Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Lower Extremity Muscle Performance in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Background and Purpose: Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a relatively new form of exercise training that may influence muscle performance. This study investigated the acute effects of high- (26 Hz) and low- (2 Hz) frequency WBV on isometric muscle torque of the quadriceps and hamstrings in persons with multiple sclerosis. Participants and Method: Fifteen individuals (mean age = 54.6 years, SD = 9.6) with multiple sclerosis and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores ranging from 0 to 6.5 (mean = 4.2, SD = 2.3) participated in this randomized, crossover study. After baseline measures of isometric quadriceps and hamstring muscle torque, subjects were exposed to 30 seconds of WBV at either 2 or 26 Hz. Torque values were measured again at one, 10, and 20 minutes after vibration. Subjects returned one week later to repeat the same protocol at the alternate vibration frequency. Results: There were no significant differences in isometric torque production between the 2- and 26-Hz WBV conditions. There was also no significant difference between baseline torque values and those measured at one, 10, and 20 minutes after either vibration exposure. However, there was a consistent trend of higher torque values after the 26-Hz WBV when compared with the 2-Hz condition for both quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Discussion and Conclusion: Although not statistically significant, peak torque values for both quadriceps and hamstring muscles were consistently higher after 30 seconds of WBV at 26 vs 2 Hz. Whether WBV presents a viable treatment option as either a warm-up activity or a long-term exercise intervention is yet to be determined. Future studies should include a wider variety of WBV parameters and the use of functional outcome measures.
Lockup and Voluntary Earnings Forecast Disclosure in Ipos

We examine the relation between lockup length and voluntary earnings forecast disclosures for IPOs in Singapore. Unlike firms in the United States, companies in Singapore are allowed to provide earnings forecasts in their IPO prospectuses. We find that forecasters are more likely to accept longer lockup periods, so that the lockup expires after the first post-IPO earnings announcement. Our study also shows that because the lockup agreement removes personal incentives to issue aggressive forecasts, IPO firms tend to issue conservative forecasts. Overall, our results suggest that the lockup mechanism adds credibility to the earnings forecast given in the IPO prospectus.
Fuzzy PID control of a wearable rehabilitation robotic hand driven by pneumatic muscles

Intensive task-oriented repetitive physical therapies need be provided by individualized interaction between the patients and the rehabilitation specialists to improve hand motor performance for those survived from stoke and traumatic brain injury. The goal of this research is to develop a novel wearable device for robotic assisted hand repetitive therapy. We designed a pneumatic muscle (PM) driven therapeutic device that is wearable and provides assistive forces required for grasping and finger extension. The robot has two distinct degrees of freedom at the thumb and all other fingers. The embedded sensors can feedback position and force information for robot control and quantitative evaluation of task performance. It is potential of providing supplemental at-home therapy in addition to in the clinic treatment. To realize the trajectory tracking control, a fuzzy PID controller is designed for the proposed device. The experimental results show angle tracking control of the robotic hand using the fuzzy PID controller has better performance than that using a conventional PID controller.
Microbial characterization of the biofilms developed for treating ampicillin-bearing wastewater

In this study, biofilms were developed in three airlift reactors to treat wastewaters with ampicillin (AMP) of 0, 4 and 8 mg L−1, respectively. During 60 days of operation, AMP was not found to inhibit the biofilm growth. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used to characterize the bacterial community of these biofilms. It was found that the community diversity was lowered, whereas the community stability was enhanced in the biofilm supplemented with AMP as compared to the biofilm free of AMP. Community members were particularly examined in the biofilms developed with 8 mg L−1 AMP at different stages. Phylogenetic classification revealed that all the identified bacteria fell into four divisions: β-Proteobacteria, α-Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria and Bacteroides. The dominant genus was Acidovorax sp. with an abundance of about 35%. Further analyses on the identification results showed that the quantitative change of AMP-degrading bacteria in the biofilms developed with AMP was positively related to the AMP biodegradation performance.
Does the Relationship between Job Satisfaction and Job Performance Depend on Culture

