Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cortical and Subcortical Cognitive Deficits in Schizophrenia: Convergence of Classifications Based on Language and Memory Skill Areas

Cortical and subcortical dementias have been reported to have distinct neuropsychological profiles. Previous studies of patients with schizophrenia have examined the memory-based profiles associated cortical and subcortical dementias. Although these two types of dementias have both language and memory-based profiles, the current study is the first to examine the overlap in classification associated with memory based and language based classifications. In this study, elderly (age >64 years) patients with schizophrenia (n =239) who varied in their lifetime outcome from chronic institutional care to stable community residence were tested with a neuropsychological battery that examined language and memory performance. Using a large sample of normal controls previously tested with this same assessment, normative standards for performance were developed. Schizophrenic patients were divided into cortical versus subcortical versus unimpaired groups on the basis of language and memory performance. Classification overlap ranged from a high of 30% (cortical profile) to a low of 14% (unimpaired profile). Furthermore, patients classified on the basis of verbal and memory ability areas did not differ in their performance in measures from the other ability areas. Data from a 1-year follow-up of part of the sample (n =147) suggested poor stability of the subcortical classification in particular. These data suggest that cortical versus subcortical profiles of cognitive performance in schizophrenia are inconsistent across ability areas, and are not likely to be the result of stable structural or functional brain deficits.
Protocol Verification by Simultaneous Reachability Graph

Non-executable transitions, deadlock states, and livelock cycles are typical errors in communication protocols. Reachability analysis is a direct method to detect these errors, while the state-space explosion is the most severe limitation to such a method. In this letter, a relief strategy is proposed by using the simultaneous reachability graph—a simple graph generated by the simultaneous execution of transitions that are executable on a global state. It is found out that both the correctness and types of errors of a protocol can be detected from the structure of such a graph. An algorithm for plotting the simultaneous reachability graph is developed and its complexity is considered. A numerical example about the handshake protocol is used to illustrate how the method works in practical applications.
Brand managers’ relations with industrial service providers in pharmaceutical and other companies

Focuses on the relations that product managers, as industrial buyers, develop with industrial service providers (advertising, promotional and marketing research agencies, lawyers, other consultants and distribution channels) in different business sectors in Greece. Investigates how brand managers in the pharmaceutical and other fast‐moving consumer goods industries view their relationships with their various interfaces, by analysing the allocation of their working time, the level of contact, and the perceived significance and quality of relationships with their interfaces. The results indicate that there are differences in the development of relationships amongst the sectors analysed.
Differential expression of chitin synthase III and IV mRNAs in ascomata of Tuber borchii Vittad.

A full-length genomic clone encoding a class III chitin synthase (CHS) and one DNA fragment corresponding to a class IV CHS were isolated from the mycorrhizal fungus Tuber borchii and used for an extensive expression analysis, together with a previously identified DNA fragment corresponding to a class II CHS. All three Chs mRNAs are constitutively expressed in vegetative mycelia, regardless of the age, mode of growth, and proliferation capacity of the hyphae. A strikingly different situation was observed in ascomata, where class III and IV, but not class II, mRNAs are differentially expressed in a maturation stage-dependent manner and accumulate, respectively, in sporogenic and vegetative hyphae. These data, the first on the expression of distinct Chs mRNAs during fruitbody development, point to the different cellular roles that can be played by distinct chitin synthases in the differentiation of spores of sexual origin (CHS III) or in ascoma enlargement promoted by the growth of vegetative hyphae (CHS IV).
Convergence to equilibrium for linear spatially homogeneous Boltzmann equation with hard and soft potentials: A semigroup approach in L1‐spaces

We investigate the large time behavior of solutions to the spatially homogeneous linear Boltzmann equation from a semigroup viewpoint. Our analysis is performed in some (weighted) L1‐spaces. We deal with both the cases of hard and soft potentials (with angular cut‐off). For hard potentials, we provide a new proof of the fact that, in weighted L1‐spaces with exponential or algebraic weights, the solutions converge exponentially fast towards equilibrium. Our approach uses weak‐compactness arguments combined with recent results of the second author on positive semigroups in L1‐spaces. For soft potentials, in L1‐spaces, we exploit the convergence to ergodic projection for perturbed substochastic semigroup to show that, for very general initial datum, solutions to the linear Boltzmann equation converges to equilibrium in large time. Moreover, for a large class of initial data, we also prove that the convergence rate is at least algebraic. Notice that, for soft potentials, no exponential rate of convergence is expected because of the absence of spectral gap.
A high-performance circuit design algorithm using data dependent approximation

