Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electric Field Distributions of Wearable Devices Using the Human Body as a Transmission Channel

Recently, wearable devices which use the human body as a transmission channel have been developed. However, there has been a lack of information related to the transmission mechanism of such devices in the physical layer. Electromagnetic communication trials using the human body as a transmission medium have more than a decade's history. However, most of the researches have been conducted by researchers who just want to utilize the fact and practically no physical mechanisms have been researched until recently. Hence, in this paper, the authors propose some calculation models of the human body equipped with the wearable devices by using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. Moreover, a biological tissue-equivalent solid phantom is utilized to show the validity of the calculation. From these investigations, the authors determine the transmission mechanism of the wearable devices using the human body as a transmission channel.
Protein requirements for growth in male and female Saanen goats

The objective of this study was to determine the protein requirements for the growth of intact male, female, and castrated male Saanen goats weighing 30 to 45 kg of body weight (BW) and to compare estimates of the protein requirements for maintenance (NPm) by the comparative slaughter and nitrogen balance techniques. To determine the maintenance requirements, 55 goats were assigned in a split-plot design using a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement (three sexes and three dry matter intake (DMI) levels). A linear regression of retained N (as measured by the slaughter technique and estimated from the nitrogen balance) on N intake on a daily basis was used to calculate the net protein for maintenance. The net protein requirement for weight gain (NPg) was obtained using 65 goats fed ad libitum in a completely randomized design. The first derivative of the allometric equation of protein content in the empty BW with respect to the empty BW yielded estimates of the NPg. According to the comparative slaughter technique, the estimated NPm was 1.46 g/kg of metabolic weight, which is 50% lower than the estimate from the nitrogen balance technique. When evaluating the variance of the error, the nitrogen balance also showed greater values, indicating less precision compared with that of the comparative slaughter technique. The daily NPg ranged from 155.7±10.9 to 153.4±13.5 g/kg of EBW gain for growing Saanen goats. The protein requirements (NPm and NPg) of intact male, female, and castrated male Saanen goats are similar, from 30 to 45 kg BW, in accordance with current feeding systems. Moreover, the results of the present study indicate that the estimate of NPm using the comparative slaughter technique is more precise and lower than that using the N balance technique.
Synchronisation Games on Hypergraphs

We study a strategic game model on hypergraphs where players, modelled by nodes, try to coordinate or anti-coordinate their choices within certain groups of players, modelled by hyperedges. We show this model to be a strict generalisation of symmetric additively separable hedonic games to the hypergraph setting and that such games always have a pure Nash equilibrium, which can be computed in pseudo-polynomial time. Moreover, in the pure coordination setting, we show that a strong equilibrium exists and can be computed in polynomial time when the game possesses a certain acyclic structure.
Entrepreneurial Skills in Leadership and Human Resource Management Evaluated by Apprentices in Small Tourism Businesses

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to evaluatethe leadership skills and entrepreneur's or owner/manager's ability to motivateapprentices and other young employees. Specifically, the article investigatesyoung employees' perceptions about leadership and motivational behaviour insmall- and medium-sized hotels. Design/methodology/approach – The first part of the paper provides aliterature review of entrepreneurial skills in general and human resourcemanagement in particular. The second part presents a survey that was carriedout in 2003 in the Alpine region of South Tyrol to assess apprentices'evaluation of entrepreneurial leadership behaviour in small- and medium-sizedhotels. Findings – The findings show that entrepreneurs in small- and medium-sizedhotels cannot meet young employees' job expectations – difficulties incommunication and planning as well as low motivation and insufficient careeroptions are mentioned as core problems in tourism enterprises. Research limitations/implications – It is argued that some stakeholdergroups within an enterprise, such as young trainees or apprentices, might havedeeper insights into entrepreneurial processes and leadership skills. However,more research is needed to support these findings as the study is limited byits sample size and focus on the Alpine region of South-Tyrol, Italy. Practical implications – The results suggest that entrepreneurs shouldestablish better motivational structures within their enterprises. Inparticular, they must consider that the development of career paths is a veryimportant instrument in motivating young apprentices to work in the tourismindustry. Originality/value – This paper investigates the main characteristics ofsmall business entrepreneurs in tourism and reports associated skills in themanagement of human resources. This paper also presents a survey that wascarried out in 2003 to assess the evaluation of trainees of leadershipbehaviour in small- and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs). (Publication abstract)
Circularly-polarized antenna array for beam steering

In this paper the design and optimization of a rectangular truncated corner microstrip antenna array for beam steering is presented. The designed six-element array exhibits optimized return loss (better than 18 dB) and broadside axial ratio (below 3 dB) over the operation bandwidth. Besides, using a beamforming algorithm, an analysis of the beam steering capabilities of the array is carried out. Finally, a prototype is constructed, and experimental results are given to validate the presented theoretical results.
The value of public private partnerships in infrastructure

