Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organizational Innovation : A Comparative Analysis Between Brazil and Portugal

lthough less prominent in the studies related to the national indicators of innovation and innovative activities, organizational innovation began to receive attention from researchers due to its contribution to the development of other types of innovations. Significant changes in philosophy and management principles, organizational structures and policies, practices, processes and techniques management have been implemented by organizations seeking a new competitive level. Considering the importance of such innovations for competitiveness and the new challenges in organizations, this article aims (1) to discuss the main theoretical and conceptual approaches on organizational innovation, and (2) to analyze the evolution of indicators from Brazil (PINTEC) and Portugal (CIS) in national surveys regarding this type of innovation. The conclusions point out the differences in the results of both surveys, which reflect the realities of Brazilian and Portuguese organizations, and the possibilities for future research to understanding the new challenges to management.
A Loss Model for VBR Sources in ATM Networks

A variable bit rate source is modeled as a Markov modulated deterministic uid ow (MMDFF) process. Each state in the stationary discrete time Markov chain represents one of a nite number of deterministic messages of xed lengths and variable bit rates. At the user network interface this sequence is served at a constant bit rate with a bu er of xed length. The combined system forms a regenerative process, which is modeled as a bivariate Markov chain, representing the message type and the bu er content. The mean loss due to bu er over ow is explicitly found and is shown to be decreasing and convex in both bu er length and service rate. Tight bounds on the sensitivity of the expected loss with bu er length and service rate are derived.
Hemodynamic Evaluation and AntiHypertensive Schemes Used in Puerperal Women Following Pre-Eclampsia *

Pre-eclampsia is still a very prevalent disease with critical hemodynamic changes. This study was evaluated the major anti-hypertensive schemes used at the Materno Perinatal Hospital “Monica Pretelini” (HMPMP) hospitalized at the Obstetric Intensive Care Unit (OICU) for at least seven days. In other group of patients we compared hemodynamic monitoring with Swan-Ganz catheter versus transthoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) and gasometric formulas. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software, version 17. Amlodipine + temisartan + prazocin was the preferred anti-hypertensive drug combination used in our intensive care unit. Sodium nitroprusside is required in 25% of patients until reaching control. There was no statistically significant difference in cardiac output calculated with gasometric formulas compared to thermodilution with Swan-Ganz catheter. Calcium antagonists + angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) + α-blockers offer the best option to control hypertension in puerperal women that followed pre-eclampsia, but oral and IV drugs to control hypertension is required in 20% of cases, in a Mexican Intensive Care Unit specialized in obstetrical patients. Hemodynamic monitoring with gasometric formulas is still usefull in this set of patients, without discarding TEB with a correction factor due to the accumulated extravascular water in these patients.
STAINING RICKETTSIAE IN YOLK-SAC CULTURES.

Rickettsiae in yolk sacs are not stained well by the Macchiavello technique, and experiments were undertaken to understand the mechanisms involved. It was found that the citric acid destaining step was not effective and that most of the basic fuchsin was lost from the rickettsiae during the application of methylene blue, another basic dye. A staining technique was then evolved with carbol basic fuchsin in pH 7.45 phosphate buffer (0.4% dye, 0.4% phenol, 0.07 M buffer), followed directly by 0.8% aqueous malachite green oxalate. This technique worked well for R. mooseri, R. prowazeki, R. rickettsii, R. akari, and R. buretii, but for R. tsutsugumushi a modification was needed, whereby 4% aqueous Fe(NO3)3·9H2O was used as destaining solution, and 0.5% aqueous fast green as the counter-stain.
Effects of Immunomodulators and Biologic Agents on Sexual Health in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND Although much knowledge has been gained regarding the medical and surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a paucity of information is available on the psychosexual issues related to IBD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sexual health of patients with IBD who were taking immunomodulators and/or biologic agents vs patients with IBD who were not on that medication regimen. METHODS All study participants completed a validated sexual health questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index or the International Index of Erectile Function, to assess their subjective perception of the effect of IBD on the different domains of sexual function during the prior 1-month time period. RESULTS No statistically significant differences in any baseline demographic variables were found for either sex between the group taking immunomodulators/biologic agents and the nontreatment group. Among females and males, individual question responses, domain scores, and total scores showed no statistically significant differences between the 2 treatment groups. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the use of immunomodulators or biologic agents does not affect female or male sexual health. However, treatment of patients with IBD must be individualized based on the aggressive nature of the disease, treatment goals, and the tolerability of various medications.
History of input modeling

In stochastic simulation, input modeling refers to the process of identifying and selecting the probability distributions, called input models, from which are generated the random variates that are the source of the stochastic variation in the simulation model when it is run. This article reviews the history of the development and use of such models with the main focus on discrete-event simulation (DES).
COP: Planning Conflicts for Faster Parallel Transactional Machine Learning