This paper proposes a high-performance circuit design algorithm using input data dependent approximation. In our algorithm, STEPCs (Suspicious Timing Error Prediction Circuits) are utilized for identifying the paths to be optimized inside a circuit efficiently. Experimental results targeting a set of basic adders show that our algorithm can achieve performance increase by up to 11.1% within the error rate of 2.1% compared to a conventional design technique.
Re‐examining the effect of service recovery: the moderating role of brand equity

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of brand equity in handling service failure and examine the effects of brand equity on service recovery.Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual framework is proposed which includes that satisfaction, as a mediator, accounts for the relationship between service recovery attributes (distributive, procedural, and interactional justice) and post‐recovery behavior (repatronage intentions and word‐of‐mouth behavior). More importantly, brand equity is used to serve as the moderator in the hypothesized research model. Structural equation modeling techniques are applied to data collected from a field study in Taiwan to test the framework.Findings – Results from the current field study found that strong brand equity provides an overall advantage over weak brands in increasing service recovery satisfaction and behavior intentions (repatronage intentions and word‐of‐mouth behavior). Research limitations/implications – The data used in this study were co.
Automatic License Plate Detection CS 771 Course Project

Automatic License Plate Recognition is an important problem in Computer Vision and Image processing. There are many applications ranging from complex security systems to common areas and from parking admission to traffic control. Automatic license plate recognition has complexity due to diverse effects such as of light and speed of the vehicle. In this project report we explore the methods to detect number plate in a frame using machine learning methods. We first use some basic image processing techniques (which uses some properties of number plate like white background etc.) to filter out possible objects for number plate and then use trained model to deteect number plates among them.
Analgesia for acute gingivostomatitis: a national survey of pediatric emergency physicians.

OBJECTIVES Gingivostomatitis is a common, painful pediatric presentation, and yet, few studies are available to guide management. We aimed to describe pediatric emergency physicians' current practice patterns, with respect to analgesic use in children with acute gingivostomatitis, in order to inform future studies. METHODS A national survey was conducted at all 15 national academic pediatric centres. Electronic surveys were distributed to pediatric emergency physicians using a modified Dillman protocol; non-respondents received paper surveys via post. Data were collected regarding demographic characteristics, clinical behaviour, factors that may influence practice, and future directions. RESULTS Response rate was 74% (150/202). Most physicians (72%) preferred the combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen to either agent alone (ibuprofen 19%, acetaminophen 7%). The preferred second-line analgesics were oral morphine (48%, 72/150) and compounded topical formulas (42%, 64/150). The most commonly cited compounded agent was Benadryl plus Maalox (23%, 35/150). Clinical experience with a medication had the greatest influence on practice pattern, with 52% (78/149) strongly agreeing. The most commonly cited barrier to adequate analgesia was difficulty in the administration of topical or oral medication to children. CONCLUSIONS As with many other painful conditions, the combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen was preferred, followed by either agent alone. Oral morphine and topical compounded agents were also frequently prescribed. Regardless of patient age, physicians preferred oral morphine as a second-line agent to treat pain from severe gingivostomatitis. Future research will focus on determining which analgesic and route (oral or topical) is the most effective and best-tolerated choice.
In Vitro Kinetic Analysis of Oligofructose Consumption by Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium spp. Indicates Different Degradation Mechanisms

ABSTRACT The growth of pure cultures of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron LMG 11262 and Bacteroides fragilis LMG 10263 on fructose and oligofructose was examined and compared to that of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 through in vitro laboratory fermentations. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis was used to determine the different fractions of oligofructose and their degradation during the fermentation process. Both B. thetaiotaomicron LMG 11262 and B. fragilis LMG 10263 were able to grow on oligofructose as fast as on fructose, succinic acid being the major metabolite produced by both strains. B. longum BB536 grew slower on oligofructose than on fructose. Acetic acid and lactic acid were the main metabolites produced when fructose was used as the sole energy source. Increased amounts of formic acid and ethanol were produced when oligofructose was used as an energy source at the cost of lactic acid. Detailed kinetic analysis revealed a preferential metabolism of the short oligofructose fractions (e.g., F2 and F3) for B. longum BB536. After depletion of the short fractions, the larger oligofructose fractions (e.g., F4, GF4, F5, GF5, and F6) were metabolized, too. Both Bacteroides strains did not display such a preferential metabolism and degraded all oligofructose fractions simultaneously, transiently increasing the fructose concentration in the medium. This suggests a different mechanism for oligofructose breakdown between the strain of Bifidobacterium and both strains of Bacteroides, which helps to explain the bifidogenic nature of inulin-type fructans.
Cross-cultural influences on e-value creation in supply chains

