Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of metal gate electrode on Weibull distribution of TDDB in HfSiON gate dielectrics

The slope parameter of Weibull plot of Tbd, β, strongly depends on gate electrode material for metalgate/HfSiON gate stacks in n-FETs. Furthermore β of Tbd under bipolar stress is larger than that under DC stress. From these results, it is found that the balance of injected carriers is strongly related to β in terms of the origin of large β for metal-gate/high-k.
The effect of store name investments on perceived store quality

This study is about store names as brand signals. It focuses on the effects of store name investments on store name credibility and perceived store quality. Using the theoretical framework of Erdem and Swait (1998), hypotheses are developed vis-a-vis the effects of store name investments on consumers’ perceived store quality. The proposed hypotheses are empirically tested on data collected from a sample of students. The study is part of a project that looks at how store name and brand name credibility affect consumers’ expected utility.
Are Manually Prepared Affective Lexicons Really Useful for Sentiment Analysis

In this paper, we investigate the effectiveness of different affective lexicons through sentiment analysis of phrases. We examine how phrases can be represented through manually prepared lexicons, extended lexicons using computational methods, or word embedding. Comparative studies clearly show that word embedding using unsupervised distributional method outperforms manually prepared lexicons no matter what affective models are used in the lexicons. Our conclusion is that although different affective lexicons are cognitively backed by theories, they do not show any advantage over the automatically obtained word embedding.
A low-noise low-offset chopper-stabilized capacitive-readout amplifier for CMOS MEMS accelerometers

A CMOS chopper-stabilized amplifier with both DC and AC offset cancellation, for capacitive readout of motion in MEMS structures, achieves 40 nV//spl radic/HZ noise floor, 10 mV DC offset, and 40 dB sensor offset reduction. The amplifier, integrated into a CMOS-MEMS accelerometer, achieves 50 /spl mu/g//spl radic/Hz noise floor.
Immunomodulatory consequences of oral administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG in healthy volunteers

Probiotic microorganisms, especially lactic acid bacteria, are effective in the treatment of infectious diarrhoeal diseases and experimental colitis. Although the mechanisms by which these organisms exert their anti-inflammatory effects are largely unknown, immunomodulating effects are suggested. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a 5-week oral administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus subspecies GG (Lb. GG) on the cellular immune response to intestinal microorganisms in ten healthy volunteers. Peripheral blood cells (PB) were stimulated with either ‘self’ or ‘non-self’ preparations of faecal samples and isolated Bacteroides fragilis group-organisms (Bfg) or Escherichia coli (Esch. coli), and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α) were measured in the culture supernatant. CD4+ T-lymphocyte activation was determined by measurement of intracellular ATP following lysis of the cells. The activational response of CD4+ T-lymphocytes towards isolated and heat-inactivated intestinal organisms was increased after the probiotic treatment. Additionally, TNF-α, IL-6 and in part IFN-γ cytokine secretion by PB cells following stimulation with whole stool preparations and single members of the flora was significantly decreased, whereas the IL-10 and in part IL-4 cytokine secretion was increased at the end of the study. In contrast, the activational response of CD4+ T-lymphocytes following stimulation with whole ‘non-self’ intestinal flora was higher than by ‘self’ intestinal flora, but both responses showed a trend towards a reduction at the end of the study. This study documents a direct effect by Lb. GG on the cellular immune system of healthy volunteers and offers a promising tool to investigate systemic immunomodulation due to oral administration of probiotic microorganisms.
Scanning Laser-Doppler Flowmetry of Rat Cerebral Circulation during Cortical Spreading Depression

Scanning laser-Doppler flowmetry (SLDF) generates two-dimensional images of blood flow. This study compared SLDF to conventional laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in the cerebral circulation. Test stimuli were episodes of cortical spreading depression (CSD) elicited in brains of halothane anaesthetised rats (n = 9). The LDF instrument used two wavelengths of laser light to record relative changes of cerebral blood flow (CBF) up to an approximate depth of 250 µm (543 nm) and 500 µm (780 nm). Under resting conditions, SLDF images showed a heterogeneous pattern of flow in pial vessels with high flow rates in arterioles, and lower rates in venules and small vessels (<30 µm). Arterioles constituted about 6%, venules 12% and small vessels 2% of the image area, while approximately 80% were background with a laser-Doppler signal corresponding to zero calibration. During CSD, the relative increase of area was largest for small vessels and less for venules and arterioles. Similar changes were observed for blood flow in the three vessel structures. For both wavelengths of LDF, flow changes correlated with SLDF (r ≈ 0.7). In conclusion, SLDF provides images of flow in pial vessels and capillaries at, or just beneath the cortical surface. SLDF and LDF are complementary, but cannot substitute for one another as they measure flow in different layers of the cortex.
First appearance, distribution, and origin of macrophages in the early development of the avian central nervous system

