Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MARYLAND'S "SMART GROWTH": USING INCENTIVES TO COMBAT SPRAWL. IN: URBAN SPRAWL: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND POLICY RESPONSES

Beginning in 1997, Maryland's state government passed a series of laws that make up the so-called Smart Growth Initiatives. The initiatives include: (1) the Smart Growth Areas Act, which directs state funding into already developed areas and areas planned for growth; (2) the Rural Legacy Act, which establishes a grant program allowing local governments and private land trusts to purchase easements and development rights in rural legacy areas; (3) the Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup and Revitalization Programs, which attempt to stimulate the reuse of contaminated properties; (4) the Job Creation Tax Credit Program which provides tax credits to encourage businesses to expand or relocate in Maryland; and (5) the Live Near Your Work Program, which creates incentives for employees to buy homes near their workplaces. This paper provides a historical overview of the program and discusses each program in detail, especially in terms of their potential for sprawl prevention and urban revitalization. The impact of these initiatives on preventing sprawl and revitalizing cities and inner suburbs in a way that benefits low- and moderate-income households is also evaluated. Although Maryland's smart growth program is innovative, its success will depend on four major factors: adequate infrastructure funding in targeted growth areas; sufficient incentives to convince households and businesses to make decisions that are consistent with smart growth principles; sustained public sector support for smart growth initiatives; and the creation and utilization of benchmarks to assess how smart growth is functioning.
Impact of government policies on MNEs and local organizations environmental initiatives

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) are often perceived as the cause of environmental degradation in developing countries. Through the lens of organisational buying behaviour theory, this manuscript examines environmental practices via landscaping initiatives by MNEs and local organisations in Malaysia and Nigeria. Apart from governmental influence that did not discriminate between MNE adopters and nonadopters, and public scrutiny in Nigeria, the rest of the dimensions are important discriminants. For local firms, other than competitive development, the rest are discriminant factors between adopters and nonadopters in Malaysia. Results of this research are of interest to international business marketing managers, public policy makers, and environmentalist at a time when the citizenry are increasingly aware of environmental problems. The study thus offers MNEs a useful assessment of appropriate relational policies and initiatives with key stakeholders in managing their environmental and social obligations.
Influence of cardiac output level on oxygen exchange in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Study objectives: In the course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary gas exchange deteriorates as a result of ventilation/perfusion inequalities and hypoxaemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of cardiac output (CO) level observed at rest in COPD patients on interaction between central and peripheral O2 exchange.
Learning analytics sources: Beyond learning platforms

In recent years, it has been a growing interest in the phenomenon of Learning Analytics. Most efforts have been focused on learning platforms, due to the huge amount of information they provide about student activity. However, as other authors also state, it is important to point out that much of this activity occurs beyond such platforms. This work aims at presenting a set of guidelines to select and combine several information sources in order to increase the impact and benefits of Learning Analytics. These guidelines have been applied to different experiences on two courses of the Bachelor Degree in Informatics Engineering.
A Newton-Based Perturbation Method for a Robust Inverse Optimization Problem

In this paper, we aim to solve an inverse robust optimization problem, in which the parameters in both the objective function and the robust constraint set need to be adjusted as little as possible so that a known feasible solution becomes the optimal one. We formulate this inverse problem as a minimization problem with a linear equality constraint, a second-order cone complementarity constraint and a linear complementarity constraint. A perturbation approach is constructed to solve the inverse problem. An inexact Newton method with Armijo line search is applied to solve the perturbed problem. Finally, the numerical results are reported to show the effectiveness of the approach.
Electromechanical Delay of the Knee Flexor Muscles Is Impaired After Harvesting Hamstring Tendons for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background Changes in electromechanical delay during muscle activation are expected when there are substantial alterations in the structural properties of the musculotendinous tissue. In anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, specific tendons are being harvested for grafts. Thus, there is an associated scar tissue development at the tendon that may affect the corresponding electromechanical delay. Purpose This study was conducted to investigate whether harvesting of semitendinosus and gracilis tendons for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction will affect the electromechanical delay of the knee flexors. Study Design Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods The authors evaluated 12 patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a semitendinosus and gracilis autograft, 2 years after the reconstruction, and 12 healthy controls. Each participant performed 4 maximally explosive isometric contractions with a 1-minute break between contractions. The surface electromyographic activity of the biceps femoris and the semitendinosus was recorded from both legs during the contractions. Results The statistical comparisons revealed significant increases of the electromechanical delay of the anterior cruciate ligament–reconstructed knee for both investigated muscles. Specifically, the electromechanical delay values were increased for both the biceps femoris (P = .029) and the semitendinosus (P = .005) of the reconstructed knee when compared with the intact knee. Comparing the anterior cruciate ligament–reconstructed knee against healthy controls revealed similar significant differences for both muscles (semitendinosus, P = .011; biceps femoris, P = .024). Conclusion The results showed that harvesting the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction significantly increased the electromechanical delay of the knee flexors. Increased hamstring electromechanical delay might impair knee safety and performance by modifying the transfer time of muscle tension to the tibia and therefore affecting muscle response during sudden movements in athletic activities. However, further investigation is required to identify whether the increased electromechanical delay of the hamstrings can actually influence optimal sports performance and increase the risk for knee injury in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.
Assessment of functional outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets from the perspective of the multi‐professional team: Results of 4 Delphi surveys

