Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The GLP-1 agonist, liraglutide, as a pharmacotherapy for obesity

There is a global obesity epidemic that will continue to be a financial burden on healthcare systems around the world. Tackling obesity through diet and exercise should always be the first intervention, but this has not proved to be effective for a large number of patients. Pharmacotherapeutic options have been limited and many previously available drugs have been withdrawn due to safety concerns. Currently, only bariatric surgery has the capability to induce both substantial and durable weight loss. This article briefly reviews the history of pharmacotherapy for obesity before focusing on the clinical trial evidence for the use of the GLP-1 agonist liraglutide as a weight loss agent and comparing its efficacy with other emerging drug therapies for obesity.
Determining the Value of Governmental Subsidies for the Installation of Clean Energy Systems Using Real Options

Limiting greenhouse gas emissions has continually gained importance since the Kyoto protocol became effective in 2005. A variety of efforts have been made to reduce energy consumption and introduce supposedly clean and renewable energy that can replace fossil fuelbased energy sources. However, many clean energy sources are not economically viable by themselves, and, therefore, government subsidies are necessary to provide sufficient economic motivation for the installation of new types of energy. For that reason, it is necessary to develop a method for reasonably and accurately determining an appropriate level of government subsidy for private entities. In this paper we propose a real option-based framework for rationally quantifying the amount of government subsidy required by private entities in order to implement a clean energy generation system. A case study that involved the installation of a photovoltaic system in an average household in Seoul, Korea was conducted in order to verify the proposed fra.
30-Day Survival and Rehospitalization for Stroke Patients According to Physician Specialty

Background and Purpose: Stroke patients appear to have improved outcomes when cared for by neurologists, but the mechanism by which improved outcome is achieved is unclear. This study compares 30-day cause-specif ic rehospitalization, 30-day mortality, and specific processes of care for patients treated by a neurologist only, a generalist only, a neurologist and a generalist (i.e., collaborative care), or by another specialist during the index hospitalization.Methods: This study uses Cox regression to analyze claims and enrollment data from 44,099 Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age and older and discharged with acute ischemic stroke from 1998 to 2000 in 11 US metropolitan regions. Results: Patients seen by neurologists had more severe strokes than patients seen by generalists, though patients seen by generalists had more comorbidities. Patients seen by neurologists (alone or collaboratively) had a 10 and 16% lower risk of 30-day mortality, respectively. Patients seen by a neurologist only had a 12% lower risk of rehospitalization for infections and aspiration pneumonitis. In contrast, patients seen by neurologists had a higher risk of rehospitalization for atherosclerotic (cardiovascular and non-acute cerebrovascular) disease. Patients seen by neurologists were more likely to be discharged to inpatient rehabilitation, had longer lengths of stay, and were more likely to receive warfarin after discharge. Conclusions: Results support the hypothesis that neurologists improve outcomes specifically by reducing the potential for aspiration (through increased swallowing evaluations) or by improving functioning (through use of rehabilitation therapy). Future studies should continue to examine the mechanisms by which neurologists may achieve better outcomes in stroke care.
Investigating the influence of embodiment on facial mimicry in HRI using computer vision-based measures

Mimicry plays an important role in social interaction. In human communication, it is used to establish rapport and bonding both with other humans, as well as robots and virtual characters. However, little is known about the underlying factors that elicit mimicry in humans when interacting with a robot. In this work, we study the influence of embodiment on participants' ability to mimic a social character. Participants were asked to intentionally mimic the laughing behavior of the Furhat mixed embodied robotic head and a 2D virtual version of the same character. To explore the effect of embodiment, we present two novel approaches to automatically assess people's ability to mimic based solely on videos of their facial expressions. In contrast to participants' self-assessment, the analysis of video recordings suggests a better ability to mimic when people interact with the 2D embodiment.
As influências na intenção de uso dos sistemas de informação: uma abordagem entre a teoria de estilos cognitivos de Kirton e a teoria unificada de aceitação e uso da tecnologia

This paper aims to identify the influence of cognitive styles, effort expectancy and performance expectancy on usage intention in Information Systems (IS). To achieve this objective, the study drew on the theory of cognitive styles (KIRTON, 1976) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) from Venkatesh et al. (2003). Through a survey, we investigated 170 employees from a footwear retail company, located in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil. Regarding cognitive styles, the innovator style was predominant. However, the UTAUT - the factor Intention to Use - was more relevant. In order to test the study’s hypotheses, we proceeded with a structural equation analysis, which showed satisfactory measures for the investigated constructs and the proposed model. We tested the hypotheses, and all relationships between the model constructs were significant, however none of the hypotheses related to UTAUT moderate variables were confirmed. The conclusion is thus that individual preferences, such as cognitive styles, are directly related to usage intention in information systems.
A novel biomimetic sonarhead using beamforming technology to mimic bat echolocation

