Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Workers cooperation within the firm: an analysis using small and medium size firms

We investigate the determinants of teamwork and workers cooperation within the firm. Up to now the literature has almost exclusively focused on workers incentives as the main determinants for workers cooperation. We take a broader look at the firm's organizational design and analyze the impact that different aspects of it might have on cooperation. In particular, we consider the way in which the degree of decentralization of decisions and the use of complementary HRM practices (what we call the .rm.s vertical organizational design) can affect workers'collaboration with each other. We test the model's predictions on a unique dataset on Spanish small and medium size firms containing a rich set of variables that allows us to use sensible proxies for workers cooperation. We find that the decentralization of labor decisions (and to a less extent that of task planning) has a positive impact on workers cooperation. Likewise, cooperation is positively correlated to many of the HRM practices that seem to favor workers'interaction the most. We also confirm the previous finding that collaborative efforts respond positively to pay incentives, and particularly, to group or company incentives.
Reduced rate of fat oxidation: A metabolic pathway to obesity in the developing nations

The purpose of this article is to document the metabolic and environmental factors associated with the increased frequency of obesity in the developing nations. While the prevalence of obesity in the developed countries is caused by the increased consumption of calorie‐dense foods, in the developing nations, because obesity coexists with undernutrition, additional factors are necessary to account for it. The evidence suggests that an important contributing factor for obesity in the developing nations is a reduced fat oxidation and increased metabolism of carbohydrate that has been brought about by the chronic undernutrition experienced during prenatal and postnatal growth. This shift toward a preferential metabolic use of carbohydrate rather than of fat results in an increased deposition of body fat. This tendency, along with the general decrease of energy expenditure in physical activity associated with urbanization, and the culturally mediated acceptance of fatness leads to obesity among populations from the developing nations. A joint effect of these factors is that in the developing nations obesity is associated with short stature resulting from developmental undernutrition, while in the developed countries obesity is associated with tall stature. It is hoped that future research will address the mechanisms whereby undernutrition increases the tendency toward obesity. Understanding how to modify fat oxidation could affect our ability to prevent weight gain among undernourished populations of the developing nations. Therefore, future research on the interaction of undernutrition and the development of obesity is of prime importance for anthropology concerned with the origins of human variability. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:522–532, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multi-Mode Electric Actuator Dynamic Modelling for Missile Fin Control

Linear first/second order fin direct current (DC) actuator model approximations for missile applications are currently limited to angular position and angular velocity state variables. Furthermore, existing literature with detailed DC motor models is decoupled from the application of interest: tail controller missile lateral acceleration (LATAX) performance. This paper aims to integrate a generic DC fin actuator model with dual-mode feedforward and feedback control for tail-controlled missiles in conjunction with the autopilot system design. Moreover, the characteristics of the actuator torque information in relation to the aerodynamic fin loading for given missile trim velocities are also provided. The novelty of this paper is the integration of the missile LATAX autopilot states and actuator states including the motor torque, position and angular velocity. The advantage of such an approach is the parametric analysis and suitability of the fin actuator in relation to the missile lateral acceleration dynamic behaviour.
Insects in flight: direct visualization and flow measurements

The study of insect flight has been advanced in recent years by the advent and application of new quantitative flow diagnostic techniques, not least digital particle image velocimetry. More classical qualitative methods such as smoke flow visualization have also been applied with new goals for the rigorous description of flows around insects. The combination of techniques has led to the development of ideas which may be of some consequence to the designers of micro-air vehicles wishing to follow a biomimetic principle. Specifically, kinematic parameters such as wingbeat frequency and amplitude are discussed, along with some discussion of the investigation of morphological parameters such as wing design.
Optimal kissing balloon inflation after single-stent deployment in a coronary bifurcation model.