A phagocytic cell system of hemopoietic origin exists in the early avian embryo (Cuadros, Coltey, Nieto, and Martin: Development 115:157–168, '92). In this study we investigated the presence of cells belonging to this system in the central nervous system (CNS) of chick and quail antibodies recognizing cells of quail hemangioblastic lineage. The origin of these cells was traced in interspecific chick–quail yolk sac chimeras. Hemopoietic cells were detected within the CNS from developmental stage HH15 on, and steadily increased in number at subsequent stages. Analysis of yolk sac chimeras revealed that most of these cells were of yolk sac origin, although some hemopoietic cells of intraembryonic origin were also found in the CNS.
'Running in the Family': The Evolution of Ownership, Control, and Performance in German Family-Owned Firms, 1903-2003

In this study we analyze the evolution of ownership, control, and performance in German founding-family-owned firms over the last century. We employ a hand-collected matched sample of German stock companies founded before World War I and still in existence in 2003. Comparing family-owned and non-family-owned firms over the 100-year time-span, we are able to analyze a variety of variables including ownership, control, industries, bank relationships and performance, as well as the impact of intergenerational control transfers. We find that families are slow to give up ownership , and control of family businesses remains strong even after several generations. Family firms seem to outperform nonfamily firms in terms of operating performance, but performance declines over the generations.
Predictors of Long‐Term Renal Outcome in Lupus Nephritis Trials: Lessons Learned from the Euro‐Lupus Nephritis Cohort

There is a need to determine which response measures in lupus nephritis trials are most predictive of good long‐term renal function. We used data from the Euro‐Lupus Nephritis Trial to evaluate the performance of proteinuria, serum creatinine (Cr), and urinary red blood cells (RBCs) as predictors of good long‐term renal outcome.
Job Satisfaction of Bank Employees in Bangladesh

This study attempts to evaluate job satisfaction of bank employees in Bangladesh. It focuses on the relative importance of job satisfaction factors and their impacts on the overall job satisfaction of employees. In this study the targeted population is employees of Bank. The Banks include private and public Bank. The data was collected and administered by means of a structured questionnaire. The study showed that organizational factors such as work conditions, pay, fairness, and promotion significantly influenced employee job satisfaction in Bank. However, individual factors such as age and gender did not significantly influence employee job satisfaction in Banks. The overall job satisfaction of the bank officers is at the positive level appeal to their customers. In such situation, job satisfaction of bank officers becomes an important issue that has to be taken care of in order to achieve ultimate goals of the banking sector in Bangladesh.
Do Cash Distributions Justify Share Prices?

We ask whether corporations pay out the cash that shareholders anticipate and find consistent evidence. We study the firms traded on the NYSE, the AMEX, and the Nasdaq in 1926 to 2004. Over 30-year investment horizons, corporate cash distributions are commensurate with initial stock prices, assuming the contemporaneous risk-free rates and the risk premiums assessed in the literature. Perhaps more important, riskier stocks pay out more cash during the subsequent years, although with greater volatility. Moreover, terminal stock prices decline in importance as the investment horizon grows longer. Relative to their prices, however, very large firms appear to pay too much cash, and tiny firms too little.
[Definition of predictors of a complicated course in acute pancreatitis].

It is of utmost importance to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis immediately in order to identify patients with severe or necrotising disease who can benefit from early intensive care therapy. Additionally, in face of new therapeutic concepts (e.g., antibiotic therapy) and for the evaluation of new drugs (e.g. PAF antagonist) patients should be staged as soon as possible into mild and severe disease. At hospital admission it is not possible to assess the severity on a clinical basis. The "gold standard" up to now has been imaging procedures (contrast-enhanced CT and MRI) which should be preserved for the severe cases to estimate the extent of pancreatic necrosis. The ideal predictor in blood/urine should be objective, reliable, cheap, easy to measure, and available every time and should have on hospital admission a high efficacy and independence from other diseases. As single factors there are a variety of mediators of the "systemic inflammatory response syndrome" which are elevated in this disease (C-reactive protein, antiproteases, enzyme activation peptides, PMN-elastase, complement factors, interleukines and chemokines, etc.). Among all these prognostic indicators, C-reactive protein is now the best analyzed parameter. However, one should take into account that its highest efficacy is reached 3-4 days after onset of disease.
Sustaining Innovation: Creating Nonprofit and Government Organizations That Innovate Naturally

1. Preferred States of Organizational Being. 2. Removing Barriers and Debunking Myths. 3. Harnessing the Environment as a Force for Change. 4. Structuring the Organization to Encourage Creativity. 5. Changing the Leader's Work. 6. Using Management Systems that Accelerate Good Ideas. 7. Confronting Real Life in Nonprofit and Governmental Organizations. 8. The Core Values of Innovating Organizations.
Adjuvant immunotherapy of resected, intermediate-thickness, node-negative melanoma with an allogeneic tumor vaccine: overall results of a randomized trial of the Southwest Oncology Group.