This paper makes three claims. First, in contrast to Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in many other industries, infrastructure contracts can be conditioned on the delivery of roads and railways of appropriate user quality. This eliminates one of the concerns in the literature of the welfare properties of PPPs. Second, the bundling of investment and maintenance into one single rather than several separate contracts may provide a way to bypass rigidities and contract incompleteness in PPP contracts. Third, having a private concessionaire organising the funding of a PPP project’s investment costs may increase financing costs. This is, however, balanced by the fact that it also enhances the agent’s commitment in long-term incomplete contracts. Taken together, these conclusions point to the possibility of using PPP as an instrument for improving the construction industry’s dismal productivity performance.
History of antibiotic adaptation influences microbial evolutionary dynamics during subsequent treatment

Antibiotic regimens often include the sequential changing of drugs to limit development and evolution of resistance of bacterial pathogens. It remains unclear how history of adaptation to one antibiotic can influence the resistance profiles when bacteria subsequently adapt to a different antibiotic. Here, we experimentally evolved Pseudomonas aeruginosa to six two-drug sequences. We observed drug order-specific effects whereby: adaptation to the first drug can limit subsequent adaptation to the second drug, adaptation to the second drug can restore susceptibility to the first drug, or final resistance levels depend on the order of the two-drug sequence. These findings demonstrate how resistance not only depends on the current drug regimen but also history of past regimens. These order-specific effects have profound clinical implications and provide support for the need to consider history of past drug exposure when designing strategies to mitigate resistance and combat bacterial infections.
Fatal refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura complicating systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a diverse clinical spectrum, ranging from mild skin and musculoskeletal involvement to life-threatening complications. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare comorbidity, affecting, mainly, active lupus patients. Even if, TTP recognition is based on clinical and simple laboratory grounds (thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia), recent studies have demonstrated that low levels of ADAMTS-13 (a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 13) may further support diagnosis in complicated cases. ADAMTS-13 is a metalloprotease, which normally cleaves the large thrombogenic multimers of von Willebrand factor that are released from the Weibel-Palade bodies, under endothelial stress. These multimers serve as functional bridges between the endothelium and platelets, which allow intense platelet aggregation and subsequent thrombosis. ADAMTS-13 insufficiency is multifactorial, whereas the most common acquired cause is the immune-mediated inhibition of its normal function. Among autoimmune diseases, SLE is the most frequent cause of secondary TTP, as the lupus-related inflammatory, prothrombotic microenvironment may promote the disequilibrium between ADAMTS-13 and von Willebrand factor, leading to thrombotic microangiopathy and increased mortality. Furthermore, literature regarding the optimal therapeutic approach in these patients is inconclusive. Herein, a fatal case of SLErelated TTP, refractory to conventional therapeutic modalities, is presented.
Automotive telematics market segmentation based on quality expectations

This paper explores the possibility of segmentation of consumers based on their quality expectations toward the automotive telematics service. Hypotheses on utilizing consumers’ expectations toward the automotive telematics service for the market segmentation and linking the segments with optimal product designs are formulated. Samples are segmented based on their perceived service quality to the service attributes from various configurations of automotive telematics service. Then, a regression analysis on the segmented groups of users is performed to check whether they have qualitatively differing evaluation on the service quality. The result indicates that the proposed segmentation is operational and differing product attributes configuration is desirable according to the characteristics of the consumer segment. Hence, according to the characteristics of each consumer segment formed based on their expectation toward the telematics service, a product differentiation strategy of the automotive telematics system can be designed and be proposed to the product line designer.
Matrix association of latent TGF‐beta binding protein‐2 (LTBP‐2) is dependent on fibrillin‐1

The components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and their differential expression patterns play important roles in tissue formation. The deposition of latent TGF‐β binding proteins (LTBPs) to the ECM exhibit distinct distribution profiles. We have analyzed here the temporal and spatial ECM association of latent TGF‐β binding protein LTBP‐2 in cultured human embryonic lung fibroblasts. We found that LTBP‐2 was not assembled to the ECM until by confluency of cultures following the deposition of fibronectin (FN) and fibrillin‐1. In 5‐day‐old cultures LTBP‐2 was rapidly secreted from cells and it subsequently associated with the ECM as shown by metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation. LTBP‐2 colocalized transiently with fibronectin and failed to assemble to the ECM of FN deficient mouse fibroblasts. Analysis of different cultured human cell lines revealed partial colocalization of LTBP‐2 and fibrillin‐1 in the ECM of fibroblasts, MG‐63 osteosarcoma cells and human vascular endothelial cells. Silencing of fibrillin‐1 expression by lentiviral shRNAs profoundly disrupted the deposition of LTBP‐2. Current results suggest that LTBP‐2 is not an element of the provisional ECM of fibroblasts but is more likely a component of more mature ECM and indicate that matrix association of LTBP‐2 depends on a pre‐formed fibrillin‐1 network. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 586–593, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parenting and cognitive and psychomotor delay due to small‐for‐gestational‐age birth