AIMS To define the optimal kissing balloon inflation (KBI) after single-stent deployment in a coronary bifurcation model. METHODS AND RESULTS We deployed stents in main vessels (MV) followed by KBI in various conditions and compared the stent configurations. A) KBI at the operator's discretion vs. under the guidelines of minimal balloon overlapping (MBO). Various stent configurations were observed after the former option, whereas similar maximal dilation points were observed under the MBO guidelines. B) Long balloon overlapping (LBO) vs. MBO with proximal MV dilated by a large balloon. The proximal MV was dilated to an ideal round shape with MBO versus an oval shape with LBO. C) Two-link vs. 3-link stents. Although the 2-link stent was advantageous to open the side branch, it incurred a risk of overdilatation of the proximal struts, whereas the 3-link stent preserved its structure. Computed simulations of coronary flow were analysed in the following left main coronary models: circle with a diameter of 4 and 5.5 mm, ellipse with longitudinal direction and tilt position. They revealed that the overdilated side was exposed to low shear stress regardless of its shape. CONCLUSIONS Optimal KBI can be achieved with MBO and proximal dilatation by an optimally sized balloon.
Genome Size Determination and Coding Capacity of Sodalis glossinidius, an Enteric Symbiont of Tsetse Flies, as Revealed by Hybridization to Escherichia coliGene Arrays

ABSTRACT Recent molecular characterization of various microbial genomes has revealed differences in genome size and coding capacity between obligate symbionts and intracellular pathogens versus free-living organisms. Multiple symbiotic microorganisms have evolved with tsetse fly, the vector of African trypanosomes, over long evolutionary times. Although these symbionts are indispensable for tsetse fecundity, the biochemical and molecular basis of their functional significance is unknown. Here, we report on the genomic aspects of the secondary symbiont Sodalis glossinidius. The genome size ofSodalis is approximately 2 Mb. Its DNA is subject to extensive methylation and based on some of its conserved gene sequences has an A+T content of only 45%, compared to the typically AT-rich genomes of endosymbionts. Sodalis also harbors an extrachromosomal plasmid about 134 kb in size. We used a novel approach to gain insight into Sodalis genomic contents, i.e., hybridizing its DNA to macroarrays developed for Escherichia coli, a closely related enteric bacterium. In this analysis we detected 1,800 orthologous genes, corresponding to about 85% of theSodalis genome. The Sodalis genome has apparently retained its genes for DNA replication, transcription, translation, transport, and the biosynthesis of amino acids, nucleic acids, vitamins, and cofactors. However, many genes involved in energy metabolism and carbon compound assimilation are apparently missing, which may indicate an adaptation to the energy sources available in the only nutrient of the tsetse host, blood. We present gene arrays as a rapid tool for comparative genomics in the absence of whole genome sequence to advance our understanding of closely related bacteria.
Concentration of viral vectors by co‐precipitation with calcium phosphate

The envelope glycoproteins, surface unit (SU) and transmembrane (TM) of the murine leukemia virus (MLV) are not covalently linked and tend to dissociate upon high‐speed centrifugation, leading to loss of vector infectivity. This study describes a gentle and simple method to concentrate MLV vectors or HIV vectors pseudotyped with MLV envelopes. Having a fast and inexpensive method to concentrate large volumes of vector supernatant will facilitate in vivo experiments and clinical trials that require high titer vector stocks.
Drug treatments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in young people

The central role of medication in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents is the focus of controversy once more. Questions about the safety and appropriateness of medication have arisen both within and without the medical community. This coincides with the disappointing results for long-term ADHD treatment, illustrated recently by the first major outcome study to be published. Clinicians have had to contend with a number of public health scares following on from the actions of drug regulatory bodies, in addition to misinformation and misunderstanding from the media. Ironically, this comes at a time when we have an ever-widening range of medications and formulations available to us, and better-quality studies to inform treatment decisions. The recently published National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines address some of these issues and provide a welcome summary and reference point for beleaguered clinicians.
Incorporating Recognition and Management of Perinatal and Postpartum Depression Into Pediatric Practice

Every year, more than 400 000 infants are born to mothers who are depressed, which makes perinatal depression the most underdiagnosed obstetric complication in America. Postpartum depression leads to increased costs of medical care, inappropriate medical care, child abuse and neglect, discontinuation of breastfeeding, and family dysfunction and adversely affects early brain development. Pediatric practices, as medical homes, can establish a system to implement postpartum depression screening and to identify and use community resources for the treatment and referral of the depressed mother and support for the mother-child (dyad) relationship. This system would have a positive effect on the health and well-being of the infant and family. State chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics, working with state Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) and maternal and child health programs, can increase awareness of the need for perinatal depression screening in the obstetric and pediatric periodicity of care schedules and ensure payment. Pediatricians must advocate for workforce development for professionals who care for very young children and for promotion of evidence-based interventions focused on healthy attachment and parent-child relationships.
Volatility Dynamics in an Emerging Economy: Case of Karachi Stock Exchange

