Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal Resolution of Stimulation Threshold: A Tool for Electrophysiologic Analysis

Electrical stimulation of cardiac cultures with closed-loop control permits the determination of threshold in real time. The temporal response of stimulation threshold and underlying cell membrane excitability is valuable information for understanding the complex electrophysiologic processes within cardiac cells and can aid in understanding the mechanisms and effects of pharmaceuticals or other stimuli. This work presents the temporal response of stimulation threshold measured using HL-1 cardiac myocytes when exposed to changes in temperature and extracellular potassium concentration. These changes mimic systemic alteration of excitability and conditions that can result from ischemia in the heart. The results demonstrate the efficacy of stimulation threshold as a physiologic indicator and illustrate transient effects with both fast and slow time constants that can be resolved using a system that determines stimulation threshold in real time
The association of alcohol consumption with coronary heart disease mortality and cancer incidence varies by smoking history

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of alcohol on coronary heart disease (CHD), cancer incidence, and cancer mortality by smoking history.DESIGN/SETTING: A prospective, general community cohort was established with a baseline mailed questionnaire completed in 1986.PARTICIPANTS: A population-based sample of 41,836 Iowa women aged 55–69 years.MEASUREMENTS: Mortality (total, cancer, and CHD) and cancer incidence outcomes were collected through 1999. Relative hazard rates (HR) were calculated using Cox regression analyses.MAIN RESULTS: Among never smokers, alcohol consumption (≥14 g/day vs none) was inversely associated with age-adjusted CHD mortality (HR, 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19 to 0.84) and total mortality (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.92). Among former smokers. alcohol consumption was also inversely associated with CHD mortality (HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.88) and total mortality (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.97), but was positively associated with cancer incidence (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.51). Among current smokers, alcohol consumption was not associated with CHD mortality (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.50) or total mortality (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.25), but was positively associated with cancer incidence (HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.54). CONCLUSIONS: Health behavior counseling regarding alcohol consumption for cardioprotection should include a discussion of the lack of a decreased risk of CHD mortality for current smokers and the increased cancer risk among former and current smokers.
AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN PHILIPPINE FIRMS

Organizational culture studies have proliferated in the management literature in recent years. This is largely because the study of the culture concept prompts researchers to question commonly held assumptions about organizations and their value to society. This study seeks to describe and characterize, at an exploratory level, the culture in Philippine organizations. Results of a questionnaire survey of 136 Philippine managers regarding their firms' organizational culture show that specific industries may share common cultural characteristics along the organic-mechanistic and integration-differentiation continuums, and that some of those commonalities might be explained by similarities in their competitive environment, customer requirements, and societal expectations. These results, however, have yet to be verified by similar explorations into other demographic variables such as company size. This study can be extended by exploring the relationships between the resulting cultural variables and such organizational characteristics as: firm size, financial performance, stock price performance, ethical behavior, work satisfaction, corporate success factors, firms' market-orientedness, success in mergers and acquisitions, various other performance variables, etc.
Cysteine, even in low concentrations, induces transient amino acid starvation in Escherichia coli

Cysteine, in concentrations down to 0.04 micrograms/ml, induces transient amino acid starvation in Escherichia coli growing in minimal medium. The duration depends on the concentration and is 5 min at 2 micrograms of cysteine per ml. At low cysteine concentrations, threonine and isoleucine almost completely abolish the starvation.
Distance Education Research in Adult Education Journals: A Content Analysis

This study examines adult-centered distance education research articles in two adult education journals: Adult Education Quarterly and the American Journal of Distance Education. Results show that studies of delivery modes and systems; i.e., asynchronous and synchronous modes, learning management systems, television and Web delivery, and course design were most prevalent in both journals. Among topics of interest to adult educators, the self-directed nature of distance learning was predominant. Other topics traditionally associated with adult education, such as access, equity, and social change themes in distance education, were least prevalent in both journals.
CAPITAL GAINS TAX IN SOUTH AFRICA: PERCEPTIONS OF FAIRNESS?

