistically significant; (2) procedural fairness, but not distributive fairness, and job-relevant information statistically significantly affect the relationship between participative budgeting and management performance; and (3) goal commitment does not statistically significantly affect management performance.
Long-Only Momentum, Currency Hedging and Transaction Costs: Implications for a Swiss Equity Investor

This study investigates the efficiency of European capital markets by examining the profitability of four long-only momentum strategies, after transaction costs of 0.5%, from the perspective of a Swiss equity investor. The investment universe considered in this study includes securities denominated in CHF, EUR, and GBP. In a first step, momentum strategies are evaluated over a period of fifteen years without hedging exchange rate risk of EUR and GBP. In a second step, the performance of full- and optimal currency hedging strategies is assessed. Results show that momentum strategies, after having considered transaction costs, do not significantly outperform a simple buy-and-hold strategy in risk-adjusted terms. Nevertheless, currency hedging strategies do significantly reduce the return volatility of portfolios.
Clinical correlates of pain with second-trimester genetic amniocentesis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the correlation of clinical factors and maternal perceptions of pain with genetic amniocentesis. MATERIAL AND METHOD This prospective study of midtrimester, singleton pregnancies was conducted between February 2007 and March 2008. Study variables included patient dermographics, previous amniocentesis, previous abdominal surgery, maternal anxiety score, abdominal wall thickness, needle insertion through placenta and the depth of needle insertion. Maternal pain with performing amniocentesis was subjectively quantified with the Thai short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire. The independent T-test, one way ANOVA and linear regression were used for analysis, a probability value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS One hundred and twenty-five pregnant women participated in the present study: 18.4% reported no pain, 69.6% described the pain as mild, 11.2% described the pain as discomforting and 0.8% described the pain as horrible. Mean intensity of pain was 2.1 +/- 1.9 (on a scale 0-10). Pain was most often described as fearful, shooting, throbbing and sharp. Parity, gestational age, maternal BMI, anxiety score, previous surgery, needle insertion through the placenta, abdominal wall thickness and the depth of needle insertion were not correlated with perceived pain. CONCLUSION Most of the women reported no pain or mild or discomfort with genetic amniocentesis. Clinical factors were not associated with maternal perceptions of pain.
Genres of Search : Genres de recherche : A Concept for un concept pour Understanding comprendre les Successive Search comportements Behaviour ' ' de recherches successives

The paper presents Genres of Search, a concept that contributes to our understanding of the successive search phenomenon. The concept is explained in the context of a case study that used naturalistic methods to explore the information-seeking behaviour of 10 participants, aged 16 to 18, as they searched for, selected, and used information for a school-based inquiry project on a topic related to the history of Western civilization. The study found an array of sub-searches, or Genres of Search, embedded within the information problemsolving process, each genre representing a distinct information need. The Genres of Search concept is useful for mapping irregularities in successive searching and provides insight into the nature of the tasks involved in the search process.
The motor end‐plate fine structure and ultrastructural localization of acetylcholine receptors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The motor end‐plate fine structure and distribution of junctional acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) were studied. Morphometric analysis was carried out in 74 end‐plates (92 innervated and 47 denuded postsynaptic regions) from 10 patients with ALS. AChR was studied by means of peroxidaselabeled α‐bungarotoxin binding in 45 end‐plates (86 innervated and 36 denuded postsynaptic regions) from 6 patients with ALS. The postsynaptic regions were denuded of their nerve terminals in 33.8% (9.8% in controls). However, the postsynaptic folds in denuded regions were fairly well preserved, as were junctional AChRs. No highly simplified postsynaptic regions were observed. These results suggest that reinnervation of the skeletal muscle by nerve sprouting in ALS may occur in the previously denuded postsynaptic regions and the preserved postsynaptic regions including AChRs, the basement membrane, and Schwann cells may play an important role in this process.
Temporary Workers, Permanent Workers, and International Trade: Evidence from Japanese firm-level data

The number of temporary workers in Japan's labor market has increased rapidly since the 1990s. This trend is particularly remarkable in the manufacturing sector, which now relies on sales to foreign markets. This paper formalizes the idea that global competition may encourage manufactures to shift from permanent to temporary workers, proposing a model of multi-product firms motivated to reduce revenue fluctuations. Firms prefer lower sales volatility because of labor adjustment costs. In such a framework, trade liberalization encourages firms to reduce the number of products, which raises the demand for temporary workers because they entail no firing costs. The model is also empirically tested using micro-data from Japanese manufacturing plants. The model's predictions are moderately supported.
Oxide Nanoelectronics on Demand

Electronic confinement at nanoscale dimensions remains a central means of science and technology. We demonstrate nanoscale lateral confinement of a quasi–two-dimensional electron gas at a lanthanum aluminate–strontium titanate interface. Control of this confinement using an atomic force microscope lithography technique enabled us to create tunnel junctions and field-effect transistors with characteristic dimensions as small as 2 nanometers. These electronic devices can be modified or erased without the need for complex lithographic procedures. Our on-demand nanoelectronics fabrication platform has the potential for widespread technological application.
Role for IL‐10 in inducing functional impairment of monocytes upon TLR4 ligation in patients with chronic HCV infections

