Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Pb and La contents on the lattice configuration of La-substituted Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 films fabricated by CSD method

The influence of Pb and La contents on the lattice configuration in La-substituted Pb(Zr0.65,Ti0.35)O3 (La-PZT) films was systematically investigated. La-PZT films with various La and Pb contents were fabricated on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by chemical solution deposition (CSD). In the La-PZT films with a Pb content ratio of 125% relative to a stoichiometric value, La ions were substituted for not only A-site ions but also B-site ions at La contents greater than 3 mol%. La substitution for B-site seems to cause larger reduction of the unit cell size. In addition, we found that in the La-PZT films with a La content of 3 mol%, the Pb content of 116 mol% (120% relative to a stoichiometric value) was optimum from the viewpoint of site occupancy. This indicates that excess Pb prevented the A-site substitution of La ions.
Evaluation of animal welfare on organic dairy farms in Finland

The evaluation of animal welfare on organic dairy farms was carried out in connection with the first Finnish research study on animal healthcare and welfare in 1996 to 1998. 26 organic dairy farms took part in the research, including 20 tie-stall barns (332 cows) and 6 loose-housing systems (209 cows). Survey visits to the farms were conducted during early spring and autumn. Housing, feeding and health data was collected.
Financing Europe's Fast Movers. Bruegel Policy Brief 2008/01, January 2008

Summary. Arguments about structural policies in Europe, including the EU’s Lisbon strategy, put a legitimate emphasis on labour and product market reforms, but often overlook the role of the financial system in fostering innovation and growth. Corporate finance is crucial for the emergence of new companies, well beyond the much-analysed technology sector. In a knowledge economy where companies rely less on physical investment, traditional bank loans are insufficient. While Europe has a world-class financial system for established companies, new instruments tailored to the needs of emerging firms remain underdeveloped in most EU countries.
Cytokine Changes and Tryptophan Metabolites in Medication-Naïve and Medication-Free Schizophrenic Patients

Cytokine imbalances especially between T helper type (Th) 1 and Th2 and tryptophan breakdown were reported to be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The hyperactive inflammatory response system could induce enhanced tryptophan breakdown. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cytokine changes, tryptophan breakdown parameter changes and clinical parameters in patients with schizophrenia in comparison with normal controls. In the plasma of schizophrenic patients, Th1-specific interferon-γ was significantly higher (F = 7.485, p = 0.007) and Th2-specific interleukin (IL)-4 was significantly lower (F = 126.327, p < 0.0001). The Th1-related cytokine IL-2 was lower (F = 5.409, p = 0.021) but tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Th2-related IL-6 were higher (F = 95.004, p < 0.0001 and F = 408.176, p < 0.0001, respectively) in the plasma of schizophrenic patients. After 6 weeks of treatment, IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly reduced (t = –3.762, p < 0.0001 and z = –2.668, p = 0.008). At the time of admission, plasma tryptophan concentrations were lower (F = 6.339, p = 0.012) in schizophrenic patients and were negatively correlated with the total positive symptoms score (r2 = -0.343, p = 0.004). After 6 weeks of medication, both plasma tryptophan and kynurenine concentrations were increased (t = –2.937, p = 0.005 and t = –3.214, p = 0.002, respectively). The findings of this study indicate a hyperactive pro-inflammatory response inducing a change in tryptophan metabolism that might be related to the development of positive symptoms in schizophrenia.
In-Process Temperature Mapping System for Industrial Freeze Dryers

This paper describes a low-invasive temperature mapping system specially designed for vacuum and nonaccessible environments, such as industrial freeze dryers. Thermal resistances tend to become quite hight in vacuum since convection is absent and even very small gaps have extremely conductive resistances. Temperature monitoring in the vacuum therefore requires sensors that do not inject power to minimize the self-heating and a special attention to the effect due to the involved thermal resistances. The proposed solution employs small autonomous measuring nodes that use a wireless connection to transmit the results and that are characterized to correct the thermal constant effect during temperature changes. The system has been designed for the monitoring of large freeze dryers, but its characteristics make it useful in many other vacuum conditions. The system is capable of monitoring the temperature of hundreds of points with an uncertainty of the order of a degree and with a cost per point of a few euros.
The role of home-based information and communications technology interventions in chronic disease management: a systematic literature review