Machine learning techniques are essential to extracting knowledge from data. The volume of data encourages the use of parallelization techniques to extract knowledge faster. However, schemes to parallelize machine learning tasks face the trade-off between obeying strict consistency constraints and performance. Existing consistency schemes require expensive coordination between worker threads to detect conflicts, leading to poor performance. In this work, we consider the problem of improving the performance of multi-core machine learning while preserving strong consistency guarantees. We propose Conflict Order Planning (COP), a consistency scheme that exploits special properties of machine learning workloads to reduce the overhead of coordination. What is special about machine learning workloads is that the dataset is often known prior to the execution of the machine learning algorithm and is reused multiple times with different settings. We exploit this prior knowledge of the dataset to plan a partial order for concurrent execution. This planning reduces the cost of consistency significantly because it allows the use of a light-weight conflict detection operation that we call ReadWait. We demonstrate the use of COP on a Stochastic Gradient Descent algorithm for Support Vector Machines and observe better scalability and a speedup factor between 2-6x when compared to other consistency schemes.
Role of vasoactive intestinal peptide in the light input to the circadian system

The neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is expressed at high levels in a subset of neurons in the ventral region of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). While VIP is known to be important for the synchronization of the SCN network, the role of VIP in photic regulation of the circadian system has received less attention. In the present study, we found that the light‐evoked increase in electrical activity in vivo was unaltered by the loss of VIP. In the absence of VIP, the ventral SCN still exhibited N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate‐evoked responses in a brain slice preparation, although the absolute levels of neural activity before and after treatment were significantly reduced. Next, we used calcium imaging techniques to determine if the loss of VIP altered the calcium influx due to retinohypothalamic tract stimulation. The magnitude of the evoked calcium influx was not reduced in the ventral SCN, but did decline in the dorsal SCN regions. We examined the time course of the photic induction of Period1 in the SCN using in situ hybridization in VIP‐mutant mice. We found that the initial induction of Period1 was not reduced by the loss of this signaling peptide. However, the sustained increase in Period1 expression (after 30 min) was significantly reduced. Similar results were found by measuring the light induction of cFOS in the SCN. These findings suggest that VIP is critical for longer‐term changes within the SCN circuit, but does not play a role in the acute light response.
Single-Option Aversion

This article documents single-option aversion, an increase in consumers' desire to search when faced with a single option. This effect can lead to a product being chosen more often when competing alternatives are included in the choice set, contrary to various rational models of search, as well as to recent research on choice conflict showing that additional options can lead to higher deferral rates. A series of lab studies document this effect, differentiate it from other context effects, and test some of its boundary conditions. The results suggest that single-option aversion is not driven by the information provided by the additional options, that the desire to search is critical for this effect to occur, and that the effects of single-option aversion are not limited to the immediate choice set. These results have both practical and theoretical implications for the understanding of consumer search and choice deferral.
Modified circular Taylor patterns to generate footprint patterns

A common method of antenna array synthesis uses leastsquares approximation to fit the radiation pattern of the array to a set of samples of an ideal desired pattern Fid. However, it has long been known that discontinuities in Fid prevent close approximation, and that sampling a target pattern Ftar that approximates Fid can afford better results. Here we show, for the case of circular planar arrays, that an appropriate target pattern can be obtained by modification of a Taylor pattern for a circular aperture.
Fuzzy based hand-shake compensation for image stabilization

The paper proposed a way of dealing with optical image stabilization in solving blurring images caused by hand shake. The idea is to determine the hand-shake situation and then to correct blurring image through position compensation. This method directly detects motion signals to distinguish the hand shake situations from normal camera movement. In the process, fuzzy rule mechanism is employed to have more accurate decision. If a hand-shake situation is determined, the corresponding correction signal is generated to correct the image in a real-time fashion. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, in our implementation, the system directly moves the camera mounted on an X-Y platform to compensate the hand shake effect. From our experiments, it is clearly evident that this method indeed can have better image quality. The average shake without using this method is 73.8 pixels, the average shake with this method is 33.4667 pixels, the average shake reduction is 40.333 pixels and the average percentage of shake reduction is 54.64%.
Influence of Stator and Rotor Pole Arcs on Electromagnetic Torque of Variable Flux Reluctance Machines