The consequences of chronic infection with the HCV on immunity to distinct pathogens are not fully appreciated, despite the potent modulatory effects of HCV on the immune system. We observed that upon TLR4 ligation, monocytes from chronic HCV patients demonstrated three to five times lower TNF and IL‐12p40 production as compared with healthy individuals. However, augmented production of TNF, IL‐12p40, and IL‐12p70 by monocytes was observed upon stimulation with R848. Importantly, we observed that the levels of IL‐10 in chronic HCV patients are higher in serum and that more IL‐10 is produced by monocytes as compared with healthy individuals. The inhibitory effect of IL‐10 on the production of proinflammatory cytokines by monocytes was only observed upon LPS stimulation but not upon R848 stimulation, showing that only the TLR4 pathway in monocytes is sensitive to the suppressive effects of IL‐10. Interestingly, monocytes stimulated with the TLR4 agonist, but not TLR8 agonist, produced higher levels of IL‐10 when exposed to patient serum as compared with serum from healthy individuals. Our results indicate that by differentially affecting TLR4 and TLR8 pathways, IL‐10 may mediate highly selective modulation of the function of monocytes observed in chronic HCV patients. This suggests that there is no overall increased susceptibility to pathogens but a specific suppression of the functionality of TLR4 signaling pathway in monocytes, which is, at least partly, mediated via IL‐10.
Supply chain management practices in five star hotels in Kenya

The hotel industry is one of the biggest industry in Kenya's economy. With the turbulent nature of the tourism industry, hotels face various challenges thus calling the need to improve efficiencies within the hotels and their whole supply chains. The study sought to explore the supply chain management practices preferred by the five star hotels in Kenya and the challenges they face while implementing supply chain management. In order to satisfy the objectives of the study, a survey was conducted in all the seven five star hotels in Nairobi. The findings revealed that most five star hotels have implemented supply chain management. However, it was evident that most five star hotels have not paid much attention to formal information sharing with customers about production costs as a supply chain management practice. It was also established that the major challenges to implementing supply chain management in the hotel industry were the lack of understanding the supply chain management concept and the turbulent nature of the hotel
Corporate Governance and Conservatism

The purpose of this research is investigating the effects of strong corporate governance mechanisms on financial reporting conservatism of companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange. Khan and Watts (2009) and Givoly and Hayn (2000) models are used as measure of conservatism. Also simultaneously existence of three corporate governance mechanisms are used as determinant of strong corporate governance, these mechanisms are: institutional ownership, CEO/Chair duality and lower percentage of inside directors than the median firm in the sample. The results of investigating a sample of 720 firm-years during the years of 2002 to 2011 of companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange shows positive and significant relation between corporate governance mechanisms and conservatism. These results confirm complementary approach about the relation between corporate governance mechanisms and conservatism, in other words, strong corporate governance mechanisms increase conservatism in financial reporting.
Natural Diversity in the N Terminus of the Mature Vacuolating Cytotoxin of Helicobacter pylori Determines Cytotoxin Activity

ABSTRACT Naturally occurring noncytotoxic vacA type s2 strains of Helicobacter pylori have a 12-residue extension to the vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA) compared with cytotoxic type s1 strains. We show that adding the region encoding this extension to type s1vacA completely abolishes vacuolating cytotoxin activity but has no effect on VacA production.
Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for children with acute myeloblastic leukemia in first complete remission: impact of conditioning regimen without total-body irradiation--a report from the Société Française de Greffe de Moelle.

PURPOSE To analyze the French experience of chemotherapeutic preparation before human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in children with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) in first complete remission (CR). PATIENTS AND METHODS The data base used for this study was a French BMT registry for childhood AML. Twenty-three children were conditioned with busulfan and 120 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (Bu-Cy 120 group). Nineteen received busulfan and 200 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (Bu-Cy200 group). During the same time period, 32 patients were prepared with total-body irradiation (TBI group) most often in combination with 120 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide. RESULTS The probability of relapse was 54%, 13%, and 10% for the Bu-Cy120, Bu-Cy200, and TBI groups, respectively (P < .05 in the univariate analysis, log-rank test, 2 df). In the multivariate analysis, a conditioning regimen with Bu-Cy120 was significantly associated with a higher risk of relapse (P = .02; relative risk, 3.62). The probability of transplant-related mortality (TRM) was 0% for Bu-Cy120, 5% for Bu-Cy200, and 10% for TBI. Kaplan-Meier estimations of event-free survival (EFS) were 46% +/- 24%, 82% +/- 18%, and 80% +/- 14%, respectively, for the three groups, with median follow-up durations of 28 months (range, 3 to 78), 31 months (4 to 68), and 48 months (2 to 73). In the multivariate analysis, two factors adversely affected EFS: a conditioning regimen with Bu-Cy120 (P = .07) and a long interval from diagnosis to BMT (> or = 120 days, P = .08). CONCLUSION Bu-Cy120 is a well-tolerated preparation, but results in a high risk of relapse for children with AML in first CR. This high risk of relapse is not observed when the dose of cyclophosphamide is increased to 200 mg/kg.