Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Technology mining for emerging S&T trends and developments: Dynamic term clustering and semantic analysis

In the world of rapidly developing Science and Technology (S&T), with increasing volumes of S&Trelated data and greater interdisciplinary and collaborative research, technology mining (TM) helps to acquire intelligence about emerging trends and future S&T developments. The task is becoming crucial not only for high-tech startups and large organizations, but also for venture capitalists and other companies, which make decisions about S&T investments. Governments and Public Research Institutions are also among the main stakeholders and potential users of TM to set up R&D priorities, plans and programs according to the current and future state of S&T development.
Role of a probiotic (Saccharomyces boulardii) in management and prevention of diarrhoea.

AIM To assess the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) in acute watery diarrhoea and its role in reducing the frequency of episodes of diarrhoea in subsequent two months. METHODS Children from 2 mo to 12 years of age, with acute diarrhoea were selected according to inclusion criteria and randomised in S. boulardii group (treated with ORS, nutritional support and S. boulardii, 250 mg bid) and in control group (treated with ORS and nutritional support only). Active treatment phase was 5 d and each child was followed for two months afterwards. Frequency and consistency of stools as well as safety of drug was assessed on every visit. A comparison of two groups was done in terms of number of diarrhoeal episode in subsequent two months. RESULTS There were fifty patients in each group. Baseline characteristics such as mean age and the average frequency of stools were comparable in S. boulardii and control group at the time of inclusion in the trial. By d 3 it reduced to 2.7 and 4.2 stools per d respectively and by d 6 it reduced to 1.6 (S. boulardii Group) and 3.3 (control group). The duration of diarrhoea was 3.6 d in S. boulardii group whereas it was 4.8 d in control group (P = 0.001). In the following two months, S. boulardii group had a significantly lower frequency of 0.54 episodes as compared to 1.08 episodes in control group. The drug was well accepted and tolerated. There were no reports of the side effects during treatment period. CONCLUSION S. boulardii significantly reduces the frequency and duration of acute diarrhoea. The consistency of stool also improves. The drug is well-tolerated.
Sphincterotomy by triple lumen needle knife using guide wire in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy.

AIM To investigate the usefulness of a guide wire and triple lumen needle knife for removing stones in Billroth II (B-II) gastrectomy patients. METHODS Endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with B-II gastrectomy is challenging. We used a new guide wire technique involving sphincterotomy by triple lumen needle knife through a forward-viewing endoscopy. This technique was performed in nine patients between August 2010 and June 2012. Sphincterotomy as described above was performed. Adequate sphincterotomy, successful stone removal, and complications were investigated prospectively. RESULTS Sphincterotomy by triple lumen needle knife using guide wire was successful in all nine patients. Sphincterotomy started towards the 4-5 o'clock direction and continued to the upper margin of the papillary roof. Complete stone removal in one session was achieved in all patients. There were no procedure related complications, such as bleeding, pancreatitis, or perforation. CONCLUSION In patients with B-II gastrectomy, guide wire using sphincterotomy by triple lumen needle knife through a forward-viewing endoscopy seems to be an effective and safe procedure for the removal of common bile duct stones.
New Technology Development in Emerging Economies: An Examination of the Antecedents of International Patenting Activities of Emerging Economies

This dissertation investigates the phenomenon of new technology development in emerging economies (EEs). I do this by studying the international patenting activities of EEs at the country level and firm level. In order to do this, I develop and analyze a panel database of patents filed with the United States Patents and Trademarks Office (USPTO). I then examine differences in the nature of technologies that are being patented by emerging economies in comparison to developed economies (DEs). Through this dissertation, I develop a key construct that pertains to the nature of technologies that are patented. This construct is named novelty of technology knowledge and it pertains to the age of technological knowledge that organizations draw from and build upon while developing new innovations. The first research question I examine is what is the impact of global connectedness and institutional development in EEs on the age of technology knowledge that they build on. I build on insights from the institutional theory and argue that the absence of well-developed institutions presents constraints to the development and protection of novel technology innovations. On the other hand, global connectedness in the form of trade linkages provides opportunities for engaging in novel technology innovations. I hypothesize that a country’s level of institutional development and global connectedness have a positive relation with the novelty of its technology knowledge. I use data on the international patenting activities of 48 countries with the USPTO over a period of 9 years. I use panel data estimation models to test the hypotheses. I find that global connectedness is positively related to the level of a country’s international patenting. The second research question is what is the impact of the level of internationalization of EE firms on the age of technology knowledge that they build on. I first identify the benefits and costs associated with internationalization for EE firms as a result of the conditions in their home country. I then argue that with increasing internationalization, the counter forces of exploration and exploitation thrust firms’ technology development from initially focusing on newer technology bases towards focusing on older technologies. I hypothesize the existence of a Ushaped relationship between the level of internationalization and the novelty of technology knowledge and test my hypotheses using a panel of bio-pharmaceutical firms from India. The findings from this dissertation make important contributions to the literature examining innovation and new technology development in the context of EEs.
Genetic burden of common variants in progressive and bout-onset multiple sclerosis