This article presents a systematic literature review done to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of home-based information and communications technology enabled interventions for chronic disease management, with emphasis on their impact on health outcomes and costs. Relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed and evaluated using quality worksheets with pre-identified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the 256 articles retrieved, 27 were found to concord with the study criteria. Evaluation of the identified articles was conducted irrespective of study design, type of home-based intervention or chronic disease involved. The review demonstrates that HBIs applied to chronic disease management improve functional and cognitive patient outcomes and reduce healthcare spending. However, further research is needed to assess benefit in terms of evidence-based outcome indicators (that can provide a basis for meta-analysis), to confirm sustainable cost benefits, and to systematically collect data on physician satisfaction with patient management.
Evaluation of Intermittent Hemodialysis in Critically Ill Cancer Patients with Acute Kidney Injury Using Single-Pass Batch Equipment

Background Data on renal replacement therapy (RRT) in cancer patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and the adequacy of intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) in critically ill cancer patients with AKI. Methods and Findings In this observational prospective cohort study, 149 ICU cancer patients with AKI were treated with 448 single-pass batch IHD procedures and evaluated from June 2010 to June 2012. Primary outcomes were IHD complications (hypotension and clotting) and adequacy. A multiple logistic regression was performed in order to identify factors associated with IHD complications (hypotension and clotting). Patients were 62.2 ± 14.3 years old, 86.6% had a solid cancer, sepsis was the main AKI cause (51%) and in-hospital mortality was 59.7%. RRT session time was 240 (180–300) min, blood/dialysate flow was 250 (200–300) mL/min and UF was 1000 (0–2000) ml. Hypotension occurred in 25% of the sessions. Independent risk factors (RF) for hypotension were dialysate conductivity (each ms/cm, OR 0.81, CI 0.69–0.95), initial mean arterial pressure (each 10 mmHg, OR 0.49, CI 0.40–0.61) and SOFA score (OR 1.16, CI 1.03–1.30). Clotting and malfunctioning catheters (MC) occurred in 23.8% and 29.2% of the procedures, respectively. Independent RF for clotting were heparin use (OR 0.57, CI 0.33–0.99), MC (OR 3.59, CI 2.24–5.77) and RRT system pressure increase over 25% (OR 2.15, CI 1.61–4.17). Post RRT blood tests were urea 71 (49–104) mg/dL, creatinine 2.71 (2.10–3.8) mg/dL, bicarbonate 24.1 (22.5–25.5) mEq/L and K 3.8 (3.5–4.1) mEq/L. Conclusion IHD for critically ill patients with cancer and AKI offered acceptable hemodynamic stability and provided adequate metabolic control.
Theoretical Analysis of a Novel Rotary Compressor

A novel rotary compressor, termed the z-compressor, has been developed and is analyzed in this paper. The compressor has two chambers and performs two compression processes per rotation. The sequence in which the two compression processes are performed is similar to that of a twin rolling piston rotary compressor, although the geometry of this compressor is quite different. This novel compressor has the lowest noise and vibration operation compared to existing compressors. In this work, the characteristics of this compressor are presented and an analytical model that has been developed to study the performance of the z-compressor is described. The dimensions of the compressor, the suction pressure and temperature, and the discharge pressure are the input parameters of the model. Sample results generated with the model using refrigerant R410A as the working fluid are also presented in this work. These results focus on the impact of the leakage and frictional losses on the overall compressor performance.
Corporate Governance, Agency Problems, and Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from an Emerging European Market

Agency problems may arise from the separation of ownership and management (Type I) or from conflicts of interest between controlling and non-controlling shareholders (Type II). In this study, we investigate whether the relation between corporate governance and firm performance depends on the type of agency problem. Given its unique characteristics in terms ownership dispersion across the stock market’s segments, we use Cyprus as a natural experiment setting and we find a relation between governance and performance, primarily for firms more prone to Type I rather than to Type II agency problems. We interpret these findings as consistent with the view that governance effectiveness is a function of the type of agency problem. Thus, a uniform set of governance regulations, which is often applied, is unlikely to be efficient and/or optimal for all firms.
The Anatomy of a Credit Supply Shock: Evidence from an Internal Credit Market

We investigate how financial contracting interacts with lending-channel effects by tracing the anatomy of a credit supply shock using micro-level data from a multinational bank. Borrowers with stronger lending relationships, higher nonlending revenues, and those that pledge collateral, especially outside assets and real estate, experience less credit rationing. Consistent with a tightening of financing constraints post shock, borrower composition shifts toward larger and less risky firms, and loans exhibit higher collateralization rates. Our analysis highlights the value of relationships and suggests that relationship banking is a channel through which borrowers can mitigate lending-channel effects.
Coupling of ab initio density functional theory and molecular dynamics for the multiscale modeling of carbon nanotubes