Purpose – This paper seeks to report the results of an empirical study examining the influence of cross-cultural differences on the value creation process from e-business systems in the supply chain. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was sent out to senior managers in companies operating in two culturally distinct national cultures. The effects of cross-cultural differences were examined by testing for between-group differences in the structural model using the multi-group partial least squares (PLS) statistical approach. Findings – Consistent with the resource-based view (RBV), contingency “fit” theory, and prior research, this study demonstrates that the value creation process from e-business systems is significantly enhanced in companies operating in national cultures that emphasize cooperation and interdependence, and promote group-level interests over individual interests. Originality/value – The mechanisms through which performance improvement is achieved from e-business systems are stil.
The study of Factors influencing the accepting of Internet Banking (Case Study: Bank Sepahin Alborz Province)

This research is based on descriptive - analytical type and our goal of this research is applied. The statistical population are Sepah Bank in Alborz Province, statistical sample is customers and users of Internet banking services . In this study sampling method is simple random sampling. The research model is derived from the model of Chong et al(2008) and Juwaheer et al(2012). In this study, the effects of the five variables, TRA, TPB, TAM, trust and security, government support, and demographic variables has been evaluated on the adoption of Internet banking been by linear regression, one-factor analysis of variance and the SPSS software. Findings show that Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, Subjective norms, behavioral intention, attitude, safety, trust and support of the government have influence on the adoption of internet banking.
Contributions by Host Trees and Insect Activity to Bacterial Communities in Dendroctonus valens (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Galleries, and Their High Overlap With Other Microbial Assemblages of Bark Beetles

Abstract Bark beetles are associated with a diversity of symbiotic microbiota that can mediate interactions with their host plants. Dendroctonus valens LeConte is a widely distributed bark beetle in North and Central America, and initiates solitary attacks on several species of Pinus in the Great Lakes region. In this study, we aimed to further characterize the bacterial community associated with D. valens feeding galleries using next-generation sequencing, and the possible contributions of both tree-resident and insect-associated bacteria to these consortia. We found that D. valens galleries harbor a diversity of microbial associates. Many of these associates were classified into a few taxonomic groups, of which Gammaproteobacteria were the most abundant class. Of the Gammaproteobacteria detected, many formed clades with 16S-rRNA sequences of bacteria previously associated with D. valens. Many of the bacteria sequences detected in the galleries were similar to bacteria that function in detoxification, kairomone metabolism, and nitrogen fixation and cycling. The abundance of bacteria in galleries were 7× and 44× higher than in the surrounding uninfested tissues, and that were not attacked by D. valens, respectively. This suggests that the bacteria present in beetle galleries are largely introduced by D. valens and proliferate in this environment.
Internationalization as a strategy process

This paper critically reviews the field of international business research. The field is characterized by considerable intellectual diversity, where theoretical focus is blurred by the multidisciplinary nature of the field. The review focuses on three themes that help shed light on internationalization as a strategy process; stage models of internationalization, studies of the link between strategy and structure in MNCs, and studies of administrative processes in MNCs and recent organizational models for MNCs. Sequential stages models are too deterministic and stress only early stages of internationalization. Conceptual contributions from research on structures following strategies have a very static character. Research on management processes in MNCs have a questionable empirical base and normative bent. Three key themes for future research on internationalization as a process are suggested. These themes, dealing with major omissions and weaknesses identified in the review, are: the study of acquisition processes and internationalization, the study of dynamic processes in MNCs, and the study of internationalization processes in their outer contexts.
Endogenous determination of FDI growth and economic growth: the OECD case

This paper tests the endogenous relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) growth and economic growth using a panel data set for 23 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries for the period 1975-2004. In particular we estimate a two-equation simultaneous equation system with the Generalised Methods of Moments (GMM) that treat economic growth and FDI growth as endogenous variables. We find that FDI growth and economic growth are significant determinants of each other. We also find that export growth rate and human capital are statistically significant determinants of both FDI growth and economic growth. Our findings lead us to conclude that FDI growth and economic growth have an endogenous relationship.
Pain intensity and discomfort following surgical placement of orthodontic anchoring units and premolar extraction: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare perceived pain intensity and discomfort between the placement of two different orthodontic anchoring units designed for osseointegration and premolar extraction in adolescent patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 120 adolescent patients (60 girls and 60 boys) were recruited and randomized into three groups. Group A underwent installation of an onplant, group B installation of an Orthosystem implant, and group C premolar extraction. Pain intensity and discomfort, analgesic consumption, limitations in daily activities, and functional jaw impairment were evaluated the first evening and one week after the intervention. RESULTS Pain intensity following surgical installation of an onplant was comparable to the pain intensity experienced after premolar extraction, but there was significantly less pain after surgical installation of an Orthosystem implant compared to installation of an onplant (P = .002) or premolar extraction (P = .007). The protective, vacuum-formed stent caused great discomfort, even more discomfort than the surgical sites following installation of the onplant or the Orthosystem implant. CONCLUSION The Orthosystem implant was better tolerated than the onplant in terms of pain intensity, discomfort, and analgesic consumption and was, therefore, the anchorage system of choice in a short-term perspective.
Recent U.S. Trends in the Age Decrement in Health Satisfaction: Preliminary Findings