PURPOSE Patients with clinically negative nodes constitute over 85% of new melanoma cases. There is no adjuvant therapy for intermediate-thickness, node-negative melanoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS The Southwest Oncology Group conducted a randomized phase III trial of an allogeneic melanoma vaccine for 2 years versus observation in patients with intermediate-thickness (1.5 to 4.0 mm or Clark's level IV if thickness unknown), clinically or pathologically node-negative melanoma (T3N0M0). RESULTS Six hundred eighty-nine patients were accrued over 4.5 years; 89 patients (13%) were ineligible. Surgical node staging was performed in 24%, the remainder were clinical N0. Thirteen eligible patients refused assigned treatment: seven on the observation arm and six on the vaccine arm. Most vaccine patients experienced mild to moderate local toxicity, but 26 (9%) experienced grade 3 toxicity. After a median follow-up of 5.6 years, there were 107 events (tumor recurrences or deaths) among the 300 eligible patients randomized to vaccine compared with 114 among the 300 eligible patients randomized to observation (hazard ratio, 0.92; Cox-adjusted P(2) = 0.51). There was no difference in vaccine efficacy among patients with tumors < or = 3 mm or > 3 mm. CONCLUSION This represents one of the largest randomized, controlled trials of adjuvant vaccine therapy in human cancer reported to date. Compliance with randomization was excellent, with only 2% refusing assigned therapy. There is no evidence of improved disease-free survival among patients randomized to receive vaccine, although the power to detect a small but clinically significant difference was low. Future investigations of adjuvant vaccine approaches for patients with intermediate-thickness melanoma should involve larger numbers of patients and ideally should include sentinel node biopsy staging.
Evaluation of Breast Cancer Awareness among Female University Students in University of Sharjah, UAE

Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the knowledge of breast cancer among female students at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Sharjah, UAE, and to evaluate the impact of the intervention program designed by the researchers on the student’s knowledge on the disease risk factors, screening methods, and their perception towards its treatment outcomes. Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of a convenience sample of 166 pharmacy students ((n = 110; the 4th year) and (n = 56; the 5th year)) in the University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE. The 26-item questionnaire covered the personal information and socio-demographic characteristics, breast cancer general knowledge, knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, knowledge of breast cancer symptoms and screening tests, and perception of management and outcomes of breast cancer. Key Findings: A total of 120 pharmacy students from the 4th year (n = 70) and the 5th year (n = 50) had completed the survey for the pre-intervention phase of the study. For the post intervention phase of the study, only 63 students from the 4th year and 48 students from the 5th year returned their completed questionnaire, giving a response rate of 90% and 96% respectively. Almost one quarter (59 (25.5)) of the students included in the study reported that they have had a history of breast cancer in their family respectively. A high proportion (206 (89.2%)) of the students from both levels showed their interest in participating in activities to promote breast awareness, despite the fact that almost three quarters (161 (70%)) of the students reported that they have never been participated in any previous breast awareness programs. The awareness of students under investigation about self-examination was clearly improved at the end of the study period. Eighty (66.7%) of the students from both levels reported that the breast self-examination is recommended for female “once a month”. This figure was increased to 103 (92.8%) post the intervention sessions (P value χ2 < 0.001). Conclusion: The high incidence of breast cancer in the UAE may be attributed to the low level of awareness of the disease among females. Our findings can be used to promote discussion in the profession and with stakeholders about the future role of pharmacists in breast cancer care.
Interest level in 2-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder predicts rate of verbal, nonverbal, and adaptive skill acquisition

Recent studies have suggested that skill acquisition rates for children with autism spectrum disorders receiving early interventions can be predicted by child motivation. We examined whether level of interest during an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule assessment at 2 years predicts subsequent rates of verbal, nonverbal, and adaptive skill acquisition to the age of 3 years. A total of 70 toddlers with autism spectrum disorder, mean age of 21.9 months, were scored using Interest Level Scoring for Autism, quantifying toddlers’ interest in toys, social routines, and activities that could serve as reinforcers in an intervention. Adaptive level and mental age were measured concurrently (Time 1) and again after a mean of 16.3 months of treatment (Time 2). Interest Level Scoring for Autism score, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule score, adaptive age equivalent, verbal and nonverbal mental age, and intensity of intervention were entered into regression models to predict rates of skill acquisition. Interest level at Time 1 predicted subsequent acquisition rate of adaptive skills (R2 = 0.36) and verbal mental age (R2 = 0.30), above and beyond the effects of Time 1 verbal and nonverbal mental ages and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule scores. Interest level at Time 1 also contributed (R2 = 0.30), with treatment intensity, to variance in development of nonverbal mental age.
Identification of Key Functional Domains in the C Terminus of the K+-Cl– Cotransporters*