The authors discuss research by Thomas Ng and others into whether cultural factors are related to the relationship between job satisfaction and job performance. The authors note Ng's findings that, in cultures that value high individualism, low power distance and high masculinity, there was a stronger relationship between job satisfaction and performance on job-related tasks. Fewer moderating effects between job satisfaction and contextual job performance, including such behaviors as altruism in the workplace, were found.
A 0.2$-\hbox{1.2}$ V DC/DC Boost Converter for Power Harvesting Applications

In this paper, a dc/dc converter is presented that can boost very low voltages to the typical supply voltages of current integrated circuits (1.2 V-1.5 V). The converter is based on a new hybrid inductive and capacitive architecture and it is suitable for power harvesting applications too. The measured prototype can supply 1.2 V by converting an input voltage of 200 mV delivered by a thermopile exposed to a 5degC thermal gradient. A chip was designed and fabricated using a United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) 180-nm low-threshold CMOS process. Measurements on the chip confirm the validity of the design.
An Improved Ant Colony Algorithm of Three Dimensional Path Planning

The path planning problem of mobile robot in three dimension environment is studied in this paper. The heuristic function and pheromone update method of ant colony algorithm are improved. The influence factor of path distance in heuristic function is introduced. The algorithm search has a certain direction. At the same time, in order to improve the convergence speed of the algorithm. The penalty mechanism of pheromone is adopted, and it combine with the self adapted volatile factor. Simulation results show that the length of the 3D path and the search efficiency are improved by the improved algorithm.
Developmental Toxicity Studies of Methyl Ethyl Ketoxime (MEKO) in Rats and Rabbits

Abstract The developmental toxicity of methyl ethyl ketoxime (MEKO), an industrial antioxidant used primarily as an antiskinning agent in alkyd paint, was investigated in rats and rabbits. Following preliminary dose range finding studies, groups of 25 pregnant rats or 18 pregnant rabbits were dosed by gavage with aqueous solutions of MEKO at 0, 60, 200, or 600 mg/kg (rats) or 0, 8, 14, 24, or 40 mg/kg (rabbits) on gestation days 6–15 or 6–18, respectively. In rats, dose-dependent clinical signs of maternal toxicity including reduced body weight gains were noted at 200 and 600 mg/kg. At 60 mg/kg and above enlarged spleens were observed at necropsy. The preliminary study found methemoglobin formation and reticulocytosis indicative of anemia at these dose levels. No treatment-related gestational effects, malformations or developmental variations were observed in the rats. In rabbits, 3 females aborted and 8 females were found dead at 40 mg/kg between gestation days 11 and 24. Clinical signs of maternal toxicity were present in surviving doses at this dose level. Body weight gains were reduced at 24 and 40 mg/kg. The preliminary study indicated maternal hematological effects in the rabbits similar to the rats at dose levels as low as 10 mg/kg. MEKO was not considered to have produced any treatment-related gestational effects, malformations or developmental variations in the rabbit at dose levels at or below 24 mg/kg. Because of excessive maternal mortality and abortions at the 40 mg/kg dose level, only 6 rabbits produced litters. The severe maternal toxicity and limited number of litters precluded a full assessment of developmental toxicity at 40 mg/kg. Nonetheless, MEKO did not appear to be teratogenic to the rabbit at this dose level.
Diurnal cortisol patterns of young male patients with schizophrenia

Aims: It has been suggested that schizophrenic patients are more vulnerable to stress than healthy persons, and that stressors can trigger a psychotic episode or worsen symptoms. The biological system often studied in relation to stress is the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which controls the release of cortisol. We investigated whether the diurnal basal activity of the HPA axis differed between young male patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls.
Validation of predictive equations for weight and height using a metric tape.

