Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory effect of Zanthoxylum schinifolium on vascular smooth muscle proliferation

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells may perform a crucial role in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction such as atherosclerosis. The principal objective of this study was to determine the inhibitory effects of ethanol extract from Zanthoxylum schinifolium (EZS) on human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) proliferation induced by TNF-α. The invasion and migration of HASMC was significantly promoted by treatment with TNF-α as compared with control. However, EZS inhibited the TNF-α-induced invasion and migration in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01). [3H]-thymidine incorporation was also significantly inhibited by EZS treatment. We utilized western blotting analysis to evaluate the effects of EZS on cell cycle regulatory proteins. TNF-α induced the expression of CDK2/CDK4, and reduced the expression of p21waf1/cip1/p27kip1. However, EZS also attenuated the expression of TNF-α-induced cell cycle regulatory proteins. The results of gelatin zymography demonstrated that the TNF-α-treated HASMC secreted gelatinases, probably including MMP-9, which may be involved in the invasion and migration of HASMC. EZS inhibited the production of TNF-α-induced formation of DCF-sensitive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results showed that EZS exerts inhibitory effects on TNF-α-induced HASMC proliferation and migration, including the inhibition of MMP-9 activity and the down-regulation of ROS/production, thereby suggesting that EZS may be a possible therapeutic approach to the inhibition of atherosclerosis.
Environmental impact assessment and sustainable development: A critical review

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has evolved and become part of major project requirements in many countries. However, its contribution to sustainable development and reduction in poverty levels of people affected by projects has not been assessed in developing countries. The study examined environmental laws and institutions in selected African countries, compared EIA laws, procedures and practices. Their effects on sustainable development and reduction in poverty are discussed. What is found lacking is the full integration of environmental assessments into planning and decision-making processes of these countries. At present EIA is applied mainly at the project level in these countries. It concluded that Africa is on the right footing towards sound environmental protection and resource management, but increasing poverty and lack of direct investment in project communities, illiteracy and corruption remains the greatest threat to the success of EIA. It recommends that corporate social responsibility with a fixed percentage of profit be made part of EIAs. It enjoins that a critical mass of a project’s community be empowered to actively participate in the early phases of the EIA process to improve benefits to communities and society at large. Sustainable development could thus be achieved on the project level when businesses and communities cooperate for their mutual benefits. Key words: Environmental Impact Assessment, sustainable development, poverty alleviation, corporate social responsibility, institutions
Costs and Benefits of Electronic Portfolios in Teacher Education

Abstract This descriptive study investigated the benefits and costs of using electronic portfolios (EPs) in preservice teacher education. Grounded within change theory, the study examined the perspectives of faculty in six programs in which EPs have been used on a large scale for two or more years. Benefits identified include increased opportunities for students to reflect and learn, better student understanding of teaching standards, better faculty access for assessing student work, increased faculty communication with students, and improved tracking of student performance for purposes of accreditation and program improvement. The costs or disadvantages include issues pertaining to the amount of time and effort expended and to the lack of compatibility with faculty members' beliefs, values, and needs. Overall, the authors conclude that faculty satisfaction with EPs appears strongly associated with their values for student-centered teacher education and in some cases, their willingness to sacrifice individual preferences to accomplish program goals.
Experimental evaluation of joint position estimation using inertial sensors

In this paper we study the problem of estimating the position of a joint that is connecting two rigid links in a biomechanical model. By equipping the two links with inertial sensors, which measure linear acceleration and angular velocity, it is possible to estimate the joint position. Estimation methods for this problem have been proposed before, but experimental evaluation and comparison between methods is lacking. The main contribution of this paper is an experimental evaluation of three different methods, a least-squares method and two iterative optimization methods that minimize a sum of squared errors and a sum of absolute errors. The iterative methods turns out to be superior to the least-squares method. Minimizing the sum of squared errors is faster but not as robust against outliers as minimizing the sum of absolute errors.
Use of a plastic insulin dosage guide to correct blood glucose levels out of the target range and for carbohydrate counting in subjects with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To improve glycemic control, a hand-held plastic Insulin Dosage Guide was developed to correct blood glucose levels outside of the target range. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Protocol 1: Some 40 children (mean age 10.6+/-4.6 years) were randomly assigned for 3 months to use a written-on-paper algorithm or the Insulin Dosage Guide to correct abnormal blood glucose levels. Mean HbA1c and blood glucose levels and time to teach insulin dosage correction were compared. Protocol 2: The Insulin Dosage Guide was used by 83 subjects (mean age 11.4+/-4.3 years) for 1 year, and mean HbA1c levels, blood glucose levels, and number of consecutive high blood glucose values taken before and after the year were compared. Protocol 3: Some 20 patients (mean age 10.1+/-3.7 years) using rapid-acting insulin and 64 patients (mean age 15.9+/-3.6 years) using an insulin pump and rapid-acting insulin used the Insulin Dosage Guide and had mean blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and percentage of blood glucose levels outside of the target range determined. RESULTS Protocol 1: There was a significant reduction in mean HbA1c (P = 0.04) and blood glucose levels (P = 0.05) and in the time needed to teach how to correct blood glucose values using the Insulin Dosage Guide compared with the paper algorithm. Protocol 2: There was a decrease in mean HbA1c levels (P = 0.0001) and a decrease in the mean number of consecutive blood glucose levels (P = 0.001) over the 1-year time period. Protocol 3: With rapid-acting insulin, there was a significant increase in the percentage of blood glucose levels within the target range (1 month, P = 0.04; at 3 months, P = 0.03). With the insulin pump, there was a high rate (90%) of blood glucose levels in the target range during pump initiation when the Insulin Dosage Guide was used. CONCLUSIONS This inexpensive hand-held plastic card, which is portable and easy to use, may help patients improve glycemia and successfully manage diabetes.
Experiences from a Wearable-Mobile Acquisition System for Ambulatory Assessment of Diet and Activity