A multiscale technique is developed that couples empirical molecular dynamics (MD) and ab initio density functional theory (DFT). An overlap handshaking region between the empirical MD and ab initio DFT regions is formulated and the interaction forces between the carbon atoms are calculated based on the second-generation reactive empirical bond order potential, the long-range Lennard-Jones potential as well as the quantum-mechanical DFT derived forces. A density of point algorithm is also developed to track all interatomic distances in the system, and to activate and establish the DFT and handshaking regions. Through parallel computing, this multiscale method is used here to study the dynamic behavior of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) under asymmetrical axial compression. The detection of sideways buckling due to the asymmetrical axial compression is reported and discussed. It is noted from this study on SWCNTs that the MD results may be stiffer compared to those with electron density considerations, i.e. first-principle ab initio methods.
Route discovery and capacity of ad hoc networks

Throughput capacity of large ad hoc networks has been shown to scale adversely with the size of network n. However the need for the nodes to find or repair routes has not been analyzed in this context. In this paper, we explicitly take route discovery into account and obtain the scaling law for the throughput capacity under general assumptions on the network environment, node behavior, and the quality of route discovery algorithms. We also discuss a number of possible scenarios and show that the need for route discovery may change the scaling for the throughput capacity dramatically
Effect of Simulated Gastric Juice on Surface Characteristics of Direct Esthetic Restorations

The aim of this study was to investigate the proper direct esthetic restorative materials to be used for bulimia nervosa patients. Therefore the effect of simulated gastric juice on the microhardness and surface roughness of five direct esthetic restorative materials was investigated. Simulated gastric juice was prepared and adjusted to pH 3.8. Sixty specimens of each restorative material, including a microhybrid composite resin, a nanofilled composite resin, a low shrinkage composite resin, a conventional glass ionomer, and a nanofilled glass-ionomer restorations, were prepared and divided into three groups (n=20). One group was immersed in distilled water (control), the second and third groups were immersed in the simulated gastric juice for 6 hours and 12 hours respectively. Each group was further subdivided into two groups (n=10), for surface topography characterization and for microhardness evaluation. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and scanning electron microscopic analysis of selected samples were performed. Data were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test. For all the tested materials, there was a statistically significant increase in mean Ra and decrease in mean microhardness after immersion in simulated gastric juice compared with the control groups. Ketac TM N100 after immersion for 6 hrs and 12 hrs showed the statistically significantly highest mean Ra values and lowest microhardness values, while Filtek TM Z350 showed the statistically
International Taxation and Multinational Activity

Because the actions of multinational corporations have a clear and direct effect on the flow of capital throughout the world, how and why these firms behave the way they do is a major issue for national governments and their policymakers. With an unprecedented ability to adjust the scale, character, and location of their global operations, international corporations have become increasingly sensitive to the kind and degree of tax obligations imposed on them by both host and home countries. Tax rules affect the volume of foreign direct investment, corporate borrowing, transfer pricing, dividend and royalty payments, and research and development. National governments that tax the profits of international firms face important challenges in designing tax policies to attract them. This collection examines the global ramifications of tax policies, offering up-to-date, theoretically innovative, and empirically sound perspectives on a problem of immense significance to future economic growth around the globe.
Mutual Funds and the Market for Liquidity

We study how actively managed equity mutual funds select the liquidity level of their equity portfolio and the effects of this selection on performance. We provide evidence of five key determinants of portfolio liquidity: portfolio size, portfolio concentration, the manager’s trading frequency, investment style, and fee structure. We also show that liquidity is a persistent characteristic, but it is nevertheless dynamically managed so as to offset both exogenous liquidity shocks and changes in portfolio characteristics. Liquid funds are seen to strongly overperform (underperform) during illiquid (liquid) times but, on average, net performance is unaffected by liquidity.
Chronic and Acute Inspiratory Muscle Loading Augment the Effect of a 6-Week Interval Program on Tolerance of High-Intensity Intermittent Bouts of Running

Tong, TK, Fu, FH, Eston, R, Chung, P-K, Quach, B, and Lu, K. Chronic and acute inspiratory muscle loading augment the effect of a 6-week interval program on tolerance of high-intensity intermittent bouts of running. J Strength Cond Res 24(11): 3041-3048, 2010-This study examined the hypothesis that chronic (training) and acute (warm-up) loaded ventilatory activities applied to the inspiratory muscles (IM) in an integrated manner would augment the training volume of an interval running program. This in turn would result in additional improvement in the maximum performance of the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test in comparison with interval training alone. Eighteen male nonprofessional athletes were allocated to either an inspiratory muscle loading (IML) group or control group. Both groups participated in a 6-week interval running program consisting of 3-4 workouts (1-3 sets of various repetitions of selected distance [100-2,400 m] per workout) per week. For the IML group, 4-week IM training (30 inspiratory efforts at 50% maximal static inspiratory pressure [P0] per set, 2 sets·d−1, 6 d·wk−1) was applied before the interval program. Specific IM warm-up (2 sets of 30 inspiratory efforts at 40% P0) was performed before each workout of the program. For the control group, neither IML was applied. In comparison with the control group, the interval training volume as indicated by the repeatability of running bouts at high intensity was approximately 27% greater in the IML group. Greater increase in the maximum performance of the Yo-Yo test (control: 16.9 ± 5.5%; IML: 30.7 ± 4.7% baseline value) was also observed after training. The enhanced exercise performance was partly attributable to the greater reductions in the sensation of breathlessness and whole-body metabolic stress during the Yo-Yo test. These findings show that the combination of chronic and acute IML into a high-intensity interval running program is a beneficial training strategy for enhancing the tolerance to high-intensity intermittent bouts of running.
Individual and organizational factors of employee engagement on employee work outcomes