UNLABELLED Weight and height measurements are important data for the evaluation of nutritional status but some situations prevent the execution of these measurements in the standard manner, using special equipment or an estimate by predictive equations. Predictive equations of height and weight requiring only a metric tape as an instrument have been recently developed. OBJECTIVE To validate three predictive equations for weight and two for height by Rabito and evaluating their agreement with the equations proposed by Chumlea. METHODS The following data were collected: sex, age and anthropometric measurements, ie, weight (kg), height (m), subscapular skinfold (mm), calf (cm), arm (cm) and abdominal (cm) circumferences, arm length (cm), and half span (cm). Data were analyzed statistically using the Lin coefficient to test the agreement between the equations and the St. Laurent coefficient to compare the estimated weight and height values with real values. RESULTS 100 adults (age 48 +/- 18 years) admitted to the University Hospital (HCFMRP/USP) were evaluated. Equations I: W(kg) = 0.5030 (AC) + 0.5634 (AbC) + 1.3180 (CC) +0.0339 (SSSF) - 43.1560 and II: W (kg) = 0.4808 (AC) + 0.5646 (AbC) +1.3160 (CC) - 42.2450 showed the highest coefficients of agreement for weight and equations IV and V showed the highest coefficients of agreement for height. The St. Laurent coefficient indicated that equations III and V were valid for weight and height, respectively. CONCLUSION Among the validated equations, the number III W (kg) = 0.5759 (AC) + 0.5263 (AbC) +1.2452 (CC) - 4.8689 (S) - 32.9241 and VH (m) = 63,525 -3,237(S) - 0,06904 (A) + 1,293 (HS) are recommended for height or weight because of their easy use for hospitalized patients and the equations be validated in other situations.
Hormonal regulation of β1,3‐glucanase messenger RNA levels in cultured tobacco tissues

We describe the isolation of a cDNA clone of β1,3‐glucanase mRNA from Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. ‘Havana 425’ and its use to measure the kinetics of mRNA accumulation in cultured tobacco tissues treated with the plant hormones auxin and cytokinin. Northern blot analysis showed that the tissues contain a single ˜1.6 kb‐sized β1,3‐glucanase mRNA. The levels of β1,3‐glucanase and β1,3‐glucanase mRNA increase by up to seven‐ and 20‐fold, respectively, over a 7‐day period in tissues subcultured on hormone‐free medium and medium containing auxin or cytokinin added separately. Over the same interval of time, the content of both the enzyme and its mRNA remains at a constant low level in tissues subcultured on medium containing both auxin and cytokinin. The results show that auxin and cytokinin block β1,3‐glucanase production at the level of the mRNA.
Equilibrium Price Dispersion Under Demand Uncertainty: The Roles of Costly Capacity and Market Structure

When capacity is costly and prices are set in advance, firms facing uncertain demand will sell output at multiple prices and limit the quantity available at each price. I show that the optimal price strategy of a monopolist and the unique pure-strategy Nash equilibria of oligopolists both exhibit intrafirm price dispersion. Moreover, as the market becomes more competitive, prices become more dispersed, a pattern documented in the airline industry. While generating similar predictions, the model differs from the revenue management literature because it disregards market segmentation and fare restrictions that screen customers.
INTERNATIONALIZATION OF JAPANESE DEPARTMENT STORES

Japanese department stores have gained significant market‐share in several Pacific Rim countries. In this paper, factors related to internationalization are discussed. Dunning's eclectic approach is considered as a framework for explaining internationalization. Profits, number of employees, and dollars spent for research and development are independent variables used to predict internationalization. Japanese department stores with international offices versus no international offices were correctly classified 83% of the time. Those retailers with international offices had greater profit, more employees, and more R&D funds than those without international offices. A two by two matrix focusing on growth and store format is presented to explain Japanese retailers' international expansion. Propositions for future research are presented.
General practitioners' perceived barriers to smoking cessation - results from four Nordic countries