Public health trends are currently monitored and diagnosed based on large studies that often rely on pen-and-paper data methods that tend to require a large collection campaign. With the pervasiveness of smart-phones and -watches throughout the general population, we argue in this paper that such devices and their built-in sensors can be used to capture such data more accurately with less of an effort. We present a system that targets a pan-European and harmonised architecture, using smartphones and wrist-worn activity loggers to enable the collection of data to estimate sedentary behavior and physical activity, plus the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. We report on a unified pilot study across three countries and four cities (with different languages, locale formats, and data security and privacy laws) in which 83 volunteers were asked to log beverages consumption along with a series of surveys and longitudinal accelerometer data. Our system is evaluated in terms of compliance, obtained data, and first analyses.
Thermally actuated silicon tuning fork resonators for sensing applications in air

This paper introduces an electrothermally actuated, piezoresistively detected, silicon-based tuning fork geometry as a suitable platform for resonant sensing applications in air. Operated at their fundamental tuning fork mode (fTF ≈ 400 kHz), in which the two tines oscillate with 180° phase shift to each other, the devices exhibit Q-factors of 4000-4200 in air. By properly choosing the locations of the integrated excitation resistors as well as the four piezoresistors forming a Wheatstone bridge, output signals stemming from low-frequency out-of-plane vibration modes of the microstructure are successfully suppressed. As a result, the tuning forks can be easily embedded into an amplifying feedback loop, achieving short-term frequency stabilities in air as low as 0.02 ppm (0.008 Hz) for gate times of 1 sec. Coated with a chemically sensitive polymer film, the tuning forks were used as mass-sensitive sensors with detection limits in the low-ppm range for toluene.
A Single-Inductor Eight-Channel Output DC–DC Converter With Time-Limited Power Distribution Control and Single Shared Hysteresis Comparator

This paper describes a time-limited power distribution control technique that can be used for single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) DC-DC converter with many unbalanced loads. Furthermore, the true all-comparator control technique that raises no stability or complexity issues is proposed. This all-comparator technique for SIMO converters is realized only with a single shared hysteresis comparator at a constant switching frequency of 800 kHz. This leads to the development of a new inductor peak-current control technique that does not require compensators and a phase-locked loop. This converter is analyzed and compared with existing SIMO converters with respect to the requirements of next-generation power management ICs. The maximum efficiency of the converter reaches 92%. The fabricated chip supporting eight-channel outputs is implemented in a 0.35-μm CMOS process and occupies an area of 2.4 × 2.1 mm2.
Biomimetic 3D Tissue Models for Advanced High-Throughput Drug Screening

Most current drug screening assays used to identify new drug candidates are 2D cell-based systems, even though such in vitro assays do not adequately re-create the in vivo complexity of 3D tissues. Inadequate representation of the human tissue environment during a preclinical test can result in inaccurate predictions of compound effects on overall tissue functionality. Screening for compound efficacy by focusing on a single pathway or protein target, coupled with difficulties in maintaining long-term 2D monolayers, can serve to exacerbate these issues when using such simplistic model systems for physiological drug screening applications. Numerous studies have shown that cell responses to drugs in 3D culture are improved from those in 2D, with respect to modeling in vivo tissue functionality, which highlights the advantages of using 3D-based models for preclinical drug screens. In this review, we discuss the development of microengineered 3D tissue models that accurately mimic the physiological properties of native tissue samples and highlight the advantages of using such 3D microtissue models over conventional cell-based assays for future drug screening applications. We also discuss biomimetic 3D environments, based on engineered tissues as potential preclinical models for the development of more predictive drug screening assays for specific disease models.
Export barriers: non‐exporters′ perceptions