Abstract The paper aims to model and forecast the volatility in the stocks traded at the Karachi Stock Exchange before and during the recent financial crisis using the GARCH, EGARCH and GJR-GARCH models. We find the stock return volatility to be characterized by clustering and displaying asymmetries. Results point to the capability of the EGARCH(1,1) model at forecasting for both periods lending support to the use of GARCH family of models for emerging markets during crisis. We find evidence for a synthetically constructed index based on trading volume capturing the volatility structure of the market as well as that based on market capitalization which has important implications for investors.
Effect of a finite ground plane on microstrip-fed cavity-backed slot antennas

This paper examines the effect of a finite ground plane on microstrip-fed cavity-backed slot antennas. The uniform geometrical theory of diffraction is employed for calculating the diffracted fields from the edges of a slot antenna's finite ground plane. Measured and simulated results are presented to illustrate the edge effect of a finite ground plane on a slot antenna's return loss and radiation pattern. It is demonstrated that the finite ground plane has a small effect on a slot antenna's radiation performance, which suggests that slot antennas are a superior candidate for mobile terminals compared to microstrip patch antennas.
A Development Strategy of O2O Business in China

This paper analyzes the concept, current development of O2O business models in china. The characteristic of these models including advantages and existing problems are also discussed extensively. Through the analysis of successful cases of these business models, a new development strategy is proposed to improve the efficiency of China O2O business model. It also can be used for O2O enterprises to make future business decision.
Handbook of New Product Development Management

Managing New Product Development: A Framework Technology Strategy Competitive Positioning Through New Product Development Economic Models of Product Family Design and Development Creativity in Product Development Resource Allocation and New Product Development Portfolio Management Organizing for New Product Development Product Development Performance Measures Modularity and Supplier Involvement in Product Development The Impact of Outsourcing on Product Integration and Other Organizational Challenges in Distributed Product Development Environments Hierarchical planning Coordination and Information Exchange Who Do I Listen to? The Role of the Customer on Product Evolution Delivering the Product: Defining Specifications Learning by Experimentation: Prototyping and Testing The Roles of Users, Experts and Institutions in Design Project Risk Management in New Product Development Evaluating the Product Use Cycle: Design for Service and Support Insights into New Service Development: A Stage-Gate Research Framework Approach
Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in multiple sclerosis

To the Editor: The report by Achiron et al.1 demonstrates the greatest reduction to date in relapse rate reported for patients with relapsing MS. This study supports data presented by Fazekas et al.2 but with an even more striking benefit. However, despite a dramatic impact on relapse rate and a trend to reduce disability, there was no impact on MRI, and in fact the score appears more favorable for the placebo than the treated patients. The reduced number of patients at year 2, particularly in the placebo group, may have contributed to this. However, the method of volume determination by the authors was unconventional and could create errors in determination of lesion volume. Has their method been cross-validated with currently accepted volume measurement methods, manual or automated? 3,4 The authors state that the use of yearly T2 lesion load as an outcome measure is known to be insufficient. This statement would appear to contradict current standard practice. There are a large number of MR parameters used in following MS but the consensus for longer duration studies (greater than 6 months) is that T2 lesion burden is an appropriate outcome measure.4-6 Such analyses have demonstrated efficacy for both Betaseron7 and Rebif.8 The current authors may have intended to state that T2 lesion burden is not an appropriate outcome measure for exploratory studies, which are best analyzed using high-frequency gadolinium scanning. The fact that these scans were not performed by Achiron et al. is unfortunate but does not diminish the value of T2 lesion burden as an overall outcome in a 2-year study. The failure to find any change, particularly in the placebo group, in which every patient had attacks, is contrary to what has been found in natural history studies and in …
Benchmarking Six Sigma application in Brazil: Best practices in the use of the methodology

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present part of the results from a survey on Six Sigma, more specifically to identify the best practices in the use of the Six Sigma methodology.Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected in an exploratory‐descriptive survey on Six Sigma adoption in companies operating in Brazil. Then, the paper presents and discusses best practices in Six Sigma application.Findings – The results point out relevant aspects related to the professionals involved with the program, the number of projects developed per year, as well as the return on investments made by companies. It is concluded that a good proportion of respondents adopt best practices according to the literature, but the subject needs a more detailed investigation of the financial benefits achieved with its application.Research limitations/implications – It is important to stress that the importance of some of these exemplary aspects vary with the type of company but, overall, they might be generalised within .
Kernel Density Estimation Using Joint Spatial-Color-Depth Data for Background Modeling