Aims: Studies indicate that doctors may be reluctant to discuss smoking with their patients. Knowledge about how this problem might be solved is limited. The aim of this study was to identify barriers for engaging in tobacco prevention in general practice. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was mailed to 3,167 randomly selected general practitioners (GPs) in Sweden Norway, Finland, and Iceland. The questionnaire identified practice and barriers for the discussion of smoking and smoking cessation with patients and the GPs' own smoking behaviour. Results: The overall response rate was 67%. A large majority of the GPs perceived the discussion of patients' smoking habits as part of their job. However, most GPs did not enquire about smoking unless the patient had smoking-related symptoms and few engaged in smoking cessation support. Many GPs felt that smoking cessation support was too time consuming and that the time spent was not effective because few patients quit. Shortage of smoking cessation experts to whom patients could be referred was the most common barrier for systematic involvement in smoking cessation support. On average, GPs had spent approximately one hour during the previous month on smoking cessation support. Conclusion: The main barriers identified in this study indicate that smoking cessation expertise needs to be more accessible. One alternative is to establish telephone help-lines (Quit-lines) that are easily available for all and could serve as a back-up for the GPs. Another more costly approach is to develop smoking cessation expertise at major clinics. A combination of both is probably the best solution.
Firm Performance, Capital Structure and the Tax Benefits of Employee Stock Options

This paper analyzes the relation between the capital structure of a firm and the tax benefits realized from the exercise of stock options. Theory suggests that firms with tax benefits from the exercise of stock options should carry less debt since tax benefits are a non-debt tax shield. We find that both long- and short-term debt ratios are negatively related to the size of tax benefits from option exercise. Moreover, one-year changes in long-term leverage are negatively related to changes in the number of options exercised. Such a relation does not exist for changes in short-term leverage. Finally, firms with option-related tax benefits tend to issue equity, with the net amount of equity issued an increasing function of these tax benefits.
Economic resources and remaining single : trends over time.

An influential hypothesis in family research is that having many economic resources decreases women's and increases men's rate of entering a union. A more recent hypothesis is that the strength of the association between economic resources and union formation has weakened over time, given decreasing role differentiation by gender. Rather than looking at the timing of union formation, we look at its non-occurrence. Using the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study, we find that, as predicted, high-resource women and low-resource men are more likely to remain single. Contrary to predictions, university-educated men are also more likely to remain single. The association between economic resources and permanent singlehood shows little change over time. Several explanations for this unexpected finding are discussed.
Improving service delivery in FM: case study of a UK hospital facilities directorate

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a case study of SPICE FM implementation in the Facilities Directorate of a major UK hospital. SPICE FM is a process improvement framework for FM organisations, which was developed through university research in the UK. SPICE FM identified strengths and weaknesses of the facilities operation and provides specific guidelines for organisational improvements.Design/methodology/approach – The study was limited to four areas of operations, namely: catering; estates; domestics and portering. A brief organisational strategy is developed, through document review, semi‐structured interviews and a small workshop. A vertical section of staff in the Facilities Directorate participated in the case study to determine the operational capabilities of the organisation. The staff ranged from Director of Facilities to line employees. The managers partook in semi‐structured interviews, while the employees participated in workshops.Findings – The case study highlights some of .
Quantifying the Life Cycle of Scholarly Articles Across Fields of Economic Research

Does the life cycle of economic papers differ across fields of economic research? By constructing and analyzing a large dataset that combines information on 9,672 articles published in the top five economic journals from 1970 to 2000 with detailed yearly citation data obtained from Google Scholar, we find that published articles do have a life cycle that differs across fields of economic research (which we divide into the categories of applied research, applied theory, econometrics methods and theory). Applied research and applied theory papers are the clear winners in terms of citation counts. For the first years after their publication, they receive higher numbers of citations per year than papers in other fields of research do. They also reach a higher peak number of citations per year and apparently sustain those peak levels for longer, in addition to being cited over longer periods of time (i.e., they have a longer lifespan). Citation patterns are much less favorable for theoretical papers, which are the object of fewer citations per annum in the first years following publication, have lower peak numbers and a shorter lifespan. Econometric method papers are a special case; the pattern for most of these papers is similar to the pattern for theory papers, but the most successful papers (as measured by the number of citations) on econometric methods are also the most successful papers in the entire discipline of economics.
Challenging Roles: Insights Into Issues for Men Caring for Family Members With Mental Illness