Regulatory developments are often presented as being in the public interest but recent studies on corporate governance have suggested otherwise. In some cases, regulatory change is driven more by the self-interest of the political elite than by the need for substantive reform. This paper adds to this debate by considering whether capital gains tax (CGT) in South Africa is an example of a genuine attempt to improve the perceived fairness of the tax system or whether perceptions of fairness are being used simply to further political agendas. The paper concludes that the latter may be the case. South Africa is used as a case study because of the fairly recent introduction of CGT, as an example of a material amendment to tax policy, and because of the country’s fairly recent transition to democracy.
Using Cognitive Maps of Mental Models to Evaluate Learning Challenges: A Case Study

Mental models are organized knowledge structures that individuals form to make sense of the world around them. Cognitive maps are the externalized portrayals of mental models in graphical format. Mental models and cognitive maps have been used as an instructional design method, an assessment tool, and a learning strategy in college education. In this paper, we propose a novel use of mental models and cognitive maps as a device to elicit students’ challenges in learning course materials. Our case study in an Information Systems class illustrates how cognitive maps are constructed from students’ mental models, how learning challenges are identified from cognitive maps, and how learning challenges can be coped with in teaching. Our proposed use of cognitive maps and mental models can provide educators with insights into the learning challenges from students’ perspectives, and help design instructional strategies for more effective teaching.
Regulated nucleo‐cytoplasmic shuttling of human aci‐reductone dioxygenase (hADI1) and its potential role in mRNA processing

Bacterial aci‐reductone dioxygenase (ARD), a member of the cupin superfamily, has evolutionarily primitive protein folding and functions in the methionine recycling pathway. Recently, a human ARD orthologue (human ADI1, hADI1) has been identified and exhibits functions other than ARD activity. The hADI1 localizes mainly to the cytoplasm, but a substantial fraction is nuclear, suggesting functions in both cellular compartments. In this study, we report that nucleo‐cytoplasmic transport of hADI1 is regulated by a non‐canonical nuclear export signal (NES) located in the N‐terminal region of hADI1. The NES is composed of multiple basic amino‐acid residues instead of the canonical leucine‐rich sequence. Nuclear export of hADI1 was not mediated by CRM1, a major transporter that binds to leucine‐rich NES. Substitution of the basic residues with alanines abolished NES activity. Mutant hADI1 accumulated in the nucleus and formed speckles frequently observed with splicing factors and some transcription factors. Indeed, hADI1 specifically co‐localized with the splicing factor U1‐70K to the nucleus but not with another splicing factor, SC35. U1‐70K over‐expression induced nuclear accumulation of hADI1. Nuclear hADI1 expression significantly altered the splicing pattern of the adenovirus E1A mini‐gene, which generates multiple alternatively spliced transcripts. Thus, hADI1 may have acquired a novel role in nuclear mRNA processing possibly by modulating U1‐70K‐related functions, an activity negatively regulated by a non‐classical NES sequence.
Sources of Long‐Run Economic Growth In Nigeria: A Study In Growth Accounting*

Abstract: Growth accounting provides a convenient framework for decomposing the structure of economic growth and, hence, interpreting the underlying factors shaping long-run growth performance. The present study attempts to analyse the sources of Nigerian economic growth performance, using data from the period 1950–1991. The results conform generally with the ‘stylized’ facts of economic growth in less developed countries (LDCs), namely: that labour-force expansion and capital accumulation provide the motor of long-run growth in GDP, with improvement in ‘total factor productivity’ (TFP) playing at best a marginal role. Another important element in the Nigerian experience, however, is that deteriorating capacity utilization constitutes a key drag on capital productivity growth and, hence, economic growth. The collapse in capital investment from the early 1980s, coupled with deterioration in capacity utilization, and a virtual lack of efficiency gains in the economy constitute the major source of long-run decline in GDP growth rates. Policy-wise, these results suggest that given slow growth in TFP, strategies to sustain Nigerian economic growth must rely on rapid accumulation of factor inputs, particularly, capital expansion. Resume: La comptabilisation de la croissance est un cadre d'analyse judicieux qui permet de decomposer la structure de la croissance economique et, partant, d'interpreter les facteurs sous-jacents qui faconnet les resultats en termes de croissance a long terme. La presente etude analyse les sources de la croissance economique au Nigeria, en se fondant sur les donnees relatives a la periode 1950–1991. Les resultats de cette analyse corroborent, d'une maniere generate, les faits “stylises” de la croissance economique dans les pays en developpement, a savoir: que l'expansion de la main-d'oeuvre et l'accumulation de capital constituent le moteur de la croissance a long terme du PIB, et que l'amelioration de la “productivite totale des facteurs” (PTF) ne joue, au mieux, qu'un role marginal. L'experience nigeriane degage toutefois un autre enseignement, a savoir que la baisse d'utilisation des capacites est une entrave majeur a la croissance dc la productivite du capital et, corollairement, a la croissance economique. La chute brutale des investissements au debut des annees 1980, conjuguee a la baisse d'utilisation des capacites et a la quasi-absence de gains d'efficacite au sein de l‘economie, est la cause preponderate du ralentissement a long terme de la croissance du PIB. Au chapitre des politiques, les resultats de l'analyse incitent a penser qu'en raison de la faible croissance de la PTF, les strategies visant a soutenir la croissance de l’economie nigeriane doivent tabler sur une rapid accumulation des facteurs, et en particulier sur une expansion du capital.
Outlier Detection in Regression Models with ARIMA Errors Using Robust Estimates