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for Head and Neck Cancer (ICF‐HNC) covers the typical spectrum of problems in functioning in head and neck cancer. This study is part of a multistep process to develop practical guidelines in Germany. The purpose of this study was to identify instruments for the assessment of functioning using the ICF‐HNC as reference.
Characterization and Expression of the Nuclear Progestin Receptor in Zebrafish Gonads and Brain1

Abstract The zebrafish nuclear progestin receptor (nPR; official symbol PGR) was identified and characterized to better understand its role in regulating reproduction in this well-established teleost model. A full-length cDNA was identified that encoded a 617-amino acid residue protein with high homology to PGRs in other vertebrates, and contained five domains characteristic of nuclear steroid receptors. In contrast to the multiplicity of steroid receptors often found in euteleosts and attributed to probable genome duplication, only a single locus encoding the full-length zebrafish pgr was identified. Cytosolic proteins from pgr-transfected cells showed a high affinity (Kd = 2 nM), saturable, single-binding site specific for a native progestin in euteleosts, 4-pregnen-17,20beta-diol-3-one (17,20beta-DHP). Both 17,20beta-DHP and progesterone were potent inducers of transcriptional activity in cells transiently transfected with pgr in a dual luciferase reporter assay, whereas androgens and estrogens had little potency. The pgr transcript and protein were abundant in the ovaries, testis, and brain and were scarce or undetectable in the intestine, muscle, and gills. Further analyses indicate that Pgr was expressed robustly in the preoptic region of the hypothalamus in the brain; proliferating spermatogonia and early spermatocytes in the testis; and in follicular cells and early-stage oocytes (stages I and II), with very low levels within maturationally competent late-stage oocytes (IV) in the ovary. The localization of Pgr suggests that it mediates progestin regulation of reproductive signaling in the brain, early germ cell proliferation in testis, and ovarian follicular functions, but not final oocyte or sperm maturation.
Contraction based angular velocity observer for small satellites

This paper considers the design of angular velocity observer for attitude control in small satellites under the presence of attitude measurement noise. Based on the contraction analysis, a set of exponentially convergent observers, namely, reduced-order, complete-order and synchronized observers is designed to deal with different level of the noise in the attitude measurements. Simulations are included to illustrate their performance.
Using integrated color and texture features for automatic hair detection

Hair is one of the most challenging facial features, playing important role in human appearance. This paper introduces novel approach to human hair extraction, based on integration of texture, shape and color features. This approach allows robust hair detection in complex background under various illumination and hairstyles. This study deals with color images and hair detection aims hair re-colorization to simulate different hair colors. The process starting with typical facial features extraction such as open skin, eyes and mouth and finishing with fuzzy hair mask. Fuzzy hair representation allows overcoming hair appearance problems around hair roots and close to outer line of hairstyle. Fuzzy hair mask building involves binary hair mask detection, background detection and matting procedure. Experiments caring in cosmetic store environment for 354 images show 75% of correct detection for complex background and illumination and 85% for homogeneous background and illumination.
FINANCIAL-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF AIRLINE DEREGULATION

A disturbing feature of ex post analysis of the effects of passenger transport service deregulation is a projected set of conflicting effects that deregulation could have on the pricing and frequency of airline services. The present paper uses an "address" model to uncover the conditions which would portend ambiguity in results. It then demonstrates that the relationship between post and pre-deregulation fares and departure schedules depends on the regulatory environment, the type of oligopolistic rivalry, and the nature of consumer demand. It concludes that if post-deregulation entry conditions are sufficiently free, the discipline of the regulated environment will be broken to the benefit of consumers. In such a situation, our theory predicts a post-deregulation reduction in fares and an increase in departures, even given a possible increase in airline merges.
A fully integrated 2×2 b/g and 1×2 a-band MIMO WLAN SoC in 45nm CMOS for multi-radio IC