The use of low-cost devices for depth estimation, such as Microsoft Kinect, is becoming more and more popular in computer vision research. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for background modeling which exploits this kind of devices to make the background and foreground models more robust to effects such as camouflage and illumination changes. Our algorithm, after a preprocessing stage for aligning color and depth data and for filtering/filling noisy depth measurements, explicitly models the scene's background and foreground with a Kernel Density Estimation approach in a quantized x-y-hue-saturation-depth space. The results in three different indoor environments, with different lighting conditions, showed that our approach is able to achieve an accuracy in foreground segmentation over 90% and that the combination of depth data and illumination-independent color space proved to be very robust against noise and illumination changes.
Accounting Variables and Bankruptcy Risk for Non-Listed Firms

In this paper I investigate the relation between accounting based variables and bankruptcy risk, using information available for non-listed firms. I use a large sample of firms and find that many of the variables suggested earlier in the literature seem to provide little explanatory power. Further, I find that industry classification does not add much explanatory power of bankruptcy risk not captured by other variables. I suggest a seven-factor model including accounting variables and firm age which performs well out-of-sample. The results suggest that estimated coefficients are unstable, but that the variables are consistently strong determinants of bankruptcy risk.
Characterization of Five RNA Editing Sites in Shab Potassium Channels

RNA editing revises the genetic code at precise locations, creating single base changes in mRNA. These changes can result in altered coding potential and modifications to protein function. Sequence analysis of the Shab potassium channel of Drosophila melanogaster revealed five such RNA editing sites. Four are constitutively edited (I583V, T643A, Y660C and I681V) and one undergoes developmentally regulated editing (T671A). These sites are located in the S4, S5-S6 loop and the S6 segments of the channel. We examined the biophysical consequences of editing at these sites by creating point mutations, each containing the genomic (unedited) base at one of the five sites in the background of a channel in which all other sites are edited. We also created a completely unedited construct. The function of these constructs was characterized using two-microelectrode voltage clamp in Xenopus oocytes. Each individual 'unediting' mutation slowed the time course of deactivation and the rise time during channel activation. Two of the mutants exhibited significant hyperpolarized shifts in their midpoints of activation. Constructs that deactivated slowly also inactivated slowly, supporting a mechanism of closed-state inactivation. One of the editing sites, position 660, aligns with the Shaker 449 residue, which is known to be important in tetraethylammonium (TEA) block. The aromatic, genomically-encoded residue tyrosine at this position in Shab enhances TEA block 14 fold compared to the edited residue, cysteine. These results show that both the position of the RNA editing site and the identity of the substituted amino acid are important for channel function.
Geometry-aware metric learning for similar face recognition

Noticing that face images (from different persons) with high similarity computed by current state-of-the-art methods may be not visually similar, in this paper, we present a new verification problem on judging whether the given faces are similar or not. Similar to “view 2” of Labeled Faces in the Wild (LFW), we construct ten subsets' face pairs using images from LFW. Label of each pair comes from human annotation results. Since similar faces are not from the same person after all, pushing similar faces too close will easily contribute to wrong models. Therefore, we propose a new geometry-aware metric learning (GAML) method which can preserve the similarity of similar faces while enlarge the difference between dissimilar faces. Experimental results show that our method outperforms traditional face verification methods on our similar face dataset.
Two-Dimensional Solitary Wave Solution to the Quadratic Nonlinear Schrdinger Equation

The solitary wave solution of the quadratic nonlinear Schrd̈inger equation is determined by the iterative method called Petviashvili method. This solution is also used for the initial condition for the time evolution to study the stability analysis. The spectral method is applied for the time evolution. Keywords—soliton, iterative method, spectral method, plasma
A decisional framework for legacy system management

Making a decision about how to evolve a legacy system cannot be made spontaneously; rather, it requires a decisional framework that takes into account several factors including software value, risk analysis, and cost estimation. We present a decisional framework to manage legacy systems that exploits an assessment model and a taxonomy of maintenance interventions a legacy system can undergo during its life-cycle. The decisional framework has been defined within a pilot project involving a major international software enterprise. The project aims at assessing and improving the current practices of the organization and at experimenting software maintenance processes conducted by teams distributed at different sites in a cooperative networking environment.