Assumptions informing expectations of caring may not reflect the diversity of circumstances in which informal care is provided, and scant attention has been given to the experiences of men providing care to family members. This study reports on qualitative findings from a study that explored these issues among rural men caring for partners or children with a range of mental illnesses. The findings suggest that the primary relationship between carers and care recipients influences the ways in which the men understand and practice their caring roles. Fathers consistently described proactive approaches to caring and were strongly focused on managing the illness condition. There was some complementarity between parenting and caring roles that is likely to explain why they reported a high use of, and satisfaction with, mental health services. Husbands tended to take reactive approaches to caring in which they were more concerned with managing situations that were associated with their partners' illnesses. Husbands reported limited contact with treatment and support services and perceived them as inappropriate to their circumstances. All of the men were presented with complex tensions in their caring roles, and the men's accounts of caring that are presented offer useful insight into the contexts in which men are increasingly taking on caring roles in families and inform efforts to support men in this capacity.
Triggers of the technological capability accumulation in MNCs' subsidiaries: the maquilas in Mexico

Subsidiaries of MNCs oriented towards assembling activities in developing countries gradually accumulate technological capabilities. This is not necessarily the result of a deliberate strategy to build up decentralised capabilities, but an outcome of the learning processes at the plant level. This accumulation generates pressure on the headquarters to acknowledge the achievements and allows plants to carry out activities of higher innovativeness. This paper draws on the analytical framework of technological capability accumulation to examine three cases of subsidiaries of MNCs in Mexico that operate under the maquila regime, and discusses two triggers of the local accumulation process.
CD4 and CD8 Expression by Dendritic Cell Subtypes in Mouse Thymus and Spleen1

The dendritic cells (DC) of mouse spleen and thymus were examined for expression of CD4 and CD8. Provided care was taken to avoid selective extraction or selective depletion of DC subpopulations, three main types of DC were detected in mouse spleen: a major new population of CD4+8− DEC-205low CD11bhigh DC, together with the previously described CD4−8− DEC-205low CD11bhigh DC and CD4−8αα+ DEC-205high CD11blow DC. The CD4 on the surface of the CD4+ splenic DC subpopulation was produced by the DC themselves, and CD4 RNA transcripts were present. Likewise, the CD8α on the surface of the splenic CD8+ DC was shown to be a product of the DC themselves, in agreement with earlier evidence. All three spleen DC types would be considered as mature, based on expression of CD80, CD86, and CD40 as well as on T cell stimulating function. Mouse thymuses appeared to contain two DC types; both were DEC-205highCD11blow, but they differed in the level of CD8αα expression. However, as well as this authenticated marker expression, immunofluorescent staining was also found to reflect a series of artifacts, due to the autofluorescence of contaminating cells and due to pickup of CD4 and CD8αβ. By constructing mice chimeric for the hemopoietic lineages using mixtures of wild-type bone marrow with CD4null or CD8αnull bone marrow, a marked pickup by thymic DC of Ags derived from thymocytes was demonstrated.
Impact of the Galleon Case On Informed Trading Before Merger Announcements

On October 16, 2009, the U.S. government charged Galleon hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam and five others with insider trading, in what was described by a key prosecutor overseeing the case as a "wake-up call to Wall Street and to every hedge fund manager. " We find that the mean abnormal stock price runup of targets (a measure of informed trading) during the 26 months since the inception of the Galleon case declined from 5.12% to 2.84%. The early evidence strongly suggests that the Galleon case has sent a clear signal to the traders, and that the traders are listening.