A significant increase in Smartphones and tablets with embedded Wi-Fi demands a low-cost system solution. In this paper the RF core of an 802.11n 2×2 b/g band, 2×1 a-band MIMO WLAN SoC with die area of 3.83mm2 in 45nm CMOS is described. As shown in Fig. 19.1. 1 the SoC has integrated Power Amplifier (PA) for both bands and T/R switch in b/g band, eliminating the need for an expensive external Front-End Module. The LO is synthesized by a two-step DLL-PLL architecture to meet the stringent phase-noise requirements.
In vitro analysis of virus-associated RNA I (VAI RNA): inhibition of the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase PKR by VAI RNA mutants correlates with the in vivo phenotype and the structural integrity of the central domain

Adenoviruses use the virus-encoded virus-associated RNA (VAI RNA) as a defense against cellular antiviral response by blocking the activation of the interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase PKR. The structure of VAI RNA consists of two long, imperfectly base-paired duplex regions connected by a complex short stem-loop at the center, referred to as the central domain. By using a series of adenovirus mutants with linker-scan mutations in the VAI RNA gene, we recently showed that the critical elements required for function in the VAI RNA molecule are in the central domain and that these same elements of the central domain are also involved in binding to PKR. In virus-infected cells, VAI RNA interacts with latent kinase, which is bound to ribosomes; this interaction takes place in a complex milieu. To more fully understand the relationship between structure and function and to determine whether the in vivo phenotype of these mutants can be reproduced in vitro, we have now analyzed these mutant VAI alleles for their ability to block the activation of a partially purified PKR from HeLa cells. We have also derived the structure of these mutants experimentally and correlated the structure with function. Without exception, when the structure of the short stem-loop of the central domain was perturbed, the mutants failed to inhibit PKR. Structural disruptions elsewhere in the central domain or in the long duplex regions of the molecule were not deleterious for in vitro function. Thus, these results support our previous findings and underscore the importance of the elements present in the central domain of the VAI RNA for its function. Our results also suggest that the interaction between PKR and VAI RNA involves a precise secondary (and tertiary) structure in the central domain. It has been suggested that VAI RNA does not activate PKR in virus-infected cells because of mismatches in the imperfectly base-paired long duplex regions. We constructed mutant VAI genes in which the imperfectly base-paired duplex regions were converted to perfectly base-paired regions and assayed in vitro for the activation of PKR. As with the wild-type VAI RNA, these mutants failed to activate PKR in vitro, while they were able to block the activation of PKR better than did the wild type. These results suggest that the failure of VAI RNA to activate PKR is not the result of mismatches in the long duplex regions. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
An Empirical Assessment of Merger and Acquisition Activity in Retailing

Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in retailing is widespread. Nevertheless, little scholarly research has addressed this subject from the perspective of antecedent conditions present in retail M&A activity. A variety of finance-, marketing-, and corporate-related variables are examined that have been proposed as likely antecedent conditions for M&A activity. The results indicate that preconditions for M&A activity can be identified and the probability of becoming a bidder and target retailer can be determined on the basis of these variables. Implications for becoming a target firm are highlighted, as are characteristics of bidder and nonmerging firms.
The textual complexity of annual report narratives: a comparison of high-and low-performance companies

Regulators world-wide have placed increasing emphasis on narrative disclosures in annual reports as a means of informing shareholders about the position and prospects of their company. However, such disclosures have the potential to be strategically manipulated to influence the level of complexity that confronts the reader. This study focuses on the assessment of textual complexity using readability formulae. The potential and limitations of the formulae are explained and an empirical analysis conducted to assess differences in the textual complexity of the chairperson's annual report letter in a sample of Australian companies that have performed well and those that have performed badly. The results indicate that the chairpersons' letters of the poor performers are significantly more textually complex than those of the high performance group.
Juvenile parkinsonism as a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus: Case report and review of the literature

Involvement of the central nervous system in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been well described. It usually includes psychiatric disturbance, seizures, and cranial nerve disorders. Movement disorders are less common, chorea being the one most frequently described. A parkinsonian syndrome may be an extremely rare manifestation of cerebral lupus. We report on a case of juvenile parkinsonism as a manifestation of SLE and review the literature. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
DNA discontinuities in the domain of amplified human MYC oncogenes

COLO320DM and COLO320HSR are cell lines derived from a human colon carcinoma, Both lines have an amplification of the MYC oncogene: COLO320DM in the form of double minute chromosomes, COLO320HSR as a large marker chromosome with homogeneously staining regions. We have used pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to analyze undigested DNA from both COLO320 cell lines. Upon blotting and hybridization with a MYC probe, the autoradiograms showed the existence of discontinuities in the amplified DNA domains. Additional evidence indicating a preferential concentration of DNA breaks in the region containing the MYC amplicons was obtained with the alkaline unwinding technique. We propose that amplicons are connected by hairpin formation or Hoogsteen pairing between free DNA ends.
Exopolysaccharide-producing probiotic Lactobacilli reduce serum cholesterol and modify enteric microbiota in ApoE-deficient mice.

