Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative 3D imaging of yeast by hard X‐ray tomography

Full‐field hard X‐ray tomography could be used to obtain three‐dimensional (3D) nanoscale structures of biological samples. The image of the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, was clearly visualized based on Zernike phase contrast imaging technique and heavy metal staining method at a spatial resolution better than 50 nm at the energy of 8 keV. The distributions and shapes of the organelles during the cell cycle were clearly visualized and two types of organelle were distinguished. The results for cells during various phases were compared and the ratios of organelle volume to cell volume can be analyzed quantitatively. It showed that the ratios remained constant between growth and division phase and increased strongly in stationary phase, following the shape and size of two types of organelles changes. Our results demonstrated that hard X‐ray microscopy was a complementary method for imaging and revealing structural information for biological samples. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dynamic memory allocation technique for virtual machines

Virtualization technology is drawing a renewed attention from variety of application domain such as data centres, desktop computing and cloud computing etc. Virtualization improves the utilization of hardware resources such as network I/O, processor and memory. Allocating an appropriate amount of main memory resource to virtual machines is challenging task. Static allocation is one approach for managing memory but it leads to inefficient memory utilization. Different application have different memory requirements, even a single application shows varied working set during its execution therefore an optimal memory management technique under a virtualized environment is needed to manage memory dynamically. This paper proposes an efficient memory management technique which includes global allocation technique along with memory releasing and memory growing technique for satisfying the memory demand on run time. The result of this methods leads to better memory utilization, improves the performance of the overall system and maximizes the memory usage.
Pregnancy, hormonal contraceptive use, and HIV-related death in Rwanda.

BACKGROUND Few studies have examined the influence of pregnancy and hormonal contraception on HIV-related deaths in African women. Rwanda is a country with high fertility, high HIV prevalence, and frequent use of hormonal contraception in urban areas. METHODS Data from a prospective cohort study of 460 HIV-infected urban childbearing (18-35 years) women followed at 6-monthly intervals for 6 years in Kigali, Rwanda, were analyzed. The relationship of time-dependent measures of pregnancy and hormonal contraceptive use to death from HIV disease was assessed with multivariate models. RESULTS Incident pregnancy was not associated with elevated risk of death among HIV-infected women. Oral and injectable hormonal contraceptive use had borderline protective effects associated with reduced mortality (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.15-1.07 and HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.21-1.08 for mortality, respectively) in a multivariate model including time-dependent measures. CONCLUSIONS The results point to the benefits of integrating family planning and HIV services. In a highly pronatalist society, such as Rwanda, which is experiencing high HIV prevalence, service integration affords an opportunity to provide HIV testing to women at risk of pregnancy and to promote family planning among HIV-positive women.
220-GHz metamorphic HEMT amplifier MMICs for high-resolution imaging applications

In this paper, the development of 220-GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA) MMICs for use in high-resolution active and passive millimeter-wave imaging systems is presented. The amplifier circuits have been realized using a well-proven 0.1-/spl mu/m gate length and an advanced 0.05-/spl mu/m gate length InAlAs/InGaAs based depletion-type metamorphic high electron mobility transistor technology. Furthermore, coplanar circuit topology in combination with cascode transistors was applied, leading to a compact chip size and an excellent gain performance at high millimeter-wave frequencies. A realized single-stage 0.05-/spl mu/m cascode LNA exhibited a small-signal gain of 10 dB at 222 GHz, while a 0.1-/spl mu/m four-stage amplifier circuit achieved a linear gain of 20 dB at the frequency of operation and more than 10 dB over the bandwidth from 180 to 225 GHz.
Lean Service Implementation Success Factors

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the factors which have influence on the Lean Service (LS) principles implementation process that serves to improve the organization and economics of district heating companies operating on the Polish market. Methodology: Diagnostic survey carried out in the selected trade industries. Findings : Assessing the significance of the effective LS principles implementation factors, which serves to improve the functioning of district heating companies, has revealed the most important factor, which is – according to the respondents – a focus on minimizing waste in processes. Several waste groups were identified and distinguished. They are for example: waste resulting from the employees passive behaviors, unused creativity of employees, unnecessary motion. Answering the question asked in the title of the paper – according to the research - you can ascertain that the effective LS conception principles implementation success factors are, in particular: the involvement of management in process improvement, staff attitude to minimize waste in processes. The research resulted in the formulation of conclusions, one of which says that an effective remedy for the organization members passive behaviors can be Lean Behaviours. Originality: This is a first unique study on the topic of the Lean Service implementation success factors in the heat engineering. The achieved results can be useful for district heating companies as a guidance to improve management systems in those organizations.
Piezoelectric Transformer Based Current-Source Charge-Pump Power-Factor-Correction Electronic Ballast