Background: The contribution of genetic variants underlying the susceptibility to different clinical courses of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still unclear. Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the proportion of liability explained by common SNPs and the genetic burden of MS-associated SNPs in progressive onset (PrMS) and bout-onset (BOMS) cases. Methods: We estimated the proportion of variance in disease liability explained by 296,391 autosomal SNPs in cohorts of Italian PrMS and BOMS patients using the genome-wide complex trait analysis (GCTA) tool, and we calculated a weighted genetic risk score (wGRS) based on the known MS-associated loci. Results: Our results identified that common SNPs explain a greater proportion of phenotypic variance in BOMS (36.5%±10.1%) than PrMS (20.8%±6.0%) cases, and a trend of decrease was observed when testing primary progressive (PPMS) without brain MRI inflammatory activity (p = 7.9 × 10−3). Similarly, the wGRS and the variance explained by MS-associated SNPs were higher in BOMS than PPMS in males (wGRS: 6.63 vs 6.51, p = 0.04; explained variance: 4.8%±1.5% vs 1.7%±0.6%; p = 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the liability of disease is better captured by common genetic variants in BOMS than PrMS cases. The absence of inflammatory activity and male gender further raise the difference between clinical courses.
Amplified dispersive Fourier-transform imaging for ultrafast displacement sensing and barcode reading

Dispersive Fourier transformation is a powerful technique in which the spectrum of an optical pulse is mapped into a time-domain waveform using chromatic dispersion. It replaces a diffraction grating and detector array with a dispersive fiber and single photodetector. This simplifies the system and, more importantly, enables fast real-time measurements. Here we describe a novel ultrafast barcode reader and displacement sensor that employs internally amplified dispersive Fourier transformation. This technique amplifies and simultaneously maps the spectrally encoded barcode into a temporal waveform. It achieves a record acquisition speed of 25MHz—four orders of magnitude faster than the current state of the art.Dispersive Fourier transformation is a powerful technique in which the spectrum of an optical pulse is mapped into a time-domain waveform using chromatic dispersion. It replaces a diffraction grating and detector array with a dispersive fiber and single photodetector. This simplifies the system and, more importantly, enables fast real-time measurements. Here we describe a novel ultrafast barcode reader and displacement sensor that employs internally amplified dispersive Fourier transformation. This technique amplifies and simultaneously maps the spectrally encoded barcode into a temporal waveform. It achieves a record acquisition speed of 25MHz—four orders of magnitude faster than the current state of the art.
Biologic diversity of polyomavirus BK genomic sequences: Implications for molecular diagnostic laboratories

Data on polyomavirus genomic diversity has greatly expanded in the past few years. The implications of viral DNA sequence variation on the performance of molecular diagnostic assays have not been systematically examined. 716 BK, 1626 JC, and 73 SV40 virus sequences available in GenBank were aligned using Clustal‐X. Five different published BKV PCR assays currently in use at major medical centers were evaluated for primer and probe mismatches with available GenBank sequences. Coverage of naturally occurring BKV strains varied amongst different assay methods. Targeted viral sequences showed major mismatch with primer or probe sequence in up to 30.7% of known BKV strains. BKV subtypes IVa, IVb, and IVc were more prone to this problem, reflecting common use of Type I Dun sequence for assay design. Despite the known polymorphism of this gene, 484 VP‐1 sequences with conserved areas potentially suitable for PCR assay design are available. Assay targets in the Large T‐antigen and agnogene are less subject to genetic variation, but sequence information corresponding to the latter two genes is available only for 164 and 174 published strains, respectively. Cross reactivity of appropriately selected BKV primers with JCV and SV40 sequences available in current databases was not a significant problem. J. Med. Virol. 80:1850–1857, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Jack of All Trades and Master of Knowledge: The Role of Diversification in New Distant Knowledge Integration