The influence of stator and rotor pole arcs on electromagnetic torque of variable flux reluctance machines (VFRMs) having different stator and rotor pole combinations is investigated. Different from 6/4 stator/rotor pole switched reluctance machines, which usually employ equal stator pole arc and stator slot opening, unequal stator pole arc and slot opening can boost the torque density of the VFRM. Moreover, the optimal rotor pole arc to rotor pole pitch ratio in VFRMs is \(\sim ~1/3\) and the optimal stator pole arc is equal to or slightly smaller than the optimum rotor pole arc. For a 6-pole stator, the 4-, 5-, 7-, and 8-pole rotor VFRMs with the optimal stator and rotor pole arcs can increase the average torque by 1%, 4%, 30.7%, and 72.9% compared with those having equal stator pole arc and stator slot opening. In addition, the 6/7 stator/rotor pole VFRM exhibits the largest torque density. Prototype machines with optimal stator and rotor pole arcs are manufactured and measured to validate the analysis.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON GRAPH-BASED IMAGE SEGMENTATION METHODS IN THE CLASSIFICATION OF SATELLITE IMAGES

Object recognition is one of the primary tasks in remote sensing. For example, identifying land cover based on satellite images has an important role in agriculture, environmental protection and economics. Image segmentation is an optional elementary step of the classification process. It can improve both accuracy and performance. Graph theory is a powerful tool to describe image processing algorithms. Its theoretical results greatly help in the analysis of methods. In this article four graph-based image segmentation algorithms are compared and evaluated, namely the best merge algorithm of Beaulieu, Goldberg and Tilton, tree merge segmentation of Felzenszwalb, minimum mean cut segmentation of Wang and Siskind, and finally normalised cut algorithm of Shi and Malik. After segmentation, segments are assigned to land cover categories with supervised classification. In turn, the result of classification is used to measure the accuracy of the procedure. Authors will describe the theoretical background and implementation details of segmentation algorithms, and will introduce some possible improvements.
Late onset vitiligo: A study of 182 patients

The elderly constitute a large and rapidly growing segment of the population; however, there is complete lack of information about the epidemiology of vitiligo in this age group. To study the clinical and epidemiological profile of vitiligo in the elderly, we retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with vitiligo having onset of disease after 50 years of age attending the pigmentary clinic of our center. Of the 182 patients, 87 (47.8%) were males and 95 (52.2%) were females. The mean age of onset of disease was 55 ± 2.3 years. Vitiligo vulgaris was the most common (83.5%) followed by focal (5.5%), segmental (4.4%), acrofacial (3.8%), mucosal (2.2%), and universal (0.5%).
Negative feedback from CaSR signaling to aquaporin-2 sensitizes vasopressin to extracellular Ca2+

ABSTRACT We previously described that high luminal Ca2+ in the renal collecting duct attenuates short-term vasopressin-induced aquaporin-2 (AQP2) trafficking through activation of the Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR). Here, we evaluated AQP2 phosphorylation and permeability, in both renal HEK-293 cells and in the dissected inner medullary collecting duct, in response to specific activation of CaSR with NPS-R568. In CaSR-transfected cells, CaSR activation drastically reduced the basal levels of AQP2 phosphorylation at S256 (AQP2-pS256), thus having an opposite effect to vasopressin action. When forskolin stimulation was performed in the presence of NPS-R568, the increase in AQP2-pS256 and in the osmotic water permeability were prevented. In the freshly isolated inner mouse medullar collecting duct, stimulation with forskolin in the presence of NPS-R568 prevented the increase in AQP2-pS256 and osmotic water permeability. Our data demonstrate that the activation of CaSR in the collecting duct prevents the cAMP-dependent increase in AQP2-pS256 and water permeability, counteracting the short-term vasopressin response. By extension, our results suggest the attractive concept that CaSR expressed in distinct nephron segments exerts a negative feedback on hormones acting through cAMP, conferring high sensitivity of hormone to extracellular Ca2+. Highlighted Article: In the kidney collecting duct, CaSR signaling activated by luminal Ca2+ antagonizes vasopressin action, thus reducing AQP2-mediated water reabsorption and reducing the risk of Ca2+ saturation.
Transcription Factor GATA-4 Is Activated by Phosphorylation of Serine 261 via the cAMP/Protein Kinase A Signaling Pathway in Gonadal Cells*

