Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo microscopy of a rat abdominal skin flap: A new model

This study describes a rat abdominal skin flap model of in vivo microscopy which provides a reliable, easy to perform system in which to examine the microcirculation of flaps. The island flap, which is based on the superficial inferior epigastric vessels caudally, and drained proximally by the lateral thoracic vein, can be mounted directly on a Perspex microscope stage. In vivo microscopy of the subdermal plexus of the flap allows detailed study of blood flow pattern, capillary flow, microvessel diameter, and margination of leucocytes, in a skin flap with versatile blood supply and innervation. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Will consumers pay a premium for ethical information

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that may influence a consumer to pay a premium for a product or service communicating ethical information.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was administered to 77 subjects and a conceptual model of five specific inter‐related constructs was tested using LISREL.Findings – There is a sequence of events that leads consumers to be willing to pay a premium for a product communicating ethical information. This sequence starts with the need for information which, in turn, leads to socially responsible behavior and social sacrifice and, finally, to the intention to pay a premium. Importantly, this sequence is positively moderated by monetary resources available to spend in the category.Research limitations/implications – To increase generalizability, this study should be replicated among other sample compositions and for additional products and/or services.Practical implications – The research details the multi‐step consumer decision‐making proce.
Iterative Detection and Decoding Algorithms for MIMO Systems in Block-Fading Channels Using LDPC Codes

We propose iterative detection and decoding (IDD) algorithms with low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems operating in block-fading and fast Rayleigh fading channels. Soft-input-soft-output minimum-mean-square-error (MMSE) receivers with successive interference cancellation are considered. In particular, we devise a novel strategy to improve the bit error rate (BER) performance of IDD schemes, which takes into account the soft a posteriori output of the decoder in a block-fading channel when root-check LDPC codes are used. A MIMO IDD receiver with soft information processing that exploits the code structure and the behavior of the log-likelihood ratios is also developed. Moreover, we present a scheduling algorithm for decoding LDPC codes in block-fading channels. Simulations show that the proposed techniques result in significant gains in terms of BER for both block-fading and fast-fading channels.
Multisensors realtime data fusion optimization for IOT systems

This study proposed an IoT (Internet of Things) system for the monitoring and control of the aquaculture platform. The proposed system is network surveillance combined with mobile devices and a remote platform to collect real-time farm environmental information. The real-time data is captured and displayed via ZigBee wireless transmission signal transmitter to remote computer terminals. This study permits real-time observation and control of aquaculture platform with dissolved oxygen sensors, temperature sensing elements using A/D and microcontrollers signal conversion. The proposed system will use municipal electricity coupled with a battery power source to provide power with battery intervention if municipal power is interrupted. This study is to make the best fusion value of multi-odometer measurement data for optimization via the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). Finally, this paper have good efficient and precise computing in the experimental results.
Salvage radiation in men after prostate‐specific antigen failure and the risk of death

A survival benefit has been observed with salvage radiation therapy (RT) for prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) failure after radical prostatectomy (RP) in men with rapid rises in PSA doubling time (DT, <6 months). Whether such a benefit exits in men with a protracted PSA rise in DT (≥6 months) is unclear and was examined in the current study.
COMPARING THE INFORMATION CONTENT OF IRANIAN VS. IAS BASED OPERATING CASH FLOWS

This study investigates and compares the value relevance of operating cash flows provided based on Iranian accounting standard#2 and international accounting standard, in Tehran Stock Exchange from 2002 to 2007. To compare the incremental and relative value relevance, the Wald test and Vuong (1989) test are used, respectively. We analyzed the results using panel data (six years) approach. The results of this research indicate that operating cash flows based on international accounting standard have significant incremental value relevance to operating cash flows based on Iranian accounting standard#2. However, the results of Vuong test show that there are no significant differences between the value relevance of operating cash flows based on international accounting standard and the value relevance of operating cash flows based on Iranian accounting standard. Key words: IAS-GAAP; IR-GAAP, Value Relevance, Operating Cash Flows. Over the last decade numerous accounting papers investigate the empirical relation between stock market values (or changes in values) and particular accounting numbers for the purpose of assessing or providing a basis of assessing those numbers’ use or proposed use in an accounting standard (Holthausen and Watts, 2001).
The Estimated Amount, Value, and Calories of Postharvest Food Losses at the Retail and Consumer Levels in the United States

This report provides the latest estimates by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) on the amount and value of food loss in the United States. These estimates are for more than 200 individual foods using ERS’s Loss-Adjusted Food Availability data. In 2010, an estimated 31 percent or 133 billion pounds of the 430 billion pounds of food produced was not available for human consumption at the retail and consumer levels. This amount of loss totaled an estimated $161.6 billion, as purchased at retail prices. For the first time, ERS estimates of the calories associated with food loss are presented in this report. An estimated 141 trillion calories per year, or 1,249 calories per capita per day, in the food supply in 2010 went uneaten. The top three food groups in terms of share of total value of food loss are meat, poultry, and fish (30 percent); vegetables (19 percent); and dairy products (17 percent). The report also provides a brief discussion of the economic issues behind postharvest food loss.
Design and implementation of a SHA-3 candidate Skein-512 hash/MAC hardware architecture