The K+-Cl– cotransporter (KCC) isoforms constitute a functionally heterogeneous group of ion carriers. Emerging evidence suggests that the C terminus (Ct) of these proteins is important in conveying isoform-specific traits and that it may harbor interacting sites for 4β-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced effectors. In this study, we have generated KCC2-KCC4 chimeras to identify key functional domains in the Ct of these carriers and single point mutations to determine whether canonical protein kinase C sites underlie KCC2-specific behaviors. Functional characterization of wild-type (wt) and mutant carriers in Xenopus laevis oocytes showed for the first time that the KCCs do not exhibit similar sensitivities to changes in osmolality and that this distinguishing feature as well as differences in transport activity under both hypotonic and isotonic conditions are in part determined by the residue composition of the distal Ct. At the same time, several mutations in this domain and in the proximal Ct of the KCCs were found to generate allosteric-like effects, suggesting that the regions analyzed are important in defining conformational ensembles and that isoform-specific structural configurations could thus account for variant functional traits as well. Characterization of the other mutants in this work showed that KCC2 is not inhibited by PMA through phosphorylation of its canonical protein kinase C sites. Intriguingly, however, the substitutions N728S and S940A were seen to alter the PMA effect paradoxically, suggesting again that allosteric changes in the Ct are important determinants of transport activity and, furthermore, that the structural configuration of this domain can convey specific functional traits by defining the accessibility of cotransporter sites to regulatory intermediates such as PMA-induced effectors.
Pithomycotoxicosis (facial eczema) in ruminants in the Azores, Portugal

Outbreaks of pithomycotoxicosis (facial eczema), a hepatogenous photosensitisation caused by the mycotoxin sporidesmin, have affected ruminants in the Azores Islands of Portugal after warm, humid periods during late summer and autumn. Twenty-two outbreaks were recorded in cattle between 1999 and 2001, affecting 11·4 per cent of the animals in the affected herds, and in 2000 there was an outbreak in one sheep flock in which more than 20 per cent of the sheep died. The clinical signs included decreases in milk production, weight loss, photosensitisation and its sequelae, including death. The animals had high activities of gamma glutamyltransferase in their serum, and icterus and severe liver disease, including biliary hyperplasia and fibrosis, were found postmortem. The characteristic spores of the toxigenic saprophytic fungus Pithomyces chartarum were found on grass; all 381 isolates of the fungus were toxigenic for sporidesmin by ELISA, and the results were confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Cattle from farms at greatest risk of pithomycotoxicosis were protected by supplementing their concentrate feed with zinc oxide, or using a slow-release intraruminal zinc bolus.
Regionalization strategy and performance: The moderating role of industry dynamism and top management team diversity

Purpose – This paper contributes to the debate about the performance implications of adopting a regional as opposed to a global strategic posture. The aim of this paper is to argue that the performance effects of a regionalization strategy vary based on the characteristics of the industry in which the MNE operates and the composition of its top management team (TMT). Design/methodology/approach – This analysis is based on a cross‐sectional dataset of 211 large European MNEs headquartered in four Western European economies at the end of 2005.Findings – Results show that firms adopting a regional orientation outperform MNEs with global strategic positioning. This positive relationship is less pronounced under conditions of industry dynamism and inter‐regional TMT diversity.Originality/value – The study contributes to our understanding of whether and under what conditions MNEs benefit from adopting a regional as opposed to a global strategic posture.
Strategic Market Management: Global Perspectives

Strategic market management : an overview -- External and customer analysis -- Competitor analysis -- Market/submarket analysis -- Environmental analysis and strategic uncertainty -- Internal analysis -- Creating advantage : synergy and commitment vs. opportunism vs -- Alternative value propositions -- Building and managing brand equity -- Energizing the business -- Leveraging the business -- Creating new businesses -- Global strategies -- Setting priorities for businesses and brands -- From Silos to synergy : harnessing the organization.
Phenolic compounds as regulators of gene expression in plant-microbe relations.

Article synthese sur l'activite biologique des composes phenoliques synthetises par la plante et sur la transduction du signal au niveau du microorganisme qui interagit avec la plante. Ces composes phenoliques semblent reguler l'expression genique des genes de l'agent en relation avec la plante
Attraction of Company Online Communities

A farnesyl protein transferase (i.e., farnesyltransferase) inhibitors formed as peptoid and semipeptoid peptidomimetic compounds derived from a farnesyltransferase universal recognition tetrapeptide sequence CAAX (i.e., CAAX motif) and analogs thereof, and to the use of these compounds and analogs and ester derivatives thereof as chemotherapeutic agents in oncogenic or non-oncogenic Ras associated cancers and proliferative diseases.