Gonadal gene expression is regulated by pituitary hormones acting through the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signal transduction pathway. The downstream molecular effectors of these signals, however, have yet to be fully understood. We have recently shown that cAMP stimulation of gonadal cells leads to phosphorylation of the transcription factor GATA-4, a key regulator of gonadal gene expression, thus suggesting that this factor might be a novel target for the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. We now show that the rapid phosphorylation of GATA-4 induced by cAMP in vivo can be blocked by a PKA-specific inhibitor but not by mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors, indicating that GATA-4 is predominantly phosphorylated by PKA in response to cAMP in gonadal cells. In addition, using in vitro kinase assays, we show that PKA phosphorylation of GATA-4 occurs predominantly on an evolutionarily conserved serine residue located at position 261. Phosphorylation of GATA-4 Ser261 by PKA enhances its transcriptional activity on different gonadal promoters, an effect that was markedly reduced with a S261A mutant. Moreover, the S261A mutant blunted cAMP-induced promoter activity in gonadal cells. Finally, PKA-dependent phosphorylation of GATA-4 also led to enhanced recruitment of the CREB-binding protein coactivator. This recruitment and transcriptional cooperation were dramatically impaired with the S261A mutant. Thus, our results identify GATA-4 as a novel downstream effector of cAMP/PKA signaling in gonadal cells, where phosphorylation of Ser261 and recruitment of CREB-binding protein likely represent a key mechanism for conveying the cAMP responsiveness of gonadal genes that lack classical cAMP regulatory elements.
R-Based Strategies for DH in English Linguistics: A Case Study

This paper is a position statement advocating the implementation of the programming language R in a curriculum of English Linguistics. This is an illustration of a possible strategy for the requirements of Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Digital Humanities (DH) studies in an established curriculum. R plays the role of a Trojan Horse for NLP and statistics, while promoting the acquisition of a programming language. We report an overview of existing practices implemented in an MA and PhD programme at the University of Paris Diderot in the recent years. We emphasize completed aspects of the curriculum and detail existing teaching strategies rather than work in progress but our last section alludes to work still under way, such as getting PhD students to write their own R packages. We describe our strategy, discuss better practices and teaching concepts, and present experiments in a curriculum. We express the needs of an initially limited NLP environment and provide directions for future DH curricular developments. We detail the challenges in teaching a non-CL audience, showing that some software suites can be integrated to a curriculum, outlining how some specific R packages contribute to the acquisition of NLP-based techniques and favour the awareness of the needs for statistical modelling .
The Incarnation: a philosophical case for kenosis

As a preliminary, I shall clarify the kenotic position by arguing that a position which is often called kenotic is actually a quasi-kenotic version of the classical account, according to which Jesus had normal divine powers but chose not to exercise them. After this preliminary, I discuss three problems with the strict kenotic account. The first is that kenosis conflicts with the standard list of attributes considered essential to God. The second problem is posed by the Exaltation, namely the resumption by Jesus of normal divine powers after his life on Earth. Finally there is the problem of how it was possible for Jesus to be the same person as the pre-incarnate Word. My solutions to these problems constitute my defence of a strict kenotic account of the Incarnation.
DISCRETE MATHEMATICS Note On integral sum graphs

A graph is said to be a sum graph if there exists a set S of positive integers as its node set, with two nodes adjacent whenever their sum is in S. An integral sum graph is defined just as the sum graph, the difference being that S is a subset of 2~ instead of N*. The sum number of a given graph G is defined as the smallest number of isolated nodes which when added to G result in a sum graph. The integral sum number of G is analogous. We are interested in some problems and conjectures posed by Harary (1994) in [4], mainly proving the conjecture that the integral sum numbers equal sum numbers for all complete graphs with at least four nodes and disproving the conjecture that every tree T with integral sum number if(T) = 0 is a caterpillar. In addition, we also generalize some results of [4]. @ 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
An explanation for the apparent dissociation between clinical remission and continued structural deterioration in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Achieving remission is the aim of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This should represent minimal arthritis activity and ensure optimal disease outcome. However, we have previously demonstrated a high prevalence of imaging-detected synovial inflammation in RA patients who were in clinical remission. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term significance of subclinical synovitis and its relationship to structural outcome. METHODS We studied 102 RA patients receiving conventional treatment who had been judged by their consultant rheumatologist to be in remission, as well as 17 normal control subjects. Subjects underwent clinical, laboratory, functional, and quality of life assessments over 12 months. In addition to standard radiography of the hands and feet, imaging of the hands and wrists was performed with musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) and conventional 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and 12 months, using validated acquisition and scoring techniques. RESULTS Despite their being in clinical remission, 19% of the patients displayed deterioration in radiographic joint damage over the study period. Scores on musculoskeletal US synovial hypertrophy, power Doppler (PD), and MRI synovitis assessments in individual joints at baseline were significantly associated with progressive radiographic damage (P=0.032, P<0.001, and P=0.002, respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant association between the musculoskeletal US PD score at baseline and structural progression over 12 months in totally asymptomatic metacarpophalangeal joints (P=0.004) and 12 times higher odds of deterioration in joints with increased PD signal (odds ratio 12.21, P<0.001). CONCLUSION Subclinical joint inflammation detected by imaging techniques explains the structural deterioration in RA patients in clinical remission who are receiving conventional therapy. Our findings reinforce the utility of imaging for the accurate evaluation of disease status and the prediction of structural outcome.