Many cryptographic primitives that are used in crucial cryptographic schemes and commercial security protocols utilize hash functions. Recently, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) launched an international competition for establishing the new hash standard, SHA-3. One of the semifinalists is the Skein algorithm. In this paper, an 8-round unrolled architecture of the complete Skein algorithm is presented, implemented in Xilinx Spartan-3 and Virtex-5 FPGAs. The design is able to perform both as simple Hash and MAC module. The performance metrics, such as Frequency and Area, that are gathered, show that the proposed implementation is more efficient in terms of Throughput/Area, compared to other similar ones, proposed by academia.
PAPR Reduction of Multicarrier Faster-Than-Nyquist Signals With Partial Transmit Sequence

Multicarrier faster-than-Nyquist (MFTN) signaling is a spectral efficient transmission scheme for future communication systems. Similar as general multicarrier signals, the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) is also one of the main drawbacks of MFTN signals. Unfortunately, the PAPR problem in MFTN signaling system has rarely been considered in the literatures. In this paper, we investigate the PAPR reduction for MFTN signals. First, we derive an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT)-based implementation of the MFTN transmitter. Based on which, a novel partial transmit sequence (PTS) scheme is proposed for the PAPR reduction of MFTN signals. The proposed PTS scheme relies on a two-stage optimization of the phase weighting factors for the parallel IFFT blocks as well as the phase weighting factors for the information symbols before the summation operation. It is shown that the proposed scheme substantially outperforms the direct employment of conventional Nyquist multicarrier transmission systems-based PTS scheme and also robust to the overlap-add operation introduced by pulse shaping.
Public-Sector Capital and the Productivity Puzzle

A number of studies have suggested a quantitatively important relationship between public-sector capital accumulation and private sector productivity, with the most compelling evidence derived from analyses of state-level data. Estimates herein of production functions that use standard techniques to control for unobserved, state-specific characteristics, however, reveal essentially no role for public-sector capital in affecting private sector productivity. Only estimates of state production functions that do not include such controls find substantial productivity impacts. This result reconciles existing econometric estimates with the findings of Hulten and Schwab based on growth accounting techniques, as such techniques effectively control for state-specific effects. Region-level estimates are essentially identical to those from state data, suggesting no quantitatively important spillover effects across states.
Involvement of insulin resistance in the protective effect of metformin against alcoholic liver injury.

BACKGROUND Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) continues to be a major cause of morbidity worldwide. The exact mechanisms for ALD pathogenesis are not fully understood. There is currently no known available drug for ALD. Previous studies have suggested that ethanol (EtOH)-induced hepatic insulin resistance, through the inhibition of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the expression of adiponectin as well as downstream enzymes, contribute to the development of ALD. This study was to determine the effects of EtOH on AMPK activity as well as the protective effect of metformin. METHODS Forty male Wistar rats weighing 200 ± 20 g were randomized into 4 groups (n = 10) as follows: A = control group-rats received rodent chow; B = control + metformin group-rats received metformin (200 mg/kg/d intragastrically [IG]) at 21:00; C = EtOH group-rats were gavaged with alcohol of gradually increasing concentrations (30 to 60%, 5 to 9 g/kg/d) twice a day (9:00 and 16:00); D = EtOH + metformin group-rats received the same amount of EtOH as the rats in group C, and in addition received metformin (200 mg/kg/d IG) at 21:00. After 16 weeks, blood and liver samples were collected for further study. RESULTS Chronic EtOH consumption led to liver injury both histologically and biochemically accompanied by insulin resistance, reduced AMPK activity, and dysregulation of downstream enzymes. Decreased levels of circulating adiponectin and decreased expression of proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-α (PPAR-α) in the hepatic tissue were observed. Treatment with metformin attenuated the severity of liver injury, restored AMPK activity and normalized the expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase. In addition, metformin also increased the circulating adiponectin and liver adiponectin receptor 2 expression. Furthermore, PGC-1α and PPAR-α activities were also restored. CONCLUSIONS EtOH exposure induces hepatic insulin resistance. Metformin improved insulin resistance and reversed liver injury through the activation of AMPK and normalized adiponectin signaling making metformin a promising drug for the treatment of ALD.
Endogenous calcium buffering in motoneurones of the nucleus hypoglossus from mouse