Research Summary We consider the role of individual‐level diversification as a mechanism through which skilled researchers engage in successful exploration—recognizing and integrating new knowledge external to one's domains of expertise. To approach an ideal experiment, we (a) employ a matching procedure and (b) exploit the unexpected adoption of Microsoft Kinect as a motion‐sensing technology in research. We evaluate the impact of Kinect and its embodiment of new knowledge on a set of ability‐matched, diversity‐varying researchers without prior experience in motion‐sensing and find that diversified researchers explore more successfully than their more specialized peers. We also examine the role of personal preferences and professional incentives as antecedents of diversification and find that culture, age and intellectual freedom are positively associated with the propensity to diversify successfully. Managerial Summary Organizations where R&D is core to driving competitive advantage face important tradeoffs when hiring researchers. Specifically, diverse combinations of knowledge generate the most impactful discoveries. Yet, coordinating such combinations increasingly requires larger teams as knowledge accumulation causes researchers to specialize in narrower areas. How should organizations achieve the best balance? We argue and show evidence that diversified researchers, individuals routinely criticized for their lack of knowledge depth, are more likely than specialized researchers of similar ability to integrate new knowledge from beyond their domains of expertise to create impactful innovations. Therefore, organizations aiming to create competitive advantage by pushing the boundaries of knowledge should carefully consider the nuanced tradeoffs between specialized and diversified researchers when strategizing about hiring the optimal types of expertise.
Trunk Restraint to Promote Upper Extremity Recovery in Stroke Patients

Background. Many stroke patients exhibit excessive compensatory trunk movements during reaching. Compensatory movement behaviors may improve upper extremity function in the short-term but be detrimental to long-term recovery. Objective. To evaluate the evidence that trunk restraint limits compensatory trunk movement and/or promotes better upper extremity recovery in stroke patients. Methods. A search was conducted through electronic databases from January 1980 to June 2013. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing upper extremity training with and without trunk restraint were selected for review. Three review authors independently assessed the methodological quality and extracted data from the studies. Meta-analysis was conducted when there was sufficient homogenous data. Results. Six RCTs involving 187 chronic stroke patients were identified. Meta-analysis of key outcome measures showed that trunk restraint has a moderate statistically significant effect on improving Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) score, active shoulder flexion, and reduction in trunk displacement during reaching. There was a small, nonsignificant effect of trunk restraint on upper extremity function. Conclusion. Trunk restraint has a moderate effect on reduction of upper extremity impairment in chronic stroke patients, in terms of FMA-UE score, increased shoulder flexion, and reduction in excessive trunk movement during reaching. There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that trunk restraint improves upper extremity function and reaching trajectory smoothness and straightness in chronic stroke patients. Future research on stroke patients at different phases of recovery and with different levels of upper extremity impairment is recommended.
Mandatory IFRS Adoption and Changes in Default Prediction Accuracy

The study tests for changes in default prediction accuracy following the country-level switch to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in 20 European Union (EU) and nonEU jurisdictions. Using a default prediction model that combines both accounting and market inputs, we find that compared to a control group of non-adopters, IFRS adopters do not benefit from the international standards in terms of default prediction accuracy. Further cross-sectional analyses of companies from adopting jurisdictions in the post-adoption period show that voluntary adopters and companies domiciled in jurisdictions with large distances between their local GAAP and IFRS have higher default prediction accuracy. Higher enforcement is associated with higher default prediction accuracy in the EU and with lower default prediction accuracy in non-EU jurisdictions. The results add to the literature on the consequences of IFRS adoption and speak to the performance of default prediction models across jurisdictions, given a change in accounting regulation.
Antecedents of Purchase Intention in the Online Context

ABSTRACT The understanding of the determinant factors of customer purchase intention is necessary, and it is equally important to study the online purchase context, since this context is disseminated among customers. A theoretical model has been elaborated on and tested, considering the constructs of information quality, distrust, and perceived risk as antecedents of purchase intention, and aiming to analyze the relationship among these constructs in the online purchase context. A quantitative research study has been performed by means of the application of a survey. Multivariate statistics techniques have been applied for data analyses, including structural equation modeling. This study contributes to the evolution of the empirically tested concepts by providing a greater individual understanding of each construct presented in the theoretical model, as well as the relationship among them as determinants of purchase intention; the indication is that meaningful relationships were found which may impact greater profitability and, consequently, greater competition for online retailers.
Miniaturized Frequency Controllable Band-Stop Filter Using Coupled-Line Stub-Loaded Shorted SIR for Tri-Band Application

Based on the coupled-line stub-loaded shorted stepped-impedance resonator (CLSLSSIR), a compact microstrip tri-band band-stop filter (TB-BSF) with controllable frequencies, stopband attenuations (SAs), and sharp transition band roll-off skirts has been presented. The proposed CLSLSSIR exhibits multimode resonant behavior and is employed to achieve tri-stopband application by applying the virtual ground effect at the attaching position. Due to the infinite input impedance effect of CLSLSSIR, as well as the resonance of $\pi $ -type network combined with two loaded CLSLSSIRs and transmission line, multiple transmission poles can be yielded to obtain high selectivity of transition band. Finally, an example TB-BSF operating at 1.57, 2.4, and 3.5 GHz with respective SAs of 18, 26.5, and 33.2 dB has been designed and fabricated.
Subcortical damage and white matter disconnection associated with non-fluent speech.