This paper presents the piezoelectric transformer (PT)-based continuous-conduction-mode (CCM) current source (CS) charge-pump (CP) power-factor-correction (PFC) electronic ballast. The main drawbacks of the PT-based dc-side discontinuous-conduction-mode (DCM) CS CP-PFC electronic ballast include high di/dt, high current stress and high switching losses. In order to solve these problems that are caused by DCM operation, and to reduce the components count, the PT-based bridgeless CCM CS CP-PFC electronic ballast is proposed in this paper. The experimental results show that the electronic ballast proposed in this paper not only can achieve high power factor and low total harmonic distortion, but also the switches can operate under a zero-voltage-switching condition without requiring a series inductor in front of the employed PT.
Emotional and Altruistic Values as Drivers for a Loyalty-Based Segmentation in Retailing: An Approach to Postrecession Spanish Apparel Consumers

ABSTRACT Research on consumer behavior has supported the usefulness of the experiential approach to explain shopping and consumption in the context of retailing. The present article aims at assessing the soundness of an extended experiential value concept for segmenting apparel retail customers in terms of their loyalty toward the store. A CHAID algorithm based on a sample of postrecession Spanish apparel retail customers has identified three segments of customers with differentiated levels of loyalty toward the store: play (emotional value) and ethics (altruistic value) are the most relevant variables for defining these segments.
Illustrative Rendering of Particle Systems

Sets of particles are a frequently used tool for the exploration of time-varying ﬂow ﬁelds due to their ease of use and conceptual simplicity. Understanding temporal changes in such particle systems can be difﬁcult with traditional visualization methods such as isosurface rendering and particle splatting. These types of methods only show the current shape of the point cloud and give no context about how the current time step relates to previous or future time steps. In this paper we present an illustrative rendering approach to visualizing particle systems. We use illustrative rendering techniques like silhouettes and trajectory arrows combined with volume raycasting to highlight important features in the particle system and show how these features change across time steps. Our method allows users to easily identify structures within the point cloud and understand how they evolve over time.
Toward Object-Based Heuristics

Recovering the 3-D shape of an object from its 2-D image contour is an important problem in computer vision. In this correspondence, the author motivates and develops two object-based heuristics. The structured nature of objects is the motivation for the nonaccidental alignment criterion: parallel coordinate axes within the object's bounding contour correspond to object-centered coordinate axes. The regularity and symmetry inherent in many man-made objects is the motivation for the orthogonal basis constraint. An oblique set of coordinate axes in the image is presumed to be the projection of an orthogonal set of 3-D coordinate axes in the scene. These object-based heuristics are used to recover shape in both real and synthetic images. >
Clinical significance of miRNA-433 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Previous studies found miRNAs can play important role in the pathogenesis, metastasis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the expression of its target genes. We evaluated the clinical significance of miRNA-433 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma. Method: We collected 28 primary hepatocellular carcinoma specimens matched by 28 normal paracarcinoma tissues. The RNA concentration was calculated by the following formula: OD260 × 50 times × 40/100. We detected the absorbance at 260 nm and 280 nm, and calculated OD260/OD280. The purity was considered to be acceptable when the ratio value fallen into between 1.8 and 2.0. The expression of MiR-433 was analysed via Real time-PCR method. The Cq value was calculated, and Data were processed using 2-ΔΔCT method. Results: According to the 2-ΔΔCT method, the expression of miR-433 in the hepatocellular carcinoma specimens was significantly lower than that in the normal tissue specimens (3.61 ± 1.35 vs. 9.39 ± 2.46, t=-10.899, P<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic cure was used to identify the diagnostic value of miR-433 expression levels in hepatocellular carcinoma. The area under curve of miR-433 was 0.770 (95% confidence interval: 0.594-0.947). Conclusion: The low expression of miR-433 in hepatocellular carcinoma may be related to occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. miR-433 expression might have a moderately diagnostic value to hepatocellular carcinoma.
Distributed Space-Frequency Coding for Cooperative Diversity in Broadband Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

A distributed space-frequency (SF) coded cooperative technique is proposed for broadband wireless ad-hoc networks, where both the channels from the source node to relay nodes and from the relay nodes to the destination node are characterized by frequency-selective fading. Using an SF coding at the source node and a circular shift at each relay node, we propose a scheme that can achieve both cooperative and multi-path diversity. The pairwise error probability is analyzed and the result demonstrates that a diversity gain of min(ML1, ML2) can be achieved, where M is the number of the relay nodes, and L1 and L2 are the number of taps of the multipath fading channels from the source node to the relay nodes and from the relay nodes to the destination node, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed distributed SF coding can achieve full-rate transmission for any number of relay nodes. In particular, it does not need IFFT/FFT processing or decoding at each relay node, thus providing a low-complexity design of the relay nodes in broadband wireless ad-hoc networks.
(2D)2UDP: A New Two-Directional Two-Dimensional Unsupervised Discriminant Projection for Face Recognition