1 Simultaneous patch clamp and rapid microfluorometric calcium measurements were performed on sixty‐five motoneurones in slices of the nucleus hypoglossus in the brainstem of 2‐ to 6‐day‐old mice. 2 Hypoglossal motoneurones were particularly vulnerable to mechanical or metabolic stress during isolation of in vitro slice preparations. Therefore, experimental conditions were optimized for functional integrity, as judged by spontaneous rhythmic activity of hypoglossal nerves (XII). 3 Calcium concentrations in the cell soma were monitored with a temporal resolution in the millisecond time domain during depolarizing voltage steps. Ratiometric fluorescence measurements were made using a rapid monochromator (switching τ < 10 ms), a photomultiplier tube and the calcium sensitive dyes fura‐2 and mag‐fura‐5. 4 Dynamics of somatic calcium transients were investigated as a function of the concentration of calcium indicator dye in the cell. Decays of calcium transients were approximated to a single exponential component and decay time constants showed a linear dependence on dye concentration. The extrapolated decay time in the absence of indicator dye was 0·7 ± 0·2 s, suggesting rapid somatic calcium dynamics under physiological conditions. 5 By a process of back‐extrapolation, the ‘added buffer’ method, a calcium binding ratio of 41 ± 12 (9 cells) was obtained indicating that 98 % of the calcium ions entering a hypoglossal motoneurone were bound by endogenous buffers. 6 Endogenous calcium binding ratios in hypoglossal motoneurones were small compared with those of other neurones with comparable size or geometry. Accordingly, our measurements suggest that the selective vulnerability of hypoglossal motoneurones to calcium‐related excitotoxicity might partially result from low concentrations of calcium buffers in these cells.
Impact of Globalization on the Traditional African Cultures / Kabiru Ibrahim Yankuzo.

There has been increasing concern over the years by the scholars and writers on how the world is being compressed into a single space now referred to as 'a global village'. Countries at various stages of development are increasingly forced to take account of an ever expanding interconnection of socio-cultural issues and economies in the management of their national affairs. The states are increasingly losing their capacity to govern and to regulate in an increasingly borderless world; with an increasing homogenization and domination of traditional African cultures. African societies are forced into accepting uniform moral principle of what is right and wrong within the global cultures. Scholars and writers often focus attention on economic aspect of globalization, while neglecting other aspects, more importantly its cultural aspect. This paper seeks to examine what exactly is globalization, and how can we best conceptualize this phenomenon? Lastly what are its impacts on the development of African cultural norms and values? These amongst others are the questions, which this paper seeks to examine using cultural convergence perspective as a guide. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013. v3n9p43
Identification of Segments of Soccer Clubs in the Spanish League First Division With a Latent Class Model

This article identifies different groups in a cost function framework of soccer clubs in the Spanish Football League First Division. In particular, we have clustered the sample— comprising data for seasons 1994/1995 to 2004/2005—into three groups. To do so, we have implemented a stochastic frontier latent class model, a procedure that also permits us to analyze the efficiency of the clubs with respect to their own frontiers. The results reveal that some of the clubs could improve their efficiency levels substantially.
High power LLC battery charger: Wide regulation using phase-shift for recovery mode

In order to recover and fully charge Electric Vehicles, battery chargers should work under different loading conditions and output voltage regulations. In this paper, a new hybrid control strategy that includes Variable Frequency and Phase Shifting is introduced and employed in an LLC resonant converter. The LLC resonant converter is implemented with a full-bridge topology to handle high power and deliver wide output voltage regulation without using burst mode, effectively increasing the battery life cycle and reducing Electro Magnetic Interference. In order to investigate the soft switching condition of the full bridge resonant converter, which is vital for a high efficiency and low-noise charger, a new set of analytical equations is obtained for the LLC resonant converter with consideration of separated primary and secondary leakage inductances. Based on the proposed control strategy and analytical equations, a 120VDC, 1kW battery charger with a peak efficiency of 96% has been designed and implemented. The experimental results exhibit the excellent performance of the converter compared to that of the frequency control LLC resonant converter.
The effect of employment and training programs on entry and exit from the welfare caseload

To policymakers, the major attraction of employment and training programs for welfare recipients is that they hold out the prospect that recipients can be moved off the rolls and to self-sufficiency in the private labor market, thereby decreasing welfare costs and caseloads. This article considers the possibility that such programs may also affect the attractiveness of welfare in the first place, either by making welfare less desirable because the work-training program is viewed by recipients as a burden, or by making it more desirable because the program is viewed favorably by potential applicants. Such responses are termed here “entry rate effects. ” Some empirical estimates are presented which suggest that the magnitude of such entry rate effects on the caseload, where positive or negative, may be quite large.
The Dynamics of the Strategic Network Relations between Corporate R&D and Business. A Longitudinal Analysis in a Large, Technology Based Multinational Company