BACKGROUND Probiotic bacteria have been associated with a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, a leading cause of death and disability. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the impact of dietary administration of exopolysaccharide-producing probiotic Lactobacillus cultures on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in apolipoprotein E (apoE)-deficient mice. METHODS First, we examined lipid metabolism in response to dietary supplementation with recombinant β-glucan-producing Lactobacillus paracasei National Food Biotechnology Centre (NFBC) 338 expressing the glycosyltransferase (Gtf) gene from Pediococcus parvulus 2.6 (GTF), and naturally exopolysaccharide-producing Lactobacillus mucosae Dairy Product Culture Collection (DPC) 6426 (DPC 6426) compared with the non-β-glucan-producing isogenic control strain Lactobacillus paracasei NFBC 338 (PNZ) and placebo (15% wt:vol trehalose). Second, we examined the effects on the gut microbiota of dietary administration of DPC 6426 compared with placebo. Probiotic Lactobacillus strains at 1 × 10(9) colony-forming units/d per animal were administered to apoE(-/-) mice fed a high-fat (60% fat)/high-cholesterol (2% wt:wt) diet for 12 wk. At the end of the study, aortic plaque development and serum, liver, and fecal variables involved in lipid metabolism were analyzed, and culture-independent microbial analyses of cecal content were performed. RESULTS Total cholesterol was reduced in serum (P < 0.001; ∼33-50%) and liver (P < 0.05; ∼30%) and serum triglyceride concentrations were reduced (P < 0.05; ∼15-25%) in mice supplemented with GTF or DPC 6426 compared with the PNZ or placebo group, respectively. In addition, dietary intervention with GTF led to increased amounts of fecal cholesterol excretion (P < 0.05) compared with all other groups. Compositional sequencing of the gut microbiota revealed a greater prevalence of Porphyromonadaceae (P = 0.001) and Prevotellaceae (P = 0.001) in the DPC 6426 group and lower proportions of Clostridiaceae (P < 0.05), Peptococcaceae (P < 0.001), and Staphylococcaceae (P < 0.01) compared with the placebo group. CONCLUSION Ingestion of exopolysaccharide-producing lactobacilli resulted in seemingly favorable improvements in lipid metabolism, which were associated with changes in the gut microbiota of mice.
SVM Based Speaker Verification and Gender Dependent NAP Variability Compensation

In recent years, Support Vector Machine is used in many application areas and has shown dramatic achievement. In this paper, we apply it to a text-independent speaker verification task using the NIST 2001 Speaker Recognition database. Starting from a baseline based on Gaussian mixture models, we use the state-of-the-art GMM supervector and SVM to improve the performance. We alter several kernels and find out the linear kernel yields the best performance. Finally, the latest compensation method nuisance attribute projection (NAP) is examined, and the gender-dependent NAP shows more reduction than gender-independent NAP in equal error rate.
A local time Fukunage-Koontz transformation for speech emotional recognition

Dimension reduction is widely used in the domains of speech emotional recognition. Considering the underlying time structure of speech signals, we propose a local time Fukunage-koontz transformation (LTFKT) to contain more discriminative information during emotional recognition. The goal of LTFKT is to maximize/ minimize the eigenvalues of covariance in different classes simultaneously. It can be seen that FKT is a special case of LTFKT from analysis. The results show that the method in this paper can improve recognition rate effectively.
Osmoregulation in the diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin centrata.

1. While in hypertonic environment diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys centrata) slowly lose water by osmosis through the integument and as urine through the kidney. 2. Small amounts of sodium are gained, probably largely as a result of diffusion through the integument rather than by drinking, and this sodium is principally excreted extrarenally. Nevertheless, the solute concentration in the blood of such turtles increases. 3. When returned to fresh water the animals rehydrate and excrete accumulated excess sodium. 4. In these ways they could undoubtedly survive for extended periods in the absence of fresh water, but it is not clear whether they could do so indefinitely.