One of the most salient components of older patients' mental disposition involves satisfaction with health. Low health satisfaction has been observed to be associated with anomia, unhappiness, high body concern, poor adjustment to the environment, low activity, and depression. Yet a number of issues in the area remain under-investigated. One such issue involves change over time in the elderly populace's general level of content ment with health. The present study utilizes data' from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago to investigate this subject. The preliminary findings suggest that the extent to which the aged are highly satisfied with their health has been declining, particularly in comparison to that of their younger counterparts.
U.S. Public and Private Venture Capital Markets, 1998-2001: A Fundamental Information Analysis

Systematic analysis of U.S. capital markets reveals important empirical facts that analytical modeling or empirical research seeking to explain the 1998-2001 movements needs to recognize. There is no single "bubble point" at which U.S. capital markets had an epiphany that valuations required a sharp downward re-evaluation. Rather, different sectors had different points after which ex post sustained declines occurred. For the NASDAQ/NYSE/AMEX public capital markets, the sustained ex post declines occurred starting in March 2000 for the computer software industry and in September 2000 for the computer hardware industry. Private venture capital investment in new ventures peaked in the March 2000 quarter for software and in the September 2000 quarter for hardware and communications. Four sectors exhibiting extreme price movements are identified - computer hardware, computer software, telecommunications, and biotech/pharmaceuticals. These sectors had observable characteristics prior to 1998 that implied higher risk - they had higher relative risk (CAPM beta), higher standard deviation of security returns, more extreme revenue growth increases (decreases) in the upper (lower) tails, and a higher propensity for negative net income. During the 1998-2001 period, companies in these sectors had abnormally high revenue growth rates. An Internet sample of companies exhibits even higher abnormal revenue growth rates relative to either prior periods or other companies in the 1998-2001 period. The large relative increases and decreases in the market capitalization of U.S. capital markets in 1998-2001 may well have more grounding in risk-reward asset pricing theory than many commentators have recognized.
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GOVERNANCE, MEDIA, ECONOMIC FACTORS AND WEB-BASED DISCLOSURE: SOME CANADIAN EVIDENCE

The advent of Internet has expanded considerably the reach of corporate disclosure. In this paper, we explore two related questions: (1) What are the scope and patterns of corporate socio-economic disclosure on the Internet? (2) What are the determinants of corporate socio-economic disclosure on the Internet? Socioeconomic disclosure relates to corporate actions and initiatives that directly affect society and, ultimately, stockholders’ wealth. To assess these two questions, we rely on a three-tiered conceptual framework that weaves together three complementary perspectives: information costs and benefits, governance and public pressure. We focus on web-based voluntary disclosure among Canada’s largest publicly-traded firms between 2001 and 2005: Canada is one of the world’s most wired countries and Internet is now widely recognized as the primary source of information for investors. Web disclosure by these firms is rated using a newly-designed grid. Regarding the first question, results show two diverging trends. On the one hand, web page quality tends to converge over time (between 2001 and 2005) as does information disclosed about Value for Clients, and Human & Intellectual Capital (between 2003 and 2005). On the other hand, we document divergences over time in firms’ propensity to provide information on the web about Financial performance (2001-2005) and Corporate governance, Operations efficiency, and Innovation, development & growth (2003-2005). With respect to the second question, consistent with expectations, results show that information costs and benefits faced by capital markets participants, governance and monitoring considerations as well as the need for firms to legitimize their activities all influence web-based disclosure. More specifically, high leverage and free cash flow (a proxy for external financing needs) translate into less web-based disclosure. In contrast, firms facing high systematic risk and firms listed on a US stock exchange provide more extensive socio-economic disclosure than others. Results also show that governance and monitoring issues are associated with socio-economic disclosure. For instance, board independence and board size, and to a lesser extent the frequency of audit committee meetings, are positively related to disclosure while the importance of a CEO’s stock option portfolio translates into less disclosure. This latter result suggests that there could be opportunistic behavior by CEOs. Our results also suggest that external public pressure, as measured by media exposure, enhances the role played by independent directors in determining a firm’s disclosure transparency.