The present paper addresses the important issue of the management of the strategic network relations between corporate R&D and business in large divisionalized companies. In a large technology-based multinational company (± 30,000 employees) an instrument that provides regular feedback to both corporate R&D and business about strategic alignment, based on factors derived from the competence perspective and the network theory, has been tested in a longitudinal survey from 1997 through 2002 (696 respondents). It is concluded that a combination of both theoretical perspectives adds to a more in-depth understanding of the mechanisms at work in the complex R&D-to-business relations. The improved network communication based on structured feedback related to the level of R&D competencies as well as the level of R&D flexibility and information lead to better strategic alignment. It was further concluded that a governance structure that effectively balances the short-term orientation (via business unit funding) an.
Predicciones de modelos econométricos y redes neuronales: el caso de la acción de SURAMINV

El objetivo del presente estudio radica en construir algunos modelos estadisticos, econometricos y de inteligencia artificial que permitan realizar predicciones sobre el comportamiento de mercado de la accion de SURAMINV (Suramericana de Inversiones S. A.). Se obtuvo evidencia a favor de la utilizacion de modelos econometricos y de inteligencia artificial construidos a partir de componentes principales, los cuales permiten lograr predicciones sobre el comportamiento diario de la accion de SURAMINV, contrastando la hipotesis de la teoria de eficiencia debil de mercado. El trabajo va mas alla que otros desarrollados sobre el tema, en el sentido de que mas que lograr un buen pronostico in sample busca obtener resultados out of sample, controlando de esta manera la existencia de data snooping y, por tanto, suministrando informacion que puede ser aprovechada en estrategias de negociacion.
Sudden gains in cognitive-behavior therapy for treatment-resistant depression: Processes of change.

OBJECTIVE Sudden gains were investigated in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Client and therapist processes in sessions proximal to sudden gains were examined to better understand the antecedents of sudden gains and potential mechanisms linking them to outcome. METHOD Participants were 156 adults with TRD in a randomized controlled trial of CBT as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy (Wiles et al., 2013). Depression symptoms were assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II at each session. In a subsample of 50 clients, audio-recordings of 125 therapy sessions were rated for hope, emotional processing, and therapist competence in case-conceptualization. RESULTS Sudden gains were experienced by 54% of participants. Those with gains reported significantly lower depression severity at 12-month follow-up and more remission of symptoms than those without gains. Sudden gains also predicted lower depression at follow-up, beyond the slope of linear change in symptoms across treatment. Therapists demonstrated greater competence in case conceptualization with clients who reported sudden gains, and those with gains expressed more hope in sessions prior to a gain. In addition, more hope and emotional processing in the pregain sessions predicted less depression at follow-up, controlling for depression scores in the prior session. Better therapist conceptualization skills and more client hope in the baseline and pregain sessions were also associated with more emotional processing in those same sessions. CONCLUSION This study extends the phenomenon of sudden gains in CBT for depression to a treatment-resistant population and identified important therapy processes that predicted long-term outcomes: hope and emotional processing. (PsycINFO Database Record
THE VALUE ADDED BY BANK ACQUISITIONS: LESSONS FROM WELLS FARGO'S ACQUISITION OF FIRST INTERSTATE

Wells Fargo's recent acquisition of First Interstate Bancorp represents one of the relatively uncommon cases in which the economic values of both the acquiring and acquired banks increased sharply upon announcement of the deal. The transaction is also one of the few cases where the bidder in a major bank acquisition chose purchase instead of pooling accounting-despite the fact that the deal was openly hostile and that Wells Fargo had to fight off a competing bid from First Bank Systems. 1996 Morgan Stanley.
Fact Sheet Gender and Food Insecurity: The Burden on Poor Women

This fact sheet intends to be a comprehensive resource for information on women and food insecurity. It presents a review of the key concepts, current data and policies of food insecurity, as well as addresses in detail the specific gendered outcomes of food insecurity and the burden of food insecurity that falls on poor women. In addition, a bibliography of current research and resources is provided.
Beyond MIVCA: How Social Studies Student Teachers Negotiate the National Council for the Social Studies' (NCSS) Curriculum Guidelines for Powerful Teaching and Learning

This paper presents case studies of three student teachers negotiating the demands of the National Council of the Social Studies' (NCSS) five characteristics of powerful teaching and learning (meaningful, integrative, value-based, challenging, and active instruction) while engaged in the context-specific tasks of student teaching. For these three student teachers, the context of both their teaching and beliefs about teaching combined to help them focus on two of the five characteristics more deeply than the others. These case studies suggest that social studies pre-service teachers can constructively use their student teaching semester to focus on developing strengths in those characteristics most appropriate to their beliefs about teaching and their teaching contexts, and that social studies methods courses can aid in this process by helping student teachers to reflect on these factors prior to their student teaching semester.