A diagnostic procedure for detecting additive and innovation outliers as well as level shifts in a regression model with ARIMA errors is introduced. The procedure is based on a robust estimate of the model parameters and on innovation residuals computed by means of robust filtering. A Monte Carlo study shows that, when there is a large proportion of outliers, this procedure is more powerful than the classical methods based on maximum likelihood type estimates and Kalman filtering. Copyright © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accuracy Improvement of Real-Time Load-Pull Measurements

This paper describes a new procedure aimed to improve the effectiveness of real-time load-pull calibration. Load-pull measurement accuracy is strongly affected by calibration residual uncertainty. The novel methodology reduces this uncertainty contribution by means of error terms optimization. The proposed method has been tested with simulations and applied to actual measurement data. Considerable improvements have been achieved
Design method for a decision-support system centered on the decider and using component based programming

The first Decision Support Systems (DSS) appeared about thirty years ago. This type of system aims at supporting the user in resolution of his/her problem and allowing him/her to make a decision. There are numerous systems called DSS; we identified two types: (1) Systems which solve problems to support user in decision-making and (2) systems which support users for evaluation of solutions. In our opinion, unlike many approaches which do not really take the user into account, DSS must not decide on replacement of the user but must allow him/her to measure the consequences of his/her choices to make decisions adapted to his/her needs. Our research aims at the DSS design model. This model will be applied to DSS design in the railway infrastructure investment domain.
Bacon Production and the Pig-Cycle in Great Britain

THE existence of a pig-cycle, in the sense of a self-perpetuating cycle of pig prices, has generally been assumed by writers on the economics of pig production, and as a result has excited some attention among theoretical economists as an example of the influence of the lack of foresight in causing disequilibrium.1 In economic theory, this argument is generally known as the " cobweb theorem. " If producers assume that present prices and costs will continue unchanged, and if there is a change in demand or supply conditions, then providing that the elasticities of demand and supply are of a certain order of magnitude, it can be shown that continuous fluctuations in prices and output will occur and that there will be no tendency for an equilibrium to be established. The condition which is necessary if this is to be true is that the demand curve should be less elastic than the supply curve over the relevant range.2
Treatment of lupus‐prone mice with a dual inhibitor of TLR7 and TLR9 leads to reduction of autoantibody production and amelioration of disease symptoms

The presence of autoantibodies specific for nucleic acid‐associated antigens is the hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have recently developed a specific inhibitor of TLR7 and TLR9, called immunoregulatory sequence (IRS) 954, and showed that it inhibits the induction of IFN‐α by human plasmacytoid dendritic cells in response to DNA and RNA viruses and isolated immune complexes from lupus patients. In this study, we show that IRS 954 can prevent progression of disease when injected in the lupus prone (NZB x NZW)F1 mice. Following treatment, we observed a significant reduction of serum levels of nucleic acid‐specific autoantibodies as well as decreased proteinuria, reduced glomerulonephritis, end‐organ damage and increased survival. These data demonstrate that in addition to its ability to block IFN‐α, IRS 954 can reduce symptoms in a lupus model and thus represents a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of SLE.
Why Strategic deployment

This article represents the second in a series of articles on the topic of strategic deployment. In this installment the authors consider reasons underpinning the belief that organizations can and should implement only those initiatives which support a strategic plan. The article concludes that lack of a structured approach for integrating programs into one plan is the major cause of strategic planning process deficiencies.
Tackling child poverty in South Africa: Implications of ubuntu for the system of social grants

In South Africa both liberal and more communitarian and relational discourses of citizenship can be seen – the latter in the form of the southern African idea of ubuntu. Policy for assisting children, however, is dominated by the framework of liberal citizenship, most clearly through the Bill of Rights and in particular the Child Support Grant. Using analyses from a purpose-built microsimulation model we show how a neglect of children's broader relationships in the current liberal citizenship inspired policy context limits the effectiveness of the child poverty strategy. The empirical analyses demonstrate how a greater recognition by policymakers of the relational principles of ubuntu could be expected to have more effect on reducing child poverty.
Secreted Aspergillus fumigatus Protease Alp1 Degrades Human Complement Proteins C3, C4, and C5