A novel biomimetic sonarhead has been developed to allow researchers of bat echolocation behavior and biomimetic sonar to perform experiments with a system similar to the bat's sensory system. The bat's echolocation-related transfer function (ERTF) is implemented using an array of receivers to implement the head-related transfer function (HRTF), and an array of emitters mounted on a cylindrical manifold to implement the emission pattern of the bat. The complete system is controlled by a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) based embedded system connected through a USB interface.
Wavelength-Shifted Yellow Electroluminescence of Si Quantum-Dot Embedded 20-Pair SiNx/SiOx Superlattice by Ostwald Ripening Effect

Yellow electroluminescence (EL) of a 20-pair Si-rich SiN<sub>x</sub> /SiO<sub>x</sub> superlattice is demonstrated by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and annealing process. After annealing at 900<sup>°</sup>C for 30 min, two photoluminescence (PL) peaks at 480 and 570 nm are observed to blue-shift the PL wavelength, and the corresponding peak intensity is enhanced due to the self-aggregation of Si quantum dots (QDs). When increasing the annealing temperature to 1050<sup>°</sup>C , the PL peaks caused by the aggregated Si-QDs in SiN<sub>x</sub> and SiO<sub>x</sub> layers red-shift to 500 and 600 nm, thereby shifting the PL peak wavelength to 520 nm. Such a wavelength red-shifting phenomenon is mainly attributed to the formation of large Si-QDs due to the Ostwald ripening effect. The turn-on voltage and the <i>V</i>-<i>I</i> slope of the ITO/SiN<sub>x</sub>/SiO<sub>x</sub>/p-Si/Al LED device are 200 V and 15.5 kV/mA with Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunneling assistant carrier transport under an effective barrier height of 1.3 eV. Maximum output-power-current slope of 0.2 μW/A at power conversion efficiency of 10<sup>-6</sup> is detected.
The system of formation and evaluation of the information of cash flows

A very urgent problem of formation of cash flows in conditions of the competitive market is considered in the present article. Cash flows are defined as the inflows and outflows of cash and cash equivalents, created within a certain period of time out of the operating, financial, investment and extraordinary activities of the company. Examples of cash flows out of the operating, financial and investment activities of the company are adduced. The system of formation and evaluation of the information about cash flows is created. Its principal elements are as follows: cash flow accounting, classification of cash flows, issuing of the cash flow statement, control and analysis of cash flows, cash flow forecasting. The methods of analysis of cash flows are created, i.e. the horizontal analysis of the cash flow statement; the vertical analysis of the cash flow statement; the analysis of financial ratios of the cash flow statement; preparation of the cash flow forecast. Practical application of the system of formation and evaluation of the information about cash flows would help the company managers to take various management decisions on evaluation of the company's financial condition and its activity results better, quicker and more precisely.
A unifying framework for analysing offsetting capital flows and sterilization: Germany and the ERM

This paper provides a unifying framework in which identified offset and sterilization equations can be derived and estimated. The theoretical model suggests that, in the case where the central bank cares about both external and internal goals and capital is less than perfectly mobile, there will be some offsetting capital flows and the central bank will sterilize. Several results from the literature are encompassed as special cases. The equations are estimated for the German experience of the 1980s and the results point to active sterilization by the Bundesbank during this period. Copyright @ 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved.
Internet-banking customer analysis based on perceptions of service quality in Taiwan

All economic activities require monetary transactions, including those occurring online. The Internet is thus an essential medium for monetary transactions. Because Internet banking is highly profitable, competition among banks is fierce. However, customer satisfaction is crucial for building a profitable business model. Satisfied users tend to become loyal customers who adopt banking services that regularly contribute to bank profits. Therefore, how to provide services that users require is an important consideration when banks develop service products. Customer perceptions of good service quality are perceptions that improve customer satisfaction. Although service quality is important to users when selecting banking services, the effect of perceived service quality on customer adoption of Internet banking in Taiwan is rarely studied. This study identified three clusters of Internet banking customers based on customer perceptions of service quality in order to help banks develop service products. Each cluster was described in terms of demographics, consumer behaviour, perceived service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty.
Operating a railway system within a challenging environment: Economic history and experiences of Zimbabwe’s national railways