Provides an empirical assessment of non‐exporters′ perceptions on the factors that hinder the initiation of export activities. The research investigation, which was conducted among a representative random sample of 112 Cypriot manufacturing concerns, revealed that the increasing competitive pressures in the world market constituted the most severe impediment to the export initiation process. A number of organizational determinants exhibited a discriminating effect on certain export barriers. Specifically, there was a tendency by firms with no prior export experience, of small size and with relatively few years in business, to overstress some of the export barriers addressed. However, the type of goods manufactured did not exhibit any differentiating impact. An attempted classification of the export barriers according to internal/external and domestic/foreign typologies revealed no significant differences in the inhibiting impact of the resulting groups.
Loss-of-Function Mutations of Retromer Large Subunit Genes Suppress the Phenotype of an Arabidopsis zig Mutant That Lacks Qb-SNARE VTI

Yasuko Hashiguchi,a Mitsuru Niihama,b Tetsuya Takahashi,a Chieko Saito,c Akihiko Nakano,c,d Masao Tasaka,a and Miyo Terao Moritaa,1 a Graduate School of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara 630-0101, Japan b Plant Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan cMolecular Membrane Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako 351-0198, Japan d Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
The TRaCaR Ratio: Selecting the Right Storage Technology for Active Dataset-Serving Databases

Main memory database systems aim to provide users with low latency and high throughput access to data. Most data resides in secondary storage, which is limited by the access speed of the technology. For hot content, data resides in DRAM, which has become increasingly expensive as datasets grow in size and access demand. With the emergence of low-latency storage solutions such as Flash and Intel's 3D XPoint (3DXP), there is an opportunity for these systems to give users high Quality-of-Service while reducing the cost for providers. To achieve high performance, providers must provision the server hosts for these datasets with the proper amount of DRAM and secondary storage, as well as selecting a storage technology. The growth of capacity and transaction load overtime makes it expensive to flip back-and-forth between different storage technologies and memory-storage combinations. Servers set up for one storage technology must now be reconfigured, repartitioned, and potentially replaced altogether. As more low-latency storage solutions become available, how does one decide on the right memory-storage combination, as well as selecting a storage technology, given a predicted trend in dataset growth and offered load? In this paper, we describe and make the case for using the TRaCaR ratio - the transaction rate divided by the storage capacity needed for a workload - for allowing providers to choose the most cost-effective memory-storage combination and storage technology given their predicted dataset trend and load requirement. We explore how the TRaCaR ratio can be used with 3DXP and Flash with a highly-zipfian b-tree database, and discuss potential research directions that can leverage the ratio.
Implementation of semi‐discrete, non‐staggered central schemes in a colocated, polyhedral, finite volume framework, for high‐speed viscous flows

We describe the implementation of a computational fluid dynamics solver for the simulation of high‐speed flows. It comprises a finite volume (FV) discretization using semi‐discrete, non‐staggered central schemes for colocated variables prescribed on a mesh of polyhedral cells that have an arbitrary number of faces. We describe the solver in detail, explaining the choice of variables whose face interpolation is limited, the choice of limiter, and a method for limiting the interpolation of a vector field that is independent of the coordinate system. The solution of momentum and energy transport in the Navier–Stokes equations uses an operator‐splitting approach: first, we solve an explicit predictor equation for the convection of conserved variables, then an implicit corrector equation for the diffusion of primitive variables. Our solver is validated against four sets of data: (1) an analytical solution of the one‐dimensional shock tube case; (2) a numerical solution of two dimensional, transient, supersonic flow over a forward‐facing step; (3) interferogram density measurements of a supersonic jet from a circular nozzle; and (4) pressure and heat transfer measurements in hypersonic flow over a 25∘–55∘ biconic. Our results indicate that the central‐upwind scheme of Kurganov, Noelle and Petrova (SIAM J. Sci. Comput. 2001; 23:707–740) is competitive with the best methods previously published (e.g. piecewise parabolic method, Roe solver with van Leer limiting) and that it is inherently simple and well suited to a colocated, polyhedral FV framework. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Tunable Differential All-Pass Filter for UWB True Time Delay and Phase Shift Applications

In this work, we present a differential all-pass filter realized in a SiGe HBT technology that can be used for ultra wide band phase and delay shift applications. As a delay shift element, the circuit exhibits a tunable group delay of 50 to 75 ps within a bandwidth of 10 GHz, which is the largest delay amount reported to date for a single active delay cell over such a large bandwidth. A second version of the filter, modified to be used as a phase shifter, shows a tunable phase shift of 170° at 5 GHz. The circuit is highly linear and has an input 1 dB compression point of -1 dBm, consuming 38.8 mW from a 2.5 V dc supply.
The Importance of Entertainment in the Shopping Center Experience: Evidence from Singapore