ABSTRACT The opportunistic human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is a major cause of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. Innate immunity plays an important role in the defense against infections. The complement system represents an essential part of the innate immune system. This cascade system is activated on the surface of A. fumigatus conidia and hyphae and enhances phagocytosis of conidia. A. fumigatus conidia but not hyphae bind to their surface host complement regulators factor H, FHL-1, and CFHR1, which control complement activation. Here, we show that A. fumigatus hyphae possess an additional endogenous activity to control complement activation. A. fumigatus culture supernatant efficiently cleaved complement components C3, C4, C5, and C1q as well as immunoglobulin G. Secretome analysis and protease inhibitor studies identified the secreted alkaline protease Alp1, which is present in large amounts in the culture supernatant, as the central molecule responsible for this cleavage. An alp1 deletion strain was generated, and the culture supernatant possessed minimal complement-degrading activity. Moreover, protein extract derived from an Escherichia coli strain overproducing Alp1 cleaved C3b, C4b, and C5. Thus, the protease Alp1 is responsible for the observed cleavage and degrades a broad range of different substrates. In summary, we identified a novel mechanism in A. fumigatus that contributes to evasion from the host complement attack.
Institutionally configured risk: Assessing urban resilience and disaster risk reduction to heat wave risk in London

This paper argues for an increased emphasis on the institutions of risk governance and management in understanding urban resilience. This moves analysis of vulnerability away from a focus on individuals to also consider risk management regimes as co-productive of vulnerability and resilience in the City. This is illustrated through the application of an Adaptive Capacity Index to unpack the role played by formal governance institutions in mediating resilience to extreme heat events in the empirical case of London. Analysis shows that the configuration of risk at the institutional level directs heat wave risk management through the health services, and operationalises it during the emergency phase of hazard onset. This misses an important opportunity for integrating individual and regime level risk management initiatives, which we proposed can be worked out through greater collaboration with social services and interaction with those caring for the vulnerable, has yet to be fully integrated into planning and practice in London and elsewhere.
Body Mass Normalization for Lateral Abdominal Muscle Thickness Measurements in Adolescent Athletes

To determine the value of allometric parameters for ultrasound measurements of the oblique external (OE), oblique internal (OI), and transversus abdominis (TrA) muscles in adolescent athletes. The allometric parameter is the slope of the linear regression line between the log‐transformed body mass and log‐transformed muscle size measurement.
Regulation and economic globalization: Prospects and limits of private governance

Corporate codes of conduct, product certifications, process standards, and other voluntary, non-governmental forms of private governance have proliferated in the last two decades. These innovations are a response to social pressures unleashed by globalization and the inadequacy of governmental institutions for addressing its social and environmental impacts. Private governance has had some notable successes, but there are clear limits to what it alone can be expected to accomplish. We hypothesize that the effectiveness of private governance depends on four main factors: 1) the structure of the particular global value chain in which production takes place; 2) the extent to which demand for a firms products relies on its brand identity; 3) the possibilities for collective action by consumers, workers, or other activists to exert pressure on producers; and 4) the extent to which commercial interests of lead firms align with social and environmental concerns. Taken together, these hypotheses suggest that private governance will flourish in only a limited set of circumstances. With the trend towards consolidation of production in the largest developing countries, however, we also see a strengthening of some forms of public governance. Private governance will not disappear, but it will be linked to emerging forms of multi-stakeholder institutions.
Measuring the Surface Dynamics of Glassy Polymers

The motion of polymer chain segments cooled below the glass transition temperature slows markedly; with sufficient cooling, segmental motion becomes completely arrested. There is debate as to whether the chain segments near the free surface, or in thin films, are affected in the same way as the bulk material. By partially embedding and then removing gold nanospheres, we produced a high surface coverage of well-defined nanodeformations on a polystyrene surface; to probe the surface dynamics, we measured the time-dependent relaxation of these surface deformations as a function of temperature from 277 to 369 kelvin. Surface relaxation was observed at all temperatures, providing strong direct evidence for enhanced surface mobility relative to the bulk. The deviation from bulk α relaxation became more pronounced as the temperature was decreased below the bulk glass transition temperature. The temperature dependence of the relaxation time was much weaker than that of the bulk α relaxation of polystyrene, and the process exhibited no discernible temperature dependence between 277 and 307 kelvin.
Dynamic adaptation of droop control curves for microgrid connected inverters with variable input power

In this work a strategy for response dynamic optimization of a microgrid composed of an infinite bus (utility) and two inverters is proposed. Through the differential evolution technique, the optimized parameters of the droop control characteristics for operation in several equilibrium points are obtained. With an artificial neural network, these parameters are corrected for each operating point in order to ensure the stability as well as reduced settling time and damped response free of overshoot. The stability after changes in the operation point and the generalized dynamic response optimization are evaluated through simulation results using the software Matlab/Simulink® and experimental results of the proposed microgrid.