This paper presents a historical background to the development of the railways in Zimbabwe and then discusses their current state. Besides being a landlocked country in Southern Africa, Zimbabwe has since 2000 been saddled with socio-economic and political challenges which have seen a decline in all economic indices, hence posing some challenges to its railways. This article discusses the challenges faced by the railways as a result of high inflation, unstable currency exchange rate, brain drain, poor management, government interference in management, customs border delays, and energy shortage. The problems have been addressed in unique ways and unusual solutions are proposed. These include customer financing for maintenance and spares and the resuscitation of steam locomotives. The presented solutions, lessons and issues from this experience contribute to discussions and study of railway logistics in challenging environments. Finally, current and future research issues, which have a global appeal, are presented.
Mass Spectrometry‐Based Bottom‐Up Proteomics: Sample Preparation, LC‐MS/MS Analysis, and Database Query Strategies

Recent technological advances in mass spectrometry (MS) have made possible the investigation and quantification of complex mixtures of biomolecules. The exceptional sensitivity and resolving power of today's mass spectrometers allow for the detection of proteins and peptides at low femtomole quantities; however, these attributes demand high sample purity to minimize artifacts and achieve the highest degree of biomolecule identification. Tissue preparation for proteomic studies is particularly challenging due to their heterogeneity in cell type, presence of insoluble biomaterials, and wide diversity of biomolecules. The workflow described herein details sample preparation from tissues through protein extraction, proteolysis, and purification to generate peptides for MS analysis. Increased peptide resolution and a corresponding increase in protein identification is accomplished using polarity‐based fractionation (C18 resin) at the peptide level. Additionally, approaches to instrument set up, including the use of nanoscale liquid chromatography and quadrupole Orbitrap MS, along with database searching, are described. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Low power, high frequency, free dead zone PFD for a PLL design

Two novel phase frequency detectors PFD1 and PFD2 have been proposed in this paper. PFD1 has been designed with 15 transistors while PFD2 with 8 transistors. It has been observed that both these PFDs could operate up to frequencies three to five times higher than that of conventional PFD. It has also been observed that the power dissipation is reduced by 80.3% and 99.2 % in PFD1 and PFD2 respectively. In addition to these, area of the circuit has been reduced up to 64.9 % for PFD1 and up to 81.4 % for PFD2 when compared with conventional PFDs. The phase noise also has been reduced to - 161.8 dBc/Hz and -142.1 dBc/Hz for PFD1 and PFD2 respectively. Prototype has been designed in Cadence virtuoso environment and implemented using GPDK090 library of 180 nm technology with a supply voltage of 1.8 V. The reset process has been completely removed in both the designs thereby eliminating the blind zone and speeding up the acquisition process. Both the designs have been proposed for high speed, low power and low jitter applications.
Graduate Students' Evolving Ideas on Engineering Education and Engineering Educators

Graduate students at Purdue University enrolled in two introductory engineering education graduate courses were interviewed at the beginning, middle, and end of the Fall 2005 semester. The majority of the students were members of the first cohort of an engineering education graduate program. During the course of three interviews, graduate students discussed their education, teaching and industry experience, future professional goals, working definitions of engineering education, and the engineering education courses. This qualitative study addresses the participants' responses to three of the interview questions: 1) How do you define engineering education? ; 2) What is the role of an engineering educator? ; 3) What are some challenges facing engineering educators? This paper analyzes the data collected from the graduate students and compares general responses across the early, mid-semester, and end-of-semester interviews
2 Alzheimer ’ s Disease Genomics and Clinical Applications

The prevalence of dementia is expected to increase exponentially worldwide. Global estimates of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) generally considered to be the most common subtype of dementia are expected to increase from the current estimated 25 million to 63 million in 2030, and by 2050, a staggering 114 million (Wimo et al., 2003). Traditional approaches in AD diagnosis (Diagnostic and Statistical ManualIV (DSM-IV) – Text Revision (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeAlzheimer Disease and Related Disorders (NINCDSADRDA) (McKhann et al., 1984) criteria have varying diagnostic accuracy of 65-96% and specificity of 23-88% compared to the neuropathologic gold standard (Kazee et al., 1993; Lim et al., 1999; Petrovich et al., 2001; Varma et al., 1999). Studies have shown that the hallmark histopathological changes of AD (┚-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles) precede the clinical onset of disease by as long as 20-30 years (Price & Morris, 1999). This translates clinically to functional and structural brain damage where these pathologic changes may occur prior to apparent clinical manifestations of cognitive decline by way of standard clinical assessments. This has fuelled an increasing shift of diagnostic focus to the predementia transitional state between normal aging and early AD, which represents a window of opportunity for identifying subjects at a phase when pathogenesis has already begun but clinical diagnosis of established dementia is still not achievable. This would logically be the stage most amenable to disease-modifying interventions (such as ┚and gamma-secretase inhibitors, anti-amyloid and anti-neurofibrillary tangle therapies). Diagnostic focus thus has shifted towards prodromal stages of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (Morris et al., 2001; Peterson, 2004). Clinical criteria alone, which by their very nature subjective and entail judgment, are thus inadequate to identify the pre-clinical stages of AD and may have contributed to the disappointing results of therapeutic trials in MCI (a heterogeneous entity) to date. This has prompted revisions in the upcoming DSM-V criteria due in 2013 (Kupfer & Regier, 2010) which include major and minor neurocognitive disorder classification, as well as the proposed revision of NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for AD to include prodromal AD and preclinical AD, which characterises earliest stage of AD that predate crossing of the dementia threshold of functional disability. In the proposed criterion by Dubois et al (Dubois et al., 2007), other than clinical criterion of episodic memory deficit,
A Specification Search Algorithm for Cointegrated Systems