Based on manifold learning, a new feature extraction method is proposed for face recognition in the paper. The new method is called two-directional two-dimensional unsupervised discriminant projection ((2D)2UDP), which simultaneously works image matrix in the row direction and in the column direction for feature extraction. The experimental results on ORL face databases and AR face databases indicate that the proposed method has higher recognition rate and more stable.
The Making of a Manager: Evidence from Military Officer Training

We show that officer training during the Swedish military service has a strong positive effect on the probability of attaining a managerial position later in life. The most intense type of officer training increases the probability of becoming a civilian manager by about 5 percentage points, or 75%. Officer training also increases educational attainment post–military service. We argue that the effect on civilian leadership could be due to the acquisition of leadership-specific skills during the military service, and we present suggestive evidence related to alternative mechanisms, such as signaling, networks, and training unrelated to leadership.
An alternative mechanism of product chain-length determination in type III geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase.

(All-E) prenyl diphosphate synthases catalyze the consecutive condensation of isopentenyl diphosphates with allylic prenyl diphosphates, producing products with various chain-lengths that are unique for each enzyme. Some short-chain (all-E) prenyl diphosphate synthases, i.e. farnesyl diphosphate synthases and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases contain characteristic amino acid sequences around the allylic substrate binding sites, which have been shown to play a role in determining the chain-length of the product. However, among these enzymes, which are classified into several types based on the possessive patterns of such characteristics, type III geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases, which consist of enzymes from eukaryotes (excepting plants), lack these features. In this study, we report that mutagenesis at the second position before the conserved G(Q/E) motif, which is distant from the well-studied region, affects the chain-length of the product for a type III geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This clearly suggests that a novel mechanism is operative in the product determination for this type of enzyme. We also show herein that mutagenesis at the corresponding position of an archaeal medium-chain enzyme also alters its product specificity. These results provide valuable information on the molecular evolution of (all-E) prenyl diphosphate synthases.
Nicotinic Receptor Subtypes in the Developing Chick Brain: Appearance of a Species Containing the α4, β2, and α5 Gene Products

Increasing evidence suggests nicotinic receptors regulate developmental events in the nervous system. We used [3H]epibatidine and 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin, together with subunit-specific monoclonal antibodies, to distinguish and quantify nicotinic receptor subtypes in developing chick brain. The results show that more than three fourths of the epibatidine-binding receptors at both early and late embryonic stages contain alpha4 and beta2 subunits, representing receptors previously distinguished by high affinity nicotine binding. A fraction of these also contain the alpha5 gene product, which is consistent with studies on transfected cells showing that the alpha4, beta2, and alpha5 gene products coassemble to produce epibatidine-binding receptors. A small portion of the receptors contain alpha3 and beta4 subunits, assembled in part with either alpha4 or beta2 subunits. The most abundant nicotinic receptors, however, at both early and late embryonic stages are those having high affinity for alpha-bungarotoxin rather than epibatidine. Most contain alpha7 subunits, whereas about half contain alpha8 subunits as well. The sharpest developmental increase between embryonic days 8 and 17/18 occurs with receptors containing alpha5 subunits, whereas receptors containing alpha3 or beta4 subunits undergo no specific increase. The three major receptor species (containing alpha4 and beta2 but not alpha5 subunits; alpha7 subunits; or alpha7 and alpha8 subunits) each increase approximately 3-fold during the same period. The results indicate greater receptor complexity than appreciated previously; they provide information about the rules governing subunit assembly in neuronal nicotinic receptors and draw attention to the role of alpha5 subunits in late development.
Competing Knowledge Claims in the Provision of Antenatal Care: A Qualitative Study of Traditional Birth Attendants in Rural Zimbabwe

In this article we examine the role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in their care of women during pregnancy and childbirth, and highlight their views on the training they receive and the application of knowledge they gain. We also discuss the ways women and men reason around the practices of TBAs. Data were generated using focus group discussions and individual interviews with TBAs, women, and men. The accounts of the TBAs, women, and men indicate that the women combined traditional and professional care, reasoning that in this way they get the different forms of assurance that each offers for the proper pregnancy outcome. The accounts, moreover, suggest that little of the knowledge gained from the training, including the referral of women at high risk, was implemented. One reason for this appears to be the failure to reflect on local knowledge and realities in TBA training. We conclude that any efforts or plans to incorporate the two systems of care should acknowledge local knowledge and realities. Only then can the aim of reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality be achieved.
Exercise-Induced Inspiratory Muscle Fatigue During Swimming: The Effect of Race Distance