BACKGROUND To examine whether different dimensions of parenting at different ages help small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children 'catch-up' the normal children in cognition and psychomotor. METHODS We analyzed data of 800 children born SGA and 3,000 children born appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth cohort. The Two Bag Task was used to measure 2-year or 4-year parenting dimensions. Children's reading, math, gross motor, and fine motor scores were assessed at 5 years. Multivariable linear regression models were fitted to test the interactions between SGA and 2-year or 4-year parenting dimensions on 5-year cognitive and psychomotor outcomes (dependent variables). RESULTS There were significant interactions between SGA and early parenting on 5-year reading, math, and fine motor scores. The gap between SGA and AGA children in 5-year fine motor score was attenuated to null [-0.25 (95% confidence interval, -0.41, -0.09) vs. 0.03 (-0.13, 0.20)] when 2-year parental sensitivity score increased from 1 standard deviation (SD) below mean (Mean - SD) to 1 SD above mean (Mean + SD). The gap between SGA and AGA children in 5-year fine motor [-0.28 (-0.44, -0.13) vs. 0.06 (-0.09, 0.22)] and math [-1.32 (-2.27, -0.37) vs. 0.20 (-0.77, 1.17)] scores was also attenuated to null when 4-year parental emotional support score increased from Mean - SD to Mean + SD. In contrast, the gap between SGA and AGA children in 5-year reading score increased from 0.49 (-0.90, 1.88) to -1.31 (-2.55, -0.07) when 4-year parental intrusiveness score increased from Mean - SD to Mean + SD. Similarly, the gap between SGA and AGA children in fine motor score increased with 4-year parental negative regard from 0.02 (-0.14, 0.18) to -0.23 (-0.38, -0.08). CONCLUSIONS Early high-quality parenting may buffer some adversity in long-term reading, math, and fine motor skills related to SGA birth, whereas low-quality parenting can amplify the adversity.
A Daytime Nap Facilitates Generalization of Word Meanings in Young Toddlers.

STUDY OBJECTIVES One of the key processes in language development is generalization--the selection and extension of relevant features and information to similar objects and concepts. Little is known about how sleep influences generalization, and studies on the topic are inconclusive. Our aim was to investigate how a nap affects generalization in 16-mo-olds. We hypothesized that a nap is necessary for successful generalization of word meanings. METHODS Twenty-eight 16-mo-old, typically developing toddlers were randomly assigned to nap and wake groups. We trained toddlers with two novel object-word pairs and tested their initial ability to generalize. Toddlers took part in an intermodal preferential looking task, in which they were shown different colored versions of the original objects and heard one of the trained labels. If toddlers understand the label, they are expected to increase their looking time to the target. Looking behavior was measured with an automated eye tracker. Afterward, the nap group went to sleep, while the wake group stayed awake for approximately 2 h. We then repeated the test of their performance on the generalization task. RESULTS A significant interaction of group and session was found in preferential looking. The performance of the nap group increased after the nap, whereas that of the wake group did not change. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that napping improves generalization in toddlers.
Timing of Acute Clinical Response to Fluphenazine

The time course of clinical improvement was studied in 41 schizophrenic and schizoaffective acute in-patients treated for 28 days with 10, 20 or 30 mg/day of oral fluphenazine hydrochloride in a double-blind, randomised study. Significant improvement was seen in the four BPRS factors: thinking disturbance, hostile-suspiciousness, withdrawal–retardation and anxious depression. The first two of these factors were improved by day 5. Significant improvement was seen up to day 22 for three of the four factors, but without significant improvement during the last week (although scores continued to drop). The half of the sample showing greater overall improvement did not improve faster than the sample as a whole. These more improved subjects did not differ significantly from the less improved subjects in the thinking disturbance factor until day 15, suggesting that at least a two-week neuroleptic trial would be necessary to begin to differentiate more and less responsive patients. The longer-term course of improvement cannot be determined from these data. The withdrawal–retardation and anxious depression factors showed their greatest improvement later than the ‘positive’ symptom factors, suggesting that the former may improve as a result of change in the latter.
Does the Mode of Data Collection Change Results in a Subjective Knee Score?