A specification search algorithm is proposed that aims to assist the user in the process of constructing Vector Error Correction Models. The algorithm automates testing the cointegration rank of the system and performs simplifications based on possible weak exogeneity of some variables. Overidentification restrictions can be provided by the user or can be imposed by an expert system that is a part of the algorithm. That expert system is not general, but is specific to the analysed problem. As an illustration we present an expert system for money demand specifications - it attempts to impose various restrictions typically used in money demand studies. Combinations of individual restrictions are jointly tested by a procedure similar to Omtzigt's algorithm. The algorithm is evaluated in a series of Monte-Carlo experiments. Preliminary results show that algorithm works quite well, and the true data generation processes are often recovered by the algorithm. As an empirical illustration, an automated construction of money demand systems for Germany and Switzerland is presented. Results are compared with some earlier work on money demand for these countries. In both cases stable money demand functions are found, however specifications differ from those obtained by the original authors
Facial expression composition using dynamic displacement mapping

Construction and animation of realistic human facial models is still a challenging task in computer graphics. In this paper, we present a practical way to generate facial expressions using dynamic vector displacement mapping. We describe the construction of displacement maps from scanned data, parametric virtual muscles and from feature points with influence. To produce facial expressions our approach dynamically combines multiple displacement maps using image composition and blending techniques. Dynamic skin behavior is simulated using spring--mass system driven by the generated displacement we call an expression map. This approach allows parametric animation of the facial model in real-time and can be entirely implemented on the GPU. Final composition and rendering of our models utilizes photorealistic lighting and shading of the facial skin.
A Field Study of Control System “Redesign”: The Impact of Institutional Processes on Strategic Choice*

This paper studies the role of an organization's accounting control system (ACS) as part of an interrelated control "package", in which other control systems function either as substitutes or complements. Drawing on resource dependence and institutional theories, it argues that this control mix is not only contingent on the organization's technical environment but on its institutional environment. In addition, the paper draws on empirical evidence to demonstrate how the design of the "package" is actively shaped by the strategic choices of its dominant coalition. The empirics are based on a longitudinal field study of one large, public, teaching hospital in Australia, which underwent material changes in its governance structure, culture, and accounting control systems.
Redundant roles of Sox17 and Sox18 in postnatal angiogenesis in mice

Sox7, Sox17 and Sox18 constitute group F of the Sox family of HMG box transcription factor genes. Dominant-negative mutations in Sox18 underlie the cardiovascular defects observed in ragged mutant mice. By contrast, Sox18-/- mice are viable and fertile, and display no appreciable anomaly in their vasculature, suggesting functional compensation by the two other SoxF genes. Here, we provide direct evidence for redundant function of Sox17 and Sox18 in postnatal neovascularization by generating Sox17+/--Sox18-/- double mutant mice. Whereas Sox18-/- and Sox17+/--Sox18+/- mice showed no vascular defects, approximately half of the Sox17+/--Sox18-/- pups died before postnatal day 21 (P21). They showed reduced neovascularization in the liver sinusoids and kidney outer medulla vasa recta at P7, which most likely caused the ischemic necrosis observed by P14 in hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelia. Those that survived to adulthood showed similar, but milder, vascular anomalies in both liver and kidney, and females were infertile with varying degrees of vascular abnormalities in the reproductive organs. These anomalies corresponded with sites of expression of Sox7 and Sox17 in the developing postnatal vasculature. In vitro angiogenesis assays, using primary endothelial cells isolated from the P7 livers, showed that the Sox17+/--Sox18-/- endothelial cells were defective in endothelial sprouting and remodeling of the vasculature in a phenotype-dependent manner. Therefore, our findings indicate that Sox17 and Sox18, and possibly all three SoxF genes, are cooperatively involved in mammalian vascular development.