Executive Summary. The existence of entertaining shopping experiences has been previously investigated, nevertheless few studies have thoroughly examined the factors that induce these experiences. Using a sequential mixed method design, involving a qualitative and quantitative sequence, this study provides insights into the factors that influence entertaining shopping experiences. In addition to retailer and customer factors, transport mode / travel factors also play an important role in enhancing a shopper's experience. Retailer factors include shopping center features, atmosphere and value-added features. Customer factors are hedonic oriented and utilitarian oriented while transport mode / travel factors incorporate effort, protection, comfort, enjoyment and tension.
An Empirical Examination of Porter's (1980) Generic Strategies.

The existence of the three generic strategies--differentiation, overall low cost, focus--proposed by Porter (1980) is empirically examined through an exploratory field study consisting of 22 firms in a fragmented industry. Further support relating to the existence of these generic strategies is provided through the analysis of panel data.
A Metabolomic Approach Identifies Differences in Maternal Serum in Third Trimester Pregnancies That End in Poor Perinatal Outcome

Metabolomics offers a powerful holistic approach to examine the metabolite composition of biofluids to identify disruptions present in disease. We used ultra performance liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy on the maternal serum obtained in the third trimester to address the hypothesis that pregnancies ending in poor outcomes (small for gestational age infant, preterm birth, or neonatal intensive care admission, n = 40) would have a different maternal serum metabolic profiles to matched healthy pregnancies (n = 40). Ninety-eight identified metabolic features differed between normal and poor pregnancy outcomes. Classes of metabolites perturbed included free fatty acids, glycerolipids, progesterone metabolites, sterol lipids, vitamin D metabolites, and sphingolipids; these highlight potential molecular mechanisms associated with pregnancy complications in the third trimester linked by placental dysfunction. In this clinical setting, metabolomics has the potential to describe differences in fetoplacental and maternal metabolites in pregnancies with poor pregnancy outcomes compared with controls.
Brain Imaging Using Mobile CT: Current Status and Future Prospects

Computed tomography (CT) is an invaluable tool in the diagnosis of many clinical conditions. Several advancements in biomedical engineering have achieved increase in speed, improvements in low‐contrast detectability and image quality, and lower radiation. Portable or mobile CT constituted one such important advancement. It is especially useful in evaluating critically ill, intensive care unit patients by scanning them at bedside. A paradigm shift in utilization of mobile CT was its installation in ambulances for the management of acute stroke. Given the time sensitive nature of acute ischemic stroke, Mobile stroke units (MSU) were developed in Germany consisting of an ambulance equipped with a CT scanner, point of care laboratory system, along with teleradiological support. In a radical reconfiguration of stroke care, the MSU would bring the CT scanner to the stroke patient, without waiting for the patient at the emergency room. Two separate MSU projects in Saarland and Berlin demonstrated the safety and feasibility of this concept for prehospital stroke care, showing increased rate of intravenous thrombolysis and significant reduction in time to treatment compared to conventional care. MSU also improved the triage of patients to appropriate and specialized hospitals. Although multiple issues remain yet unanswered with the MSU concept including clinical outcome and cost‐effectiveness, the MSU venture is visionary and enables delivery of life‐saving and enhancing treatment for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. In this review, we discuss the development of mobile CT and its applications, with specific focus on its use in MSUs along with our institution's MSU experience.
Impact of Covenant Violations on Corporate R&D and Innovation

Corporate investment in R&D is a critical ingredient to innovation and economic growth. Using a regression discontinuity design, we show that corporate investment in R&D declines sharply following a financial covenant violation. The reduction in R&D is more severe in firms with low R&D efficiency i.e., when R&D is less productive in terms of ROA and innovative output. Hence, a reduction in R&D does not result in a drop in innovative output. These results highlight that lenders are judicious in exercising their control rights and suggest that bank financing can be a viable source of financing for innovative firms.
The impact of decision-making sharing between supplier and manufacturer on their collaboration performance

Purpose – IThe purpose of this paper is to focus on manufacturers and suppliers who engage in strategic relationships for quality improvement and new product development. Depending on the balance of bargaining power in the relationship, each partner's resource commitment to the activities such as quality improvement and new product development may vary. This has implications for both manufacturer and supplier profitability. Therefore the paper aims to investigate how variations in the structure of the decision‐making process (i.e. manufacturer dominated, supplier dominated, or balanced) affect the performance of each partner in strategic collaborative relationship.Design/methodology/approach – In order to answer the research question, the paper uses real data from a telecommunications company to develop a simulation model and conduct a what‐if analysis.Findings – The analysis shows that sharing the decision‐making process has indeed a significant impact on the collaboration performance: an optimal outcome.