Our objective was to compare the effect of two meth ods of data collection on results in a functional knee score. Two Lysholm scores were obtained for 61 pa tients 1 year after anterior cruciate ligament surgery at the same clinic visit. First, the patients completed a self-administered questionnaire, and second, the Ly sholm score form was completed by the investigator in the course of a patient interview. A comparison of the scores revealed that the mean score was significantly lower with self-administration (self, 89.3 ± 10.6; inter viewer, 92.2 ± 7.4) (P = 0.0035, Wilcoxon rank sum test). The assignment to one of four categories (excel lent, good, fair, poor) was also significantly altered by the manner of data collection. Nineteen patients (31 %) were assigned to different categories based on the mode of data collection. We believe that the major reason for a better score result with an interview was the presence of interview bias. The more the investi gator is involved in the treatment of the patient, the greater the influence of this bias may be. To avoid such potential bias we suggest that a standardized self- administered questionnaire be used as the method of choice for obtaining subjective data in clinical settings.
Optimal Pricing of New Subscriber Services under Interdependent Adoption Processes

This article develops and optimizes dynamic diffusion systems for new subscriber consumer services. Each proposed system is composed of two differential equations, one for the retailer adoption process and another for the consumer adoption process that incorporates price. Several of such systems are optimized using optimal control methods. Presence of interaction is found to significantly influence the qualitative characterization of pricing policies of new subscriber services. Furthermore, even when interaction is not present, the derived characterization of optimal pricing policies proved to be very different from those reported in the literature for new consumer durables.
The role of the brand in driving online loyalty for multichannel retailers

Multichannel retailers offer shoppers the possibility to cross channels to complete their shopping process. Multichannel retailers, unlike pure online sellers, offer shoppers multiple contact points to experience the brand. Also, multichannel retailers can leverage the trust and attachment to their brands that has been built with their offline presence to drive customers to buy online. Our paper explores the role of the customer relationship with the brand, with variables such as brand trust, brand attachment and length of brand relationship, as drivers of loyal behaviours towards the online channel. We compare the impact of these variables with those of the technology acceptance model. Multiple linear regression analysis is applied to data collected through a survey answered by 1533 multichannel retail shoppers in two product categories (apparel and consumer electronics) in two countries (UK and Spain). Our findings show that both brand trust and brand attachment have a positive impact on loyal behaviours towards the online channel, and that different loyalty behaviours, i.e. purchase intentions, word of mouth and electronic word of mouth are explained by different variables.
Atrophy rates accelerate in amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Background: We tested if rates of brain atrophy accelerate in individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) as they progress to typical late onset Alzheimer disease (AD). We included comparisons to subjects with aMCI who did not progress (labeled aMCI-S) and also to cognitively normal elderly subjects (CN). Methods: We studied 46 subjects with aMCI who progressed to AD (labeled aMCI-P), 46 CN, and 23 aMCI-S. All subjects must have had three or more serial MRI scans. Rates of brain shrinkage and ventricular expansion were measured across all available serial MRI scans in each subject. Change in volumes relative to the point at which subjects progressed to a clinical diagnosis of AD (the index date) was modeled in aMCI-P. Change in volumes relative to age was modeled in all three clinical groups. Results: In aMCI-P the change in pre to post index rate (i.e., acceleration) of ventricular expansion was 1.7 cm3/year, and acceleration in brain shrinkage was 5.3 cm3/year. Brain volume declined and ventricular volume increased in all three groups with age. Volume changes decelerated with increasing age in aMCI-P, and to a lesser extent in aMCI-S, but were linear in the matched CN. Among all subjects with aMCI, rates of atrophy were greater in apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers than noncarriers. Conclusions: Rates of atrophy accelerate as individuals progress from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to typical late onset Alzheimer disease (AD). Rates of atrophy are greater in younger than older subjects with aMCI who progressed to AD and subjects with aMCI who did not progress. We did not find that atrophy rates varied with age in 70- to 90-year-old cognitively normal subjects.
Real-time PCR applied to study on plant pathogens: potential applications in diagnosis - a review.

Mirmajlessi S.M. , Loit E. , Mand M. , Mansouripour S.M. (2015): Real-time PCR applied to study on plant pathogens: potential applications in diagnosis – a review. Plant Protect Sci., 51: 177–190. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) technique incorporates traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) efficiency with the production of a specific fluorescent signal, measuring the kinetics of the reaction in the early PCR phases and providing quantification of specific targets in various environmental samples. There are an increasing number of chemistries to detect PCR products, which are widely used in plant pathology as they cluster into the amplicon sequence non-specific and sequence-specific techniques. In this review, we illustrate a general description of major chemistries and discuss some considerations for assay development as it applies for a wide range of applications in epidemiological studies. The technique has become the gold standard for early detection of pathogens and a funda mental tool in the research laboratory.