Brown, S and Kilding, AE. Exercise-induced inspiratory muscle fatigue during swimming: The effect of race distance. J Strength Cond Res 25(5): 1204-1209, 2011-Exercise-induced inspiratory muscle fatigue (IMF) has been quantified for several sports. However, it is not yet known if, or to what extent, IMF is determined by the competition distance. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of 3 different competitive front-crawl swimming race distances on the magnitude of IMF. Ten well-trained swimmers from a local swim team participated in the study and on separate days completed maximal 100-, 200-, and 400-m time trials (TTs). Before and after each trial, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was measured and %IMF determined from pre- and post-time-trial differences in MIP. The heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived dyspnea (RPD) was also assessed. For all distances, posttrial MIP was lower than pretrial MIP, though this was only significant for 100 m (p < 0.05). There were no differences between distances for absolute posttrial MIP. The %IMF after the 100-m TT (8.2 ± 4.1%) was, however, significantly greater than the 400 m (4.9 ± 3.8%) TT (p < 0.05) but not 200-m TT. There were no differences between trials for HR or RPD (p > 0.05). There were no relationships between %IMF and mean pretrial MIP (r = −0.28, p > 0.05) or between %IMF and time for any TT (100 m, r = 0.25; 200 m, r = 0.34; 400 m r = 0.18; p > 0.05). The lack of difference between trials for posttrial absolute MIP suggests that race distance during swimming does not substantially influence the degree of IMF.
Understanding the decision to offshore human resource activities: a coevolutionary perspective

Purpose Offshoring has been studied widely in the literature on strategic management and international business. However, apart from its consideration as an administrative activity, scant attention has been paid to the offshoring of the human resource (HR) function. Research in this regard has instead focussed on outsourcing (Reichel and Lazarova, 2013). The purpose of this paper is to achieve a better understanding of companies’ decisions to offshore HR activities. It adapts the outsourcing model of Baron and Kreps (1999) by including the HR offshoring phenomenon and a dynamic perspective. Design/methodology/approach While the analysis is mostly conceptual, the authors ground the author’s arguments in offshoring data from the Offshoring Research Network, to explore whether the drivers for offshoring HR differ from the drivers for offshoring other administrative activities. The idiosyncrasy of the HR function is supported by the authors’ exploratory analysis and also by the descriptive case of a multinational and its experience with offshoring. Findings A coevolutionary model is proposed for understanding the behaviour of companies offshoring their HR activities. This study contends that companies should address their decision to offshore HR activities from a dynamic perspective, being aware of three processes that are in constant change: the evolution of the HR function, the evolution of service providers, and the evolution of offshoring decisions. Originality/value This study seeks to make a threefold contribution to the international business, strategy, and HR management disciplines.
Intelligent Simulation System for Supply Chain Event Management (SCEM)

Supply Chain Event Management (SCEM), sometimes referred to as Supply Chain Process Management (SCPM), is defined by APICS (APICS, 2005) as the application of a special type of software that simulates, controls, and responds to exceptions in a supply chain. SCEM can provide active visibility, and perform the functions such as real-time monitoring, measuring with key performance indicators (KPIs), notifying exceptions to decision makers, performing what-if simulation scenario analysis, and controlling unexpected events such as cancelled orders, supply disruption, and currency fluctuations, etc. The advantage of the application of SCEM is that connected processes can be monitored, even in a global context where the uncertainties are magnified, and that the processes can be modified if necessary (Christopher, 2005). In the global economy that is there today, the supply chain is global in nature and is becoming increasingly complex and dynamic. There are risks inherent in all stages of supply chain processes, from the supply side to the demand side (PRTM, 2005). As a result, global supply chain ABSTRACT
DICE-based muller C-elements for soft error tolerant asynchronous ICs

Muller C-element is one of the main parts of an asynchronous circuit. Being sequential by its nature, it is vulnerable to single event upsets (SEU). We propose three 65 nm CMOS circuit implementations of SEU tolerant C-element, whose tolerance is achieved by using of well-known DICE principle and is proved by SPICE simulations and semi-empirical estimations.
Primary ovarian failure.

IT MAY be of interest to the reader of the Journal to discuss the management of a patient with primary amenorrhea over a period of seventeen years, during which time major developments in endocrinology have occurred. Miss S. B. (Fig. 1) was first seen in the metabolism clinic at the University of Chicago in April 1936, at the age of 18 years, complaining of failure to menstruate and a lack of normal breast development. She had been under medical care elsewhere for the preceding two years without beneficial results. The therapy consisted of dessicated thyroid and several endocrinal preparations of dubious potency. Her mother stated that her birth and early childhood were entirely uneventful. Scant pubic hair was noted at 11 years of age and a few axillary hairs a year later. However, growth of hair in these regions did not progress normally. Physical examination revealed a rather stocky young woman, 167 cm. tall, weighing 138 pounds and mentally alert. Her general appearance was that of a prepubertal child.