Sir, In a recent paper published in Brain , Dronkers and colleagues (2007) re-examined the brain damage in two historic patients of P. Paul Broca, Leborgne and Lelong, who had lost the ability to speak following brain damage. The observation of these cases lead Broca to suggest that the left inferior frontal lobe (later coined Broca's area) is the crucial lesion location associated with acquired motor speech impairment. Utilizing high resolution MRI, Dronkers and colleagues observed that the brain damage in both of Broca's cases extend further subcortically than Broca could have observed, therefore, suggesting that the critical lesion location for motor speech production is not restricted to the inferior frontal gyrus. In particular, the authors demonstrated that the superior longitudinal fasciculus was damaged in both cases, arguing that this lesion may also have affected Broca's patients’ speech production. This timely examination by Dronkers et al. combines a historical perspective and …
Stress Triggers a Process That Limits Activation of the Bacillus subtilis Stress Transcription Factor ςB

ABSTRACT Stress-induced activation of the Bacillus subtilistranscription factor ςB is transitory. To determine whether the process that limits ςB activation is itself triggered by stress, B. subtilis strains in which the stress pathway was artificially activated by the induced expression of a positive regulatory protein (RsbT) were exposed to ethanol stress and were monitored for the persistence of ςB activity. Without ethanol treatment, the induced cultures displayed continuously high ςB activity. Ethanol treatment restricted ongoing ςB activity, but only in strains with intactrsbX and -S genes. The loss of other gene products (RsbR and Obg) known to participate in the stress activation pathway had little influence in blocking the ethanol effect. The data argue that stress upregulates the activity of the RsbX-S regulatory pair to restrict ςB induction following stress.
Design and Implementation of an Analog Constant Power Load for Studying Cascaded Converters

One of the major issues in multi-converter power electronic systems is the constant power load (CPL) behavior of the tightly regulated converters. In order to have better system performance, output of the converters should be tightly regulated. DC/DC converters when tightly regulated act as constant power loads. The current through a constant power load increases/decreases when the voltage across it decreases/increases, respectively. As a result, CPLs have negative impedance characteristics. This is a destabilizing effect known as negative impedance instability. In order to analyze cascaded DC/DC converters in multi-converter systems, an analog constant power load (A-CPL) that has a fast time response is developed and presented in this paper. It can be used as an ideal CPL for studying the mentioned issue in the laboratory. Since it is analog, the proposed A-CPL separates the problem of sub-harmonic production from the problem of negative impedance instability for research purposes. By changing the position of a manual switch, the implemented A-CPL can also operate as an adjustable power resistor or a current source for the laboratory experiments. The experimental results showing the performance of the A-CPL are also presented
Realizing Target Language Generation in Data-Oriented English-Chinese Machine Translation

This paper presents a kind of target language generation mechanism in data-oriented English-Chinese machine translation. This mechanism applies the theory of data-oriented parsing used in language analysis traditionally into target language generation equally. Through linearizing the result of source language analysis - a parse tree, the final translation in target language is generated. To prove the efficiency of the proposed method, the knowledge source is constructed based on the real-world English corpus, and the other real-world English corpus is used as the test set. The experiment result shows that the quality of translation in target language is satisfactory
Genetic tracing of Nav1.8‐expressing vagal afferents in the mouse

Nav1.8 is a tetrodotoxin‐resistant sodium channel present in large subsets of peripheral sensory neurons, including both spinal and vagal afferents. In spinal afferents, Nav1.8 plays a key role in signaling different types of pain. Little is known, however, about the exact identity and role of Nav1.8‐expressing vagal neurons. Here we generated mice with restricted expression of tdTomato fluorescent protein in all Nav1.8‐expressing afferent neurons. As a result, intense fluorescence was visible in the cell bodies, central relays, and sensory endings of these neurons, revealing the full extent of their innervation sites in thoracic and abdominal viscera. For instance, vagal and spinal Nav1.8‐expressing endings were seen clearly within the gastrointestinal mucosa and myenteric plexus, respectively. In the gastrointestinal muscle wall, labeled endings included a small subset of vagal tension receptors but not any stretch receptors. We also examined the detailed innervation of key metabolic tissues such as liver and pancreas and evaluated the anatomical relationship of Nav1.8‐expressing vagal afferents with select enteroendocrine cells (i.e., ghrelin, glucagon, GLP‐1). Specifically, our data revealed the presence of Nav1.8‐expressing vagal afferents in several metabolic tissues and varying degrees of proximity between Nav1.8‐expressing mucosal afferents and enteroendocrine cells, including apparent neuroendocrine apposition. In summary, this study demonstrates the power and versatility of the Cre‐LoxP technology to trace identified visceral afferents, and our data suggest a previously unrecognized role for Nav1.8‐expressing vagal neurons in gastrointestinal functions. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:3085–3101, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.