To enhance ones’ understanding of the construct of employee engagement, this paper seeks to propose a research model to examine the influence of individual and organizational factors of employee engagement on employee work outcomes using employee engagement (job engagement and organization engagement) as a mediator; with the social exchange theory as a theoretical underpinning. The survey method through the use of the questionnaire is suggested to gather data to test the proposed research model. The statistics techniques such as the t-test, correlation and multiple regressions are suggested for data analysis.
Controlled Trial of the Effect of Complete Immobilization of the Joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis

It has long been accepted by the majority of physicians that rest in bed forms an important part of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis during the active phase of the disease, but sharp differences of opinion have been expressed as to the correct treatment of inflamed joints during this phase. John Hunter (1835) stated that "nothing can promote the contraction of a joint so much as motion before the disease is removed". Hugh Thomas (1878) advocated immobilization ofinflamed joints, and maintained that even after prolonged fixation movement would return if cartilage was present in the joints. Sir Robert Jones (1909) warned against excessive movement of inflamed joints. The fear of ankylosis, however, has led many authorities to advocate a combination of splinting and active movement. Swaim (1934) was a pioneer in the use of light plaster of Paris splints to relieve pain and prevent deformity. These splints were moulded to the joints and did achieve complete immobilization, thus relieving both pain and muscle spasm. Nevertheless, Swaim believed that it was dangerous to leave these splints in place for more than 48 hours. He recommended daily movements after this initial period to prevent the formation of adhesions. Kindersley (1936) reported that he had immobilized inflamed joints for 2 weeks in unpadded plaster and noted reduction in signs of joint inflammation and muscle spasm. At the end of this period the majority of patients rapidly regained full movements; in others, however, the joints were stiff and in a few cases manipulation was needed to restore movement. He suggested that the bad reputation of this type of treatment might have been due to the use of padded wooden or metal splints which were never effective in achieving complete immobilization of a joint. Kindersley himself, however, later came to believe that the immobilization of inflamed joints for a week or more was contraindicated.
Does the Trade-Off Theory Explain Debt Structure and Valuation for Divesting Parents in a Prosperous Australian Economy?

This study examines the applicability of the trade-off theory to explain the valuation effects in response to divestiture announcements of Australian parents. It has been documented in the capital structure literature regarding various industrial and firm characteristics on motivation of the management to target optimal debt structure and leverage ratio accordingly. In the meantime, it has also been documented in the corporate restructuring literature regarding the impacts of leverage, such as the bankruptcy avoidance hypothesis, on motivation of the management to divest. For the sample of divesting parents in a generally prosperous state of the Australian economy in this study, empirical results support that there are significant differences regarding the valuation effects for parents at divestiture announcements between the high leverage sample and the low leverage sample. On the other hand, there are less significant differences regarding the valuation effects for parents at divestiture announcements between the increasing leverage sample and the decreasing leverage sample. The shareholders of highly leveraged parent companies consistently enhance their wealth more than their counterparts who hold equity in lowly leveraged parent companies in response to divestiture announcements. As such, the impacts of increasing leverage are different for highly levered firms from that for lowly levered firms.
Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of the Lung: Antenatal Ultrasound Findings and Fetal-Neonatal Outcome

Seventeen cases of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAM) are reported. They were followed up over a period of 1 month to 15 years. Diagnosis was made by prenatal ultrasound. Our purpose was to evaluate the fetal-neonatal outcome and the prognostic elements observable through ultrasound techniques, and to compare all types of CCAM. The outcome observed ranged from total prenatal resolution to postnatal spontaneous regression of the lesion, to complications due to the presence of nonimmune fetal hydrops (NIFH), intrauterine death and the necessity of surgical intervention. In our experience only hydrops represented a negative predictor of outcome since death occurred in all cases with this pathology. In the absence of NIFH, counselling should stress the prevalence of a positive outcome, even in cases of surgical intervention.